Summer project: Making a switch to natural ingredients

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. {#CollectiveBias} and its advertiser. All opinions on #FreshNaturally are mine alone.  Like most people, now more than ever I’m paying a whole lot more attention to the brands I purchase for my family. It’s really surprising when you start reading what’s in the things that you buy, and it’s even more surprising when over half of those ingredients are virtually unrecognizable. Making a switch to natural ingredients has been a goal of mine and I’ve recently made a huge effort to make it happen.

While I’ve still got a ways to go before I’m completely done with the transformation, I’ve made some huge progress in ridding my household of items with artificial colors and flavors, unnecessary fragrances, and preservatives. And, it really wasn’t that difficult at all, in fact, it was actually quite fun.

It started with a trip to one of my favorite stores, ever. The Whole Foods near my house is my happy place. Not only do they have one of the best produce selections anywhere, it’s arranged like a work of art. Seriously, just look at this gorgeous produce.
In addition to fresh produce, they also have some awesome specialty departments that carry just about everything I need for house and home. But, my absolute favorite place is the health and beauty aisle. With makeup, lotions, potions, vitamins, and more, they carry all the brands I’ve been researching in my quest to live healthier. Today’s brand I was focusing on for my bathroom cleanse was Tom’s of Maine, a brand recommended to me by my doctor as a great alternative to my old toothpaste, soap, and deodorant companies. I found a great selection of everything I was looking for in terms of varieties, scents, and more without all the yucky stuff I’m looking to avoid. I found some Tom’s of Maine soap, toothpaste, and mouth care for kids and adults as well as the Tom’s of Maine deodorant that I had heard so many great things about. I got a Long Lasting Clean Confidence scented stick for hubby to try and a Long Lasting Unscented stick for myself as well as an Unscented Roll-On style deodorant, all of which are aluminum-free. After I had checked off my health and beauty list, I was only left with the fun stuff: the bakery and deli. You are looking at my favorite treats ever: the Bite Me shortbread cookies. Even thinking about them makes me want one. Right now. Oh, and a slice of pizza from their awesome brick oven pizza counter. I ended up choosing a fresh made cook-at-home pizza instead so it would feed all of us and was really excited. Of course I was thrilled when the cashier told me that every Tuesday is BOGO pizza at our local store and they ran a second pizza out to me while the kiddos played in the Whole Foods kids area. Score! Once I got home, I simply unpacked everything I got so I could replace all my old products with my new finds throughout the house. After putting away the groceries, I started in the laundry room and bathroom, since that is where most of my products with questionable ingredients previously lived.
I replaced my old detergent and fabric softener with Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, found some woolen dryer balls to help speed drying and help me rely less on dryer sheets, and I replaced my dusting spray with a good old fashioned wooden duster. I still don’t really want to clean, but I do get happy every time I go into the laundry room and see my new finds.

Next up was the bathroom, where I needed to update both the kiddos routine and my own.
Tom’s of Maine bar soap replaced my old brand, California Baby replaced the kiddos shampoo and conditioner, and we all are enjoying the Episencial Babytime Bubble Bath and the natural sponges. As for my morning routine, well, that got a makeover too, thanks to Tom’s of Maine.
I will admit that I’ve been stuck in my morning routine for years and years now, and even though it hasn’t really been working for me, I’ve just become a creature of habit. But, after talking to my doctor about using more natural products and finally getting the push I needed, I’m happy I made the switch. I just feel better when I’m using more natural ingredients – especially for products like toothpaste and personal care items like deodorant that are used so frequently and making the switch to Tom’s of Maine has made a huge difference in how I feel about my routine.

Are you like me and looking to make the switch to personal care and home care items that contain more natural ingredients? I’d recommend planning a trip to Whole Foods to find all that you are looking for {and so much more}.