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Kris Carr

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The Shocking Truth about Toxic Chemicals & Body Burden

Hiya Sweet Friend,

I fell in love with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) when I realized who they’re fighting for you and me.

This organization is doing all the work for us when it comes to understanding how to protect ourselves from the toxins in our world today. And I’m not just talking about our soil, streams and air. These pollutants have made their way into our food, water and personal products.

EWG’s tireless research, reporting and consumer guides take the guesswork out of healthy choices.

So when Heather White, EWG’s Executive Director and Jocelyn Lyle, their Director of Development, signed on to co-host the first Dinner with Kris, I literally dropped to my knees. Hallelujah! These women are wonk-tastic celebrities to me, but in a totally down to earth, generous and accessible way.

Today I’m keeping the EWG love going by Chattin’ & Chewin’ with Heather. I sat down with her a few hours before our fun-filled, live-streaming fiesta and kicked things off by digging into body burden, a topic that every consumer needs to know about starting NOW. Why?

For starters, EWG’s research has uncovered the fact that babies are being born with hundreds of toxic chemicals in their bloodstream.

Want to know how those chemicals are making their way into our bodies? Want to know how to lessen your exposure, up your prevention, and become an educated consumer?

Watch. Your choices matter and they really do add up over time. This information is here to empower you, not to scare you. Heather and I both take a balanced approach to improving our well-being. Slow and steady wins the race.

Let’s vote for a healthier future every time we go to the store to pick up a bottle of shampoo or sunscreen or toothpaste.

We deserve to know the truth about everything we eat, drink and slather on our skin.

Luckily, EWG is here to help us do that, but we also need to get active. As Heather says, “We can’t always shop our way out of our problems.” Start a domino effect of activism by watching this episode and accessing EWG’s phenomenal resources. Sign up for their newsletter to stay current and get notified when new legislation is pending. Our elected officials do listen (believe it or not), but how can they possibly know what’s on our minds if we stay silent. Phone calls and emails go a long way.

Lastly, check out EWG’s updated Skin Deep database. The next time you have a question about your personal care product, look it up! EWG rates hundreds, if not thousands of popular products. You’ll learn just how safe or toxic that favorite tube of lipstick can be.

Peace & activism,

Add a comment
  1. michele says:

    This is such an interesting topic. Thanks for sharing this knowledge Kris. I live in the UK so our regulations on ingredients listing and on what can or cannot be included in women’s body products and in cleaning products are no doubt different – no better I’m sure just different. I’ll be checking out EWG website it sounds like a great information resource but does anyone know whether there is a UK equivalent?

  2. Lauren says:

    I am totally into safer products! I could actually tell the effects on my body. Deodorants would make my armpits go numb (probably the aluminum?), I would get rashes under my eyes when I would wear unsafe mascara and face products, after switching to healthier face products my blemishes went away, and my chapped lips went away when I realized I was allergic to certain ingredients too. Healthy products make your face and body better, not worse!

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  5. Eileen says:

    All of our products have been changed in the last year with help from this website. I was horrified when I made the first change of shampoo, conditioner, and face products to a “all-natural” plant based product line only to find they are all moderately to highly toxic. UGH. That’s been corrected now.

  6. Katie Shneyder-Arwine says:

    Kris, you inspire me everyday! I love you and your unicorn! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

    ** Katie, Arizona, USA

  7. Geni Cavanaugh says:

    Hi Kris!
    Would you ever consider putting out a list of the products you use everyday or would recommend a few choices in each say deoderants, shampoos, cosmatics, toothpastes etc. I really appreciate the info shared.. so much to learn! I started my journey with whole foods/clean life in February and have not looked back but sometimes feel overwhelmed in making the cleaner cosmetic choices as even in health foods stores there are products that contain the bad stuff sometimes. Reading labels IS key!.. thanks!

  8. Brook Lictawa says:

    Hey Kris,

    I just wanted to let you know how excited I am to have stumbled across your site. I’m a fairly new mother and all of this information has been so helpful in starting my son off on the right foot when it comes to being healthy.

    But…aside from that and in regards to this interview…

    I recently became an Arbonne Sales Consultant because of the simple reason that they promise high quality products free of animal products or by-products, parabens, formaldehyde, PABA, Triclosan, Gluten, petroleum-based ingredients, etc. However, I went on the Skin Deep site and found a couple items listed as risky. The others were not on there.

