What's The Deal With Clean Deo

Deodorant is something that many of us use and have been using it for years. It has become a staple in our hygiene routine. However, as we are starting to learn more about ingredients and clean beauty, deodorant is another product to be mindful of the ingredients – especially as many of us use it every single day!  

Before diving in further, let’s first discuss the two parts of many common deodorants – the deodorant and the antiperspirant. These two terms are often used interchangeably but actually mean two different things. A deodorant focuses more on the bacteria in the armpit to help prevent odors but does not prevent sweating. An antiperspirant works by helping prevent sweat glands from releasing sweat (1), therefore, help prevent us from sweating or excessive sweating in the armpit area. Many common deodorants on the market today are a “2-in-1” which means they contain both a deodorant and an antiperspirant.

Aluminum-based compounds are found in many deodorants as they are often the active ingredient in the antiperspirant part of the deodorant. Research has suggested that using these types of products on the skin near the breast may have estrogen-like effects (2). Since we know that estrogen can play a role in the promotion of breast cancer cells, there has been some suggestion that these two are related. However, there have not been many studies done specifically looking at this link, and with the studies that have been done, there have not been any to date that can clearly confirm the relationship between the two (2).  However, there was one study that was done in 2003. According to the National Cancer Institute,  it was a “retrospective cohort study examining the frequency of underarm shaving and antiperspirant/deodorant use among 437 breast cancer survivors reported younger age at breast cancer diagnosis for women who used antiperspirants/deodorants frequently or who started using them together with shaving at an earlier age.” (2)  However, the results from this article is not being considered as clear evidence due to the nature of the study was a retrospective study and therefore it cannot be considered conclusive in the medical world. 

But, this is not to discount the potential risks these active ingredients in common deodorants to bring about, just as we do with all other clean beauty ingredients.  Another common ingredient in deodorant is the use of parabens. Parabens are known endocrine disruptors – they can mimic estrogen and cause hormone disruption. They have been shown to impact breast cancer cells and therefore, potentially playing a role in increased risk of breast cancer due to their possible influence in abnormal breast tissue cells (3). However, according to some medical groups, the evidence of the direct link with parabens and cancer may be considered weak (1).

As we’ve read and even seen here just with looking at safe deodorant, finding all medical outlets or studies to agree with health risks is near impossible and that can lead to some confusion. Being afraid of ingredients isn’t necessary, but being mindful and aware of what you are putting in and onto your body is important. Then from there, making the best choices for you and your body is key.  With deodorant being a daily (even multiple times a day) item we use on our bodies, considering its ingredients and how those may impact your body (especially over time) is so important!  That is the beauty of using a clean beauty product or safe deodorant -- we can reap the benefits of preventing the stink while still treating our body well and protecting it from potentially harmful ingredients. 

Meet Beautycounter’s Clean Deo

Good news! Beautycounter just launched The Clean Deo, their clean deodorant that’s been five years in the making! An aluminum-free deodorant that actually works—in a sustainable, refillable case that is so fun! Clean never smelled so good!

This long-lasting, hardworking deodorant neutralizes odor and absorbs sweat to keep you feeling fresh all day, every day. Made without aluminum, it glides on smooth without leaving white residue. Forbes included it in their list of 8 Best Deodorants For Women.

Shop the The Clean Deo HERE.

KEY INGREDIENT BENEFITS:

• Cornstarch and baking soda: Work together to help absorb wetness and keep skin dry, while also helping to neutralize body odor. Important note about baking soda: MANY who have been sensitive to baking soda in all other clean brands are not having any issue with this deodorant and have been using it for months. The amount in the product is extremely low. With that said, you might want to do a patch test on the inside of your wrist if you have been sensitive to baking soda in the past.

• Coconut oil and shea butter: Help skin feel hydrated, nourished, and smooth thanks to natural emollients rich in essential fatty acids and nutrients.

• Candelilla wax and beeswax: Aid in conditioning and hydrating skin.

SCENTS:

• Clean Rose: A modern bouquet of freshly cut roses, with notes of geranium and pepper tree berry.

• Soft Lavendar: Soothing notes of lavender.

• Fresh Coconut: A refreshing blend of tropical coconut, sandalwood, and sweet vanilla. (my favorite, smells like a tropical vacation)

SWEAT IT OUT:

When you go clean, you need to sweat it out. It can take several weeks for your underarms to detox from the toxins that have been trapped in sweat ducts by antiperspirants, and you might experience a (temporary) odor. Trust us—The Clean Deo is worth the wait. 

Fresh Tip: to help speed the process along, use Counter+ Charcoal Facial Mask on underarms once a week, and wash underarms daily with Counter+ Charcoal Cleansing Bar.

It’s even Jennifer Garner approved! “To my incredible girlfriend Gregg Renfrew—congratulations,” she says. “This is the best all-natural deodorant I have ever tried. Way to go Beautycounter!” The 13 Going on 30 star also describes the product as “A natural deodorant that actually works.” - source

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Sources

1. “Is Deodorant Harmful for Your Health? .” Penn Medicine Health and Wellness Blog, Penn Medicine, 6 June 2019, www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/june/deodorant.

2. “Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, 9 Aug. 2016, www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths/antiperspirants-fact-sheet.

3. “Parabens.” Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP), BCPP, 2019, www.bcpp.org/resource/parabens/.

4. “Deodorant & Toxic Ingredients of Concern.” Made Safe - Deodorant, Made Safe, 10 Mar. 2020, www.madesafe.org/education/whats-in-that/deodorant/.

Kate's 2020 Self Care Holiday Gift Guide

If this isn’t the year for taking care of yourself and wellbeing, I don’t know when is! 2020 has been one wild year for all of us. I think we could all agree that we must keep up on our wellbeing and self-care more than ever.

It’s the year of taking care of ourselves, so we can better take care of others. I’m sharing items that I use for my health and creating a healthier home. From wellbeing and self-care, to home goods and gifts that give back, I hope these items will inspire your holiday gifting this year!

1. Mate The Label Organic Loungewear

This has been the year of loungewear as many of us spend much more time at home. I love these items for cozy days around the house, and I like to sleep in them, too. A few of my favorites are the Organic Terry Lounge Short, Organic Cotton Classic Tee, and Organic Thermal Wide Leg Pant.

2. Lunya Organic Sleepwear

Silk pajamas have upped my sleep game. Lunya organic silk sleep sets are so soft and comfortable. The best part - you can throw them in the washing machine with the rest of your clothes, no special care needed. I especially love the tank and shorts set and tee and shorts set.

3. The Sill

A live plant is always a great gift idea when you’re stumped on what to give. The Sill ships potted plants straight to your front door. From succulents and snake plants to holiday wreaths and elegant orchids, fresh greenery brings life to a room and helps filter the air!

4. Molekule Air Filter

Speaking of filtering the air, now that we’re spending more time than ever at home, paying a bit more attention to the air quality inside our house is so important as it can actually be more toxic than the air outside. Molekule Air Filters not only have a modern, sleek appearance, but they are high-performing, quiet, and easily moveable from room to room.

5. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Blue Light is making us sick! I have worn blue block light blocking glasses for years now and can completely tell a difference...plus the research doesn't lie! You can watch this quick video that explains why this matters! Not all blue blockers fully block blue light; the only two brands I trust are RaOptics and BluBlox. Avoiding blue light and quality sleep should be just as much a priority as eating healthy!

6. Athleta Coaster Luxe Sweatshirt

If we’re going to be home, we might as well be comfortable! This is my favorite sweatshirt - comfortable yet stylish. I have this top is so many colors! It’s perfect to pair with your favorite leggings.

7. Organifi Gold

Organifi Gold is an all natural, organic superfood tea with ingredients to boost immunity through better rest. It includes turmeric, mushrooms, magnesium, ginger, and other nourishing ingredients to support calmness and comfort the body. I enjoy a glass of this at night - it’s so soothing!

8. Beautycounter Ultimate Renewal Bath Set

People are turning to self care more than ever this season (we need it!). Upgrade me-time with this skin-softening trio, designed to create a luxurious at-home spa moment to reveal hydrated, healthier-looking skin and boost peace of mind. It includes everything needed to unwind before, during, and after bathing.

Beautycounter is a B Corporation focused on bringing the safest skincare and makeup to the marketplace while simultaneously fighting in Washington for more health protective laws in the personal care industry. When you shop with Beautycounter, they are able to give back to trusted non-profits, charitable organizations and research groups that help push the better beauty movement forward! The Good Scents Hand Cream Trio is another great gift, especially for all of the frontline workers this year - the perfect stocking stuffer!

Enjoy 15% off Beautycounter sitewide and free shipping on all orders over $50: shop here!

9. Live Large Love Loud Hats

My most favorite of them all. This is my non-profit that I created in honor of my late love Tom Alexander. He unexpectedly passed away and has left such an important message on my heart to share with the world. This life is so very short, so turn up the volume on your life…Live Large and Love Loud! This huge selection of hats shares that message in his honor and ALL proceeds are donated to Roundup River Ranch. A camp experience for children with serious illnesses and their families at their beautiful Colorado ranch.

10. Rothy’s

Rothy’s began as an idea to turn recycled, single-use plastics into something both beautiful and useful. They have taken millions of plastic bottles destined for landfills and repurposed them into timeless, durable shoes and bags. I LOVE the sneakers (run true to size), the points (I suggest going up a half size), the essential tote pictured here, and the essential pouch - I have a slight addiction! I don’t feel guilty buying them when I know they are saving the world from plastic!! Want $20 off your first order? Make sure you use this discount code link!

11. Athleta Balance Joggers

These incredibly soft joggers are a weekend must-have. Whether you wear with slippers and a sweater, or take outside with sneakers for a day of errands, I can’t recommend these pants enough!

Athleta and Beautycounter are B Corps. Certified B Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.

Need a couple more ideas?

These are a couple other favorite online shops that I love to shop at for gifts!

The Little Market: The Little Market is a nonprofit fair trade shop featuring ethically sourced, artisan-made products. Behind each of our products is a person who created it — and a story. We seek to empower artisans around the world by extending their products’ distribution and supporting sustainable income opportunities. We are committed to upholding the dignity of artisans, celebrating their cultural techniques and traditions, and bringing attention to social justice and human rights issues faced by their communities.

