In all the research I've done over the past year and a half or so, I've learned so much about how to take good care of my body. If you've been on this journey with me from the start, you know that I've made major life changes- to my diet, to my medicine cabinet, to my makeup bag, and to the constituents of my personal care product collection. It's hard to remember absolutely EVERYTHING I've read and learned about- the stats, the names of chemicals, the long lists of reasons why x, y, and z are bad for you, etc. I recently made a bold statement to my boyfriend that, "soy is bad for you," without being able to back up my statement with concrete facts. Naturally, we found ourselves in a back-and-forth kind of conversation in which I ended up just saying, "you know what, I can't remember everything about everything, so you look it up." I doubt he has and I just did, so I thought I'd share my findings with all of you- something I haven't done in a while! :)

Soy contains...

* ...Natural toxins commonly known as anti-nutrients. These anti-nutritional factors screw around with your body's natural digestive enzymes that you need to digest protein. 

*...Hemagglutinin, which promotes clotting and makes your red blood cells clump together. As such, your red blood cells are unable to properly absorb and distribute oxygen to your tissues.

*...Goitrogens, which block the synthesis of thyroid hormones and interfere with the metabolization of iodine. 

*...Phytates, which prevent the absorption of essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Ironically, this poses a real issue for vegetarians because eating meat reduces the mineral-blocking effects of these phytates. Many vegetarians turn to soy as a source of protein.

*...Phytoestrogen, which is a plant compound that resembles human estrogen. These compounds have the ability to imitate and block the hormone estrogen. Soy phytoestrogens are linked to disruption of endocrine function, infertility, and breast cancer in women. A wild study showed that just from drinking 2 glasses of soy milk a day for ONE month, women are exposed to enough of these compounds that they are actually able to alter their menstrual cycle. Yikes.

*...Has toxic levels of aluminum and manganese. Soybeans are processed by acid washing in aluminum tanks, which gives us a finished product that can potentially contain high levels of aluminum. Soy formula contains 80% more manganese than human breast milk does- a scary thought. An even scarier thought- infants who are given soy formula consume 5 birth control pills worth of estrogen a day. Estrogens in soy can negatively affect a baby's reproductive health and development (Mercola, 2010).

Work Cited

Mercola, . "Soy: This "Miracle Health Food" Has Been Linked to Brain Damage and Breast Cancer." Mercola.com. N.p., 18 Sept. 2010. Web. 25 May 2014. <http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/09/18/soy-can-damage-your-health.aspx>.

I recently came across an article that sparked my interest and got me thinking about some ideas for a new blog post. I haven't done a post like this one in a while, so I'm excited to be sharing something other than what's going on in my life with all of you today. Today's topic: common chemicals found in all kinds of products that are screwing with your hormones. 

So, what are hormones? When most of us hear the word, "hormones," we tend to think of them in relation to our emotional state- perhaps how wonderful we feel in the days prior to/during that special time of the month. Fuck pre menstrual syndrome...PMS is an acronym for positively mental state. But hormones do more than just drive us batshit crazy. These chemical messengers are secreted from the endocrine glands in the body into the blood, which carries them to the body's organs and tissues to support their functions. There are all kinds of hormones and each has an important job in carrying out bodily functions and processes. Hormones influence: growth and development, your metabolism and immune system, sexual function and reproductive health, cognitive function and memory, body temperature, thirst, and mood among others (Mandal).

The Environmental Working Group has created a dirty dozen list of endocrine disruptors. 

1. BPA- This synthetic hormone is a chemical found in plastics that imitates the sex hormone, estrogen! BPA can actually trick the body into thinking that it's the real deal. As such, BPA has been linked to reproductive problems, early puberty, obesity, heart disease, breast cancer, and other cancers. How to avoid it: Eat fresh, real food. Avoid the shit food in cans. Many cans are lined with BPA. Also avoid plastics marked with a "PC" for polycarbonate. 

2. Dioxin- Formed in many industrial processes when chlorine or bromine are burned in the presence of carbon and oxygen. This sneaky bastard disrupts the way male and female sex hormone signaling occurs in the body. Research has shown that exposure to low levels of dioxin in the womb and early in life can permanently affect sperm quality and lower sperm count in men. Dioxins are carcinogens that affect the immune and reproductive systems, as well. How to avoid it: This is a tricky one, but the best way is to cut back on animal products. Milk, fish, eggs, butter, and meat are most likely to be contaminated. I always say these products should be bought organic. 

3. Atrazine- This herbicide can actually turn male frogs into female frogs that produce viable eggs- yes, sex change by herbicide.Totally normal though... It's widely used on corn crops in the U.S. (another item I will always buy organic) and as such, it's a water contaminant. It has been linked to breast tumors, delayed puberty, prostate cancer in humans, and prostate inflammation in animals. How to avoid it: Buy organic produce and always drink filtered water.

