Pic credit Natalie Walton ,photographer Lynden Foss

During my renovations there were a few favourite accounts of designers and stylists I followed, on the top of my list was Natalie Walton’s instagram feed.

What drew me to her beautiful account was the sense of calm her home evokes (even though she has 4 kids!), her sentiments around sustainability and her use of timeless, natural objects.

The other day her tips on ‘Daily Habits to Create a Calm Home’ really resonated with me. At this point in we are experiencing major lockdown in Sydney and our homes have never been more important. I thought Natalie’s checklist contained wonderful ideas to live by to help us get through these difficult times. I particularly loved tip No 5 which really made me stop and think and take a different perspective about boundaries.

I am sharing these tips with Natalie’s permission, because I thought they might resonate with you too. Natalie elaborates on these individual tips in her original post here.

Daily Habits to Create More Calm at Home

1. Clear clutter – Don’t underestimate the impact this has on how you feel. Even one surface or nook can make a difference.

2. Tidy as you go – Make life easy for yourself, and break it down into small manageable steps.

3. Take responsibility – Focus less on other people’s behaviour and more on your own. Be proactive about what you can do and control.

4. Work as a team – Set small goals that you can achieve together and celebrate small wins with free/fun time.

5. Create daily rhythms – While we often think boundaries and rules are restrictive they actually create more freedom.

6. Start the day right – Morning routines are important. Get up before everyone else and have some time to yourself – to exercise, journal, plan your day or just be.

7. Create a sanctuary – Make your bed every day, and create a bedroom that feels restorative. (See point 1 – clear the clutter.)

8. Embrace rituals – Incorporate simple pleasures into your day – a quiet coffee, lighting a candle after everyone has gone to bed – whatever it is to make you feel good.

9. Eat well – Food has a huge impact on how we feel every day. Cutting sugar out of my diet was one of the best things I ever did.

10. Reduce alcohol consumption – Another simple idea to make you feel better every day. I rarely drink, and it’s another one of those decisions that has had a HUGE impact on how I feel and function every day.

Please let me know in the comments what you find is helping you during lockdown.

Come hang with me over on instagram or Facebook where I share daily health and wellness inspiration.

You might also like ‘How I Created a Calm and Peaceful Home’.

Bren x

I battled bulging closets and random clutter strewn about and overstuffed junk drawers that threatened to overtake us. Which is so bizarre for me as I don’t function well at all without order but it all just got away from me. I used to dread coming home from holidays, where everything was always minimal and spick and span, and face the disarray that was my home.

Now I am thriving in a completely organised home and I’m revelling in the degree of organisation I’ve managed to achieve. The biggest barrier to creating a calm, peaceful, relaxing home, was simply that I was completely overwhelmed with where to start!

It took me months of research and trial and error to find what worked best for me, and I’m still very much a work in progress with so much still to organise, but my oh my, have things turned around for us at home!

Below is a little peaceful piece of my kitchen.

And isn’t my study nook soooo relaxing?! Can’t thank my architect and decorators enough for bringing my vision to life!

There’s no more hunting for a particular white T-shirt in an overstuffed wardrobe because there it is sitting with all the other white tops hanging beautifully on my black velvet hangers.

No more ‘where is my biscuit tray I need to bake cookies’ because there it is in my neatly separated kitchen drawer. No more where is the Mirin I need to make fried rice because there it is with the rest of my bottles in the side compartment of my fridge (which I simply adore btw hence why two pictures!).

All the bottles go in one spot now so I’m not fishing around the back of the fridge looking for them.

How gorgeous are my open shelves. Yes, more to dust but totally worth it!

Having an organised home and life has made everything easier. And I’ve trained the rest of the family up too, it honestly didn’t take long. I think it’s because they loved the benefits of being neat and tidy and organised too. The kids start the day making their beds, it ain’t always perfect, but it’s good enough, and they also know to return everything to it’s place. If I’m honest, it’s the hubby who has been hardest to train up (!) but we’re getting there, and I’ve learnt I’m going to have to let some things go 🙂

As Marie Kondo says, “putting your house in order is the magic that creates a vibrant and happy life”.

I can tell you that with everything now neat and tidy and everything in it’s place, life now feels calmer, easier, and I am much more happy and relaxed as a result.

