Au not natural
As you guys know, I’m pretty big on products that don’t have a lot of extra stuff added to them and try to buy organic whenever possible. When it comes to food, usually if they have organic, I buy organic. As much as I would like to live in a world where everything is pure and free from creepy added ingredients (and churn my own butter perhaps?), I don’t, and some things I’ll keep buying and using.
Prime examples:
My beloved hot sauce. Arizona Gunslinger does make organic, but Cholula contains silicon dioxide, whatever that is.
The BEST nighttime moisturizer I’ve tried. It’s Korres, so it’s not the worst out there, but it’s definitely not pure coconut oil. This Korres face cream is super rich – a little goes a long way- and smells absolutely lovely. The first night I wore it to bed, the Pilot snuggled up and said, “wow, you smell beautiful.” Enough to keep me using it right there, and I also think it’s an awesome wrinkle-fighter.
Speaking of moisturizers, here ya go.
Jergen’s firming tanning lotion. I have no idea which chemical process occurs for it to “tan and firm” but mixed with coconut oil, it’s done wonders on my post-baby belly’s loose skin. In this case, I fully chose vanity over ingredients. At least I’m not ashamed to admit it?
My coffee creamer:
Yep, it’s coconut milk, but not the plainest thing ever:
and nail polish. I’m a junky. Usually I pink Sally Hansen and OPI products, but even with the lack of formaldehyde, the things in there are a little sketchy.
I figure that as long as I do what I can for the most part, the little things aren’t that big of a deal. Sometimes, I’ve tried to buy a more natural version of a product and have been disappointed, like the $13 “natural” nail polish remover that didn’t do the job.
Some of my favorite organic and more natural home and beauty products:
-Coconut oil. I rub it on my belly (mixed with the Jergen’s) before bed and also love it as a lipgloss.
-My daytime moisturizer: Juice Beauty SPF (I like the tinted the best since I don’t wear foundation, but had to get the plain last time since Sephora was out)
-Vinegar, baking soda, lavender oil, dish soap and lemon juice in cleaning
-Tarte eye makeup. Their eyeliner and eyeshadow palettes are incredible- shimmery, neutral colors with excellent staying power. My favorite eyeliner is here, and the palette pictured above is here.
What products do you try to buy organic? What’s not such a big deal as far as that stuff goes? Produce and meat products are really important to me and am fortunate that we have a great variety of inexpensive options here in Tucson.
See ya in the morning with the giveaway winner and this week’s Bedtime Ab Burner!
xoxo
Gina
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I’m trying to be more conscious of using natural products and consuming foods with no weird stuff in it, but from time to time I choose convenience over natural. And I still dye my hair.
I am slowly starting to buy more natural products. For example I have always loved OPI nail polish until recently when I was told the damage on my toenails was actually chemical burns from using polish with chemicals! Urgh, such a pain. I also buy sulfate free shampoo and conditioner but my face products are not natural for sure. And I just swapped to a natural deodorant. Baby steps here!
funnily enough, I was chatting with my husband today about how I’ve been so proud to be Splenda and artificial-sugar free for over a year now (long enough that the taste is abhorrent), but that I really, really love the fake flavored Coffeemate creamers. I’ve been trying to use just almond milk and a little honey for months, but today I gave in and bought a bottle of the bad stuff– and I’m not even guilty about it because it is so so good.
sometimes you gotta do it 🙂
Me too!! I loved the Coconut creamer when my friends served it to me when I visited, but I can’t get it here where I live – so Coffeemate creamer, in all its plethora of HFCS-enhanced chemical flavoured variations it is, and it is so delicious I feel no guilt at all… There are worse vices! :))
The peppermint mocha one is delish!! The natural coffeemate creamer is really good though, but sometimes you just gotta get the fake stuff 🙂
I really like the Juice Beauty moisturizer! I just got a sample for the first time in my Birchbox from last month, and it’s one of the few things from Birchbox I would actually go out and buy. I might have to look into that Korres one for night though.