4. Phthalates- Found in TONS of personal care products, plastic wraps, and items containing that simple, sneaky ingredient, "fragrance." There is a signal in our bodies that programs cells to die. This is normal, as 50 billion cells in our bodies die each day, believe it or not! However, phthalates are responsible for what is known as "death-inducing signaling" in testicular cells.....a.k.a. early cell death in a man's sacred parts. Phthalates are also linked to lower sperm counts, less mobile sperm, birth defects in the male reproductive system, diabetes, and thyroid irregularities. How to avoid it: CHECK THE INGREDIENTS ON YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS (makeup, hair products, skin care products, etc.), avoid plastic food containers, check children's toys, and avoid plastic wrap made from PVC. 

5.Perchlorate- "I'm a rocket man..." But really- this one is a component in rocket fuel and it contaminates much of our produce and milk. Too much of this will alter your thyroid hormone balance. This is important because these hormones regulate metabolism in grown ups and are essential for proper brain and organ development in babies and little guys. How to avoid it: Drink filtered water and make sure you're getting enough iodine in your diet- one idea would be eating iodized salt.

6. Fire retardants- Also known as PBDEs, these chemicals can imitate thyroid hormones in our bodies and disrupt their activity, which can lead to lower IQ and other unwanted heath issues. PBDEs contaminate people and wildlife alike. How to avoid it: It's absurdly difficult, but one suggestion would be using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, as this cuts down on toxic-laden house dust.

7. Lead- This heavy metal is linked to permanent brain damage, nervous system problems, lowered IQ, hearing loss, miscarriages, premature birth, increased blood pressure, and kidney damage....to name a few. Lead can also disrupt the hormone signaling that regulates the body's major stress system. This of course is tied to high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. How to avoid it: Check your cosmetics- yes, a lot of lipsticks contain lead. Keep your home tidy! Get rid of crumbling, old paint with caution, as it's a major source of lead exposure. Also drink filtered water. Check out one of my blog posts, "For The Love of Lips," to find out if the shade your wearing contains lead.

8. Arsenic- In small amounts, arsenic can cause skin, bladder, and lung cancer. It also messes with normal hormone functioning in the glucocorticoid system, which regulates the way our bodies process sugars and carbs.  As such, it has been linked to weight gain/loss, protein wasting, immunosuppression, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, stunted growth, and high blood pressure. How to avoid it: the best way would be to drink filtered water.

9. Mercury- Sorry, sushi-goers, but the sad reality is the sushi you love so much may be a health hazard. This toxic metal gets into the air and oceans mainly through burning coal. Eventually it makes its way onto your dinner plate- usually as mercury-contaminated seafood. Pregnant women are at the highest risk for toxic contamination of mercury. This is because it is known to concentrate in the fetal brain and can interfere with brain development. It also binds to the hormone that regulates women's menstrual cycles and ovulation. Joy. Mercury is linked diabetes, as well. How to avoid it: Eat more sustainable seafood with lots of healthy fats. Good choices are wild salmon and farmed trout.

10. Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)- 99% of Americans have these chemicals in their bodies. One specific compound, PFOA, is known to be "completely resistant to biodegradation." So this shit doesn't break down in the environment...ever. It is linked to decreased sperm quality, low birth weight, kidney disease, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and other health problems. How to avoid it: Ditch the non-stick pans as well as stain and water-resistant coatings on clothing, furniture, and rugs.

11. Organophosphate pesticides- The Nazis produced neurotoxic organophosphate compounds for chemical warfare during WWII. Thankfully, they were never used. But alas, American scientists used the same chemistry to produce a long line of pesticides that attack the nervous system of insects. Exposure affects brain development, behavior, and fertility. Sadly, they are still among the most common pesticides used today. [Insert disgust here.] How to avoid it: Buy certain organic fruits and veggies, and those that have the fewest pesticide content and residues. 

12. Glycol ethers- Common solvents in paints, cleaning products, brake fluid, and cosmetics. Oh also, it's known to shrink testicles. They can damage fertility and the unborn child. Children who were exposed to glycol ethers from paint in their rooms had more asthma and allergies. How to avoid it: Avoid products with ingredients including 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME) (Environmental Working Group, 2013).

To conclude, we live in a toxic world and most of us aren't even aware of what this means. The information above hardly scratches the surface of the larger issues at hand. Educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of toxic chemical exposure. No one thinks they're doing any harm by tossing a cheese sandwich on a non-stick frying pan for lunch...until they learn otherwise. Eat fresh, drink clean, read labels, (if you can't pronounce it, research it), and be aware of your health. Please check out The Sensitive Life Pinterest for more information on creating a chemical-free environment in your home. You'll find all kinds of great stuff on my boards....of course. Be sure to follow me! :)

I'm currently working on a blog post for one of my loveliest friends. This one is going to require a ton of research in order to deliver the right and most beneficial information. To give my followers a back story- my friend is a thyroid cancer survivor. She had a complete thyroidectomy earlier this year and 8 lymph nodes removed between November 2012 and January 2013. She is currently taking Levothyroxine to suppress her TSH levels, as this will prevent the thyroid cancer from spreading. I have all kinds of natural remedy ideas for her symptoms but need to do the research on how they might affect her TSH levels. She needs to be as close to zero as possible, a.k.a. hyperthyroidism. Her symptoms include sore joints and bones, vitamin D and C deficiencies, mood swings and anxiety, and difficulty with nutrient absorption. These symptoms are caused by her medication. If any of my followers are able to offer some insight, resources, recipes, ideas, etc. on different natural/nutritional remedies for these symptoms, please comment on this post. In the meantime, I'm learning a lot, which is always the case when I write an informative piece like this. My mind is going a million miles a minute, so I figured I would turn to you guys for any help you might have to offer. 

