Monday, August 10, 2015

10 USDA Certified Organic Products for $20 & LESS

In our attempt to live a healthier lifestyle we try to eat better, exercise and buy organic but what about the products that we’re actually putting on our skin? 

What we use on our skin is just as important as what we feed ourselves. What goes on your skin enters your bloodstream. This should no longer be an afterthought to otherwise healthy habits. 


Time to keep those nasty chemicals out & pamper yourself with truly organic skincare products. 


Tip: If you don't see the USDA Certified Organic seal on the product you are buying, RUN AWAY!! 


"All Organic" claims are falsely made on many products. It's important to understand that just because a product claims to be organic doesn't mean it is. If a product contains a percentage of organic ingredients, the rest being chemicals, the company is actually allowed to say "Organic" on the label. Crazy, but true. Never be persuaded by gimmicks or tricky labeling. No Seal, No Deal!! 

I've taken the guess out for you. Shop my organic go-to body products that will enhance your green living & give you complete PEACE OF MIND without breaking the bank.























































Happy Green Shopping Friends. 
And Remember, NO SEAL, NO DEAL!!
:-) Melissa



Monday, August 3, 2015

Are YOU Thirsty??

Head Up, Chin Up, Keep Smiling....


You know that feeling, "that punched in the gut feeling". It sucks. 
But...the outcome is that it usually makes you stronger, or at least we hope. It makes you want to try harder, or at least it should. 




I am NOT new to the whole GREEN living thing. 
I am NOT new to parenting (x4). 
I am NOT new to stress. 
I am NOT new to busting my butt. 
I am NOT new to exercising or being fit. 
I am NOT new to homeschooling. 
I am NOT new to toxic people. 
I am NOT new to giving out advice & help to whomever needs it. 
I am NOT new to hearing the usual excuses, as to why it's HARD to learn or try something new. 
I am NOT new to hearing, "it's way too expensive"...and illness isn't? 
I am NOT new to the "un-educated or rather very educated just refuse to bend attitude". 
I am NOT that crowd follower. 
I am NOT easily swayed by flashy colors & bright lights. 
These things are NOT new to me. 




BUT....sometimes I have to stop & shake my head. Did I really just see that? Hear that? This gets to me most after answering someone's questions about how they can do better for themselves & their family. I think to myself why did you bother to ask me if you were just going to continue doing the same thing? Why? Why? WHYYYY?













This is when I think, keep your head up, chin up & just keep smiling. 

They will get it, eventually.



 


When you know better, you should absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, "DO BETTER". Right? Right??


We learn from an early age, that if you touch a hot pan you'll get burnt, so don't do it. We learn to know better, so next time we'll "DO BETTER". Simple.


SO, let me ask you this... 
If you know something, how do you UN-KNOW it? 
How do you FORGET that the hot pan will burn you? 




KNOWLEDGE, perhaps.






Knowledge is POWER, my friends. 

There is no knowledge that is not power. Being able to apply what you know...that is the POWER. Knowledge becomes a part of who you are. And no matter what happens to you in life, knowledge is something that nobody can ever take away from you. It helps you to make better decisions and to improve the lives of everyone around you. 



You know that old saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
Well, I'm here to use my knowledge to make sure that you're THIRSTY before you get to the water.





Just like YOU, I do the BEST I can EVERYDAY for my family.  

Eating organic and reading labels doesn't make me crazy. Being aware & sharing my knowledge to empower others doesn't make me crazy

It makes me PASSIONATE. 


P A S S I O N A T E



PASSIONATE for what I believe in, and what's best for my family.

I'm doing something that I feel really GOOD about. I'm living a lifestyle that makes me smile. Helping others and spreading awareness, makes my heart happy. Call it, Peace of Mind.

I want YOU to get to THAT place in your mind, and in your heart... where YOUR FIRST THOUGHT WILL BE...



-How can they use THAT on their child?  

-I can't believe I've been using/eating THIS!

-How can they buy THAT?

-OMG!!



Believe me, I have tears in my eyes when I watch good intentioned parents make un-educated or "just what they know so why stop now" purchases to use on their children & themselves. 


It....breaks....my....heart. 



Let me ask you this...please, be honest with yourself....

When was the last time you thought to read the ingredients on your shampoo bottle? How about your sunscreen? Your expensive bottle of facial moisturizer? Your toothpaste? Your deodorant? Your body lotion? Your lip balm? Your make-up? Your hand soap, the one in your bathroom that the kids use? Your All-Purpose Cleaner? Etc., Etc.....


When? If you haven't you NEED to.


Don't wait. Go get it, turn it around and look. What do you see? Can you pronounce the words? Do you know what they mean? What do they do? 


