Palm Oil is Destroying the Environment – This Man Is Challenging the Skincare Industry

Palm oil is the most common form of edible vegetable oil. It is made from the fruit of oil palm trees, which originally grew in Western Africa but are now grown in tropical regions all over the world.

Palm oil can be found in more than 70% of cosmetics. The palm oil industry also has a devastating impact on the environment, contributing to global deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss, the palm oil industry also has a devastating impact on the environment.

Sure, you may not see “palm oil” in the ingredients, but palm is hiding as emulsifiers and surfactants with generically chemical-sounding names—like sorbitan olivate, sorbitan stearate, cetearyl glucoside, glyceryl stearate, and more.

Additionally, palm oil offers NO benefits to soap or other beauty products – it is simply a filler.  We are needlessly destroying the environment for no reason. Sadly, most major soap brands use palm oil.

all natural soap

This is why David Bass founded Peet Bros. Palm-Free Soaps and Lotions. Filled with all natural and moisturizing ingredients such as Shea Butter and Olive Oil, Peet Bros. makes products that are good for your skin and good for the environment.  But great ingredients also mean being completely free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial fragrances.

Harvesting palm oil destroys rainforests, wipes out endangered species, and violates human rights. Sustainable palm oil does nothing to reduce the destruction. We exist to expose the industry and make way better, moisturizing products that are palm oil free.
Peet Bros are activists with a much better solution to make palm oil free soap. 

Peet Bros puts themselves and their brand’s profit second so they can put you and the planet first. Our 100% palm oil free soap bars and lotions are filled with more good stuff like Shea Butter and Olive Oil because they believe you are how you clean—and you don’t need to compromise. P.S. Palm free bar soaps work wonderfully as hand soap.

They smell nice, they feel good, and they don’t harm the planet to make or to use.
Seems like a no brainer to me- this is one product that everyone should try.

Head over to the site and place your order today- you can get %10 off your first order when you visit the page, as well.

Best tools to overcome COVID anxiety, help you sleep #SleepBetter #LessStress

sleep well

Are you more stressed out then ever? The current pandemic is giving people anxiety at high rates, and so are the added stresses of quarantine, at home learning, working from home, loss of jobs, evictions, fear of getting covid or losing a loved one, having someone stay at home with the kids, fear of losing your job, home, insurance, etc. It’s no joke.

Even in normal times, approximately 30 percent to 35 percent of the population experiences acute, or short-term, insomnia. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say interrupted schedules, stress and anxiety due to the virus has caused more people to not be able to fall asleep at night and get a good night’s rest.

A former Silicon Valley executive who worked at Tesla and FitBit, has created a way to help anyone get to sleep and stay asleep even during the pandemic. He launched The Happy Labs, a CBDsupplement company that uses only organic hemp and guarantees quality control and ingredients with a trackable seed to shelf process. On nights when sleep seems like it will never come, The Happy Labs Goodnight Pills, which are a blend of 10mg of melatonin, chamomile and 30mg of CBD, should help the body relax, the eyes get heavy and usher in a peaceful sleep.

If you are having a hard time getting to sleep, try these. So much more then just the basic melatonin, Happy Labs Goodnight Pills are a blend of 10mg of melatonin, chamomile and 30mg of CBD that should help the body relax, the eyes get heavy and usher in a peaceful night’s rest. 

No reason to lay in bed awake and letting your thoughts drive you crazy all night long. Try these all natural tablets, and see if they work for you. Thanks for reading, and have a good night!

 

Natural Products from The Happy Labs Put Moods in the Right Groove

less stress

Organically grown, non-GMO, fully traceable CBD pills crafted for energy, rest and relaxation.

Humans have relied on the healing properties, mood impacts and other benefits of plants for centuries. Coffee beans and green tea are known for boosting energy, while chamomile and lavender can help relax and unwind a stressed mind for better sleep. The Happy Labs has created a product line up crafted to harness the power of plants, including Cannabidiol (CBD), to help adjust moods and feelings. 

The Happy Labs products are unique because each hemp plant is traced from seed to shelf and each product features a QR code giving consumers access to certified lab tests results specific to their product batch. All CBD used by The Happy Labs is derived from organically grown U.S. hemp. The seed is certified by the state’s agriculture department, and The Happy Labs CBD products are made with either CBD isolate that has 0% THC or full-spectrum CBD oil with < 0.3% THC.

“As with any industry, the CBD industry has its bad seeds,” said The Happy Labs CEO Chris Gross. “Companies have been found to have higher levels of THC than they are claiming on their labels, questionable chemical additives and in some cases less CBD than advertised. We wanted to have full transparency so that our consumers know exactly what is in the products they are consuming and have full confidence that what is printed on the label is what is inside the packaging.”

