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What’s Really in Your Toothpaste? + A Natural DIY Recipe That Works

We all use toothpaste daily, but have you ever flipped the tube and looked at the ingredients? While the promise is fresher breath and fewer cavities, many mainstream brands contain chemical additives that may do more harm than good over time. Here are five common ingredients to avoid:

Triclosan – An antibacterial agent linked to hormone disruption and antibiotic resistance. Though banned from soaps, it still appears in some toothpastes.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – A foaming agent that can irritate gums and contribute to mouth ulcers.
Artificial Sweeteners – Saccharin and aspartame may affect your gut and metabolism over time.
Propylene Glycol – A synthetic chemical also found in antifreeze. It may cause skin or gum irritation with long-term use.
Artificial Dyes – Blue 1 and Red 40 may look appealing but offer no dental benefit and have been linked to behavioral and allergic reactions.

Your mouth is one of the most absorbent parts of your body. What you put in it matters. If you’re looking for a clean, safe, and effective alternative, skip the store and try this:


Simple Homemade Toothpaste Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp organic coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp baking soda
  • 10–15 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 1 tsp xylitol powder (optional)
  • A pinch of sea salt (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
  2. Store in a small glass jar. Use a clean spoon or spatula to scoop a pea-sized amount onto your toothbrush.

Toxic Glow: How Your Favorite Candle Could Be Polluting Your Home

Most people light candles to create a relaxing atmosphere, but what if that cozy glow is polluting the very air you’re breathing? Many candles—especially the cheap, scented ones—can release toxins that build up in your home over time, turning your peaceful ritual into a hidden health hazard.

The biggest culprit is paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct commonly used in mass-market candles. When burned, paraffin can emit harmful chemicals like toluene and benzene—both known carcinogens. If you’re lighting candles daily or in poorly ventilated spaces, these emissions can contribute to respiratory issues, headaches, or worsen conditions like asthma.

But it doesn’t stop there. Artificial fragrances and dyes in scented candles often contain phthalates, which are linked to hormone disruption. When heated, these compounds can break down and release into the air, where they’re inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Some wicks also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like lead (less common today, but still found in some imported products), which can add another layer of toxicity to the mix.

Even the soot from a burning candle can be problematic. It might look harmless, but that black residue can settle on walls, furniture, and lungs. Over time, this indoor air pollution can accumulate—especially in homes with limited airflow or frequent candle use.

If you love candlelight, there are safer alternatives. Look for candles made with beeswax, soy, or coconut wax, using 100% cotton or wooden wicks, and scented with essential oils. Or try LED flameless candles for ambiance without the air quality risk.

Not all candles are created equal. If you wouldn’t knowingly breathe in car exhaust or spray chemicals in your living room, it might be time to rethink the candles you burn. Your lungs will thank you.

States Push Back on Toxic Food Dyes – and Big Food Is Feeling the Heat

The artificial rainbow in your cereal bowl may soon be a thing of the past—and not a moment too soon. Synthetic food dyes, found in brightly colored cereals, candies, and drinks, are finally facing serious scrutiny as states take matters into their own hands. Why? Because Big Food hasn’t.

This week, West Virginia became the first state to pass a sweeping ban on seven toxic dyes used in processed foods—chemicals linked to behavioral issues in children and even cancer in animal studies. More than 20 other states are now following suit, tired of waiting for the federal government and the FDA, which has been dragging its feet for decades.

“We should not be forced to police our own foods,” said Republican Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman. “No more toxic colors, no more poisoning ourselves and our children.” The ban starts in schools this August and goes statewide by 2028.

Let’s be clear: these dyes—derived from petroleum—have already been banned or restricted in Europe, Japan, and Australia. Meanwhile, companies like Kellogg’s quietly removed dyes from Froot Loops in Canada (replacing them with real fruit juices) but left the artificial versions in U.S. products. Why? Because it’s cheaper—and because they can.

Food giants have chosen profits over public health, targeting low-income families and children with the cheapest, most chemically-laden products. And now they’re warning that removing these dyes will raise prices? Please.

Some school districts in West Virginia are already ahead of the curve, phasing out dyed foods before the law kicks in. And if brands won’t clean up their ingredients, school nutrition directors say they’ll simply stop buying from them.

As more states join the fight, one message rings loud and clear: our health is not for sale, and Big Food’s toxic shortcuts are no longer welcome at the table.

Got a Dog? Don’t Ever Plant These

Chowing down on any plant material may cause gastrointestinal upset and vomiting for your dog. But some plants, when ingested, can be life-threatening. Certain herbs, vegetables and edible plants that are perfectly fine for human consumption could cause everything from excessive drooling to anorexia for your canine pal. Don’t assume that dogs instinctively avoid dangerous plants. That may be true of some animals in the wild, but dogs have no way of distinguishing between safe and unsafe plants. The following is a list of common plants that could be dangerous for your dog. So, don’t ever plant these if you share your yard with a canine friend.

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Everything You Have Always Wanted to Know About Asparagus Ferns

Asparagus ferns are delicate and beautiful, often seen draping over the edges of hanging baskets or sitting high on a plant stand, assuming a stately position in the home. There is something so intriguing and elegant about the asparagus fern, even though it is considered an invasive species in some places.

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