As a travel blogger, it’s beyond imperative that I stay healthy. Ok, it’s important for everyone but especially if you are constantly introduced to new environments. I’m lucky enough to be involved with a kickasserole group called Shiftcon which is a green blogger movement. There are varying degrees of green living and I’d say I wobble between light to medium green. I don’t always recycle, sometimes I buy makeup with a crap ton of chemicals in it and other times I’m a recycling fool and everything I put in and on my body is super healthy. Oh, and there’s always wine but that’s something that’s non negotiable for this wino.
So, without further ado, my I present a litany of fun green & healthy products that I was given to try out and review – you’ll dig them, I think!
Beauty Counter Travel Pouch – shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand cream and a sample SPF 30 sunscreen, all wrapped up in a cute Beautycounter pouch.
LOOVED these products – I was going to save them for my trip to Thailand but I couldn’t resist taking them on my mini trips. All the products did well in different water types (yup, my hair acts differently depending on water softness).
Here’s another thing I loved about Beauty Counter as a company – they have a SAFETY MISSION – if you are at all curious about switching to greener products, their website will convince you – check out some random facts:
The United States has not passed a major federal law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938.
Seriously?! Scary AF – here’s another rando fact:
There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today. Many don’t have any safety data. This is particularly true of those used in the skin care and beauty industry.
That fact alone should spur you to using products from company’s such as BeautyCounter – plus I like the fact that they do have a consultant direct sales program that’s pretty kickasserole. Next up: Style Sea Salt Spray because the title sounds awesome!
Cleanse Product
Flor-Essence – oh, this product showed up at JUST the right time. I had just returned from a trip to San Jose where I was filming the pilot for my new show “Getting Tasted” which involved copious amounts of wine & food intake. So a mild cleanse was in order. Flora has really put together an amazingly simple & effective product trio. I felt MUCH better & refreshed – definitely had to drink tons of water during the process and it was worth it!
Yogurt
Organic Valley Yogurt – grassfed cows, great taste, super creamy – what else do you need? I’m a big fan of Organic Valley – usually I just buy their 1/2 and 1/2 but I’ve converted over to buying their yogurt too. I love their business credo too – they are the “uncorporation” – boy do we need more of those !
Health & Wellness
Boiron – Luckily I have not had to use the Boiron USA Cold & Flu Survival Kit but I bring it with me on my travels. I gave the children’s products to my boyfriend for his kids and it worked great (the kids are 6 & 7 which means they constantly exist in germ factories). I love this alternative medicine and have for a long time. Just hoping I don’t need to use it anytime soon! Boiron was my first introduction to homeopathic medicine years ago (yup, they’ve been around that long) – great to see they are still consistent in their quality & production!
Essential Oils
Plant Therapy – ahhh, I’m a sucker for essential oils so trying a new brand was a fun adventure (yes, i mean that). I loved the Organic Essential Oils Set in the wooden carrying box. The Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint set is one of their most popular sets and I can see why – Lavender – mmhmm, i rub it on my feet and calm my happy self down! Peppermint – my favorite thing to throw a couple of drops in water. Lemon Essential Oil has amazing antibacterial and antifungal properties so taking this little bottle around for travel is great for new environments.
Air Freshener
Freshwave – My opinion is that air fresheners are the last bastion of sneaky chemical substances that the general public thinks is not harmful. (insert buzzer noise here for wrong answer). Which is why I was totally digging Fresh Wave – pets, food smells & mildewed laundry are my biggest icky smell pet peeves so when I tried out the Fresh Wave Order Removing Spray (in a handle travel size), the Odor Removing Gel (in a convenient jar that my boyfriend set right next to the cat box) and the Laundry Booster, I was one happy girl. All three did great on odors – like permanently, not like “oh, I still smell something but it just smells flowery or chemical-y but still stinky”
Laundry Soap & Dryer Ball
Molly’s Suds really opened my eyes to the dangers of traditional laundry products. I met the company Founder, Monica Leonard, at the very first Shiftcon Conference was was blown away by her story – she created Molly’s Suds after the loss of her daughter in 2005 – you can read all about it here (and I hope you do)
In the United States alone 80,000 chemicals were approved for use by the TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) and yet only 200 of the toxins were tested for human safety.
As consumers, we think about what we eat, but not about what we allow to touch our skin and how the ingredients can and do leach into our bloodstream! For example, detergent ingredients like ionic surfactants, are the most persistent in the environment and change the sex of our fish and Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE’s), which have been banned in Canada and Europe, imitate the hormone estrogen in our bodies which effect our health and fetal development. These chemicals are found in our drinking water because they are not completely biodegradable.
If that doesn’t scare you into buying non toxic/environmentally friendly laundry soap, I don’t know what will! AND the dryer ball actually helps save on energy because it beats your clothes into dryer faster (in a gentle non damaging way, so not to worry that your clothes will look physically abused.
Organic Tea
Pukka Love Tea – Well, I’ll admit, I didn’t get to try the tea because I gave it as a gift! But the feedback from the gift receiver was fantastic – light and fragrant and a delightful taste. Plus the box looks so amazing on her counter! Check out all the different teas and box designs – you won’t want to keep them hidden in your cabinet!
Face Products
Goddess Garden Under the Sun & Day Undone Serums – I live in a very dry state where it’s sunny approx. 340 days out of the year PLUS I travel quite a bit so my skin is beset upon by all types of conditions. Both were incredibly nourishing and I loved the other products I used in conjunction (Face The Day Sunscreen and Firming Primer). The serums may feel a bit oily but I loved them for my dry over 50 skin.
Supplements
Megafood multivitamins and nutrient booster powders are made with real, farm fresh foods that help you mind that gap and get on to your best (and baddest) self. (ummm, hello, that’s what I want!) And my bearded dragon, Morticia, is cheering me on.
- Multi for Women 40+ (that’s me!)
- Balanced B Complex
- Turmeric Strength Nutrient Booster Powder
- Daily Purify Nutrient Booster Powder
- Daily Maca Plus for Women Nutrient Booster Powder
Oh and the boyfriend is on the Multi for Men 40+ (but he’s just barely 40 plus, for the record) This also means he can now keep up with me. 
I really do love all of these products. MegaFood has a TON of different varieties for all lifestyle types, ages & health issues. This combination has been perfect for me as the powders address different times of day/month (post work out, periods, etc) and the vitamins are a solid base for my sometimes stressful lifestyle!
Green Living – give it a try!
There are a plethora of companies out there claiming to be green, sustainable, & good for you. These are just a few of the companies that really mean it! Give them a try and see if they are a fit for you….
And, here is comes, the FTC Disclaimer:
All products featured in this post were given to me at no cost to test. All opinions are MINE.