    So, I guess here are my questions, how do we trust what the companies tell us and, if the products we are using are not on the site, how do we know if they are safe or not? In regards to Arbonne, I want to give my clients the truth and help them, not just sell some B.S.

    Thanks! 🙂

  9. Thank you Kris. Great information in a form that is easy to understand and inspires me to take action. I will surely pass along to our patients. Cory-Integrative Medicine Center, Hagerstown, Md

  10. Liz says:

    Of course this is all scary but really is it possible for most people to avoid most to all toxins. After talking about the anti bacterials being unsafe she states that they are in many other things we own in the home. I feel overwhelmed and scared by what is out there. When trying to find products that are safe the list is so long. I just checked out the web site Skin Deep. Is there a way to pin point the things to avoid period to make it easier for me when I do look at the labels?

  11. Liz Belchior says:

    Great information! Thank you! I’ve had EWG’s Skin Deep database saved on my iPhone home screen for a few months now and use it every time I buy a new product. My question is: does anyone know where I can buy AFFORDABLE make up that isn’t as toxic and not online. I’m one of those people who likes to see the colors/products in person. I’m not really a big fan of powdered minerals either. Otherwise, we’ve switched to baking soda and vinegar cleaners, etc. I was recently treated for a recurrence with a rare sarcoma after 5 years in remission. I realized something HAD TO CHANGE. So I changed EVERYTHING! You have been such a great inspiration and a wonderful source of information. Thanks again!!!

  12. Geni Lawrence says:

    What an inspiration! Thank you Kris. Thank you EWG. Yes these are big, urgent questions and thank you for setting things out so clearly. So as for cosmetics, for me the rule is now, I don’t put anything on my skin that I wouldn’t eat! Well, nearly. Coconut oil for example or sesame oil! Great for the skin, great in the plate! And a great Ayurvedic body scrub/massage called “Urdvatana” based on chickpea flour (with a few cloves in there to cleanse and purify and a spoonful of turmeric…) for a very healthy skin gommage. The chickpea flour is granular enough to take off the dead skin cells easily. AND you know you’re not polluting the planet with your beauty products. I’m looking for a really decent shampoo that cleans hair properly. Currently I’m using a nettle shampoo by Logona which is great (organic) but I’d like to make my own from the kitchen. As for perfumes, that’s so easy! Nature has everything we need. Now, in my forties, I still need to detox from all those years of using industrial products. It’s an ongoing thing.

  13. Kris,
    I celebrate you and all that you are doing! My husband is a cancer survivor (26 years!), my Dad has multiple myeloma, and I have chronic Lyme Disease. We appreciate all of the information, and love being Crazy and Sexy followers.
    I want to let you and your readers know of an amazing source of toxic-free personal care and home products that offer an alternative. See the short video at this link, and see the “MowerMission” video to see one of the leaders of this movement and his philosophy. You two should meet!
    See the video at https://www.mysiselpro.com/sd_play/547/1/8yi3pjr
    Blessings to you and your sexy revolution!
    Jean

  14. Oh and Kris, what’s your best tips for toxic free makeup? Mascara, foundation, eye shadows etc. Stuff that’s green and Mother Earth-y, as well as REALLY GOOD?

    Love and thanks!
    Ronja

  15. Awesome stuff ladies! Thank you so much for bringing this to light Kris and Heather. Mmm!!

    So my two cents: I wanna share two tips. Yesterday I went shopping for a new BB cream (because they’re just fantastic) but then I found out that they pretty much ALL contains Oxybenzone – a chemical sunscreen which can cause cancer, hormone disruptions, allergies, low birth weights and more. Yikes! (Crazy with a sunscreen that causes skin cancer, right?)

    Anyway, after hours of googling I found ONE BB cream that doesn’t have Oxybenzone crap. It’s also paraben free 🙂
    It’s called ‘Innisfree ECO Natural Green Tea BB Cream’ and it’s Ecocert certified. Yay!!