Knack: Great gifts with stories - expertly curated gift sets you can easily customize. I always browse their best-sellers under $50 first!

Happy holidays!

Kate

Vitamin C Benefits For Skin

Vitamin C – it may appear to be one of the “newer” hot topics as far as skin care, but in reality, its not so “new”! Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has fantastic benefits for your body and your skin. We know that and vitamin C as a nutrient has been popular for a long time for nourishment and its role as an antioxidant. Well, the same awesome vitamin C has fantastic benefits for not just your insides, but your skin too! So while it is encouraged to eat lots of foods rich in vitamin C, unfortunately, not all of the vitamin C you consume will go to your skin. So the best way to ensure your skin is getting benefits of vitamin C is to directly apply it – give your skin its own daily dose!

Let’s take dive into some of the benefits of vitamin C for your skin, choosing the right kind and how to use it.

Benefits

There are many benefits for using vitamin C in your skincare routine, but here, we will just hit on a few! Vitamin C helps brighten your skin. It is a known antioxidant, which means it helps fight against damaging stressors (free radicals) – both inside and outside the body. When using it for your skin, it offers protection from pollutants, daily stressors and sun damage that can be caused by free radicals. While vitamin C is not a sunscreen, it does help fight the UV-induce sun damage.  It also helps fight  hyperpigmentation or discoloration from other environmental stressors which is often caused increased melanin production (1). 

Vitamin C also aids in collagen production in the skin by playing a role in the regulation of collagen synthesis as well as increasing collagen protein synthesis (2). Collagen is known for helping fight against wrinkles and signs of aging and its production decreases over time. As vitamin C aids in collagen production, it is helping combat signs of aging. Vitamin C can also be anti-inflammatory for the skin which can lead to redness reduction, potentially promoting overall more even skin tone. Also in the anti-inflammatory role of vitamin C, it may also help fight against acne. 

Importance of Stability

Vitamin C can be somewhat unstable, therefore, the stability and type of vitamin C you use on your skin is an important factor. Exposure to heat, air and/or light can slowly start to degrade the vitamin C serum (2) and therefore lose it potency and effectiveness quickly. The most pure form of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is the most unstable. 

In the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum, a blend of two ultra-stable forms of vitamin C was used for a  supercharged 10% potency.  This includes 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate which is an antioxidant that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts skin brightening to reveal more youthful-looking skin. And it also includes 5% Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate which is a second form of vitamin C, this ingredient moisturizes skin while providing antioxidant benefits known to protect skin from damaging environmental stressors—and helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (3).

How to Use

As mentioned above, for many people, vitamin C can be safe to use on the skin and in conjunction with other skincare products. Beautycounter recommends using the All Bright C Serum as a Treat step with any regimen. In the morning, use it after cleansing, toning, your regimen’s regular serum then apply the All Bright C Serum on top (3). Follow it up with moisturizer and you are good to go for the day! 

Ready to really boost your skincare routine? The Bright Side Duo includes two of Beautycounter’s best-selling, brightness-boosting treatments: the All Bright C Serum works by day to instantly enhance skin’s radiance and help reduce the appearance of dark spots, and the Overnight Resurfacing Peel works all night to reveal improved skin texture and clarity by morning - it’s the ultimate glow duo!

It is kind of wild to think one great antioxidant can provide so many great benefits! Many benefits all in one bottle – which makes it super convenient!  To add to all of the greatness of vitamin C, one of the best things about it is that it is generally considered safe for most people to use! 

Wishing you happy, healthy & vibrant skin!

Sources:

1. Doyle, Annie Walton. “11 Reasons to Use a Vitamin C Serum.” Edited by Alan Carter, Healthline, Healthline Media, 9 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/vitamin-c-serum-benefits.

2. Michels, Alexander J. “Vitamin C and Skin Health.” Edited by Zoe Diana Draelos, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University , 2 Jan. 2020, https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C

3. Beautycounter. “All Bright C Serum: the science behind our supercharged vitamin C serum”. Beautycounter. 4 April 2020. Web. 30 July 2020.

Gifts That Give Back - Do Good For People & Planet

I think we could all agree that most of us do not need any more “stuff” this holiday season. There may be a few necessities or wants, but otherwise, we are good! So what do you buy for the person that doesn’t NEED anything?

My top pick is you buy them an experience. Something that they will have lasting memories of. For others, give them time with you. Be the present and be present! My second pick, is a gift from brands that are doing good by giving back to people and the planet. Below are a few of my favorite brands that are making a positive impact in this world!

1. ONEHOPE Wine was founded by eight friends with a lofty vision: to create exceptional products that inspire people to indulge while doing good. They are a caused - focused winery that gives back to charitable partners with every bottle of wine they make. Their commitment to quality in wine is as important as their commitment to the causes they support. To date they have made more than $4 million in donations.

2. Beautycounter is a brand focused on bringing the safest skincare and makeup to the marketplace while simultaneously fighting in Washington for more health protective laws in the personal care industry. When you shop with Beautycounter, they are able to give back to trusted non-profits, charitable organizations and research groups that help push the better beauty movement forward! No one should have to sacrifice their health in the name of beauty! This is my favorite clean and safe brand!!

3. SOKO Beautiful, fun ethical fast fashion jewelry made by artisan entrepreneurs in Kenya. The artisans use locally-sourced and eco-friendly materials. SOKO is giving back in so many ways including to their charity: water. They are committed to providing clean water and helping to create meaningful work opportunities for vulnerable communities around the World.

4. WE Charity carries the power of WE globally, empowering communities to lift themselves out of poverty through a holistic, sustainable international development model, WE Villages. WE Villages supports community development in areas where there is a high incidence of child labor, exploitation of children and minimal opportunities for the girl child. Currently, they work in Kenya, India, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Haiti, Sierra Leone, rural China and Ethiopia.

5. Live Large Love Loud My most favorite of them all. This is my non-profit that I created in honor of my late love Tom Alexander. He unexpectedly passed away last April and has left such an important message on my heart to share with the world. This life is so very short, so turn up the volume on your life…Live Large and Love Loud! This huge selection of hats shares that message in his honor and ALL proceeds are donated to Roundup River Ranch. A camp experience for children with serious illnesses and their families at their beautiful Colorado ranch.

6. Reformation Sustainable women’s clothing and accessories. “We make our pieces from super sustainable materials, rescued deadstock fabrics, and repurposed vintage clothing. As we grow, our goal is to push harder to create more sustainable fabric options.” Fast fashion is an industry causing so much harm to people and the planet! Think twice about the brands you wear!! Nordstrom is carrying some Reformation now!!

7. Allbirds Better shoes in a better way. An entirely new category of shoes inspired by natural materials, and an ongoing mantra to create better things in a better way. Their materials include wool, trees and sugarcane. I have a pair of their flips (hopefully they return in the summer) and love them!!

8. Apolis Global Ethically produced goods including their well known customizable market bag. These market bags help provide Fair Trade wages, annual profit dividends, and a retirement fund for the 106 women who work at Saidpur Enterprises.  I love their T-shirts too!!

9. Patagonia “The quality of Patagonia depends, to a large degree, on whether we can reduce our impact on the environment. This means auditing the materials and methods we use to make our products, taking responsibility for the entire lifecycle of our products and examining how we use resources at our buildings and facilities.” 1% of sales supports environmental organizations around the world, funding at the grassroots level in countries and communities where they have people on the ground. That’a a brand I will support all day long!!

10. Away “We believe in leaving the world better than we found it, and we want to help make a difference through the things we make, the platform we have, and community we create. That’s why before we sold a single suitcase, we partnered with Peace Direct, a nonprofit building peace in areas of conflict around the world. If you’ve bought anything from Away, you’ve also contributed to their work. Because we’re all in this together.” I have owned 4 pieces of their luggage for almost 2 years and highly recommend it!!

11. Simply Fido because your furry baby deserves safe, eco-friendly toys too!! Simply Fido is a family owned business that has a special responsibility to protect our environment for future generations. My doggie has quite a few toys from them. She loves to try to get to the squeaker and these are holding up well!

12. Sudara “GREAT GIFTS THAT DO GOOD” Every purchase supports job creation and skills training for women in India who are at risk or survivors of sex trafficking. Their punjammie lounge pants are cute and comfy!

13. glassybaby Votives with a motive. Founded by three time cancer survivor Lee Rhodes. during chemotherapy, lee met many patients who could not afford their basic needs during treatment. when lee founded glassybaby, it was with the core mission of helping to alleviate these struggles. to date, glassybaby has donated over $9 million dollars to non-profit organizations that provide hope and healing.

14. Love Your Melon it all started with hats to give back to children fighting cancer. To date, they have given over 4.7 million dollars to the fight against pediatric cancer and over 149,000 hats to children battling cancer. Their product offering has grown far beyond hats and 50& of proceeds are donated.

15. Paper Culture eco-friendly custom cards and stationary. Instead of cutting down forests to fill your order, they use post-consumer waste and wood alternatives. To off-set their carbon footprint, they plant a tree with every order. You even get to specify who the tree is planted in honor of! I ordered my holiday cards form them and some thank you notes! I love their modern look! It’s not too late to order holiday cards!!

16. Rothy’s began as an idea to turn recycled, single-use plastics into something both beautiful and useful. Three years in, and they have taken almost 21 million plastic bottles destined for landfills and repurposed them into timeless, durable flats. I LOVE these shoes and have a slight addiction!! I don’t feel guilty buying them when I know they are saving the world from plastic!! Want $20 off? Make sure you use this discount code link on each pair!

17. Sand Cloud beach towels crafted with the purpose to save marine life. 10% of profits are donated back to non-profits that support their mission. Some of their towels are made from recycled plastic and they are all sand resistant!

Many of these brands (Beautycounter, SOKO, Apolis, Allbirds, Patagonia, and Sudara) are B Corps.

Certified B Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.

Those are the brands I want to support this holiday and everyday!! I hope you choose to do the same!! Happy Holidays and cheers to a New Year!

How to get ACNE FREE skin without harmful Ingredients

The most popular over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for facial acne (acne vulgaris) is benzoyl peroxide, which can be found in cleansers, all-over face treatments, spot treatments, and moisturizers. Often times these products are formulated with harsh surfactants, artificial fragrance, PEGs, and other harmful and irritating ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide is allowed to be present in OTC products up to a strength of 10%, which is quite strong and can cause a  number of unpleasant side effects.

