Going Even Greener

One of my main goals in life is to figure out how to live purely while still allowing myself to enjoy the physical and sensory pleasures of life.
I've been very interested in environmental toxins and how they affect our health for a while now, and I do a pretty good job of avoiding pesticides, dioxins and BPA. I buy organic and wash my produce thoroughly, I use a stainless steel water bottle, I use glass storage containers and I don't heat plastic. I thought my toxin exposure was pretty low. Then I found the Dirty Thirty list. There's always more to learn! This is a list of ingredients commonly used in cosmetics and toiletries that are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors (think thyroid, early puberty and hormonally-fed cancers) and neurotoxins. Many easily build up to toxic levels in the body.
When I went (a few times) to my favorite health food store, I expected to have an easy time finding cosmetics that would not contain any Dirty Thirties. Boy, was I ever wrong! I ended up teaching the very nice attendant about the List and showing her that, although there is a committee that screens cosmetics for harmful ingredients, there are still many products on the shelves that contain Dirty Thirties.
I was happy to have taught the attendant and to have learned some things myself--from the process and from her. Primarily, I learned that even though a store or company may have high standards, one still has to be vigilant in their label reading when trying to avoid certain ingredients. This applies to foods as well as non-food items.
At first, I was disappointed in that I was unable to replace some of the products I thought I needed to look my best.
I still have not identified a foundation that I can wear daily, but I'm over it. After going foundation-free for a few weeks now, my skin is breathing and coming back to life, with much fewer breakouts. And I actually think I look great without makeup! It was difficult and even embarrassing at first to show myself at work with no makeup. However, I am thankful for the opportunity to work through my self-image issues. I've learned to appreciate my natural look, and that is carrying over to the rest of my body as well. I'm actually finding it sad and dysfunctional that women feel they have to constantly "have their faces on".
I figure if I reserve wearing makeup for special occasions and nights out, I will not only decrease my toxic burden (the day in, day out is where it really counts--food included), I will decrease my rate of aging.
I must also add that, not only did I realize that my makeup needed to be changed, but also my soaps, shampoos and lotions were sub-par as well. I'm slowly working my way into changing those, but one thing at time. Change is difficult, and in my mind, one at a time is most certainly progress. That said, making these changes gives me insight into how to help my clients with behavior change as well. Ah, the benefits just keep stacking up! I encourage anyone who is interested in weeding out harmful ingredients to visit Teens Turning Green. And of course, I am always available to answer questions, based on my experience thus far.


Blessings and Good Health,
The Gourmet Healer