The Nontoxic Journal

The Low Tox Baby Registry

3 years ago I was confidently rid of environmental toxins in all of my personal care and household products. All the brands I bought my makeup, cleaning products and hair care from were low/non toxic. Then I got those 8 letters on a pee stick that forever change my life.

Next thing I know, I am researching toxins in baby car seats. (They have toxins? Seriously?!)

Today I have two precious babies, and I’ve learned that there isn’t a lot I can control…but there is also a lot that I can. The products that go on my children’s skin, the toys they play with in our home, and the sheets they sleep on are some of the things I get to choose for them to keep them healthy.

One of the questions I get asked most on social media and from IRL friends centers around low tox baby products. After hours and hours of research over 4 years, I’ve rounded up my top low tox picks. This isn’t just for mamas either. This is for the aunties, friends, grandmas, and anyone who has a baby in their life that they may be buying for.

Why low tox?

Our world is full of environmental toxins. But our homes don’t have to be. A low tox lifestyle isn’t about completely eliminating all toxins. It’s really about reducing baby’s exposure to environmental toxins where budgets and knowledge allow.

A baby product made it on this list if it’s free from these toxins:

-Paraben/BPA (BPA is just one type – the most common – of parabens)

-Flame retardants

-Fragrance/parfum

Alright, here is your guide for low tox products to add to a baby registry. (I used BabyList to build my registries. I really liked that I could add whatever I wanted, and wasn’t restricted to one store/brand.)

Feeding

Whether planning to breastfeed/pump or use formula, storing and feeding with glass is ideal.

–Glass bottles

-BPA free milk bags or mason jars for milk storage

Sleep

There may not be much sleep in the newborn days but your baby spends a majority of their little life touching these items so it’s important for them to be low/free of toxins.

-Organic crib sheets

-Organic swaddle blankets

-Organic sleep sack

-Sound machine and monitor (look for non-wifi if worried about EMFs)

-BPA free or rubber pacis

-Newton crib mattress

-Snuggle Me Organic lounger

Thankfully organic materials aren’t as obscure to shop for as it was even 3 years ago when I had my oldest. Burt’s Bees Baby and Kate Quinn are some of our favorites. Carter’s, Gerber, and some other brands are starting to introduce some OEKO-TEX certified baby items too.

Car seat

I spent hours researching this one item of baby gear. Baby and kids’ car seats are often sprayed with flame retardants in the event of a vehicle fire. However, according to my research, these flame retardants have not proven effective in the event of an emergency (so likely no benefit) and the risk is high too: just like in clothing, exposure to flame retardants are linked to asthma, allergies, eczema, and cancer. Car seats made with merino wool are naturally flame retardant. There are two merino wool car seats on the market:

–UPPAbaby Mesa

–Nuna Pipa

Teething

When it comes to toys, try to steer clear of plastics (unless marked “BPA free”) and painted toys (even wood ones) as they can contain lead.

–Fact and Fiction teethers

–BPA free teether

-Baltic amber necklace (natural teething discomfort relief)

Bath time

It’s shocking to me how many products marketed as “safe and gentle” for babies are filled with toxins like phthalates, parabens, talc, and sulfates. Lemongrass Littles is our favorite brand, and one of the cleanest options out there.

–Lemongrass Littles prebiotic wash

–Lemongrass Littles healing balm

–Lemongrass Littles baby lotion

-organic washcloths and hooded towel

Diapering

When choosing cloth versus disposable, I thought through what would work best for our family and ultimately landing on disposable diapers. There are lots of cleaner options when it comes to disposable.

-Clean diapers (Pampers Pure, Hello Bello, Honest)

-Water wipes

Postpartum

We can’t forget about mama!

-Bamboo or cotton nursing pads

-Organic overnight/maxi pads

-Haaka or Elvie Curve for milk collection

–Magnesium bath soak

If you know a mama-to-be why don’t you make her life a little easier and send her this registry guide!

A Girl’s Clean Beauty Gift Guide

‘Tis the season to make a list and check it twice – and this year you’re doing it all on a budget.

It’s never a good time to cut corners on safe, clean ingredients in the name of sticking to a budget. So here’s your round up gift ideas that are both clean & affordable. You’ll find a “For Her” and “For Him” section and a compilation of gift ideas under $12 at the end. (Click each title to go straight to each product.)

