Just Label It – I Dare You!

Do labels really matter?  To date there are over 80,000 different unregulated chemicals in the US that are being put in our food, lotions, shampoos, laundry detergent and more.  The list is never ending, so I ask you again do labels really matter?  It’s important that you know what you are putting in your body as well as on your body.  As a rule of thumb I always read the labels to know what I’m giving to my family.  Reading the labels has never been more important than it is today.  Most companies figure if they can slap a label on their products they are in the clear.  What do all of these labels mean?  We want to help you cut through the clutter.  We’ve done the homework to find out what some of the top certifications are and what they truly mean.  Here is some insight into the most commonly trusted labels:

 

Certified USDA Organic: The USDA certification is one of the most popular seals.  This seal ensures that the entire product contains 95% or more of certified organic contents.  What that means is there is an enforced commitment from start to finish to make sure the product being produced is clean.  No usage of GMOs, no hormones or antibiotics, better soil quality and reduced exposure to synthetic pesticides.

Gluten Free Certified: The GFCO (Gluten-Free Certification Organization) is the top gluten-free certification in the world.  The GFCO stand for independent verification of quality, integrity and purity of products meeting the strict gluten-free standards.

Vegan Certified: The “Certified Vegan” logo is one of the easiest to recognize.  The Vegan Action trademarked logo stands for products that don’t contain animal products or byproducts.  They also ensure that the products have not been tested on animals.

Non-GMO Project Verified: The Non-GMO project uses best practices for GMO avoidance.  They focus on ongoing testing and reviews of potential at-risk ingredients, ingredient integrity and annual manufacturing facility audits and onsite inspections.

Certified B Corporation: One of the most prestigious certifications awarded to only the most outstanding companies that use the power of business to solve environmental and social problems.  These companies also work to meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

Kosher Certified: Kosher certification is a process by which a company ensures their food is fit for consumption by observant Jews who practice a religious dietary protocol rooted in biblical tradition.

LEED Certified: LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices to ensure a green building and a healthy work environment.

 

In short certifications matter; some companies are really trying to do the right thing.  If you see any of the above seals on products you can trust what you are buying.  As a mother and a wife it’s never been more important to me to do my homework and educate myself about what I’m giving to my family.  Next time you’re shopping look at the back of the label, see if you know what some of the ingredients are.  You’re a rockstar if you know 50% of what’s in there.  A good rule to follow is the longer the list of ingredients the more toxic, look for products that have a short list, the smaller the list the better.  If you have any other tips leave them below, we’d love to hear them.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest.  Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skincare Chic: Beautiful Skin Year Round!

It’s hard to believe September is almost here! I’m sitting here wondering where my summer went. Most kids are back in school now and the fall is quickly approaching us. The fall is actually one of my favorite seasons of the year. I can start wearing boots and sweaters which I absolutely love. There are so many things to love about the fall including Thanksgiving, pumpkin flavored everything, and all the yummy food! The one thing I hate about the weather changing and getting colder is the effect it has on my skin. I find that during the colder months like most people my skin tends to dry out a lot faster.

Over the years I’ve educated myself on skincare and the importance of taking great care of the skin we’re in. After all it’s the only skin we’ll ever have so we better take care of it. If you didn’t already know (which I’m sure you did) your skin is the body’s largest organ. Your skin absorbs a whopping 60% of whatever you put on it, which is why Greenplicity products are made from food grade ingredients. Your skin is eating whatever you put on it; so if you can’t put it in your mouth you shouldn’t be putting it on your skin either. One of my favorite mantras in reference to my skin is “Be good to it and it will be good to you”.

In honor of this mantra and prepping for the cooler temperatures I want to share a couple of my favorite skin care recipes to keep your skin looking great all year long. You’ll find that all the ingredients used are food grade and probably already in your refrigerator/pantry. Make sure you keep these recipes handy because you may need them sooner than later.

Coco-Superfruit Mask (Helps to nourish, soothe and repair skin cells)

• 1 Strawberry
• 2 Blueberries
• 1 Raspberry
• ½ teaspoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon coconut flour

What you will need: small mixing bowl and a fork

Place the berries in the bowl and mash with the fork. Stir in the honey. Add the coconut flour a little at a time, stirring until you have a thin, spreadable paste. **Note coconut flour is highly absorbent, start with a teaspoon and add more as needed, up to 3 teaspoons. Use immediately as this mask does not store well. Spread a thick layer of the mask onto clean skin. Leave the mask on 15-25 minutes then rinse away with warm water.

Citrus Blast Scrub (Awakens the senses and boosts the skins elasticity!)

• Zest of ½ lemon
• Zest of ½ lime
• Zest of ½ orange
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange juice
• 1 cup sea salt
• ¼ cup grapeseed oil

What you will need: grater, cutting board, knife, mixing bowl, measuring cups, and jar with lid to fit 11oz of scrub.

Wash your fruit thoroughly. Leave the fruit whole while removing the zest. Place the zest and juices into a bowl. Add the sea salt and grapeseed oil and blend the ingredients together with a fork until you have a uniform consistency. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Use the scrub in place of soap or body wash. Massage in small circles all over starting at the legs and working your way up the body. When finished rinse well.

Now that I’ve shared please share with us. Go to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/greenplicity) and let us know what you think! Post pics of your finished products and tell us how the mask and scrub turn out. As always if you know someone that could benefit from these skin care recipes please pass them along. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest to keep up on all the latest!

**Recipes are compliments of Jessica Ress author of 100 Organic Skincare Recipes**