I know this is terrible but I love Kraft mac and cheese. I can’t help it!
Agreed! I steal bites I my husbands! 😀
About the SoDelicious creamer — just noticed the last ingredient is carrageenan. FoodBabe.com just investigated this additive which is a possible carcinogen. Read up: http://foodbabe.com/2012/05/22/watch-out-for-this-carcinogen-in-your-organic-food/
oh no!!! I use the plain flavored sodelish coco creamer. poo. I have been trying out using full fat coconut milk (from a can), and while it doesn’t impart the same light color as a “creamer,” it kinda gets the job done and tastes pretty darn good. something for you to try jennyv & gina!
I tried to go with some of the “natural” beauty products a while back, but they just didn’t do the job. Sulfate free shampoo = Shaina looks like she stuck her finger in an electrical outlet. “Natural” deoderant…mmm notsomuch. I’ll stick with Dove. 🙂 I have been using the Yes to Carrots line for face stuff…LOVE. The Yes to Cucumbers eye gel is heavenly at night and I’m convinced the Yes to Blueberries night cream is magic.
Produce is super important to me as far as getting organic when I can. We just joined a CSA and get weekly organic produce deliveries from a local farm. Talk about amazeballs! AND its cheaper than the grocery store!
i agree- i bought a $13 natural nail polish remover, and it sucked. i happily went back to the $2 stuff from target
Olive oil on my face…It adds such a glow. I love it!
I use eminence skin care, its amazing, organic, lasts forever, smells yummy! It’s worth looking into. Also I only use urban decay. Not tested on animals (another HUGE factor for me, as almost all cosmetics is these days) and its also got a great business story! Great product. The products I use on my skin are just as important to what I eat! Also have you tried zoya nailpolish? No fermaldyhye in it!
I’ve tried it and loved it! The Leno grass hydrating spray is fantastic 🙂
Leno grass = Lemongrass haha
Shampoo! I’ve tried every 100% natural brand out there (well, almost) and most really made my normally frizzy and dry hair super oily. I’ll stick with the kind of natural Paul Mitchell Awapuhi.
And this is bad. Real bad. But, I still put a tad bit of bleach in my white wash….
Did you try Alba? It’s the best!
I believe you shouldn’t be too anal about all your products-
I try to use as many natural products as I can- I love natural face lotion ( I used Carol Alt’s brand Raw Essentials), I LOVE Dr Bronner’s Mint Sop (THe BEST), but I can’t help but use all shampoos and conditioners (I like my hair to smell nicE)
Love your honesty!
SOmetimes it’s not practical to buy everything organic and pure. Trust me, I’d love to but I would be homeless. That said, I do ise coconut oil as my night time moisturizer. I used to use super expensive, amazing smelling Jan Marini (that I got at a huge discount from a friends spa…even then still expensive) but decided I couldnt’ afford it anymore. I love my coconut oil! I miss the smell of the Jan Marini stuff though. It was amazing. I try to buy any dirty veggies and fruit organic most of the time. Or local from the farm. My body lotion I slather on every day is Jergens, not natural..and your skin is the biggest organ, and all, so that’s probably bad but the natural stuff is SO expensive for SUCH a small amout ( I mean, I SLATHER layers). I also am a fake bake junkie, which can’t be good. I read a depressing article last night how it’s linked to cancer. Eek! What’s worse though, laying in the sun for hours or self tanner? Off topic..
As far as food goes, I really can’t think of anything I eat that has shady ingredients. IF I drank coffee, I would probably buy that creamer or something similar. BTW–my husband loves the same hot sauce as you. I have to buy them for him. Me, I used to dip tortilla in pure hot sauce like it was salsa as a kid…now…I can’t even tolerate the fire in my mouth at all!
I mainly use all natural shower products but then put on bath and body works spray and dove hairspray when I get ready. Somehow I don’t feel too bad about spraying a fine mist of toxins onto my body as I would if I were lathering them on in the shower lol. I guess vanity wins on that too!