Bren x

A good diet is essential for great nutrition, but it’s also something we tend to take for granted. Pew Research reports that more Americans are concerned with healthy eating today, but not all of them are able to reach that goal. This could be due to a number of factors, such as access to healthy food or attitudes towards food.

If you’re concerned about your diet and health, it may be time to focus on specifics— namely, your gut. Maintaining your digestive health is important for the overall condition of your body. Your digestive system helps break down nutrients in your food, and boosts your overall immune system. If you aren’t sure you’re eating enough food good for your gut, then here are five things you can add into your diet to do just that.

Yogurt

If you want to boost your digestion and overall gut health, one of the fastest and easiest ways to do that is through eating fermented foods. In our previous article on ‘5 Reasons to Add Fermented Foods to your Family Meals’, we talked about some favourites, including sauerkraut, kombucha, and of course, yogurt.

Yogurt is a great addition to any diet because it’s easy to find and great for pairing with other foods. Natural and Greek yogurt varieties are especially helpful for building up healthy bacteria in your gut, and they taste great too!

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass may not be the first thing you think of when you want to improve your gut health, but it’s actually a pretty powerful plant. Not only is it full of important minerals and nutrients, it’s also a great natural remedy for acid reflux.

Brightcore claims that wheatgrass powders are high in alkalinity and nutrient concentration which helps to detoxify your body and improve your digestive system. No more heartburn after meals— with wheatgrass, you can definitely rest easy.

Vegetables

When it comes to a healthy diet, including vegetables is pretty much par for the course. Vegetables and other plant-based foods are low in calories yet high in nutrients, making them foundational to healthy diets. But did you know that vegetables are great for improving your digestive health too?

Green leafy vegetables are especially good for your diet, because they tend to be high in magnesium. The Cleveland Clinic suggests greens like spinach, which can not only provide your body with necessary nutrients, but can also help relieve constipation. If that’s a concern for you and your household, it’s time to stock up on greens.

Prebiotics

Nutrition is a pretty complex process, one that involves a lot of chemicals and hidden functions in our bodies. While you’ll definitely see people recommending nutritious foods for healthier guts, it’s important not to miss out on feeding what does make our guts healthy— the good bacteria in our digestive systems.

These good bacteria feed on what’s called prebiotics, which are non-digestible starches and fiber. News Medical lists a few such as chicory root, onions, and oatmeal. While these shouldn’t make up the bulk of your household’s diet, they’re essential for maintaining the populations of good bacteria in your gut. Make sure to feed these bacteria every once in a while, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the nutrition you need, too.

Whole Grains

Fiber is pretty important in the digestive process, so we need to make sure that our families have enough of it. Not only does it play a crucial role in digestion, it also helps to lower cholesterol, improve digestion, and lessen the chances of constipation.

WebMD enumerates important high-fiber foods, including whole grains. Brown rice, millet, oatmeal, and even pasta are all great whole grain sources of fiber. Whole grain bread is another important source of fiber, and easy enough to switch out for sandwiches and other meals. For maintaining a healthy digestive system, fiber is one of your family’s best options.

It pays to know there are all sorts of hand sanitiser products going around, including an influx of cheap hand sanitiser coming from China which you can pick up from the supermarket or pharmacy which contain lots of nasties which can be damaging to our health, especially with the increase in regular use.

Please take a read of these two articles on the hidden dangers of hand sanitisers. Here’s an article by The Street and another article here.

It’s compulsory for my kids to sanitise before entering school, before every class, before recess and lunch ….. That’s ALOT of sanitising and it all adds up!

So you know me, always on the lookout for the best natural alternatives for the sake of our kids, and one of my faves is the 123 Nourish Me On The Go Hand Sanitiser. You can read all about why it’s my preferred option below. I just pop into my kids pockets and bags and I don’t have to worry about any negative impacts to their health.

