Do you even know what you are putting on your pitts?

Let’s face it- Deodorant is just downright necessary…(because who wants to smell) and downright FRIGHTENING!

We ALL have to put on D.O for our B.O everyday but what some don’t know is that deodorant’s ingredients are SO harmful for our bodies! I recommend that everyone (not just nursing mama’s) think about what chemicals could be found lurking in the skin care products they use daily.

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

Trust when me when I say I have tried (and failed and been embarrassed) more than one time at finding the right natural deodorant for my body. The ones I list below have worked for me or have been recommended by friends. I provided the links so you can buy online but I’ve also found them at my local Whole Foods.

Let’s do a quick study together shall we? Go grab your deodorant and look at the ingredients because I’m willing to bet they have:

Aluminum which is linked to breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men

Parabens are known to disrupt hormone levels and reproductive toxicitiy

Propolyne Glycol which can cause seizures, as well as damage to the liver and heart

Triclosan is linked to weakening the immune system and can cause children to develop asthma, allergies, and eczema.

ALARMING am I right!?

Be proactive and make sure to ALWAYS check out the ingredients of the products you use inside and out! Our skin is our biggest organ, so treat it right by using only natural ingredients.

So what should you use!?

Dove Aluminum Free Deodorant

  • After testing literally SO many deodorants, this is one of my favorites! And while it doesn’t exactly last 24 hours like it boasts it does, it really lasts a good 8 hours without reapplying.

  • It come in a variety of scents that all smell so good (men can use it too!)

  • It has a silky, smooth feeling and doesn’t clump like some others

  • It’s sold everywhere (I found a 2-1 deal at CVS)

Rad Soap Co Use code: radcbd

  • This has been one of my favorite, go-to deodorant because it’s not only small enough to travel everywhere with me (I carry it with me in my purse), but it’s strong (and smells good!)

  • It’s made with all-natural ingredients for a highly moisturizing, quickly absorbing, gentle chemical and aluminum free deodorant. 

  • It comes in a variety of scents: Oatmeal Vanilla, Sandalwood, Cucumber Flower

Nalani Natural Deodorant

It’s 100% VEGAN AND SAFE FOR YOUR SKIN!

It’s Organic, Gluten-Free, Paraben-Free, Chemical-Free, Aluminum-Free & Long-Lasting, and nonGMO.

  • ALL DAY PROTECTION - Passed Rigorous Workout/Gym Standards & Long Distance Test!

  • AN ORGANIC FORMULA- All Natural. Can be Used with Fragrances. Will Not affect Your Favorite Perfume.

  • PARABEN AND CRUELTY FREE WITH NO ALUMINUM - Leaping Bunny Certified For No Animal Testing.

Schmidt’s

  • Schmidt's formulas help neutralize odor and keep you fresh, naturally.

  • Free of aluminum, propylene glycol, parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrance, plant and mineral-derived formulas are certified vegan and cruelty-free.

  • My only note about this one is that it stings a little when put on freshly shaved skin or after a good sweat when your pores are open, but dies down quickly.

Native

  • Native is also one of my favorite deodorants that I use daily. It really does last 24 hours like the label claims and it comes in a variety of scents. More and more stores are carrying the Native brand now, making it easier to purchase. I buy mine at CVS.

  • Native Deodorants are simple, safe, and effective. They also contain probiotics which I think helps make it the most effective and long lasting aluminum free deodorant out on the market to date.

  • Long lasting odor protection that goes on smooth and smells addictively good.

  • Favorite scents include Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant

The main thing when selecting safe deodorants is that they are made with natural ingredients such as: essential oils, coconut oils, and baking soda.

We aren’t perfect but we can start by making small changes to our lives!

Let me know which ones work for you!

xoxo,

Mari

Plant Powered Smoothie

The Power of consuming a smoothie…

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

can do wonders for your body, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. That’s because, the nutrients from the raw food get absorbed at a HIGHER rate when empty.

I recommend starting out by drinking warm water with half of a fresh squeezed lemon.

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This flushes out toxins from the stomach and colon (and also aids in bowel release ;) leaving you with a fresh start and a clean slate for the day!

Then, I love using my Nutribullet Rx to blend my ingredients!