When you make suggestions, keep in mind that she WANTS a hyperactive thyroid. So, think like a person with a hypOactive thyroid- what would they do to suppress their TSH levels?

Thanks, all!

Love & Light.

A week ago I went to see my dermatologist for a regular skin check. I had to have a mole removed for a biopsy, as it appeared to be atypical. I got my results back today, which could have been better, but they also could have been a lot worse. I have to go back to have more of the lesion removed. The results showed moderate abnormality in the sample collected, which warrants them to remove more of the skin that surrounded the mole in case the skin cells in that area were affected. The wound is about the size of a dime right now, but will obviously be bigger once they go back into it. I was told that I would need stitches after the second procedure to help with the healing. Fingers crossed- I hope they only have to go back into it this one time.

Indoor tanning and outdoor tanning without protection was not only ignorant, but 100% not worth the consequences. I've been so much better about being cautious over the past few years, but once the damage is done- it's done. All I can do moving forward is continue to take preventative measures and protect the skin I'm in. I encourage all my followers, friends, family- everyone, to do the same and make annual skin check appointments to stay on top of any moles and marks that may be suspicious or evolve over time. As I said last week, it's better to be safe than sorry. 

As an educator....well, as an educator living the sensitive life, you can imagine the thoughts that run through my mind everyday as my eyes scan the classroom during snack time and the cafeteria during lunch. It's just how I operate now- I look at what the kiddos are eating and then I have an internal dialogue with myself about their food. I'll spare you the details, but I am rarely able to say, "that child has real food for snack/lunch." I can tell you from personal experience working with children, that it makes a tremendous difference when a child comes to school with a nutrient-rich breakfast in their belly and real food in their lunchbox. These children are able to focus better because they've got the fuel they need in their system to get those wheels-a-turnin. They are also able to sustain a sense of aliveness throughout the day, because they're not dumping empty calories and sugar into their bodies, which essentially leave them running on empty part way through the day. Simply put, children need to be eating foods that nourish their bodies in order to demonstrate notable progress and success in all developmental domains- health, physical, social/emotional, cognitive, language and literacy, and creative. In one way or another, I make this argument all the time: the food we fuel our bodies with will determine how well our bodies and brains perform 100% of the time. That's a perfectly commonsensical statement. Children's brains and bodies are developing- all the more reason why it's important to be feeding the kiddos real food packed with real, essential nutrients for their growth.

On most days that end in the letter y, teachers hear or use the acronym, ADHD in the workplace. According to Mayoclinic, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is, "a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and poor performance in school" (Mayoclinic.com). If you ask me, ADHD is another example of an over-diagnosed "condition" that is preventable and curable with proper diet. Let me also point out that millions of children have ants in their pants by nature, and these children NEED to be simply what they are- children. ADHD is a list of symptoms, it is not a disease. 
Symptoms of ADHD include:
Difficulty paying attention
Frequent daydreaming
Difficulty following through on instructions and apparently not listening
Frequently forgetful and loses items
Easily distracted
Fidgets or squirms
Excessively talkative

We know the symptoms, so naturally the next step is to look for a root cause. An NPR.org article discusses a study that suggests a very restrictive diet could significantly reduce ADHD symptoms in children who have been diagnosed with this disorder. The study's author, Dr. Lidy Pelsser of the ADHD Research Centre in the Netherlands, agues that in many cases, the disorder is triggered by external factors. According to Pelsser's research, 64% of children diagnosed with ADHD are actually experiencing hypersensitivity to foods. Read more about Pelsser's study HERE.