Keep in mind, your skin is your largest organ. EVERYTHING you put on your skin is absorbed in 26 seconds, (faster for children) then enters your bloodstream. It's true.


Think of the food you eat. Where does that go? Do you try to eat healthy? Maybe? On occasion? Have you read the ingredient labels on the back of your favorite snacks? Cereals? Anything you put in your mouth? Yes, even the ones that say, "natural". 


If you do ONE thing today, please READ YOUR LABELS. Just READ them. 

Really, be aware of what you are putting on & in your body. After all YOU are what YOU eat & put on YOUR body, right? Absolutely!  

For more information regarding what's inside your products check out: ewg.org



If YOU aren't happy with what those labels say, READ ON....





When YOU change YOUR thinking, YOU change YOUR life.


Are YOU ready to change YOUR thinking? 

Are YOU ready to change YOUR life?




Feeling THIRSTY?

That's the first step. 



This is YOUR Second Step.








Because, Together WE Can Do So MUCH!



The world needs YOU, it needs YOUR dedication, YOUR appreciation for a healthy body, a clear mind and a happy heart.


I'm doing the best I can to help spread awareness about the everyday toxins found around us, and to find the best products on the market, for my family & yours! 
I am happy to be your friend & help you lead a healthier, happier lifestyle. Thanks for being a part of it.


Yours in Thirst,
Melissa




Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Your Journey to Healthy Body Care...

What's this Greenwashing, we keep hearing about? How do we avoid it? What should we do?


With so much "Greenwashing" in advertising and on every product label nowadays, (whether it be food or bath & body products) it can be very difficult & confusing to know just how natural, green, organic or healthy a product really is...YES...even some of those found & sold in health food stores are NOT actually GOOD for you. YIKES!


Don't let the green colors, nature scenes & pretty butterflies fool you. Many still contain questionable, toxic & harmful ingredients.  

Crazy, sad & frustrating but true. Just when you think you're making a good choice...you've been tricked by deceptive green marketing. With more consumers deciding to make healthier choices or what they think are healthier choices, companies are scrambling to comply. These companies figure they can sell more products with a "shady" green claim. Scary stuff.


Did you know, that these companies are actually making up their own certification processes (meaning they do whatever they want to) & slapping their own made-up, bogus labels & claims on products. As consumers, we need to stop buying based on price or what we would normally buy. We need to use our purchasing power to make a difference. A REAL, educated difference. 


Your skin is your largest organ, it absorbs EVERYTHING you put on it.

If it says, Natural it must be made from nature, right? NO!!! 

If it says, Organic it must mean the same as USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC, right? Absolutely, NOT!!!! Always look for the USDA seal. No seal, not certified. Never take a companies word for it on ingredients alone. Without the seal, forget it.

If it says, Non-Toxic it must mean the same as Toxic-Free, right? NO WAY!!!!!           

Non-Toxic means that chemicals are buffered by using other chemicals to make the product less harsh. Toxic-Free uses only the purest & safest natural ingredients.

Green-washers will go to any length to fool you. It's up to YOU not to let them.






Are YOU Ready for a Change?

It has been my mission for over 10 years to spread awareness about toxic dangers and to find the safest, purest, organic products for my family and friends. 

Aside from making my own, finding products that are USDA Certified Organic, that meet my important ingredient standards (completely transparent), that are not tested on animals, that actually work, and that are priced affordably can be very hard to find. 

Luckily, I’ve already done the research so you, my friend don’t have to. 

So, whether you’re jumping on the “green” bandwagon, starting to read labels, already a crunchy mom or just beginning to wonder about how safe your baby's “natural” shampoo really is…I am HAPPY to help. Change isn’t easy, but it’s easier when you have someone to do it with.  Start small, but start SOMEWHERE. You, your children, your family, your future & our planet are worth it. YOU can make a DIFFERENCE!


Interested in learning more about the products I trust with my family? 

Visit: sweetmelissas.poofyorganics.com











Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Himalayan Salt Lamp Therapy

So, What's a Himalayan Salt Lamp? 

If you aren't already using a Himalayan Salt Lamp you should be. 
The amazing health benefits & warm, soothing, amber beauty just can't be ignored. 
I personally have 3 in my home & use them daily.



Himalayan Salt Lamps are well known for their air purifying qualities, stress alleviation, whole body rejuvenation & increases in energy levels.

How is this possible?

When lit, the lamp warms and emits negative ions that fight against or neutralize positively charged particles so they can no longer be airborne. Those positively charged particles are what causes you to feel stuffy, slow and sluggish. As the lit salt crystal warms, it clears the air naturally of allergens like dust, smoke, pet dander, pollens, dirt and other air pollutants. It dilutes odors so that you can breathe easier. People with asthma often find it helpful in reducing their symptoms. You can keep the lamp lit for as long as you like to maintain this purifying effect. Many people leave their lamps on 24/7.



