Blog - Essential Oxygen

5 Ways to Get Rid of Coffee Stains on Your Teeth at Home

June 18, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

Written by Kathy Gallo

As any dedicated coffee drinker will know – as well as those who enjoy tea or red wine – our daily brew comes at a price: drinking coffee (or tea or wine) stains teeth. This creates quite a dilemma. We don’t want to give up our favorite beverage but we all want beautiful, white teeth.

If you want to continue drinking coffee but you are looking for a way to maintain your bright and shiny smile, we have a list of methods for whitening teeth at home – as well as some suggestions for avoiding the stains in the first place.

How do teeth stain?

Before we give you our tips, let’s look very briefly at how coffee and other drinks stain teeth.

Our teeth consist of several layers, the outermost of which being the enamel. Enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in our body and protects the more delicate layers below.

The enamel on our teeth is covered in microscopic holes. When food or drink becomes stuck in the holes, the enamel becomes stained. This is known as “extrinsic staining”.

However, if we do not regularly clean this extrinsic staining, the tooth below can also become stained; this is known as “intrinsic staining”. Intrinsic staining is much harder to clean, and for this reason, it is very important regularly to remove stains from our teeth.

How can you remove stains from your teeth at home?

Here are our top five tricks for whitening teeth and removing coffee stains at home without the need to see a dentist.

Use a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mix

This is one of the most popular DIY methods for removing stains. First, you need to prepare a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Take a container to mix it in and start by adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Then add some baking soda and stir to make a paste.

Once you have made your mixture, there are two ways to use it. Either you can use the mixture to brush your teeth just like with a toothpaste or you can spread it over your teeth and leave it to act for around 15-20 minutes. After you have finished, brush your teeth with regular toothpaste.

Some people might be alarmed at the idea of putting hydrogen peroxide in their mouth since this is the same chemical we use for bleaching hair – but actually there is nothing to worry about at all since hair bleach is a completely different product.

The hydrogen peroxide you use for your teeth is nowhere near as strong as hair bleach: it is a perfectly safe and commonly-used teeth-whitening product. You can buy it online or over the counter; Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide from essentialoxygen.com is a recommended product.

Use a home teeth-whitening kit

Teeth-whitening kits also commonly use hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. There are at least two kinds.

In one kind, you apply the product to a guard which you then place over your teeth. After leaving for a specified amount of time, you remove the guard.

The second kind is similar, but this time uses strips. You place the strips on your teeth and leave them to do their job. When the allotted time has passed, you then remove them. However, using these products in the long term can damage your teeth and gums.

Use a whitening toothpaste or a polish

One of the easiest ways to whiten your teeth at home without the need to see a professional is to use whitening toothpaste. These products are easy to find in any store that sells toothpaste; you simply use it instead of your regular toothpaste.

There is some controversy over these products, however. Most whitening toothpastes contain tiny abrasive particles which polish your teeth by scratching them. Prolonged use may wear the enamel on your teeth. Since enamel doesn’t grow back, this can lead to permanent damage.

Another similar option is to buy a tooth-whitening polish such as BR Tooth Polish from essentialoxygen.com.

Oil Pulling

For those who don’t like the idea of using chemicals on their teeth, a more natural option is to use oil in a practice known as “oil pulling”. The method is very simple: you simply swish a tablespoon of oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes before spitting it out.

You can use any oil. Traditionally, sunflower or sesame oil were used but now coconut oil is a popular choice. Coconut oil also has the added benefit of killing bacteria, helping maintain your oral hygiene.

Swill with apple cider

This is a very simple technique. Simply swill with apple cider for 10 minutes or so, spit and brush. This is not recommended in the long term since apple cider is acidic and will damage your teeth.

3 tips on how to avoid stains in the first place

Add milk

By adding milk to your coffee, you will lighten the color of the coffee and so reduce its ability to stain. The proteins in animal milk also bind to the staining polyphenols in coffee and carry them to the stomach where they can be broken down.

This method also works with tea – but you might not want to try with red wine!

Drink through a straw

If you drink through a straw, the coffee will not wash over your teeth and so will not have chance to stain them. This is an effective method of avoiding stains, but some might find it strange with hot coffee.

Rinse your mouth after drinking coffee or brush your teeth

After drinking coffee, simply rinse your mouth with water. This will remove some of the damaging acidity from your teeth.

You can also brush your teeth after coffee – but you should wait an hour since the acidity of coffee leaves your enamel slightly weakened. And there is another situation, How about if you just finished tooth extraction, should you drink coffee or how to avoid stain? you can find the answer here.

