When was the last time you took a salt bath or even a simple hop in the tub? And this doesn’t include dropping your feet in the bath to wash your child. I love curling up in a small pool of water with effervescent bubbles. I know the warm and calm is relaxing, but didn’t realize adding salts was a legitimate wellness aid. Using two cups of mineral Epsom Salt has been shown to reduce arthritic pain, decrease stiffness in joints as well as soothe bruises and sprains. It can also be used to draw out splinters, remove stings of insect bites and deep clean pores. A salt bath (filled with a few cups of Epsom Salt) can also help improve absorption of nutrients, oxygen use and formation of brain tissue. Some doctors also recommend it to prevent migraine headaches.
Salt Bath Health Benefits
DIY Sugar and Salt Scrubs
Looking for last minute stocking stuffers or gifts for your teachers, friends and colleagues? Give the gift of clean beauty by making your own exfoliating sugar and salt scrubs. It’s easy. All you need are a few items and a few minutes. Check out our simple steps below or watch the tutorial from our latest WTNH-TV wellness segment on how to make a basic skincare scrub.
3 Ways to Clean Up Your Cosmetics
“The current system is failing consumers,” a quote today during the U.S. Senate committee meeting on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions about the cosmetics industry. Personal care products are being regulated under laws that haven’t been updated since 1938, so a number of advocacy groups and political leaders are working to change this through the Personal Care Products Safety Act. It doesn’t matter your socio-economic status, personal background or where you live in this country…you should care. Why? Because what you put on your body, goes into your bloodstream. Many toothpastes, shaving creams, lotions, shampoos, lipsticks, gel nail polish, hair straighteners and the list goes on…are filled with toxins. Our skin is our largest organ and we absorb all the chemicals into our bodies. Studies have shown that these toxins may include hormone disrupters that fuel cancers, agitate allergies and influence fertility. So, what can you do?
Green Beauty: Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine
Do you jump out of bed, brush your teeth, shower with shampoo, conditioner and then spray perfume throughout your hair? Let’s assume you use several products in the morning and throughout the day. What if these items contained a few toxic chemicals? Studies have found that cosmetics ingredients such as phthalate plastics, paraben preservatives and triclosan (a pesticide) are common pollutants in the human body. Many of these chemicals are potential hormone disrupters. Just like the food we put IN our body, the products we put ON them seep toxins into the blood stream. This is why after I was diagnosed with my second round of breast cancer, that I over-hauled my personal care regimen and cover green beauty on the blog. This morning, I spoke to Teresa Dufour on CT Style and shared a few tips.
Five Non-Toxic Green Beauty Products for Spring
Being a northern girl my whole life, spring excites me. After months of spending time indoors, swarms of people run, walk and laugh outside, just because there’s a warm breeze and clear blue sky. The new season ushers in bright clothing, less bulky shoes and new makeup. Now that I focus on living a healthy lifestyle, I limit the cosmetics I use. I’m also really careful with the ones I select, making sure they are clear of hormone disrupting chemicals. Studies have proven these toxins can lead to various diseases especially breast cancer. I also verify that the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database rates my selection of green beauty cosmetics low in toxicity. I still love to doll myself up and have found many non-toxic products that work well. Continuing this series, “What’s in My Bag Now,” here are my favorite non-toxic, green beauty picks for spring.
Healthy Gadget Girl: Five Easy Healthy Living Resources
If there was a coronation for Whole Foods royalty, I’d at least be on the court. When I started making small changes toward my healthy aka clean lifestyle journey, Whole Foods was my refuge. I knew that I could explore through its aisles and be safe from hazardous toxins. More importantly, Whole Foods was a castle of wholesome items and ingredients. I spent hours picking multi-colored new vegetables and had many conversations with employees about beauty product ingredients. Not only did I enjoy these research-filled shopping trips, but also used their venue as a gathering place to work or meet friends.