Here’s a comparison of the 123 Nourish Me ‘On The Go’ Hand Sanitiser versus imported Chinese version

– Australian Made and Owned versus Made in China and imported
– 100% Natural versus Synthetic Ingredients
– Full ingredient disclosure versus Hidden ingredients
– 70%vv alcohol versus Undisclosed percentages
– Pure Essential Oils versus Artificial Fragrances/Parfum (possible neurotoxin)
– No Nasties versus Triclosan (decreases immunity, increases allergies, increases asthma, environmental toxin, hormone disruptor), Acrylates/C10-30, Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymere, -Triethanolamine (toxic, allergen), Benzalkonium (uses Benzine in it’s production), Chloride (toxic, skin irritant)

The only ingredients in the 123 Nourish Me On the Go Sanitiser are:

✔️ 70% Ethyl Alcohol
✔️ Purified Water, Glycerol
✔️ Lime Oil
✔️ Grapefruit Peel Oil

If you want to keep your family safe stock up with the “On The Go’ hand sanitiser here.

Other posts you might like:

Best natural sunscreens(and what to avoid)

The Best Natural Skincare Products for Women over 40.

Best Natural Skincare for Teenage Girls

However, the recent Covid-19 pandemic has led to more people working from home than ever before. Millions of people all over the world are in uncharted territory as they work from home for the first time.

While this can be natural and easy for some, this isn’t always the case. Some people will struggle with their work-life balance and this can lead to a lot of stress. As a result, it is important to have and create boundaries when working from home to maintain your sanity. These will allow you to maintain a decent work-life balance, even when you are home all day.

With that in mind, this article is going to go over some tips and steps for setting boundaries when working from home.

Try Stick to a Routine and Schedule

Because our brains often enjoy patterns and repetitions, it is a good idea to try and stick to the routine you had before you started working from home. Set the same hours, wake up at the same time and doing things like that can help make working from home a little easier. The closer you stick to your routine, the easier the transition will be.

If you didn’t have a solid schedule before, it is a good idea to try and create one. Set your work hours in advance, and let your family and friends know about them, so they will know when you are working and when you are free. Also, when you don’t have a routine or schedule, it can be tough to motivate yourself and can lead to other inconsistencies.

Disconnect Every Now and Then

With us constantly being on our phone, tablets and computers, it can be hard to get away. Even if you are only relaxing and watching videos, you are likely still receiving work-related messages and emails. In order to truly set boundaries, you need to turn off and step away from your devices from time to time. It gives your brain a break and lets you truly let go for a while.

Not only is this good for your mind, it could also be good for your body. The EMF that comes from our various devices can potentially be negatively affecting your health. By limiting your usage, you are limiting your exposure. Of course, if you can’t get away from your devices, products provided by EMF Harmony can also keep you protected while using them.

Have a Dedicated Workspace

Having a space in your home dedicated for work can make working from home a lot easier. Whether it is a room like an office, or a temporary set-up in the living room, having a dedicated workspace will help you focus more on work when you’re there. You need to train yourself to associate that area with work for the time being.

While working from home, this space should only be used for work, if at all possible. This will help your brain associate it with work, and the rest of your home with relaxation. Also, have ways to minimize distractions. Try make sure the space is private, or at least doesn’t have your children constantly running through it. This could be roping off the area, simply telling your children your plan or even leaving them fun signs to let them know when you’re working.

In conclusion, we hope that this article has been able to help you successfully set up some boundaries while you are working from home. Making the transition isn’t always easy, but setting boundaries when working from home is certainly possible.

Guest Post by Ashley Lipman

Author’s bio:

Content marketing specialist

Ashley Lipman is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing knowledge to readers worldwide on topics closest to her heart – all things digital. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches touching the digital sphere.

Governments have been informing us about vigorous hand washing and social isolation, but not a word about how we can keep ourselves healthy as one of the best ways to protect ourselves against COVID-19 and other viruses.

“Death from infections in the developing world is often not due to the infection itself but the body’s inability to fight it because of nutrient deficiencies.” – Dr Mark Hyman

There’s so much you can do from your own kitchen and home, You don’t have to be a sitting duck.

Your immune system is incredibly powerful. What you eat and drink and how you live have a direct impact. If you get a virus, including Coronavirus, you want your immune response at the ready so it can fire on all cylinders and put up a fight.

Below I share some ideas on how to keep your immune system strong so you can thrive and be well.

1. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables (spinach, lettuce, kale, Chinese greens, broccoli and cabbage) which are the most nutrient-dense foods in the world. You can load up on your greens and other immune busting ingredients with this Ginger, Mint and Green Apple Smoothie. 
   I recommend adding a teaspoon of Forest Super Foods Camu Camu into your smoothie to further boost immunity.  One teaspoon has around 1200% of your vitamin C RDI and because it is just a berry (as oppose to synthetic) it is very easily digestible and an excellent product to ward of  viruses of all kinds.