    Tip #2: This is what I’ve found is the most powerful detox substance on the planet. Liquid zeolite that removes all toxins, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides etc. I’ve got friend who’ve been cured from cancer, fibromyalgia, asthma and more + my mum who had her alveolitis disappear 🙂
    http://goddess.mytouchstoneessentials.com/pure-body/

    Enjoy! Love xxxx Ronja

  16. Donna says:

    Best quote of the day…”Democracy is not a spectator sport.” Great interview, Kris. Thank you!!

  17. Cheryll says:

    Wonderful to see Heather White of EWG on your show! Finally, a friendly face to put with the name at the bottom of EWG emails that I’ve been getting for a few years now.
    Becoming aware of the toxicity in my personal care products was my “gateway” to greater overall health awareness and improvement. My awakened journey started 12 years ago and continues today with lots of help from EWG (their sunscreen guide is amazingly helpful, which I posted on facebook at the beginning of summer). Thanks Kris and Heather!

  18. Jennifer says:

    Thank you! The Skin Deep database is amazing and such a useful resource. Our skin is the largest organ of the human body and what we put on our body is just as important as what we put into it. As a new mom I am even more grateful for folks like those at EWG for the good work they are doing!
    PS, white vinegar is my best friend when it comes to cleaning, my great grandmother used and it for just about everything! Like her, I add it in the wash and it works as a fabric softener as well as clean windows with it for streak free sparkle-ness! Thanks again Kris XO jh

  19. John Foley says:

    Amazing information Kris that strongly resonates with me. My entire life’s work and purpose has been Environmental Medicine and the precise detection & removal of thousands of toxic metals & chemicals from various organs & tissues in women and children using Bio-Energetic Medicine. Thank you for your dedication and sharing the truth behind every chronic epidemic we are seeing in the 21st century, along with of course nutritional deficiencies, energetic imbalances, radiation exposure, etc. I will certainly share your inspiring work with my patient database. Your passion is contagious. Thank you and Many Blessings!

  20. Kris,

    Thank you so much for sharing this interview with your community! This issue is near and dear to my heart and one that I emphasize in my work with clients (women of childbearing age). There is so much that we can do to feel empowered and EWG is such a great resource to help us.

    What I have found to be so crucial as I share this information with women in my community is to share from a place of love and ease instead of fear and overwhelm, which we already have so much of!

  21. Great discussion on what we can do to minimize our disease risk regarding what’s in our personal environment. I personally have experienced the reality and power of epigenetics in ridding myself of cancer.

  22. Marissa says:

    Thank you, thank you for bringing up this important subject and for introducing us to EWG!

  23. Nancy says:

    I also wonder about what is in the supplements we take. Would EWG consider doing a site, similar to Skin Deep, for additives in supplements?

  24. Vilma Linder says:

    Thank you Kris for all your work!!!!

  25. Jane says:

    Thanks Kris! I love EWG. Their database has changed my life. I consult it before buying any cosmetics … actually they’ve played a huge part in my limited list of products I LOVE, and are safe. It’s an amazing resource.

    Also, hubs and I got Crazy Sexy Diet last weekend and have been enjoying some yummy smoothies and juices this week! Thanks for all the great work you’re doing. You’re making the world a better place!

    🙂 Jane

  26. Kelly Buchanan says:

    Fantastic as usual Kris! I didn’t give a second thought as to what chemicals might be lurking in my everyday cosmetic and beauty products until I started reading and learning more about health and wellness when I hit 30. This is so great that the word is getting out there. My son is 5 and I am already talking to him about the importance of what we put in and on our bodies. Such important stuff! You are truly a gift Kris – keep up the good work! xoxo

  27. Jo says:

    Thank you so much Kris for sharing this! I LOVE everything the EWG is doing to help the consumer find SAFE products!!! I personally use Ava Anderson Non Toxic because of this very issue! She developed her line after being inspired by using the cosmeticsdatabase. I think it would be GREAT if you would interview Ava! Her website is http://www.avaandersonnontoxic.com if you want to check it out! She is helping change the world!! Thanks you again Kris for all you do and share!

