Mom guilt is real, but we're all just doing the best we can.

Here’s something you might not know about me…

I had my first daughter when I was 27. Not exactly a young mom, but definitely younger than my friends. I also had no idea what I was doing.

I hated babysitting and wasn’t a huge fan of babies or kids in general. I’m an only child so I hung out with adults when I was growing up -even when I was young I didn't relate well to other kids.

So there I was, 27, didn't know what the heck to do with this baby, but at the same time I wanted everything for her. I wanted to be the best mom. I had to do all the things, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, making baby food - basically a Pinterest perfect mom years before Pinterest was even a thing.

Luckily, I went to a new mom support group at my local hospital where I not only made some great “mom friends”, I also learned one important lesson - if you don’t take care of yourself first, how can you expect to take care of your kids well?

Yes, I’m talking about being a mom, but I think this is generalizable about any role we play in general. If we aren’t taking care of ourselves, how can we successfully take care of others.

There are times when life gets too crazy and I lose sight of this, but I constantly come back to this when I think about the kind of mom I want to be.

• I want my daughters to learn from my example.

• I want them to know that they are strong women that can accomplish whatever they put their minds to.

• I want them to be confident and courageous and embrace their creativity.

• I want them to realize when they need to take a break and have self-care rituals to lean on when they need them.

• I want them to have a growth mindset that sees challenges instead of limitations and focus on abundance.

Sometimes my take on motherhood might seem selfish but I’m just doing the best I can and what I think is best for my girls.

What’s your mom-life style?

Spring Gardening Fun Means a Bounty of Summer Vegetables

With all that’s going on with COVID-19 I’m grocery shopping a lot less. Plus I’m a little nervous about eating raw vegetables because I don’t know who has handled them.

Luckily, it’s spring so we decided to get back to growing our own vegetables.

Thanks to our neighbors, we now have seeds!

Spring Gardening is Fun and Means more Veggies this Summer

I’m not quite sure how much sun we’ll get in this little raised bed, but it’s worth a shot.

The girls helped me plant kale, garlic, artichokes, carrots, and lettuce. Planting from seeds is so quick and easy!

We just used a shovel to draw a line in the soil, sprinkled the seeds down the line, covered the seeds with soil, and then watered the whole bed. Now we just have to figure out how to protect our seeds and veggies from the deer and other critters.

Choosing Seeds

When choosing seeds be sure to avoid GMO (genetically modified organisms), now often called bio-engineered (BE) seeds. These seeds come from gene-splicing in a lab and not in nature. The following plants have GMO seeds available, so be especially careful if you pick up a packet of corn, cotton, soybeans, alfalfa, papaya, zucchini and summer squash, sugarbeets, canola, potato, or apple seeds.

I found this article on garden seeds to be very helpful in choosing which types of seeds to plant:

https://foodrevolution.org/blog/how-to-choose-garden-seeds/

Do you have a vegetable garden? Please share you tips, and I’d love ideas on protecting our bed from visiting animals.

Why You Need to Wear (Safe) Sunscreen Every Day!

Commit to wearing sunscreen EVERY day!

I’m re-sharing this blog post because I still think it’s important to wear SPF every day.

Even though I originally posted this in July of 2019, I still wear my SPF daily, even on days when I don’t leave my house.

Here’s what I shared -

Do you wear SPF every day? I admit it, I didn’t used to. But I recently made the commitment to wear it EVERY day. It is important!

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. My dad has had several malignant melanomas (thankfully all 0 stage or pre-melanomas) and my mom has had one pre-cancer cell removed. This is scary stuff.

There ARE safe sunscreens that can prevent skin cancer! Plus, a daily SPF protects against aging, wrinkles, and sun spots.

I often hear reasons why someone doesn’t need sunscreen. Like, “I’m in an office all day”, “I need the vitamin D” or “it’s raining, do I really need to wear SPF?”. I’m going to bust some myths and hopefully convince you to start wearing SPF every day. It is such a simple way to protect yourself!

I work in an office all day. I don’t think I need to wear SPF every day.