2. Eat lots of anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-oxidant foods like garlic, turmeric, ginger, oregano, cinnamon, green tea, apple cider vinegar, lemon, raw honey. I put loads and loads of ginger and lemon in the smoothie above, or this Spinach, Lentil and Lemon Soup has it all going on!

3. One of the best ways to boost the immune system is with bone broth. I just throw in some chicken frames, chicken bones and wings, celery, carrot, onion, apple cider vinegar, salt and filtered water into my slow cooker for 12 hours. The process of slow cooking extracts amino acids, collagen, vitamins and minerals out of the meat and vegetables creating a nutrient-dense, easy to digest, immune boosting liquid. Once it’s cooled in the fridge you want the consistency to be firm, like a jelly, to get the most out of your broth. You can use the broth for soups, sauces, and use instead of water to cook rice, quinoa etc. Here’s my easy recipe for Homemade Chicken Broth. Use your broth in this beautiful, healing Chicken Noodle Soup.

4. Eat lots of fermented and probiotic foods to help fight bacteria, reduce inflammation and increase antioxidant activity. Here’s a recent post all about fermented foods. And here’s a recipe for my Big Batch Bircher Muesli which is choc-a-block full of wonderful ingredients to feed your gut and maintain a healthy immune system.

6. Eat lots and lots of fruits and vegetables so that all the wonderful antioxidants help destroy free radicals (which weaken our immune system).⁠ They are high in vitamins C, A, and phytonutrients that support the immune system. Each different colour offers different antioxidant benefits. Try this delicious Anti-Oxidant Salad. ⁠

7. Hopefully you’ll be eating the rainbow of fruit and vegetables but definitely make sure you include berries, all berries, but especially blueberries which contain a type of flavonoid called anthocyanin, which has antioxidant properties that can help boost a person’s immune system. Add some blueberries into this Anti-oxidant Smoothie

7. Consult or talk to a naturopath (I recommend Naturopath Naomi Judge) or health foods store naturopath about supplements which contain Vitamin C, Zinc, Curcumin and Vitamin D.  Studies have proven all four of these to be effective in preventing, reducing the severity and reducing the length of colds and flu and directly support the immune system. Other important measures you can take are

✔️Get more sleep⁠ because a sleep deprived immune system won’t function properly, sleep allows the body to restore and heal
✔️Drink more water⁠ – you can’t have a proper functioning immune system if you’re dehydrated
✔️Avoid sugar and processed food⁠ because they are major immune suppressors.
✔️Exercise and get fresh air daily⁠
✔️Minimise stress⁠

Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice and any changes should be done in consultation with your healthcare provider.

After I shared my post on the Best Natural Skincare for Teenage Girls, many of you messaged me asking what skincare products I use on my skin too.

So I thought I’d share with you.

Since around my 40’s and certainly now that I am 50, my skin is noticeably different to when I was younger. It’s also a lot more temperamental so I have a variety of products on hand to address the change in mood #KidsintheKitchen

So what’s changed most about my skin?

The biggest one is dryness. For years I had an oily T-zone (thank you open pores) and then almost overnight it clicked over to dry!

My skin is definitely not as firm or elastic anymore which is what happens as collagen and elastin levels decline. Then gravity likes to torture us by taking a hold causing eyelids and jowls to droop. Ah, the joys!

Thankfully wrinkles aren’t a huge problem for me …yet!

My skin routine

Life is full so I have to keep my skin routine simple otherwise I just won’t do it. My go to online store for all my personal and beauty products is Nourished Life because it’s a one stop shop to clean beauty, 100% cruelty free, zero waste, eco-friendly and there is no green-washing of their products, you shop there you know everything is going to be natural.

Morning

When I shower each morning I cleanse my skin using my current fave Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (age defying)  but if my skin is going through an exceptionally dry phase, I’ll go for the Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Cleansing Foam.

Once a week I use an exfoliator because as we age our cells turnover at a much slower rate which means  our skin can really start to look dull and I find exfoliation really helps with this. My faves are Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Pearl Exfoliator or La Mav Cranberry Bio Exfoliating Scrub.

