Mommy Greenest

Healthy Living, Less Judgment

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  • Home
  • Book
  • Categories
    • Healthy Living
    • Mommy Greenest Approved
    • Eco Beauty & Fashion
    • Natural Parenting
    • Latest Buzz
    • Green News & Events
  • Mommy Greenest Guides
    • Guide to Going Green
    • Guide to Eco-Friendly Fashion
    • Guide to Healthy Eating
    • Guide to Natural Parenting & Pregnancy
    • Guide to Green Beauty
    • Guide to Healthy Cleaning
  • About
    • Standards & Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • turmeric root and powder against white backdrop
    Healthy Living

    Turmeric for Health

    April 20, 2016 /

    Everyone seems to be mentioning turmeric for health, these days. And it’s not just about a spice that you put in your curry. A proud member of the ginger family, turmeric is said to be an immune system builder and powerful antioxidant. I got the scoop from Randi Ragan, holistic well-being expert, founder of GreenBliss EcoSpa and author of the brand-new book A Year of Living Mindfully: Seasonal Practices to Nourish Body, Mind and Spirit. This beautifully-illustrated book is chock full of recipes, teas, tonics, exercises and daily practices—including instructions on how to make an easy turmeric for health tonic, which I’ve included below. All are designed to reduce stress, avoid…

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    Rachel Sarnoff 12 Comments

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    I've interviewed "The Client List" and "Law & Order" star Elisabeth Rohm a few times but this is the first time we vlogged in a car--hopefully not the last.

    Elisabeth Rohm Talks Infertility with MG

    June 10, 2013
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    Game Changing Natural Laundry Detergent Sheets

    September 10, 2021
    Citronella has become my summer night perfume. But to my surprise, the chemical repellent DEET may actually be the safest choice for me and my family.

    Bug Bites Season: Get the Deets on DEET

    August 1, 2013
  • woman's hands applying VOC free nail polish remover
    Healthy Living

    What You Need to Know to Avoid VOCs

    March 16, 2016 /

    A lot of people are worried about volatile organic compounds, better known as VOCs. These compounds can cause health issues like allergies and asthma—some have even been linked to cancer. Yet because you often can’t see or smell them, it’s difficult to know when your air has been compromised. Especially now that most new homes are built airtight for energy efficiency, VOCs are often trapped inside. Learn how to identify and avoid VOCs found in most American homes.

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    Rachel Sarnoff 0 Comments

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    Life Insurance 101

    July 23, 2021
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    Today’s InspirApril Daily Affirmation: Courage

    April 23, 2015
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    Today’s InspirApril Daily Affirmation: Impossible

    April 15, 2015
  • woman practicing yoga on the beach
    Healthy Living

    Why I Do Yoga

    February 29, 2016 /

    I have a yogi friend that I follow on Instagram. He posts photos of beautiful, gravity-defying poses that take my breath away. How does the human body do that? I have another friend that I’ve known since high school. We both started practicing about 20 years ago, but she does it #everydamnday and can turn her body into a pretzel. These are not the reasons why I do yoga. I’ll never be able to balance on one hand or flatten my splits to the floor. But I still do it. Week in, and week out—I do it, while my body stays pretty much the same. Because there’s a more important reason…

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    Rachel Sarnoff 8 Comments

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    Today’s InspirApril Daily Affirmation: Yes

    April 12, 2015

    Recycled Angst

    October 28, 2013
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    March 25, 2016
  • stink toxic chemicals documentary
    Healthy Living

    Stink! Doc Tackles Toxic Chemicals

    November 17, 2015 /

    It’s hard to fully explain how I feel about the impact of toxic chemicals on our lives. Sometimes it seems like I start talking and all people hear is that “wa-wa” sound from the “Peanuts” cartoons, when nothing adults said actually mattered to the story. But this information matters. With one in three women and one in two men now statistically at risk for cancer, it matters. With cancer now the leading cause of children’s death by disease, it matters a lot. And when you find a story that helps people really listen to how we connect the dots between toxic chemicals and illness–that could matter most of all. This fall, the…

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    Rachel Sarnoff 3 Comments

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    Your Kids Toothpaste Could Be Toxic

    December 19, 2014
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    What’s Made Safe? Amy Ziff Explains

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    One Simple Tip to Cook Better Forever

    December 17, 2014
  • Green News & Events

    Daily Meat Eaters Face 18% Cancer Risk Increase

    November 5, 2015 /

    The jury is in: Red meat causes cancer. Those were the findings of the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, better known as IARC, which recently released a study that found processed meat–like bacon, ham, sausage and hot dogs–definitely causes cancer, and red meat probably causes it, as well. When you consider all we know about processed foods and dioxin in red meat, this information seem a long time coming. What can you do?