Either way, each time you reach for your Keurig coffee machine or other favorite brewing system, don’t forget to clean your teeth and mouth after!

Continue enjoying your coffee – and keep smiling!

We hope this list of tips has been useful. If you follow our advice, there is no reason why you should have to sacrifice your favorite drink or give up your dazzling smile.

If you take steps to prevent stains from happening as well as removing stains regularly when they occur, you can continue enjoying your coffee while maintaining the white color of your teeth. If in any doubt, don’t hesitate to consult a dental professional.

Eco Friendly Father’s Day Gift Ideas (That Won’t Break The Bank)

June 12, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

By: Emmi Buck

This Father’s Day, try and be green-minded as you shop for your pop. When we say green, we mean both eco-friendly AND money saving 😉

Check out the below list of gift ideas for your dad that will make dad smile and won’t harm the planet or your wallet.

Indosole Shoes $35 – $75

https://indosole.com/

Dad will love these shoes for their comfort and be even more excited about helping our planet by up-cycling tires that would otherwise become trash and pollution. Indosole help to alleviate the problem of 1.5 billion tires being dumped each year by turning them into fashionable and functional shoes. Thrown out tires sit in stockyards, illegal dumping sites, and even rivers (yikes!). In tropical countries, tossed out tires can become breeding grounds for mosquitos, which lead to nasty diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Get dad some super hip Indosole shoes and he will help spread the word about the importance of repurposing old goods!

Alpine Start Gourmet Instant Coffee $8.99

https://alpinestartfoods.com/

Pops loves his coffee? You should turn him on to Alpine Start instant coffee. These are outdoor folks with a major love for coffee, and their products are nothing short of amazing. Their flagship product, the instant coffee pack, is nothing like the mediocre instant coffee you’ve tried before. They have a patented process for creating their powdered instant deliciousness, and it is out of this world good. They offer original blend coffee (SO GOOD), a coconut creamer latte, and also a dirty chai latte – all of which are focused on high-quality as well as environmentally friendly.

Dixon Golf Balls $39.96

http://www.dixongolf.com

If your dad likes to golf, get him some golf balls that’re engineered to have less impact on our planet. Dixon golf balls are comprised of heavy earth salts rather than heavy metal fillers. Also, with the purchase of a Dixon item you are contributing a tree to the ecosystem. Dixon pledges to plant one tree in honor of the all products sold online. They also make every effort to use materials such as SEC certified bond paper and recycled Kraft paper in their packaging needs.

Poor Valley Beehives $80+

https://www.poorvalleybeefarm.com/

Starting a beehive might be on your dad’s checklist, and even if it isn’t we bet he would love this concept. Not only will it help your families’ garden, but it i good for the whole ecosystem in your neighborhood! Help save the bees, boost your home garden’s productivity and health, and get delicious homemade honey all at the same time!

Recycled Beer Glasses $15.99

https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/recycled-beer-glasses?source=related

Whether your father likes beer or lemonade, these recycled glasses are sure to be a hit. They’re handmade in Colombia of discarded, recycled and repurposed glass, these glasses are sure to add a sophisticated twist to any bar collection. These sturdy glasses have a slight green hue from the building and car window tints originally added to lessen the sun’s glare, and dad will have a great story to tell when he pours his friends a drink.

Avalon Organics Shave Cream $7.99

https://www.avalonorganics.com/en/products/bath-and-body/shave/aloe-unscented-moisturizing-cream-shave/

This shaving cream is not only very affordable, but also is great for your dad’s kin and the environment. Avalon’s gentle, replenishing blend of aloe vera, beta-glucan and plant extracts provides soothing moisture plus razor lift and glide while helping speed repair of nicks and irritation. Your dad’s skin will feel soft, smooth and comfortable after every shave.

Framani Meats & Cheeses $18+

http://www.framani.com

Foodie father? Look no further. Framani’s mission is to keep old world food traditions alive in taste and craft, using ingredients of the highest quality from sustainable sources.Their meat comes from family farmers committed to the well-being of their animals and their land. The animals are never given antibiotics, artificial growth hormones, growth-promoting agents or meat by-products, and are raised on pasture or in deeply bedded pens.You can find their products at many nearby quality stores like Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Andronico’s, Mollie Stone’s, Central Market, and more!

