You know it's fall, y'all, because pumpkin spice everything has taken over. Suddenly Target's shelves are boasting all-things-pumpkin and #PSL is trending on our feeds. And what better way to jump in the season than showing you our favorite clean and green fall hauls! Better still, we'll show you toxic products to throw out and our must-try swaps that will leave you and yours safe and healthy all season long. Join us as we highlight the best product swaps from toxic to clean, one #psl at a time. 😘 🍂 🎃 🥧
Fall Candle Swaps — No Synthetic Fragrances or Dyes!
There's nothing as a hygge (that fancy Danish word for feeling cozy) as candles. In fact, we're pretty sure they are part of the definition of the term. 🤔 Regardless, if you're into that gentle glow of a candle-lit home, then we've got some great swaps for you.
Swap your Target candles for one from the Illume collection. These svelt beauties are crafted from 100% natural ingredients. Illume candles have no artificial or synthetic fragrances or colors. Instead, they opt for an aromatic blend of pure essential oils. We recommend Vetiver Sage filled with notes of Bergamot, Clary Sage, and Vetiver. Try it for $27.
We're also big fans of P.F. Candle headquartered in LA. They offer non-toxic candles that are vegan, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free. Try their Teakwood + Tobacco blend for a subtle, masculine, self-proclaimed "boyfriend scent."
Other great non-toxic candles include Brooklyn Candle Studio, Blood Orange candle by Lomar Farms, and the Ellis Brooklyn Fable Candle.
Fall Candy Swaps — Goodbye Red 40 + High-Fructose Corn Syrup
For all you sweet toothes out there, you can still eat clean AND have candy treats too! There are so many incredible brands out there revolutionizing what it means to enjoy candy. Take YumEarth, for instance. These delicious gummies aren't made with GMO's and they're great for candy lovers with allergies.
Better still, you won't find any Red 40's lurking in their ingredient list. Instead, they use natural sources like carrots and plums to add some colorful hues to their recipes. And forget high-fructose corn syrup! These tasty treats are made with fruit juices, organic brown rice syrup, and organic cane sugar. Grab yours starting at $7.49.
Marshmallow's more your style? Try Max Mallow, a delicious marshmallow made without sugar, fat, or gluten but with body-loving additions of collagen, MCT Oil, and Monkfruit. Start with the burnt caramel flavor for an epic flavor journey that won't spike your blood sugar.
If your true love is chocolate, swap out the Reese's cups for Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. They're certified vegan and made with only 5 g of sugar and contain gluten, soy, artificial flavors, fillers, or preservatives. Try a bag for $11.48.
If that's too fancy for your palette, get back to basics with Hu Chocolate Bars. Unlike Hershey's, these vegan chocolate bars paleo, gluten-free, and no GMOs. Plus, Hu Chocolate uses only fair trade chocolate in their bars. So while you may be satiating your chocoholic cravings, you're also supporting local chocolate farmers. That sounds pretty scrumptious to us!
Bath Bomb Swaps — See ya, synthetic fragrances, colors, + glitter!
As the weather cools, a long soak in a warm bubbly bath is pretty much our idea of bliss. But hold your horses, darlin', cause there're toxins in them there waters!
Yes, you've probably heard us lament over the hidden toxins in bath bombs before—synthetic fragrances, dyes, and glitter, oh my! Still, you don't have to sacrafice that relaxing spa night because of those bad boys.
Swap out the neon-colored, sparklerama bath bombs for a natural and organic alternative, like our Bath Bomb 6-pack. They're filled with moisture-rich oils and butters and natural fragrances like lavender and eucalyptus.
Plus, unlike so many competitor brands, these beauties are made right here in the USA from only the best natural ingredients. And did we mention the blissful fizz? We could watch that fizz all day . . .
Natural Sleeping Aid Swaps
Sleep is so critical to a great fall! But with a lot on your mind (not to mention going on around you this year), it's understandable if those zzz's aren't coming as quickly as they used to. But before you reach for that over-the-counter sleep aid, try these natural swaps first!