While one source will argue there isn't sufficient research to prove that food additives and sugar can cause ADHD, another source will argue just the opposite. As a biased side note I have to wonder, which articles are published by companies with links to the multi-trillion dollar pharmaceutical industry? Regardless, the sources I found that claim there isn't sufficient research to support the idea that diet makes all the difference, simply state that claim and fail to provide concrete reasons why diet doesn't make a difference. It's rather disappointing because I'd prefer to share support for both sides of the argument even though I take one side over the other. In The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2012), the diet factor of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is examined. In one study, the relationship between dietary patterns and ADHD was examined in a based cohort of live births followed to age 14. The two dietary patterns, "Healthy" and "Western" were identified according to foods that were considered to be main contributors to the diagnosis of this disorder. The Western dietary pattern, which was associated with an ADHD diagnosis consisted of higher consumption of total fat, saturated fat, refined sugars, and sodium, and was deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and folate. The Healthy diet pattern, which was not associated with an ADHD diagnosis was rich in fish, vegetables, fruit, legumes, and whole grain foods. In other words, the Healthy diet pattern contained foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and folate. The article goes on to state that the Western dietary pattern and ADHD relationship may be impacted by other factors including poor family dynamics and emotional issues. These other factors could lead to unhealthy eating habits and cravings for fatty, sugary snack foods. Regardless, altering a child's diet offers an alternative treatment for children diagnosed with ADHD. Similarly, it can be argued that a "Healthy" diet pattern can serve as a preventative measure (Millichap and Yee, 6).

According to health.com, the additives I will list below may aggravate attention problems. The headline asks, "Will eliminating dye-containing foods from a child's diet help ADHD?" Well naturally, my answer is a glaring, "YES." But when you read this list of additives and where you can find them, I think you'll agree that eliminating these dye-containing foods from ANYONE'S diet will ensure a boat load of benefits, whether a person has ADHD or not. These foods aren't real foods, so how can we expect that they'll do anything good for our health or our children's developing bodies and brains? 

Blue No. 1 a.k.a. brilliant blue- Food coloring found in Frito Lay Sun Chips French Onion and other Frito-lay products; some Yoplait products; some JELL-O products; fruity Cheerios; Trix; Froot-Loops; Apple Jacks; Quaker Cap'N Crunch's Crunch Berries; some Pop-Tart products; some Oscar Mayer Lunchables; Duncan Hines Whipped Frosting Chocolate; Edy's ice cream products; Skittles candies; Jolly Ranchers Screaming Sours Soft & Chew Candy; Eclipse gum; Fanta Grape; and more

Blue No. 2 a.k.a. indigotine- Food coloring found in Froot-Loops; Post Fruity Pebbles; Pop-Tarts products; Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Strawberry Supreme Premium Cake Mix; Betty Crocker Frosting Rich & Creamy Cherry; M&M's Milk Chocolate Candies; M&M's Milk Chocolate Peanut Candies; Wonka Nerds Grape/Strawberry; pet foods

Green No. 3- Food coloring found in candy, beverages, ice cream, and pudding

Red No. 3 a.k.a. carmoisine- Food coloring found in candy, cake, icing, and chewing gum

Sodium Benzoate (one of my sensitivities)- Preservative found in fruit juice, carbonated beverages, acidic foods, and pickles

Red No. 40 a.k.a. allura red- Food coloring found in some Frito-Lay products; some Yoplait products; JELL-O Gelatin desserts; Quaker instant Oatmeal; Trix; Froot Loops; Apple Jacks; some Pop-Tart products; Kid Cuisine Kung Fu Panda products; Oscar Mayer Lunchables products; Hostess Twinkies; some Pillsbury rolls and frostings; some Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines frostings; and more 

Yellow No. 5 a.k.a tartrazine- This food dye has been tested alone and not as a mix. When tested it was linked to hyperactivity. It is the second most commonly used dye in the U.S. You can find it in Nabisco Cheese Nips Four Cheese; Frito-Lay Sun Chips Harvest Cheddar and other Frito-Lay products; some Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding products; Lucky Charms; Eggo waffles and other waffle products; some Pop-Tart products; various Kraft macaroni and cheese products; Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper and other products

Yellow No. 6 a.k.a. sunset yellow- This food dye is the 3rd most commonly used dye in the U.S. and can be found in Frito-Lay Flamin' Hot Crunchy and other Frito-Lay products; Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-ups; some JELL-O gelatin desserts and instant puddings; Fruity cheerios; Trix; some Eggo waffle products; some Kid Cuisine Kung Fu Panda products; some Kraft macaroni and cheese dinners; some Betty Crocker frostings; some M&M's and Skittles candies; Sunkist orange candies; Sunkist Orange Soda; Fanta Orange; and more (Gardner).

So what have we learned other than the fact that Froot-Loops and Frito-Lay particularly suck, Betty Crocker is a fucking fraud, Trix really ARE NOT for kids (or any human beings,) The Kraft dinosaur deserves to be stoned, and the people of the FDA deserve to be tarred and feathered? There is too much fake ass food on our store shelves and it needs to stay out of our mouths. 

It's time to wake up and give our children a chance. It's time to stop blanketing symptoms with medications that can lead to drug dependency and other health issues. It's time to advocate for our children's health because if it was up to them, they'd have candy for breakfast, Betty Crocker for lunch, and Trix for dinner. I can yell this with my arms flailing in the air because my career/passion is working with and advocating for children and their families. I can bitch all I want about prescription medications because I've tried several. And yes- I, too, have been on ADHD medication before. 