My latest find and complete addiction is Snowflower Illuminating Face Oil by Edible Beauty. The feel and smell of this oil is so luxurious. Since using it my skin feels much more hydrated and I can see my healthy glow coming back. Post shower, I put a few drops into my hands and gently press the oil onto my face neck. After that I’ll pop on my favourite moisturiser which is Weleda. My faves are Weleda Skin Food Light, and the Weleda Pomegranate Firming Day Cream is a winner too. Sometimes I mix a bit of the two together in my palm and then apply to my face.

If I’m heading outdoors I’ll pop some sun protection on, Hello Sunshine and Little Urchin Tinted are easily my favourite of the millions of natural sunscreens I’ve tried and tested. Being an outdoorsy gal, I’ve developed pigmentation on my face due to sun exposure and not taking more care to cover up and use sunscreen, so now I have one dark spot on each cheek. I recently discovered, but haven’t used this product, which is going onto my next order to try – 100% Pure Dark Spot Remover. It claims to lighten dark spots by using Ferment Sake and Matsutake Mushroom which are known for their brightening properties.

Night

At night I cleanse my face with either one of the Andalou cleansers I use as part of my morning routine. If I’ve got eye makeup on I use Wot Not Ultra Hydrating Facial Wipes. After I cleanse I apply the Snowflower Illuminating Face Oil by Edible Beauty on again, followed by Weleda Pomegranate Firming Night Cream. 

Other

I like to do a face mask once every couple weeks or at least once a month and for many years now my favourite has been Dr Hauschka’s Clarifying Clay Mask.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and feel free to share your favourite natural skincare products.

Bren x

With the knowledge of the endless benefits of fermented foods, I’ve been eating and adding them to our family meals since the kids were bubbas.

What is fermentation?

Before fridges existed, fermentation was used to preserve food and drinks from the time of harvest into the Winter but proved also to boost nutritional value and probiotics and have huge health benefits.

Below I share my top 5 reasons for adding them to your family meals.

Currently loving fennel and garlic red cabbage sauerkraut which is the red stuff on top of my salad in the photo above of my Garlic Prawns and Coconut Rice

5 Reasons To Add more Fermented Food To Your Family Meals

1. Fermentation breaks down food components like sugar making it easier for our bodies to digest and absorb those all important nutrients.
2. Fermentation can boost the nutritional value of certain foods. In some cases, it can produce a variety of B vitamins in foods that did not contain them before they were fermented. Or increase the Vitamin C  content.
3. Fermented foods are literally crawling with probiotics so they are the best way to boost gut health. If we don’t have enough probiotic bacteria in our digestive system, we can’t absorb nutrition properly, or eliminate toxins which means we become more susceptible to illness and disease – like compromised immune system, food allergies, malnutrition, digestive disorders, Candida overgrowth.
   NB: If a bout of antibiotics is unavoidable I will always use implement an action plan to recolonise the gut with good bacteria.
4. Probiotic bacteria make up 80% of our immune systems which means fermented foods are INSANE for our immune systems! So buh-bye common colds and if you do get sick, you’ll heal quicker. Because fermented foods are rich in Vitamin C, iron and zinc, your immune system is going be stronger.
5. Vitamin K can’t be stored in the body so it’s important to eat enough daily to get our daily dose. Vitamin K is important because it helps to ward off cancer, and benefits our heart, skin, bones, brain, growth and development.

That dollop of sour cream in my Tex-Mex Burrito bowl is a fermented food which helps with digestion, especially helpful because beans can be difficult to digest.  

When you start to try fermented foods, start small and slow and see how your gut reacts. Look out for symptoms such as gas and bloating as your gut adjusts to the fermented foods.  If these symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, back off, take a break, and start slower and smaller next time. If everything is going fine, work your way up to 2-3 small, servings a day. Remember variety is key, you don’t want to just stick to the same ferments each day, rather go for a wide variety to ensure you are getting different strains of bacteria.

