Toxin Free (ish)

Taking control of your health should not be a competitive endeavor. We're not out here trying to win a game. I don't believe in extremes or making anyone feel bad about their choices. Instead, let's embrace a  toxin-free-ish approach, where every small step makes a significant difference.  My motto is we don't do fear. We do facts and we do fun.

The internet is packed full of tips and tricks to detox your life. But if you try to do it all at once, you're going to spend a TON of money and stress yourself out so much that it will all be futile. So today, i'm going to tell you exactly what I would do if I went back and time and started this journey from scratch. We'll be going over the first three steps I would take towards a toxin-free-ish life!

You'll also get a sneak peak into my course 'Toxin Free In Three', so if you've been curious about what it's like inside, you won't want to miss this! By the end of this episode, I hope you'll be inspired to make small, manageable changes that can have a big impact on your health and the health of our planet. Let's embark on this toxin-free-ish journey together!

In this episode, I chat about: 

• Why it's important to take one small step at a time 
• The first three steps I would take on this journey 
• Ditching fragrance in the home 
• Swapping out harmful cleaning products 
• Finding a clean laundry detergent 
• A sneak peak into my course 'Toxin Free in Three' 

Doors to Toxin Free in 3 are open and close on Nov. 10th!  

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here

Get ready for a hot take episode! Today we're diving into ethoxylated ingredients. A lot of ethoxylated ingredients are really hard to spot on labels. Unfortunately,  they're not always gonna say "ethoxylated ingredient," so it's important that we know what to look for. 

This episode is actually going to give you a really good idea of what I teach in my Toxin Free in 3 course. There is an entire module that teaches about ingredients and ingredient safety. We don't stop at  why you should avoid certain ingredients and the science behind it.  Everyone in my Toxin Free in 3 course walks away with an understanding of  how to read labels quickly.

Ethoxylation is a process involving ethylene oxide, a carcinogen, reacted with other ingredients to make them milder. However, this process leaves behind contaminants like 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen and skin penetrator. The problem lies not just in the primary ingredient but also in the contaminants. 1,4-dioxane exposure can cause various health issues, from skin problems to liver and kidney damage. 

In this episode, I discuss: 

• Does vacuum stripping actually make a product more clean? 
•  Common ethoxylated ingredients: 
• phenoxylethanol
• alcohol ethoxylates
•  ingredients ending in E T H, PEG/PPG/PEO
• polysorbates
• How the US treats ethoxylated ingredients differently than Canada and the EU

READ MORE IN THE SHOWNOTES

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here

Were skittles really banned in the state of California? Actually, no. But when a listener asked this question, I thought it opened a really interesting can of worms about food safety. A bill was recently passed in regards to food safety.  The thing is, titanium dioxide, the culprit ingredient in Skittles was pretty much immediately struck from the bill. 

I think this bit of misinformation is a really good example of why we need to be discerning on the internet. We’ve got big name accounts pushing completely false information and garnering tons of shares. So today, we’re doing a deep dive into the bill, AB 418, that was introduced and recently signed by the governor of California. The bill bans four additives: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye three. This bill was a joint venture between the Environmental Working Group and Consumer Reports. 

So what’s the truth about what was actually banned with this bill and why? Tune in to get the full run down! 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Nervous system, thyroid, and reproduction repercussions behind BVO 
• Why companies continue to ship products to the US that are ridden with toxins banned in other countries (and they have formulations for safer alternatives) 
• The issue with the FDA’s regulatory protocols 
• The hypocrisy in red dye 3 regulation

READ THE SHOW NOTES FOR MORE

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here

Today's guest is Jane Z., the host of the Farm to Future podcast.  She’s taking her academic background in sustainability, mixed with her absolute love of food to create conversations that deepen our understanding of the farm to table process. 

Now, what is regenerative agriculture anyway? Regenerative agriculture and organic farming aren't the same thing. Organic farming primarily focuses on avoiding synthetic chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. In contrast, regenerative agriculture aims to restore the entire ecosystem of the farm by enhancing soil health, promoting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and producing nutrient-dense food. 