Common side effects of using products with benzoyl peroxide include painful or irritated skin,  redness (which can be severe), and skin peeling, flaking, itching, burning, blistering, or crusting. (source)

Additionally, benzoyl peroxide can cause an allergic reaction in some people (allergic contact dermatitis), and some scientists believe this is a more common reaction than is currently reported, and can lead to hospitalization in severe cases (source).

And while there are some gaps in the research, it is worth knowing that animal studies have found that repeated high-dose exposure to benzoyl peroxide can have harmful reproductive effects (source) and that it can promote the growth of tumors (source) since it is a free-radical generating substance. In fact, it is used in scientific research exactly for this purpose: to speed up the growth of skin tumors! Free radicals are also a cause of premature signs of skin aging.

Salicylic Acid For Gentler, Safer Acne Treatment

So what is a better, safer option? Salicylic acid (SA), which is a beta hydroxy acid that has multiple functions when used topically on the skin, including being skin-soothing, anti-acne, and an exfoliant. SA is an effective treatment for acne because it kills the bacteria that cause acne, it gently exfoliates to unclog pores, and it also reduces the overproduction of oil. (source)

Plus, salicylic acid has a long history of safe use; humans have been using it for over 2,000 years to treat various skin conditions (source). Benzoyl peroxide was only first manufactured in 1905 for use as an industrial chemical; it wasn’t used for medical purposes until 1930!

However, just like many mainstream benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products, mainstream salicylic acid OTC treatments can be formulated with the same harmful ingredients listed earlier.

Enter Countercontrol by Beautycounter. This new line includes products for a complete skincare routine designed especially for acne-prone and/or oily skin, with a cleanser, alcohol-free toner, all-over acne treatment, acne spot treatment, and oil-free moisturizer.

Why is Beautycounter’s Countercontrol safer and better for treating acne?

1. The salicylic acid is present at 2%, which is strong enough to be effective (see results below!) yet below the maximum allowed amount of 5% which may be slightly irritating for those with sensitive skin.

2. The products are formulated with beneficial botanical extracts in a proprietary blend called SkinBalance Complex, which contains rosebay willow and wintergreen (a natural source of salicylic acid). These plants are a potent source of antioxidants from polyphenols and flavonoids. Rosebay willow is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and has anti-aging properties (source), and wintergreen is a potent anti-inflammatory agent (source). The All Over Acne Treatment also contains quince extract, which is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial (source).

3. Like all Beautycounter products, Countercontrol is free over over 1,500 known or potentially harmful ingredients (see The Never List). Reminder: the U.S. only partially restricts 30 ingredients in skincare and cosmetics!

In an independent consumer study after four weeks using Countercontrol:

• 100% said skin clarity improved

• 100% stated skin feels healthier

• 95% said skin looks clearer

• 95% said skin looks less red

Meet the Countercontrol Products:

The entire line contains the signature SkinBalance complex to control oil production, purify pores, reduce inflammation, and address the root causes of acne.

Clear Pore Cleanser: contains soothing aloe vera and features eco-friendly biodegradable jojoba beads for gentle exfoliation.

Instant Matte Toner: eliminates excess oil and reduces the appearance of pores.

All Over Acne Treatment: gentle enough to use twice a day, every day yet effective at clearing existing blemishes and preventing future breakouts. Contains phytic acid (from green rice) for extra antioxidant activity and to refine skin texture, plus squalene (from olives, not shark livers like other brands!) which is an effective emollient (soothing moisturizer).

SOS Acne Spot Treatment: an invisible gel formula that treats breakouts without being over-drying, a must-have in everyone’s medicine cabinet for unexpected blemishes!

Matte Effect Gel Cream: this is an innovative cream-to-gel formula that is oil-free and will control oil over-production for up to 8 hours. This is also an excellent primer to use before applying makeup.

How To Use Countercontrol:

For acne: for best results, use the entire collection every day, twice a day to clear existing breakouts and prevent future breakouts from forming. You will notice the full benefits after 4 weeks. Make sure to take a before photo so you can reference it as your skin clears up!

For oily skin without acne: use the Clear Pore Cleanser, Instant Matte Toner, All Over Acne Treatment, and Matte Effect Gel Cream. The All Over Acne Treatment is beneficial and effective at controlling oil overproduction and is safe to use even when acne isn’t present.

For acne scarring: add the Overnight Resurfacing Peel into your regimen 3 times a week.  Apply the peel to a clean face and let it sit for 5 minutes.  Apply the Matte Effect Gel Cream over top.  Do not use the toner or acne treatment on the evenings you use the peel.

Beautycounter has a 60 day no questions asked return policy, so there is no risk in seeing if these products are a safe option for you!!

Wishing you happy and healthy skin!

Is your Sunscreen Harming Your Health?

It's officially summer, so I am sure you are stocking up on sunscreen for your hikes, trips to the pool and  beach vacations!  Have you ever considered that the sunscreen that you’re currently using on yourself and your kiddos is actually doing more harm than good?

What you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it!  Your skin is your largest organ, and can absorb much of what we put on it.   That includes the harmful chemicals typically found in personal care products, including sunscreens. These toxic ingredients get into your bloodstream and disrupt your immune system and endocrine system...hormones!!! 

Many personal care products and many popular sunscreens contain an alarming number of harmful ingredients.  (Did you know the European Union Bans over 1400 ingredients in the industry and the United States has only banned 30 to date!!)  Last month, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released their 2018 Guide to Sunscreens, which includes a list of which chemicals to avoid and their recommendations for the safest brands. To make safe and educated decisions this season, check sunscreen labels for the six most common and concerning ingredients below.

1. Oxybenzone – absorbs and filters UV light and is therefore one of the most common ingredients in chemical sunscreens.  It penetrates the skin at very high rates and acts like estrogen once it enters your bloodstream, disrupting your endocrine system...wreaking havoc on your hormones!  It undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to UV rays. When oxybenzone is absorbed by your skin, it can cause an eczema-like allergic reaction as well.  This ingredient is also killing our coral reefs and will be banned in Hawaii in 2020!!

2. Octinoxate –  also disrupts your endocrine system, affecting  hormonal activity, reproductive system and your thyroid. Octinoxate may actually be a culprit for premature aging, as it produces free radicals that can damage skin and cells. This ingredient is also contributing to the destruction of our coral reefs and will also be banned in Hawaii.

3. Homosalate – another common ingredient that disrupts hormone balance. It can accumulate in your body faster than your body can detoxify it through your liver, lingering in your body and increasing your toxic burden.

4. Octocrylene – when exposed to UV light, it absorbs the rays and produces oxygen radicals that can damage cells and cause mutations. It is readily absorbed by your skin and may accumulate within your body in measurable amounts. 

5. Retinyl Palmitate – A form of Vitamin A. It's function in sunscreen is to improve the product's performance against the aging effects of UV exposure.  However, certain forms of vitamin A found in sunscreens—namely retinyl palmitate can be cause for concern. When exposed to the sun's UV rays, retinol compounds break down and produce destructive free radicals that are toxic to cells, damage DNA, and may lead to cancer.  Yikes!!  This is found in many face creams too!

6. Parabens – are commonly added to cosmetics and personal care products to prevent the growth of bacteria and serve as a preservative. Like many of the ingredients above, they disrupt hormones, potentially leading to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity.  The European Union has already banned 5 types of parabens and the FDA is under pressure to ban them in the U.S.  Fingers crossed!

My Favorite Safe Sunscreens

Beautycounter is my favorite and most trusted brand for sunscreen and personal care products.  I love their commitment to transparency of ingredients, strict ingredient screening process and their commitment to not only safe products, but to high performing products too!! Beautycounter’s line of sunscreens has consistently been on EWG's sunscreen guide, meaning they are safe and pose very low-hazard. 

The mineral-based sunscreens are available in a lotion, stick and mist (non aerosol) and a lightly tinted moisturizer.  They are made with non nano zinc oxide and ingredients such as antioxidant-rich California poppy.  These sunscreens are blocking blue light rays as well!! (It is now being discovered that blue light might be just as damaging to the skin as UVA and UVB rays!!) They are water-resistant and free of preservatives, allergens, and chemicals that can damage coral reefs–so they are safe for the environment too!  The mist and stick makes it very easy to apply to your kiddos!  All three products go on easy and fully rub in so you aren't left looking like a ghost!!  

Badger is another great brand that I trust.  They have an assortment of sunscreen products as well, but they come with a downfall.  They don't rub in as well and leave you white!   If that doesn't matter to you, then grab a bottle of this at Whole Foods the next time you're there!

Have a Happy & Healthy Summer!  

PS...If you would like to learn more about all my favorite safer skincare products, please join my Better Beauty ~ Safer Skincare email list!!  i’ll send you occasional e-mails on education, new products, special incentives and giveaways (freebies!) on my favorite safer skincare, cleaner cosmetics, and healthy living products.  For the next couple of weeks I am giving away 10 of my favorite products shown below!  All you have to do is join the list to be entered to win!!  You can see all the details in my Instagram Story Highlights!  Only 2 products have been claimed!! I will be announcing 3 more winners this weekend, including the winner of the Beautycounter Sunscreen Mist!!

The 6 Most Harmful Ingredients In Your Beauty Products

I am sure most of you, like myself assume that we live in a highly regulated country, so the products I am using must be safe. I honestly, never questioned safety at all until recent years. I was so surprised when I finally learned that when it comes to the personal care industry, there are very minimal regulations. 

Companies are allowed to use known toxins—ingredients that have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and hormone disruption—without even disclosing these ingredients to us! Seems crazy, right?  Personally this makes me mad!

Luckily, it's not all doom and gloom. There are some great companies working hard to create safer skincare products and to change the industry. And, these products work just as well or better than the department store brands we have learned to love!  I've been spending tons of time researching them.

I am excited to share what I’ve learned with you and to educate and inspire you to make safer choices!

Yes, you read that right! 1938! 
Are you as shocked as I am by this?

And wait for it...

And only about 10% of the 10,000 chemicals commonly found in personal care products have safety data.

There are many ingredients allowed in beauty and skin care products that really should never be used.  The 6 worst offenders are harsh sulfates, formaldehyde-releasers, artificial fragrances, PEGs, mineral oil, and carbon black. Start by replacing these six worst offenders.

