Updates from Maria Custode

Tackle the Outdoors

Tackle the Outdoors

It’s no secret that bugs can totally ruin your garden plans. From eating your plants to taking a bite out of you, they can really dampen any gardening dreams!

 You could use insecticides or sprays made from harsh chemicals, but certainly at a cost to you and the environment. They can lead to bioaccumulation of toxins in your body (and even in your plants) that are linked to chronic illness and disease! Yikes.

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The dangers lurking in your Laundry Room....

The dangers lurking in your Laundry Room....

Your laundry room has the potential to hold a LOT of dangerous chemicals in laundry soaps, detergents, softeners, dryer sheets, stain removers and more. We breathe in those chemicals as the laundry is being washed and dried AND we can even be absorbing them as we wear our clothes and snuggle into our blankets and towels. Ahhh! Why risk things like skin, nose, throat, and lung irritation or long-term effects to our organs and hormones? Some of these dangerous chemicals have even been linked to cancer yet they’re still readily available to us and marketed as “safe” and “normal.”


A way to protect your family is by getting these items from a trusted source.  I have several items that I use daily to protect my family and I’m happy to share my source.  ( I can also help you get a great deal on them)

 

Thieves Laundry Soap: It is made of plant-based ingredients and leaves no chemical or synthetic residue so you can snuggle up with NO worries! It contains natural enzymes and cleaning agents and of course, the most powerful essential oils on the planet. Your clothes will be fresh and clean and left with a light citrus scent, not a heavy perfume. The best part about this soap is that it’s concentrated so a little goes a long way! You can get 64 loads with just one 32-ounce bottle, making it economic AND a safe alternative for your family. 

 

What about those dryer sheets? Toss them… in the trash! You can replace them with dryer balls and essentials oils. It's such an easy switch! Add 3-5 drops of your choice of essential oil to each dryer ball and freshen up that laundry. Tip: add the oils to the balls at the end of the cycle and let them toss for 5 minutes for best results. 

 

What about stains? Try this recipe using a couple Thieves products and Lemon essential oil.

 

DIY Stain Spray

  • ¼ c Thieves Laundry Soap
  • 2 TBSP Thieves Household Cleaner
  • 10 drops Lemon 
  • Distilled water 

 

Add ingredients to 8 oz. spray bottle. Mix well and use on stains as needed. 



Want a little extra fragrance in your laundry? Don’t do it with synthetic ingredients. Let’s use the real deal. Check out this easy recipe! 

 

Laundry Scent Booster

  • 1 ½ c epsom or sea salt
  • ½ c baking soda
  • 20-30 drops essential oil(s) of choice 

 

Combine ingredients and stir well. Let air dry and transfer to a glass jar with a lid. Add 2-3 TBSP to the washer before adding clothes. Add in laundry detergent as usual. Enjoy!


If you love this info, you’ll LOVE my webinar: 4 Easy Steps to get off the Miserable Health Hamster Wheel”  


Be sure to join my exclusive group where we share information on living a healthy lifestyle.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

The dangers lurking in your Make-up Bag.....

The dangers lurking in your Make-up Bag.....

If you’re a guy, you may not be interested in this.  However, go ahead and give it a read, it’s good to know the potential dangers so you can share the information with others. Spread the word! Let’s dig around our makeup bags and see what products you may want to toss. 

 

Companies have gotten REALLY good at marketing to consumers, convincing them they’re buying a safe (or safer) product. Unfortunately that may not be the case. There can still be a huge laundry list of ingredients within that could be hazardous to your health. This is called greenwashing. The label makes you FEEL like you’re getting a trustworthy product but once you start researching the ingredients you discover elsewise. 

 

A safe product to use is…

  • toxin free
  • plant based
  • cruelty-free
  • essential oil infused 
  • responsibly sourced
  • backed by Seed to Seal

 

 If you find yourself always feeling “off”, it could be what you are putting on your body along with what you are eating. 


If you love this info, you’ll LOVE my webinar: 4 Easy Steps to get off the Miserable Health Hamster Wheel”  


Be sure to join my exclusive group where we share information on living a healthy lifestyle.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

The dangers lurking in your Bathroom....

The dangers lurking in your Bathroom....

The bathroom is loaded with TONS of potentially harmful ingredients. 

Here are a few to watch out for in your personal care products…

 

  • Formaldehyde - This is a preservative that is often seen in lotions, cosmetics, and baby wipes. It’s a known carcinogen and can cause skin and respiratory irritations.

 

  • Phthalates - These are a group of chemicals found in personal care products and many plastics and vinyls. They can affect your endocrine system, reproductive health, and even potentially cause cancer.

 

  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - These are surfactants commonly used as an emulsifying cleaning agent in household cleaning products (laundry detergents, spray cleaners, and dishwasher detergents). In other words they keep things mixed up and help them create lather. Oftentimes they are synthetically derived and have the potential to cause skin irritation. 

 

  • Ethanolamines (MEA, DEA, and TEA) - These are found in many household and personal care products and have been linked to organ system toxicity, bioaccumulation, and even cancer.  


A way to protect your family is by getting these items from a trusted source.  I have several items that I use daily to protect my family. 


If you find yourself always feeling “off”, it could be what you are putting on your body along with what you are eating. 


If you love this info, you’ll LOVE my webinar: 4 Easy Steps to get off the Miserable Health Hamster Wheel”  


Be sure to join my exclusive group where we share information on living a healthy lifestyle.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

The dangers lurking in your Pantry....

The dangers lurking in your Pantry....

Besides things getting a little disorganized in our pantry from time to time, we need to be checking the labels and make sure our pantry helps bring our family nutrition and not create unwanted health issues. 

 

According to the CDC, “Most Americans… do not have a healthy diet. Fewer than 1 in 10 adults and adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables, and 9 in 10 Americans aged 2 years or older consume more than the recommended amount of sodium. In addition, 6 in 10 young people aged 2 to 19 years and 5 in 10 adults consume a sugary drink on a given day. Processed foods and sugary drinks add unneeded sodium, saturated fats, and sugar to many diets, increasing the risk of chronic diseases.” Ahh! We definitely don’t want that. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/nutrition.htm ) 

 

So what should you be considering when you look at labels? 

  • types of fats 
  • added sugars
  • length of ingredient list
  • sodium level
  • added dyes
  • calories per serving 


If you find yourself always feeling “off”, consider what you are putting in your body for fuel. 

 

If you love this info, you’ll LOVE my webinar: 4 Easy Steps to get off the Miserable Health Hamster Wheel”  


Be sure to join my exclusive group where we share information on living a healthy lifestyle.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Meet Maria Custode

 


For years, I was running on empty—long hours, low energy, poor sleep, and a body that just wasn’t responding the way it used to.
I finally realized… it wasn’t about trying harder. It was about supporting my body differently.

Now, I focus on what actually works:
more energy, better sleep, less inflammation, and a lifestyle I can sustain.
And I help other women over 40 do the same—without extremes or quick fixes.

Because this chapter isn’t about slowing down…
it’s about finally feeling like yourself again.

If you’re feeling off or stuck, I’m always happy to share what’s been working for me 💛



Medical Disclaimer The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.


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