• UVA rays can penetrate through glass - you are exposed to damaging rays while driving. Plus you are exposed while walking into the office and during breaks.

• This jarring photo of a truck driver from the New England Journal of Medicine shows just how damaging the sun can be while driving. This photo is a scary visual of what 28 years of sun exposure can do to the skin.

28 years of UVA ray damage from driving (NEJM)

It rains all the time here, do we really need SPF? 

• 95% of ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from UVA rays which are 30-50% more damaging than UVB rays. UVA rays are also around year round and come through cloud coverage. On cloudy days 80% of the sun's rays pass through the cloud filled sky.

I prefer to get my vitamin D as naturally as possible, through sun exposure. I don't think I need to use SPF on my face every day.

* I want to start by saying that getting natural Vitamin D through sun exposure is very controversial. I'm not a doctor and I'm not trying to be one. I'm simply sharing information.

• It's true that exposing your skin to sunlight is a great way to get Vitamin D. HOWEVER, you don't need to tan or burn your skin to get Vitamin D, you only need about 15 minutes to get ALL the Vitamin D your body can produce in a single day. The paler your skin, the more easily your skin produces Vitamin D. The Vitamin D Council suggests only exposing your skin for 1/2 the time it takes to get burned. Then it is time to cover up, stay in the shade, and use sunscreen. You also get the most Vitamin D when you expose a large area of your skin, not your face. Exposure to UV light is one of the factors that leads to wrinkles, so we definitely don't want to skip sunscreen on your face, even when spending a few minutes outside getting that natural Vitamin D. 

• You can get Vitamin D through the following foods:
  - Fatty fish
  - Beef liver
  - Egg yolks
  - Fortified milk and orange juice
  - Fortified cereals

• You can also get Vitamin D through a supplement.

Safe SPF & My Favorite Sunscreens

I hope I have convinced you to wear SPF every day. Of course you also need to be aware of the ingredients in your sunscreen! There is a big difference between chemical sunscreen (one that absorbs into the skin) and mineral sunscreen (provides a physical barrier on top of the skin). I prefer mineral sunscreen because they work better and there are more mineral sunscreens with safe ingredients.

You know I’ve done my fair share of label analysis on sunscreens! And I’ve tried a ton! I’ve narrowed down my favorites to those that don’t leave my skin look white and ghostly.

My favorite face sunscreen is Crunchi Sunlight. It is broad-spectrum (blocking both UVA and UVB rays), and uses non-nano zinc oxide while also nourishing the skin with aloe, vitamin E, jojoba esters, açaí, and goji fruit antioxidants. It rubs in well and doesn’t leave the skin greasy or opaque like other mineral sunscreens.

For body my favorite right now is All Good. I think it rubs in better than ThinkSport or Badger, two other brands that use safe ingredients.

What other questions do you have about SPF? What are your favorite safe sunscreens and what do you like about them?

Free Spring Cleaning Challenge - Don't Miss Out!

Did you join my free spring cleaning challenge?

No?

It’s not too late! We just started this morning and since the tasks are simple and easy, you can catch up in no time.

So go do it.

Join in the fun and Green Your Spring Clean Routine!

Need more details?

With spring comes spring cleaning, right? Unfortunately many of the products we turn to for cleaning  are terrible for our health. 

And right now, we’re all thinking even more about our health…

We are all thinking about ways that we can be healthier. While we may be social isolating and washing our hands to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19, health is constantly on our minds right now. What a great time to take advantage of being at home with a spring cleaning challenge. Along with cleaning things up, this challenge will teach you about why it’s important to consider the products you clean with.

So come join us! www.bit.ly/greenyourspringclean

Watch Out for Methylisothiazolinone

Parabens, phthalates, and fragrance are ingredients I often talk about, but I thought it would be good to highlight a lesser known ingredient that should be avoided as well. I have many friends that struggle with eczema. It can be itchy and annoying and hard to get rid of. The ingredient methylisothiazolinone should be avoided if you struggle with eczema. 

What is methylisothiazolinone?

Often called MI, Methylisothiazolinone is a biocide, a chemical substance that controls or kills microorganisms. MI is often found in antibacterial and cleaning products and is used as a preservative. 

