Stock Your Library For FREE

     New Year means new resolutions and new goals. I know a lot of people set reading goals for the year, myself included and I want to help you achieve those goals by helping you find free resources.  In just a few months I have stocked up my kindle account with over 300 books and I didn't spend one penny. I want to show you how to never have to buy a book again as well as explore new books, you may have never heard of or seen before.

    The first obvious way to enjoy free books is to get a library card at your local library. You will then have access to check out any book they have access too. Not only do they have books on sight, but they have the ability to borrow and transfer books from other local libraries within their organization,  if you are wanting a physical book to read. Sometimes popular books can be on a very long waiting list. I for one have been waiting on one book in particular for about 8 months right now.

    Another way to "checkout" eBooks is through the Libby App.  A library card is required to use this service, but again it is completely free of fees. Again popular books can have a very long wait list, so if you are patient and looking for something in particular, this is the way to go without spending any money. 

    These two options are great if you have an idea of what you are searching for. I myself don't have particular books in mind when I go to the library so it can sometimes be a task to find something I want to read. I want suggestions given to me, so I don't have to do much work and read all the back covers of an eye catching title. I like using the Goodreads app for suggestions from my friends, but I also don't want to buy or borrow every book that I think looks interesting. This is why my favorite way to stock my library is through a service called FREE BOOKSY. 

    All you need is a Kindle account or other type of e-reading service through Apple, Google, Nook, etc. I use Kindle because it's free to sign up and use the service through Amazon. From my experience on FREE BOOKSY, Kindle also offers the most options, whereas the other services are hit and miss. The Kindle service can be used from a computer, phone, or e-reader and all the titles sync with each device. If you already have an Amazon account, you will just use your account login information once you register. If you do not have an account, click here to see how to create an account and sign up for the service. 

 

Once you have your e-reader service set up, now you can signup for FREE BOOKSY, the email service to send you free eBook options for the day. When you sign up you will get to chose which genres of books you would like to see suggestions for each day. The genres you picked will be emailed to you, but you can still access the full list of daily free books from the FREE BOOKSY site, in case you want to browse books in a genre you did not choose to be notified about. 

    

In your daily email, you will find the books categorized by the genres you chose, with a picture of the book cover, a short description of the book, and a link to the e reader service it is being offered on for free. Once you click the link, you will be redirected to the service website to then "buy" it and add it to your library. It is important to note, that these offers are only good for the day they are emailed on. New offers are emailed to you daily.

Make sure before you click to "buy" it has the price adjusted to $0.00. There are some series or collections that are offered (as pictured above) so you will be getting multiple books for $0.00 OR sometimes (in the case above) just the first book in the series is being offered for free and you don't want to accidentally purchase the whole series.  As you can see once I clicked the link in my email, it brought me to the 11 book series with a buy now option of $53.91.

In this case if you scroll down, each individual book in the series will be listed and you can "purchase" the free offer without spending money on the whole series. Make sure you are choosing the Buy Now With 1 Click on the Kindle Price option and not the Kindle Unlimited Subscription button after you confirm the price is $0.00.

You will receive a "Thank you for your Purchase" confirmation on your screen and now if you were to try to click on the link again, it will show a green READ NOW option as the book has been added to your library and synced with your devices.

    A bonus service this site offers is also something called BARGAIN BOOKSY, which you can opt into when you sign up for the email service. One or two options will be at the bottom of your FREE BOOKSY email, but if you opt in, you will receive a completely separate email with all the bargains of the day. These will be discounted eBooks with some as cheap as $0.99 up to a few dollars each. I have opted into this service, but have yet bought any of the books because I am usually adding several books to my library for free already, so I see no need to purchase unless it's a book I have been dying to read.

    This site provides an amazing service and introduces us to authors we may have never been introduced to if it weren't for this site and service. Not only can you view the entire list of free books per day via FREE BOOKSY, but you can also search free eBooks on the Kindle Platform anytime, anyday, which can give you even more options. I have found the easiest way to do this is to log into your Amazon account and click on the ALL option on the left hand side of the screen. From there you will choose the Kindle E-Readers and Books option, followed by the Kindle Books option. At that point you can type in the search bar "free e-books" to search the kindle store.

    If you enjoy short story series, you can also chose Kindle Vella from the options and start reading for free. After a few episodes of each series, the next episode will cost a certain amount of tokens, however when I signed up, I received 500 tokens with sign up at no cost. This is a fun option if you can only read a chapter or short amount per time, but still want to get some reading in.

    Prefer reading a physical book and don't want to pay bookstore prices, try looking at discount stores (Ollie's if you have one is a great option), consignment shops, flea markets, Facebook groups or marketplace, yard sales, and even the Dollar Store!  I haven't paid full price for a book in several years and I have hundreds in my library at my fingertips!

    I hope this has encouraged you to save money, read more, and explore more genres and authors than you ever have before.   HAPPY READING!!!

Swap of the Week #4: Nail Polish

 When detoxing and swapping out products to reduce your body burden, nail polish is probably not in the forefront of your mind, but it should be!

