15Nov 2018 by Angela Cummings
What easy, strategic ways can I live chemical free (and boost energy)?

What easy, strategic ways can I live chemical free (and boost energy)?

Blog, Health
Want more energy? Heck ya! Who doesn’t? Fatigue and low energy levels can be frustrating, preventing us from living our fullest lives. It’s even more noticeable this time of year when our calendars are filled with family gatherings and holiday activities. These activities can lead to exposure to chemicals linked to hormone disruption. Boost your energy level with a non toxic lifestyle, by following the simple tips below. How is energy level related to chemical free living? Our energy levels are dependent upon a well-functioning hormone system. When we are exposed to chemicals that are thyroid and hormone disruptors, it can affect our energy levels. Hormone System: What is the Endocrine System The hormone system is called the endocrine system. Here’s the scoop on the endocrine and its daily responsibilities:…
Read More
08Nov 2018 by Angela Cummings
Official Launch of Live Life!

Official Launch of Live Life!

Blog, News
Hey friends! I’m writing today with exciting news!  After a few months of reflection, planning and creativity (thanks to my graphic designer Ann-marie Verbrugge) we’re rolling out a new company name, new logo and new website! New Name: Live Life, LLC It’s more reflective of what we do, providing the best, most chemical-free solutions so that you can live life! Here’s how: We’ve already sorted through conflicting information for you, saving time (so you can spend time with family, friends, and others!)We debunk misleading marketing, save you money wasted on toxic products advertised as healthy (so you can spend money doing fun things!)We help you feeling better, saving you time spent feeling “under the weather”, swollen and sick (so you can feel happier and enjoy life more!). Occupant Wellness, LLC…
Read More
01Nov 2018 by Angela Cummings
10 Ways Food is Healthier from Organic CSAs (& How to Sign Up Now)

10 Ways Food is Healthier from Organic CSAs (& How to Sign Up Now)

Blog, Food
November is the time to start watching for organic CSA (community supported agriculture) membership sign-up!  It only happens once a year. Organic CSAs are a great way to choose organic, chemical-free, annnnnd fresh foods. Read on to learn other great health benefits and how to sign up for an organic CSA. 10 Ways Organic CSA Food is Healthier By choosing a certified organic CSA, you’re choosing food that is free from chemicals in plastic packaging, growing (including non-GMO seeds and pesticides), and production. Here are 10 ways organic CSA foods are healthier! Freshest of fresh. Picked from the ground, rinsed off, and placed into your CSA box for pick up. That’s almost as fresh as you can get. Mold minimized. Eating fresh food can minimize exposure to molded foods. As…
Read More
24Oct 2018 by Angela Cummings
Sugar Free Diet: How it Affects Digestive Health

Sugar Free Diet: How it Affects Digestive Health

Blog, Food
Want your digestive system to function better? Try creating a sugar free and sweetener free diet! One that is free of natural and artificial sweeteners may reduce sugar levels and man-made chemicals in your food. What’s Harmful about Natural Sugar? Natural sugar can still be a processed or refined sugar. It simply has a natural ingredient as the base. Some manufacturers call their sweeteners "natural" even though they're processed or refined. Stevia preparations are one example. And some artificial sweeteners are derived from naturally occurring substances — sucralose comes from sugar.-Mayo Clinic, Nutrition and Healthy Eating Too much natural sugar and artificial sweeteners may affect our digestive system, leading to diabetes, immune system illnesses, inflammation, and other health conditions. In addition, natural sugar and artificial sugar are processed by the…
Read More
19Oct 2018 by Angela Cummings

How to know if your feminine care products have chemicals?

Blog, Personal Care Products
Women spend about six days of the month using feminine care products, over a 40 year period. That’s 2,880 days or 69,120 hours of maxi pads and tampons sitting on our skin. Since harmful chemicals can be absorbed through skin and travel into the bloodstream, I wanted to steer clear of them. But I ran into some challenges. Let’s look at what maxi pads and tampons are made of, and how we can find nontoxic feminine care products. What chemicals are in feminine care products? Standard feminine care products are made from synthetic material (polyester), which is an oil byproduct made of oil and chemicals. Polyester is used both the covering and filling. Plus, pads and tampons often contain fragrances, and have plastic backings and packaging.  How patterns can help…
Read More
11Oct 2018 by Angela Cummings
Are Essential Oils Chemical Free? (And How to Choose Good Ones)