In today’s episode, we’re hitting on some of the highlights and frequently asked questions that I get a lot about things like raw milk, glyphosate and seed oils. I highly encourage you to tune in to this and then go check out Farm to Future for an even more comprehensive vision of the future of our food.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• The difference between organic farming and regenerative agriculture
• How to find and buy from farms you can trust
• The benefits of raw milk vs. pasteurized milk
• Why you should stay away from seed oils 
• What's the deal with glyphosate and gluten

Connect with Jane:

Check out the Farm to Future Podcast

Follow Jane on Instagram

Farm to Future Episodes Mentioned:

The Healing Powers of Raw Milk & Why it's Safe to Drink

Is Glyphosate Making Us Gluten Intolerant?

Why Seed Oils are the Devil & What to Cook With Instead

You're Ultimate Guide to Olive Oil

Where to Find Regenerative Foods:

Find a Farm on Farm Match

Find Raw Milk Near You

Read more in the Shownotes

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here

One simple question about a baby monitor sent me down a rabbit hole that completely changed my relationship with technology. Finding a low EMF baby monitor seemed like a simple task. But it opened up a whirlwind of discoveries about electromagnetic fields (EMFs), Wi-Fi, and the underbelly of our tech-driven world. This episode brings you the unraveling of my exploration, with the complex science, regulatory politics, and the alarming risks associated with 5G, Wi-Fi, and cell phones. 

It’s not fun to hear that the phones we’re constantly glued to and the Wi-Fi we rely on could be putting you at risk for cancer, infertility, and sleep troubles. So while I am sharing the science and raising a red flag to the hazards of cell phone radiation and dirty electricity, you know I will always provide you with a way forward. Today, I’m sharing 10 practical steps to shield yourself and reduce your exposure, along with my personal journey of digital detoxification.

In this episode, I discuss: 

• The Non - Tinfoil Guide to EMFs
• A history of EMFs 
• How EMF is regulated in the US vs. other countries
• The lawsuit the FCC lost
• The science behind the risks associated with our everyday technology 
• 10 practical steps to lower your exposure to EMFs

Studies Mentioned in the Episode:

EMF and Brain Cancer in Rats

EMF and Male Infertility

European Union "Health Impacts of 5G"

Products Discussed in Episode:

Wendy’s Amazon EMF Storefront

BonCharge EMF Protection

Use code WENDYKATHRYN for 15% off

Waveblock EMF Stickers

Use code WENDYKATHRYN for 15%  off

Primally Pure Skincare

Use code WENDYKATHRYN for 10% off

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here

Red Light Therapy is a promising not so new technology for healing from the inside out.  What used to be only available in doctor's offices or speciality clinics can now be used at home.  This episode explores whether red light therapy can really support thyroid healing.  I talk about my personal health journey with  hypothyroidism and Hashimotos and my experience using red light therapy as one of my health tools to put my Hashimotos in to remission. 

In this episode, I cover  

• What Red Light Therapy actually is
• Understanding the different wavelengths
• How Red Light is different than Infrared Saunas
• What the science says about red light and your thyroid
• How to shop for a quality red light that actually works
• What red light brands I trust

Read the Shownotes

Products mentioned in the episode:

LUMEBOX Red Light (Use Link for $250 off)

Bon Charge Red Lights & Red Light Products
WENDYKATHYRN for 15% off

Primally Pure Antioxidant Balm
WENDYKATHRYN for 10% off

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

By now, we all know the myriad of health issues introduced by toxins. But one of the most motivating issue, according to the health workers I know? It’s not cancer, autoimmune disorders, or PCOS. It’s weight. So many health experts have adopted the term “obesogens” as another way to say “endocrine disrupting chemicals,” A.K.A EDCs. 

As a society, we’re generally more concerned with body image than actual health. But, in my opinion, anything that can motivate you to move towards a toxin free lifestyle is a good thing. Because even if the initial motivating factor was body image, you’ll soon get hooked on this lifestyle for the way you feel afterwards. 

So today, I’m giving you the top five obesogens found in your house & how to make a safe, cost-effective swap. 

All of the EDCs we’re touching on today have full deep dive episodes you can dig into linked below! 

