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Everyday Clean Products for the Home
These past few weeks I've been sharing about Jase and I's processes of renovating our home on the blog in a collection of talks we're calling Making A Home – While we're still very much in the process, things are slowly but surely coming together and I'm excited to share more with you here in the upcoming weeks! Throughout this time, we've really discovered that creating a home isn't just about the paint you put on the walls and the furniture you fill it with, but even the everyday items you use that make it feel like home. I know we all have our go-to cleaning products, whether they're ones we've grown up using in our childhood homes or those we've come to love on our own – Here are a few of the everyday items that are always stocked in my home!1. Force of NatureI know I talk about this brand a lot – And it's because I am absolutely in love! It's always been a priority to me to keep things extra clean, and with the rise of recent attention towards disinfecting and cleansing, it was important for me to find an all-purpose cleaner that really does its job without being full of chemicals and harmful to the body. Force of Nature is a nontoxic disinfecting solution that cuts through just about anything while also working on virtually any surface – Which I do, trust me! It is an equivalent to the power of bleach and kills viruses, but the only ingredients are salt, water, and vinegar.Plus an extra bonus, it keeps chemicals out of our water system, cuts down plastic waste, and is shipped using materials that are 100% recyclable – So what's not to love? This has easily become one of my household staples that I will always have on hand.2. Branch BasicsAnother nontoxic cleaning brand that I have stocked in my home is Branch Basics. From all-purpose cleaner to laundry detergent and bathroom cleaner – I love it all! Their multipurpose cleaning solution is plant and mineral-based, free of harmful preservatives and their reusable bottles make it extra sustainable. It also can be used on just about any surface, but their options make it super easy to target cleaning specific areas of your home without having to compromise on using toxic cleaning products instead. And like Force of Nature, it's very affordable! Proving that you don't have to compromise on safe cleaning to stay within budget, which is always a win.3. Revive Essential OilsThere's a lot of essential oil brands out there today, but Revive Essential Oils has actually become the only one I use! Made without any fillers, synthetic fragrances or odor enhancers (which can actually be found in a lot of essential oils today), Revive is also locally sourced and directly sold without the middle man – So it's oftentimes cheaper and more affordable than other brands, and the quality is an A+.It's also 100% pure therapeutic grade, free from any additives, adulterants, synthetics, or dilutions. I love being able to use them without having to worry if I'm compromising myself in doing so – Which is why they're my all-time favorite!4. EquilibriaI mentioned this brand last week in my post on The Clean Sweep for Clean Sleep – but I wanted to jot it down again here because it has quickly become a staple item in my home! Implementing hemp oil into my regular routine has been such a game-changer, not just for my sleep but for my mental and physical well-being. Like I mentioned above, there's a lot of brands out there today that make promises about what they can offer, then you end up finding out you're actually harming yourself rather than helping! The journey of clean-living can be so discouraging in this way, so when you find a brand that actually works, and is as clean and sustainable as it promises to be, it's so exciting! Equilibria has been one of those products for me, and I cannot recommend it more!5. SupernaturalAnother cleaning brand that I love! This one is scented with essential oils, so for anyone who prefers a healthy scent, this is perfect. With a variety of different solutions like counters and granite, glass, bath and tiles, wood and floors, and stainless steel – I love that supernatural makes it easy to know that the product I'm using in specific areas of my home is catered just for that area. Like the other brands, it's 100% all-natural, plant-based and made from minerals, and sustainable.
All of these brands are actually the only products I use in my home! I hope these help you in the journey to clean-living, especially in times where we've all spent a bit more time at home than usual. I talk more about my own journey to clean-living and give specific advice, practices, and products from my years of research in my 90-day program, The Clean Sweep, but I'm constantly updating my knowledge and looking for ways to make clean-living easy to understand and accessible to everyone.As always, following along with my journey right here on the blog or on my Instagram, @LaurenScruggs or @TheCleanStuff for a peek into the everyday clean beauty, health, and wellness products I currently have my hands on!
