So you’ve probably heard me talk on here multiple times about using plant based products.
Well what does that actually mean? Why make the switch? Why is it so important to me to only use safe, clean products?
Well….let’s start from the beginning. I’ve been a product whore for a LONG time. Any new skincare or makeup item that came out, I had to have. I was willing to try anything & everything. I grew up having really crappy skin so I was willing to try anything to cover it up or make it better. My skin was so bad that I even had to go on accutane (read more about my skincare story HERE). That right there just scared me. The whole process was grueling- taking my blood every 2 weeks, the harsh chemicals I was putting into my body & the medical consequences that came with taking this medication. I knew there had to be a better way to care for my skin & treat my acne, but at that point wasn’t educated enough in other methods. I didn’t even know there were plant based options out there.
Fast forward a few years & now I’m a working professional!
And now I start having sleep problems. Not being able to get a good night’s sleep totally does not work for me. I was starting to toss & turn every night and wake up at all weird hours of the night. My dependency on melatonin came into play. I really HATE taking medication of any kind- always have. So the fact that I had to take supplements at night to help me sleep was really bothering me (yes I know they are natural, but I still was unsure about it). Then the melatonin stopped working, so I started to take Tylenol/Advil PM. I was taking 4 a night, every night to sleep. That’s when I knew there had to be a better/healthier option for me.
I started hearing about essential oils & all the amazing benefits- but honestly I always thought that kind of stuff was for hippies. Like really an oil can help you sleep, help with digestion & numerous other ailments? No way. I kind of put that on the back burner for a while, but kept hearing about this company called Young Living. More on that later.
Then, last fall I was introduced to plant based everything- diet, skincare, makeup, oils & more!
I thought wow, there are all these other options out there that I had no idea about that work just as well, if not better than the products I’ve been using. I was in a place in my life where I wanted to get healthier, I needed a huge lifestyle change. One of my goals for 2019 was to focus on health & wellness. Get in shape, get healthy- and that is when I took the plunge to switch out all my products to plant based, organic options.
After doing a little research, I was actually shocked about how the FDA does not regulate the ingredients that are used in personal care items.
Companies are not legally obligated to disclose what is actually in their products. Companies are allowed to use harmful ingredients in their skincare, makeup, body care & even baby items. We literally have no idea what we are putting on our bodies. Europe has banned the use of over 1400 chemicals in personal care products- the US has only banned 30. That’s despicable in my opinion. Everyday we are lathering our bodies, our children’s bodies, clean our homes with harmful chemicals that are quietly wreaking havoc on our systems. Many of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, infertility issues & fetal brain development issues.
I knew it was time for me to take my health into my own hands.
My friend Mariam suggested we visit a new green skincare & beauty store that one of her friend’s from college just opened- Greenhouse Beauty. Rachel, the store owner, really opened my eyes to the green/plant based community & it turns out it wasn’t just for hippies! And the quality of her products really amazed me- as well as the results. My skin never looked better! Shortly after, I also became a Beautycounter consultant & learned even more about the really terrible shit that’s in everyday products. They produced a list (what they call their Never List) of harmful chemicals found in everyday products. I challenge you to go through all the products you have in your own- if they contain any of these items, please throw them out.
From there, my love of plant based items grew.
I even started to incorporate plant based meals into my diet. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never fully give up eating meat but adding plant based elements is working for me. I feel good that I’m fueling my body with healthy ingredients & cleansing my body and home with healthy ingredients as well. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a few things I need to switch out. I will over time. Slowly but surely I’ll get there, doing it all at once is too expensive.
My final step was fixing my terrible sleep problem. In comes my love affair with Young Living. These oils have completely fixed my sleep problem. I’m telling you- diffusing lavender, stress away & a little but of Thieves every night has me sleeping like a baby. I use my oils for a number of different things- headaches, aches & pains from working out, skincare & much more.
If you have any questions or interest in living a greener life- I’m here to help. I am in no way shape or form an expert, I can only speak to what has worked for me. Beautycounter & Young Living have been great companies to help make the switch- I can certainly help you in picking out the best products for your lifestyle. I’m telling you, make the switch. You won’t regret it.
