Make Your Own Simple & Natural Whitening Toothpaste

Did you know that some of the ingredients in your toothpaste can actually cause harm to your health? We all love to have clean white teeth and fresh breath but there are many ways to achieve oral health without using store bought products. This recipe that I found a few years ago actually works wonders... and YES it even whitens your teeth safely and gently! I get a ton of comments and questions on what I use so I thought I would share it with all of you. 

What You Will Need-

1 tbsp. of Coconut Oil

1 tsp. of Baking Soda

1-2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

1 drop of Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oil Blend

Small spoon

Container with a lid

Toothbrush

How To-

Mix together the Coconut Oil and Baking Soda with a small spoon until  it becomes a smooth white paste. Add the essential oils and mix well! You can brush your teeth with this solution 1x a day (baking soda is slightly abrasive on the tooth enamel if used everyday 2x a day) use your best judgement based on your own tooth sensitivity! I like to alternate mine with a remineralizing homemade toothpaste and oil pulling (which I will blog about next).

How/Why These Ingredients Work-

Coconut Oil- contains lauric acid which has anti-microbial properties (kills bacteria) and supports gum health

Baking Soda- natural whitening properties that help remove stains

Peppermint Oil- contains anti-microbial properties that help to fight bad breath

Tea Tree and Lavender Oil Blend- Tea Tree oil kills bacteria that causes bad breath and is a great remedy for receding gums while Lavender also helps to fight off bacteria and soothes red and inflamed gums! 

Ingredients to Avoid in Store Bought Toothpastes

FD&C Blue Dye #2- Center for Science in the Public Interest warns that it may have a connection to several learning and behavioral issues as well as severe allergic reactions and other health issues.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- Higher concentrations of this are in many household cleaners! It has been known to cause severe gum problems such as skin corrosion, inflammation and canker sores. SLS also produces nitrosamines (potential carcinogen) that can enter the blood stream and effect the liver, brain and heart after a long period of time.

Triclosan- In animal testing (which I also do not agree with) triclosan had a negative effect on the thyroid and endocrine system as well as helped to create bacteria that was resistant to antibiotics.

Saccharine and Aspartame- Both have been linked to cancer as well as migraine headaches, nausea, tongue blisters and other health problems. 

Sodium Flouride- Found in rat poisoning and linked to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Enough of this can actually kill you. 

Eco Friendly Perfume- Love & Toast by Margot Elena

Hey guys! I wanted to share my new favorite line with you that I'm very much in LOVE with! I have searched high and low for a natural perfume and body lotion line that isn't too heavy for summer but lasts without having to "drench" myself in it. By experience I have to say... a lot of organic/natural lines smell "too natural" to me, or in other words make me smell like a plant. Not a fan. Anyhow, this line is called Love & Toast by Margot Elena! Everything is formulated with 100% natural ingredients, paraben free, pthalate free, petrolatum free, sulfate free, animal cruelty free as well as packing paper sources that come from 100% annually renewed resources.

A portion of every Love & Toast sale goes directly to Regional Affiliates of Girls Inc.

My most favorite are the roll on perfumes! The fragrance lasted all day and they're small enough to put into your clutch or purse for a quick re-touch on the go.

Check out the website :)

Love & Toast  or  Find it near you! 

Simple Ways to be Green at Home!

Here are a few things you can do at home on a daily/weekly basis that will give back to the world we all live in!

Properly Recycling Your Electronic Waste (e-waste)

More than 50% of e-waste ends up in landfills instead of being properly disposed and is constantly contaminating our air and water supply. Click here to find an e-Stewards recycling location near you! 

Recycling all Paper, Plastic, Metal and Glass at Home

All of these things are REUSABLE! Why not create a cycle that reduces the amount of environmental damage and the billions of lbs of trash collected DAILY across the world. Click here to find a recycling center near you!

Reduce The Amount of Electricity Used Daily

Did you know that a lot of the electrical devices you use at home when left plugged in STILL use up electricity? After you finish charging your cell phone on your wall, unplug it! Laptops, electric toothbrushes, ipod chargers etc. Over a year you will actually notice a difference with your bill!

Composting Your Waste & Using it For Your Garden!

You can collect your scraps from fruits/vegetables, old bread (anything flour based), grains, coffee grounds/tea bags, old spices, outdated boxes from pantry, corn cobs/husks and egg shells and compost them easily in your own home! This will help reduce the amount of waste collected in landfills. Bed Bath & Beyond has tons of different styles/types of compost bins to choose from! If you live in the city or an apartment complex be sure to check with to make sure it is allowed. You can click here to find out how to start composting at home and how to use it for your garden/outdoors!

Conserve Your Water Consumption

The easiest way to conserve water use at home for drinking is to get a pitcher, fill it up and keep it in the fridge. When we want cold water, we turn on the tap and let it run until it gets cold, and then we've just wasted all of that water! A fun idea: get a plain/clear pitcher from the store, water proof decorations/paint from the nearest craft store and get your kids to decorate it! It will be more fun for them to get out of the fridge and instill better water drinking habits! Click here for more ways to conserve water around the house!

Eco Friendly Makeup Brushes

This company is called "EcoTools" and they have a really great and earth-friendly line of accessories (not to mention they are devoted to giving back in every way possible)! All of their tools are made with recycled aluminum, cruelty-free brushes, hemp, natural loofah, cotton and ramie. Their skin products are even paraben free, phthalate free, cruelty free and all products are packaged in eco-conscious ways! I have been using their brushes for years and LOVE them to pieces. They are really well priced and you can find them at a cosmetic store in your area!

Click Here to get more information on EcoTools!