A photo of fried foods.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a controversial food additive that companies use to enhance flavor. MSG is derived from a naturally occurring amino acid in our bodies. Amino acids are organic compounds that are essential for bodily functions. The substance is also naturally present in most foods; such as cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms and seaweed. When MSG is added for flavor it is produced by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane and molasses. Some of the products that may contain MSG as an additive include cured meats, seasoning blends and ...

A photo of a laptop computer.

The media we consume daily has an impact on our thinking, behavior and emotions. Given the sensational nature of the 24-hour news cycle, most media outlets end up reporting on crises,  disasters or other stories that are likely to shock and draw in readers and viewers. Our brain responds to this stressful or negative news as a threat and our sympathetic nervous system kicks into fight or flight mode, producing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Recurrent exposure to this stress can impact both our physical and mental health and cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Negative news can also affect mood and lead to feelings of hopelessness, anger and ...

Photo of a safe organic deodorant stick.

Did you know one of the most harmful chemicals that both men and women put on their bodies is deodorant? Deodorant is a product that inhibits your body’s natural secretion of toxins. An  antiperspirant and deodorant will clog your skin follicles so that you’re not able to sweat as much as your body requires. On top of inhibiting your body’s natural cleansing and detoxifying process, deodorants and antiperspirants also release tons of harmful chemicals into our bodies. Let’s take a look at t...

A photo of a cat reaching its paw out.

Do you know exactly what’s in your pets beds? On average, dogs and cats sleep 12-18 hours per day, it’s important to properly research the materials used to make dog and cat beds. In pet beds, there are a number of harmful chemicals that can be present such as flame retardants, hormone disrupting substances, VOCs, pesticide residues and more. Not only are they cheaply made but most fiber, foam and synthetic pet beds are produced with toxic chemicals like arsenic, formaldehyde, lead and mercury. Due to the significant...

A photo of a gal putting makeup on.

There is no law in the US that requires the Food and Drug Administration to approve cosmetics. This means that other than color additives, cosmetics can contain a number of dangerous chemicals with no regulation. When a person uses cosmetics, their skin absorbs chemicals, which can then enter the bloodstream. People might also inhale powders or ingest some cosmetics (using lip products etc.) Here is a list of the top chemicals you need to avoid in makeup. Talc can be found in blushes, eye shadows and bronzers. It poses a health risk ...

Photo of a dryer fabric softener on the beach.

It’s hard to believe that out of all household cleaning products, the chemicals in dryer sheets and fabric softeners are considered to be among the most toxic. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are made up of pernicious chemicals combined with a hefty dose of fragrance. Some of the most harmful ingredients include the following: Benzyl Acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer) Benzyl Alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant) Ethanol (linked to central nervous...

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are. - Chinese Proverb

Tranquility, peacefulness, relaxation; the state of being free from tension and anxiety is something we all want. Choosing to make healthy decisions in your life can start with baby steps such as an evening routine. The goal with an evening routine is restful sleep, overall health and wellbeing. Bad evening habits will tarnish the quality of your sleep and impair the prosperity of your next day. Remember, each person’s routine is personal and customizable, don’t cre...

A photo of a child's head with bath bubbles on it.

Everyone these days is striving to keep up with cleanliness. We need to remember that what we put on our bodies is absorbed onto our skin and directly into our cells and can affect our health. Overtime, toxic chemicals can build up causing irreparable damage. All this could be happening in your very own shower. It’s time to take a look at shampoo and soap companies dirty little secrets hiding in their ingredients list on the back of their bottles. Many companies rely on our lack of knowledge to this large vocabulary of chemical names. First, let’s take a look at the harmful chemicals inside body wash, soap and shower gel. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is contaminated with 1,4-dioxane...

A photo of a spray bottle with vinegar in it.

Most of us despise ants in our homes. But how does one get rid of ants without using toxic poisons? You don’t need a medical study or a formal education to know that conventional ant spray is highly toxic and harmful to your health. Just read the label. Ant infestations naturally cause emotional reactions in most of us. It is not a pleasant sight when they first arrive. Long trails of creepy crawlers are the worst. However, consider this: we put birdseed in feeders to attract wild birds in our backyards and ...

iStock-153495254_Toothpaste_feature.jpg

Many common brands of toothpaste contain known carcinogens like propylene glycol, sodium saccharin, titanium dioxide, and hydrated silica. The problem with toothpaste can be summed up in one, simple, iconic image: a bluish-white glob, dried stuck to your pearly white bathroom sink. If you let commercial toothpaste sit and dry too long, it gets so hard and stuck to the sink that a paper towel or cloth will not get it off easily and you may have to resort to your fingernail or a scrub brush to get it off. This experience, which I&rs...