When you buy organic REAL food, you give organic REAL food producers/local farmers a reason to keep producing organic, real, local food. One might argue that organic food costs too much. I argue the opposite of course- that fake food costs too much: your health and quality of life. The money spent on prescription medications to "cure" dis-ease and other health issues can be better spent on real food that will prevent dis-ease. 

Today's post is inspired by one of my very, very best, most beautiful friends/soul sisters/college roommates. I woke up to a group text this morning- one eye half opened I began reading her message to all of us. No sooner did I read the word, melanoma, did I shoot the fuck out of my bed and call her in a panic. This friend of mine, I never have to worry about her. I worry about her the least in fact, because she's such a strong, resilient lady who I admire and turn to when I need to get MY shit in line. Yesterday a feeling came over me- a feeling of, "I'm worried about her- I don't know why, but I'm worried that something is wrong." This has been happening to me a lot lately. For whatever reason, I've been picturing things before they happen or knowing about things without really being certain of them. Thankfully she reassured me that it's stage 1 melanoma, which means it's treatable. Her doctor told her if she had waited 2-3 more years before getting it checked, she could have died from it. Hearing this made my heart sink. I don't know what I would do or who I would be without her. She told me she wanted me to get checked. So, minutes after getting off the phone with her, I made my skin check appointment.

Skin cancer differs from other cancers in that your skin is the largest organ in your body. Depending on the severity of the skin cancer, there's not much one can do to treat it. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, which is why I'm so relieved that my friend caught it early on and it can be treated. These growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations, a.k.a. genetic defects, which make the skin cells multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. This unrepaired DNA damage is most often caused by UV radiation from tanning beds or sunlight (The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2013). I don't even want to fathom the amount of damage I have done to my own skin knowing that indoor tanning increases one's chances of getting melanoma by 75% (Cassidy, 2013). If that statistic doesn't scare you away from tanning salons for the rest of your life, you should have your head examined. Sunburns and the disappearing ozone layer affect men and women alike. However, the rise in melanoma diagnoses is among young women, which leads researchers to believe that the big cause for this is indoor tanning. The incidence of melanoma has increased eightfold among women ages 18 to 39 since 1970. A Mayo Clinic dermatologist surgeon shares with Women's Health, "Other studies have shown an increase, but this study found melanoma occurring in women 705 percent more often. It's astounding."

Warning signs: Do you know what the ABCDE's of a skin check are?
A- Asymmetry: if you draw a line through the mole, the two halves won't match.
B- Border: the borders of early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.
C- Color: having a variety of colors in your mole is another warning sign. Some moles may have tan, brown, and black in them. A melanoma could also have blue, red, or another color in it.
D- Diameter: melanomas are usually larger then the diameter of the eraser on a pencil. Depending on when they're detected, they may also be smaller.
E- Evolving: any change in shape, size, color, or any other characteristic including bleeding, itching, crusting, not healing, etc. is also dangerous.
Check out images of the ABCDE's of a skin check HERE.

It's so tremendously important to protect our skin against UV radiation- tanning beds or sunlight. Sunscreen should be worn when you're in the sun and especially on days when it's "cloudy" and hazy. Cloudy, hazy days at the beach or out in the sun tend to be some of the most dangerous days, as people think they're not getting any sun when in fact, they are. I'm not going to bullshit you. You know I never do. I have been ignorant about applying sunscreen and protecting my skin from UV damage plenty of times. When I was in Rhode Island two weeks ago, I made the brilliant decision not to put sunscreen on until I had already been at the beach for two hours. I'm still peeling. It's not sexy, smart, or safe. My first job was working at a tanning salon when I was 15 years old. I would tan 4 times a week, itch, and STILL feel like I wasn't tan enough. It was disgusting. It's an addiction and a very unhealthy one at that. 
As for sunscreen- yes, many of them contain all kinds of toxic shit. But, that's why I'm here as your sensitive guide. I'm going to sensitively advise all of you not to purchase sunscreen sprays for more than one reason. 1: It's at the top of EWG's 2013 sunscreen avoid list due to inhalation risks. 2: You'd be the asshole who has decided to park it in front of me on the beach and start spraying when the wind blows in my direction, contaminating my sensitive bubble, which I work so hard to protect. 3: Even the FDA expressed concerns about the health risks of spray screens, and let's be real- the FDA is fucking incompetent so that says something.

Anyway, I'm providing a link to EWG's 2013 guide to safer sunscreens with all kinds of awesome information HERE. I love EWG and I love this site. It's tremendously informative and you can take a look at hundreds of sunscreens (organic, natural, sensitive-friendly, etc.) and their hazard scores. By clicking on a product you can view the reasons why that product earned its specific hazard score, its UV absorbance, health concerns, ingredients, and more. 

EWG~ What NOT to bring on vacation:
Spray sunscreens
Super high SPFS (like SPF 100)
Oxybenzone
Loose powder sunscreens
Retinyl Palmitate 
Combined SPF and bug repellent products
Sunscreen towelettes 
Tanning oils
Find out why HERE

Work Cited
Cassidy, Meg. "Skin Cancer Cella." Women's Health. N.p., 7 Mar. 2013. Web. 9 Aug. 2013. <http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/tanning-beds>.

