This has been a long winter for us on the East Coast and finally it feels like spring (or even summer) the last few days. I love this time of year with the return of plants, flowers, sunshine, and warmer temperatures. But the whole truth is that I also get a little intimidated by the opportunity to shed winter layers and bare more skin! Thanks to winter conditions, my skin is pale, dry, and
Skincare & Haircare: Good, Bad, and Sneaky
Finally, a Non-Toxic, Paraben-Free Make-Up Brand!
I’m not big on makeup. I believe the cliché that true beauty comes from within. I also believe that beauty can be enhanced greatly by healthy eating, sleep, and movement. Also, I am rather lazy when it comes to beauty routines. I don’t use a lot of products and I don’t spend much time on my hair or makeup. My daughter, Maia, has followed my example, for better or for worse!Even though we are
Is Ava Anderson Sneaky Stuff?
Over the last few years, many of you have asked for my thoughts on Ava Anderson products, and I've always replied honestly that while I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to multi-level marketing ("pyramid scheme") companies, the ingredients in Ava's skincare and cleaning products are fine, and I've enjoyed the samples I'd been sent over the years.As it turns out, Ava Anderson products
UPDATED Nontoxic Deodorant Roundup
Deodorant is probably the very toughest product for me to source for my clients. If you're going to switch to safe, natural deodorant products, you're going to have to accept the fact that none of them will work as well as Secret. I am not a big sweat-er, so natural deodorants work fine for me--I use baby wipes to freshen up once or twice throughout the day, after which I reapply whatever natural
Spotlight on 1,4-dioxane
What is 1,4-dioxane? 1,4-dioxane is a stabilizing agent and is classified as an ether, as well as a probable human carcinogen. Where You’ll Find It You can be exposed to 1,4-dioxane contamination in the air, water, and cosmetic and cleaning products. 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater sites in the United States and can be inhaled through indoor contamination, particularly in the shower
Spotlight on Phenoxyethanol
What is Phenoxyethanol? Also known as Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether, phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative used in consumer products and pharmaceutical drugs. Where You’ll Find Phenoxyethanol & Why It’s Sneaky You’ll find phenoxyethanol in personal care products including makeup (e.g. eye shadow, foundation, and mascara) and moisturizers as well as skin- and hair-care products for
Updated Bubble Bath/Baby Wash & Soap Guide
Summertime means no more skipping nightly baths here and there for my boys--they are covered in sand, playground grime, and sunscreen by midday. When your skin hits warm water, pores open and the ingredients in your bubble bath or body wash are more readily absorbed. Since kids will often hang in a bubble bath for an hour, it's important to choose only products with no chemicals of concern.Our
Introducing Paleo Skincare!
I don't eat red meat, so it's weird for me to be writing a post about beef fat in your skincare products. I've actually never even really tried red meat as a food, being grossed out by it even as a child.However, my personal and professional mission is to find the safest, purest, most nontoxic products (and the ones that have the least environmental impact), so I have gotten over the ick
What Does “Organic” Skincare Mean? And Other Questions I Recently Answered
I was recently interviewed by the natural beauty company Biconi as part of their Expert Interview program. Click here to read the interview, where I answer questions about why I started Gimme the Good Stuff, what sunscreens are safest, why kids are more affected by environmental toxins, and more.Stay sane, If you liked this post, sign up for our
Green Goo Heals Sore, Raw Noses from Spring Colds
Sorry for the lack of new blog posts this and last week! Our family business has been suffering from a multi-generational cold from hell. It started with our shipping manager's grandson, and quickly spread to my mom, then onto my children and then me. From there, I infected nearly everyone I came into contact with--it was no joke of a virus and Wolfie's nose is STILL running two weeks into