  28. Beth Ruggles says:

    It is so nice to hear these lovely, like-minded women talk about this important subject in a refreshing, positive way! As an educator about this issue, I find that this message can scare the pants off many people, especially when hearing it for the first time. EWG’s fact-based data, along with our Crazy Sexy non-toxic guru, make learning about this issue easy. One of the ways in which I share this message is by working for Ava Anderson Non-Toxic. I LOVE this company! Our products are TRULY safe, lots of organic ingredients, affordable, and as a consultant I get the opportunity to educate lots of people at every event. The 18-year-old founder, Ava Anderson, and her mother, Kim, are incredibly dedicated to this issue and to making the best, safest products possible. I ALWAYS recommend that people use the Skin Deep website as a tool to research their own products. Thank you, Kris and Heather!

  29. Christy says:

    Kris, GREAT interview. Thank you! Have you checked out Ava Anderson Non-Toxic’s products? http://www.AvaAndersonNonToxic.com Not only are the ingredients in their products safe, but the products are heavenly…and they work! Ava’s mission is to educate unknowing consumers on the hazards of toxic chemicals in personal care products. She has been to Washington DC to lobby to our representatives on the importance of the Safe Chemicals Act…that is one of many things she is doing to change toxic chemical policy in the US. A true advocate that you would really connect with. You should interview her! 🙂 The teen study that Heather references is the initial study that sparked Ava’s passion. Check it out. She also has a Facebook page.

  30. Doug says:

    Great interview! Prevention is definitely the key! With this important topic, it would be helpful for those interested in lowering their overall toxic burden (including what is on board) and being thoroughly convinced that everyone on this planet will eventually have to face head on their toxic burden.

    A great resource for people to find docs trained in Environmental Medicine: http://drcrinnion.com/doctors-who-have-completed-dr-crinnions-env-med-training/

    All the best!

  31. Ginger says:

    OMG Thank You SO much for making this video…I teach about this daily to friends, family and strangers…such an important issue and so many don’t know about it….I was looking for ‘clean’ products as i was diagnosed with severe asthma 5 years ago and 3 years ago literally within a mile of my house a 14 year old girl was thinking the same thing, but acted on it and created an entire product line of ‘clean’ products! OF COURSE I joined and continue to share what I know with others! Check out the Ava Anderson Non-Toxic line when you get a chance…I think you would L O V E everything about them and the company’s mission! Thanks!!!

  32. sara says:

    I really like this format – simple to click and enjoy -(no sign up, no schedule to find!?!) great information and short. Do it again – Do us some “healthy cooking” tips and tricks this way? Sometimes I don’t want a specific recipe (I don’t like the pressure to follow exact details and fear failure) but would love a series on how to have a healthy cooking “Approach” or “Style” so I can be me ~ but use the framework of skills, tips, and tricks that you know fairly consistently make whole beautiful veggies (and fruits) DELISH!.
    Thank you – much love and light! Sara

  33. Peter says:

    Kris! You’re a real star. Thank you for your loving energy!

  34. Angela says:

    Hi Kris,
    Sometimes making activism explicit makes it easier for people to participate. Why not create a post card that viewers can download and send to their political leader. You can write the name of the bill that people should be mentioning and the changes that are needed. One person does the work but thousands can have their say!

  35. Melissa says:

    Thanks so much for sharing this, Kris! I started using organic cosmetics some 5 years ago and really educated myself around organic food, cosmetics and all things alike. Unfortunately though, a lot of family members and friends think I’m exaggerating. Do you ever experience this in your social circle? I’m not sure how to deal with this, since I don’t want to come across as a “weirdo” or a pushy person, but I do want them to know they have other options and can empower themselves with knowledge concerning these topics. At least I could share this great interview with my social circle…hopefully they will take the next step.

    Thanks again.

    Love, Melissa

  36. Casey McFann says:

    I love this information and how easy it is to understand WHY we need to prevent (as Kris stated) this toxic burden in the first place. I am working on it, slowly but surely, because i had my own battle with melanoma, which I am winning now. Thank you both for the information which i like to hear over and over and over again so that I understand it better and can pass it on to others.