MI is another chemical that has been banned for use in personal care products in the European Union (EU) but is still allowed in America. As a reminder, our cosmetics industry uses roughly 10,000 industrial chemical ingredients in personal care products, and the vast majority have never been assessed for safety by any publicly accountable body.

Why avoid methylisothiazolinone?

Methylisothiazolinone can irritate the skin and In 2013, the American Contact Dermatitis Society named MI the contact allergen of the year. Contact dermatitis is a kind of eczema caused when the skin reacts to an allergen. The allergen can be in a product that is applied to the skin or inhaled or ingested. The National Eczema Association names MI, along with fragrance, the metals nickel, cobalt, and chromium, formaldehyde, and other harmful chemicals as the main triggers for contact dermatitis. 

There has also been some concern that MI may be related to organ system toxicity (1) and neurotoxicity (2). This means that Methylisothiazolinone may impact the development and function of the organ system or central and/or peripheral nervous system. Sounds like a good chemical to avoid, right?

As you read labels, Methylisothiazolinone is one to watch out for.

If you’re looking for more help reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals get my Guide to Toxin Free Living.

(1)  Rohm & Haas (2002). Acute Inhalation toxicity study in rate (methylisothiazolinone 53.52% active ingredient). Rohm & Haas Chemicals, LLC Report, 06R-1002.

(2) Burnett, C. L., Bergfeld, W. F., Belsito, D. V., Klaassen, C. D., Marks, J. G., Shank, R. C., … & Andersen, F. A. (2010). Final report of the safety assessment of methylisothiazolinone. International journal of toxicology, 29(4 suppl), 187S-213S.

Spring Cleaning Challenge - Green Your Spring Clean Routine

What a weird world we’re living in right now.

Other than walks in my neighborhood, I haven’t left my house in over 7 days. I don’t know that I have EVER stayed home that much. Even after giving birth. I remember with my oldest I was using the nursing room at Nordstrom 3 days after coming home from the hospital. I just like to get out.

I hope that you are also social distancing so we can hopefully “flatten the curve”.

Have you started any projects since everything was cancelled?

How about spring cleaning?

Want to start together? Chores are always more fun when they’re done with friends.

That’s why I decided to create the FREE Green Your Spring Clean Routine Challenge.

Spring Cleaning Challenge - Green Your Spring Clean Routine

We’re going to do more than clean in this fun challenge. I’ll be sharing enlightening info about green cleaning and what that really means.

Before you start making excuses about how you’re too busy teleworking while homeschooling…believe me I feel your pain…let me tell you that this will be quick and easy and won’t take much time at all.

In this quick and fun 5-day challenge I’ll share a daily video, a simple task to complete, and have time for Q&A. Plus you’ll get support and encouragement from the private Facebook group I’m creating just for this challenge.

Are you in? Just click here: www.bit.ly/greenyourspringclean

Invite a friend too. Because, as I said earlier, chores are more fun with friends ;)

Let's Chat About Greenwashing Again!

Greenwashing really bugs me. Like to my core it annoys me.

I recently was watching a news story on the internet. The story was all about how toxins in our environment are linked with the obesity epidemic. Yep, you read that right. It’s not just poor food and lack of exercise, it’s also related to the endocrine disruptors that lurk in just about everything.

Well…back to my point about greenwashing… the ad before the story was for Grove Collaborative. While the mission for Grove may be good, their methods aren’t. They market themselves as a resource for natural and healthy living. But as we know, the term “natural” isn’t regulated. It just that…a marketing term.

And guess what… Grove Collaborative sells greenwashing products like Mrs. Meyers. Did you know Mrs. Meyers is owned by SC Johnson? Oh, and did you know that Grove Collaborative was created to fit a marketing niche - not necessarily as a method to distribute truly safe products into homes?

What’s greenwashing again?