Swap pills filled with drugged sleep (think "Doxylamine succinate" for instance) for ones with natural, sleep-inducing ingredients like Valerian Root and Magnesium. Here are some of our favorites:
Sleep Fairy has great natural ingredients like Valerian Root, GABA, L-Theanine, Magnesium, and Melatonin. Grab a bottle from Amazon starting at $18.95
Diffusing Lavender Essential oil is another great alternative to taking a sleeping pill. Lavender's soothing properties help calm the mind and body and get you prepped for sleep. Some insomniacs also suggest dotting lavender oil on your wrists and pillow before sleep to help enhance its aromatic effects.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Swap
Sure, everyone's instagram-crazy over the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte. But let's face it: there are a lot of ingredients in that steamy swirl not friendly to the vegan life. We're talking dairy, cholesterol, and sugar—not the best fall buddies if you're trying to stay fit this season.
That's why we found you the perfect #psl swap! This healthier alternative is just as delectable (and instagram-worthy) as the original. Plus it's packed with nutrients you won't find in your typical Starbucks cup. Check out this great recipe from VeganHugs.com
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin Puree
- Pumpkin Spice
- Vanilla Extract
- Soy Milk
- Maple Syrup
- Espresso
- Salt
- 4 tablespoons pumpkin purée
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, more if preferred
- 2 cups soy milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or preferred sweetener), more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2-4 shots brewed espresso (sub ⅓ -½ cup strong-brewed coffee)
Directions:
- Warm the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and salt in a small pot over low heat. Stir constantly to combine well and prevent burning.
- Turn up the heat to medium and add the soy milk. Whisk for a few minutes until heated throughout.
- Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract.
- Place mixture in a blender and blend on high until smooth and frothy.
- Add hot espresso to each mug and pour pumpkin spice mixture on top.
Lip Balm Swaps
Chapped lips and cool weather go hand in hand. Unfortunately, so do hidden toxins in many chapsticks. Even "natural brands" hide allergens like soy in their ingredient lists.
Others brazenly put all kinds of yuck in their formulas like petroleum, synthetic fragrances, dyes, and parabens. Thanks, but no thanks. 🤢
So, instead of lathering on the toxins, swap your chapstick for one with natural ingredients. Beauty by Earth's peppermint lip balms are gluten-free, soy-free, and don't contain parabens, petroleum, or other harmful ingredients. They're also made in the USA!
If you're not all that into peppermint, try our Honey Vanilla Bean, Superfruits, Unflavored, or SPF varieties. They're all made with truly skin-loving ingredients. So no matter which flavor suits your fancy, you're sure to have happy lips all fall long!
So go ahead and chuck that old chapstick where it belongs already.
We promise you won't regret it.
Fall Pumpkin Treat Swaps
Pumpkin—no other ingredient holds quite the fall luster as this beloved gourd. Check out these great swaps from clean living guru, Karalynne of Just. Ingredients.
"I love fall and the changing of leaves. I love the cool crisp air and the pumpkin spice options on the market.
BUT, many of the pumpkin spice options do not have the greatest of ingredients. So even with pumpkin spice products look for those WITHOUT:
🍁Artificial dye - we know how to color with fruits and vegetables
🍁BHT - vit e is a great preservative
🍁GMO soybean oil or canola oil - we have avocado oil or coconut oil that can be used that has not been sprayed with glyphosate.
🍁Artificial flavor - we know how to flavor with real foods
🍁Parabens - again vit e is a great preservative
🍁Phthalates - pure essential oils are a great source of fragrance
🍁Formaldehyde releasors - not needed
🍁Artificial sweeteners - monk fruit is a great substitution
Remember most companies make pumpkin spice options during this Fall Season for new items to boost their sales during this time. Most companies don’t make them with your health in mind :).
So remember there is always a better choice out there. The better choices sometimes are not perfect choices, but better choices. Remember the better choices contain whole food ingredients. Ingredients that nourish, not add to your toxin burden."
We hope you've found this post useful and inspiring as you continue your clean living journey! Did we miss anything crucial? Leave us a comment bellow.
Autumn leaf wishes and warm apple cider,
Jenny
join the conversation