Thinking Bigger: New Rhythms and Routines
What an interesting time it has been! I know we have touched so much on this on the blog, but it’s so true. This time has been unlike any other. I recently launched a new series on the blog called Thinking Bigger, and this week I wanted to touch on the idea of new routines and rhythms. I think one of the reasons we keep talking about this time is because it has caused us to pause – We’ve paused from our everyday life, from our routines, our appointments, our errands, our offices, classes, and schedules. And that pause has caused us to think. And we’ve been thinking a lot! Although some of that thinking can cause fear, much of it has been an assessment of what we used to do every day in comparison to what we’re doing now. Things I used to view as such a chore have now become cherished routines. Activities I used to never have time for are now new staples in my schedule – like planning evening meals and eating dinner with Jase, planting a garden, reading a book, or taking joy and excitement in grocery shopping at the local farm. 
With all this new that has come about in this season, and in light of many of us on the brink of communities opening up again, I’ve caught myself almost sad that “a return to normalcy” would mean potentially losing those routines and rhythms I’ve come to love so much in this time. What will life look like when we are able to be busy again? When those appointments, and errands, and classes, and work will fill our schedules once more?I think rather than being sad, it’s okay to ask this question, and I think it can be a positive in return. We’ve been talking about this time so much on the blog because I think we’re excited about the opportunity that all this pause has given us to become better. Better at being more present at home, better at implementing routines that are healthy and creating healthy environments, better at being intentional about our activities, thoughts, and how we fill our time. I don't know about you, but I don’t want to leave my new cherished routines behind when all this is over. I want to use whatever I have left of this pause to continue to practice them, and instill them in the rhythms of my every day so that, when I have the opportunity to fill my schedule a bit more, I will still make time for those things I came to appreciate so greatly when my schedule was less full. What new routines and rhythms have you begun or been practicing in this season that have made you better? What rhythms can you start now that you can carry with you when this time is over? My hope for you all is that you have found practices and activities that you have come to cherish during this time, those that have made you feel whole and healthy. And for those of you who haven’t yet, I hope that you take whatever time we have left in this pause to find what fills you up in that way – So that all of us can leave this time feeling and being better than when we went in. x
In The Kitchen: Adding Life to Your Groceries
Last week on the blog I started a new collection of talks around being In The Kitchen. I don't know about you, but here at LSK we've been talking so much about how this time has changed everything for us. Things that we used to think were such a chore have now become a cherished part of our routine, and we're finding ourselves digging into new passions like never before. One of those passions for me has been spending time in the kitchen – taking extra care in what I prepare, and all the steps along the way.With things being the way they are recently, I've been thinking so much more about what I use and how I use it. This week I want to share a few tips on how to preserve those precious groceries we're buying and make them last as long as possible in order to reduce waste and save on fewer trips to pick up groceries.More than ever, I think I am realizing why my mom is almost mentally trained not to waste any food considering the culture during her childhood. I always had no problem tossing certain things, but now I have a greater appreciation for what I put in my straw bag at the farm shop. These times have brought more scarcity than we have experienced in our lives, and I am all about making my produce last as long as possible + for the first time have researched what veggies remain fresh for longer.I wanted to share some tips that have really helped me. It has been such a new topic to educate myself on!
SHELF LIFE
WASHING
- Rinse with water. You can use a vegetable brush on tougher roots.
- Veggies will hold the longest if you wait to wash them right before use.
TOOLS
- Swag Bags: It keeps our veggies fresh for up to two weeks + they are made with the healthiest materials.
- Almond Cow: Jase and I were having a hard time keeping almond milk in stock. It was always out at the grocery store after quarantine started, so this has been an absolute game-changer. And it only takes 5 minutes!
HERBS
- Your herbs will be happiest standing in a glass of water, where just the stems are wet.
- Store in the fridge or on the counter.
ROOTS
- Store in the refrigerator in a container with some airflow.