  37. Tracy says:

    Kris, What do you do about your hair, you look like you have blonde highlights….do you have ordinary bleach, highlights put in? I have heard that hair dyes can be carcinogenic but whats the alternative? Forgive me if that is your natural colour. Tracy

    • kris says:

      Great question Tracy! I am still looking for a natural way. It’s very hard. I get my hair done twice a year (it grows really slowly) and no, I haven’t found anything yet. But I am on the hunt! And I do want to change this but I also like my blonde hair — it’s the one thing I am not willing to give up — yet. xo

      • Heather says:

        I’m so happy you answered this Kris. I used to highlight mine to a similar color as you (currently I don’t have hair from chemo). I was wondering about your highlights too, but I figured it was one of the things you allow yourself as a luxury. Right on!

  38. Adey says:

    I’m a fan of EWG’s work! I love how user-friendly their website is. Thanks for highlighting this organization.

  39. Olivia Lane says:

    Yay! This is a wonderful mash-up of two of my favorite resources. Thank you for getting together and sharing this important message. I’m totally going to share this on my green cleaning blog.

  40. Zoed Vega says:

    EWG needs to be on a frequent basis.
    This is very important information that we need to continue to know and learn.

  41. Zoed Vega says:

    Need Crazy Sexy kitchen book to be in Spanish. That would be awesome for my Dad who lives in Puerto Rico.

  42. Loren Jones says:

    I wish my employer would listen to this interview so they could stop using toxic stuff to clean our retail space.

  43. Loren Jones says:

    I wish my employer would listen to this interview so they could stop using toxic stuff to clean our retail space.

  44. Rose says:

    Hi Kris – I just wanted to tell you that I get gazillions of emails every day and most of them I delete and think, “I wish I got less of those emails.” Today, for the first time…maybe ever…I thought, “I wish I got more emails from Kris Carr.” I actually WANT more emails from you! This video was inspiring and potentially life changing. Thank you!

  45. Stephanie says:

    This is super great! I love using EWG! It has really turned me on to some quality companies. THANK YOU for this service! 🙂

  46. Xana says:

    thank you for getting the word out about toxins. I am fortunate to have learned about it before I or family had health problems and I am an Independent consultant for a company “Arbonne” that promotes that knowledge.

  47. Tina says:

    Thank you so much. This is an answer to a prayer!!! I didn’t find this by accident!!

  48. Diana says:

    Can you asked them to do the “top” selling brands and how they rate? I only ask because there are a lot of “low score” products that are hide to find. I think people would pick better brands if they knew what was in Cover Girl, Almay, etc.

    Thanks!

  49. Anne says:

    Kris and Heather,
    Thanks for inviting us all into your kitchen and making this information accessible to all women! This information is vitally important.

  50. Brenda Weiner says:

    Thanks so much Kris and Heather, this was an EXCELLENT, ARTICULATE interview that hit all the important point in a very simple, direct manner!!! I am a long time fan of EWG and support their efforts annually. Thank God for EWG bridging the gap between FDA’s supposed role and honestly educating consumers about toxins in our foods, drugs and cosmetics.

    Kris you are doing a fantastic job to promote awareness and honest, cutting edge HEALTH and PREVENTION. You are very sincere, beautiful, gifted and I have just become a new fan!!!
    Thank you for spreading awareness for positive change!!!!

  51. Brenda Weiner says:

    Thanks so much Chris and Heather, this was an EXCELLENT, ARTICULATE interview that hit all the important point in a very simple, direct manner!!! I am a long time fan of EWG and support their efforts annually. Thank God for EWG bridging the gap between FDA’s supposed role and honestly educating consumers about toxins in our foods, drugs and cosmetics.

    Chris you are doing a fantastic job to promote awareness and honest, cutting edge HEALTH and PREVENTION. You are very sincere, beautiful, gifted and I have just become a new fan!!

    • Nancy says:

      I like the EWG and everything they’re doing. However, sometimes I feel that they use scare tactics to get to people. Smart consumers know what to do, the general public doesn’t, I realize. I got a lot of email from EWG asking for $ and it made me feel like I was contributing to some sort of special interest group. I find their information very valuable but it’s also information that is available to me for free.

  52. Patty Cason says:

    My question is who funds EWG? Are their any big pharmacies companies funding any of the research?