Photo by Tanya Boggs

All Good Sunscreen $7.99 – 59.99

https://allgoodproducts.com/shop/reef-friendly-sunscreens/

Does dad spend a lot of time outside? Make sure he is protecting himself from harmful cancer-causing sun rays without exposing himself to extremely harmful chemicals. Most sunscreen products contain ingredients that are not only harmful to humans, but also very detrimental to our ecosystem, especially aquatic life. All Good makes products that are reef-friendly, utilizes solar power at their manufacturing plant, oppose GMO ingredients, and use recycled packaging materials.

Get Dad A Tree or Plant! $15+

Head to your local nursery or store that sells plants and trees, then pick out whatever seems most suited to your dad! Whether it’s an apple tree or tomato plant, your father will love planting his own growing item to call his own! You will not only help our planet with this gift, but you’ll be providing dad with years of fun and memories to come.

Sustainable Socks From Thought $6 – $60

https://www.wearethought.com/sustainable-socks/

We’re pretty sure it’s a proven fact that dads love new socks. We guarantee you father will love these comfy feet-huggers, because who doesn’t love a nice new pair of socks? Treat your father’s feet to heavenly hemp or super soft bamboo fibre socks. These eco-friendly socks are ridiculously comfy, durable and come in loads of different colors and patterns.

The Truth About MCT Oil

June 6, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

By Guest Blogger: Janine Einhellig

If you haven’t ran across the ketogenic diet yet, you will soon. Someone you know will be trying it, or even a celebrity will claim it’s their secret health solution. The ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carb diet, with the intent of keeping your body in ketosis, aka fat burning mode. To do this, there are a few supplements that have become popular in the keto word. One of those popular supplements is MCT oil. Some people will tell you it’s the best thing since sliced bread, others will tell you they don’t care for it. So what’s the real deal with MCT oil?

So What Is MCT Oil?

MCT is more than just a cool stage name, it actually stands for medium-chain triglycerides. Medium chain triglycerides have no less than 6 carbon chains (anything less than that is short-chain) and no more than 12 (anymore more than that is long-chain).

MCT oil is derived from the medium chain triglycerides in fractionated coconut and sometimes palm kernel oil. What does fractionated mean? Fractionated just means that the long-chain fatty acids have been removed from the oil in a steam distillation process; this leaves behind just medium-chain fatty acids.

Does It Matter What Oil I Take?

YES! Here’s a little science as to why not all MCT oils are actually MCT oils. MCT breaks down into four sub groups.

1. Caproic Acid (six carbons)
2. Caprylic Acid (eight carbons)
3. Capric Acid (10 carbons)
4. Lauric Acid (12 carbons)

Only caprylic acid and capric acid have potent ketogenic effects on the body, according to one study out of many. That’s not to say that caproic and lauric acid don’t have benefits, they do, but they don’t have the fat-burning benefits of caprylic and capric acid.

So if you are considering supplementing with a pure MCT supplement, look for one that is either completely C8 (caprylic acid) and/or C10 (capric acid). A few MCT supplements may talk about lauric acid, avoid those if ketosis is your goal.

Can I Just Eat Coconut Oil Instead of Taking MCTS?

Yes, yes, you definitely can, but the benefit may not be the same. If you do decide to simply intake lots of coconut oil, make sure to choose a high-quality, virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil. The more refined versions may have less amounts of the right types of medium chain triglycerides (even lauric acid, which for the sake of the keto dieter isn’t really an MCT despite its other health benefits), so be choosy about which brand you get. As far as palm oil is concerned, most palm oils on the market are harvested using damaging methods. If you do decide to supplement with palm oil, look for a company that uses sustainable methods.

Benefits of MCT Oil: Ketosis and More

A little history behind the ketogenic diet: it was actually used as a highly effective and therapeutic treatment for epilepsy. With the advent of epileptic drugs pushed by the pharmaceutical, the popularity of the keto diet declined. Its benefits, however, still remain. There have been several studies that have shown great improvements in epileptic patients, one in particular where nearly 56% of patients has greater than 50% reduction in seizures.

So how does this tie into MCT oil? MCT oil is loved by keto dieters because it supplies a quick source of energy to the liver and it is difficult for the body to convert it to fat, unlike olive oil (as healthy as olive oil is, moderation is still key) or even many brands of refined coconut oil. This may help ease the body into ketosis faster. In fact, in one study people using MCT oil lost a much greater amount of weight than those who used olive oil as a replacement. But the benefits of ketosis are more than just rapid weight loss.