- Keep potatoes in a paper bag to minimize light exposure (that is what causes them to sprout!).
GREENS
- Refrigerate in an airtight container.
- They like a little moisture but not too much. Sometimes it helps to add a damp paper towel into the container.
TIPS
- If you feel like you won't use your veggies or fruit before they will get bad, freeze them! Did you know even raw butter and cheese freezes well? Cut, peel, and remove excess from your produce, and store in these biodegradable storage bags.
- With bread that is going bad, make croutons!
Info source: @wearebrightland
In The Kitchen: Adding New Purpose To Your Cooking Routine
I have always known that I have an affection for healthy food, a fascination for the origin of where organic produce is grown and harvested, and a love for experimenting with new recipes and flavors, but I have come to notice that time and lack of energy from a full schedule eliminated space to explore and grow in these passions. Cooking became more of a chore, gardening was a no-go since we weren't at home long enough to sustain it, and sometimes just picking up dinner from the Erewhon food bar was way easier than thinking about what to whip up. Not to mention, the task of cutting veggies and doing dishes just seemed daunting and anything but enjoyable.
It's like a new world has opened up during this quarantine time. Cooking has become what I look forward to every day, our garden is thriving, the local farm we discovered is my happy place to buy organic and biodynamic produce + support a small business, and dishes seem like a breeze. I have been cooking almost every night with the windows open and the Florida Georgia Line radio playing, and Jase sometimes is creating the most beautiful cocktails next to me with freshly squeezed watermelon and orange. I am more intentional about using the produce we have because not many other options like we had before are available, and I have such a strong desire to feed our bodies with nutrition to keep our immune systems strong!I started a Master Class and Alice Waters is inspiring me to plan meals based on the ingredients I get from the farm, and it has brought about this whole new light and intention to cooking and meals! This time is truly bringing new purpose to what used to be a mundane activity. Now I cook out of necessity for health, conserving the produce we have, and it has allowed so much space for creativity. Who knew that I would develop a new excitement for making homemade salsas from the pretty tomatoes or roasted carrots from the cookbook I never had a chance to look through? There are truly so many silver linings in this time of unknowns, sadness, loss, and confusion. Embracing them makes every day a little brighter!How has this time added to your cooking routine?
I'm excited to share with you over the next few weeks a few of the things I'm doing in my kitchen right now as a part of my In The Kitchen series – things like how to maximize your produce, what to grab when shopping, growing your own greens, and more.Follow along with me here, or at my Instagram where I often post a meal I'm cooking or kitchen must-have I'm loving. xShop My Look Here: Top, skirt, sunnies
Self-Care Tip: Bath Must-Haves
While there are many things about this season that have been challenging and difficult to process, I’ve been taking extra time to be grateful for the things I do have, and find light in the little activities that bring joy, rest, and make me feel whole. I think now more than ever, it’s important to find ways to take care of yourself, and to allow yourself to find peace. One of my favorite ways to practice extra self-care is by taking a bath! Here are a few Self-Care Tips and my Bath Must-Haves that have quickly become a part of my everyday routine: I often talk about this brand because I absolutely love their products! These bath soaks are made with many great (and of course, clean) ingredients including essential oils that add such a calming and soothing aspect to my bath routine! (I’ve stocked up on their bath line and love to rotate through them as a part of my bath routine).Any time I take a bath, I’ll use this beforehand! Dry brushing has so many great benefits, but before baths, especially, it’s a great way to practice self-care by activating your body’s release of toxins before you soak. These bath salts are simply the best! I love this brand because the ingredients are pure and raw, and they also assist in fighting off toxic build up in the body while hydrating and nourishing my skin - a self-care must! This scrub is an item that takes my time for self-care to the next level. It’s made with brown sugar and hydrating sweet almond oil that not only smells amazing but also leaves my skin feeling so moisturized afterwards! This sponge I’ve talked about a few times before because I simply love it! Not only is it a bath must-have staple for me, but the amount of body wash it’s helped me save has been amazing. It has quickly become a self-care item I cannot do without.I’ll use this particular bath soak on nights when I’m extra tired and need help getting rest. It’s also a great aid to your body when you feel you might be getting sick or are already under the weather! When I’m feeling stressed and want to relax, I make sure to use these bath salts that help calm my mind and soothe my muscles! I love the way it smells and knowing that it’s helping my body while I cut out time for self-care is such a bonus. However you’re feeling in this season, I hope you find time to do something that adds extra care and relaxation into your routine! x[show_shopthepost_widget id="4014588"]
All About That H20
Water is essential to wellness. Drinking enough water allows us to thrive, function and feel our best. When it comes to my personal water intake, I drink at a minimum 120 oz a day. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3514301"]
Let's talk water. First off, having clean drinking water is such a blessing and my prayer is that clean drinking water becomes more available in developing countries where it is not as accessible as it is here in the States. The Water Project is a great charity on the mission of making clean drinking a reality in African countries. If you are passionate about this cause, definitely check them out and prayerfully consider a monetary contribution. 