Ready to come clean?

1. FORMALDEHYDE RELEASERS ~ common in preservatives that are used in many personal care products. These chemicals, which help prevent microbes from growing in water-based products, can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions.

FOUND IN: Moisturizers, nail polish, nail glue, eyelash glue, hair gel. hair smoothing products, baby shampoo, body soap, body wash, color cosmetics.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL: Formaldehyde, quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal.

Many traditional face and eye creams are made with preservatives which can potentially release formaldehyde and wreak havoc on the immune system.  

----> SAFER SWAPS:

• Face and eye cream: I use and love Beautycounter's Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream, Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion and the Countermatch Sleep Recovery Cream that are naturally preserved with phytic acid from green rice.  This adaptive moisture line is fantastic for sensitive or dry skin!  Beautycounter has 3 safer skincare lines for all skin types
• Nail Polish: my go to clean brand is Cote.  They have tons of colors to choose from along with base and top coats and remover.

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2. PEG's ~ PEGs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and the California Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development. 

FOUND IN: numerous personal care products

WHAT TO LOOK OF FOR ON THE LABEL: PEG with a number after it

Traditional facial masks can be formulated with PEGs, which are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners or solvents, Your masks should have nothing to hide.

----> SAFER SWAPS:

My favorite masks that I use a couple times a week are:

• The Alitura Clay Mask. The unique blend of 9 nutrient-dense ingredients exfoliates dead skin, reduces pore openings, stimulates blood flow, and encourages growth of new skin cells. At Beautycounter, all our masks contain naturally-derived glycerin, which helps condition and soften skin.
• Beautycounter's Brightening Mask brightens your skin and more even-toned complexion. It contains kaolin clay that deeply cleanses, while vitamin C helps reduce the appearance of dark spots. 
• Beautycounter's Balancing Charcoal Mask also has kaolin clay that purifies and balances, absorbing excess oil and drawing out impurities. Activated charcoal minimizes the appearance of pores, giving skin a smooth, refined appearance while salicylic acid stimulates exfoliation.

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3. MINERAL OIL ~ Mineral oils are derived from crude oil and are a known human carcinogen. The concern is that mineral oils can target organs including eyes, skin, and respiratory system though inhalation, or skin and eye contact permitted in beauty products, mineral oil is a conditioning agent that may be contaminated with trace amounts of toxins and can suffocate skin. 

FOUND IN: a wide array of personal care products, including eye shadow, moisturizer, lip gloss, lipstick, conditioner, hair color and bleaching, facial treatment, styling gel/lotion, blush and concealer

Mineral oil is a conditioning agent that may be contaminated with trace amounts of toxins and can suffocate skin. Let your skin breathe easy. Look for body lotions that contain oils which are rich in essential fatty acids to revitalize and nourish skin.

----> SAFER SWAPS:

• Body Lotion: My favorite safer body lotion is Alba Botanica's Unscented Very Emollient Body Lotion that can be found at any natural grocers and many chain grocery stores in their natural section.  MAKE SURE you buy the unscented lotion so you avoid all fragrance!
• Body Oil: I love this Citrus Mimosa Body Oil.  It's a dry oil, so it's instantly absorbed and you aren't left feeling greasy!

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4. ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCES can be a blend of ingredients that are not required to be disclosed by U.S. law and can include trace amounts of phthalates (potential endocrine disruptors).  Fragrance can be linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, allergies and sensitivities. 

FOUND IN: most personal care products

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL: Fragrance, parfum, synthetic fragrance

As lipstick is applied on your mouth, it’s no surprise we ingest what we put on, including artificial fragrance. Another big offender in lipstick and really all color cosmetics is heavy metals!  We shouldn't be having the conversation that lead is still allowed in lip stick when it's ben taken out of paint, pencils and gasoline!  Heavy metals are known human carcinogens and are extremely damaging to the body!

----> SAFER SWAPS:

• Lipstick and Lipgloss: Beautycounter is the only brand I know of that is testing for heavy metals in every batch of their color cosmetics and possibly the only company testing for metals in general.  Companies are not required to do so by law!  Beautycounter Sheer Lipsticks are vibrant in color, transparent in ingredients, and scented only with natural vanilla.  I love the Twig!
• Perfume:  If you are looking for a safer perfume option, check out Phlur.  Their scents are free of Phthalates and you can buy testers before committing to a full bottle.  I love Olmstead and Vaux.

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5. CARBON BLACK - Carbon black is a dark black powder used as a pigment in cosmetics.  It is produced from coal tar and has been linked to increased incidence of cancer and negative effects on organs.

FOUND IN: Eyeliner, mascara, nail polish, eye shadow, brush-on-brow, lipstick, blushers, rouge, makeup, and foundation

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE LABEL: Carbon black, D & C Black No. 2, acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black

Mascara and eye liner shouldn’t be that scary.

----> SAFER SWAPS: 

• Mascara: a safe mascara that works is hard to find!!!  The best performing and safe mascara that I have found is Beautycounter Volumizing and Lengthening Mascaras that are pigmented with naturally-occurring iron oxides. These mascaras actually stay on your lashes!! 
• Eye Liner and Brow Pencil: Beautycounter's eye and brow pencils are what I also use and are pigmented with naturally-occurring iron oxides as well.

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6. SULFATES, SUCH AS SLS & SLES are found in many shampoos, soaps, toothpastes and other personal care products.  It is known to cause skin irritation  It also  helps other chemicals get into your body.  SLS is a penetration enhancer, meaning that its molecules are so small they’re able to cross the membranes of your body’s cells.  Once cells are compromised, they become more vulnerable to other toxic chemicals that may be with the SLS.

Your scalp and body deserves a lot better.

----> SAFER SWAPS: 

• Shampoo: It took me a while to find a safer shampoo that actually lathered and performed like the salon brands I was use to.  I love the Volume and Shape Shampoo and Conditioner from Beautycounter!  These shampoos feature PureFoam Cleansing Technology which is derived from beetroot sugars to deliver the rich lather and cleansing performance.  It leaves my hair shiny, full and feels like I am using a salon brand!
• Dry Shampoo: Primally Pure is great!
• Toothpaste: I use Earthpaste that is free of flouride, sls, glycerin and artificial flavors.
• Bodywash/soap:  Dr Bronner's makes organic castile liquid soap you can use as body wash and many naturally scented bar soaps.

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There's a tool I highly recommend you all use for not only personal care products, but for food, cleaning and laundry supplies as well! EWG (Environmental Working Group) has developed their free Healthy Living app that allows you to scan the bar code of products with your phone's camera.  It will then give you a rating for that product from 1-10 indicating what ingredients are of concern and how they may relate to cancer, reproductive health and allergies.  This is super handy for the next time you are at Target and need to buy deodorant...scan away to find the safest option!  I always shoot for a rating of 1, 2 or 3 and it must not have any reproductive or cancer concerning ingredients

Happy Safe Shopping!!

This post may contain affiliate links

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookies

I pretty much love all things peanut butter and this cookie is no different!  This recipe came about after falling in love with Kite Hill's Dairy Free Cream Cheese made from almond milk (the chive flavor is amazing as well).  So not only is this recipe grain free, it's dairy free too!!  

I haven't had cream cheese in decades after eliminating for many reasons.  So often I have come across sugar cookie recipes made with cream cheese and am always bummed I can't try them. The added cream cheese adds creaminess and moisture to a baked good along with acting as the fat in the recipe.  After discovering and loving this cream cheese....I may be creating many cookie and baked goods in the months to come! These Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookies are just the beginning!!  I would describe these as a mild peanut butter soft batch cookie that melts in your mouth!  

Ingredients:

• 1 cup natural peanut butter 
• 8 oz Kite Hill Cream Cheese (full fat cream cheese will work)
• 1 generous cup granulated sweetener (I used Swerve and coconut sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 scant cup cassava flour (I used Otto's)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

1. Cream together the peanut butter, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Add in eggs one at a time
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt and soda and add to the wet ingredients
3. Roll dough (should be thick) into 1- 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  
4. Press down the dough with your palm or use a fork like traditional peanut butter cookies. They do not spread very much, so they will be about the size you press them into.
5. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes
6. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet
7. Store in an airtight glass container

I buy Kite Hill Cream Cheese from Whole Foods or Natural Grocers.  You can find Otto's Cassava Flour online or from Natural Grocers

Enjoy!

__________

Many of you know I am a consultant with Beautycounter and advocate for more health protective laws in the personal care industry. An industry that includes over 10,000 chemicals with only 10% of those being tested for human health! An industry that has banned 1,400 ingredients in the European Union while the U.S has only banned 30 to date! I feel I have an enormous responsibility to educate and empower you to make changes to safer products for you and your family. We deserve better!  Beautycounter has banned 1,500 ingredients and is not only safe, but also high performing! 

I am giving away one of the new Beautycounter + Collections! A Collection of targeted MASKS, MIST and OILS formulated with SAFER INGREDIENTS to enhance your current skincare regimen! Products to BRIGHTEN, PLUMP and BALANCE the skin. See more about the line here: http://bit.ly/BCPLUS

To enter, join my NEW Better Beauty~ Safer Skincare Group and comment on the Beautycounter + Giveaway Post!! Join here : https://www.facebook.com/groups/264686570609990/

I will be posting about: Beauycounter products and my favorite clean beauty products outside of Beautycounter, educational articles and tools, makeup tutorials, product GIVEAWAYS and MONTHLY PROMOS, clean living ideas, recipes for nourishing the skin from the inside out, DIY ideas and more!

Thank you so much for all your continued support!!! Please message me with any product questions!!

Switch to Safer in 2017: My Favorite Clean Personal Care Products

It's that time of year again when most of us have set new goals, resolutions, intentions or whatever you may call them. I love the feel of January and the freshness it brings, but I am not really a resolution person.  I believe you can start fresh and new any day, week or month of the year and should evaluate often, not just at the start of the year.  I wish you all the best with your goals for those that set them January 1st or for those that set them throughout the year!

It's also that time of year when you are hearing and reading about the latest detox, juice cleanse and diets for the New Year, I ask you to also consider a different "detox".  A detox of your personal care products, a detox for the outside of your body...for your skin, your largest organ! 