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    Campbell Opts For GMO Labeling, Against GMA

    January 8, 2016
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    My Earth Hour Fail

    March 18, 2015
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    Boycott Hershey’s

    January 17, 2014
  • Green News & Events

    Could An African Diet Cure Colon Cancer?

    May 13, 2015 /

    Food swaps are definitely making headlines. First, a team of Swedish researchers found that swapping organic for conventional eliminated pesticides in just a few days. Now a new study published in Nature details a diet swap–between black Americans and South Africans–that may have long-term implications in the fight against colon cancer.

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    Chemical Movie Must See

    April 16, 2015
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    January 20, 2015
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    Campbell Opts For GMO Labeling, Against GMA

    January 8, 2016
  • back of woman wearing pink bra with one strap removed
    Healthy Living

    2 Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Rules to Live By

    October 9, 2014 /

    Please don’t be fooled by a breast cancer pink ribbon on a beauty product made with toxic chemicals that cause cancer—regardless of the amount its manufacturer plans to donate to breast cancer research, these products do more harm than good. Want a short list to avoid? I’ve got it!

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    Rachel Sarnoff 3 Comments

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    Eco Travel: Costa Rica for Families

    October 30, 2013
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    Today’s InspirApril Daily Affirmation: Action

    April 10, 2015
    a red apple with a slice cut out on a white background

    Poison Apples

    April 28, 2014
  • red-headed woman drinking a glass of organic milk against a blue sky
    Healthy Living

    Why Choose Organic Milk?

    July 3, 2014 /

    There’s a lot of news about toxic chemicals in our lives, and it can get overwhelming. But the great news is that even small actions can add up to a huge healthy impact on our lives. A great example is organic milk. The difference that choosing organic milk can make for you and your family’s health is HUGE.

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    Rachel Sarnoff 7 Comments

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    How To Fight Coronawashing

    April 3, 2020
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    Is Your Flower Delivery Service Toxic?

    May 2, 2014
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    Top 5 Essential Eco Books Online

    June 27, 2013
 Older Posts

Welcome! I created this blog in 2008 as a resource for healthier living with less judgment. I'm a mother of three, former journalist, and co-founder of the (shuttered, sniff) sustainable beauty and fashion site EcoStiletto. I was Executive Director of the nonprofits The 5 Gyres Institute and Healthy Child Healthy World and appeared as a sustainable lifestyle expert on "The "TODAY Show" and "CNN Headline News," among others. Oh, and have you checked out my TEDx talks: Trash is Ruining Recycling and Can One Straw Change The World? Today, you can find me here. Let's keep in touch! xoRachel