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  1. You start by using one cup of any leafy greens (My go-to’s are spinach and kale)

  2. Add one cup of your liquid base (water, almond, oat, soy milk)

  3. Toss in fruit (pineapple, banana, blueberries, mango etc)

  4. This step in optional but you can add in any protein or collagen powders.

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Smoothies are a great way to jump start your day by providing natural energy made from plants that prevent indigestion and bloating.

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Tell me what special ingredients you add to your smoothies!

xx,

Mari

Om My Goodness- I Feel Happier

Feeling blue? Quarantine life making you feel trapped? Cold weather got you down? It’s natural for all of us to feel sad or down from time to time. Depression rates continue to increase over time BUT you can proactively do something about it!

Here Are Some Ways You Can Help Yourself

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

Plant Based Eating

Studies have shown that people who eat a plant based diet are happier.  Here's why- the antioxidants found in fruits and veggies reduce inflammation, fix neurotransmitters in the brain, and repair damaged cells. The food also contains natural vitamins and nutrients that boost the serotonin levels in your brain, thereby giving your mood a positive boost of happiness.

Foods that are not processed, like those in the plant based lifestyle are better for your body by naturally detoxifying your body and flushing out unwanted chemicals that may cause you to feel sluggish, and unhappy. During this detoxing process, your body will begin to not only feel better, but look better too! Your skin will begin to clear up and brighten, you will shed water weight, as well as unwanted pounds of fat, and you will have sustained energy throughout the day.

There are many foods you can eat that are rich Omega 3's which improve your mood, lower your stress levels, and reduce diseases such as dementia.

Omega 3 foods: chia, flax seeds, walnuts, avocado

Other mood fighting foods are: blueberries, leafy , and pumpkin seeds



Working Out

When you work up a sweat your body naturally creates endorphin’s which are hormones produced in your brain that give you a happy, euphoric feeling. So get your body moving!

Exercising regularly also improves your muscle strength, endurance, and balance. Elevating your heart rate improves your cardiovascular system, as well as your lung capacity, and bone density. When all of these very important systems in your body are strong, your overall wellness and mood will improve.

This may seem like a no brainer but exercise can aid in weight loss. When you exercise regularly, and build up your muscle mass, you can even burn calories at rest.

Exercise can elevate your energy levels naturally! It helps wake up your mind, body and spirit especially if you deal with chronic fatigue. It also aids with memory and overall brain health.

It can also help your body naturally stave off colds and other illnesses like type II diabetes.

When paired with a plant based lifestyle, physical fitness can aid in a total body detoxification process by flushing out unnecessary chemicals living in the body and gut. It will also flush out the pores in your skin, giving your face a glowing appearance.

Happy yogi at the beach on Captiva Island!


Meditation

is a mindful technique in which you relax your body and focus on an object or thought, like your breath. It trains your mind to be more present and aware, thereby creating a calm stillness within your body which....reduces stress!

You don’t need to be stressed out to practice meditating. Set yourself a timer. Start with 2 minutes of deep breathing practice. Then 5, 10, 15 minutes and so on. I have found in my own meditation practice that the more often I do it, the easier it becomes to silence my thoughts and become centered within myself. Also, you can do it literally anywhere! In the car, sitting outside, on the bus etc.

Remember you are resilient. You are strong. Go easy on yourself. By working on your meditation skills you will be improving your overall health and stress management.


make the practice of meditation a regular occurance to stay balanced and happy

Here’s to feeling happier!

xx,

Mari

These hair masks will make you GASP

I believe that everyone (men included) should do a moisturizing hair mask at least once a week.

No matter what hair type or texture- do a mask! It will not only moisturize your luscious tresses but make them healthier and stronger. Hair masks also clarify and define each strand making them not only shine but clean them of built up product and residue from your daily hair products.

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

MY FAVORITE MASKs INCLUDE INDIAN HEALING CLAY

My favorite mask include Indian Healing Clay, which has a variety of uses (facial mask, hair mask, digestive cleansers) You can find it here or in a local beauty supply store- Whole Foods even sells it!

Bentonite clay can be taken orally as it cleanses and detoxifies your digestive system of unwanted parasites and harmful bacteria, and also aids in constipation, diarrhea, and stomach ulcers.

