Swap it Out Sunday- Goodbye M.A.C Lipsticks by theorganicbunny on March 29, 2015April 9, 2019 Every glam girl has loved M.A.C. cosmetics at one point or another, however, I am happy to say that I have tossed out all of my M.A.C. items after learning about how unsafe they really are. Every Sunday I do “Swap it out Sunday” where I let you know the toxic reality of some of my favorite old products, encouraging you to dump them for safer options that perform just as well! Today’s Swap it Out is for M.A.C. lipsticks. Many M.A.C. lipsticks score the worst possible on the Think Dirty app because they contain class 3 carcinogens like Red 33 Lake. This is what gives their lipsticks their vibrant colors, but in return, it can be damaging to our health, especially when used on lips that lead to accidental consumption and absorption. Why sacrifice your health when there are awesome lipstick colors out there that are much safer, and that still perform just as well? One of my favorite lines to use for fun, safe colors is Nudus. Nudus lipsticks are certified organic from Australia with a wide variety of colors to choose from, made mostly from flowers, fruits, and vegetables! Read More
The Secret Table Event in San Diego by theorganicbunny on March 27, 2015 Two years ago I attended the very first Secret Table event here in San Diego and had a blast, which is why I am super excited to be attending this years event on April 4th! I figured this event fits in perfectly with this site, so I wanted to share it here in case anyone local to San Diego would like to attend. The Secret Table is basically a huge organic dinner party/ mixer, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy organic food and drinks and mingle with like minded individuals, all while supporting local non-profit organizations. This event isn’t advertised too much as the Secret Table prefers to keep a genuine crowd, appealing mostly to San Diego change makers, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, visionaries, food and sustainability experts, science and business leaders, and other individuals working to make our community a more vibrant and prosperous place. The name Secret Table comes from the concept of the location being kept a secret until the day of the event, so all I know right now is that this year’s event will be at a private location in Ranch Santa Fe, however the photos of the venue look beautiful. Read More
joeSCRUB Organic Coffee Body Scrub by theorganicbunny on March 25, 2015April 9, 2019 I love coffee, the smell, the taste, which is why I was super excited to try out this 100% natural coffee scrub by joeSCRUB. Made from organic coffee grinds, organic cacao, sea salt and various other skin soothing ingredients, this is one safe, delicious smelling scrub all coffee lovers must try out! This scrub is awesome for a variety of things, you can use joeSCRUB for: Diminishing the appearance of cellulite Reducing fine lines and wrinkles Treating acne Alleviating eczema & psoriasis Fading scars Exfoliating off dead skin Improving skin hydration Protecting against free radicals Read More
Naturigin Hair Color Review by theorganicbunny on March 23, 2015June 8, 2024 Did you know that conventional hair dyes contain damaging chemicals like ammonia, parabens, SLS and other harsh ingredients that wreak total havoc on your overall health and hair? It’s pretty much common sense to know that hair dyes aren’t the best for your hair, however, girls around the world, myself included, continue to turn a blind eye when it comes to this process. I never really knew exactly how bad this process was, but after researching it bit more, I discovered a few things you never want to expose your hair to. Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Dye- Ammonia– This is one of the worst offenders in the beauty industry. Ammonia is added to hair color to force open the hair’s cuticle to deposit color, however, this can severely damage the cuticle creating dry, damaged hair. Ammonia is also highly toxic when inhaled, putting you and your stylist at risk. Parabens– As we all know by now, parabens are the enemy. Found in just about every type of beauty product these days, hair dye is no exception. You never want to use products with parabens, as they are continuously being found in breast cancer tumors. SLS– This stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and it can be found in the majority of all hair care products today. Many researchers do believe there is a link between SLS and cancer, on top of it being known to cause major skin irritations, hormone imbalances, corrosion of the skin and allergies. There are many products labeled as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ that still contain sulfates so you do want to double check for these before you buy. Read More
Aleavia Skin Care Review by theorganicbunny on March 18, 2015April 9, 2019 For as long as I can remember I have had problems finding a shampoo that did not leave my scalp itchy and irritated. I always thought that it was something I was eating, but after reading more about what is in my beauty products, I realized that it was definitely an ingredient in my shampoo that was causing my irritation. Because I love/want/need a good lathering shampoo, I was sad to learn that what allows my favorite Acure Organics shampoo to lather, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, actually could be the cause of my scalp irritation. While the Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate in Acure Organics shampoo is naturally derived from coconuts, because of the high amounts, it can pose a threat to those with a sensitive scalp. The risks associated with this ingredient are low, the only issue really being that it is a detergent that can irritate sensitive scalps causing scalp psoriasis or eczema. If you do have a sensitive scalp, check your shampoo for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, as either could be the cause of your irritation. So now that we are all having to ditch all our old shampoos, what should we use instead? Well, for a while I didn’t have a solution. I would simply use less of the shampoo on my scalp and hope for the best, which never worked. And then it happened, I came across an organic line called Aleavia which claimed to be 100% organic, prebiotic and known for it’s amazing ability to clear up acne, rosacea, eczema, dry skin and psoriasis, all while helping balance your skin’s PH level. Read More