Water is essential to wellness. Drinking enough water allows us to thrive, function and feel our best. When it comes to my personal water intake, I drink at a minimum 120 oz a day. If I have a particularly hard workout and sweat a lot, that amount will be more. Investing in a quality water filtering system is a good idea to ensure water purity, so we use the Kangen filter at home. It is definitely an investment but one of the most important ones you can make. Not to mention, it gives options for different alkaline levels, supplies beauty water for washing your hair and face, and offers acidic water for cleaning dishes and disinfecting countertops! 
For water on the go, I love using a glass water bottle that I can refill with filtered water. When I don't have a glass bottle with me, the bottled water brand that I always reach for is Essentia. Essentia water is supercharged ionized alkaline water that is proven to hydrate more effectively. As you can tell from the images above, it's my go-to! #notsponsored
THE OUTFIT
[show_shopthepost_widget id="3514301"]images: felicia lasala
Shop My Supplements: Lo's Daily Takes
Hey friends! As you know, I have a clean living program called The Clean Sweep to serve as a guide to eating clean, using clean products, and implementing clean practices into your everyday lives. As part of the kickoff to the program this month, I also launched a collection of supplements, Lo's Daily Takes, created by Dr. Dustin Dillberg, a functional medicine consultant & owner of Pain Free Kauai.Keep reading below to hear directly from Dr. Dillberg himself about each of the supplements that we worked together to bring to you! Turmeric, Fish Oil, and a Probiotic are all staples in my supplement routine, so I am beyond thrilled to have my own collection, created extremely purely to be of the upmost quality.--Opt for Omegas: This fish oil is hands down the best on the market. Opt for Omegas premium fish oil comes in a monoglyceride form, the type of oil molecule your body is able to absorb and use fastest. Ideal for those with digestive issues, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular risk factors, etc. Opt for Omegas is IFOS 5-Star certified and has a 3x greater absorption rate than an equivalent dose of an ethyl-ester fish oil. This superior quality fish oil is processed using the highest standards of purification. Opt for Omegas is:-Temperature controlled.-Tested thoroughly for heavy metals, plastics, toxins, radiation isotopes, oxidation, viability (fresh vs. rancid)-Processed using the highest quality certified sustainable fish from Scandinavia.-Non-GMO and Antibiotic free--Pass That Probiotic: Pass That Probiotic is an excellent quality 4-strain probiotic supplement that comes in vegetarian capsules and is dairy/gluten free. This probiotic has 30 billion CFU (Colony Forming Units) per capsule and is nitrogen purged in aluminum blister packs, protecting the live bacteria from heat, moisture, and oxygen. Factors such as these may compromise stability and efficacy, so it is critical that the probiotics you are consuming have been temperature controlled and protected like these have! Pass That Probiotic also uses specially designed innovative capsules that help slow exposure of actives to stomach acid and ensure a more targeted release. A good probiotic is essential to helping maintain a healthy gut flora. Pass That Probiotic is without a doubt one of the most effective, clean, high quality probiotics that you’ll find!--Take Your Turmeric: Mounting research has shown that consuming turmeric can have profound implications on your health. From joint health, cardiovascular health, glucose metabolism, inflammation, brain function, etc, it is clear that integrating a high quality turmeric supplement into your health regimen can be extremely important. Not all turmeric is created equal however. Take Your Turmeric is a 100% turmeric extract comprised of 86% curcuminoids, 7-9% essential oils, and the rest being natural raw material from the turmeric root. Scientists discovered that taking advantage of the synergism between the curcuminoids and essential oils could drastically enhance the absorption of curcumin into the blood. Research has shown that this formula is “absorbed earlier and retained longer” compared to other leading forms. If you’re planning on taking turmeric, Take Your Turmeric the right way with this outstanding, extensively researched, premium grade 100% turmeric extract supplement!