Due to their negative ion production, salt lamps are believed to reduce the toxicity of EMFs. EMFs are the electromagnetic frequencies emitted from electronics, such as computers, cell phones and televisions. Growing research shows that the high levels of EMFs in our living environment contribute to disease. You can even purchase salt lamps that plug into your computers USB port to help reduce the electropollution and radiation from the computer.

Best place to put your salt lamp?

Salt lamps have a limited range, therefore you want to place your salt lamp into an area where you spend the most amount of time receiving the greatest benefits...family room, living room, kitchen, office or bedroom...especially near televisions & computers.





Most Important...beware of fakes. Unfortunately, there are scammers everywhere. Be sure that the lamp you are purchasing is made only from pure himalayan salt crystals. Sourced from selected mines in the Himalayan Mountains & sustainably hand carved to show quality and beauty. Be sure the electrical cord is UL approved.

I have included links to genuine Himalayan Salt Lamps above, but you can find them in Health Food Stores, Catalogs, & many online retailers. Prices can range anywhere from $8 to $150 or more. Lamps are hand carved, meaning no two are the same, they are heavier than they seem & should come placed on a wooden "neem" base. Replacement bulbs can be found anywhere...your local home improvement store, grocer or chain stores. Just be sure to choose your Himalayan Salt Lamp, wisely.

Plug in & start enjoying the healthy, glowing benefits.


Friday, March 13, 2015

Your Body Is AWESOME...

If you're reading this, by now you've definitely heard the term, "You are what you eat". 
What does that mean really? It means that everything you put into your body, is what sustains, nourishes & supplies your body with all that it needs to live, thrive, grow, to be. Just think for  a moment...how many soft drinks, flavored corn chips, fancy "coffee house" coffees, microwaved meals, sweets & pre-packaged foods have you consumed in the last week? Month? Year? How do you feel? Overweight? Sick? Catching every bug that comes your way? Tired? Moody? Quick to judge? Disgusted? Low Energy? The list goes on & on. 

The good news for you is that you can actually fix it. If you REALLY want to.



To maintain a healthy, happy body...it takes work. 
It's a lifestyle change. 
To make it work you really have to give a damn. When I say, "give a damn", I mean it. 
Not try one day, then give up the next. Is it hard? 
Of course it's hard, it's a journey. But it's a fantastic, eye opening journey. A journey that will leave you looking & feeling amazing, proud of yourself and healthy...best part, you will NEVER look back. 

You will actually walk into a grocery store and be turned off by all the "crap" you see. The "crap" you used to eat. At that point, you smile. A big, toothy grinned smile.




Where do you begin? How do you start? 

First off make a decision and stick to it. 



Thirsty? Pass on the sugary/diet soft drinks and extra sweetened & artificially colored juices. 
DRINK PURE, FILTERED, NO ADDITIVE, NON FLUORIDATED WATER. 

Become a LABEL READER. 
Turn the bottle, package, can, bag or box around and actually READ the ingredient list. 

Does it contain high fructose corn syrup? If so, throw it out. 
What else do you see that you can't pronounce, or that you have NO IDEA what it is? 
Don't eat it. Opt for REAL, FRESH FOODS in the produce section, better yet a farmer's market, support your local farmers & talk to them. Shop the Organic section in the store...look for the USDA Certified Organic Label on foods. Become a cook in the kitchen.
BEWARE of the word "Natural" or "Farm Fresh" or my favorite..."Made with Organic Ingredients"...did you know those terms mean absolutely nothing. NOTHING. 
Just fancy food marketing words to get you the consumer to buy it. A trick. 
It's important to understand that foods or products labeled with the USDA Certified Organic label have to abide by strict & certain standards. Others do not. 
They are actually allowed to use "fancy words" on their products to fool you, their standards are different. I am not here to bash anyone. Just don't be fooled. Be AWARE!!



















It's important that YOU take control of your health, your body & what you put in it. You only get one body, make the most of it, respect it...the choice is yours.

Remember the sooner you decide to make healthier choices, the faster you will start to feel better. Will you see a difference overnight? Probably not.
In a week? Possibly, yes.
A month? Absolutely!
Keep in mind, it took you how long to get where you are?
Rome wasn't built in a day.
Your body, your skin, your mood will go through a "DETOX" period, or an adjustment phase.
YOU CAN DO THIS!!
Your mind is very powerful. :-)

Think of your end goal...a more healthy, glowing, more energetic, more positive, more happy YOU!