For Her

Holiday Hues Nontoxic Nail Polish

These polishes from Terra Beauty Bars have the performance and durability of regular nail polish and none of the nasty ingredients like Toluene, Formaldehyde, Parabens or Acetone. How gorgeous is this set?

Sulfate Free Hand Soap

This soap is a thoughtful gift that that friend or family member that is always opening up her home and kitchen to those around her. Peppermint essential oil is so festive and also removes food smells (think onion and garlic) from hands after washing.

Glam It Up Makeup Set

This trio of makeup must haves includes mascara, liquid eyeliner, and a 2-in-1 cheek and lip tint (every busy girl’s dream makeup product).

Clay Earrings

These gorgeous and lightweight earrings are hand made by a busy mama. Check out her store for all the unique options!

Phthalate Free Roll-on Perfume

This roll on set of natural perfumes features earthly, floral, musky, and tropical scents. Each scent also has a matching collection from Lemongrass Spa.

Winter Diffuser and Essential Oil Set

This adorable tree diffuser and oil blend set will fill your home with sweet, holiday scents – without toxins. Plant Therapy also has some lovely soy candles scented with essential oils.

Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin

Even the most sensitive skin will love this rich shaving creme. It is nonfoaming and enriched with shea and panthenol to leave skin so smooth all winter long.

For Him

EPIC Meat Bars

Not exactly “clean beauty” but the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? EPIC makes grass-fed meat snacks without added junk. This sample pack contains 9 meat bars, including bison, venison, and different beefs.

Pine Soap and Spray

Even a manly man needs an after-poo spray and his own hand soap scent. The guys in your life might not care that there are no parabens, sulfates or synthetic fragrances in here but I know you do.

Leather Knife Sheath

Worn Wear

You’ve probably heard of Patagonia but did you know that they have an entire line of secondhand items? Shop for pants, shirts and accessories in your guy’s size.

Under $12

Keep scrolling for stocking stuffers, friend or teacher gifts, or even something for yourself.

Fair Trade Gift Tote

Skip the paper bag and wrap your gifts in this canvas one made by women in India. Every purchase of this gift tote helps support women overcoming disabilities, discrimination, and abuse in India.

Nourishing Lip Butter

This is not your average lip balm. This is the richest lip treatment in a convenient tube – and it smells like a freshly frosted cookie! Also available in Peppermint Stick. This would pair so well with a gift card to your local coffee shop.

Smooth and Shine Skincare Set

This discovery-sized skincare set includes facial cleansing milk, a serum made with apple stem cells, and collagen eye creme. This is a powerhouse trio for smoothing and plumping skin.

Handmade Bar Soap

These gorgeous hand-poured bar soaps have an incredible lather yet don’t contain any sulfates. Clean Slate is my husband’s and Lemongrass Signature is mine.

Healing Balm

This gentle and nourishing balm is made with healing calendula, mango butter, and lavender. Plus, it smells like a cookie! Use it for eczema, diaper rashes, bug bites, burns, and dry patches of skin.

Did you know I also wrote a 100% fair trade gift guide. Check it out!

Thanks for reading and happy gift giving!

Blessings,

Lexy

My (Redemptive) Unmedicated Birth Story

My first delivery took me 14 months to process and blog and here I am just 2 weeks postpartum with my second, marveling at the peaceful birth I just experienced.

To fully appreciate how redemptive my second labor/delivery was, read my first birth story here.

Getting my Body Ready

Because I delivered my first 12 days past my estimated due date, I knew that going past my EDD again was a good possibility. The day after my due date, I had an appointment with one of my midwives and we made a plan (hoping we wouldn’t need it) to monitor baby during week 41 and encourage my body to kickstart labor on it’s own. Trust me when I say I was doing all the things to increase oxytocin in my body and get baby in the right position (except for eat spicy food, that just gave me heartburn.)

The Game Changer: Christian Hypnobirthing

During my second trimester, I discovered Christian Hypnobirthing, an app and a course that uses Scripture to prepare for a physiological (unmedicated, limited intervention) birth. My husband and I took the course together and I would listen to the tracks as I went about my day or when I was falling asleep. As I let the Truth about God, my body and my baby permeate my mind I felt peace leading up to my birth.