The Happy Labs product line currently includes:

Pick Me Up Pills – Designed to add pep and vigor, each pill contains 60mg of caffeine (equivalent to one shot of espresso) in addition to vitamins B6 and B12, vitamin C and 30mg of CBD. 

Chill Pill – When a meditation or yoga session is not possible, the Chill Pill is crafted using herbal supplements passionflower and valerian root as well as 30mg of CBD to help create a sense of calm relaxation. 

Good Night Pills – On nights when sleep seems like it will never come, this blend of 10mg of melatonin, chamomile and 30mg of CBD should help the body relax, the eyes get heavy and usher in a peaceful night’s rest. 

For people interested in the potential health benefits of CBD on its own, The Happy Labs also offers Full Spectrum Gel Capsules with 30mg CBD in each capsule and Pure CBD, a 0% THC CBD oil that contains approximately 30mg of CBD per 1ml dropper. 

The Happy Labs Pick Me Up Pills, Chill Pills and Good Night Pills are available now. Each tin contains 25 pills for $60. The Full Spectrum Gel Capsules (30 capsules) and Pure CBD (30 ml) are available for $75 each. Shop now at www.thehappylabs.com

Eco Lips for Beauty and Compassionate Choices #GiftGuide

Are you a beauty enthusiast, but also an animal lover? If you are anything like me, you care deeply about the environment and the sanctity of life, and wouldn’t consider buying from brands that test on animals or willfully destroy the environment. Not to mention, why would you want to slather chemicals all over your face?

Eco Lips gives you both quality makeup as well as the environmentally safe ingredients you demand. 

no animal testing

The Lip + Cheek Tints collection makes for the perfect multitasking beauty balm to add to your routine this season. The collection is a line of three beauty balms that add color and hydration to every look. Eco Lips uses organic jojoba, coconut oil, organic and fair-trade cocoa butter, and sunflower seed wax, making it vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free as well as lightweight.

The Lip Food collection was curated using organic food-grade ingredients like spirulina algae, pumpkin seed, and chamomile mushroom that nourish, protect and plump the lips. The formula is also organic, fair trade.

The latest line, Ecolixir, boasts the power of oil to improve the skins’ overall health. As part of a natural wellness regimen, its the perfect gift for the clean beauty advocate.

All of Eco Lips‘ collections feature nothing but the best natural ingredients. Their Bee Free Vegan Lip Balm is perfect for vegans and green lifestylists. Their Specialty line is perfect for those who know that only the best will do. And of course, their newest Lip + Cheek Tints collection is the perfect multitasking beauty balm to add color all over.

More About Eco Lips

The story behind the Eco Lips brand is essentially a love story. As the creators of the first USDA-certified original organic lip balm, the family-owned company has expanded their line over time to encompass lifestyle and beauty products. All Eco Lips products are made with wind power offsets, fair trade, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. As a B-corp, they take customer satisfaction, product effectiveness, and good-for-the-world ethos seriously.

Emmy’s Organics Coconut Cookies – Vegan Friendly

Instead of battling the dreaded sugar rush, how about trying a healthier cookie?

Made with premium all-natural ingredients like fair trade cocoa powder, Emmy’s Organics coconut cookies are a delicious better-for-you bite that kids and parents will enjoy.  They are perfect for packing in lunchboxes as well.

Available in flavors like Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Bean and more, Emmy’s are certified USDA organicgluten-freevegannon-GMOsoy-free and paleo-friendly. Plus, each serving contains 6g sugar or less- can’t shake a stick at that.

The cookies themselves are sightly bigger then a quarter, so they are pretty small, and they texture is very much…coconutty? Maybe not a word as such, but it’s descriptive. They are flaky and have the feel of semi-baked cookies, almost cookie-dough-ish.  They are not like “regular” cookies as such, there is definitely no crunch involved. That’s not to say you won’t enjoy them or they aren’t good- just different for the average cookie.

These cookies are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Soy-Free, Grain-Free- the facility processes tree nuts, seeds & peanuts. Some are also nut free, all but the peanut butter, I believe.

Check them out in a store near you or at https://emmysorganics.com .