 Greenwashing is a marketing technique used by companies to imply that their products are green or safe, when they actually aren’t. Some greenwashing terms to look out for are:

• Natural

• Botanical

• Green

• Eco-friendly

• Non-toxic

• Organic

• Preservative-free

• Dermatologist-approved

I don’t know about you, but I get pretty mad when I buy a product and it’s not exactly what I thought it was. Often, I realize that I bought a product simply because I was marketed to.

So what’s the lesson here? Ignore the pretty label and terms on the front of the product. Look on the back. Read the ingredients. This is the only way to truly know if what you’re buying lives up to the claims.

My First Podcast Interview - The Simple Home Podcast. Now That Was an Experience!

Jenna from The Simple Home recently interviewed me and we had a lot of fun!

I love Jenna’s perspective that minimizing clutter and simplifying life can make things easier on moms. I know that has definitely made a big difference for me.

It was an honor to spend an hour chatting with Jenna and sharing with her listeners all about toxin free living, greenwashing, and the first steps to take in living a more toxin free life. We also chatted about our common beliefs around fewer products and simplifying routines.

Take a listen, and let me know what you think! Jenna would love to hear too. Give her a review and comment!

Don't Know Where to Start with Detoxing Your Home? Sign Up for My Masterclass “3 Secrets to Quickly and Easily Detox Your Home”

Imagine what it would feel like to confidently choose safe products while shopping.

Imagine how you’d feel about staying on budget and not worrying about the products you’re bringing into your home.

Imagine following a simple plan to finally get it done.

I started Detox by Design because I found that moms need a little more help with detoxing their homes. Even though I was providing free tips in my Facebook group, Detox by Design Insiders, I kept getting the same questions. I also found that although many knew they needed to do it, but they kept procrastinating because they were getting overwhelmed.

I decided to provide some extra help in a free webinar. In Three Secrets to Quickly and Easily Detoxing Your Home, I’m going to help you overcome procrastination and the immense feeling of overwhelm and finally detox your home. You’ll learn that it can be simple, easy, and affordable to find safe products to use in your home.

And if you want even more help, I’ve created a simple step by step process to make it all easy and achievable. I’ll be sharing all about my new program within the webinar. So go sign up now!

Our School District Banned Disinfectant Wipes! Will Yours Be Next?

Remember back in August when I shared my Safer Wipes sheet with you?

Well, I also shared it with my daughter’s teacher…and she shared it with the principal…and less than six months later, the district banned wipes from being used in the classroom.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Detox by Design by Megan, MPH (@detoxbydesign_meganmikkelsen) on Feb 25, 2020 at 5:16pm PST

I don’t know that my little Safer Wipes sheet actually impacted this change.

But what I do know is that now…

1. Fewer kids are exposed to allergens

2. Fewer kids are exposed to chemicals that can cause asthma

3. And fewer kids are exposed to “fragrance”, the loophole that can hide over 4,000 chemicals within that one term.

I’m a rule follower to my core (first born child, of course). As you can imagine balking the supply list and not buying EXACTLY what was on it was hard for me. I don’t like causing a scene or being different from the pack.

But I’m getting over that. Real change comes from pushing outside of our comfort zone. We need to stand up for what we know is right.

Thank you to the teachers and administrators who stand up for our kids every day!

Valentine's Day Recipes to Show Your Love

It's love week. What I mean to say is Valentine's Day is Friday and everywhere I look I see red, pink, and hearts galore.

One of the ways I like to show my love is to cook and bake. 

(Cue my husband reading this email and asking why I haven't baked him any peanut butter cookies lately.)

One of the meals I make just because I want to make him happy is lasagna. Nope, it's not healthy. I use regular lasagna noodles, jarred marinara, and lots of ricotta and mozzarella. Oh yeah, and Italian sausage...but at least the ground beef I use is grass fed on a local farm.

Want my cheater recipe that my husband claims is the best lasagna he's every had? (Isn't he sweet?)

Oh, and if you're looking for other recipes I asked my community in Detox by Design Insiders to share their favorite "special occasion" recipes.

Go add yours now!

Megan's Lasagna

1 package of lasagna noodles

2 jars of marinara sauce

1 package of Italian sausage (I like the spicy variety)

1 lbs. of ground beef

1 small container of ricotta

1 package of shredded mozzarella 

1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Remove sausage from casings and brown together with beef in a deep stockpot on the stove. Once cooked through, add the marinara sauce.