Dairy Free Vanilla Cashew Ice Cream by theorganicbunny on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015 If there is one thing I can not live without, it’s ice cream. I love ice cream! However, my body hates ice cream and every single time I eat it, I end up with a stomach ache and major regret. Traditional ice creams are packed full of hormones, gums, stabilizers and other nasty ingredients, which is why I always end up with bad skin, stomach aches, and eczema anytime I consume dairy or other store bought milks. {Organic almond milk is no exception here! The store bought brands of organic nut milks also have gums in them so beware!} So, what’s a girl to do that loves dessert but ends up sick after eating it? Make a new, healthier way of course! I came across this Dairy Free Vanilla Cashew Ice Cream on Pinterest and just knew I had to try it out. Not only is this recipe so simple, it is so delicious, better than regular ice cream in my paleo personal opinion. Read More
Paleo Garlic Mashed Cauliflower by theorganicbunny on March 17, 2015March 17, 2015 I recently got a Vitamix, so I guess you can say I’ve been going crazy on Pinterest recipes. First of all, for anyone who says a Vitamix isn’t worth the money, I strongly disagree! I am obsessed with mine and can’t believe I ever lived without it. I know they are pricey {$528.00}, however if you think about how much you can do with it, it’s totally worth it. With that being said, I had to share tonight’s Pinterest creation- Paleo Garlic Mashed Cauliflower. If you already eat Paleo, then this idea is nothing new, but this was my first time making it and it was so delicious and so easy, I had to pass on the tip. Read More
How to Make Nut Milk at Home by theorganicbunny on March 15, 2015April 16, 2015 When it comes to dairy, you always want to buy organic or make it at home yourself. I am currently half way through my Food Babe way book and I’m learning more and more about exactly why conventional milk is terrible for us. Did you know that non-organic dairy is polluted with genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH)? This drug increases a cow’s milk production by over 10%, but in return, increases our risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Unless your milk is clearly marked “organic” or “rBGH Free” it probably contains this hormone. Because this additive is so harmful, the cows udders become inflamed which then requires even more antibiotics be given. This, as you can imagine, is bad news for us, as these hormones and antibiotics stay in the cow’s milk that is then placed into the grocery stores we shop at. Because I refuse to drink dairy, or even store bought nut milk (because of its carrageenan or gums), the only way I drink milk is to make it myself. Here are some of the other disturbing ingredients that cause me to further avoid store bought milk. Bad Ingredients in Store Bought Nut Milk- Carrageenan– This ingredient is derived from seaweed so at first it sounds safe, however, Carrageenan is an inflammatory agent that could be to blame for your bloated tummy. Ever get a stomach ache after eating ice cream, dairy or almond milks? Probably this to blame. With links to gastrointestinal problems and colon cancer, Carrageenan should always be avoided, but be warned- it’s in everything. Yogurts, cream cheese, whipped cream, deli meats and more, this is one tough ingredient to avoid so be sure to check your labels! Xanthan Gum– Xanthan gum is a largely indigestible polysaccharide that is produced by bacteria called Xanthomonas Camestris. A bacteria? Gross. It’s no wonder that this ingredient has serious links to unwelcomed bathroom issues. One study had volunteers consume 15g of xanthan gum per day for 10 days, in which they found xanthan gum to be a “highly efficient laxative,” and subjects experienced greater stool output and gas. Guar Gum– Not considered a carcinogen, but studies do show Guar Gum causes an increased risk of gastrointestinal issues and abdominal discomfort. Many also have an allergy to this, causing them to break out in a rash or experience an extremely flaky scalp. Gellan Gum– This gum is very similar to Xanthan Gum, as it also produced by bacterial fermentation. Many complain of the same stomach aches and pains after consuming this, and when it was fed to rats it resulted in abnormalities in their intestinal microvilli. So, now that you’re hopefully ready to kick store bought milks goodbye, here is how I make my own instead. It is more work than just picking one out at the store, but if it can heal your dry scalp, eczema, rashes, acne, and bathroom issues, I would say it’s worth the extra work if you asked me. Read More
How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally by theorganicbunny on March 14, 2015April 9, 2019 With Easter less than a month away, I thought that dying Easter Eggs naturally could be a fun little project for you and the family to try out one weekend. Not only did these eggs turn out adorable, but there were also no harsh dyes involved, ensuring the whole family stays safe. These eggs were colored with mostly all fruits and vegetables, how cool is that? How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally Every colored egg has its own specific concoction so, check out this list below and dye according to your color preference! Bluish- Gray: Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries. Blue: Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon. Jade Green: Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar. Read More
Puracy All Natural Cleaning Products Review by theorganicbunny on March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for safer products to use for your family, and because I have spent so much time cleaning up my eating, as well as my beauty routines, I have now started to clean up my home cleaning products as well. As you know, the products we use each day to clean our homes are made up of very harsh and toxic chemicals. At first I did not think this was a big deal because I am not eating them or putting them directly onto my skin, but the more I researched, the more I realized these harsh chemicals should also be replaced with safer items. What Are the Risks of Conventional Cleaning Products? Not only can the cleaning products we use be inhaled in, they also can absorb into the skin if we are not careful. For people with little ones around this can especially be concerning because if there is any cleaning residue left on tables or counters, this can easily be touched and entered into your child’s skin or mouth. Rubber gloves do prevent these products from entering your skin, but that still does not reduce the risk of chemical inhalation or touching the toxic surface at a later time. Other toxic products like laundry detergents and fabric softeners can also put us at risk for skin irritations, allergies and eczema, as the harsh chemicals saturate our clothing items which are then placed directly onto our skin where they remain for long periods of time. Conventional laundry products also contain parabens, dyes, petrochemicals and formaldehyde releasing agents which are considered stage 1 carcinogens. Read More
