Yesterday, I posted my resolutions as a 21-year-old. Well, I have another to add to the list. Stop using artificially scented products. Or at least cut back on them as much as possible.

Did you know that artificial fragrances can store themselves in your body and have been linked to cancer? Not only that, but musks don’t biodegrade. I found all of this information through Body & Soul magazine in this article:

Synthetic musks, for instance — widely used in perfumes, deodorants, and detergents — have been linked to cancer. They can bioaccumulate, or store themselves in the body, and have been found in breast milk, which means that nursing infants ingest them. Research indicates that these musks don’t biodegrade; they’ve been found polluting watersheds and the plants and animals that live there. Another worrisome class of chemicals, phthalates, are often used in fragrance because they allow the smell to last longer. They have been linked to changes in the reproductive and endocrine systems as well as in the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. (via)

What’s even scarier is the fact that, while cosmetics must have ingredients listed, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies aren’t required to list their ingredients. You know, the laundry detergent that you use to wash your clothes, which you wear all day? Yeah, your body is ingesting those harmful chemicals. Even air fresheners, though you don’t spray them on yourselves, can cause damage because you’re still breathing in the chemicals.

What can you do? Stop using scented products, unless they are naturally scented (with essential oils and such). Look at the ingredients of everything you put on our body. If ingredients aren’t listed, find a similar product that does list their ingredients. There are so many “green” products out today, and they aren’t that expensive. Even if they are a few pennies extra, wouldn’t you rather be paying that now than paying for it later on down the line (in terms of medical problems)?

Where can you buy “safe” products?*

• This article has many suggestions from laundry detergent to lip balm to soap.
• Etsy. There are so many shops that make their products from natural ingredients … because they don’t have to mass-produce. They spend time on each individual product to create something safe for you. (Some shops to check out: Pink Parchment Soaps and Mad Hatter Soap Co.)
• Seventh Generation. A natural line of cleaning products from laundry to feminine care.

So, this is where I’m starting. I’m not promising to wipe out these things entirely–not immediately, anyway. It could take some time … But I’d like to get there eventually!

*If you can think of other green products, link to them in the comments!

My birthday was yesterday, and unlike most people who set resolutions at the start of a new year, I like to set resolutions at the start of MY new year. Plus, Ashley did this post on goals, and it just made me think. Not only that, but I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately (about careers and “me time” mostly–which I’ll be writing about once I can get it into words), and I have some ideas for this year of my life.

Eat cleaner foods. Honestly, I’ve realized this is all about time management. It’s easy to eat healthy. However, it’s so much easier to just grab the usual at the grocery store or take a quick trip to the drive-thru. No more of that. From now on, I want to plan out my meals in advance and actually make grocery lists … making sure that the foods Husband and I eat are clean.

Stop biting my nails. (Stole this one from Ashley.) It’s true: I’m a nail biter. Husband hates it, but it’s a nervous habit. I looked at my nails yesterday, though, and they really don’t look pretty. Plus, it’s an unhealthy, disgusting habit to have. So, breaking that one. I hope.

Yoga. Um, yes. Husband bought me some yoga gear last Christmas, and I’ve yet to really use it. I want to spend some time with myself, though, just being. I think yoga will help that.

Figure out what I believe in. I don’t discuss my beliefs here, but I have them. I think. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it, but I want to. I want to become more grounded in my spirituality and really figure out what/who I believe in.

Find optimism in everything. I was once a very optimistic person, but I’ve slacked up. I want to continue finding optimism in everything, even if there doesn’t seem to be a bright side.

Maintain a happy, healthy marriage. Husband and I are happy. Every day, we learn something new about each other, and rather than terrify us, it keeps us growing together. We’ve only been married for nearly a year and a half, but I’m so looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him, as cliche as it sounds.

Figure out my purpose. Okay, so I’m not expecting this to happen in a year … But I want to put myself on the path to figuring out what my purpose in life is.

Become more clearly myself. Each day, I am one step closer to becoming “more clearly myself.” I spend so much time being what the world wants me to be without really looking within … But I’m ready for the journey to find out who I am.