Early Labor

On Thursday night (2 days after my EDD), we had dinner at a friend’s and went for a walk. By the time we got home I was starting to feel stronger surges (contractions) but I didn’t say anything to my husband. We got our daughter to bed and went to bed ourselves. From 10:30pm-2am I tried to doze off but the surges kept waking me up. They weren’t painful and I was calmly breathing through them while Jeff slept. By 2:15am, I felt like I should check in with the midwife on call. Since my surges were still 10 minutes apart she suggested I check back in an hour to report how I was processing. Within the hour they went from 10 minutes apart to 5-6 minutes apart, lasting a minute or longer. During that hour I was playing my Christian Hypnobirthing affirmations, braiding my hair, and breathing/swaying through the surges. I doubted I was in labor based on how calm I felt.

At the Birth Center

Once my contractions were 5-6 minutes apart, I called my sister who promptly came over, we packed up and headed to the birth center.

At the birth center, the midwife took us to our suite and we got settled in. In between surges I unpacked baby’s clothes, my essential oils, and our snacks. Jeff dozed off a bit more and I continued to breathe through the surges. At this point, I had turned off the encouraging Scriptures from the app and pivoted to just relaxing music. It was calming and peaceful.

I needed to receive some antibiotics via IV but this is the only hook up I had. The team monitored baby’s heart periodically with a handheld doppler, which meant I could move freely throughout the birthing suite.

Active Labor

Around 10am on Friday, I started to experience back labor. I had been praying the entire night and morning and until the back labor hit, I had maintained my peace. The intense back pain took me back to my first labor with extended back labor and I started to panic. I had to be very intentional in between contractions to choose what I was going to tell myself during the upcoming surge. Some surges I told myself, “This feels like last time! I want Jeff to take me to the hospital so I can get an epidural!” and other surges I told myself, “The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever, not this pain.”

During the back labor I started crying out to God and I told Him, “I am giving this everything I have. You have to help me. I can only do this till noon, Lord, so she’s GOT to come by then.” As I was silently pleading with the Lord, Jeff was pressing a hot compress and his fists into my back for counterpressure. He also started speaking in tongues over me.

Noon passes.

At 12:15pm, after 2 very intense surges I tell Jeff that I need to go pee. I waddle to the bathroom in our suite and as I sit on the toilet another contraction starts and I beg Jeff to push on my back. Then I said, “Wait! I think I need to push!” It was the oddest feeling but my body was ready! Jeff looks down and sees her head crowning. I’m fairly certain I’ve never seen him move so fast. He flew out of our birthing suite to find the midwife and nurse. The three of them come running into the bathroom, the midwife throwing gloves on, crouches down and asks me if we can move to the bed. Then she saw baby’s head and we decide to stay on the toilet. She directs Jeff to stratal the toilet and support me while I stood over the toilet. With just 3, completely pain-free pushes she was born!

Redemption

My entire pregnancy my husband and I prayed “peaceful” and “redemptive” over the birth of our second born.

My first labor was 41 hours and my second was 14. God literally flipped it around! He is such a redeeming God!

If you had a traumatic labor, I know that God can redeem your experience, even if you are done having babies. You never know how God will use your story to encourage and bless someone else.

Clean Beauty Deals for Summer

Summer is in full swing and you probably don’t have a lot of time these days. So let’s keep this short and sweet!

My favorite clean beauty brand that I’ve been an advocate for for nearly 7 years just launched some incredible trending skincare, haircare and makeup products. Here are a few I’ve been testing out and loving. (Scroll all the way to see which ones are on sale!)

Vegan lip balm: Soft and moisturizing with a hint of tint. Beeswax free.
Collagen eye cream: Contains collagen, fruit extracts, and caffeine to fight puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. I’m sold. On sale plus get a mini one free in August!
Apple serum: I’ve been applying between washing and moisturizing to lock in moisture and help fight signs of aging. (Cause I care about that kind of thing now.) Also on sale with a mini one free in August!
Cheek and lip tint: Multi purpose lipstick, eye shadow and blush. A minimalist’s dream makeup product.
Perfume roller: Made with essential oils and plant essences so no fake fragrance and husband approved. Get the 4 pack or individual scents. I’m currently loving the Sedona Spa one!
Eye shadow blending brush: My eyeshadow will never look the same!