https://youtu.be/sOol1MIgois

rachellincolnsarnoff

I’ve been a big fan of JUNOCO ever since I disco I’ve been a big fan of JUNOCO ever since I discovered their plant-based squalene, but their recent #ToBeHuman campaign made me a fan for life. Campaigns like these aren’t exactly new: In 2016, Dove released a study that found 50% of American women had low self-esteem and 85% of women stay home because they’re uncomfortable with the way they look. But these types of studies seem all to be commissioned by massive, multinational companies — Unilever owns Dove — that are contradictory. Case in point? Unilever’s Hourglass depends on highly photoshopped models touting products like “airbrush concealer” that will “vanish” imperfections. For me, these campaigns seem to be more about selling products than really making change.  But that’s not the case at JUNOCO, the minimalist beauty company that’s focused on producing superior, vegan skincare from a short list of sustainable ingredients, where are much as possible is dispensed in recyclable glass and any plastic used is highly recyclable PET. For #ToBeHuman, the company photographed a group of skin-positive thought leaders with different skin tones, backgrounds, and perspectives to prove that perfection doesn’t exist — but inclusive beauty does. There was no professional lighting, stylists, or retouching; the only caveat was that they had all used the JUNOCO Clean 10 Cleansing Balm for a month before the shoot. Btw I LOVE that cleansing balm! My skin drinks it up — fine lines, wrinkles, sunspots, and all. Link in bio to Mommy Greenest, where you can read all about it plus get 10% off. 
photo: JUNOCO
#Beauty #Style #Motivation #Health #Wellness #HealthyLifestyle #MommyGreenest #sponsored
Byeeee… Byeeee…
Summer. #capecod #mass #summer #sunflowers #bees # Summer. #capecod #mass #summer #sunflowers #bees #pollinatorgarden
Why I shop local. #preloved #thrift #thriftstorefi Why I shop local. #preloved #thrift #thriftstorefinds #swapdontshop
It’s official: @greek_theatre takes the crown fr It’s official: @greek_theatre takes the crown from @hollywoodbowl for best summer music venue. #angelolsen #julienbaker #sharonvanetten scorched that stage all the way to nosebleed. Amazing show! (And canned ranch water didn’t suck, either.) #wildheartstour #music #livemusic #showtime #summer
This big box makes me happy every time it appears This big box makes me happy every time it appears on my doorstep. Why? Because I know that I’m helping to prevent the ONE MILLION TREES — many in old growth forests that are climate defenders — that are cut down to DAILY, just to make toilet paper. Yes, really. New story up on Mommy Greenest, linktree in bio! (Not sponsored.)
#Climate #ClimateJustice #ProtectTrees #SaveForests #RecycledPaper #Motivation #MommyGreenest
These skies never disappoint. What do you see? I h These skies never disappoint. What do you see? I have some ideas…
This makes me so mad. Still claiming “#covid res This makes me so mad. Still claiming “#covid restrictions” @urthcaffe @flylaxairport refused to fill my #reusable cup with hot water — I offered to pay — and insisted on giving me a #plastic lined #paper cup, paper cuff, and plastic lid, which are now going straight to landfill after literally 10 seconds of use. (No #recycling bin.) How can people do the right thing when companies — even those claiming #sustainability as the heart of their brand — continue to perpetuate the wrong option? #breakfreefromplastic #reuse #reuserevolution
HUGE NEWS: #OceanConservancy just retracted their HUGE NEWS: #OceanConservancy just retracted their seminal "Stemming the Tide" report and admitted that it led to misinformation -- basically that plastic in the ocean was the "fault" of people in Asia -- because they did not include the context of waste exports from other countries, primarily the United States. There are so many other (racist) layers to this, but the gist for me is what I said in my first TEDx talk: "If you have a cup that's overflowing, do you blame the cup -- or the hand that continues to pour?" This is a picture of the plastic that was picked up in the once-pristine Hanauma Bay in Hawaii. When it comes to single-use plastic, we need to stop pouring.
#Plastic #CircularEconomy #BreakFreeFromPlastic #Motivation #Health #Wellness #MommyGreenest
Time erodes friendships — some strengthen and so Time erodes friendships — some strengthen and some dissolve. This essay is about the weird false intimacy that is perpetuated through social media, the historical context that often shadows it, and the words we can no longer say. I’m so proud to be published in @hippocampusmag and honored to be featured alongside so many incredible writers. Link in bio! (Photo is from Hippocampus of time eroding something, I guess…?)
#AmWriting #Memoir #Essay #Nonfiction #Fiction #WomensFiction #WritersOfInstagram #Writer #Writing #WritingCommunity