Going to a salon to get your nails done can not only be costly it can be hazardous to your health too.  Most conventional nail polishes are full of toxic chemicals that you are breathing in the air at the salon, as well as putting on your body.  Nails need to breathe therefore whatever you are putting on it can leech down into the skin of your nail beds. Your nails absorb whatever is put on them just the same as your hair since they are both made up of keratin.

One of the most common recommendations within the toxin free community to replace toxic nail polish is the Color Street Nail Strips.  These nail strips are easy to apply with no to minimal drying time and they are low to no tox!!  They have an abundance of colors, glitters, designs, and overlays to choose from with more drops happening frequently. They retire and bring new designs out so make sure to keep up with the scheduled removals via their email or grab you a consultant.

Color Street is free of parabens, Formaldehyde, Dibuytl Phthalate, Camphor, Xylene, and Ethyl Tosylamine.  They do contain a small amount of Toulene but it isn't considered toxic in the nail strips because they are dry.  Toulene is an issue when it can be inhaled and with the nail strips being dry instead of a wet polish the threat is very minimal.

Color Street also has an ongoing sale Buy 3 Get One FREE.  The savings are endless when it comes to this swap. No expensive salons, no toxins, and no waiting to change your nails. You want red on Monday and Teal on Thursday, no problem just remove the strips with your favorite toxin free polish remover and you are good to go!  

I have had great luck with the strips. They last and don't chip as much as traditional polish in my opinion.  I did my toes a week before a beach vacation and they still looked the same 4 weeks later even with getting in the ocean and digging my toes in the sand. I can not say the same about expensive manicures, my polish would have been gone within an hour in the ocean and beach.  I also have farm chores that I have to do daily and they strips have held up well while doing them.

I know giving up the salon can be difficult for some, but please consider it for your health and give Color Street or another toxin free option a try! Tell me in the comments if you have used Color Street Nail Strips or what your favorite toxin free nail polish is!

**This post may contain affiliate links that may generate monetary compensation to me when used. Thank you!**

Ingredient to Avoid #4: Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

I was sharing a banished ingredient list the other day and this ingredient was questioned so I thought it would be the perfect time to spread a little light on why this particular ingredient made the banished list in the first place.

There have been numerous studies and tests performed on Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) by independent researchers showing the antimicrobial properties once thought to have been contained in the seeds has actually been the synthetic preservatives used during the extraction process and not the extract from the fruit pulp or seeds.

These tests also found the synthetic preservatives to contain Benzalkonium Chloride, Triclosan, and Methylparaben, which are all on the banished list due to toxicity concerns.  Let's run down each one of those ingredients concerns real quick.

Benzaalkonium Chloride is a well recognized irritant and allergies can present with just 0.1% of this ingredient present. It also decreased the fertility of mice when their cages were cleaned using this ingredient.

Triclosan is a well known endocrine disruptor. It has been known to cause a decrease in thyroid production, also binding to estrogen and/or androgen receptors causing interference with the endocrine system, and it can even play a role in producing antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Methylparaben has shown some evidence of accumulating in breast tissue and may mimic estrogen acting as an endocrine disruptor.

The tests performed did find a sample that did not contain any synthetic preservatives and self made samples were also tested to eliminate the chances of other harmful ingredients being present, however the antimicrobial properties were not found in any of the samples without synthetic preservatives. These results essentially show there are no benefits to using the extract.

In conclusion, GSE made the banished list because there are far too many extracts containing synthetic preservatives and no antimicrobial benefits without the preservatives for this specific extract to be used and considered safe for toxin free products.  I have included a list of sources for additional research.

Souces:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10399191

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16719494

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16159196

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11453769

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18344660

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17867553

Ingredient to Avoid #3: Aluminum Hydroxide

     

    On this weeks swap of the week, we talked deodorant.  It's only natural that now we discuss Aluminum Hydroxide, why you want to avoid it, and how it is linked to deodorant.  Aluminum salts, mainly Aluminum Chlorhydrate is widely used in deodorant and antiperspirants to block sweat.  Once it is applied to the underarms, it then becomes an insoluble Aluminum Hydroxide.  Not only is this ingredient blocking sweat glands and clogging pores, it is defeating the purpose of your sweat glands, which is to cool the body via sweat.

    There are studies that have made a connection between Aluminum in deodorants and breast cancer.  The Aluminum can increase the migration and properties of the cancer cells following long term exposure of just 32 weeks.  How long have you been using your traditional deodorant?  This is considered a hot topic and debatable, but I encourage you to do your own research and look more into this connection.  Some articles say because Aluminum Hydroxide is insoluble that it doesn't penetrate the epidermis.  Deodorants and antiperspirants specifically say to avoid broken skin when applying, yet how many times have you shaved your underarms before applying?  Essentially opening those hair follicles and pores with slight abrasions you may not be able to see or feel from shaving, this arguably could allow the Aluminum Hydroxide to penetrate.

