October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
We want to start this post off by expressing our love and unwavering support for ALL of our fellow human beings and the fight against cancer. Anyone who has fought the battle or witnessed a loved one in their fight knows there's nothing rosy about it. Cancer sucks. Period. This one hits very close to home for my family. The bad news? Based on current trends, 1 in 8 women will experience Breast Cancer in her lifetime, one of the most challenging journeys a woman may ever face.
The good news is this: as ground-breaking research continues to be conducted in alternative forums by foundations and research groups who truly have good intentions for humanity, we're beginning to see promising & uplifting news.... as well as very real & tangible ways we can not only treat but prevent cancers of various forms.
New Study: Proactive Prevention of Breast Cancer IS POSSIBLE!
As a brand, we don't appreciate the "doom & gloom" approach of so many in the "non toxic/wellness" space today. These brands are just as toxic as the toxins they shame, using fear tactics to drive behaviors.
What we DO believe in and strive to practice is balance.
We believe in using the ever-growing body of knowledge available to us to take back our power and make better choices for our overall health and well-being.
In that spirit, we wanted to share some INCREDIBLE and uplifting news:
A 2023 study found that reducing your exposure to parabens and phthalates (also referred to as "xenoestrogens") in personal care products can REVERSE cancer-associated changes in breast tissue!
What are Xenoestrogens and how can I avoid them?
Xenoestrogens are chemical compounds that mimic estrogen and interfere with your endocrine / hormonal system.
Avoiding xenoestrogens is straightforward - read the ingredient labels on the products you use on your body, know what you're looking for, and don't use products that contain them!
Xenoestrogens often show up on product labels as:
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Dimethyl phthalate
- Dibutyl phthalate
- Diisononyl phthalate
- Benzyl butyl phthalate
- OR the wonderful umbrella term "FRAGRANCE"... meaning they may not even be specifically mentioned on the ingredient list
[This is not an exhaustive list - you can find a full list with a quick internet search, but this is a great starting point]
What else can I do to avoid carcinogenic ingredients?
Well, we personally wish that instead of displaying a pink ribbon during the month of October and feigning solidarity with the fight against breast cancer, companies would hold themselves accountable and remove these types of ingredients from their products.
But, we know this world is far from perfect, big brands care more about their bottom line than public health, and our health is ultimately safest in OUR hands based on the choices we make.
So, we'd like to empower and challenge you to do to key things:
1. TAKE BACK YOUR POWER WITH KNOWLEDGE
Inform yourself. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the better poised you are to make the best choices for yourselves. Share the information you come across with your friends, family, and loved ones.
Then... and this is the real kicker
2. APPLY WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED
Knowledge is useless without application. Preaching is just empty words without practice. So practice what you preach. One thing at a time, begin to make better choices around the foods you eat, the products you put on your body, what you use in your home, etc.
.... now realize the MASSIVE IMPACT you will have as a Conscious Consumer
I'm convinced that its only when the people take back their power and make changes at a large scale that the system we live in will change... that our food will cease to be tainted and our products will cease to be toxic. Because we know better, we'll demand better, and the companies that serve us will have no option but to change.
Every time you spend your money on a product, you're sending a bigger message about what types of products you're willing to accept in your world - so act like it!
You're the customer. You don't have to settle for garbage.