Ketones Protect Against Neurodegenerative Disease

Alzheimer’s, dementia, and “milder” neurodegenerative diseases have risen in scary and epic proportions the last decade. Fasting (eating no food and just drinking water) has been shown to quickly induce a state of ketosis and boost BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which is important in brain plasticity and memory.

Obviously fasting for long periods of time is not sustainable, so in enters the keto diet, which mimics the therapeutic effects of fasting while still allowing food. Because of its help increasing ketones, MCT oil is one of the best ways to maximize your results.

Improves Satiety

Dramatic blood sugar dips really do a number on your hormones and mental health, not to mention cravings. While the keto diet alone may minimize any blood sugar drops, MCT oil may also help to improve satiety because it provides an instant, easily-digestible source of satiating energy, without the carbs. More stable blood sugar may lead to longer or more intense workouts, which in turn can boost fat burning.

MCT Oil Cons

As with any supplement, there are a few drawbacks with MCT oil:

- Expensive

Leads to Easy Shortcut Mentality

Some MCT oil can be rather pricey. That being said, any high-quality oil, coconut or olive, will have a higher price tag than cheap knockoff brands.

In addition, many people don’t want to actually put in the work of doing the ketogenic diet but instead just want to “pop a pill” (or take a tbsp. of oil) and call it a day. The benefits of supplementing with MCT oil will be minimal if you are indulging in junk food or even “healthy” high-carb meals like plates of pasta, sushi, bread, and so on. For some, MCT oil is just the right boost they need to supplement their keto diet for health, weight loss or exercise needs, not to replace it.

Conclusion

MCT can be helpful, if:

-You already do the keto diet and want a boost
-You are struggling to maintain energy or blood sugar levels
-You want to replace your other fats with MCTs to maximize results

MCT oil may not be helpful if:

-You use it to try to cover up bad eating habits
-You choose a cheap brand low in C8 and C10

It’s so easy to include MCT oil in your diet. Blend it with coffee or good-quality green tea and vanilla stevia for a powerful fat-burning drink or use it in salad dressings. You can even use it for cooking because the fats in it are so stable, so be creative and have fun!

Author Bio: Janine Einhellig is owner and author at KetoDomain.com, a website focused on helping people achieve success on the ketogenic diet through information, meal plans and coaching. Janine enjoys writing and operating Keto Domain because of the great impacts the ketogenic diet can have on quality of life.

Water Bottle Wisdom [INFOGRAPHIC]

June 5, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

Water is life and water bottles are vessels of life. Love yourself and the planet by drinking enough water, drinking pure spring water, carrying your own water bottle to avoid single use plastic and the BPA they leach and keep the stinky slime out of your water bottle by rinsing it weekly with 3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydro flask and S’well are two brands we like for durable and eco-friendly water containers.

Check out the below infographic with tips on how to keep yourself healthy by staying hydrated, finding clean water, and cleaning your water bottle properly.

Curious about how much fluoride is in your area’s tap water? Check out Fluoride Alert to search for your state and get news on the issues with fluoride in our drinking water.

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water each day, and we challenge you to encourage friends and family to do the same! Share your tips on how to remind yourself to drink water, or how to reach your water drinking goals each day, in the comments below!

Flax- The Ancient Seed for Weight Loss

June 4, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

Guest Post By: Michael Morelli

Are you looking for a way to lose weight but you are already tired of the usual tips that are not working? There is a simple but effective way that you can consider in losing weight. With this technique, you do not have to be hard on yourself. All you need to do is to add this wonder seed to your diet and you will certainly have a control over your weight and you can also help improve the condition of your heart and your blood pressure. If you are planning to consider custom meal plan, check out this information about flaxseeds.

What are Flaxseeds?

Flaxseeds are also called linseeds with the scientific name Linum usitassimum. It comes in two varieties namely brown flax and golden flax. This seed has originated from the Middle East and it is known as one of the most ancient crops in the world. This seed is known to have contents that can fight against prostate cancer, skin cancer, and even colon cancer. This is one of the most important effects of the seed that most people do not know about. Aside from this, it also contains antioxidants and fiber that can also be great for your health. It is not a secret that flaxseeds are very helpful in increasing the immune system and in developing the condition of the heart because it contains Omega-3.

Flaxseed and weight loss – the science behind it

If you are planning to lose weight, you can add flaxseed to your food. It can be perfectly added to your drinks or your vegetable salad. It is not really a mystery that flax seeds can be a great help in losing weight. There is a scientific explanation for this. First, it has more amino acid but it has low carbohydrates. With this, you will not easily feel hungry and unhealthy cravings are lessened. This is very important for people who are really serious about losing weight. Aside from this, flax seeds can also assist you in stabilizing blood sugar.

