Ingredients to avoid in your products

Ingredients to avoid in your products
What I love about a quick DIY perfume, air freshener or linen spray is that I get to decide what goes in my home.  I mean I am the gatekeeper.  Just because the tv commercial or store shelf promotes it does not mean it's good for me.  I'm so happy I've learned how to read ingredients, research what they are and make a choice that best suits me and my family.  Now that I have become an ingredient snob, we no longer suffer from sinus infections, harsh coughs, headaches, rashes and a host of other things "we thought were normal".  

It all started with food first, but that's another chapter.  This one is about products.  I love that one bottle of plant blood can not only support our health, mind, body, but also do some cleaning, cooking and make other products I no longer have to buy from the store.  Like cleaners, perfumes, air fresheners, goo gone, linen sprays, etc.  

First and foremost, if your product says the word "fragrance" in the ingredient list, say NO! That one word alone can have a whole host of harsh toxic ingredients in the product.  A few words to steer clear from in your products include but not limited to include: 
parabens (look for words with methyl, ethyl, butyl)
alcohols
chlorine
aluminum (heavy metal)
phthalates (plastics)
talc
ceteareth-20
PABA
anything synthetic
dyes
and preservatives.  

So what do I use in place of some of these ingredients you ask?  Great questions...organic vodka, witch hazel, filtered water, seed to seal guaranteed essential oils, medical grade diffusers, and lots of fun bottles and labels! I hope this helps you on your start to choosing toxin free products.  

Always reach out to me at livewellwithmichelle@live.com or check out my clean products choices I use for my family.   
I'd be happy to do a cabinet consult with you where I walk you through a cabinet sweep or product swaps.  

Living Well, 
Michelle

Detox Foot Bath

Detox Foot Bath

I’ve been feeling a little sluggish lately so I got out my Foot Detox Bath knowing I have been exposed to a lot crud recently plus it’s been a good month since a good foot detox.  


So here I am chilling in my back porch pampering, enjoying nature and the soothing of all this.  Ahhhh.  

My ahhh quickly turned to EWWW immediately when I looked down at my foot bath.  What is the world is all that??  Never have I EVER had my water turn this before (see pic)  Usually it’s a good orange (joints) and black flecks (heavy metals) mixed with a little this and that.  But THIS?  Oh my whatta detox.  


Well, as Shrek would say, better out than in I say to myself! 


PS-I know…I was skeptical too until my Accupuncturist had me start doing them and I did my own research as well so I decided to get my own. Want one of your own too? Get it here using my discount code cause I’m all about saving money- that’s what friends are for—

https://optimum-detox.kckb.st/livewell 



Good thing after all this pampering detox, I received a surge of energy to make dinner and relax the rest of the evening.  I would suggest doing the foot detox in the morning and/or evening time.  BOO with what works in your day, starting slow and building up.  It can have detox effects if the body in deficient.  

Check back to see my results as this detox wellness support journey continues! 

Do you Detox in some way? I'd love to hear from you! 


I am Woman

I am Woman
Why is my heart beating out of my chest? 
Why am I happy one minute and balling the next? 
Why I am motivated with one idea only to feel fatigued and helpless over it the next minute?  
Why do I love everything and hate everything in the same millisecond? 
Maybe I am crazy. It’s not like I am never called that. Maybe I am. 
Why am I still in my pjs the third day in a row? Is it just because it’s 2020?

No...NO... I am a woman. Blessed with cycles and phases—a taboo that no one seems to talk realistic about unless I chat with my dr.  You know, like post partum depression-It’s a thing friends—Perimenopause is real. Why isn’t it addressed more? My path with perimenopause has been a long haul to say the least. All this time, I seriously thought I had some legit mental health issues. Well maybe I do. 


Thankfully, I’ve been equipped with tools, resources, and exercises in my tool belt over the years to combat some of those symptoms.  Sometimes though, no matter what, these tools just don’t seem to help. I follow the cleansing, plant based, toxin free, mindset shifts, fitness, restful, supplemental, mindful route and still STILL I feel at a total womanly loss some days. 


What am I doing wrong? What’s wrong with me? 
I feel like an outcast sitting with loneliness, withdrawal from friends and family, self pity, low self esteem, weakness, sadness, total unsexy, mean and hostile feelings of helplessness.  
Moody anyone? It’s like worse than the snarky teen years.


Let me tell you, hormones can be nasty to us when we are in a state of unbalance, which can be often; because hormones are constantly changing with our chemistry and cells; especially menopause. 
No matter what we do. It’s a never ending ebb and flow, like the waves of the ocean. 
Especially in the peri- menopausal state.


Beating myself up because I’m experiencing all that God has made me to be and experience as a woman is not the way to self acceptance. Just like every *body* is different and unique, all peri-menopausal experiences will be too. 

The endless crying like my cat literally just died, the painful cramps and release of what seems like gushing forceful gallons of blood with cramps like birthing contractions all over again, the sleepless nights, the overly tired days of exhaustion….

Just when I think I get it all under control with all my tools in my belt and feel great….
WHAM 💥 that wave comes and blasts it all away leaving me feel like a drowned rat.


Let’s just say with a little rest and self reflection, choosing the right tools in my tool belt, and loads of grace and ease, I WILL embrace this aging time in womanhood. 

Right now, I am so happy and grateful for the education I recently experienced in my Yoga Teacher Training on breath work as it has been a total blessing, along with using my essential oils to support my emotions and uncomfortable symptoms;  while also choosing healthful foods and lots of rest.

Grace and Ease ladies. 
Grace and Ease. 
You are not crazy. 
You are Woman. 
A Beautiful Perfect Woman. 
Embrace each phase.
With Gratitude and Faith. 


Get your cork yoga mat from a this environmentally friendly and family owned biz 

cork yoga wheel