    Aluminum Hydroxide is also classified as an antacid medication and has also been used in personal care products as a colorant. With prolonged use of this antacid medication, "patients should have monitoring calcium and phosphate plasma concentrations. Kidney function also requires monitoring", according to the National Library of Medicine.  The library also states, "Seizures, Osteomalacia, and Encephalopathy are well documented toxic effects of Aluminum Hydroxide.

    On top of all the other previous concerns discussed above, Aluminum Hydroxide is considered to be a pro oxidant.  This means it can produce oxygen and subsequently cause cell damage.  This increase in oxidative skin damage can result in loss of collage and elastin fibers resulting in a much faster aging process.  Wrinkles, sagging, and even texture changes can be a result, according to Science Daily.  We already start losing collagen at the age of 20, we don't need this ingredient speeding up this process for us by damaging the cells and fibers.

    The National Library of Medicine tells us the carcinogenic risks of Aluminum and its compounds haven't been evaluated by the International Agency of Research on Cancer, however the production of Aluminum has an is classified as carcinogenic.

    There are several uses for the ingredient in our daily products.  I encourage you to take the information I have given you and really consider swapping out some or all of your products that contain this ingredient for safer alternatives. Comment below some of the daily products you use that you found this potentially toxic ingredient in.  You and the rest of us maybe surprised about what products it is lurking in!

    

Swap of the Week #3: Deodorant

     One of the hardest swaps for me personally to make as been deodorant.  I have been looking into natural deodorant for years, however I heard nightmarish stories of how they don't work and you end up stinking.  Needless to say I was too scared to try them until recently.  I knew if I was swapping other products, I needed to bite the bullet and swap this one as well.  

    Traditional deodorants work because the aluminum blocks and clogs sweat glands. If you can't sweat then you can't stink essentially. Your body needs to sweat!  Sweating helps cool the body when you are hot as well as rid the body of toxins.  Cleaner, natural deodorants do allow you to sweat, however that doesn't mean you need to stink.  Natural deodorants fight the bacteria that mixes with the sweat which causes the odor.

    One thing that I was not aware of when switching to a natural toxin free deodorant was the suggestion to do a pit detox.  I read conflicting arguments of whether or not this was necessary or even worked.  I decided what would it hurt just to try it and do it.  As long as the pit detox was a natural product and toxin free, I would still be achieving the same purpose.  I am glad, I followed through.  The pit detox is not a one time use as it is suggested to do it weekly for at least a month.  I only shower every 2 or 3 days since I work from home and try to let my body's natural organisms do their thing, so I opt to do the detox before every shower for the last few weeks.  

    I used Earthley's Detoxifying Pit Mask and feel it is doing it's job!  The first time I used it, I swear I could feel it literally pulling junk from my pores. It soothing and has a refreshing feel because of the tea tree oil, which is also a great antibacterial agent.  You simply spread it on, let it dry and do its thing for about 10 mins.  I try and keep my arms up or out for the first five mins or so just to let air get in and circulate.  You then just wipe it off with a warm wash cloth or wash it away in the shower.  I will say after the first couple of detoxes, I felt that I had more body odor, which could be because it pulled all those chemicals from my pores and glands.  After a couple of uses, I feel that I was back to being "normal".

    I started using Schmidt's Natural Deodorant Lavender and Sage because I like being able to smell deodorants when buying. Looking at all the ingredients just hits different when you can hold the product.  I found this deodorant at Walmart, so I also like the convenience of finding it local instead of having to purchase online.  Schmidt's has a range of different scents, however I found the Lavender and Sage to be the "cleanest" and most non toxic scent.  Some of the others have parfum listed, even though it's suppose to be a natural fragrance according to their website, this didn't score as well on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) database for toxic chemicals. 

    I also had purchased a trial size of the Spring Blossom scent of Earthley's mineral deodorant since it is online only and again I like to smell things before I try them out.  I enjoy the scent of this deodorant, however I don't think it lasts as long as the Schmidt's and some scents just don't mix well with your sweat and body odor.  The Spring Blossoms performed well, but I feel like I would have to reapply it a throughout the day if I were doing something very physical or out in the heat a lot.  Since this is a trial size, I have decided this will be my travel deodorant and I will use the Schmidt's on a daily basis.

    The only major difference between the two deodorants is that the Schmidt's brand does contain baking soda.  Baking soda can be a skin irritant, so it is really up to you and your body if you want to choose a deodorant that contains baking soda.  When you are shopping around for a natural deodorant, you want a mineral deodorant that contains Magnesium and not Aluminum.  Arrowroot powder is also a great ingredient to have to keep you dry.  Essential oils are important for bacterial fighting power and a natural scent instead of an added parfum type fragrance.  And I would always run whatever you are looking at swapping to through the EWG database just to get the breakdown of possible toxic ingredients that you may not know how to recognize.

    

    Hopefully this information can help you in your toxin free journey.  If you have already switched to a natural deodorant, I would love for you to comment below the brand and even scent.  I am always up for trying out new safe products!!