Reasons why you should consume flax seed

Aside from the weight loss effect, there are also other benefits that you will get from flax seed. Here are some of the ways on how it can help you improve your health:

It helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels among the people who are suffering from diabetes. This is evident because of the levels of antioxidants contained in the seed. If you want to control your diabetes, you should add consume flaxseed regularly.
It can also be helpful in improving your skin condition and in avoiding skin diseases. With its Omega-3 content, your skin cells will surely be developed healthily. It can be the best moisturizer and hydrant for your skin.
Flaxseed can also help you strengthen your hair. This is possible because of the Omega-3 acid. This is recommended for people who are experiencing hair breakage.
It can also help in detoxifying and in fighting asthma and obesity.
Flax seed can also help in digestion. This will help the body in absorbing more nutrients.

There are other benefits that are not limited to the ones that are enumerated above.

How to use flaxseeds for weight loss

One of the most important things about flaxseed that you need to know is that you can add it to a variety of foods. Here is a list that you can consider:

Oatmeal and cereals
Muffins, bread, and toast
Salads and Sauces
Smithies
Pasta and burgers
Vegetables, chicken, and fish

With all these options that you can choose from, you can easily integrate flax seed to your daily diet. It can be part of your major meals or your snacks.

Recipe of flaxseed for weight loss

Here is a perfect recipe that you can add to your list of food that can be possibly added to flaxseed:

Banana Bread Muffins

This is a perfect recipe because you do not really have to add flour. You will need 2 ripe medium bananas, honey, rolled oats, almond meal, vanilla extract, baking soda and ground flaxseed for this. Here is a simple process on how you can make some flaxseed stuffed muffins:

Preheat the oven to 375F.
Prepare the muffin pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Blend all ingredients in a blender until it becomes creamy.
Pour the mixture in to muffin pan you have prepared.
Bake it for 10 minutes.

You can now enjoy this healthy banana muffin. It can last for a week if you are going to store it in an air-tight container.

With all the information provided above, flax seed is indeed one of the wonder seeds that are available for everyone. Consider the tips about how you can integrate it into your meals and you will surely enjoy its benefits.

Author: Michael Morelli

Eye Health Tips [INFOGRAPHIC]

May 29, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

After several bouts of goopy morning eyes and pink eye, we realized the importance of keeping our eyes clean. It blows your mind when you think about it. So many items that contact our eyes are breeding grounds for bacteria.

The CDC reports that over 30 million people in the U.S. wear contacts, which need to be carefully taken care of / cleaned or they can be a major source of eye irritation and/or infection. The CDC also reports that serious eye infections that can lead to blindness affect up to 1 out of every 500 contact lens users each year. Not following proper contact lens care is been linked to outbreaks of serious eye infections. Between 40%-90% of contact lens wearers do not properly follow the care instructions for their contact lenses – that seems like a LOT! Improper cleaning of contacts, contact lens cases, and other items that come in contact with your eyes have been linked to a higher risk of complications. (1)

According to the American Academy of Opthalmology, each year over 1 million Americans get eye infections so bad that they require a trip to the doctor or hospital. (2) You can prevent painful and potentially blinding eye infections by properly cleaning things that can come in contact with your eyes.

Check out the Infographic below for tips on how to protect your eyes from harmful bacteria and keep your vision pristine!

Sources

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/contactlenses/fast-facts.html

(2) https://www.aao.org/newsroom/eye-health-statistics

11 Camping Hacks You Need To Know

May 22, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

By Emmi Buck

Essential Oxygen Staff & Outdoor Enthusiast

These camping hacks will help you pack smarter and lighter, as well as reduce your impact on mother nature – all while making your outdoors trip the best experience possible!

#1: Freeze bottles of water to use in your cooler

This hack helps reduce the plastic you use (which usually becomes garbage on the trip), helps you bring plenty of water, and saves space in the cooler without bulky frozen pads. Fill up and freeze some re-usable water bottles at least 24 hours before your trip, and space them out in your cooler. As the water melts, you have nice icy-cold drinking water!