Share Some Goodness this Holiday! Gifts that Give Back

Looking to give gifts that not are not only great gifts, but will make the gift-ee feel better as well? Life is Good, ORGANIC INDIA and Manduka make giving feel even better- and they are fantastic, ethical companies that also give back.  These are fantastic brands with really awesome items, you will love them.

pic4

Life is Good, lifestyle brand spreading the power of optimism, from t-shirts, self-help book, mugs to comfy pj’s, introduces  the Holiday collection ($10-78) and has something for the kids, mom, the office, and even the grinch who could use some positivity in their life. There is a lot to choose from, and the quality is top notch- nothing that will have to be quickly tossed. The clothing line lasts, and wears well.  They will have their items a long, long time. (I still have a t-shirt I got in high school!) It’s nice to be able to spread a nice message wherever you go. In addition, Life is Good donates 10% of their net proceeds to kids in need-that’s something to smile about. 
pic3

ORGANIC INDIA’s, Tulsi Tea Line ($5.99) have become one of my son’s favorites. He especially loves the peppermint variety, (there are several to choose from) and I like that it’s completely organic. These USDA organic teas are infused with a sacred Indian herb that’s packed with goodness + deliciousness in over 20 flavors. A cup of Tulsi tea warms up the soul – lowers stress, bolsters immunity, enhances stamina and promotes a healthy metabolism. He has some health issues, so I am all for anything that will give him any kind of a boost.  These teas are not only good tasting and good for you, as well as environmentally friendly- but they are good for the people who farm them. ORGANIC INDIA works directly with marginalized farmers in India providing healthcare, education, gender equality and empowerment programs. Sipping fireside, never tasted so good! 

pic6

Mandukaleader of yoga gear, offers the most sustainable yoga gear for the fitness fanatic in your life ($4-128). From eco-conscious eKO mats, fully recyclable LiveON Mats for kids and adults, one-mat-for-life PRO Mat, yogitoes towels made from recycled plastic bottles, hbands headbands, bags, to props, Manduka takes mindful gifting to another level.

My son likes his new mat, and so does mommy.  If it weren’t so grinchy, I’d be tempted to “borrow” it for my own class.  He also likes the color and the feel of it- he doesn’t like when his mats feel “sticky” to him, but this texture is great.  It’s also comfortable, gives enough cushion, and works well for him.  It’s easy to get into his yoga bag as well.

These are great “feel good” items for many reasons- they feel good to give, feel good to get, and are from companies who care and give back- which feels good to everyone.  This holiday season, give from the heart and support those that support others.

Happy Holidays from me and mine to you and yours!

prAna Winter Style and a $250 Giveaway

Winter is far from my favorite season; the cold, the snow, the slippery roads- you can keep it.  The only good think I can think of about winter is the adorable clothes that you get to wear.  There really is nothing like a warm, snuggely sweater on a chilly day, or cuddling up on the couch in something soft and toasty when the weather outside is frightening.

If you are looking to spruce up your wardrobe this season, make sure you head to prAna.  This is a pretty cool company, and they make some really cool clothes.  (Soft, too!)  Prana is Sanskrit for breath, life and vitality of the spirit.  As you might have imagined, the company began by selling clothing for yoga and a meditative lifestyle.  They now sell clothing that works well in all the parts of your busy life.

fair trade clothingThey are a conscious company as well, taking steps to be aware and mindful of the environment and people.  They use fewer toxins and chemicals when manufacturing, and work to use as little energy, water and chemicals as possible. They avoid using processes that can cause harm to people or the environment, and create their clothing with organic cotton, natural fibers and recycled materials. Additionally, prAna helped pioneer Fair Trade Certified apparel and became the first major company in North America to produce and market Fair-Trade Certified styles.  How cool is that?
[Read more…]

Healthy Living With Whole Foods

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my post. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Looking for new foods to add to your diet to improve your health and wellness this year?  Check out what Whole Foods has to offer.

organic foods

·         Reserveage CocoaWell Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened, 8 oz (*Suggested retail price: $19.99)

This mixable powder can be added into a hot or cold drink to offer delicious nutritional supplements to support health, energy and body wellness. CocoaWell by Reserveage Organics takes its inspiration from one of the world’s healthiest cultures – the Kuna indigenous people of coastal Panama. Last year, the Kuna chiefs and CocoaWell signed a landmark sustainable business agreement – the first in the Kuna’ s history – to assist CocoaWell in promoting their sacred cocoa tradition.

This is more bitter then typical powdered chocolate drinks. It was good, but know that it is not the same thing- it would be like comparing yogurt to ice cream.  Both are good in their own rights, but you don’t want to eat one expecting the other  🙂

·         Spectrum Essentials Ground Flaxseed Orchard Fruit Blend *NEW*

Spectrum Essential’s popular ground organic flaxseeds now include a delicious blend of orchard fruit apples and peaches with the spice of cinnamon. Known to support digestive health, this product adds a great flavor to many meals.
[Read more…]