The Natural Journey
All throughout my time spent on social media I have been coming across this amazing thing that inspires me. It is people's personal journeys. Whether it be through change in lifestyle, marriage, parenthood, daily beauty product routines, travel, heartache, addictions, etc. I am completely inspired when it comes to reading or hearing about the journey someone has been on. It's the story of life right? This MUST be where part of my interest in watching such programs as "Intervention", "Teen Mom" or "Millionaire Matchmaker" comes from. Sometimes these are in the background when I am working on social media. I like to see significant change in people, I am always hopeful for the people who decide to or in some cases are forced to change.
Lately I have been following the paths of those who have changed their lifestyle to healthier living and this is also what planted the seed of Conscious Makeup Boutique. It can begin with changing something as simple as more eco-friendly, less toxic laundry detergent and cleaning products in our homes.
A sweet friend of mine whom I met in an adventurous time in my life in Hawaii was so kind to answer some of my questions and to share with us her journey to a healthier and more conscious way of living life.
Meet Teresa
Occupation: Stay at home Mom
Age: 36
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
What caused you to have more awareness of the products you put on your body and the food/drink you consume?
I am a stay-at-home to two fun-loving boys, ages 3 and 1. Some of my passions including cooking healthy food for my family, baking (mostly healthy) desserts, and having people into my home to share in food and laughter. I love the smell of vanilla and one thing I like about myself is my willingness to be hospitable.
I grew up on a conventional grain farm in the southern part of Saskatchewan. My mom stayed at home to raise us and always served home cooked food. Sure, we had deli meat in our sandwiches at times, and my mom let my sister have Fruit Loops on occasion, but we never had Pizza Pops or store-bought cookies or things of that nature. In fact, store-bought cookies had such a mysterious, curious appeal to me that I would actually trade my homemade ones for them with classmates who had the same feelings towards homemade cookies.
Time went on and I moved from home to attend university. Following in my mom's footsteps, I cooked most things from scratch. I studied at the University of Saskatchewan and received a degree in Crop Science Degree from the College of Agriculture in 2001. I studied much about conventional agricultural practices, touched on confined animal feeding operations, and even took a course about biotechnology in agriculture. There wasn't much discussion on organic farming or grass fed-only livestock production at that time. Admittedly, I didn't have an interest in such things at that point personally but there still should have been some discussion on it.
Fast forward a few years and I got married to a man who had grown up attending many meetings on proper nutrition and the healing benefits that can bring. He could attest to the healing nature of high-quality nutrition as it saved his life as a young boy when there was medically no hope left for him. Through his influence, my own curiosity, and a degenerative illness in my father, I started doing my own research into food and began to realize the importance of how the quality of food that we put into our bodies not only affects us, but downstream into our future generations' health. I was also learning how specific foods, spices, herbs etc. can promote healing of, and prevent, different ailments and the like. Also, as a person of faith, how could I conscientiously choose food, specifically meat, that was produced with little thought as to the welfare of the animal. After all, I believe we are to be good stewards of this earth and all in it.
Once someone starts on this path of learning and conviction and making careful choices, it can get overwhelming as everything can seem dangerous and worrisome! So, instead of being like a deer caught in a pair of headlights, I decided to be systematic with the choices I would make regarding food, household products, personal hygiene products, make-up etc.
First of all, we cannot avoid all hazards in life nor can we have absolutely everything around us 'clean and ethical'. It's impossible. Secondly, we are all going to die at one point and there is nothing we can do to change that, no matter how carefully we live our lives. So, once those two things are realized, it helps put the decision-making into perspective. We can make choices to that will likely help us live the time on this earth with greater health and a clearer conscience.
What particular area of your lifestyle did you decide to change first?
Did you influence the people around you? How?
What I chose to do personally was to look at the foods we consumed on a regular basis, as well the household and personal hygiene products we used on a regular basis, and started making changes there. For example, I felt that if something was going into my body everyday, then I must find the highest quality source of that particular item as to bring a benefit, and not a detriment, to my body. I have since found excellent sources of meat and eggs, make my own cleaning products and laundry detergent, and have found make-up produced with safe and ethical ingredients.
Overall, we experience good health as a family. If we do come down with something, I am better informed as to what to use naturally to start feeling better quickly. A sense of empowerment comes with knowing that there is so much we can do for our well-being on our own and that we can control many aspects of our health ourselves.
What are some of your resources for healthy living? (Products, websites, books)
I really like the website
Earth Clinic. It's full of helpful, alternative remedies and people give their feedback as to whether or not a particular remedy worked for them, any side effects they had etc. There is one contributor, specifically, who does amazing work - Ted from Thailand. It's worth looking up the remedies he posts and the thoughts behind them.
Haut Cosmetics, for sure! Your sister's makeup is great and I love her passion behind it and the quality ingredients she uses.
Another useful place to order certain supplements is
Swanson Vitamins.
I do read Dr. Mercola's stuff but take some of it with a grain of salt.
Sunrider played an important part in my husband's health years back, before it switched it's focus to multi-level marketing. They still offer great, quality products but it's not something we sell or anything.
I use
Light Mountain henna to color the few gray hairs I have but that isn't for the faint of heart. People need to review the reviews on Amazon.com before taking on that product. I've had great success but for those who are in love with the salon experience, they may not embrace it.
Oh, and any menstrual cups like
Diva Cup or similar. I have a similar one and it's the best thing ever!
And if women are expecting babies, the
Bradley Method is a great prenatal class to attend. As with anything, take some things with a grain of salt, but for people who want to make choices for themselves and be freer with the whole labor and birthing process, it's a fantastic class.
Sea-90 Salt is another recommendation. We bought some and use it in our home for cooking for the most part.
I have the book
'Nourishing Traditions'. What a great resource for traditional ways of eating. I've read through it and made some of the recipes in it.
Thank you Teresa for sharing your journey on Conscious Makeup Boutique's Blog and your story to a cleaner, healthier, more conscious living! You are inspiration!
xo Amy