#2: Bring a travel sized container of biodegradable 3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide

This multi-purpose cleaner can be used to wipe down camp dishes, cleaning utensils or camping gear, get stains out of clothes, clean ears and wounds, and get rid of skunk smell in case you encounter one of those striped-smelly-sprayers! Since it’s biodegradable, you can confidently clean anything out in nature knowing that our biodegradable FGHP is good for you and for mother earth. You can also add a little to your ears to clean them out, or gently clean a cut to disinfect. Lastly, if your dog or yourself ends up on the wrong end of a skunk, making a paste with baking soda and a little FGHP will get the smell off fide or yourself!

#3: Pre-make most of your food

Whether it’s homemade pre-frozen breakfast burritos, a simple potato or pasta salad, or just washing and chopping veggies before you head out of town, these tricks help in lots of ways! You reduce the packaging/garbage you’ll need to bring with you, save time, and also save yourself the hassle of cleaning dishes while camping.

My favorite camping meal is healthy breakfast burritos, simple recipe below:

10 tortillas of your choice
10 organic eggs (look for local if you can!)
2 large potatoes (peel if desired and cut into grape-sized chunks)
½ a yellow onion (chopped)
4 cups fresh spinach
3 cups grated cheese (I prefer cheddar)
1 lb. MSG-free, organic sausage (local if possible again!) ***omit for vegetarian option and add more veggies if desired***
Olive oil, salt, pepper, italian seasoning
Aluminum foil
Salsa (if desired)

Directions:

If using sausage (or another meat of your choice) season to taste and cook in a pan, then remove meat on to a plate, keeping the grease inside the pan.
Using the same pan you cooked the meat in (or add some olive oil to a pan if you’re not using meat), add the chopped potatoes and season to taste with some salt, pepper and italian seasoning and fry on medium-high for ~8 minutes or until light brown. Add the chopped onion and reduce heat to medium-low, cooking another 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent. Once thoroughly cooked, add the veggies to a plate, keeping some oil and seasoning in the pan for the eggs.
Scramble the eggs in a bowl, and add to the same pan you’ve been using, cooking on medium-low heat until the eggs are thoroughly cooked, stirring as you go to give them some fluff texture. At the last minute, add the spinach and stir into warm eggs to help it saute down a bit.
Lay out tortillas, filling them one at a time, with a small handful/layer of cheese first, then the eggs, then the veggies, and lastly some meat. Roll up the burrito and place on a sheet of aluminum foil, wrapping it tight.
Once you’ve made them all, add to your freezer, and now the’re ready to reheat over a campfire or stove with minimum work and no clean-up in the morning! You can add some salsa for extra flavor and juicy-ness if desired before eating.

#4: Pack a 3-ounce travel size Organic Brushing Rinse

Not only is it a mouthwash and toothpaste in one, it is biodegradable, so it’s safe to spit out in nature. Keeping your oral care on track while camping/backpacking is crucial, so don’t neglect your pearly whites while you’re away from home. If you’re in a pinch, the Organic Brushing Rinse can also act as a cleaning product for your camp dishes since it has Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide in it!

#5: Bring pre-charged re-usable battery packs or small solar set-up

Whether you need to power a light, Bluetooth speaker, or charge your phone, you can mind many brands of small, lightweight battery packs or portable solar set-ups. Don’t forget the charging cables for any items you want to power-up! We love the Goal Zero mini-solar panels that easily strap to a back-pack and fold for transport.

Goal Zero Nomad Solar Panels Are Great For Outdoor Transportable Power

#6: Extra bags, large and small

You’ll find so many uses for some extra bags. Whether it’s a wet towel or bathing suit you don’t want getting everything else wet in your bag, some dirty dishes you’d rather wash at home, or you find trash left by others (please pick it up!) you can always find uses from your old shopping bags. I also like to put my really muddy camping shoes in them once the adventure is over and I don’t want to dirty my bag or car.

#7: Repurpose shirts or towels for camping rags

If you have an odl towel or t-shirt you we’re getting ready to toss, cut it up into hand-towel sized rags and bring along to use for cleaning while camping. Whether you use it to scrub off pans/dishes/silverware, or wipe down dirty camping gear, these always come in handy and you don’t have to worry how dirty they get!

#8: Bring a small container of coconut oil

By now we all know there are a LOT of uses for coconut oil, and you’d be surprised how handy it can come in white camping! You can use it in cooking, and also on your body. Did you know coconut oil is ~5 SPF and has antioxidants in it to protect skin from sun? It’s also great for dry or chapped skin, soothing aching hiking feet, and softening unruly or damaged hair. Forgot your creamer? It also tastes great when added to coffee! Add some to a small jar for easy and light transportation.

