SUMMER = SUN. 
Hopefully you know by now that the the sun isn't "bad." Too much sun (aka: sunburn or blisters is not good). Chemical sunscreen is WAY WORSE. There is so much FEAR around being in the sun. We need sun for health and to produce Vitamin D, however, most people guts are so sick they can't make Vitamin D no matter how much sun they get. Read this blog about what people DON'T KNOW about Vitamin D Deficiency. Now hear me out... if you're going to be in the sun long enough to burn, you need a pure, natural sunscreen. Exercise discernment and use your brain. The point is, you need to check your products because a lot of what is claiming to be "natural" is junk & very harmful to your health, liver, skin, hormones, immune system, etc. MOST SUNSCREENS are doing way more harm than good. On the EWG - Skin Deep Website, you can look up your products to see how they rate and what's REALLY in them. 

If we are eating AND PROPERLY ASSIMILATING healthy fats (Gall Bladder 101) and have a healthy gut and liver, we can stay in the sun much longer without burning. We can then utilize the sun to make more Vitamin D and hold onto our summer tan longer!! We NEED good fats in our diet (coconut oil, grass-fed butter, avocados, organic virgin olive oil, raw nuts/ seeds, etc) for natural sun protection, to produce hormones, to stabilize blood sugars, to increase metabolism, to fight infection, to keep our immune system strong, and to fight inflammation overall. If you have/had Candida overgrowth, allergies, auto-immune disease, bloating/belching/heartburn, or constipation/diarrhea, etc your liver/gall bladder likely isn't working well, which means you COULD BE eating lots of good fats already but your body may not be able to use/digest them properly. 

>>> HEALTHY FATS DO NOT MAKE YOU FAT  <<< 

So EAT your sunscreen from now on. Get your gut healthy and you'll notice you can tolerate the sun, people, food, stress, and life in general much better ;)

And for those long play or work days in the sun, find a GOOD, CLEAN sunscreen that isn't causing further internal damage. Here's what I use. They have a few different options. 

When you DO burn by accident, here are some options that ACTUALLY WORK:

1. spritz or wipe skin with RAW apple cider vinegar (can soak a washcloth if necessary for bad burns of any sort).  (Optional; stinky but it really helps with bad burns). 

2. Apply Nature's Sunshine's Silver Shield Rescue Gel either alone or add to the following recipe (#4). 
*This stuff is amazing for any burn, cut, wound, fever blister, sty or other topical wound/infection! 

3. Nature's Sunshine's Aloe Vera Gel  (+ Lavendar and/or Peppermint Essential Oil)
*You can add the Silver Shield Rescue Gel (equal parts silver & Aloe) to have a pre-made, smell-good, feel-good, REALLY GOOD "Natural After-Sun Care Gel". It will help prevent peeling, blistering & pain. You can essentially savor your "excess sun" and turn it into a tan! :) 



Summer = Bugs.
I hate reading long blogs when I really just want recipes. SO, here you go:

1. HONEST CO. BUG SPRAY safe, non-toxic bug spray.
I found this 2-pack at our local Costco in San Juan Capistrano, CA. 

2. BUG REPELLANT LOTION  (If you're a DIY-er)

1 Tbsp Nature's Sunshine UNSCENTED Hand & Body Lotion
4 drops PURITY Essential Oil Blend
3 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
1 drop Lemongrass Essential Oil

3. Got a tick?
Don't touch it! Put 1 drop Peppermint essential oil directly onto the tick. It will back itself out in about 20 seconds! And then you have all the antibiotic and antimicrobial properties of the peppermint oil going directly into the tick bite to help prevent infection or irritation! Thank you LORD. 


I use Nature's Sunshine Products for everything because of their quality, purity, integrity & variety. EVERY product is far beyond ORGANIC standard. I can get pretty much everything I need (supplements, herbs, lotion, essential oils, flower remedies, cleanses, kids stuff, cleaning stuff, etc all in 1 place...at wholesale cost... get 30% commission on what I buy for myself AND 25% back in Rewards points (1 point = $1) because I use their Sunshine Rewards Program! I've been using them since 2008 and have never found any company that meets all these needs ;) All the photos above are Nature's Sunshine Products I carry through my ONLINE STORE.

Read more about the company & benefits of having an account here. 