Today I am going to be showing you how it can be used topically to cleanse the skin and hair using it’s healing properties. Bentonite clay eases rashes, eczema, psoriasis, cuts, bruises, bacterial and fungal infections; that’s why it’s so beneficial to recalibrate not only your scalp’s ph balance but also your hair! because c’mon, how many of us really know if we scratched our scalps a little too rough during our last shampoo or have a cut on our scalp we didn’t know about?! Probably a lot more of us than we realize. Bentonite clay masks can help restore our scalp and hair back to

Directions

  1. Start out with half a cup of clay. You may need to add more depending on your hair length

  2. Add about 1/4 cup oil of your choice (coconut, olive, jojoba, almond, shea butter)

  3. Add about 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

  4. Mix in a plastic or glass container until ingredients form a paste. You can add more at this step.

Bentonite-Clay.jpg

5. Apply to wet hair directly after shampooing.

6. Cover with shower cap or plastic bag and leave on for 10-30 minutes

7. Rinse out and follow up with a leave in conditioner.

And VOILA, the results are clarified, detoxified, healthy, clean hair!

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Let me know your results!

xx,

Mari

Drinking water doesn't have to be boring

Let’s face it….water can be super boring to consume…BUT it’s super important to drink at least half your body weight in water. Not only does a hydrated body lead to better digestion, concentration, and clear skin, but also healthy kidneys!

 Water can help improve headaches, assist in digestive issues like constipation, and benefit your overall health. It is often the missing link between talking about a healthy existence and actually achieving it.

Our bodies absolutely NEED water for a number of reasons:

  • improves brain function- it expands blood vessels which supply oxygen to the brain

  • weight loss- helps boost metabolism, and flush out toxins from your body

  • better physical performance- nutients in water help lubricate cells and prevents contractions in muscles

  • hydration- help to balance blood pressure, blood sugar, and headaches. It’s also been known to assist with healthy-looking skin. 

Drinking enough water helps boost metabolism, and flush out toxins from your body. Hydration helps to balance blood pressure, blood sugar, and headaches. It’s also assists with healthy looking skin by plumping up skin, smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines, as well as preventing acne.  

It is recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that women consume at least 11.5 cups of water daily and men consume about 15.5 cups daily. Oh boy, that’s a LOT of water each day….how does one remember to drink that much, let alone find enough time in the day to drink that much?!

If you are finding it difficult to drink enough water throughout the day, here’s a tip that helps motivate me to consume enough water Every Day! Infused Water! What is infused water you ask?! I simply mix filtered water with fruit and spice combinations using my water bottle, mason jar, or water jug. Refill with water as needed for infused water all day!

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support!

INFUSED WATER RECIPES

  1. Orange slices + Grapefruit slices + Freshly peeled Ginger

2. Orange slices + freshly peeled Ginger + Cinnamon Sticks

3. Cucumber slices + fresh Basil leaves + sliced Strawberries

4. Straight up peeled lemon (I also drink warm lemon water every morning which helps with bowl movements)

& Water

*Be as creative as you want with these infusion recipes! The sky (and your palate) are literally the limit when infusing your water!

I have also found success spacing out my daily water intake throughout the day. Having a 40 ounce water bottle to refill twice ensures that I’ve drunk enough for the day. Other people have different ways of remembering but this system works for me. Here’s my daily schedule as an example for you:

Wake up: Immediately drink two cups of warm lemon water- 2 cups

mid-morning: I fill up my 40 oz water in my mason jar or bottle and make sure to finish it throughout the morning- 5 cups

mid-afternoon: I refill my 40 oz water bottle and make sure to finish it before bed- 5 cups

Total: 12 cups

*A note for ya: yes, spacing out your daily water intake helps ensure proper hydration but make sure you don’t try and play catch up for the entire day in the late afternoon/evening. It’s ok if you didn’t get it all in. We all have days like that, myself included. Drinking H2o heavily before bedtime is a sure fire way to wreck your beauty sleep by being woken up multiple times in the night to go to the bathroom. Tomorrow’s a new day- make up for it then!

Please let me know of any fruit infused water recipes you personally enjoy!

xoxo,

Mari