3. While beef mixture is cooking, combine ricotta, mozzarella (saving about 1/2 cup of mozzarella for the top of the lasagna) , and egg.

4. In a 9x13 oven safe pan, add some of the sauce mixture to the bottom or the pan. Using a butter knife, spread the cheese mixture on lasagna noodles and lay noodles in the bottom of the pan creating a single layer.  Add sauce to cover the first layer of noodles. Continue process until the pan is full of noodles and sauce, top with the extra mozzarella, and tightly cover with foil.

5. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the edges are bubbling. Remove foil and let the cheese on top get brown and melted, about 10 minutes.

There you have it. I'm no Martha Stewart but I make a mean cheater lasagna.

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

Flu, Coronavirus, and Planes, Oh My...

Yep, I’m getting on an airplane during the middle of winter. 

Honestly, I’ve never thought about the risk of getting sick when I travel. And, I’m usually looking forward to escaping non-stop rain and the cold dreary weather of the PNW winter.

But I was chatting with some moms last week and they said they avoid air travel during the “sick season”. 

I say, whatever! 

There’s no way I’m missing time in Orlando for Crunchi’s retreat.  I’m super excited to see my friends from across the US, learn about new products coming this year, and feel the energy of so many women sharing essential ingredient education and empowering others to choose safe products for their families.

I’m all about prevention, so I’ve been thinking about what I can do to stay healthy before and while I’m away? 

And I figured you might find this helpful too!

None of these tips are mind blowing, but they’re good reminders of daily habits that can help keep us healthy.

5 tips to stay healthy before and while on vacation:

1. Eat healthy meals and get regular exercise leading up to, and on, your trip. Yep, this isn’t mind blowing information, but eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables and 30 minutes of activity a day is one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy. It’s tempting to let your diet go while on vacation, but eating a healthful diet while away is just better for you.

2. Get extra zzzzs. I know it’s hard not to stay up late packing, but try and get some extra sleep leading up to your trip. I find this is especially helpful for red-eye flights, time changes, and jet lag.

3. Wash your hands. Simple advice, but it works. BTW washing with soap and water actually works better than hand sanitizer...so just take a few minutes to wash up before meals.

4. Drink lots of water. It’s easy to get dehydrated while traveling, so make sure you bring your water bottle and refill often.

5. Unplug and take some time to relax. Honestly, this will be hard for me on this trip especially. On most vacations, I love a digital detox, meditating, reading, and simply doing nothing. But on a trip like this there are activities galore, lots of networking, and so much knowledge being shared. But, this year I’m going to try and manage my excitement by continuing my daily meditation practice and spending a few minutes away from the continual energy buzz.

I hope you found these tips helpful! 

Now it’s your turn. 

How do you prep for a trip and stay healthy while away from home?

Have You Detoxed Your Dude? Men Deserve Safe Products Too!

My guess is that yes, you usually buy your husband's products.

This is great because it gives you the chance to help him detox. In most cases I think this works best in a slow and deliberate manner. Even the most change loving person might freak if their typical deodorant, hair products, and soaps were changed over night.

I've found introducing one product at a time is the best way to slowly reduce your spouse's toxic body burden. I think it's also helpful to explain why you bought something new - you're making more conscious choices and you care about his health.

It's great if you can find products that look similar to what he was using before. Maybe even the same colors on the label or at least "manly" looking. I know this sounds ridiculous, but there is a reason why brands create their own unique logos- they're trying to get a certain type of customer interested in their product! I've found this totally works - men are some of the biggest fans of the Crunchi charcoal body bar!

It's so MANLY, it's BLACK! LOL!

A great brand with a more masculine feel (and safe ingredients) is John Masters Organics. 

So please tell me have you detoxed your dude?

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Break Down Your Toxic Money Mindset!

A few years ago I was a little budget crazy. I'm sure my friends complained that I was being extra "cheap". We were using cash based budgeting to knock out my college loans so we could be debt free (besides our mortgage).

