Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is not Your Friend

A quick note to my dear readers. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is NOT your friend.

Never heard of it? You are better acquainted than you realize. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is found in almost all personal care products that foam. Think SHAMPOO!!  FOAMING HANDSOAP! TOOTHPASTE!! Etc.

The foam that makes me feel like my shampoo is working or that I'm doing a particularly good job brushing my teeth has a major dark side. The foam in my personal care product is almost always produced with the help of the chemical criminal called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a compond that has links from everything from skin irritation to cancer. Ummm...yikes.

I am speculating here, but if I am washing my hair several times a week, brushing my teeth several times a day and washing my hands sometimes multiple times an hour (I have an infant at home), how much exposure do I have to something that dangerous? A LOT. Of course I'm not saying that this creepy toxin in my personal care items is going to make me sick over night, but the thought of letting 10, 20 or more years pass using the same shampoo or toothpaste suddenly doesn't seem like a good idea.

So what's a mama to do?

Research. Find alternatives. Share the good news.

We make the market. If we don't buy it, they won't sell it.

Read your labels. And put the crap back on the shelf. Our husbands and our kids deserve better.

WE deserve better.

It irritates me beyond all telling that we are constantly being sold products that do more harm than good, that are loaded with chemicals that harm rather than heal. We are literally paying for poison.

If we spend our money on products and foods that are pure, whole and REAL we can literally change the market for the better.

Here is a link to an interesting article about SLS. I like it because it is honest, not sensationalized or too far "off the deep end." Read it, share it, comment below.

Dr. Mercola & SLS 

Get natural personal care products with NO SLS here: katew.verefina.net

It's worth it. You deserve it.

My Revolution: How the Loss of My Father Changed My Life Forever

In October of 2011 I said goodbye to my father. I remember the night before he died my sister and her infant son arrived from the West Coast. Everyone was at the house to greet them and my father, who had been too weak to speak for at a least month, mutter the words, "YEAH BOY!" when his beloved grandson came into view. That night he was desperately trying to speak to us all; he was down-right chatty. It was devastating though, because he couldn't speak clearly enough or strong enough to be understood.The next morning he was gone.

Cancer is terrible and it took from me the greatest hero I have ever know. I worshiped the ground the Ol' Boy walked on. My father's death rocked me to the core, and as a result I began to take a hard look at how I live, eat, and take care of my body.

In the time since his death I have been on a journey that has proven both challenging, and revolutionary. Revolutionary in the sense that I have had to make hard choices that have radically changed my life and the lives of those closest to me. Namely my husband and daughter. We are working to eat cleaner, spend more time together, spend more time outdoors, slow the pace of our lives down and make changes in everything from the deodorant we wear to what we scrub the toilet with.

I'm discovering that we are surrounded by toxins: chemicals in our food, our clothes, our furniture, our personal care products. No one knows for sure what causes cancer or why certain people struck with it, but the more I learn the more I can't help but think that all these chemicals are not helping in the fight against cancer and other diseases that plague the priceless treasures we call loved ones.

Part of my  personal life revolution included "going natural" when it came to the birth of my daughter. She was born in a birth center, and brought into the world without the assistance of any narcotics or anesthetics. It was beautiful and spiritual and natural. Not just natural, as in "drug free," but natural as in it came naturally. Birthing came naturally. It was after that experience that I was even more certain that I wanted to stay home with her; be with her as much as possible.

As my personal revolution marched on, and I was now a "stay at home mom," I came across a company called Verefina. These fine folks offer ALL NATURAL personal care products that contain NONE of the harsh chemicals and toxins that we find in most all of the items that  line the shelves of our favorite grocery stores. Founded by a young mom on her own revolutionary journey, Verefina was birthed out of Jennifer Lugo's desire to create safe, non-toxic soaps and lotions for her little ones. The company now offers everything from soaps to first aid ointments to essential oils.

Let me tell you something, the stuff is great. I've switched out so many of our "usuals" for Verefina's products I'm pretty sure I've lost track. It feels good. It feels good to make my home a haven, to offer my husband and daughter something pure. It feels good to know that even though I lost my dad, I can help the people who I still have to lead healthier, happier lives.

I'm going all out. I'm going big. As I learn more about natural remedies, essential oils and replacements for toxic household items I will share it with you. In the meantime, I've gotten on board with Verefina as a consultant. If you are interested in making changes for a healthier home, take a look at my webpage below and choose one item to try. You won't regret it.

I have to believe that if my dad was still here he would be proud of the choices I am making for my family. I know that if he could have, he would have made different choices too. I miss him...everyday. It's brutal.  I guess, in a way, I am fueled by the loss, fueled by a desire to make the lives of my family better. To keep them healthy. To give them the best.

To anyone out there who has been thinking about changing your lifestyle and making a move toward more natural and organic living: DO IT. There is no day but today and no time like the present.  

You deserve it.


Visit me at katew.verefina.net or email me at back2naturekate@gmail.com