According to Environmental Working Group, personal care products include up to 10,500 unique chemical ingredients, most of which are suspected carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and include dangerous substances like coal tar and formaldehyde.

And while Europe has banned 1,400 of these harmful ingredients, the U.S. has only banned thirty...30! (What?!)  It was just 11 a few months ago, but earlier this year the FDA restricted triclosan and 18 other chemicals used in “antibacterial” soaps. This was a small victory that partially restricts anti-bacterial chemicals from hand soaps, but doesn’t address the use of these ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste and other applications.

This means companies are allowed to use known toxins—ingredients that have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and hormone disruption—without even disclosing these ingredients to us! Seems crazy, right?  Personally this makes me mad!

The biggest ah-ha of it all? That at least 60% of what you put on your body seeps into your skin and is absorbed by your cells. Every. Single. Day.  

And this. Adds. Up.

This may not be a wake up call to you. You may very well know that your favorite lipstick and daily face serum aren’t necessarily made from the cleanest of ingredients.  And you’ve probably thought about making the switch to clean products. But, where do you even start in making this kind of change?

Luckily, it's not all doom and gloom. There are some great companies working hard to create safer skincare products and to change the industry. And, these products work just as well or better than the department store brands we have learned to love! 

How do you start working thru your beauty collection that you spent so long (and so much money) building?!

And, what’s more; how do you have time to research better products that actually do the job!? I've gotcha covered!! Below I share 14 (pictured above) of my many swaps I have made over the years.  Believe me when I say that if I can do it, you can too!!   I was using fabulous brands that I didn't think I could part with...and the change has been easier than I imagined and it feels so rewarding and liberating to know I am using safe products!  

There's a tool I highly recommend you all use for not only personal care products, but for food, cleaning and laundry supplies as well! EWG (Environmental Working Group) has developed their free Healthy Living app that allows you to scan the bar code of products with your phone's camera.  It will then give you a rating for that product from 1-10 indicating what ingredients are of concern and how they may relate to cancer, reproductive health and allergies.  This is super handy for the next time you are at Target and need to buy deodorant...scan away to find the safest option!  I always shoot for a rating of 1, 2 or 3 and it must not have any reproductive or cancer concerning ingredients.

Here are some of my favorite brands and swaps I have made over the years.  

Sunscreen: Beautycounter's sunstick is my go to as it's a mineral based sunscreen.  I love the ease of a stick and the fact that the zinc can't separate since it's a solid.  It comes in a body and face size.  The smaller face size is so great to keep in your purse, golf bag or ski jacket!

Nail Polish: Cote based out of Santa Monica is a safe nail salon with a line of polishes that includes a TON of color options! I love getting my toes done, but not all the harmful products that can come along with it.  I take all of my own stuff to get pedicures including my own colors.

Teeth Whitening and Strengthening: Smart Ash from Bedrock and Bloom is an all natural tooth whitening powder that's actually good for your teeth.  It contains activated charcoal, bentonite clay and more to clean, detoxify, whiten, reduce sensitivity, strengthen and restore. I dip my toothbrush with paste on it into the ash and brush a couple times a week with it.  Teeth Whitening can also be as simple as hydrogen peroxide.  I so often get asked what I use to whiten my teeth.  Hydrogen peroxide swished around morning and night is my secret!!!  It also kills bacteria.

Face Wash: Nourishing Cream Cleanser is a cleanser and a toner all in one.  I love the simplicity of this cleanser and that it does not contain any fragrance, lathering agents or parabens that other cleansers may contain.

Body Lotion: Alba's Unscented Original Body Lotion is the most moisturizing body lotion I have found!  Make sure you buy the unscented or the safe factor goes away because of the synthetic fragrance and the dangers that come along with that!!

Foundation: Tint Skin Full Coverage Foundation replaced my favorite...Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.  I wasn't sure I could give that up, but it was easy with this moisturizing rich formula! I love the coverage and how it performs...stays on all day or night!  Did you now cosmetics are a big source of heavy metals and companies aren't require to test for them?  Beautycounter batch tests for metals every time for every cosmetic product!!!!

Deodorant: Piper Wai activated charcoal deodorant is the best I have found!  It now comes in a stick...so much easier than the paste!  It is free of aluminum and synthetic fragrance.

Lip Gloss and Lipstick is a must to switch to safe since you basically eat it all day long!  Lead is often found in these products.  I love these glosses and lipsticks that rate safe on the EWG app! There are so many great colors to choose from and they are very moisturizing.

Toothpaste typically contains fluoride and some other nasty things...not something I want in my body!  I switched to Earth Paste and it only consists of 5 simple ingredients.  No Glycerin, fluoride, foaming agents, artificial colors,  It' simply water, redmond clay, real salt , xylitol and essential oils.  I prefer the peppermint flavor.

Dry Shampoo is a must when you don't wash your hair every day...or every other day!  I love Monat's Dry Shampoo!!  It's derived from plant based ingredients and reduces the greasy look!

Body Soap can often contain synthetic fragrance, SLS and artificial colors.  I've found my skin prefers simple soap and Kiss My Face Olive Oil Soap is my favorite!

Mascara is a tough one as it's such a personal choice.  It is so hard to find a safe brand that lasts, doesn't run and provides length and fullness.  Beautycounter's Lengthening Mascara won Allure's Best of Natural Beauty Award this past year and rightfully so!  It lengthens and lasts all day!!  It is hard to get off, but I can deal with that as long as it lasts all day!!

Lip Conditioner:  It's amazing how less chapped your lips are when you don't use petroleum based products!!  Keep in mind that anything you put on your lips, generally gets in your mouth! This Calendula Lip Conditioner is my favorite...I have one next to my bed and one in my purse!

I hope this is helpful!  Start with a few items and go from there!  Don't try to change everything at once or you'll be totally overwhelmed!!  If you need other suggestions, please comment below and I will try to help!!

XO

Health Conscience Gift Guide

Give the gift of Health!  Almost all of these ideas are under $50 and make great stocking stuffers too!!

1. Tranquil Roll on from Young Living.  I use this every night on the bottom of my feet.  Lavendar, cedarwood and roman chamomile help you relax and can help with sleep.  I love the smell of these oils and know how important a good night of sleep is!  The roll on is so convenient and easy to travel with!

2. Primal Palate Spice Blends are my favorite!!  I love that they are organic and they make it so easy to spice up meat, fish or vegetables!  You can find them on Amazon and they qualify for Prime!!

3. Alitura Clay Mask is one of my must have face products!  I love the powerful, yet safe ingredients in this mask.  It is a blend of 9 nutrient dense ingredients that exfoliate dead skin, reduce pore openings, stimulates blood flow and encourages growth of new skin cells.  I honestly can tell a difference after ever use, it makes your skin glow!

4. Naughty to Nice Charcoal gift set from Beautycounter makes a great gift for men!  It's for everyone though!  These lumps of "coal" are the best thing you could give your skin this season!!  Charcoal absorbs impurities and excess oil. It works fantastic on breakout and acne prone skin.  It detoxes the skin while leaving it smoother, brighter and younger looking.  This set includes the Charcoal Cleansing Bar and Charcoal Mask inside a beautiful red gift box.   Beautycounter is my favorite safe skincare and makeup brand!

5. Himalayan Salt Lamps are essentially large pieces of himalayan pink salt with a bulb inside of it. They have numerous benefits such as improving air quality, soothing allergies, light therapy for increased mood and more!  The darker the lamp, the higher the quality.  You can buy these on Amazon or at your local health food store.

6. Charcoal Eye Mask from Restoration Hardware. Charcoal is all the buzz right now and rightfully so!  It has amazing benefits including waking up refreshed with this padded eye mask!  It is infused with Binchotan charcoal from Japan. Naturally purifying and detoxifying, the ultrafine charcoal neutralizes negative ions and soothes the skin around the eyes, minimizing the visible effects of stress while you rest.  

7. Cote Nail Polish is non-toxic (traditional nail polish is full of toxic ingredients), cruelty free and made with the highest quality of vegan ingredients.  They have over 100 colors to choose from!  I love getting a pedicure, but don't love all the harmful ingredients in the products, so I take my own polish when I go!

8. FasciaBlaster is so much more effective than foam rolling!!  I use this on all my tight muscles to loosen the fascia.  There is so much I could go into here, but basically this torture stick improves sports performance, reduces pain, accelerates muscle recovery, reduces cellulite and can break down fat cells.  This is a must for those athletes on your list! 

9. Woodlot Candles are non toxic candles scented with essential oils!  These candles are eco-friendly made with cotton core wicks and renewable coconut wax. I stopped burning candles as they can be very toxic due to the fragrance, the wax and the wick traditional candles are made with.  It's so nice to have the warm glow of a candle in the winter and know it's safe!  I love supporting this small business!

10. Swanwick Blue Blocking Glasses to block the blue light at night from lights and electronics.  I have worn these for over 3 years now and can completely tell a difference...plus the research doesn't lie!  Blue Light is making us sick!   You can watch this quick video that explains why this matters!  Avoiding blue light and quality sleep should be just as much a priority as eating healthy!.  

Happy Holidays!

Double Chocolate Orange Cookies

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!!  Now it's time to start thinking about holiday baking.  I love to bake, hence all the desserts I have on my website.  Check out all the holiday recipes here, including Peanut Butter Fudge, Macadamia Lace Cookies, Hazelnut Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pizzelles, Mexican Wedding Cookies and so much more!!  These Flourless Chocolate Orange Cookies are fantastic and need to be added to your holiday baking list!!

Double Chocolate Orange Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup cocoa/cacao powder
• 1 cup granulated sweetener (I used Swerve for no sugar option)
• 1/2 cup grass-fed butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 drops of orange essential oil (I used Wild Orange from Doterra)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life dairy free chips)

Instructions

1. Combine the cocoa, soda and salt in a bowl, set aside
2. Place sweetener and butter in a food processor or a large bowl and mix well
3. Add in the egg (whisk if using a mixing bowl), vanilla and orange oil
4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and combine until mixed well
5. Fold in chocolate chips (batter should be thick)
6. Use a cookie scoop or roll dough into a ball and place dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Do not press down, they will spread
7. Bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes.
8. Let cool on the cookie sheet before transferring to a cooling rack
9. Store in a glass container 

Happy Holidays!!