    • kris says:

      Hi Patty,

      Great question! Here’s what Heather White had to say in response:

      “Approximately 49% of our funding comes from private foundations and 49% from online donations from individual supporters. Corporate contributions make up less than 2% of our budget ($100,000 of $6.7 million). The vast majority of our corporate contributions come from Amazon.com. Customers who are buying anything from Amazon can go through our Amazon website portal and 8% of the purchase price is donated to EWG. We’ve also accepted small grants and inkind contributions from some green companies like Patagonia, Stonyfield Yogurt, and Organic Valley. We have not accepted any money from pharmaceutical companies.”

  53. Nancy says:

    Thank you for this…I am sharing this with the world! 🙂 While I strive to make the healthiest choices out there and buy the simplest and cleanest products and food choices, it gets harder as big biz buys up these smaller companies who have good intent and changes them into a money making product. I have thought long and hard about how the government “regulates” and I fear that it will be a long time, if ever, for the government to make companies change their ways of what is put into their products. There is a lot of money to be made by everyone in the business of Cancer. From the company who produces our unsafe food, cosmetics and cleaning products, ( Let’s not forget Monsanto’s lovely GMO’s too), the advertising agencies who market them, to the Doctors who treat our ailments, to the pharmaceutical companies that make the drugs to “treat” our ailments. It seems like a HUGE business and win win for everyone if someone isn’t thriving. I would love to help make a change, but definetly do feel like David against Goliath most days in this country!

  54. Thank you for covering this topic! As consumers we need to be more aware of what we are eating, breathing and putting on our skin. I’m grateful for the EWG and the great work they are doing. It is, however, upsetting that the government pushed cosmetics and chemical to the side like it doesn’t really matter. When in fact, it is one of the biggest underlying factors affecting our health today.

    I’m glad I knew the dangers of chemicals and toxins before I got pregnant and continue to educate myself for the safety of my family.

    Bottom line: Be a informed consumer. Ignorance is NOT bliss in the case for chemicals and toxins.

  55. Sophia Papandreou says:

    Hi Kris,

    I just saw your discussion with Heather White from EWG. I really enjoyed listening in. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to get better informed on these matters. I was wondering if EWG has thought about having an app that people could use when they go shopping. Often I look at the ingredient list of personal care products and don’t know if I should buy them or not. It would be great if there was an app smartphone that people could use on the spot. Thanks again,

    Sophia

  56. Judy says:

    Hi Kris,
    Thank you and Heather for this informative video. I’ve been involved in spreading info about toxics in personal care products (as well as the importance of healthy eating) for about the last 15 years and it’s really shocking know that there are not only still so many toxic ingredients used including the ones that came to light 10-15 years ago, but NEW ones in personal care and cleaning products, such as anti-bacterials. Yes, the more we know, the more power we have. And our power lies in the fact that we are consumers. As Heather said, “Democracy is NOT a spectator sport”. Let’s keep the pressure up! This American company is quite tuned into creating effective non toxic personal care and cleaning products: Neways.com. There are many good, ethical aware companies now, but unfortunately more that produce cheap and toxic products aimed at young women and people who don’t have much money. I could go on and on…

  57. As I watched this discussion unfold last week I first felt scared, but quickly realized I can’t just stick my head in the sand. Baby steps to a cleaner life style is my motto. A little bit each day to help myself and my family. We have a tool already in our hands, Crazy Sexy Kitchen. It has provided us with healthy foods we can nourish our bodies. Phew, one large baby step taken…

    I made Sage Polenta and Nana’s Marinara last night. My favorite so far! 40 recipe down and loving every minute of it! Check it out Crazy Sexy Kitchen Project. Thanks Kris for helping us become unicorns too!

  58. Krista says:

    Thank you for this video–I don’t think we can be reminded of this information too many times. Our choices matter, day in and day out, and I am resolved to continue to search for products I can feel good about buying. I agree that most of the products for sale are an untested chemical soup, but I do cringe when I hear the call for more testing, though. That has meant and still does mean, all too often, animal testing, and I am vehemently opposed to that.

  59. Erika says:

    OK, I’m freaking out now. I never really gave any thought to the use of these chemicals and I use anti-bacterial stuff all the time! I’m looking up Triclosan and it seems to be in everything. Time for a product overhaul!