Just curious what hair products do you use/ recommend Gina? Your hair always looks fabulous!
I’m definitely *trying to buy more organic produce (especially dark leafys and berries), and meat as well. My biggest weakness is el cheapo hair products. I go through conditioner like no one’s business, so suave really saves the bank!
Vanity over organic is totally realistic when it makes you feel good. Haha I love this post. Love.
question on the korres skin cream: is it pretty light? I’ve noticed that my skin doesn’t love heavier creams. That said, I’m always looking for that perfect moisturizer!
Thought you might enjoy my blog post on how to make your own coconut milk. http://ramblingsbyrach.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/for-the-love-of-coconut-milk/. The can probably has BPA in it, but you can’t win them all. No additives at all, and a fraction of the cost too. And as long as you keep a stash of canned milk, you never run out either! It tastes exceptionally well in cake batter smoothies…
I give up on finding an all natural deodorant that doesn’t make my armpits smell even worse!
I’ve tried so many. You’re right to give up and go for the smell good stuff. 🙂
silicon dioxide, SiO2, is sand
Oh lovely :/
There is …Sand in hot sauce? Oy.
It is a naturally occurring substance (sand, as a previous commenter said, is its most common form) that is in many, many foods as a superfine powder that actually helps powders and liquids flow, like through the bottle opening. It isn’t anything scary.
that makes me feel better. i didn’t put hot sauce on my eggs this morning. they were lonely eggs, indeed
You know I’ve gone the full circle on organic things…I used to not care, then I cared and only bought organic and natural, and I’m back to buying conventional. I do care, sure, but the taste of certain things is just preferred for me when it’s conventional. I admit, I adore Coffeemate and highly prefer it to So Delicious and ounce for ounce it’s a lot cheaper. There, I said it 🙂
I live on the west side of LA so I’m really lucky that there is a LUSH close by- http://www.lushusa.com – they have so many great products but I especially love the Ocean Salt scrub, I use it all the time. Its pricey but amazing!
Omg I love lush
I love this post. I use natural when I can, but there are definitely some things that I can let go.
I try to always buy organic when it comes to dairy and meat! As I am not a huge meat eater, it’s still affordable. I try to buy the dirty dozen organic, but honestly, as with all organic products I try not to stress about it!! If I have a healthy diet, that’s great. If struggling to find things organic and stressing myself during the few free hours I have next to work (I have a very busy and hectic work schedule), then I choose sanity over organic here!
I try to buy as many beauty products organic, particularly when they go on my skin (such as face stuff and moisturizer) but things like nail polish, deodorant, mascara and hairspray are still non-organic. I honestly find it hard to find GOOD products there and I’ve only recently found good organic shampoo and conditioner.
You said Sephora sells Juice Beauty but I don’t see it on their web site? I’d like to try the sunscreen but I don’t want to pay shipping if I can grab it locally. Thanks!
I think they may have discontinued it- check out amazon or ulta
Ulta is local, too. Thanks!
np, i hope you can find it!
I definitely try to use natural, but I haven’t found a good face cream, shampoo or conditioner that I’m happy with that is natural! Also could never go natural with deodorant and toothpaste. Or nail polish- im totally with you on that!
I also try to buy my meat, fruit and veg as organic as my budget allows. I have many failed attempts at organic skin care – so I stick with my Cetaphil face wash and moisturiser and my Clinique foundation. Some things you just can’t compromise on 🙂
Have you ever tried the Norwex cloths for cleaning? The premise is they have a silver lining which is a natural bacterial so you don’t need the cleansers. Once dry, the rag is suppose to be bacteria free again. Does wonders on your windows and doesn’t leave the sticky film.
What do you use the lavender oil on?