Genesis 1:3-5 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

We are all surrounded by incredibly toxic chemicals every day that poison our liver, disrupt our hormones, keep us sick and inflamed, irritate our skin and lungs, mess with our brain and nervous systems, and affect thousands of daily functions in our bodies. Yes, the foods we eat and the products we use all affect us in some way. If you could see what I see working with patients every week, you could never doubt the reality of the damage these things are doing. Moreover, if you or anyone you know has a lot of symptoms no one can figure out OR is sensitive to a lot of food, medicine, vaccines, chemicals, textures, sounds, light, etc they need to read my blog on MTHF-R Gene Mutation. I would advise anyone with (a family member who has) Autism or Spectrum Disorders, any Auto-Immune Disease or Inflammatory (Bowel) Disease to read it, as well. There are simple, affordable alternatives to the harsh chemicals and beauty products we are using that make a HUGE difference in our family's health.

Changing your products over is one piece of the puzzle. There's no need to panic. You don't have to do it all at once. Just make a point to be proactive about this. You can start by seeing how your own products rank on the Skin Deep EWG website or app. It is very eye opeing and you can see exactly what's in your products and the damage each ingredient causes (ie: carcinogenic, hormone disruptor, etc).

I have tried and researched A LOT of products over the years. Many "natural products" don't work so great...but I've found my or created my favorites. I am determined to keep my home & body "green"...so I don't give up easily if I don't find what I'm looking for right away.

Here is a (growing) list of what I use:

Make-up & Skin Care; Hair & Sunscreen:
BeautyCounter - I was first introduced to this line in 2014. I use BeautyCounter for my hair care, skin care, make-up & sunscreen (best sunscreen I've found to date - smells good, feels good, non-toxic & IT WORKS!)

*Check out "The NEVER LIST" of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals that they never use as ingredients in their products. This includes the over 1,400 chemicals banned or restricted in personal care products by the European Union, plus additional chemicals screened by Beautycounter and found to be of concern.

**I also use:
Acure Organics Brightening (Seaweed) Face Scrub
Trader Joe's Tea Tree Bar Soap or Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash occasionally for my body. 

Anti-aging Face Serum & Stretchmark (Prevention/Treatment) Serum: 
​I make my own. Here's the recipe  

I used to use this as a day or night time moisturizer, skin treatment (face, chest, shoulders, back of hands - anywhere that's exposed to sun a lot) and during pregnancy on my breasts, belly, bottom & lower back. I rotate between this product & my BeautyCounter Moisturizers for my face. When my skin feels moist I don't use this during the day if I'm going to be wearing make-up as it's a little too oily for MY skin to use under liquid foundation. I still use it on my neck, chest, shoulders and at night quite often. It has healed almost ALL of my sun damage, discoloration, and uneven skin tone. When I use this I do not use any eye cream. This is my 1-step product.

I got a facial in December 2016 and the girl asked what I used because she was surprise I didn't have more sun damage at age 37. When I've had facials in the past (which isn't very often), they always scolded me and pointed out how damaged my skin was, telling me I really need to wear more sunscreen & get facials more often (even estheticians aren't the "experts" in skin. (Healthy skin is a WHOLE BODY approach. And most sunscreen does more damage than good) That was also before my gut had healed ;) All of it plays a role just to be clear. 

Body Scrub:
I make my own Salt Scrub. Here's my recipe

Body Butter:
I make my own. Here's my recipe 
*I've made many versions of this recipe for lighter/heavier cream, etc

Lotion:
Nature's Sunshine Hand & Body Lotion  (available through my ONLINE STORE; I use this when I want hand cream or lotion instead of body butter & when I wear "white" so my clothes don't get greasy and stained)

*Sometimes I scent my body butter or lotion with Nature's Sunshine Essential Oils - do not use citrus oils in your lotions or skin products if you will be going in the sun; They will make you photosensitive (burn easily). I LOVE the CORE Balancing Blend or just plain Peppermint Essential Oil for a minty fresh moisturizer.
**Skip the peppermint oil if you're nursing, as it can reduce milk production

Toothpaste: 
1. I make my own Tooth Polish.
*My teeth have never felt so clean! And it's super easy & inexpensive! My Biologic Dentist approved this re-mineralizing recipe:) Check out my blog on Natural Oral Health & Healing Cavities. I personally do not floss. To this day I've still only had 2 tiny cavities. Diet & Proper Oral Health matter immensely!
**Skip the peppermint oil if you're nursing, as it can reduce milk production

2. I also use Trader Joe's all natural, fluoride-free Fennel, Propolis & Myrrh Toothpaste

Deodrant: 
1. I make my own Homemade "Piperwai" deodrant. It WORKS & smells better better than the original!! 