Is Social Selling A Good Fit for You?

One of the fastest and most cost effective ways to make clean beauty switches in your makeup and body care is a starter kit. Lemongrass Spa offers 3 different ones and you get to choose if you want to start a business – or use the products for yourself! There are now expanded options so you can get started with whatever kit fits your budget.

For 20 bucks, you can try out safe skincare products, get your own link and casually share as it feels authentic and fun for you. There’s never been a better time to be part of a clean beauty and skincare brand. You get everything pictured here (even that adorable wristlet!) for just $20!

I really believe that social selling is one of the best streams of income and ways to make nontoxic switches in your home. It’s an ideal fit for college students and mamas of littles…it was one of my best yeses 7 years ago!

Learn More About Social Selling

Clean Beauty Deals for June

Does gift giving stress you out, too? June is a big gift giving month with end of school, weddings, baby and bridal showers, graduation parties, and Father’s Day. To ease some gift giving stress, here are some ready-to-go gift ideas and deals!

Father’s Day

Lotion, 3-in-1 wash, and after shave splash are all 20% off in June. Coastline is scented with birch, cedar and coastal citrus.

3-in-1 wash, bar soap and deodorant are 20% off all month. Clean Slate is scented with cedarwood, bay rum, amber and citrus for a fresh finish.

If you’re guy isn’t into toxin free body care just yet, here are some tips to help him make small switches.

Teacher Gifts

These nut-free body icings pair so well with a local coffee shop gift card. 4 teacher gifts for $3.50 each, yes please!

Outdoor Essentials

Bug spray is a source of many toxins, included deet. This bug spray is formulated with essential oils that are safe for kids and dogs. And YES, it actually works!

Making Clean Beauty Switches this Summer

When you buy a starter kit in June you’ll get a $50 gift card to Lemongrass Spa to spend on whatever you’d like!

Shop Deals

Multi-Purpose Cleaning Spray + Recipe

When it comes to eliminating toxic exposure through cleaning products, it’s tricky to find less or non toxic cleaning spray. Plus, so many cleaning products are greenwashed. (Meaning they have packaging or words that make them seem natural and less toxic but they still contain toxic ingredients.)

I’ve been making my own cleaning spray for many years now and find that it saves so much money, and I know exactly what I’m spraying in my home. Here’s my recipe:

Multi-Purpose Cleaning Spray

1 glass spray bottle
1 part white vinegar
1 part filtered or distilled water
10-15 drops tea tree essential oil
10-15 drops lemon essential oil
10-15 drops lavender essential oil

Add all ingredients to spray bottle and gently shake to mix. Use on windows, toilets, counters, faucets, door knobs and more.

Some important notes:

-Don’t use a plastic spray bottle. The essential oils will seep into the plastic.

-I use water from our Berkey water filtration system. Highly recommend!

-This recipe contains essential oils that are safe for pregnancy, babies, and dogs. Use caution around cats.

-I get my essential oils from Plant Therapy (check out the “Discount codes” tab on my website to get $10 off your first purchase)

Clean Beauty Deals for May

I recently watched the new docu-series, Not So Pretty. It’s all about the not so pretty ingredients hiding in our beauty products. It was both interesting and informative, and it confirms why I’ve been purging toxins from my beauty routine and home for the last 6 years.

If I didn’t already have a trusted brand of nontoxic beauty products… Well, I’m sure I would be on the hunt for one!

Here’s your round up on some amazing clean beauty deals for May from Lemongrass Spa:

Get your choice of a moisturizer 50% off when you spend $65 this month!

Sample nontoxic haircare – or get your favorites in vacation-ready sizes – plus an adorable hair clip and zip up travel bag. Everything in this set is TSA friendly. Available only in May and just $34.

This featured line is formulated without parabens, phthalates, or dyes and is 20% off this month. The shimmer in the bronzing oil comes from the mineral, Mica, and the sugar in the body polish is fair trade.

Smells like: Vanilla and tropical coconut

Try out social selling for as low as $59 and get all of this for just 24 bucks!

Get more info about being a social seller with Lemongrass here.

Thanks for checking out this month’s round up of clean beauty deals!

