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Welcome! The fooret invites you to join us in the ceremony of cultivating a healthier and more non toxic life. Not sure where to start? Let's begin by learning a few startling facts, the impacts of toxins on your health, and - finally-  5 simple steps that you can take to start living healthier and more non toxic life. 

When I started to delve into non toxic living and researching toxins that you are regularly exposed to, I was shocked to my core. I had this fundamental belief that everything that was sold in stores was safe for us?? I truly believed that it was all tested and harmful ingredients wouldn’t be allowed on the shelves. Naive, I know. 

1. PFAs (teflon, nonstick pans) have been known carcinogens for DECADES. Yet, you will still find nonstick cookware sold in stores and in peoples homes?! If you have nonstick anything in your kitchen, please stop reading and throw them away. Now. Especially if it is flaking and peeling!! The movie Dark Waters does a good job explaining the history of teflon and PFAs. Prepare to be thoroughly shocked. 
2. Atrazine exposure chemical castrated and feminized genetically male frogs. Yes, you read that correctly. Atrazine, which is one of the most commonly used pesticides and is found in our soil and drinking water, turned male frogs into functional female frogs. It is so bananas that I don’t expect you to believe me so read this research study from the National Library of Medicine for yourself. Then, go check your drinking water using the EWG’s Tap Water Database and maybe buy organic next time you are at the grocery store? 

Toxins cause hormone dysfunction and chronic inflammation - which cause you to feel fatigued, anxious, irritable and can lead to serious health issues including infertility, cancer, autoimmune issues, IBD, insomnia, PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid issues, etc. 

Chronic Inflammation 101 (per the National Library of Medicine):

What is inflammation? Inflammation is part of the body's defense mechanism. It is the process by which the immune system recognizes and removes harmful and foreign stimuli and begins the healing process. Inflammation can be either acute or chronic. Chronic inflammation is also referred to as slow, long-term inflammation lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years. Chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of death in the world. 

Hormone 101 (per Cleveland Clinic):

Hormones are chemical messengers that coordinate different functions in your body. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Hormones control many different processes including metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar regulation, fluid and electrolyte balance, body temperature, growth and development, sexual function, reproduction, sleep cycle, and your mood. Minor changes in hormone levels can cause significant changes to your body and lead to medical conditions. Dozens of medical conditions are caused by hormone issues - including diabetes, thyroid disease, irregular periods, PCOS, infertility, obesity, etc. 

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 101:

The shocking chemicals discussed above (PFAs and Atrazine), are known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are natural or synthetic chemicals that can disrupt the hormone system in many ways – including increasing the production of some hormones, decreasing the production of others and interfering with their signaling. These are harmful chemicals that can act as synthetic hormones and throw your body completely out of whack can be found in food, water and many consumer products. 

EDCs have been shown to cause increased risk of breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, lower fertility, cancer, obesity, immune system problems, asthma and allergies. The list goes on and on…

Common EDCs include pesticides, phthalates, parabens, heavy metals, PFAs, BPA/BPA alternatives, and oxybenzone.

These EDCs won’t be listed in the ingredients list as “phthalates” - that would be too easy lol. Phthalates - which are known to cause uterine fibroids, have negative long-term impacts on the success of pregnancy, child growth and development, and reproductive systems in both young children and adolescents and commonly found in plastics, fragrances, nail polishes, shampoo - could be listed under a slew of names including DBP (dibutyl phthalate), DINP (diisononyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), DMP (dimethyl phthalate), BBP (benzyl butyl phthalate), DNOP (di-n-octyl phthalate), DIDP (diisodecyl phthalate), etc.   

As you can see, auditing ingredient lists and finding non toxic products is not straightforward… It takes time and patience when looking into each ingredient.

AND, do not be fooled by brands who are claiming to be clean or nontoxic. Some are truly non toxic but, oftentimes, there are still EDCs hidden in their ingredients list.  Brands may have some products that truly don’t have any EDCs and other products that DO. Make sure that you are not deeming a brand ‘trustworthy’ after finding one or two clean products from their product offering. 

All of these toxic chemicals bombard and build up in your body leading to hormone imbalances and chronic inflammation. Minimizing your exposure to EDCs will leave you feeling more energized and clear minded. 

The EWG (environmental research group) found that women on average use 12 personal care products a day, exposing themselves to 168 chemicals !! Just from personal care products. Now think about all of the other daily exposures you have from your water, food, food/drink storage, cookware, air quality, etc. 

Our body is bombarded with hundreds of chemicals on a daily basis. These chemicals build up in our body lead to detrimental health effects - chronic inflammation, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, digestive issues, brain fog, hormone imbalances, insomnia, etc. 

Minimizing your exposure to EDCs will leave you feeling more like yourself. 

Disclosure: Of course, none of this is medical advice. I am sharing information and practices that have helped me (or have helped others). Do with it what you wish and consult your doctor.