*commission may be earned on links within this article*

    

Recipe of the Week: Bacon Ranch Asparagus Chicken

Recipe of the Week: Bacon Ranch Asparagus Chicken

    I love finding new recipes to use and experiment with via Pinterest.  I also like to make it my own and hardly ever measure anything especially spices.  I will always include the original recipe that I got inspiration from.  This week its a one pan casserole type meal.  

    It's simple to prep and as simple as throwing it in the oven to bake.  I love using this recipe because we can use up garden and farm raised ingredients that bring out even more flavor.  The original recipe could be considered a one pan meal, but we like more than one vegetable or adding a starch such as rice to complete the meal.  The original recipe can be viewed here.

    Here is how I make it:         

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Add 1 & 1/2 cups chicken broth to 13 x9 inch baking dish
3. Add 1 cup rice (I always use Jasmine)
4. Lay 1 lb chicken on top of rice (I use thighs, but breast or tenders can be used too)
5. Sprinkle seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion power, and dry ranch seasoning over chicken
6. Drizzle Ranch dressing (liquid) over chicken
7. Add asparagus pieces around chicken and on top (I usually use one bunch or half a bag)
8. Crumble bacon top
9. Sprinkle colby jack or any of your favorite cheese mixture on top 
10. Cover and bake for 30 mins

    Sometimes I take the cover off with five minutes left so the cheese can brown a little.  This meal feeds our family of five and the majority of the time there is no leftovers!!!  Everyone loves it from the baby to the teenager and of course us adults.  This is a great dish to get those picky eaters to give asparagus a try!

    Hopefully you give my version a try or the original recipe.  Let me know in the comments below which one you tried and what your thoughts are on it!!  

    Enjoy and stay tuned for more of our family favorite meals!

Ingredient To Avoid #2: PEGs

 

    Next up on the banished ingredient list is Polyethylene Glycol, usually referred to as PEGs.  This group of ingredients can usually be recognized by the prefix PEG followed by a number. PEGs are made through a process called ethoxylation.  Ethylene oxide, a known carcinogenic reacts with other ingredients to make them less harsh on the skin.  During this process a byproduct of 1,4-dioxane is created and can be left behind within the product.  This byproduct has been classified as "likely to be carcinogenic in humans" by the EPA.  The 1,4-dioxane can be removed from the product via vacuum stripping process, however independent tests show that many manufacturers fail to complete this process.

    Polyethylene Glycol can be found in many products, such as skincare, lotions, soaps, hair care, shower gels, processed foods, medications, and e-cigarettes.  They are often petroleum based compounds that are used as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture carriers.

    This known skin irritant is frequently associated with contact dermatitis. Negative side effects from the use of this ingredient can occur in concentrations as low as 2%! And if all of the above didn't make you want to throw out products containing this ingredient, the next sentence will.  PEGs are the main component in Anti-Freeze.

    Remember that what you put on top of your skin is just as important as what you ingest into your body.  It can take as little as 30 seconds for ingredients to enter your blood stream just from a topical product. As previously mentioned this ingredient can be lurking in not only personal care products, but food and medications you may have in your house as well. I encourage everyone to take a look at your labels and make sure you are making safer choices for you and your family!

    Check out my safe swap blog posts to start replacing some of those items containing PEGs!  To date we have swapped sunscreen, insect repellent, and cleaning products, but I promise this is just the beginning to many more suggestions.

Swap of the Week #2: Cleaning Products

 During week two we will be discussing a safer cleaning option.

    Since I am new to the toxin free journey, I was a bit skeptical of this one.  A friend of mine had tried a  new to her product and had great things to say about it, so I had to check it out. Boy am I glad I did!!  Force of Nature Multipurpose Cleaner has completely eliminated a ton of cleaning products from our home.  

    First lets get in to the different type of products it's replaced for us.  No more bleach, window cleaner, floor cleaner, degreasers, odor removers, or bathroom cleaners.  This means no more Windex, Febreeze, Resolve carpet cleaner, Scrubbing Bubbles, 409, and so on!!  It's safe for all surfaces even stone and won't degrade grout or rubber seals like just plain vinegar can over time.  

    I use it to clean counters, mirrors, mop floors, sippy cups, high chair, and tv trays.  I have also used it to kill odors in trash cans, diaper pails, and smelly stinky shoes.  I literally use this miracle cleaner for everything, even the kids some days.  Yep, I said it!!!  I have sprayed the cleaner on a towel and wiped down dirty sticky hands. I didn't even freak out like I would have with other products, when big brother decided to hose down little brother with the bottle when I had my back turned! (Kids are fun!!!)

    Force of Nature is completely safe for kids and pets because there is absolutely no toxins or harmful chemicals in it what so ever.  Each activator has salt, water, and vinegar in it.  Here's how it works: fill up the electrolyzer with water, add the activator, and push the start button.  Electricity is responsible for breaking up the molecules and creating two new products.  These two products are Sodium hydroxide, which is responsible for cleaning up those sticky messes, soap scrub, and grime, and Hypochlorus acid, which is responsible for deodorizing and disinfecting. The vinegar is responsible for lowering the PH and balancing the solutions out just right.  The correct amounts need to be measured, hence the activator capsules, or bleach could be created, it may not be as effective, or it could have shorter shelf life.