Our Family Favourite Fermented Foods on High Rotation

• Sauerkraut
• Cheese
• Kombucha
• Miso
• Salami
• Yogurt (natural)
• Sourdough bread
• Wine
• Olives
• Soy sauce
• Tamari
• Chocolate (yes you read right!)
• Ketchup
• Sour cream

Mmmm, delicious yoghurt parfait with crunchy seed granola on top (recipe from my Easy Wholefood Lunchboxes recipe ebook)

Other Fermented Food That is Great for You but which We Eat Less Commonly

• Kimchi
• Tempeh
• Milk kefir
• Water kefir
• Beer
• Kvass
• Lassi

If you’re buying your ferments, always go to the refrigerated section and choose the brands which contain live organisms and check for and avoid high levels of sugar, salt and fat. Things like jarred and canned sauerkrauts sitting on the shelves (instead of fridge) undergo heat processing (pastuerisation), which kills most if not all of the beneficial bacteria.

You might also be interested to read  Gut Health and Our Children

Being in my early 50’s, my personal skin challenges are around aging and dehydration, whereas when I was a teenager it was all related to puberty, hormone imbalances and haywire skin! Teen skin issues are mostly centred around oily skin due to overactive oil glands, which can cause blocked pores resulting in breakouts and blackheads.

At this age, they also can shed too many dead skin cells which can also clog pores and lead to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Then there’s the issue of bacteria getting caught inside the pores causing inflammation, redness, and irritation, basically the start of acne.

It’s easy to see why it’s important for our teens to get into a good skin care routine!

Using natural products becomes even more important because young skin is still sensitive and delicate. At the very least, I recommend a daily cleanser and moisturiser, plus gentle exfoliation once a week. We do love a soothing face mask every 2-3 weeks as well.

Now you know how I feel about any products full of harmful chemicals #nogozone but when we’re talking teens, I enforce this philosophy even more stringently because the last thing we want to do to our kids when they are going through massive changes in their development is bombard their growing bodies with harmful chemicals.

Have a look at this youth-led study looking into personal care products as a source of exposure to potentially endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) for adolescent girls.

Below I’ve put together our favourite tried and tested skincare products which my daughter loves and which keeps her health safe. All of these products apply to my teenage son as well but good luck getting him to use them!

Cleansers

Manuka Biotic Natural Face Cleanser

This cleanser nourishes the skin and help clear it of impurities. It works for all skin types, and can be used  on a daily basis. It’s great for tweens and teens to help keep their skin healthy without drying it out.

Weleda Gently Cleansing Foam

This one is great for all skin types but especially dry and sensitive skin.

Moisturiser

Andalou Naturals Acai + Kombucha Oil Free Moisturiser 

This is a great one for hydrating, balancing, and protecting oily and overactive skin.

Rawww Activiate – ME Moisturiser

This one is ideal for oily and breakout-prone skin, This moisturiser contains lots of antioxidants and vitamins to support healthy skin structure and protect adolescent skin from environmental stressors.

Exfoliant

Pollens Botanicals Honey and Sugar Scrub

My daughter just loves a good scrub and she loves how this one leaves her skin feeling soft and smooth.

Face Masks

Antipodes Halo Skin- Brightening Facial Mud Mask

This can be used twice a week and was created for blemish-prone, pigmented, and dull, tired skin but is also ideal for any type of skin in need of an instant, brightening lift. It has the scent of vanilla, raspberry, wild berry and musk.

All in one Skin Care Packs

Juniper Teen Skincare Pack

This pack includes cleanser, exfoliant, moisturiser(lotion) and a treatment mist and is great way to try a complete range at a reasonable price.

Treatments for Skin Breakouts

Tea Tree essential oil (Palm oil free. Australian sourced)

Has incredible cleansing properties and is great to pop a drop onto the end of a cotton tip and pop onto the blemish (especially if recently popped!). But spot test on your jawline or arm first to make sure there’s no adverse reaction. We also love this one, also Australian made and vegan.

Necessity Zit Stick

This is an antibacterial, pocket-size, solid stick formulated to target pimples with healing, therapeutic ingredients.

Other natural products my daughter loves

Lip Balms

Hurraw Organic Vanilla Bean

Bath

These are great oils to pop into the bath after her big sporting sessions.

Eco Lavender Essential Oil or Tinderbox Lavender Essential Oil

Eco Eucalyptus Essential Oil or Tinderbox Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eco Peppermint Essential Oil or Tinderbox Peppermint Oil

Nail Polish

Life Basics Breathable Nail Polish 

Deodorant

Weleda Citrus 24-hr roll on

Shampoo and Conditioner

Grown Alchemist Anti-Frizz Shampoo

Grow Alchemist Anti-Frizz Conditioner

Body Lotion

Dr Bronner’s Organic Hand and Body Lotion Orange Lavender

Find out my Top 5 essential oils to keep my own skin healthy and glowing and find out The Best Natural Sunscreens (and what to avoid). 