Raw Pumpkin Cookie Balls and Fall Favorites

Are you pumkined out yet?  Truth be told, I am not a huge pumpkin person, but these cookie balls are so good!  They almost taste like cookie dough and they definitely take care of a sweet craving!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup granulated sweetener (Maple Sugar would be awesome.  I used Swerve for a low sugar alternative)
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder (optional, use almond flour as replacement)
• 1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 2 cups shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life for dairy free option)

Instructions:

1. Combine the pumpkin, almond butter, sweetener, flour, protein powder, spice and salt
2. Add in the coconut and chocolate chip, stir until combined
3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper 
4. Roll the dough into golf ball size balls and place them on the cookie sheet
5. Place in the fridge to harden 
6. Store in a glass container in the fridge

Enjoy!

Favorite Fall Finds

I wanted to share a few of my favorite finds for fall.  I am in love with Primal Palate's Organic Spices and have almost completely stocked my spice rack with them!  Their blends are seriously the best and the Pumpkin and Apple Pie Spice blends are a must for this time of year.  They also have a Gingersnap and Cinnamon Sugar Cookie blend that I cannot wait to try in recipes.  I could eat the Sugar Cookie one with a spoon...I'm not kidding!!  The best part is, they are available on Amazon Prime!!!

I have missed burning candles, but gave them up after learning how toxic most candles are. Everything from the wax to the wick and especially the fragrances are not good for us.  I love my diffuser, but there is something about burning a candle and enjoying the glow of a candle in the winter time.  I was recently introduced to Woodlot, a small apothecary out of Canada and am in love with their candles!  I also love supporting small business owners!  Their eco-friendly candles are free of petroleum, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and gmo's.  They are made with coconut oil and non gmo soy wax, cotton core wicks and are scented with pure essential oils.  I ordered three different candles, Cinder for fall with scents of cedarwood, cinnamon and orange, Wildwoods for Christmas with an evergreen, pine and clove scent and the Original.  These will be the perfect hostess gift and they arrived just a few days after I ordered them!!

The cold air has finally moved into Colorado and that means my skin needs extra moisture. Beautycounter's Lustro Face Oil is my must have skincare product for everyday, but even more so in the winter months!  The seven plant based oils are full of anti-oxidants and fatty acids that make your skin glow!  Unlike synthetic oils, which can sit on the skin, these face oils absorb easily for ultimate hydration!  I love the Soothing Oil and use it morning and night after cleansing and follow with a moisturizer.  Beautycounter is my favorite brand for safe non toxic skincare and makeup.  Give a Lusto Face Oil a try, you have 60 days to fall in love with it or return it for a full refund!  I promise your skin will thank you!  (Want to be in the know when Beautycounter offers amazing deals on products or when I am giving away a FREE product?  Sign up for email notifications here.  A pop up will show up shortly after you go to the page)

XOXO,

If you are an Amazon shopper, would you be so kind to use my affiliate link to make your purchases.  It is at no cost to you, it does provide a tiny kickback to Kate’s Healthy Cupboard.  This allows me to continue making and testing recipes for free.  Thanks so much!!

*I have recently switched all of my skincare and makeup to a company that is free of 1,500 chemicals!!  I am so particular about what goes into my body, I need to be just as picky as to what goes on my body!  Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs chemicals into the bloodstream faster than the gut does!  I am vain when it comes to my skin and was so thrilled to find products that are anti-aging and work!!!  Check out BeautyCounter for more info!!  You will love it!!

September Wellness Digs

I'M BACK!!!!!!  Welcome to Kate's Healthy Cupboard's new updated website!  I am so excited to bring you new recipes along with the addition of my favorite healthy products for the kitchen, bathroom and home and my monthly Wellness Digs!

What the heck are Wellness Digs?  They are my favorite finds or what I am "digging" for healthy eats, products, supplements, lifestyle brands, fitness tips, books and so much more!  Health is so much more than what you put in your mouth and how much exercise you do.  So, I wanted to share some of my must haves and some of the things I enjoy or use in my every day life.  

I can't tell you how many times I get asked, "what all is in your morning smoothie, what do you do for exercise, what supplements do you take, what's your favorite protein, what skincare and makeup do you use that is safe, why do you wear those funny glasses at night" and more!  Now, I can share these answers with you all, in hopes to help you become an even better version of you!!

Today kicks off my September Wellness Digs!  The picture above shows 10 things I am digging right now and many of these items are a part of my everyday life!  Enjoy!

1. Daily Greens Purity is my absolute favorite organic green juice.  I love the fresh taste of this, it's not too strong like some green drinks and I love the lemon it it!  I also love that is has broccoli and basil, not what you typically find in most juices.  Lemon is the only fruit I like in my green juice.  I am not a fan of most fruits in a juice for a couple of reasons.  One, is that it makes it too sweet tasting and two, if you drink this alone, it will spike your insulin too much from the fruit.  For that reason, I never drink a green juice alone, it is always with a meal.  I find this at Whole Foods, my local health foods store or you can buy online.

2.  Beautycounter's Cleansing Balm is truly a beauty bomb and it's $25 off until the end of September!!!! This one product is a cleanser (think oil cleansing), eye makeup remover, overnight mask, acne spot treatment, cuticle cream, great for burns and so much more!!!  This is a must for me with the winter months ahead for extra moisture.  I use it every night as my makeup remover and mask once a week. A little goes a long way, so this will last you forever!  Not only is this the bomb, it is also free of over 1,500 harmful ingredients commonly found in the personal care industry.  It's so important to know what is in your products and this is one of my favorite trusted safe brands! You can shop the balm here and read more about the personal care industry and Beautycounter  here.

3. Boku Super Food goes into my morning smoothie everyday!!!  This organic super food blend includes super greens (aquatic, land and grass), medicinal mushrooms, 11 super fruits, 7 super sprouts, antioxidants and enzymes.  It's non-gmo and free of wheat, gluten, soy and dairy.  This is my nutrient insurance for the day and it sits well with me (no bloating).  It tastes great in my smoothie, but I have no idea how it tastes alone...I am thinking it is a must to add it to something other than water!! I love this brand because it contains SOOOOO many super foods and is organic!  

4.  Nutrasumma Fermented Pea Protein has been my go to protein for a few years now.  I was always a whey protein person, but have switched to a non dairy powder.  I think whey works for me, but I really like this pea protein.  If you've tried a rice protein powder, you know how grainy and gross it is...this is not!!  The Chocolate is my flavor of choice.  My morning smoothie is seriously my favorite as it's packed with nutrient dense foods and keeps me full for hours.  If you are looking for a non-dairy protein powder that is also non-gmo, I suggest this brand or collagen (will be on my next wellness digs).  I find this at Sprouts or on Amazon.

5.  Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba...Unlocking the secrets to success, sanity and happiness for the female entrepreneur.  Guys this might not be for you, but it's certainly for any female women warriors in your life!!  "Girl Code is a roadmap for female entrepreneurs, professional women, "side hustlers" and anyone in between who wants to become a better woman."  This is a quick, fun read with so many motivational and empowering topics!!  She tells it like it is and I love her approach.  Highly recommend this for all you girl bosses out there!!  

6.  Berkley Water Filter is a must with how much crap is in our tap water!!  Have you seen this map of where the concentrations of chromium-6 are in each state's water supply?  Exposure to chromium-6 can lead to lung cancer, liver damage, reproductive problems and developmental harm.  This is just one harmful contaminant, let's talk about the 100s of other pollutants in most water supplies!  We all know what has happened in Flint!  The Berkley filters 99.999% of contaminants in tap water from heavy metals (lead), viruses, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, micro-organisms, inorganic minerals and more!!  You can read about their purification certifications and other contaminants that are removed here.  I bought one of these a few months ago and am thrilled to have gotten rid of the big water containers I used to buy.  I can literally taste the minerals and other crud in tap water after drinking purified water for years!!  I can not recommend this filter enough!  Not all filters are created equally....your refrigerator filter is not filtering a whole lot!!  I bought my Big Berkley off Amazon and will replace the 4 filters every 6 months.

7. Ease Magnesium topical spray is my favorite magnesium spray out there!   I have tried a couple and they all have stung and left a powdery residue after they dry.  The other brands also have "bleached" my towels and sheets when it comes in contact with it!!  Magnesium spray is a great way to get magnesium into your body instead of taking supplements.  It is easily absorbed in the skin, enters the bloods stream and works immediately.  Magnesium can relieve aches and pains, alleviate stress and anxiety and help you sleep.  80% of us are deficient in magnesium.  This spray is such an easy way to supplement magnesium into your body without having to deal with absorbing it thru the gut.  Plus, this wont give you the runs like taking it internally can if you take too much!  Magnesium is known as the miracle mineral and you are most likely deficient!!  I spray this on my calves and behind my knees each night before bed. 

8.  Chipotle Lime Mayo from Primal Kitchen is awesome!!  I use this on tuna, chicken, egg salad, sardines, turkey...really anything!!  It has an awesome chipotle flavor to it!  The best part is that it doesn't have canola or soy in it like almost all other mayos!!  It is made with avocado oil and organic eggs!!  FYI, mayo is dairy free, it doesn't have any milk in it!!  I think people think it's creamy so it must have dairy in it.  Mayo done right can be a great healthy fat additive to any meal!!  Whole Foods sells this and so does Thrive Market.  Primal Kitchen also sells a regular Mayo made from avocado oil that I love too.  They are both sugar free and Paleo friendly.

9. Siete Foods Almond Flour Tortillas are amazing and I don't want to tell you how many I have bought since I found these in May!!  When you had to stop eating gluten years ago and don't really have anything that fulfills a bread like craving...this does!!  These are incredible!!!  I prefer the almond flour one the best, but there is a cassava flour/coconut flour pack and a cassava/chia pack.  These can be used for wraps, burritos or you can eat them like I do...warmed on a skillet with ghee and sea salt and then rolled up.  So darn good!!  You can find these at Whole Foods, other natural grocery stores or online from Siete.   Keep them in the freezer so they last longer. They thaw out really fast if you need one quick!

