Forget Fluoride

Hello everyone! It's been about 3 weeks since my last post. Over the last two weeks we were enjoying sunny, warm weather in San Antonio, TX and I couldn't bring myself to stay indoors long enough to write. This idea for a post, truth be told, has sat in "Draft" status for some time. But the topic of oral fluoride and its uses in water, toothpaste and other products was too important not to at least write the title and hit "save." And now back in WA, I can certainly find some cozy indoor time to finish it. So here goes...

I want to start by acknowledging and recommending to you all my favorite toothpaste. No, it's not Tom's (some contain questionable ingredients). It's by Jason, a great non-toxic brand of personal care products, including--and in my opinion, most notably--toothpastes and mouthwashes. My favorite of their toothpastes is Powersmile Whitening Toothpaste in Powerful Peppermint, which contains no harsh chemicals or abrasives and still leaves my mouth feeling fresh and my teeth white. I love the flavor, and I love the effects. This toothpaste does the job that any of your ordinary brands does, but it doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulfate (a harsh, chemical detergent), propylene glycol (basically antifreeze) or fluoride (a toxic waste). You may already know that the first two ingredients are questionable and the first is particularly under fire lately, but did you know that fluoride is considered by the EPA to be a "toxic waste"? But wait...fluoride? YES.

Homemade, HEAVENLY tortillas!

I have to tell you about the most fabulous, delicious, warm and satisfying tortillas that we made from scratch for the first time last month. I was always bothered by the list of icky ingredients in many store-bought tortilla brands and would have to search long and hard for quality organic brands that had great taste. It wasn't always easy. As Texans, we are serious about our tortillas, and I had savored the deliciousness of homemade tortillas in the past. I knew we could do it too. So last month Aaron went online and searched for a flour tortilla recipe to complete his famous egg, black bean and chorizo breakfast tacos. Let me tell you, it was worlds different to have those tacos with fresh, hot, homemade tortillas. A transcendent experience. One we have repeated several times since then for ourselves and our guests. And everyone loves them!

Quick, Hide!

I am excited to publicly herald my favorite concealer! It's from Origins, one of my preferred cosmetics and personal care companies. The concealer is called Quick, Hide! Long-wearing concealer.

Who's Your ND?

Hello everyone and a GREAT BIG HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all you wonderful gals!

It's been a couple of weeks since I wrote, but I had good reason. 2 weeks ago I got the shingles, and then last week my baby girl Noëlle got the chickenpox. What? Yep, you read it right. Nightmare. I am a healthy 30-year-old without any chronic illness. My immune system is top-notch and I rarely get sick. In fact I don't remember the last time I had the flu or a cold, and I live, as you well know by now (wink), a healthy lifestyle of mostly organic eating, time in nature/country living, lots of exercise, no smoking/drug use, and very little alcohol except a glass of wine or two. So what's the deal?