Happy Earth Day!

Today is the day that we honor Pachamama with all she does to nourish us and hold us. She brings an abundance of nutrients through the plant spirits to help sustain us and keep us healthy. She bounds Mama Cocha (the ocean and other water passages like rivers, streams and ponds, lakes, etc.) to keep us from drowning. She houses us on this beautiful luscious land.

How do we give back to her? It’s like a Mother’s Day for Pachamama today as we celebrate Earth Day! We can give back to Pachamama by taking care of ourselves. When we take care of ourselves environmentally, we mirror back to Pachamama the gratefulness of luscious life.

Ways you can practice being an Earthkeeper by avoiding these harsh chemicals in your personal care products:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
  It’s like putting the fossil fuel oil on your body (we put that in our automobiles)…yikes!

• Parabens, of all types
  They are a group of compounds widely used in antimicrobial preservatives in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Research has found that parabens can be associated with breast tumors.

• Synthetic fragrances
  They have phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors

• Ureas
  Preservatives that release small amounts of formaldehyde

• 1,4-dioxane
  A chemical carcinogen—need I say more?

• MEA/DEA/TEA are “amines” (ammonia compounds)
  Can cause allergic reactions to the body

• Oxybenzone & octyl methoxycinnamate
  Have been shown to disrupt endocrine activity

• Benzalkonium chloride, steardimonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide & cetrimonium chloride
  Give a positive charge to conditioners in order to prevent static (we want negative ions to calm us and promote health)

• Triclosan & chlorphenesin
  Do not break down in the environment

• Sodium polyacrylate & carbomer
  Come from petroleum

• Synthetic colors are made from coal tar
  They contain heavy metal salts that may deposit toxins onto the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation, basically carcinogenic

• Disodium EDTA & tetrasodium EDTA
  Used in personal care products to remove impurities from low-quality raw materials. They do not readily biode
grade in the environment

• Nanos
  May cause cell damage

Whew! After writing this, it made me realize—no wonder we have so many women who have hormonal imbalances (like PMS, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, cramps, irritability) with all of the endocrine disruptors!

Take care of yourself and Pachamama will love you back.

Namaste,

Tomasa Macapinlac
The Self-Care Queen