Around the time I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2004, I was beginning to realize the connection between how the foods that enter our body contribute to how we feel and possibly even to the diseases that our bodies take on.  I began searching for food choices that eliminated artificial food colorings and preservatives, hormones, and other undesirable ingredients.  I wanted to make choices for my family and myself that not only nourished us, but also kept us as far from disease as possible.   Researching food choices eventually lead me to researching safer personal products for my family and me. 

I remember reading that our skin is our largest organ and what we put on it works its way into our body.   At the time I began making changes in the food I ate and the products I put on my body, many friends my age and news articles I was reading talked frequently about breast cancer.  By the time I was in my mid-30's it seemed that most of us had known one or more friends who had been impacted by breast cancer.  It became a personal goal of mine to not add breast cancer to my profile.   As I read and talked with others, I felt good about the lifestyle choices I was making and felt I was doing all the right things:  I was at a healthy weight, I exercised regularly, and I had breast fed my kids for many years.  I was doing all the right things, but I still felt there was more to do.  The next logical step to preventing breast cancer in my life was to reduce as many of chemicals that were entering my body as I had control over. 

My first attempt at reducing chemicals in my body was to start purchasing personal care products at health food stores.  I remember bringing the bottles of shampoo, hair spray, lotion and deodorant home and feeling so proud of myself for providing safe choices for my family.   Soon after, I learned about the EWG's  Skin Deep Cosmetic Database and boy was I disappointed in my "healthy" choices.  I found that many of the products I had purchased with high price tags at the health food store didn't rate any better for potential cancerous chemicals than products that could be cheaply bought at my regular grocery store. 

So, the search continued.  I spent many years frustrated by my options. However, my belief in clearing the body of as many chemicals as possible became stronger and stronger.  I felt this was my best way of preventing not only breast cancer but a number of other diseases.

First, I stopped coloring my hair.  In all honesty, coloring my hair never felt quite like me anyhow.  I understand why women color their hair and believe it looks beautiful.  It just didn't feel right to me.  Each time I had it colored I could smell all the chemicals entering my body and it didn't feel right.  I searched for coloring products with fewer chemicals, but in the end just decided to accept my hair color as it is and since 2008, I have been happy with my natural look.  I realize it is not a choice that most women want to make, but for me it feels right.  Best of all, I don't have the anxiety that comes with the strong chemicals I smelled each time.