We were paying attention to every cent we spent. Yes, it worked, but it also was a little obsessive and in hindsight it made me realize how much mindset is connected to money and spending.

Have you ever noticed that when you're watching every penny go out of your bank account there’s never enough? Or when you keep thinking "there will never be enough money to..." it ends up being true? A money mindset, or on the flip side, abundance mindset is a real thing. 

I've been working on this for awhile now (I'm still working on it BTW) and it's made me realize how toxic our belief systems can be and just how much these negative thoughts affect our lives. 

Don't get me wrong, I still pay attention to our finances and use a budget system, but I'm doing my best to flip my mindset. What if we switched our thoughts from begrudgingly paying for something to enjoying spending the money because you get to support the store, service, or community with your money.

For example, instead of thinking "Ugh, it's so expensive to get my hair done" to "I love financially supporting my hair stylist. I get to spend an hour relaxing and talking with her and I always leave feeling confident and beautiful." It just feels better! I've found that "feeling" is so much more and permeates into my life with abundance instead of scarcity.

One book I found really helpful with this is Kate Northrup's book Money, A Love Story: Untangle Your Financial Woes and Create the Life You Really Want. Have you read any great books that have helped you reframe your money mindset? I'd love to hear!

So what do you think? Are you doing your best to live with abundance?

Toxin-Free Living New Year's Resolutions? Time to Tackle Them!

We're almost a week into 2020 and I'm still talking about resolutions. And while I don't really believe in "resolutions" (I mean who can really keep a resolution for an entire year?), I do like the idea of resetting back to healthier living after the holidays.

January 1 may be the day that many people re-start, but I'm never quite ready. I usually have a slight hangover (I'm just being honest here) and we spend New Year's Day watching football and enjoying your typical football watching fare (like chips and guacamole and yes...fake cheese). 

If this is your year to detox your home and personal care products buuuut you haven't quite started yet, I'm here to tell you that it's not too late! And, if you want help, I'm here for you, just choose your level: 

Level 1 (free): Keep reading these emails for tips and get support through my online community. 

Level 2 (affordable one-on-one support): In my Virtual Visits ($99) I chat with my clients about the steps it takes to detox your home and every day products. Book a session and I'll analyze what you're using and suggest safer options. This is a fast yet effective way to get it done. 

Level 3 (coming soon based on demand): Are you one of those people that just wants to be sent a box of safe products so you don't have to worry about reading ingredient labels and still wondering what to buy? Well, I'm creating a "box" for that. I'm still working out the logistics and will start small and may deliver myself to local clients - so respond and let me know you're interested! 

Detox by Design "The Box" will include just what you need - cleaning products, laundry, and/or body and hair care - what do you need the most help with? 

As always, thank you for reading and supporting me in my mission to help women feel confident in choosing safe products for their families. 

New Year's Resolutions or Goals? How Are You Preparing for 2020?

It’s almost 2020!

And, if you’re anything like me, you’re still eating Christmas cookies and takeout during this weird time between Christmas and New Year’s. I’m ready to reset my food and fitness routine, but at the same time just waiting for January 1. Why do I do that to myself?

At times in my past I have been more extreme in my New Year’s resets. I’ve done cleanses, Whole 30, and attempted yoga every day. What I’ve learned over the years is that the day the program is over, and in some cases a few days before, I go back to regular eating and less exercise. Yes, it’s usually healthier than where I started, but it still doesn’t seem to work as a long term approach.

So this year I’m trying to be a little more balanced.

I have two major goals for food and fitness as we ring in the New Year.

1. Track what I eat in my daily planner - because when I write it down I’m more aware and I eat less junk.

2. Set a schedule for my workouts. While I may not be make every workout according to the schedule, it will be a sort of “ideal workout calendar”. This will be a starting point to work the rest of my schedule around. This will make exercise more of a priority instead of fitting in my workouts when I can. I will also write them in my planner as I do my weekly planning on Sundays and put the calendar on the fridge so I see it often.

For other goal setting activities, I’m setting aside some time to reflect on this past year and decade.