#9: Think through your car/RV/tent/cooler placement

When you get to your camping site, check where the sun is rising and setting and look for shaded areas to park your car and/or set up your tent. Those extra hours of shade in the morning will help you sleep in by keeping your tent nice and cool. It’s never fun to wake up to warm drinks in a cooler, or melted chocolate bars in the car!

#10: Avoid cotton based clothing

Cotton can hold water really well, so if it rains or you fall in a stream – you’d be much better off wearing a synthetic material or wool which dries much quicker. This is especially important if you’re going to be camping where it’s cold or temperatures drop at night. Staying dry and warm can mean the difference between life or death in extreme situations.

#11: Map it out

Make sure you have a detailed printed map of the area your going or before you leave cell service, pull up a map and take screenshots on your phone. Even if you think you know the area well, downed trees, shifted rivers, overgrowth of new plants, or closed trails can always throw you for a loop. Be prepared with a back-up camping spot or route so you’re ready in case things change on the fly while you’re out of cell service.

Your Everyday Products May Contain Toxins: Avoid These 3 Ingredients For Better Health

May 15, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

Guest Post

By: Morgan Statt, Health & Safety Investigator for ConsumerSafety.org

Health and wellness has begun to encompass so much more than just regular fitness and proper eating habits. Although we can’t deny that these are the pillars of a well-lived life, we now have to consider other factors that may be affecting our health on a daily basis. The environment we live in, the products we use, and even our genetic makeup can play a role in our overall well-being.

Perhaps one of the easiest health factors to lose sight of during our hectic lives is our use of everyday products. Today, we’re tasked as consumers to educate ourselves on the harmful ingredients that may be lingering in things as common as the toothpaste we use and the foods we eat. More often than not, we expose ourselves to these toxins without us even being aware of it.

In addition to the healthy foods you eat and the exercises you do on a weekly basis, start actively checking your everyday product labels for the presence of toxins. Take the time to educate yourself on these three potentially harmful ingredients and the products in your very home that they may be lurking in.

Talcum Mining

Check for talc in your hygiene products.

Talcum powder is a mineral-based ingredient found in common hygiene products like baby powder and cosmetics to help to reduce friction and wick away moisture on the skin. Although the ingredient was commonplace in the later half of the 20th century, studies dating back to the 1970s have linked talcum powder to a higher risk of ovarian cancer and lung disease. Today, talcum powder continues to make headlines after thousands of women filed claims placing the blame of their ovarian cancer diagnosis on the presence of talc in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products.

The FDA does not currently regulate the use of talc in cosmetics, despite current regulation in place for food products. Interestingly enough, the European Union bans the use of the ingredient completely.

Tip: If you discover that your favorite hygiene products do contain talc, don’t stress. Instead, consider purchasing talc-free options for your cosmetics and baby powder which will clearly say so on the label.

Avoid alcohol in your mouthwash.

Did you know that even the slightest imbalance in our oral microbiome can cause a multitude of oral health problems? In a study conducted by the journal Microbiome, researchers found that Americans who were heavy drinkers had more “bad bacteria” in their mouth than good. This heightened amount of unhealthy germs can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and plaque buildup, as well as increase our risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Alcohol is also known to cause dry mouth and an absence of saliva, which can bring about tongue irritation and gum disease.

Even if you only drink alcohol in moderation, it can still be hiding in everyday oral care products like your mouthwash and toothpaste. For better oral care all around, look for alcohol-free products like this Organic Brushing Rinse that will help keep the good bacteria you need in your mouth for a stable and healthy oral microbiome.

Steer clear of gardening supplies that contain glyphosate.

Glyphosate is a synthetic compound used to effectively kill weeds and other annoyances that can wreak havoc on your garden or lawn. It is found in most herbicides and pesticides that are used in mass agricultural settings and for home use. Despite its ability to kill plant predators, the compound has been listed by both the World Health Organization and the state of California as a probable carcinogen. Exposure to glyphosate has been linked to liver and kidney damage, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and other forms of cancer.

The brand-name Roundup has been dealing with current litigation because of its inclusion of glyphosate, and its maker Monsanto has since been required to provide sufficient warning labels on the weed killer. Scarily enough, this pesticide use has led to findings of trace amounts of the compound on household foods such as Quaker Oats.

To protect yourself from the health risks of extended exposure to the compound, consider natural gardening alternatives such as weed-whacking or this weed killer recipe.

How Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help With Dandruff

May 10, 2018 By Essential Oxygen

Guest Post

By: Lorna Frances

If you’ve ever had dandruff, even once in your life, you’ll be all too aware of how annoying, and sometimes embarrassing, it can be.

You wear a black top, and before you know it, it’s snowing on your shoulders!

The thing is, dandruff is totally harmless, and it’s super-common too – almost half of the entire population of the world will suffer from dandruff at some stage in their life. This can be mild, moderate, or it can be severe. The severest form isn’t dangerous either, but it is harder to get rid of.

Dandruff is basically down to the skin on your scalp producing too much oil, called sebum. This results in excess oil which dries off and sticks to the roots of your hair. This can be white, grey, or yellow, and it will appear as really small flakes. The flakes may need to be picked off (which could leave your scalp sore), or it may be very easy to dislodge, even with just a shake of the head. Dandruff can also cause itchy scalp symptoms, as well as the flaking.

There are many remedies out there which promise to help rid you of dandruff, but not all of them are particularly gentle or holistic. Many of these also damage your hair and make it look dull and lifeless. This is not something you want! A good option therefore, and one which will also leave your hair super-shiny and soft, is using apple cider vinegar to get rid of your dandruff.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

You might have heard of apple cider vinegar in many different guises, i.e. as a treatment for acne, helping with weight loss, and even helping in some ways with diabetes. In greater concentrations, apple cider vinegar can also be used as a gentle household cleaner. Multi-functional, we’re sure you’ll agree!

To really bring it down to its most basic form, apple cider vinegar is made of apples which have fermented, but the production process adds in yeast and sugars, amongst a few other things, to add power to proceedings. If you go for an organic version, you get a healthier and more effective potion to use on your hair, and to help rid you of dandruff for good.

Apple cider vinegar is known to be anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. This means that any bacteria or fungus which may be dwelling on your scalp will be kicked out of the way, and the anti-inflammatory side of things will soothe any redness or itching. Because this is a natural deal, apple cider vinegar will also leave your hair smooth and shiny, unlike more potent and powerful treatments which are less natural and more medicated.

You shouldn’t have to swap the health of your hair in general to get rid of dandruff, you are not doing a deal with the devil here. Apple cider vinegar therefore gives you the best of both worlds. Does it smell of vinegar? Yes, a little, but not as much as regular vinegar – just make sure you rinse well!

How Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Dandruff?

There are two main ways you can use apple cider vinegar on your hair, as a treatment for dandruff. Remember that the more severe the case of dandruff, the harder it will be to remove, and it will take a little longer to do so. Mild cases of dandruff should clear up fairly quickly with regular apple cider vinegar usage.

Remember to do a patch test on your scalp before you go the whole hog with applying the apple cider vinegar to your head. Choose a patch just behind your ear or somewhere visible, where you can check for any adverse reactions. Overall however, apple cider vinegar isn’t a liquid which is known to be popular sensitivity.

You can use the vinegar as a hair mask, or you can spray it to the roots and massage it in, thanks to a handy spray bottle. If you were using a hair mask, you would simply shampoo your hair as normal, and then carefully apply the vinegar to your scalp with a cotton wool bud. Leave it on for an hour and then rinse well. You won’t need to re-shampoo and you’ll be left with very clean and shiny hair too!

Goodbye to an Embarrassing Problem

There is no denying the fact that dandruff is annoying, and it can also be distressing and embarrassing. Some people become so fixated on it that it can become very damaging to self-esteem. In this case, something needs to be done, but thankfully, that something is quite simple!

It’s important to remember that dandruff isn’t harmful, and it isn’t going to become so bad that you can never get rid of it. Yes, it’s itchy sometimes, and yes, it can be a little more stubborn occasionally, but it will clear up, and once you know what to do, you can prevent it from coming back again.

Remember to rinse your hair really well after you shampoo and condition, as this will stop the skin pores on your scalp from becoming blocked up. This is a breeding ground for your skin to produce more sebum, because it is confused as to why the pores are blocked! Try using a natural shampoo, in small amounts, and make sure you do that rinsing really, really well. Once you have got rid of your dandruff in the first place, and you do this regularly, it shouldn’t return.

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How Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help With Dandruff

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

How Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Dandruff?

Goodbye to an Embarrassing Problem

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How do teeth stain?

How can you remove stains from your teeth at home?

3 tips on how to avoid stains in the first place

Continue enjoying your coffee – and keep smiling!

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

How Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Dandruff?

Goodbye to an Embarrassing Problem

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CONNECT

EXPLORE

Customer Support

The Love Letter