   

At 99.9% effective, its even more powerful than bleach!  The EPA has certified Force of Nature to be used in hospitals, medical, dental, veterinary, daycares, schools, offices, and other facilities because it is effective and safe.  It's been 3rd party tested and protects against several viruses and bacteria such as Staph, MRSA, Norovirus, Samonella, and Listeria to just name a few.

    The starter kit comes with the electrolyzer, a reusable spray bottle, and activator capsules.  Each bottle made is only effective for a two week span, so any unused portions need to be thrown out.  I have no had to throw any out, nor have I even made it close to two weeks without having to make more because there are so many uses for it!  The company does have a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.  I haven't met anyone that uses it and doesn't love it though.  

    I will admit I was surprised my first time using it because it does have a slight bleach like smell. It was then that I looked into the science behind how and why it works.  The Hypochlorus acid is in the same family as bleach, but without the harmful chemical compound. I like that I am reducing plastic waste and waste in general, all while saving money too.  It only cost about nine cents per ounce to use this cleaner versus up to fifty three cents an ounce for some of the other brand cleaners. `    

    You can save even more money on their discounted bundles, promo codes, and referral link.  They have a range of starter kits and bundles to choose from for just about any budget.  The website usually has a code to save 30% off and get free shipping. The current code is FORCE, but if that doesn't work you can usually find one online or their actual site.  When you create an account with them you can sign up for subscriptions or just purchase as needed, but you get a referral link.  This link can be sent to friends and you earn free product if purchased through your link!!

    So let's recap!  You are switching to a safer cleaning product that is toxin free. You are eliminating a bunch of different products for one. You are eliminating plastic waste by using the reusable spray bottle.  You are saving money.  Money back guarantee.  What are you waiting for?  Go check Force of Nature out now!!!

    To see my full review on this product, watch here.  Stay tuned next week for more safe swaps!

*commission may be earned on links within this article*

Ingredient to Avoid #1: Phenoxyethanol

 

    European Standards are hundreds times better at banishing ingredients than the United States.  In Europe over 1,300 ingredients are banned, but in the United States only about 30.  Crunchi Corporate has actually even more strict requirements in order to offer a toxin free skincare and cosmetics brand.  They even have their own banished list on top of the European Standards.  

    There is no regulation on the term toxin free, but Crunchi defines it as follows: "a product is considered toxin free if it does not contain any ingredients known to cause harm or health hazard based on the available ingredient data and research.  Each ingredient has been carefully selected and our products are free of all harmful ingredients documented in our banished ingredient list."

    

    Each week I will inform you of one of those ingredients and why Crunchi has banned its use.

    Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative in most personal care products such as skincare and cosmetics.  It is the product of highly corrosive phenol and a known carcinogenic ethylene oxide.  A member of the glycol ether family, Phenoxyethanol, may contain residuals of these chemicals resulting in possible allergic reactions.  The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists this ingredient as a core allergen even with as little as less than one percent present.

    The goal is cleaner, healthier skincare and cosmetics free of harsh chemicals and known allergens.  Phenoxyethanol doesn't make the cut with it being considered a core allergen at such low levels.  I was using several skincare and pampering products that utilized this ingredient as the preservative.  I have since discontinued use of said products because my personal goal is to transition to a toxin free lifestyle.

    

    The ingredient does meet European Standards, so if low tox is your goal then this ingredient may not be a huge deal for you to avoid. Just make sure you are looking at your labels and you are aware if you start having any breakouts or allergic reactions, this ingredient could be the culprit.

    Let me know in the comments below if you found this ingredient on any of your trusted labels. And don't forget next week we will be covering another ingredient to avoid!

Swaps of the Week #1: Summer Products

During week one we will be talking safer alternatives to sunscreen and insect repellents. 

    First you should know there are two types of sunscreens as far as how they function.  I won't be going too in depth with this, but they are chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens absorb into multiple layers within the epidermis, while physical sunscreens sit on top of, or absorb only into the first layer of the skin.  If you are wanting a toxin free or safer alternative to traditional popular brand sunscreens, you will want to look for a physical sunscreen. 

    You may be surprised to learn that most of your common and popular sunscreens contain some pretty harmful and questionable ingredients. The most common and controversial ingredient is oxybenzone.  According to an article from The Environmental  Working Group (Access Article Here), oxybenzone has been linked to allergies, cell damage, and even hormone disruptions! Another ingredient in some sunscreens is avobenzone that can actually become toxic when it is mixed with chlorine from pools. The chemical the mixture creates has been linked to issues with kidneys, liver, infertility, and the nervous system just to name a few (Access Article Here).  These are only two out of numerous ingredients allowed in sunscreens that can be harmful or toxic to you and your family.