Are Essential Oils Chemical Free? (And How to Choose Good Ones)

Blog, Fragrances, Health
Essential oils have become popular in the last few years. Some people have reported better sleep, feeling calm, and relief from pain. They’re used in homemade and store bought perfumes, cosmetics, and air fresheners. They’re used in food (in small amounts). They’re used in pesticides. Often thought of as “safe” and “natural,” essential oils have become a “go-to” for healthier living. It’s not that cut-and-dry, though. Essential oils are complicated. Their strength, chemical composition, interactions with the body, and affects on indoor air quality and health are becoming better understood. This has uncovered negative health effects. We can use these findings to our benefit, by strategically choosing which chemical-free essential oils to use, if any. What are Essential Oils Made of? Man-made chemicals. Standard essential oils are made of a…
Read More
05Oct 2018 by Angela Cummings
How can I prevent breast cancer?

How can I prevent breast cancer?

Blog, Health, Personal Care Products
Get this: “About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.” That means anyone is a candidate. While self examinations, such as Serena Williams and the I Touch Myself Project promotes are critical to early detection of breast cancer, prevention is also critical. Over 102 chemicals in our everyday products have been linked to breast cancer. Personal care products are among the common causes. We’ll discuss the types of products linked to breast cancer and ways to reduce your risk of illness. Types of personal care products linked to breast cancer Personal care products are often made of chemicals that cause hormone disruption such as increased estrogen levels. Increases in estrogen have been linked to breast (and other types of) cancer. Other health…
Read More
28Sep 2018 by Angela Cummings
What type of plastic is nontoxic?

What type of plastic is nontoxic?

Blog, Food
Can we buy nontoxic plastic? Getting plastics out of our homes and environment can be a trick. Plastics are all around us. Whether it’s our food packaging, dishes and cups, or food storage containers, plastic plays a huge role in our lives. We might look for nontoxic plastics instead of getting rid of plastics altogether. Let’s find out if that’s possible. What is plastic made of? Oil and chemicals. Crude oil (oil from the earth) is refined. Part of that refined oil is used as oil in our car engines. It’s refined again (or more) to become gasoline that fuels our cars. It’s refined further to become a key ingredient in plastic. The refined oil is mixed with a variety of man-made chemicals, to become plastic. BPA is one of…
Read More
04Sep 2018 by Angela Cummings
21 “Free and Clear” Laundry Detergents Rated A’s and B’s

21 “Free and Clear” Laundry Detergents Rated A’s and B’s

Blog, Cleaning
When we buy “free and clear” laundry detergent, most of us want overall healthy products. Not detergents that are free of dyes and fragrances, but still filled with harmful chemicals. Feel good about your laundry detergent, and know that what you’re buying are healthier options based independent, 3rd party, nonprofit health ratings. 21 Free & Clear Laundry Detergents Rated A or B Here are 21 laundry detergents rated “A” or “B” on the nonprofit, Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Attitude Little Ones Laundry Detergent, Fragrance Free - Abiokleen Free & Clear Laundry Liquid – ADr. Bronner's Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner – AFit Organic Laundry Detergent, Free and Clear - AGreen Shield Organic Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear - AGrabGreen 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder, Fragrance Free - AMeliora…
Read More
04Sep 2018 by Angela Cummings
15 “Free and Clear” Laundry Detergents Rated “D” or “F”

15 “Free and Clear” Laundry Detergents Rated “D” or “F”

Blog, Cleaning
It feels good to buy “free and clear” laundry detergent, thinking they are free of fragrances or dyes. While our intentions are for good health, the products we’re buying may not be. Popular products labeled “free,” “fragrance free,” or “free and clear” can still be made of chemicals that may be causing health conditions such as cancer, allergies, asthma, and be toxic to the developmental and reproductive systems. Wouldn’t unhealthy products be marketed as typical products? Okay, so some products labeled “free and clear” may be deceiving, but wouldn’t you know by the product label if it was an unhealthy product? You might expect unhealthy products to be marketed as typical products, without words such as green, clean, natural, pure, or gentle. But even products marketed to give us the impression of…
Read More