Nicolle Mackinnon

Our favorite way to kick off spring cleaning? Tackle those closets! Clothing that's been stuck in drawers or hanging in closets since fall is just waiting to get a little attention from you.

Back to School Looks a Little Different This Year... So Take It Back to Basics With These Essentials
School looks different for everyone as students prep for fall 2020. Whether your kiddos are heading back to the classroom or they're spending their days distance learning, we've got the handy, nontoxic essentials they need for whatever "school" means.

To our beloved community,
We have spent the past week reflecting, researching, and listening to the voices of those that are hurting. While we have always considered ourselves active supporters of BIPOC, we are now realizing how important it is for us to get louder in our allyship.
We know that so many of you, like us, have heard the call to raise our voices and are ready to take action.

The Summer Solstice (and the longest day of the year!) is already behind us, which means it's time to capitalize on all the amazingness that this warmer season has to offer—even if it looks a little different than we imagined. Whether you're staying (very) close to home or enjoying the outdoors, our tips will help you enjoy summer and ensure fun in the sun.

How to Choose a Safe Hand Sanitizer—And What Ingredients to Avoid
Hand sanitizer has quickly become a coveted, sometimes hard-to-find essential for staying safe this season. It's a handy (pun intended) way to help prevent the spread of COVID while also alleviating some of the anxiety around trips to the grocery store or a socially distanced gathering.

#PlasticFreeJuly, which is wrapping up next week, is more than a social media gimmick. It's a worldwide recognition that small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can change the world. Single-use plastic poses a significant environmental threat. Every year, we throw enough plastic away to circle the Earth four times. And even if we try to be conscientious, the truth is that about 91% of our plastic never gets recycled. It finds its way into oceans and landfills, where it waits nearly...

Check Out All the Newness at Back to Basics
When our favorite brands release a new product, we often get giddy. That's why we're so excited to share all the newness that's gracing the B2B shelves right now. From Josh Rosebrook to Agent Nateur, we've got nontoxic, natural, and effective goodies to share with you.

There’s no doubt that the events of the last six months have altered our way of life. As a society, we’ve experienced more than one major cultural shock to the system—not to mention shock to our own systems. But it’s more than the side effects of forced isolation, increased anxiety about going to the grocery store, and the ramifications of systemic racism (as if that weren’t enough). We’ve likely experienced trauma from any one of these worldwide epidemics, and still are.

Our bodies are built to handle immediate and short-lived challenges. What tends to wear us down are the long-lasting challenges. And the most insidious ones are the long-lasting, low-grade challenges—their effects are almost never immediate, but build up over time.
Dealing with the ongoing stressors of a global pandemic is a textbook illustration of this kind of long-term, ongoing challenge. It’s a near-perfect example of chronic stress, with daily tasks being just a little bit harder.

Being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your thyroid gland, is overwhelming. Not only do you have to deal with the psychological impact of feeling like your body is fighting against you, but you also are likely to be starting a new regiment of supplements, meal plans, and prescription meds to manage and support your under-performing thyroid. It can feel like your whole life has to change overnight.

Maskne (AKA acne caused by wearing a mask) is real. As you’re out and about more, wearing masks that are critical to public health, you may have noticed more whiteheads or pimples or skin irritation popping up around your chin and mouth. So, what gives?
A mask, no matter the fabric, creates the perfect environment for skin bacteria to flourish. It’s warm and moist, and there’s very little air flow, which can lead to the blockage of hair follicles—and the rise of blackheads, whiteheads, painful bumps, and more.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve received so many emails asking about COVID-19 antibody testing. Everyone wants to know what’s the deal with it? Who has access? What’s legitimate and what’s not? The answer is that we don’t know much—yet. Scientists are scrambling to figure out the best tests, and to get them authorized.

Summer usually means more time spent outdoors, enjoying fresh air and getting in touch with nature, whether that be from your back deck or on a boat at the cabin. But with hot, humid temps and recommendations for continued social distancing, we’re spending more times in our homes than is typical. That’s why ensuring the safety of your home’s air quality is key.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a tricky diagnosis to get. It often takes two years and up to three doctors to figure out what all your symptoms mean. But, it’salso one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting 6% to 12% (as many as 5 million) of U.S. women of reproductive age. Outside of getting pregnant, PCOS can negatively affect a woman’s life and make her feel emotionally and physically imbalanced by the repeated shift in hormones.

Has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome come up in your discussions with your healthcare provider? Have you struggled with painful menstrual cramping (especially on one side), serious cystic acne or excessive dark hair growth, or irregular periods? While having any one of these doesn’t automatically point to a PCOS diagnosis, altogether they can mean more than an annoying that time of the month.