    In order to find safe alternatives you want to be looking for physical sunscreens that have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. My safe swap is a toxin free option from Crunchi.  Sunlight Daily Facial SPF 30 can be used on everyone in the family, even children, because it contains no harmful ingredients.  It is not only safe for your skin, but the reef as well. A non-nano zinc technology creates a lightweight, non-greasy, and fast absorbing product.  Since this is a facial sunscreen, it is best used on the face, ears, neck, and shoulders.  For an overall body safe swap sunscreen, I would suggest Badger sun care collections. They have adult, kids, and baby sunscreens that all have a clear zinc as their protectant. 

    

    Next summer swap is insect repellent. There are tons of options out there with some containing Deet and others not.  I prefer a more natural approach and use homemade insect repellents to avoid putting harsh chemicals on my body.  Remember whatever you put on your skin can absorb and possibly have repercussions as discussed previously with the sunscreens. 

    I have found two different homemade products that I think work well and are made with minimal harmless ingredients. They do both contain essential oils and should not be used on children under 3 months old. I recommend not using on children under 6 months of age just in case there is a skin irritation. 

    The first one is Bug Off by Bathhouse Soapery. We discovered this insect repellent lotion stick while vacationing in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I love how compact and convenient it is to throw it in my purse, backpack or diaper bag for when we are on the go. My second recommendation, we also found while vacationing in Arkansas at the Village Apothecary Shop inside the Ozark Folk Center.  Linda Oldham makes an amazing insect repellent spray out of a combination of essential oils, diluted water, and witch hazel. She also offers bug bite balm and lots of other salves, sprays, and roll ons at LindasSoapandMore Etsy Shop.  Tip: If she doesn't have it listed on her shop page, just email her with your order and shipping address and she will get it out to you!

    I like to keep the spray at home for when we are going to be outside in the garden or playing in the yard, and the stick just goes with us.  I, for some reason am like a buffet for mosquitoes, so its just a rule we don't leave home without repellent on hand.

     I hope you found some value in the information I have given you this week. Hopefully you give these products a try or at least become more aware of the ingredients in your current products to make an informed decision about transitioning to a cleaner lifestyle and products.

    Let me know in the comments what low to no tox summer favorites you use or if you have tried any of my recommendations.  See you next week for a new swap!

*commission may be earned on links within this article*

Cirkul Review Part 2

I have had this new product for a couple weeks now and I think it is safe to say I am loving it so far. I have a ton of positives to say, but also not going to leave out a couple negatives I have found along the way. So let's dive in and let me tell you my two cents on the Cirkul products.

After getting my trial in the mail (and by after, I mean literally within minutes), I found my whole family wanting their own and excited to try more flavors. So of course we ordered some to try besides what came in the trial. The minimum order is 8 sips, which ends up being two packs of four.  They offer several variety packs or individual flavors in four packs to choose from.  They currently have 39 flavors, so there should be something for everyone.  We have tried a little bit of everything and from each line. I don't have a specific line that I am in love with, but several of the flavors are delicious. I have included the flavors I have tried along with the survey rating I gave each one (scale is 1-10).  I also listed flavors that I have yet to try.

Flavors We Tried

• Fruit Punch- this is from the Life Sip line that has added vitamins.  I gave this flavor an 8.
• Mixed Berry- this is from the Fit Sip line that has added electrolytes.  I gave this flavor an 8.
• Strawberry Watermelon- this is from the Go Sip line that has caffeine.  I gave this flavor a 9.
• Orange Tangerine- this is from the Fit Sip line.  I gave this flavor a 2.  The reasoning for the low score was because it tasted extremely salty and nothing like citrus.  I was able to choke down two bottles (mainly because I didn't want to throw away money spent), but I did end up throwing the sip in the recycle and not finishing it.
• Cucumber- this is from the Pure Sip line that has pure essence of the fruit for flavoring.  I gave this flavor a 9.  As long as you don't have the dial turned way up, it taste just like sliced cucumbers in your water.
• Caramel Coffee- this is from the Brew Sip line and does have caffeine.  I gave this flavor a 10.  It tasted just like an iced caramel latte or macchiato.
• Green Apple- this is from the Go Sip line with added caffeine. I gave this flavor a 9.

Flavors We Will Try

• Brew Sips- vanilla iced coffee, Mocha iced coffee, and Classic iced coffee.
• Pure Sips-  Pear, Apple, Pineapple
• Go Sips- Grape and Black Cherry

I will have a part 3 review that will update you all on any other flavors we have tried or bought at that time.  All in all the majority of the flavors we have tried have been excellent.

The website says each sip lasts about 6 bottles worth.  My husband and I have been getting about 8 bottles out of each sip.  We keep our dials on 5 or 6 and then up them with the last couple bottles as the flavor does get diluted the more bottles you drink.  My son has had his sips only last about 3 bottles worth, but he insists on keeping his dial at a 10 all the time.  Since he was going through his sips so fast, I was curious to see if any flavor was left in the pouch within the sip. I found out how to get another bottles worth of flavor out of it. Please watch the attached video for those details.