I’m working on prioritizing my activities based on what truly matters in life - my personal goals and priorities for my family, personal growth, and business. To do this I need to write down and acknowledge where I’m going and who I want to become. These goals and priorities should always be at the forefront of my mind so I can weed out the less important tasks and concentrate on what truly matters.

So tell me…

What are you doing to prep for 2020?

What goals do you have and what are you excited for in the coming year and decade?

How do you approach the New Year and what keeps you motivated to reach your goals?

Over 25 Ideas for Experience Gifts!

You know what's great for minimalist gift giving? Moving during December. 

If you want to be all minimalist-y (that is a word, right?) during Christmas time - because nothing brings out the holidays quite like being a minimalist - then just move during the month of December.

Super simple, right?

Just kidding, but this may be what 

has been going through my head lately. Along with, "shouldn't we just paint the dining room BEFORE we move?"  Believe me, it needs it. (It's between a deep dusty rose and terra-cotta and screams 1996.)

But seriously, I love gift giving, it's my love language. But as I strive to be more eco-friendly, physical gifts aren't really my love language anymore.

And moving, and realizing how much stuff we collect over the years, has emphasized how much I prefer giving experiences over physical gifts. (See graphic below for ideas for giving experiences this Christmas).

I especially enjoy giving experiences when I get to enjoy it with the receiver (meaning time to connect with the person). Wait a second...maybe my love language is quality time. And, let's be honest, I'm a little selfish like that. It comes naturally, I'm an only child. 

Ideas for experiences can be harder to come up with, so I created this graphic to inspire you. I'll be posting it on social, so if you like it, please share!

I hope you are enjoying all the things this holiday season!

Toxin Free Scalp Care - Dealing with Psoriasis

Ugh! Psoriasis is so annoying!

I was first diagnosed with scalp psoriasis in high school and it’s been an ongoing battle ever since. Flaking, itching, and trying every product under the sun. Dermatologists, acupuncturists, diet changes. Shampoos, oils, and medications. It seems like I’ve tried everything.

I know that many people struggle with this same issue, so I thought I’d share what has been working for me.

I’m not a doctor, but the new regimen I’m using has helped keep it manageable without using steroids or other prescription medication.

Have you dealt with psoriasis before? Do you have any tips or products that have worked for you?

I shared the products I use here: www.detox.design/psoriasis

Going Clean and Green for the Holidays - Eco-Friendly Switches to Green Your Giving

I’m currently sitting in the middle of my living room surrounded by boxes. With each box I’ve packed, and many, MANY, oh so many, items sent to the thrift store, I’ve thought “there is no way I’m Christmas shopping before we move.” I definitely don’t want to pack more boxes than I have to.

Plus, when you physically touch every item you own, you can’t help but ponder “does this spark joy?”, in pure Marie Kondo fashion.

Don’t get me wrong, I love gifts. I absolutely love finding the perfect gift for someone! And, nothing makes you realize how much someone “gets you” than getting the perfect, just what I never knew I needed but now can’t live without, gift.

But moving helps you realize how much stuff you have and how much you really don’t need. Well, at least I’ve been reminded of that with this move.

This got me thinking… there are ways to give both consciously AND with meaning! Not to mention, there are some really fun and creative ways to package gifts that don’t require adding to your garbage pile on Christmas morning.

I thought I’d share some tips on green giving for the holidays.

Low-Waste Gift Ideas

Consumables

Something to eat, drink, or use is one of the most eco-friendly gifts you can give - especially those packaged in recyclable or reusable packaging. Spiced nuts, flavored simple syrup, or homemade bath salts all packaged in glass jars are all great options!

Experiences

Ice skating, pottery painting, cooking classes, theater tickets, concert tickets, museum passes, and local restaurant gift cards are a few ideas for giving experiences instead of physical gifts. Better yet set a date and share the experience together.

Support a friend or Local business

One of my favorite gifts to give is that of a friend who sells their craft (for example my friend Cassie’s gorgeous jewelry). I also love supporting local businesses for unique and special gifts.

