As women, we use so many products daily—body care, makeup, haircare, fragrance—the list goes on. My mission? To guide you through a six-week journey to swap out toxic products for clean ones in a way that’s fun, exciting, and totally doable. We’ll discover new products, fall in love with better options, and feel good about what we’re putting on our bodies.

To help with this process, I’ve been using the Yuka app (which I mentioned in a previous post). It’s been a game-changer, helping me find cleaner alternatives and budget-friendly options without the guesswork. Clean beauty doesn’t have to be expensive—there are plenty of affordable, high-quality options out there!

So, let’s start with the body. After all, it’s the largest area we’re covering. First things first:

Clean Body Care Swaps: Where to Start

After researching a variety of products, I’ve found several brands that score Excellent or Good on the Yuka app. If you’re ready to start making the switch, here are some great options:

Body Soap

• Dove

• Dial

• Kirkland Brand

Body Wash

• Dove

• Raw Sugar

• Softsoap

Body Scrubs

• Aveeno Stress Relief

• Sephora Sugar Scrub

• Neutrogena Clear Body Scrub

Want to take it a step further and make your own body scrub? Here’s a simple DIY recipe that’s all-natural, budget-friendly, and super effective!

Homemade Body Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar (white or brown, for gentle exfoliation)

• ½ cup coconut oil (or olive oil, for moisture)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for a natural scent)

• 10 drops essential oil (optional—lavender or peppermint work great!)

Instructions:

1. If your coconut oil is solid, melt it slightly before mixing.

2. Combine the oil and sugar in a bowl, stirring well.

3. Add the vanilla extract and essential oil, mixing until fully blended.

4. Store in a glass jar and use 1–2 times per week in the shower for soft, glowing skin!

Making small changes doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can actually be fun! Start with one swap at a time and find what works best for you.

Which product are you excited to try first?

Wow—it’s been 11 years since my last blog post! Life has a way of taking us on unexpected journeys, but even though time got away from me, I never forgot about this space and the vision I had for it. So here I am, picking up where I left off, with even more experiences and insights to share.

A lot has happened since 2014. I’ve been divorced, remarried, changed my last name three times, switched jobs 3 times  and gone through all the ups and downs that life brings. But through it all, one thing has remained constant: my passion for health and helping others along the way.

We live in a world full of distractions, ever-changing trends, and conflicting advice about what’s “good” or “bad” for us. It can be overwhelming to sort through it all. My goal is to keep things simple and stick to the basics—what truly matters when it comes to health and wellness.

Over the years, my approach to healthy living has evolved. It started with food—choosing organic milk, then eggs, then meat, and gradually learning what works best for me. While not everything labeled “organic” is necessarily great, I believe it’s especially important when it comes to animal products, fruits, and vegetables. Sticking to the Dirty Dozen list has been a game-changer for me.

But health isn’t just about food. I’ve become more conscious of what I put on my skin, the makeup I use, the hair products I trust, and even the cleaning supplies in my home. The Yuka app has been an amazing resource in helping me make better choices, and I’m excited to share my favorite brands and personal product recommendations with you.

I’ve also started making some of my own cleaning products, and I can’t wait to share those with you too!

I’m beyond excited to be back and reconnect with this community. Let’s make this journey together—one simple, healthy choice at a time!

sincerely,

Denise

Welcome to WordPress! This is a sample post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey. To add more content here, click the small plus icon at the top left corner. There, you will find an existing selection of WordPress blocks and patterns, something to suit your every need for content creation. And don’t forget to check out the List View: click the icon a few spots to the right of the plus icon and you’ll get a tidy, easy-to-view list of the blocks and patterns in your post.

Welcome to WordPress! This is a sample post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey. To add more content here, click the small plus icon at the top left corner. There, you will find an existing selection of WordPress blocks and patterns, something to suit your every need for content creation. And don’t forget to check out the List View: click the icon a few spots to the right of the plus icon and you’ll get a tidy, easy-to-view list of the blocks and patterns in your post.

Welcome to WordPress! This is a sample post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey. To add more content here, click the small plus icon at the top left corner. There, you will find an existing selection of WordPress blocks and patterns, something to suit your every need for content creation. And don’t forget to check out the List View: click the icon a few spots to the right of the plus icon and you’ll get a tidy, easy-to-view list of the blocks and patterns in your post.

Welcome to WordPress! This is a sample post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey. To add more content here, click the small plus icon at the top left corner. There, you will find an existing selection of WordPress blocks and patterns, something to suit your every need for content creation. And don’t forget to check out the List View: click the icon a few spots to the right of the plus icon and you’ll get a tidy, easy-to-view list of the blocks and patterns in your post.