Now that we have discussed the flavors, let's talk about incentives. Cirkul has a points rewards program, as well as a referral program. Both of these programs offer free product.

The Cirkulate tab is where you can find your referral code to send to friends, how many referrals you have made, and where you can redeem referral points. After 4 points you can redeem a four pack of sips or after 10 a metal bottle can be redeemed.

Cirkulate Tab Sample Screen

The Inner Cirkul tab shows how many points you have, a survey link to rate flavors and earn more points, and where you can redeem points for product. The only thing I caution about is to pay attention to small print. I have enough points to redeem product, but if not combined with an order there is a $3 shipping fee.

Inner Cirkul Tab Sample Screen

If you want to modify your flavors or shipping date you can do that under the Your Plan tab and the Your Details tab has your personal information. I go into more detail about the website, as well as the flavors in the attached video so give it a look.

Now we have talked about flavors, website, and programs, let's review the pros and cons again so you can decide if the product is right for you.

Pros

• 39 flavors
• Different types of sip lines : ex. Added caffeine, stevia, pure, vitamins, electrolytes, etc.
• Free product in not 1 but 2 programs 
• Adjust and set shipping date
• Can cancel or restart subscription anytime
• Cost is effective if use sips wisely

Cons

• May not like all flavors you buy
• Can not buy sips individually 
• Bottle sweats and doesn't keep ice long (chill sleeve may help with this. I will find out for part 3)
• If redeeming points product, shipping fee applies if not combined with purchase.

If you weren't interested in the Cirkul after the first review, then you most definitely should be after this one. The cons for me weren't important enough to be a deal breaker and the pros definitely outweigh them.  I would love to hear what you all think about it in the comments section or if you would like to try it, click here for your $5 trial.

Full Video Review

Happy sipping and hope you enjoyed my two cent tips!

Splenda Naturals Stevia Review

Hey folks! I have joined this community called BzzAgent that allows me to try and review awesome new products. I thought I would share with you all my thoughts on my first campaign. I was sent a table jar of Splenda's new sweetener called Naturals Stevia. It is a all natural, zero calorie sweetener that will give the artificial products a run for their money. So let's get into detail about my first impression.

The appearance of the packaging is of great quality. The jar is a good size to use for something you would sit out on your table for coffee or tea. The container itself is sturdy and has a tight fits snap lid. The container also has all the pertinent information on it. By this I mean ingredients, nutritional facts, how the product is made, safe for diabetics, and even a recipe.

Table Jar Sample

I opened the snap lid to find a product that looks just like granulated sugar. I smelled the product out of curiosity and at first reminded me of an artificial vanilla smell, but after a couple days, I believe it smells more like brown sugar. I of course couldn't wait to use it so I tasted a little bit on the tip of my finger to find it almost tasting like sweet air with a bit of powdery after taste that I for one associate with most artificial sweeteners.

Opened Product 

The first actual use was in my coffee along with French vanilla creamer and sugar free caramel flavoring syrup. I didn't want to alter how I made my coffee, so that I could get the truest taste of the sweetener. My first impression, I could still taste the slight powdery after taste. I then looked the container over more to realize that I had not made the proper adjustment to how much I had put into my coffee. This product only calls for half of what you would use with regular granulated sugar. One teaspoon of sugar is equivalent to 1/2 teaspoon of Naturals Stevia.

Once I made the proper adjustments and used the product for two or more days, the after taste was no longer a factor. I believe the combination of using too much product, along with the idea of using a sweetener other than sugar caused the after taste. I have never been a fan of artificial sweeteners and I associated this Splenda product with the artificial taste at first. 

Great in Hot Tea

 

I would definitely recommend this product. Granulated sugar has 15 calories per serving and this product taste the same and has zero!!!! It is also a great substitute for diabetics, which for I'm sure is a huge selling point for those on restricted diets.  If zero calories and a great taste doesn't have you convinced, it is an all natural product that contains stevia leaf extract and erythritol.  The erythritol is the natural sweetener extracted through the fermentation process. 

So there you have it, an all natural product that taste great, has zero calories, requires less than other products, and is safe for restricted diets such as diabetics!!!  Give it a try, I bet you will be surprised!!

8 Copycat Recipes that Keep Dining Out Cravings at Bay

Hey Folks!  I'm back to share more of my two cents!

One sure way to save money is to avoid going out to eat at all costs, but it can be difficult when you crave that restaurant style salsa or maybe some hibachi.  I have come across some great copycat recipes to help you stay in, as well as, some recipes that are better than the "convenience packaged" foods, so let's get started!

1.   Max and Erma's Famous Chicken Tortilla Soup:  

via food.com

This taste as close as you can get to the real deal.  I found the recipe here.  I followed the recipe almost exactly except in place of the green chilies and can of tomatoes, I used a can of Rotel since it has both ingredients and that is what I had at the time.  For the tortilla strips, I bought the fiesta seasoned Kroger or Meijer brand ( I've used both) tortilla strips and they worked very well in the soup.  This is a cheesy soup that hits the spot when the weather is getting colder.  It has a great taste that isn't too spicy for little ones, something the whole family will enjoy.