Shop Deals

Clean Beauty Deals for March

If you’ve been around for a minute you know that I have been using and loving (primarily) one brand of clean beauty products for over 6 years. I’ve been able to make nontoxic switches in my getting ready routine and home – everything from name brand perfume to mascara to hand soap.

While these products are already affordable, there are some additional deals going on all month long.

Here is your simple, no fuss round up of March 2022 clean beauty deals from Lemongrass Spa:

This scent, Blossom, has quickly become my signature scent. The lotion is velvety smooth, doesn’t contain any drying alcohols, and no synthetic fragrance. It’s the perfect spring-time scent of jasmine, lilac and airy cotton!

Blossom is also available in a body scrub and body spray and the whole collection is on sale for 20% off.

Spend $65 anytime in March and get this lotion and polish set + vegan leather purse for just $7! (Retail $14)

Try out social selling for as low as $59 and get all of this for FREE!

Get more info about being a social seller with Lemongrass here.

Thanks for checking out this month’s round up of clean beauty deals!

Shop Deals

Nontoxic + Fair Trade Gift Guide

Each year, I try to intentionally find brands that align with my values of nontoxic, sustainable, and fair trade. If you’re looking for some great, US-based brands to support this gift-giving season, consider this your no-nonsense gift guide with brands I love to support. (Note: click each brand name to shop.)

Trades of Hope

What’s to love about Trades of Hope:

Fights human trafficking and poverty by employing artisans in Haiti, Asia, and Nepal
Products are purchased from artisans so they aren’t affected by Black Friday deals
Gorgeous handmade jewelry, bags, and kids’ items
Fair trade coffee

Daily Grace Co.

What’s to love about Daily Grace Co.:

Founded by a couple in a season of extreme grief and loss
Based in Houston, TX
A portion of each purchase goes to support churches and missionaries
Aesthetically pleasing journals, studies, and home decor
Solid theology for Bible studies

Drooz

What’s to love about Drooz:

Small business (single location) based in Upstate NY
Unique, curated gift boxes
Sustainable/eco-friendly gifts

Lemongrass Spa

What’s to love about Lemongrass Spa:

Based in Tarpon Springs, Florida
Clean skincare without sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrances
Vegan makeup
Hand-poured soaps

Plant Therapy

What’s to love about Plant Therapy:

High quality essential oils
Pre-diluted roller balls
Nontoxic, soy candles
Get $10 off your first order with this link.

Making Elderberry Syrup + Recipe

I backed out of making my own elderberry syrup for years because I thought it was too hard and I didn’t have the right supplies. This is my second cold/flu season to make elderberry syrup and I’ve been so surprised at how simple it is. So here’s my step-by-step guide to show you how simple it really is, and maybe it will take some of the intimidation out for you.

I decided to make elderberry syrup for cold/flu season rather than buying it at the store for three reasons:

Less sugar
More cost effective
Quality time teaching my daughter how to make our own

DIY Elderberry Syrup

What you’ll need:

Elderberries
Raw honey
Juicer or cheese cloth
Glass jar for storing

I decided to go with dried elderberries from Elderberry Elixir (keep scrolling for coupon link if you’d like to save a few dollars from this shop) because there were organic and have mullein leaf added. Mullein leaf is great for respiratory support and chances are if we are taking elderberry when sick we will need respiratory support.

My juicer set up didn’t end up needing cheesecloth but if you don’t have a juicer you may find the cheesecloth helpful.

To get started, add 4 cups of water to a pot and add the entire pack of elderberries.

Boil and then simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon (or one you don’t care about getting stained.)

Letting the elderberry simmer is the longest part of the process. Next, let it cool slightly and time to juice! Ready to see my juicer set up? This was my great grandma’s juicer that my grandma passed on to me! It was extra special to use this this year and think of all the generations that have used it for various fruits.

Once you’ve juiced the berries, transfer just the juice back to your pot and whisk in 1/2-1 cup of raw honey.

The finished product! 32oz of organic, cane sugar-free elderberry syrup for less than $30.

That’s it!

To get 20% off your order of organic elderberries from Elderberry Elixir, just use this link.

Because elderberry is an immune system stimulant we preventatively take 1 teaspoon for 6 days and then take a day off. If sick, we will take it up to 4 times a day.