10. Blue Blockers to block the blue light at night from over head lights and electronics.  I have worn these for about 3 years now and can completely tell a difference...plus the research doesn't lie!  Blue Light is making us sick!  Long story short, the lights in your house and from your electronics let off blue light.  This is the same blue light the sun lets off to wake you up in the morning.  When you are exposed to blue light at night, your body won't release melatonin so it doesn't think it's time to go to sleep.  This results in less REM sleep and deep sleep.  This messes with your circadian rhythm and in turn messes with your hormones.  You can watch a quick video here that explains more about this.  If I am around lights at night without my glasses, it's like I've had caffeine and can not fall asleep.  I have 3 different pairs, a Gunnar pair for being out in public as they aren't as funny looking.  I have a Swanwick pair that I wear around the house and this really affordable pair from Amazon that actually blocks better than Gunnars, but they are so big and bulky that I tend to use them the least...but they are great and block the sides too.  I highly recommend a pair, especially if you watch TV or are on a computer or phone at night!!! Quality sleep and eliminating blue light should be just as high of a priority as nutrition if not more in my opinion!

I hope you enjoyed learning some new healthy things!!!  Let me know if you try any of these what you think!!!  

My Top Picks For Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is fast approaching!  I wanted to give you a couple of my ideas for what to give the health conscience mom or mom to be!  These are some of my favorite brands and many have an amazing mission behind them!  I would personally love to receive any of these gifts and think your mom, wife, sister, daughter or grand-daughter would too!!!

A S'Well Water Bottle is really perfect for everyone, active or not!  We all need to be drinking plenty of water and need to ditch the plastic!  I love the sleek look and feel of these bottles!  They are stainless steel so that makes them free of the hormone disruptor BPA found in plastic bottles.  These are perfect for working out as you sweat, but they won't sweat!  They are insulated with a double wall, perfect for keeping water cold or hot drinks warm for hours!!  They come is all different colors, sizes and textures.  Go for the big guy so she can carry it around all day!!  You can find some colors and sizes on Amazon Prime or shop straight from S'Well.

The perfect mug for mom's Bulletproof Coffee, Bone Broth, Tea or Wine!  I love this mug from Love Bomb Company!  She also has Mason Jars for mom's Green Smoothie with cute sayings.   This Etsy Shop has the "This Might Be Wine...Vodka...Tequila" mugs that are so fitting and needed at times by many mom's out there!!!

Links of Love Necklace is perfect for the mom to be or new mom!  Artist Beth Lawrence created this stunning yet simple necklace, along with a bracelet and a pair of earrings while she was pregnant with her first child. Thoroughly modern and extremely meaningful, her pieces subtly represents the ineffably strong connection a mother shares with her child.  I love this!!  Another great gift for the new mom is Beautycounter's new line of safe and simple Baby Products.  Grab the Dry Oil, Balm and a Lip Sheer for baby and mom.  These products are for baby and mom!  I love the balm for my hands and feet at night!

The Ultimate Paleo Cookbook is perfect for the mom that loves to cook or needs some new ideas!  Arsy Vartanian and nine other popular Paleo bloggers have come together to bring you over 900 recipes in this ultimate, extensive collection to help you stay gluten- and grain-free. This is the largest compilation of Paleo recipes in print, and it satisfies every craving in one convenient volume. Each of the authors selected 50 to 80 of their favorite recipes from their blogs and created 10 to 20 original recipes, all assembled in this one amazing Paleo resource.

Vitamix...who wouldn't love receiving one of these!  This is a MUST HAVE in my opinion!  I use mine 2-3 times a day and would never be without it!  I seriously packed it in a suitcase and took it to Arizona with me every time I traveled there until we ended up buying a second one.  Yes, it is worth the price and yes it is that much better than any other blender!  Hands down my "can't live without it" kitchen item!

Have you bought your Love Your Melon Beanie yet?  Mom would love a beanie, cap or apparel from this company doing so much good in this world!  "Love Your Melon was founded by two friends, Zach and Brian. On a mission to improve the lives of children battling cancer since October 22nd, 2012, Love Your Melon began with the simple idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America.  After achieving the original goal of donating 45,000 hats to children undergoing cancer treatment, Love Your Melon set a new goal of donating one million dollars to pediatric cancer research and providing immediate support to the children and their families. In 2015, we achieved this goal and through the Campus Crew Program, personally donated 51,264 hats at 705 donation events in 46 states.  As of April 8, 2016, Fifty Percent (50%) of net proceeds from the sale of all Love Your Melon products are donated to Love Your Melon’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer. Our partners work in the field of pediatric oncology, fund cancer research initiatives and provide immediate support for families of children battling cancer.

For the mom that is on the phone a lot...protect her from harmful EMF with a Pong Case for her phone!  Lowers your radiation exposure by up to 67% below a bare phone (or up to 89% below the FCC SAR limit).   This is a must with how much we use our phones nowadays!

Inspirational bracelets from MantraBand.  Mantrabands are simple, elegant bracelets with a touch of delicate polish and an uplifting message; promoting a lifestyle of optimism, positivity, mindfulness. Wear your Mantraband every day as your daily reminder, affirmation, and inspiration. Made with love.  So many mantras to choose from and they come in gold, silver or rose gold.  Plus, they offer free shipping on all orders!

Give the gift of safe skincare and makeup.  Every women loves a new lipstick or lip gloss...especially knowing it's safe!  Beautycounter is a mission based company bringing safe, chic and high performing skincare and makeup to market.  Beautycounter has banned more than 1,500 ingredients setting a new health and safety standard. "We deserve better, and we're doing something about it."  A women should never have to sacrifice her health in the name of beauty!  A few of my favorites include: The Body Butter and Sugar Scrub Collection, Lustro Face Oil #1,Rose Water with a lip sheer or gloss or the Travel Body Collection for the traveling mom!  *Orders must be placed by midnight on April 28th to guarantee arrival by Mother's Day at a standard shipping rate.

GAIA for women

creations are handmade by resettled refugee women in Dallas using vintage, artisan-made, & sustainable materials.  "Our mission is to empower marginalized women through employment, encouragement, and dedication to their long-term success in our own local communities."  I love these

pouches

and there's a design for every mom out there!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there and Mom's to be!  I hope you are spoiled and enjoy your day!

Dairy Free Chocolate Pomegranate Ice Cream

It may be November 1st, but it's 70 degrees here and it's pomegranate season!!  Who doesn't love ice cream year round!!!  I use my Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker on a regular basis as dairy free ice cream is my go to sweet treat. Pomegranates have taken over the produce section of my Whole Foods.  What a fun fruit that can be a little work...or you can buy the pre-packed fresh arils like I do.  Pomegranates are actually a berry and have numerous healthy benefits.  They are full of nutrients, anti-oxidants, have anti-inflammatory effect and may help fight numerous diseases.  Besides being nutrient dense little power houses, they taste great!  I love the sweet tartness mixed with the added crunch of the seed!

I hope you enjoy the mixture of pomegranates and dark chocolate as much as I do!  Here is a link to all the Dairy Free Ice Cream Recipes on the blog.

Chocolate Pomegranate Ice Cream
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 cans full fat coconut milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup non dairy milk alternative
• 1/2 cup granulated sweetener (I used Swerve for low sugar option)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3 ounces dark chocolate chunks
• 2/3 cup pomegranate anils

Instructions

1. Combine cans of coconut milk, non dairy milk in a sauce pan and heat on medium (If using a dry sweetener, add it here too)
2. Once milk begins to simmer, turn heat down to low
3. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, add sweetener (liquid) and vanilla extract and mix well
4. Take a ladle full at a time of the milk mixture and incorporate it into egg mixture as you continuously whisk the eggs
5. Once you have mixed all of the milk in, cover the bowl and let cool in the frig (or the freezer if you won’t be using an ice cream maker or anxious for it to cool)
6. Place cold mixture into ice cream maker and follow directions
7. Once the ice cream started to take form and harden, stir in the anils and chocolate
    

xo,

Bacon Pecan Maple Mustard Chicken

I recently received a sampler pack of goodies from Steve's Paleo Goods.  The box was full of grain free granola, cookies, jerky's sauces, dried fruits and more!! The cool thing about this online paleo store, is that 15% of the proceeds go to Steve's Club National Program.  This is his 501c3 non-profit that brings fitness, nutrition guidance and mentorship to at-risk youth.  He works with CrossFit Affiliates across the country to start Steve’s Club Local Clubs in their own communities. This has always been his passion; and it continues to be the driving force behind Steve's PaleoGoods.  You can find these goodies along with nut butters, spice rubs, oils, cracklings and so much more at Whole Foods or online!!

 One smell of the two sauces I erceived and I knew I needed to create a savory recipe for you guys!  I was lucky enough to receive his Maple Mustard and Ginger Cilantro sauces.  These can be used for dressings, marinades, sauces and dips.  The best part is that they are made with olive oil and apple cider vinegar, unlike most sauces and dressings that are full of gmo canola oil!  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!!  It makes for great leftovers...even cold right out of the fridge!

Bacon Pecan Maple Mustard Chicken

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, thinned out
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup Maple Mustard*
• 4-5 strips of bacon, cooked and cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped into pieces
• Stone ground mustard

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts in a greased baking dish
2. Brush or spoon on about 1 tbsp of Maple Mustard onto the top of each breast to lightly coat. Reserve the rest of the sauce for later
3. Sprinkle the bacon and pecan pieces over each breast
4. Bake with a loose cover at 350 for 15 minutes. Remove the cover and bake an additional 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and drizzle the remaining Maple Mustard over each breast. Finish them off with another drizzle of stone ground mustard

Notes
*Maple Mustard sauce is from Steve's Paleo that can be found online (link in blog) or from Whole Foods.

xo,

Chocolate Candy Cookie Bars

Oh my goodness it' been way too long....hope I remember how to do a blog post!!  I haven't been experimenting in the kitchen for awhile for many reasons, but mainly the lack of time and the desire to not eat so many baked goods!!  I love baking, but I just don't need to be eating as many goodies as I was.  Please read the end of this post to see what has consumed most of my time and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

These cookie bars are so fun and yummy!!!  They are made from Cassava Flour which makes them nut free, grain free and of course gluten free!!  Cassava is a starchy root also known as yuca.  You are seeing cassava chips on store shelves and yuca fries on menus.  The flour acts similar to glutinous flour and the company I buy it from, Otto's Natural, says you can swap it in a recipe 1:1.  I have found that you need less cassava flour, it absorbs so much liquid!!  I love the finished product and the moisture and texture it provides in baked goods!!  I plan to experiment more with it as we head into fall and winter...baking season!!!