  60. bean says:

    Thanks for this. My only concern about advocating for testing is that it will likely involve outdated methods that are not only cruel to animals, but tests that will result in misleading results that are not applicable to humans. So along with advocating for testing of cosmetics and household products, people need to speak up for accurate, modern tests that don’t involve inflicting pain on innocent animals. For more info on this, see: http://neavs.org/research/testing

    • kris says:

      Well said Bean. I will bring this up as a topic to follow up on with EWG. Thanks so much for your comment!

      • Oligie says:

        I am just starting my third year with my local CSA, and I love it. My only comnlaipt is that we often don’t get enough of a particular vegetable to do much with; most portions are limited to one pound or one item (i.e. one eggplant). We also get fruit, herbs, and cheese from our CSA, and we have frozen meat delivered once a month by a small farmer from Vermont.In terms of price, I feel that eating well is important and that it’s worth it to spend money on quality ingredients. We eat very few processed foods, and I do my best to cook from scratch. We live about 20 minutes away from a Whole Foods, so I go there every Sunday to do my week’s grocery shopping. The CSA delivery and our local farmers’ market are both on Thursday. I will go to our local supermarket, which is next to my workplace, maybe once a week for milk and a few things, like toilet paper, that are cheaper there. I find WF a much more relaxing place to shop than my local supermarket, with its fluorescent lights, orange-and-green decor, and persistent smell of chemicals. Plus I seldom have to wait for a cashier at Whole Foods. And shopping once a week has really freed up my time for more important things (like cooking).

    • kris says:

      You bring up a very important point, bean. The welfare of animals is a huge priority, which is why I contacted Heather White about your question. Here’s what Heather had to say:

      “The Safe Chemicals Act would require better data collection and sharing to minimize animal testing. It would also encourage the use of computer simulations to determine the health and safety of some chemicals. When I say testing, I’m talking about safety assessments. If we have better knowledge of the research that is out there, we may not need any additional test for a chemical. But we need to know what’s out there.”

  61. Deborah Waddell says:

    I loved the interview with EWG. As an acupuncturist I specialized in Fertility Enhancement and one of the first things I would educate my fertility patients on was all the chemicals they are ingesting and inhaling that are know endocrine disruptors. I then head them over to read about them on EWG’s website. I am convinced that all these endocrine disruptors that people eat, breath and slather on their bodies daily is one of the main reasons why 1 in every 5 couples can’t conceive. Keep up the great work that you do! PS, I also send my patients to your site as well.

  62. Kelli says:

    Great information that everyone needs to hear! In dealing with my own health issues the last few years I realized just how important it was to change my personal and household products! I found Ava Anderson and have been educating ever since! Thank you for bringing this important topic to the table!

  63. Tricia arieta.com says:

    What are top 3 chemical to avoid??

  64. ursula goadhouse says:

    Loved this information on toxic chemicals in our products and where to get more information. Please keep us informed
    XO
    U

  65. Lauren says:

    Wonderful post Kris & Heather!

    I am in Australia and was saying to my husband earlier this evening that I wanted to start seeking some natural alternatives for our body products. At the same time I was also trying to coerce my fella in to joining me for a morning green juice.

    Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was just on TV and now this. Thank you universe! And thank you ladies for the wonderful work you do.

    p.s. Kris, that unicorn makes me giggle every time xx

  66. Chantal Martin says:

    Thank you so much Kriss for sharing this information!!! Ever since reading your book and applying the principles of veganism (my husband and I are now vegan… Thanks to you and the awareness you have brought in our lives) I was having such a hard time trying to figure out which personal care products were TRULY “natural”.
    I am very excited to head over to EWG website and find out the TRUTH!

    Love,
    Chantal, Montreal, Canada

  67. Wendy says:

    I went to the ewg.org site and contributed! Thanks for letting us know about this site, Kris.

  68. Laura Potts says:

    I’ve known about EWG for quite some time and briefly looked at their website long ago, but truthfully thought of it as just another government agency that I couldn’t fully trust (i.e. FDA). However, now I’m going to take a longer and deeper look into their website and the work they perform. Thanks for helping me broaden my thinking about EWG. It was a good interview.

  69. Thank you for getting the word out on the levels of toxins in our cosmetics and in our everyday life! What we put on our skin does get absorbed into our blood stream which is why I started my natural perfumery – Bohemian Naturals. I wanted to offer beautiful and luxurious alternatives to commercial perfumes a price that make them attainable to everyone.

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