I am in LOVE with Ultimate Cloths for cleaning! Like a micro fiber but not quite. Just wet with water, wring out really well and go to town cleaning. Does all my windows, mirrors, appliances, kitchen, bathroom, computer monitors, well everything beautifully and cleanser free. Toss in the wash and they’re good to use again and again and again. I didn’t believe it until I tried it and now I’m sold.
Haha, “chose vanity over ingredients” 🙂 You crack me up Gina! I def. do that too (I love Jergens too), but don’t think I ever admitted it so boldly before. He He. Love it! I say, if it’s gonna make THE guy cuddle up to you and call you beautiful for the next 20-30-40 years, it’s sure worth it!
I try to choose natural/organic whenever I can but let’s be honest, I’m a broke college student, so it doesn’t happen all that often unless I find a good deal. I have been trying to switch over to more natural hygiene products. Brands like Tom’s of Maine and Kiss My Face aren’t all that much expensive than other chemical filled brands and I feel much better about using them.
It’s funny that you bring this topic up because I’ve been giving it a LOT of thought lately myself! When I first turned my life around towards a healthy lifestyle, I kicked out all of the crazy ingredients I was consuming/using. Now that I’m at a stable weight and consider myself pretty darn healthy compared to the average Jane, I do allow unnatural products in ever so often, but not all the time.
I’m sorry, but once I tasted the So Delicious hazelnut creamer (I’m a fan too 😉 ), there was no turning back. Hellooo titanium dioxide!
I have the same philosophy. I do what I can and don’t obsess over it.
I try to buy organic produce because I eat a ton of salads. I use coconut oil as my moisturizer. I use water and vinegar to mop my floors because of my dogs and baby.
I still buy Bath & Body Works and Victoria Secret body sprays! Also, l’ll probably never give up my occasional blizzard from Dairy Queen. I know I can make my own ice cream and I do. Other times, it’s mint chocolate chip, cookie dough, butterfinger, or whatever badformedontknowwhatsinit blizzard I want!
I’m not very picky about using natural over conventional products. It’s something I want to start being better about!
Gina, question about your Jergen’s/coconut oil routine. I haven’t had a baby, but I’ve lost ~50 pounds (still going) so you can imagine my stomach needs a little help. Where do you buy your coconot oil? Do you just lather them on together before bed? Thank you!!
I know exactly what you mean! Usually, I try to stick with more natural and organic products, especially when it comes to hair and skin care, but like you mentioned, a lot of the time they’re really expensive and not all that effective. Obviously, the less-than-great-for-you products work, or else they wouldn’t keep putting all those chemicals in… but still. 😉 I use So Delicious’s coconut milk creamer too! That’s probably my main exception as far as food stuffs go. I’m slowly trying to wean myself off of unhealthy (and expensive) convenience, trying to make as much stuff at home as I can, and that really helps a lot. I can already see a difference in the way I feel, and the way our bank account feels, just because I know what goes in most of the food I’m eating. Like I said before, though, the hardest part is the money. If we were all super rich, it would be awesomely easy to buy organic and natural all the time!! 😛 Let’s get on that, shall we?
Like you if there is an organic version I try to buy that. Esp since I’m preg now I gave up th crazy body products but usually I’m a sucker for that! What do you do when you are buying lots to make a potluck or baby meal, organic or conventional? Organic is a budget consideration for us and none of our friends or family buy organic – so I kind of feel bad buying cheap to make them something but otherwise my bill would be through the roof!
I love this post! I try my best to use natural and organic products…but sometimes you just can’t! Since finding out I had celiac I had to switch up a lot of my make up and skin care products so I now look for the organic more natural things and sometimes, they just don’t work as well!
My most frequent organic purchase is food. I think think it’s more than worth the little extra cost. I also like to buy natural cleaning products- I find that my body reacts to super-strong unnatural products, particularly in the washroom where the ventilation is poor, so natural products are important there. It does require a little more elbow grease than the strong things that burn straight through all the dirt- but it’s a good extra little workout! 🙂
I have the same exact outlook on this subject as you do. I buy mostly organic food products, clean my house with natural cleaners (except for my shower and toilet because I can never get it clean with a natural cleaner – ugh, any suggestions anyone?), use natural laundry detergent, use pure/natural shampoos/conditioners and avoid anything overly processed or containing anything “fake”. But some of my makeup isn’t natural, and I’ve found the thing that keeps my skin the clearest is not natural in the least. Sometimes you’ve just got to let go on some things or you’ll make yourself crazy.