Get Crafty

Last weekend, the girls and I made some fun skin care goodies with some friends. They were quite simple and easy and the recipes came from a book found at a local craft store!

Green Gift Wrapping

I didn’t grow up recycling every piece of wrapping that was under the tree, but I do remember my grandfather getting upset at greeting cards. He thought it was such a waste of money to buy a card that would only be used once.

Then the first Christmas with my husband made me realize just how much Christmas wrapping could be reused. Bows, bags, paper, tissue - my mother-in-law would collected it all to use again. Since then I’ve never wasted a single scrap.

But besides reusing, there are a lot of other ways to go waste-free with gift wrap.

Here are some ideas that came from my online community:

• Use old maps, coloring pages, or kids art as wrapping paper

• Package in a reusable containers like glass jars, cookie tins, or reused decorative boxes

• Reuse greeting cards as gift tags

• Wrap a gift using fabric scraps or dish towels

• Use an old scarf or clothing item (such a fun gift wrap to pass on every year)

• Use old pictures to create cards and gift tags

• Have too many shopping totes - use them as gift bags!

I hope these ideas inspire you to enjoy giving WHILE being green!

5 Tips for Staying Sane During Holiday Madness

November is already half over! Does your blood pressure go up just thinking about the mad rush of the holiday season, or is that just me? 

On social media everyone has rose colored glasses when it comes to the holidays. People are talking about putting their trees up before Thanksgiving, listening to holiday music, and watching Hallmark movies every chance they get. 

But let’s be honest, the holiday season is BUSY! I usually notice the madness the weekend before Thanksgiving. I’m not the only person dashing between Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Safeway trying to find tiny plastic packages of thyme and sage that seem to be out at every store in town. Traffic is worse than usual, the house is a disaster, and for some reason the kids want to eat three meals a day plus snacks! 

Do you feel me? Can you relate? Yes, I love the extra cheer and the festive lights, but honestly the business and never ending to do list can get to me.

Here’s when self-care is even more essential. I know, who has time for self-care when it feels like you don’t even have time to go to the bathroom? Believe me, I’ve been there! But over the last year I’ve prioritized my morning routine and taking care of myself so I can take better care for my family. 

For me, self-care isn’t about pedicures, massages, and all day shopping extravaganzas.

Don’t get me wrong, those are awesome, but when I’m strapped for time, and let’s be honest cash, these types of activities don’t ease my weary heart. 

Having an (almost) daily practice of a few morning habits has made a HUGE difference. Tackling these simple tasks first thing in the morning - before checking my phone, reading my email, or unloading the dishwasher - have been key to easier days with fewer frustrations.

Morning habits that help me stay sane during stressful times:

1. Meditation: I’ve tried meditation in the past and I just couldn’t concentrate for more than 2 minutes. Well, at least before I found the Calm app. Nope, it’s not free, but paying for this app encouraged me to commit 10 minutes a day to meditation. Hearing the soft voice and gentle river in the background helps keep keep my mind from wandering and helps me focus on breathing and staying in the moment. 

2. Writing down three tasks to focus on for the day: A never ending to do list is overwhelming. Focusing on only three tasks is much more achievable and keeps me from feeling like I’ll never get it all done.

3. Planning out my day hour by hour: Scheduling out my day puts me in control instead of letting the hours of the day slip by. I put everything in there, including driving time. Visually seeing each hour of the day scheduled helps me stay focused on the tasks I established for the day. 

4. Revisiting my goals through written affirmations. I know this may sound woo-woo, but research confirms that affirmations can positively impact your life. For example, a review of research featured in Annual Review of Psychology, found that affirmations are beneficial in reducing stress, improving academic performance, encouraging behavior change, and improving relationships. This stuff works!  

5. Exercise: I know that when we get busy, exercise often falls to the bottom of our priority list. But it really shouldn’t! When I start getting annoyed with everything - this means I need exercise, and now! I always feel better whether it’s walking the dogs or a super sweaty yoga class. 

I’m feeling a little extra stress right now because we’re in the middle of a move. So I need to stick to my morning habits now even more than ever!

Do you have a morning routine?

What other stress relieving tips to share?