2.  Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper:

via countrysidecravings.com

The box of hamburger helper can be found on sale for pretty cheap most of the time, but why not make your own for just as cheap with ingredients you know are going into the recipe instead of leaving it up to General Mills.  This recipe taste better and doesn't need to be altered in anyway. It can be found here.

3.  Chick-Fil-A Nuggets, Waffle Fries, and Sauce:

via samsclub.com and buildyourbite.com

 

So this one I cheated a little, but Sam's Club has Member's Mark Southern Style Chicken Bites that are basically the same as the nuggets from the restaurant.  They even have a hint of pickle just like the real thing.  These are great because they can be microwaved in just a couple of minutes for a quick snack and it doesn't hurt the taste or texture of the product.  The Member's Mark Southern Style Waffle Fries are also available for a limited time at Sam's Club.  They taste like the restaurants', but the only down fall is they can't be fried for a crispier texture.  We have tried both of these products and love them because they taste just like the real thing.  Our Sam's Club doesn't carry it, but some clubs also have a Member's Mark Southern Style Chicken Sandwich which comes frozen with a bun and is suppose to taste like the restaurants' also.  So after you purchase the copycat products, you have to have some Chick-Fil-A Sauce to go with the nuggets and fries.  I found a pretty close recipe here.  The only thing that I did was add just a touch more mustard for my family's liking.  It is super easy to make and adjust to your taste.

4.  McCormick's Chili Seasoning:

via meatandpotatoesrecipes.blogspot.com

I love to season my chili with this seasoning packet, but it's becoming more expensive especially when I have all the ingredients in my spice cabinet.  In my opinion, this recipe is more of the Hot version and I would cut the cayenne powder in half to make it closer to the original recipe. We like it SPICY, so I left the recipe as is for us.

5.  Japanese Hibachi Shrimp Fried Rice:

via averiecooks.com

I am so thankful I found this recipe!  My family absolutely loves to go to our local hibachi restaurant, but it gets expensive really quick and before we know it, we are close to $100 in the hole for just one dinner.  This is super easy to make and curbs those restaurant cravings.  You can also substitute any meat you would like.  We have tried chicken and it was just as delicious as the shrimp.  Get the recipe here.  I did make some adjustments to the recipe to use what I had.  I omitted green onions and chopped a small yellow onion and sauteed it instead.  I also used olive oil instead of any other oils that the recipe called for.  I used a short cut and had the Birdseye frozen veggie blend (corn, peas, carrots, and green beans) that I tossed in instead of the individual veggies.  I sometimes like to add mushrooms too depending on our mood.  Follow the recipe as is or follow my adjustments, either way I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

6.  Carnival or Candied Nuts (aka German Nuts):  

via dinnerthendessert.com

I have found two recipes for these amazing little snacks!  These are also a  great idea for Christmas gifts or a sweet snack to bring along to parties.  I have made both the pecan recipe (here) and the almond recipe (here).  They are both crock pot recipes and take a few hours to make but you pretty much dump, mix, and then stir every hour or so to make sure the nuts stay coated and don't stick together.  Both recipes turned out amazing and they were extremely hard to put down once you got that sweet cinnamon goodness on your tongue.  With these recipes it can be fair and carnival season all year long (and as an added bonus it makes your house smell awesome!).

7.  Better Than Manwich Sloppy Joes:

via heatherlikesfood.com

This isn't exactly a copycat recipe, but it's more along the lines of the Hamburger Helper recipe listed above.  Making your own from scratch has way more flavor and is a lot healthier than anything served in a can or box.  Honestly, I have never been much of a sloppy joe fan, but the rest of my family loves them and this recipe definitely made that love even greater.  It turned a myself into a fan and is worth trying since you more than likely have all the ingredients right in your pantry.  You can find the recipe here and it is just perfect the way it is.  I didn't have to make any substitutions or adjustments.

8.  Mexican Restaurant Style Salsa:

via aspiceyperspective.com

This recipe is great because you can adjust the "heat" to your liking.  It also it a great way to use those garden veggies and herbs.  The original recipe can be found here and is a great snack around our house.  We are also Mexican food junkies and crave the restaurant style salsa a lot.  Sometimes I feel like we just go to the restaurant specifically for the chips and salsa.  Well if your family is like ours then I have found the solution.  Again we like heat so we kept our seeds in the jalapenos and added a couple more than the recipe called for.  I also used a can of diced tomatoes instead of the brand of crushed tomatoes the recipe called for and it still tasted like our local restaurant's.  This recipe more than hit the spot on cravings.

Hopefully these recipes help save you some money, expand your dinner or snack options, and/or have given you more ideas of how to get lost in the amazing Pinterest world.  Hope you enjoy these recipes as much as my family has!