Back with a Bang

Hello my Frugal Divas. I've been gone for a minute, I'm back with some exciting tales. First off I've been out and about saving insane amounts of money. First off was last week when I walk into one of my favorite thrift stores, Step Up, on the corner of Monroe and Ponce de Leon. To my delight, every item with a yellow price tag was 50 cents in the home section down in the basement. I ended up spending $9.00 plus tax, bringing my total to a whopping $9.42. I scored 18 items, including a portable high chair by CHICO.
Of course I was on a Fab Find high. I didn't think I could top myself. Only to walk into the same store a couple days later to be told  they were having the "stuff all the clothes you can into a white garbage bag for 10.99" sale. Needless to say, I got my stuff on.
Then I walked into Old Navy and it was "take an additional 30% off the clearance price day". I picked up some great things for my daughter for next summer.
When it was all said and done, I was left asking myself, " why haven't been shopping like this all these years?" I really feel like I don't EVER want to shop retail again. Or at least not ever by anything full price. Think of all the money I could have been saving. I have realized that thrift stores are a Frugal Divas best keep secret!

Top Toxic Produce

Let's face it, some people are on a tight budget and don't have the extra cash to buy the best foods. Organic foods can be very expensive, especially if your city doesn't have a farmers market around. You may only be able to buy a few organic items. So here is a list of the top 13 contaminated fruits and vegetables that you should buy organic. Use this guide to buy produce that has the most chemicals when grown conventionally.

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange)
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Cherries
7. Potatoes
8. Pears
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes
11. Strawberries
12. Tomatoes
13. Spinach

I hope this has been helpful. Take small steps to change your food choices. Share this info.

The Dangers of Flouride

Prior to 1945, fluoride was properly regarded as an environmental pollutant. It was responsible for lawsuits against the aluminum industry and the phosphate fertilizer industry, whose waste products contain large amounts of fluoride. But thanks to clever PR campaigns, fluoride was transformed from an environmental pollutant to an essential nutrient necessary for producing healthy teeth. Industries made millions selling fluoride to water and toothpaste companies, while saving the billions it would require to clean up the environment. Studies have shown that fluoride does not reduced the level of tooth decay amongst children. Brushing and flossing is all you need to achieve cavity free teeth in children and adults.

FACTS ABOUT FLUORIDE:
More poisonous than lead
Slightly less poisonous than arsenic
Accumulates in the bones over years
Can cause skin eruptions such as atopic dermatitis and eczema
Causes headaches, gastric distress, and weakness
Transforms normal cells into cancer cells
Damages the immune system
Not effective in reducing tooth decay
Causes reduced I.Q.
Causes hip fractures in the elderly
Causes osteoporosis

SOURCES OF FLUORIDE
Soy products
Toothpaste or other oral dental products
Fluoride tablets
Tea
Air pollution
Vaccine contamination
Ground water pollution
Household products
Fluoridated salt and milk
Anesthetics
Mattresses emitting fluoride gasses
Scotchguard
Teflon
Antibiotics
Infant formulas

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Avoid fluoridated water. Over 50% of the US water supply is artificially fluoridated, including New York City. Boiling water removes chlorine, but concentrates fluoride. Water filters don't remove fluoride either. Start using fluoride free toothpaste and mouth rinses. TOM'S of Maine is one brand that offers this option.
Children should avoid fluoride treatments at the dentist. The dentist may try to pressure you, but armed with these facts you can say NO.
Let us be active in protecting our health.

The Dangers of Aspartame

Aspartame is a methyl ester of a phenylalanine/aspartic acid dipeptide. In other words, it is the fecal matter of the ecoli bacteria. It was finally approved in 1974 by the FDA after failing to win approval 3 times. When consumed, the aspartame releases aspartate during the digestion process. This aspartate released is a neurotransmitter used by the neurons in the brain cells. However, when the aspartate levels become excessive in the body, it is capable of leading to blood poisoning and death of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain.

When consumed in diet drinks, aspartame from the drink is broken down in the small intestine by digestion. The aspartame then releases some amounts of methanol, which is a retina and optic nerve transmission interruptor. This can lead to visual disturbances and vision problems.

The following foods contain aspartame:
instant breakfasts
Breath mints
Cereals
Sugar-free gum
Coffee beverages
Frozen desserts
Juice beverages
Milk drinks
Wine coolers
Yogurts
Soft drinks
Sweeteners (splenda and nutrasweet)

Aspartame can be linked to the following problems:
Emotional disorders/mood swings
Epilepsy/seizures
Diabetes
Cancer
Birth defects
Vision loss
Low sperm count
Low birth weight
Miscarriages
Increased appetite
Leukemia

Let us take this info and use it as a catalyst in changing our diets. We must be more responsible about the foods we consume. Share this with your friends and family.

Conscious Clothing Lines

It seems likes everyone is going Eco-Friendly. From cars to clothing, manufacturers are using greener materials. This April H&M will debut their Conscious Collection for men, women, and children. The items will be made from greener materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester.
The womenswear line will feature blouses, tees, tunics, tiered dresses, and Grecian gowns. For the men there will be white two-button blazers, collarless shirts, printed tees and tanks. For the children, there will be tiered dresses,feminine tops and skirts for girls and T-shirts and jeans for boys.
The collection goes on sale April 14th with prices ranging from $12.99 to $34.99. Happy Shopping!!
Go to www.hm.com for a preview.

The Benefits of using Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents

Everyone should make the switch to environmentally safe laundry detergents. These products are plant-based, pH neutral, and 100% biodegradable. They come in ultra concentrated formulas which means you use less and it lasts longer. Most Eco detergents are clear in color because there are no dyes present.
Eco-friendly detergents are made WITHOUT the following ingredients:

1-4 Dioxane
Phosphates
Formaldehyde
Alcohol
Butyl
Ammonia
Glycol ether
CA 65
SARA title III
EDTA
DEA
SLS or SLES

As you can see, conventional detergents contain many harmful ingredients. Eco detergents have no harmful effects on rivers, streams, plants and wildlife. Moreover, Eco detergents don't leave harmful residue on clothing which have been known to irritate those with sensitive skin or eczema. Eco detergents are made from plant oils and Certified Organic essential oils for added fragrance.
I hope this info will help you make the switch. Do it for yourself, your family, and your planet.

Welcome to my new blog

This blog will be dedicated to all things natural. I hope to be the voice for conscious girls (and guys) all over the world who are seeking to live a natural existence.