What are your teen’s favourite natural skincare products? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Bren x

I don’t know about you but I’m a summer babe through and through. I abhor the cold am always dreaming about long, hot, sunny days.

And because sport is life for my kids, long rounds of golf for my son, surf sports, and netball for my gal, pretty much all our spare time is spent outdoors.

This is great because it means my whole family gets all the wonderful benefits that the sun provides. For starters, it’s nature’s wonderful anti-depressant, helping us to feel upbeat and happy, and it also helps our bodies manufacture Vitamin D. Yes, you can and should also get vitamin D by eating vitamin D rich foods like wild-caught salmon, mackerel, sardines, eggs, and mushrooms, but it’s far more effective getting it from the sun. The sun is the best way to ensure we get enough, especially since vitamin D deficiency is so common and has been linked to certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, depression, osteoporosis, and many other ailments.

The outdoors lifestyle definitely puts us at risk of sun overexposure however, even with all our hats, clothes, shade, and rashies, so sunscreen is a non-negotiable preventative option for us.

This brings me to the two types of sunscreen on the market:

1) Chemical-based sunscreens use chemical ingredients or active constituents that absorb UV radiation preventing the rays from penetrating the skin. Basically, the sunblock soaks up the rays like a sponge. They contain ingredients like synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and parabens, and toxic ingredients like oxybenzone (endocrine disruptor and bleaches and kills coral reefs. This ingredient is actually banned in Hawaii), avobenzone, octisilate, retinyl palmitate (may harm the skin and may lead to skin tumors), to name a few.

Keeping in mind we need to coat sunscreen thickly onto the skin and reapply every 90 minutes, multiple times a day, so hours of skin absorbing exposure to all those toxins is putting our kids and our own health at risk.

2) Mineral-based sunscreens tend to block UVA better than chemical sunscreens and the good ones use zinc oxide which creates a physical barrier for the skin from the sun. But not all mineral sunscreens use safe ingredients, so ALWAYS check out the ingredient list.

Naturally, I go for the mineral-based sunscreens but there’s another problem.

Over the years of buying natural sunscreens, we have struggled to find one which the kids are happy to use.

Does this sound familiar?

“This sunscreen makes me look like a ghost”

“It’s too thick”

“It stinks”

“It’s too oily”

“It doesn’t rub in”

While I’ve personally been prepared to just suck up all the shortcomings, the kids end up sneaking off and using their mate’s sunscreens which is defeating the whole purpose.

But with all the trial and error over the years and recent vast improvements in natural sunscreens, I’m happy to say I can narrow it down to the top three favourite sunscreens as listed below.

Firstly, here is my easy 2-step rule when shopping for sunscreen:

1) Always choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, is a mineral-based sunscreen using Zinc Oxide (now comes in invisible form), and is ocean and marine friendly.

2) Avoid sunscreens that have the chemical ingredients which have been shown to penetrate the skin contributing to allergic skin reactions and other health impacts including hormonal disturbance: – Chemical UV filters/absorbers, Nanoparticles, sulphates, parabens, petrochemcials, and artificial fragrances.

It pays to note, however, that in Australia the full list of ingredients is not required to be fully disclosed!  Because brands can hide certain ingredients I recommend always asking the brand for a full ingredient list.

My Top 3 Favourite Natural Sunscreens, all Australian made, in order of preference:

1. Hello Sunshine – easily the best smelling of them all and special mention to their Facestick which we can throw into all our little bags and easily reapply as needed and now they have a fab new tinted facestick! 

1. Little Urchin – just love their tinted option too
2. Whatnot – this one is the thickest of the lot to apply but makes you feel like you’ve got great coverage. It’s a little greasier too.

Do you have a favourite natural sunscreen? Let me know in the comments.

Other posts you might like …

The Hidden Dangers of Natural Sunscreens (and the ones I recommend)

The Best Natural Skincare Products for Women Over 40

Best Natural Skincare for Teenage Girls

Bren x