Hearing a lot of complaints about how now that eve Hearing a lot of complaints about how now that everyone has discovered #thrifting, there are less golden eggs to discover in stores. (Looking at you, #newyorktimesmagazine.) I think that’s hogwash. Maybe if you #thrift for status — i.e. labels? But that’s never been my jam. I grew up #thrifting and have exclusively shopped #resale (or #swapped with friends) for nearly two decades and the plethora of online and brick-and-mortar stores makes it all so much more fun! Case in point: embellished boots, a 100-year-old #vintage petticoat, and an unbranded eyelet blouse that together are my new favorite just-over-here-floating-in-the-summer-breeze outfit. If you choose #preloved because it’s 1. better for the planet and 2. better for your bank account, then wouldn’t you agree the golden age is upon us?
#Fashion #SlowFashion #FashionRevolution #Style #Motivation #mommygreenest
How to #zerowaste a day at #Disneyland? It’s muc How to #zerowaste a day at #Disneyland? It’s much easier these days, until you take your eye off the ball. But as much as I sweat the small stuff, I know I have to let it go. It was a great day celebrating my daughters 21st, which culminated in a drink on another planet. As living out fantasies goes, that one is hard to beat. #zerowastedisneyland #breakfreefromplastic #noonecandoeverythingbuteveryonecandosomething
Remember when it was just the sweet sharp smell of Remember when it was just the sweet sharp smell of green grass giving way to fat dripping on the barbecue and berries carmelizing in the oven? The heavy air draped over your shoulders like an invisible cloak that you shook off pogoing over the banana seat and the wind you made dried the sweat from your hair. Then you dove over a dozen other kids and into the pool so thick with chlorine that after one tap on the bottom your eyes emerged red and raw. You floated on your back and watched the blue bowl of the sky and counted the seconds until the sun went down. Finally, the fireworks bloomed overhead and on the corner and at the bottom of your grandparents’ stoop the synthetic black snakes wiggled and splayed. You felt the burn on your fingertips and darted back just in time as fire shrieked past your ears and shot up up up and exploded into light so bright you still saw it behind your lashes. Someone was always singing. And there was no context or blame.
#FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #AmWriting #Fiction #WomensFiction #WritersOfInstagram #Writer #Writing #WritingCommunity
Can anyone tell me how this is achieved? Last time Can anyone tell me how this is achieved? Last time I looked at a #Coke bottle it was “100% recyclable,” a claim that is simply #greenwashing, as the fact that something can be recycled doesn’t necessarily mean it is. This bottle says it’s made from #recycled material, and the QR code drives to a lot of fancy talk — including #BillNye — about the best way the purchaser can recycle it. But the American Beverage Association, which represents the company, still lobbies against #BottleBills that would incentivize the recovery of plastic. So how is #CocaCola getting enough #PCR to make this bottle and distribute it nationally — or is this just intended for the libs in California? #BreakFreeFromPlastic #ReuseRefuseRecycle
Say what you want about Apple, they have packaging Say what you want about Apple, they have packaging down. This #foamfree #recyclable paper origami-quality box with the tiniest amount of plastic transport led my #preloved #refurbished iMac. The best part? The box now has new life as a toy for the toddler across the street. #repair #righttorepair #ewaste #lovedmacslast
Just another sentence to blow your mind. #Inspirat Just another sentence to blow your mind. #Inspiration #1000wordsofsummer #AmWriting #Fiction #WomensFiction #WritersOfInstagram #Writer #Writing #WritingCommunity
This ritual, every week. Sometimes alone but bette This ritual, every week. Sometimes alone but better with friends. You?
#Pandemic #Exercise #Bike #Biking #California
Fun fact: Stanley Gerald Thompson was my grandfath Fun fact: Stanley Gerald Thompson was my grandfather. And that’s not even half the story.
#AmWriting #WritersOfInstagram #Writer #Writing #WritingCommunity #1000wordsofsummer
Last year, I wrote about watching #StrangerThings Last year, I wrote about watching #StrangerThings with my daughter. I described how the series helped us connect during the pandemic. I was conflicted about whether or not to publish the piece, but finally felt that sharing what we went through might be helpful to other parents – and it was. I heard from so many people that they had also shifted habits, gotten more lenient with things like television watching and chores, all in the name of making things a little bit easier for our children, who were going through so much. Things are different now, thankfully — new MG post, link in bio. (And Season 4 is worth the wait.)
#Parenting #Pandemic #Writer #Writing #WritingCommunity
Happy official start of summer, everyone! Now can Happy official start of summer, everyone! Now can we please talk about your sunscreen? Friends don’t let friends use oxybenzone. We’re friends, right? New #Sunscreen story up on Mommy Greenest, link in bio! https://www.mommygreenest.com/why-i-only-wear-reef-safe-sunscreen-and-you-should-too/ #ReefSafeSunscreen #NaturalSunscreen #Sunscreen 
#Health #Wellness #Toxics #Chemicals #HealthyLifestyle #MommyGreenest
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