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Molekule Review for Allergy Relief
Has anyone else been struggling as much as Jason and I this season with allergies? Even my family in Dallas has been saying that it is the worst they have ever experienced. [show_shopthepost_widget id="3236950"]
Has anyone else been struggling as much as Jason and I this season with allergies? Even my family in Dallas has been saying that it is the worst they have ever experienced.
[show_shopthepost_widget id="3236950"]Thank you, Molekule, for gifting me this air purifier!
Jase and I are Cleansing for 21 Days: The Inside Scoop
My best friend and I traveled to Tulum in November to celebrate her big 3-0, and it was the trip of a lifetime for so many reasons. We stayed at Sanara, where the menu consists only of foods and ingredients that restore gut health. With that said, her birthday cake made quite a statement since it was covered in shredded coconut and lined with bananas. LOL. Nykki came up to our table to ask what it was and mentioned that she had just turned 40. I could not believe it. She had #bodygoals. I asked her how she looked the way she did, and she told me she detoxed her body three to four times a year. Her credibilty and her story were so fascinating, and after asking her one million questions, I was so thrilled to cleanse as soon as we arrived back in LA.So the journey begins...I convinced Jase to do this cleanse with me, and he was a little nervous but excited. Ditto to that! Side note: my parents are doing it at the same time as us, which makes it extra fun. My dad has been calling me with the coolest improvement stories (even though he is an active, health nut), and he is only on day 5 out of 21. It is so fascinating what the body does when it is encouraged to heal itself from the inside + sometimes we don't know how badly we were feeling until we feel amazing. We are surrounded by toxins on the daily, and it is so necessary to cleanse them out of our bodies.To summarize, we are eating completely plant based for three weeks. Jason was extra nervous about eliminating meat, but it has not been nearly as hard as he imagined. It takes extra thought and effort to make appropriate smoothies, follow the daily schedule filled with powders and tonics, and to make and prep each meal. Jase takes a packed lunch to work every day, since there are no healthy options near by, and homemade dinners are a win + we get extra creative if we are out and about AKA we ask lots of questions and make a few adjustments. The worst part: the taste of the tonics. They are a bit potent, but they are only for a few seconds of each day with major benefit, so we power through!
This Cleanse in a Nutshell21 Cleanse is a therapeutic grade, organic herbal cleanse system that can help you remove the toxins, chemicals and environmental pollutants from your body so you can feel better and start to make healthier food choices. Combining the products with a strategic plant-based nutrition program, 21 Cleanse can support you in getting the harmful substances out of your body, repairing your liver and gut, rebalancing your hormones, and reversing the damage of living in our modern world.The Best PartYou will not starve while on your cleanse. Nykki advises eating 3 plant based meals a day and includes a complete vegan nutrition program to eliminate the guesswork. You receive food lists, shopping lists, recipes so you always know what to do and never get bored. While on your cleanse, you receive 30 days of email support with how-to videos that walk you through the entire process. All your questions will be answered so you feel clear, motivated and inspired every step of the way.