Related Episodes:

• What the F*ck is an Endocrine Disruptor?
• The Fragrance Dilemma
• Are Their Toxins in Your Tap Water?
• What are PFAS Forever Chemicals?

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here

My guest today is Holly Brandenberger and if you have ever searched for anything related to essential oils on Instagram, then you likely have come across her aromatherapy account @thescienceofessentials.  Holly is the face behind that account, she is a registered nurse and aromatherapist and is at the cutting edge of essential oils research in a hospital setting.

In this interview, you’ll hear from her about the actual science of how essential oils work, what the latest  research says about essential oil uses and brain health and pain management and we also dive in to simple ways to use essential oils in your homes, the best oils for hair growth, stress, natural remedies for congestion and kids, sleep, DIY skincare and even the oils short list of oils that Holly could never live without. 

 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• How aromatherapy can be used in hospitals to calm patients 
• The neuroscience behind why  essential oils work 
• How to use essential oils safely 
• Best practices for using essential oils with children 
• Best oils for hair growth, sleep, memory & focus
• Debunking misconceptions around oils like Lavender

Connect with Holly:

• @scienceofessentials
• Holly's blog
• Holly's Courses, Books & Guides

Disclaimer:  The essential oils industry is not a regulated industry and everything that we discuss in this interview, the benefits associated with oils and the published, medical research only apply to pure essential oils. Fragrance oils, solvent distilled oils and fractionally distilled oils found in grocery stores, on Amazon and budget brands are not the oils that we are talking about.

Want to try my favorite essential oils?

Order a Starter Bundle of Essentials Oils  (use code SHAREYL for 10% off your first order)

Studies Mentioned in Episode:

Essential Oils and Memory Improvement 

Lavender is NOT a hormone disruptor

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Today, we’re joined by my cousin Claire Cook. She’s a certified life coach, macro nutrition coach, and a PE teacher.  Before working with her, I knew close to nothing about macro nutrition. I had healed my hashimotos by embracing clean ingredients and cutting out toxins.  But the specifics of what to eat and when? Definitely not my area of expertise.

So six months ago, during a trip to Las Vegas, I made the decision to commit to macro coaching with Claire. Sure, I had to set aside my pride a little to work with my cousin. But I’m so glad I did because this has seriously been one of the most eye-opening things i’ve done in my health journey. 

Claire is taking us through a process that is not hyper focused on restriction or obsessive thinking around food. Tune in to hear some of the tools we’ve used along the way and the specific tests Claire has all of her students run to operate from a place of deep understanding with our bodies.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The necessary function carbohydrates play in our diet 
• Why many people aren’t getting enough protein
• How to cut down on fats without turning to “low-fat” processed foods 
• How toxin exposure and hormone balance play a role in weight loss resistance

Connect with Claire:

 @claireity_concepts

www.claireityconcepts.com

Products Mentioned in Episode:

Save 15% on Blue Blockers, Red Light Therapy and my favorite Biohacking tools from Bon Charge  w/ Code WENDYKATHRYN

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here

If you exist online at all, you know that "gut health" is a hot topic. Why? Because gut health does not start and end with "my stomach hurts." A lack of biodiversity in the gut microbiome and holes in your gut lining can contribute to a whole host of issues.  Amongst them: diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic depression, Alzheimer's,  and more.

So if one simple swap can help you move in the direction of a healthier gut?  That's a no brainer.

I'm willing to bet you don't think twice about your dishwasher detergent. We unconsciously use dishwasher detergent left and right every single day. But we might now think about the harsh surfactants in our dishwasher detergent that can actually damage your gut lining, disrupting your immune system, and metabolism.

My favorite thing about this swap is that it's easy. I don't know a lot of people that are married to their dishwasher detergent. It's an essential but it's not a day maker or a sensory experience that's hard to give up. 

In this episode, I discuss:

• Why dishwasher detergent should be high on your list of swaps 
• the negative effects of an unhealthy gut microbiome 
• Gut friendly alternatives here 

Study referenced in the episode here.

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• 
  
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• 
  
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• 
  
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• 
  
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Read The Shownotes Here