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Are any of you familiar with grocery outlet? It’s a discount grocery store that no one dare go in to for fear of being sold old expired food. For years I stayed out so when my aunt lured me in to the store yesterday I couldn’t help but cringe and be prepared for the worst. But what I found was an unexpected surprise.
In addition to carrying some of my favorite brands there was an organic section of packaged foods with actual relevant brands. Not this knock off versions of our favorites. Luna Bars, Tazo Tea and more. I stood there in disbelief. My only thought: Why was I sleeping on Grocery Outlet?
This just goes to show you that and no one has an excuse not to eat healthier when discount chain stores like this even carry... -
Get My New eBook Eco-Glamorous & Win a Gift Card to SpiritBeautyLounge.com
OBVs I am super excited to announce the recent launch of my new eBook, Eco-Glamorous: A Fail-Proof Guide to Ditching Toxic Beauty Products, Protecting Your Health & Greening Your Beauty Routine, available...
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What I Learned From My Mom About Being A Single-Parent Superstar
If my life were to be solely defined by statistics I wouldn’t be where I am today. As one of many children born into this world under the nucleus of a single-parent home, society can often make us feel,...
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Do You Know What’s Really in Your Food?
Image Source Are you a fan of crushed beetles in your strawberry shake or ammonia in your beef? By choice you may not have an option. After the Starbucks fiasco and countless warnings by popular mediums like Food...
Finding Green in Random Places
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Are any of you familiar with grocery outlet? It’s a discount grocery store that no one dare go in to for fear of being sold old expired food. For years I stayed out so when my aunt lured me in to the store yesterday I couldn’t help but cringe and be prepared for the worst. But what I found was an unexpected surprise.
In addition to carrying some of my favorite brands there was an organic section of packaged foods with actual relevant brands. Not this knock off versions of our favorites. Luna Bars, Tazo Tea and more. I stood there in disbelief. My only thought: Why was I sleeping on Grocery Outlet?
This just goes to show you that and no one has an excuse not to eat healthier when discount chain stores like this even carry... My Fitness Update: Epic Fail
From the moment I took a bite of my collard greens and grilled salmon on Thanksgiving Day I knew my “Biggest Loser” challenge wasn’t going to cross the finish line. What followed were days of left overs, deserts and an attempt to exercise without much actual effort.
Don’t judge me! We all fall down and get up. I plan to get back to the program starting Sunday after my events and projects are done.
Please give me your support! Perhaps I need an accountability buddy?
Did anyone else fall off their diet and exercise plan? How did you jump back on?
Love and Beauty,
OBV
Did you like this? Share... Johnson & Johnson Lies to Us Again! Will They Really Remove Toxic Chemicals From Baby Products?
When my cousin and her two small children were visiting from Atlanta this past week for Thanksgiving, I cringed when it was time to bathe them. She pulled out the Johnson & Johnson baby wash “naturals” product and I had to look away. I gave her my 30 second soap box speech about toxins in cosmetics, and like most of my family members that love my OBV idea but still aren’t sure how to really go green, she nodded her head and finished washing the little ones.
Years ago the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics accused Johnson & Johnson for of creating baby shampoo for the US market that contained cancer causing ingredients including the dreadful formaldehyde. Last week, the big household products distributor sent a letter to... Could You Go Meatless for Turkey Day?
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I’m not much of a cook but somehow I decided to volunteer to make the stuffing (or dressing as black folks call it) for Thanksgiving dinner today. I spent yesterday grocery shopping for supplies and figuring out how to eat a low cal dinner when all of my favorite dishes will be on the table. Here’s what our dinner is looking like thus far:
Collard greens
Heart attack macaroni and cheese
OBV Stuffing
Turkey
Green beans
Black eyed peas and rice
Mashed potatoes
And whatever folks bring with them
Although almost everything I listed does contain some sort of meat, I’ve been thinking a lot about the amount of hormones in our meat, the way our country treats and feeds animals and whether or not indulging in my... Biggest Loser: Getting Myself Into Shape
Ok folks, so I finally did it and it’s all because of Amazon. Sitting around last week, knowing my exercise game had been a little lack luster, I started searching for some workout apps on my new iPhone that would help me whip myself into shape. Right before I could download my Nike Workout app, my phone dinged with an email from Amazon deals. Two minutes later and 82% off a personal training package at Pro Fit Personal Training in South Lake Union, I was on my way to getting my fitness game in gear.
Right now I’m trying to compete in The Mane Source Blog’s biggest loser challenge. What better way to lose weight and get in shape than to do it with other women around the country working towards the same goal? So far,... Where to Go For Eco-Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle Advice: EcoStiletto
With just a few days until my big “Evening of Luxury and Eco-Glamour Event” in Seattle featuring celeb makeup artist Kim Roxie, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on what my goals are in sharing this lifestyle of an OBV with the world. I for one never want to give up my glam factor but also have an affinity for the environment and my health. Thankfully I’m fortunate to encounter lots of great brands, recipes, people and change agents that keep the possibility of sticking to my roots with some ec0-love.
For those that can’t make it to the event, you can still get inspired by learning how to trade a toxic part of your lifestyle in for an eco-sexy alternative. Is your carbon footprint too... What’s Really in Your Feminine Wash?
You’ve seen the commercials saluting your “vertical smile” and “hailing to the V”. Does anyone else think that some of these new ads for feminine washes are a little ridiculous not to mention too light-hearted for such a personal topic? Summer’s Eve did an entire “Vagina Land” presentation a few months ago that got folks talking. But after sitting and watching another one of these uncomfortable the other night what came through my mind was the question of what exactly is in some of these washes, wipes and douches that are supposed to give our “vertical smiles” eternal odor-free smells?
Vagina Land Image from Summer's Eve Campaign
Douching dangerously
According to this article I read online “Your... Are You Teaching Your Child Good Eating Habits?
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I’ve come to the understanding that I eat the way that I eat because of my mother. She taught me how to have a full square meal with meat, lots of veggies and an occasional starch. I wasn’t allowed to have soda, too much candy or McDonald’s as a dietary staple. Although life wasn’t as fun as a kid when I had to eat at home, I’m thankful for what my mother was able to set as an excellent example for my eating habits.
Although I did have this great example, I couldn’t wait until the weekends to get to my god-mother’s house. The pantry’s were full of all kinds of goodness. Oreos, pop-tarts, kool-aid, chips and wonders and wonders of snacks that I would load up inches away from a... Join the Movement!