*You can buy the original Piperwai at Piperwai.com

2. When I'm too lazy to make my own, I use Schmidtz brand. It's a little "scratchy" but works well.

All-Purpose Cleaner:
1. ESSENTIAL SHIELD MULTI-PURPOSE CONCENTRATED CLEANER
*instructions on bottle

2. Nature's Fresh Enzyme Spray

*Both are Nature's Sunshine Products available through my ONLINE STORE

Floor Cleaner:
ESSENTIAL SHIELD MULTI-PURPOSE CONCENTRATED CLEANER
*instructions on bottle

Natural "Bleach":
Regular 3% Drug Store Hydrogen Peroxide: Add 1-2 cups into "bleach reservoir" in washing machine just like chemical bleach (only you need a little more peroxide): Add 1-2 cups into "bleach reservoir" in washing machine just like chemical bleach (only you need a little more peroxide)

Stain Remover:
For whites: Regular 3% Drug Store Hydrogen Peroxide - touch up spots with a Q-tip or mini spray bottle of Peroxide. 

ESSENTIAL SHIELD MULTI-PURPOSE CONCENTRATED CLEANER
*instructions on bottle

Laundry Detergent: (2 options)
1. ESSENTIAL SHIELD MULTI-PURPOSE CONCENTRATED CLEANER
*instructions on bottle
2. Costco has Kirkland Brand HE Organic, Unscented Laundry Detergent: I sometimes add 20-30 drops of Organic Orange Essential Oil (or whatever favorites you like) to the whole jug.
3. Charlie's Soap
4. Go! Organic
5. Arm & Hammer (This has worked great for me for cloth diapering at times)

Fabric Softener: (this is one of THE MOST toxic products in your house!)
1. Wool Balls + 5-10 Drops of your favorite Essential Oils per ball
*store in large mason jar or basket/bin

Some essential oils combos or blends to try:
*all available through my ONLINE STORE
Peppermint + Orange
Lavender + Lemon
Rosemary + Lavender
PURITY Blend
ESSENTIAL SHIELD Blend
INSPIRE Uplifting Blend
RENEW Releasing Blend

2. METHOD Ginger Mango Liquid fabric Softener
3. Mrs. Meyer's Basil Liquid Fabric Softener

Air Freshener:
I use Nature's Sunshine Essential Oils & Nebulizing Diffuser exclusively.
I do not use chemical fragrance candles at all anymore. 


​
I'm still experimenting with new ideas when time permits. I will continue to update this blog as I update my life ;)

NOTE: You can use my ESSENTIAL SHIELD MULTI-PURPOSE CONCENTRATED CLEANER for body wash, shampoo, dish soap, fruit & veggie wash & more!

I've used Nature's Sunshine Products for over a decade. They have NEARLY EVERYTHING I need except beauty products. I can get herbs/supplements, protein powders, essential oils, flower essences, kids products and cleaning products (and more) from 1 place knowing they are 100% pure in quality, very potent, AND the products work! You can order as much or little as you like, whenever you want. I love that no one is forced to do auto-ship. However, I personally utilize their SUNSHINE REWARDS AUTO-SHIP PROGRAM because it is such a great deal and I would be spending the money on these products anyway...

I've been on NSP's Sunshine Rewards Auto-ship Program for several years, which gives me 25% rewards points on every dollar I spend (1 point = 1 dollar) + FREE SHIPPING. You simply have to commit to an order of $100+/month (for at least 3 months) and in return you get all these perks from a company that has over 600 amazing, pure & potent products to offer! So the more I buy in 1 place, the more FREE PRODUCTS (of my choice) I earn. The 1st 3 months on auto-ship you get 10% back. Then 15% back in months 4-6, then 20% back months 7-9...and then they give you 25% ($25) back on every $100 you spend after 9 months of auto-ship and ongoing! If you need several things for your family & don't mind being on a $100/mo or more auto-ship, it's the best way to get the most bang for your buck! You can change your shipping date each month as well as the content of your order.