"Melanoma ." The Skin Cancer Foundation. N.p., 2013. Web. 9 Aug. 2013. <http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma>.

We all know I'm obsessed with everything coconut by now, but there is really no such thing as coconut overkill when it comes to blogging about all its miraculous uses and benefits. Yes, coconut would be a sensitive bitch's best friend, but anyone who's anyone could benefit from befriending this drupe. 

According to Natural News, the coconut is used to treat all kinds of health conditions such as abscesses, asthma, hair loss, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, tummy troubles, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gum disease, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rashes, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, stomach ulcers, psoriasis, fatigue, and wounds- to name a few (NaturalNews, 2013). ;) Virgin coconut oil contains triglycerides MCT's, which have a number of health benefits and act as antiviral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial agents. It's no wonder that it can be used to treat and prevent so many health conditions.  

Let's talk about coconut oil and our skin. As I've mentioned before, I use it with baking soda for face wash, I moisturize with it, condition my hair with it- it's amazing and all I'll ever REALLY need in a personal care product. I have yet to discuss the antioxidant effects of coconut oil. As we age, free radicals gain momentum and produce chain reactions when they're free to have a radical party, which is no good for us as this plays a huge role in the sagging and wrinkling of our skin. I hate the word sagging. Research shows that virgin coconut oil actually reduces our body's need for vitamin E and fights off free radicals, as it's unrefined and possesses essential antioxidant properties. It's basically 100% all natural anti-wrinkle cream that doesn't cost you a chunk of your pay check with the added risk of potentially giving you a number of other unwanted health issues. Yes, other unwanted health issues- don't forget that it only takes 26 seconds for all those toxic chemicals in your brand name anti-wrinkle cream to seep into your bloodstream. #Cancer. Virgin coconut oil can actually rejuvenate the skin, saggy and wrinkly or not, and strengthen the tissues (NaturalNews, 2013).

Brown, freckle-like spots, also known as liver spots, are another indication of free radicals accelerating the aging/deterioration of the lipids in our skin. When this lipofucsin pigment develops, it's typically there to stay. Using virgin coconut oil on these spots may slightly diminish the appearance of these spots over time and will prevent any additional damage from occurring. No matter how old, saggy, or sensitive you are- I urge you to give virgin coconut oil a try. It's much, much cheaper than purchasing face wash, conditioner, moisturizer, etc. Even better- it's natural and not cancer-causing. 

For more information on the benefits and various uses of coconut oil check out the links below!

14 Beauty uses for coconut oil
1,001 Uses for coconut oil
Mind Body Green- 17 beauty uses for coconut oil
Top 10 evidence-based health benefits of using coconut oil
WellnessMama- Health benefits of coconut oil
NaturalNews- Superfood with amazing health benefits
Mercola- coconut oil
Dr.Oz- going nuts about coconut oil

I was debating on whether or not to share this story with the TSL community, but sometimes it's best to make fun of yourself and seize the opportunity to educate. 

I went to the GNC in town today to buy some more L-glutamine for my trip. Two young guys were working the store- one of them particularly hot as sin, and the other cute as a button and very helpful. One of them was helping me find what I needed, as I was trying to figure out how many capsules I would need for the duration of my trip. He asked me how many capsules I take daily. I told him that I take 6 500mg capsules each day, so I would need a bottle with at least 100 capsules in it. He seemed surprised to hear that I took as much as I did. He asked me what I take it for. When I said, "digestion," he looked at me strangely and said, "I've never heard of anyone taking L-glutamine for digestion. People usually take it for its healing properties." My impulsive, defensive reaction and only way I could politely say, "I know what I'm fucking talking about and I'm taking it for the right reasons," was to utter the sexiest words that will ever come out of my mouth- "I HAVE LEAKY GUT." For a hot second I had an outer body experience where I envisioned me bitch slapping myself across the face and saying, "did you really just say that?" Oh, but I did just say that. I could have said that I take it because it stabilizes my blood sugar or because that's what my nutritionist recommends, or ANYTHING ELSE. I could have jokingly said, "well I'm going to be in a bodybuilding competition, can't you tell?" Just to show them how fabulous my sense of humor is. But instead I sabotaged myself and I knew it instantly after I saw the look of sheer horror painted all over both of their faces. 

Whatever. Now for part B of this blog post- the most important part in my opinion. The words leaky and gut are far from attractive and that's all anyone on the outside looking in would need to know. Most people have no idea what leaky gut is, which is why I never should have used it as an excuse in the first place. 
So, what is leaky gut?
Leaky gut occurs when the lining of the intestinal walls has become porous, causing undigested food and all kinds of bad toxins seep into the bloodstream. Most absorption occurs in the small intestine. The walls of the small intestine are covered with Villi, hair-like protrusions that have a very important job. We absorb all useful nutrients through the Villi, which are then passed into the blood stream. Anything that is not useful continues on (or it should at least) to the large intestine. However, with food and food chemical sensitivities, the Villi become damaged, brittle, and weak overtime. What results here is leaky gut or an absorption issue (as many of my fellow Celiac Disease people understand) - the inability to absorb nutrients from the food we are eating (Reasoner, Leaky Gut Syndrome in Plain English- And How To Fix it).