I LOVE the Norwex cleaning paste to clean my shower. It only has 4 ingredients and has a nice lemon smell. The paste has coconut oil in it so it leaves a nice shine to your shower. They also have the Sanira toilet brush system which is great!
Thanks for showing us it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I try to have organic eggs, meats and some produce when possible, but other stuff….eeeeh!
I LOVE the Coconut milk creamer but am STILL a huge fan of the coffeemate fake creamers. Although, now I enjoy the REAL milk and sugar creamers too.
My mom never ate anything organic and she is still kicking @$$! Often she’ll look at me funny when I say, “oh no, I’m getting organic”, but to each our own. I enjoy knowing my organic foods are better for me, but still want to LIVE and enjoy my coffee in all it’s sugary glory!
xoxo
I don’t buy a lot of organic, because I can’t afford it, but I do prefer to use natural cleaning products. It’s more cost-effective, and I think it works better. I keep trying to remember to buy stuff to make my own laundry detergent, but I keep forgetting when I’m at the store. I do use distilled white vinegar in lieu of fabric softener, though. I actually prefer it! 🙂
The girls over at No More Dirty Looks just did a post on self-tanners…depressing, and I even tried to go the more natural route with Chocolate Sun, as opposed to Jergens, which I had been using for years:
http://nomoredirtylooks.com/2012/06/are-any-self-tanners-actually-safe-making-sense-of-the-new-research-about-dha/
I’m also very picky when it comes to ingredients not only in foods but in beauty and cleaning products as well. As much as I would love to be au natural all the time, I know that it isn’t always an option and I shouldn’t let “paranoia” get in the way of life. It’s all about balance!
I LOVE Korres! I switched to their mineral makeup over bare minerals and I’ll never go back..now I wanna try that moisturizer 🙂 love the idea to mix Jergens with coconut oil too!
I honestly just buy organic spinach and kale because it looks better and lasts longer. I’ve read so many articles debating the health factor of organic versus nonorganic, and what it technically means to be an organic farmer (ie: what practices are they actually using just to get that USDA stamp of approval? Is it the bare minimum?)
I make most of my organic purchases on food, but usually it’s only on the pre-made products like protein bars. Most of my fruit I just buy regular and wash really well. I figure it’s better than eating no fruit at all.
Thank you for this post!!! I needed to be reminded to balance everything.
I always try to buy the “dirty dozen” fruits & veggies organic…and prefer organic humanely raised meat but sometimes it’s not possible. Also, Curel unscented lotion is the drugstore brand of lotion with the least number of harmful chems!
Love your realistic look on this topic! I think it would literally be impossible to be “perfect” & buy everything natural. Not only would you spend a s*** load of money, but it would also take a lot of time to search everything out! For me, I try to buy organic whenever the price differential between organic & ‘regular’ (chemically) isn’t insane. I try to buy organic eggs & some organic produce (depending on the price); however, there are not many affordable options in Toronto for organic meat or fish, but I do buy ones that are labelled “antibiotic-free”.
It’s nice to see a balance of super healthy/natural and not. I think this really helps to eliminate the all-or-nothing mentality. Love this post!
When I lived in Tucson with a steady income, I ate all organic all the time. Free range, grass Fed, fresh fresh.
Now I live in a city with the most expensive studio apartments known to man and barely a kitchen. I buy whatever looks not rotten in Chinatown.
I go days where all I eat is papaya or guava or leechee.
None of it is organic, I wash the bejesus out of things, but I realize non grass Fed beef tastes pretty raunchy so I just stopped buying it.