Another new ingredient I used in this recipe is Little Secrets Chocolate.  I love that candy companies are coming out with healthier versions of M&M's!!  Little Secrets are sweetened with real organic sugar and colored with natural food colorings such as beet powder, turmeric, etc!!   These are found at Natural Grocers and Whole Foods or on Amazon.  They come in Dark, Milk and Peanut Butter....they are all awesome!!!  Of course this recipe can be made with chocolate chips, but the colorful candy makes it that much more fun!!

Chocolate Candy Cookie Bars
Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup grass-fed butter, softened*
• 1/2 cup granulated sweetener (I used Swerve to make it lower in sugar)
• 3/4 cup cassava flour**
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp non dairy milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp gluten free baking powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3/4 cup chocolate candies or chips**

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside
2. Cream the softened butter with the sugar
3. Add in the vanilla, milk and egg, mix well
4. Combine the two bowls and mix until combined
5. Fold in the chocolate pieces or chips
6. Spread the batter into an 8x8 greased cookie pan
7. Bake at 350 for about 28 minutes or until golden
8. Let cool before cutting
9. Store in an airtight container. I prefer storing these in the fridge and eating them cold!

Notes

*Softened coconut oil should work to make this dairy free
**Links for Cassava Flour and Chocolate Candy are in the body of the post above recipe.

If you are an Amazon shopper, would you be so kind to use my affiliate link to make your purchases.  It is at no cost to you, it does provide a tiny kickback to Kate’s Healthy Cupboard.  This allows me to continue making and testing recipes for free.  Thanks so much!!

I have switched all of my skincare and makeup to a company that is free of 1,500 chemicals!  The European Union bans about 1,400 chemicals and the US bans 11 in an unregulated industry!  I am so particular about what goes into my body, I need to be just as picky as to what goes on my body!  Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs chemicals into the bloodstream faster than the gut does!  I am vain when it comes to my skin and was so thrilled to find products that are safe, non toxic, but are still anti-aging and work!!!  The makeup is chic, on trend and high performing!  Check out BeautyCounter for more info!!  Their mission is to get safe products into the hands of everyone!  I feel compelled to help educate and share this mission!  

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

You just can't ever mess up any recipe that includes peanut butter and chocolate!  I typically choose other nut butters over peanut butter, but I have been enjoying it lately.  This recipe can be made with any nut or seed butter, but there's just something about this combo that is hard to replace!

It's close to Valentine's Day and I wanted to give you some new chocolate recipes to enjoy, including these truffles.  I personally don't need a holiday or reason to have chocolate, it makes me happy everyday of the year!!  The best part is that when you choose dark chocolate, it's low in sugar and typically dairy free if it's really dark!  I used Swerve as the sweetener to make these low carb, but any sweetener will work.  I hope these last longer in your house than they did in mine!!

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 cup natural peanut butter (I prefer fresh grind that is chunky)
• 2 tbsp butter, melted or softened (depends on how runny the peanut butter is)
• 1/4 cup Swerve or other sweetener (I added a tiny bit of coconut palm sugar with the Swerve)
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (omit if your PB is already salted)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Combine granulated sweetener, cacao powder and sea salt in a bowl and set aside
2. Stir the peanut butter, butter and vanilla until combined
3. Pour the cacao mixture into the peanut butter mixture, stir until combined
4. Place the batter into the fridge or freezer to harden so you can form balls with it
5. Place the chocolate chips in a double broiler over low heat and melt
6. Once the dough is hard enough, roll the batter into balls about 1 inch in diameter and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet
7. Dip each truffle into the chocolate with a slotted spoon and place back onto the cookie sheet
8. Place cookie sheet back in the fridge or freezer to set up
9. Store in a glass container in the fridge

Enjoy!

Beauty Detox

Most of us have set new goals, resolutions or whatever you may call them as we start this new year.  I am not a resolution person.  I believe you can start fresh and new any day, week or month of the year and should evaluate often, not just at the start of the year.  One thing I have been asked about numerous times in the past two days is about doing a detox.  It's a buzz word that makes people feel like they can clean and rid their bodies of all the harm they have done over the holidays or the year.  Not the case!  I believe you can take supplements, drink and eat specific foods to help support the detoxing organs.  I think one place to start would be with the elimination of sugar and eating nutrient rich foods.  If I were to do a "detox" for a few days, it would consist of bone broth with coconut oil, MCT or grass-fed butter and gelatin blended in.  If you insist on juicing, add a vegetable juice to each meal of broth too.  Please do not drink juice alone, it raises blood sugar levels since it's straight sugar to the bloodstream.

An area of life that I am doing a detox, is my beauty products!  As you all know I am a fitness and nutrition coach that puts much emphasis on nutrition...hence my blog.  I try to eat organic and non-gmo, have given up grains, rarely drink alcohol, only eat dark chocolate, enjoy eating seaweed, canned sardines and oysters, will drink any health tonic and am in love with my chicken feet broth.  I take cold baths and showers to reduce inflammation, I use blue light blocking glasses at night and I earth (bare feet in nature)!  People think I am crazy!  Here I am doing all of these things to provide my body with the best I know how, but was putting 100's of chemicals on my skin daily!  Doesn't make sense!!  Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs everything!!  You are basically eating your skincare and makeup and it passes into the blood stream in 26 seconds!!!

I will be the first to admit that I needed to cleanup this area of my life! I am vain and don't want wrinkles and want makeup that lasts all day...I was in denial that I was applying a chemical cocktail everyday disrupting my hormones, increasing my chances of breast cancer, infertility and passing those chemicals into the blood and brain of the baby I hope to have soon.  This seemed like such a daunting task!  I had no idea where to begin except to go to Whole Foods and look at the products they carry.  As we all know, just because it's at Whole Foods doesn't mean it's healthy!  Could I really trust those companies and do they work?  Natural skin care just sounds like it wouldn't be effective, boy was I wrong!

Each and every one of us knows someone who has been effected by cancer, who is struggling to get pregnant or has a child with autism, allergies, ADHD or asthma!

In the '60s, 1 in 20 U.S. women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, 1 in 8 U.S. women will be diagnosed. Only 10% of these women have a genetic link to the disease. Do you know how many chemicals in personal care products mimic estrogen!  9 out of 10 breast cancer tumors contain parabens...a chemical found in lotions, makeup and so much more!  So many companies claim to be paraben free, but most likely their raw materials contain a small amount still.  If it's less than .5 ppm it doesn't have to be reported on the ingredient list.  That means a lotion could have 10 raw ingredients that contain parabens, so now the amount in that lotions is huge and isn't listed!

1 in 3 children will be diagnosed with autism, ADHD, asthma, or allergies. The incidence of these conditions has skyrocketed over the last 20 years, and toxic chemicals are one factor.

While the E.U. has banned or restricted nearly 1,400 ingredients, the U.S. has banned or restricted only 11. The United States hasn't passed a federal law to regulate the ingredients used in personal care products since 1938.

Only about 10% of the 10,000 chemicals commonly found in personal care products have safety data.

The Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics) allows companies to use chemicals known to be extremely harmful (lead, formaldehyde, Parabens, PEGs, Fragrences and Phthalates) in the products we put on our bodies everyday.

I know there are plenty of things that we can't control...the air we breathe, the flame retardant and glue in our furniture, the paint on our walls, etc...but you make a choice everyday what you put on your body and your children's bodies! If you get anything out of this post, please let it be that you change to safe products and read labels!  Last week I threw out everything you see in the photo above!  I have switched from medical grade skincare like Obagi, Skin Medica and Image.  Yes, that is Mac, Nars, Armani and Bobbi Brown makeup that I tossed out too!  It felt so good to switch to 100% safe products free of 1,500 chemicals that actually work!!  I have joined a movement to educate and inspire others to do the same thing!  A movement with a company that's on a mission to get safe products in the hands of everyone! BeautyCounter is a company of transparency with no secrets!  They rate 0-2 (green and safe) on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Data Base.  For more information about the products I have switched to and loooooove, visit www.beautyfreeofchemicals.com

If you need help understanding your current product labels and want to know if they are safe, visit Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Data Base and enter the brand or individual ingredient. You can also download the Skin Deep App on your phone and scan the labels of your products!  Or simply message me and I'd be happy to help!

I am sharing this information because something must be done!!!  Please share and pass this on...when we know better we do better!

Favorite KHC Low Carb Recipes

As the New Year is upon us, most are looking to clean up the damage from the Holidays!  One way to do this is to cut down on the amount of carbohydrates you are eating!  A lot of my recipes are low carb, especially when you use Swerve in the sweet treats.  I decided to share a few of my favorite with you all in one place!  Hope this helps you get your year started in the right direction!

Sausage Fauxtato Frittata

Breakfast Meatza Pizza

Bacon Meatloaf

Olive Garlic Meatballs

Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Bacon Chili

Italian Chicken Nut Rolls

Sauteed Radishes

Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Creamy Cauliflower Mushroom Soup

Spinach Avocado Dip

Cheddar Cheese Crackers

Olive Garlic Crackers

Cracked Pepper Cashew Crackers

Dairy Free "Cheez-its"

Sunflower Seed Herb Crackers

Flourless Snickerdoodles

Lemon Gelato

Peanut Butter Fudge

Faux Baked Cinnamon Apples

Brownie Fudge

Flourless Lemon Cookies

Dairy Free Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie

Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies

Coconut Cashew Cookies

Chocolate Drop Cookies

Wishing You Health and Happiness in 2015!

If you are an Amazon shopper, would you be so kind to use my affiliate link to make your purchases.  It is at no cost to you, it does provide a tiny kickback to Kate’s Healthy Cupboard.  This allows me to continue making and testing recipes for free.  Thanks so much!!

*I have recently switched all of my skincare and makeup to a company that is free of 1,500 chemicals!!  I am so particular about what goes into my body, I need to be just as picky as to what goes on my body!  Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs chemicals into the bloodstream faster than the gut does!  I am vain when it comes to my skin and was so thrilled to find products that are anti-aging and work!!!  Check out BeautyCounter for more info!!  You will love it!!

Kate's Healthy Cupboard - Gluten Free Recipes