So where does the L-Glutamine come into play with all of this? Like Mr. Cute-as-a-button explained, people often use L-glutamine for its healing properties. L-glutamine aids in healing leaky gut by strengthening the intestinal walls. Some more benefits of taking L-glutamine are listed below. You know, just to give you an idea of all the different excuses I could have used to spare me the complete humiliation and self-sabotage. 

* Major energy source
* Improves brain functioning 
* Stabilizes blood sugar 
* Reduces alcohol cravings
* Maintains the health and functioning of lining of the gut
* Supports muscle function
* Boosts metabolism 
* Enhances exercise performance
* Helps with wound healing
* Helps maintain acid alkaline balance
* Protects normal cells from chemotherapy in cancer patients 
* Some studies have even shown that it helps to prevent kidney stones
Additionally, L-Glutamine helps with the following health conditions:
* Anxiety
* Crohn's Disease
* Insomnia
* Depression
* Ulcerative Colitis  
* ADHD
(Slagle, The Way Up Newsletter)

What's the moral of this story? There isn't a good one, really. I guess just don't assume anyone knows what the hell you're talking about ever. Or, word vomit is a real thing and it can happen to anyone. I had a good laugh about it afterwards if I'm being completely honest. Either way, I will be going to the GNC in New Hampshire from now on. 

Today's post has been inspired by some feedback I received from my nutritionist. She continues to share my website with her patients, who from the sounds of it- are finding some comfort in being able to relate to my sensitive life or benefit from the information I provide on my blog. This makes me SO unbelievably happy. I'm thrilled that my words are reaching my most important audience. I created TSL for you and I'm so thankful for your encouraging, kind words. 

So back to my inspiration for tonight's post. For those of you just starting out on your gut healing journey, I feel your pain and frustration. When I go back to that time in my mind- that time of "time to eliminate practically everything from your diet," I quite literally feel the energy get sucked right out of me. It's truly draining to even reminisce. Stick with it. The mind-body connection is tremendously powerful. Don't let your thoughts get the best of you. You don't want that cookie, I promise.

Anyone who knows me, knows that prior to embarking on this journey of healing, I had the biggest sweet tooth of all big sweet tooths. Tooths isn't a word but I like the way it sounds in that sentence. Bear with me. Sugar is my highest sensitivity. To cut it out of my diet seemed close to impossible. I had to do it, though. Yes, I was a raging, shaky, angry, sobbing, exhausted, rabid bitch. But today, I don't give sugar a second thought. Why? Because once we eliminate the bad guys entirely, there aren't any more of them left to say, "you want more of me, take me, have me, love me, you need me." The truth is, The bad guys thrive when they have more bad guys to hang out with. When you stop sending the bad guys (sugar) down the hatch, it pisses the bad guys off. It causes turmoil in your gut. It causes turmoil all throughout your body, actually. Hence all the withdrawal symptoms: brain fog/difficulty with expressive language, dizzy spells, shaking, exhaustion, migraines, depression, stomach pain, anxiety, sensitivity to sound- the list goes on. Don't be fooled. Just because you cut out the bad stuff doesn't mean you're going to feel like a million bucks in a week's time. In fact, my withdrawal symptoms lasted 3 weeks. I promise- when you make it past that initial phase, the worst is over and your journey begins to look more promising and rewarding from then on out. 

Now time to break down some sweet facts for all of you who still think it's okay to consume 1/2 pound of sugar each day. Oh, I'm not making that up though. In 2009 a study showed that nearly 50% of Americans consume almost 1/2 pound of sugar each day. That means a sexy 180 pounds of sugar per year, per person. God only knows how that statistic has changed. I will tell you though, that in 1700, the average person only consumed around 4 pounds of sugar per year. Solid. So, besides the increased risk of diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, yeast infections, and depression.....you're still shit out of luck because there's so much more to be concerned about.

Let's talk about the different kinds of sugars:
Dextrose, fructose, and glucose are all simple sugars. The difference between them is how your body metabolizes them. 

Sugar alcohols such as xylitol, glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, and erythritol, are neither sugars nor alcohols but are used as sweeteners. They're completely absorbed by the small intestine and cause sexy problems like bloating, the d-word (diarrhea), and flatulence. 

Sucralose or Splenda is an artificial, chlorinated sweetener, A.K.A. aspartame- which is currently in 75% of all foods on store shelves and the cause of 95% of adverse food reaction reports made to the FDA. Check out my blog post on aspartame HERE.

Agave syrup is a fraud and I'm exposing it. It's highly processed and usually contains about 80% fructose. They shouldn't even call it agave because by the time they're through producing it, the product it is nothing like the innocent plant it once was.

Honey is only completely natural in its raw form. So, buy raw honey. Buy raw, LOCAL honey if possible. It helps with seasonal allergies. For the record, 75% of honey purchased at the supermarket isn't real honey. 

Stevia has been a Godsend and it's a completely natural sweetener made from the South American stevia plant. 

Now for the big, bad, bastard of sugars- FRUCTOSE.

Did you know that eating fructose is WORSE than eating fat? 
Here's why...
Fructose elevates uric acid in your body, which elevates your blood pressure and causes damage to your kidneys. (Side note- those who are prone to kidney stones: it's super important to watch your sugar intake. Oops.) Increased uric acid also leads to chronic low-level inflammation which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and cancer. Fructose really is a bastard though and I'll tell you why. It tricks your body into gaining weight. It literally fools your metabolism by turning off your body's appetite control system. It does not suppress the hunger hormone, ghrelin, or stimulate the satiety hormone, leptin, which results in you eating your face off and developing insulin resistance. 

Another scary thought- the more sugar you eat, the better your body gets at absorbing it. The more sugar you absorb, the more damage you cause (Mercola.com, 2010). Just don't do that to yourself.

Check out more information on the toxic effects of sugar and alternative, natural sweeteners using these links. Also watch Dr. Lustig's "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" via YouTube below.

Harmful effects of sugar on mind & body
141 reasons why sugar damages your health
Dangers of sugar
Slideshow- truth about sugar addiction
Dangers of fructose
Natural News- harmful effects of sugar and choosing natural alternatives
Stevia

So I decided to do some household cleaning for my grandmother this morning. When I walked into her house I noticed she had her cleaning supplies all lined up and ready to go for me. Of course, knowing what I know now about household cleaning products and their toxic chemicals, I went right to work- reading the labels of each product, that is. Bottle after bottle I explained to grandma that there was no way I was going to use this, that, or the other thing. Her argument of course, was that she has been using these products for 50 years. My argument of course, was that it doesn't mean they're safe, that they haven't caused damage to her (or her family's) health, and that we know more now than we did 50 years ago. With two pairs of gloves on, I used products that were the lesser of the evils, unfortunately. As I was cleaning and trying to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes at all costs, the wheels in my noggin started to turn. Whether or not it was a result of the fumes, I can't really remember. But I decided to share some information on petroleum distillates in household cleaning products. I've posted about a variety of toxic chemicals in cleaning products before, but this volatile organic compound (VOC), a.k.a death-ingredient, appeared in several of the products my grandmother had in her home and "has been using for 50 years."

Let's be honest, no one ever wants to read the words, "if contact with or ingestion of this product occurs, seek medical attention immediately. Do not induce vomiting." They might as well just say, "your furniture will look great when you're dead." Petroleum distillates, also known as petrochemicals or hydrocarbons are extracted by distillation during the refining of crude oil. They are commonly used in heating agents, gasoline, and of course, solvents. Research shows that being exposed to petroleum distillates increases the risk of developing undifferentiated connective tissue disease. UCTD is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that can include symptoms from or lead to connective tissue diseases such as lupus, scieroderma, polymyositis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, or fibromyalgia. HOW PECULIAR- my mother has both rheumatoid arthritis AND Sjogren's syndrome. Petroleum distillates can also cause chemical pneumonia and interfere with the lungs' functions. And of course, death is a possibility if inhaled or swallowed. Even inhaling a small amount of this VOC can be deadly.

Now, where can we find petroleum distillates?
hair conditioner, sunblock, nail polish, deodorant, mineral oil, lip gloss, gasoline, fertilizer, furniture polish, pesticides, plastics, paint thinners, motor oil, fuels (propane, butane, diesel), petroleum jelly, art supplies (oil paints- JOY, great news for someone who majored in studio art), paste and liquid car waxes/polishes, kerosene, paraffin wax, tar, and adhesives (SixWise.com). 

According to the Right To Know Hazardous Substance Facts Sheet, petroleum distillates are carcinogenic and can also affect the nervous system causing headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of balance and coordination. Higher levels of inhalation may cause coma and death. As for reproductive hazards, it may affect female fertility (2011). Now let's take a survey- are all these dangerous side effects worth having dazzling furniture? If you say yes, you've probably inhaled so much of it in your lifetime that your judgement is beyond permanently impaired and you don't count. Ever.

There are all kinds of natural alternatives for cleaning products that we can use instead of cleaning products that tell us we'll drop dead if we use it improperly. I've said it before but I have to say it again, REMEMBER- don't be fooled by the products labeled "green"- it's an advertising scheme. Always read the labels on your products. Check out the links below for some natural cleaning alternatives.

DIY and natural cleaning products
National Geographic- DIY cleaning products
25 DIY cleaning recipes 
Clean up your act- natural cleaning solutions