Mindfully Made: Our Holy Grail Products
Welcome to our first blog post at Whole Child Wellness! We're Kylie and Annie, two wellness enthusiasts who are passionate about helping families thrive through mindful choices and natural living. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and an aspiring Nurse Practitioner working with children and families, we've seen firsthand how environmental changes can profoundly impact wellbeing.
Today, we're thrilled to share our carefully curated list of favorite non-toxic, must-have products that have made a real difference in our lives. These aren't just random recommendations – each product has been personally tested and vetted by both of us, meeting our standards for safety, effectiveness, and sustainability.
From household cleaners that actually work (without the harmful chemicals) to safe skincare that delivers results, we're breaking down our top picks in each category. We've done the research so you don't have to.
Whether you're just starting your non-toxic living journey or looking to refine your current routine, we hope these recommendations help simplify your transition to a healthier home environment. Remember, this is about progress, not perfection – every small change matters!
Let's dive into our favorites...
Cleaning Products
Most families have a cabinet full (or cabinets full) of cleaning products - different sprays, detergents, and cleaners for every surface imaginable. But what if we told you that you only need one product to effectively and safely clean your entire home? Branch Basics is a company that creates a product we love and trust. Since using Branch Basics, a safe and effective concentrate that has transformed our approach to household cleaning, we have truly lightened the load. For the past two years, we've replaced dozens of conventional cleaning products with this single, non-toxic concentrate. Branch Basics' fragrance-free formula, when mixed with water in their reusable bottles, tackles everything from laundry and countertops to bathrooms and windows. The simplicity is transformative- one concentrate, water, and a few bottles are all you need for a truly clean home. Making the switch didn't just free up cabinet space (goodbye, cluttered cupboards!); it gave us peace of mind knowing we're using safe, effective ingredients throughout our entire homes. No more juggling multiple toxic products or worrying about harsh chemical interactions - just simple, clean living at its finest.
Skin Care
Skin care is something we all know and love, especially us girls. We all love our night time routine consisting of facial cleansers, toners, oils, moisturizers, the list goes on and on. Most skin care products on the market include harmful ingredients that can seriously irritate a person’s skin as well as their entire nervous system. Over the years, we have learned to ditch the harmful products that caused our skin to be inflamed or irritated causing us to need to buy MORE skin care products that were also causing our skin to be inflamed or irritated. We swaped these skin care products for more nutrient-dense products made with organic, gentle ingredients. Primally Pure is a company that mindfully embodies regenerative farming roots, using ingredients straight from the owner’s family farm. Their whole motto is that they are committed to restoring the relationship between the soil and your skin for a more grounded way of wellness. We absolutely adore this brand as their products have become a part of our every day lives. Some of our favorites from Primally Pure include the natural, aluminum free deodorant, the soothing and clarifying mists, the body wash, body butter, and plumping serum all made with organic ingredients. One of the coolest things about Primally Pure is the ingredient glossary on their website. This portion of the website lays out every single ingredient and which product each ingredient is found in. This is a type of transparency you can’t find in other skin care brands!
Another one of our favs is VanMan's Honey and Beef Tallow Balm. This stuff is the holy grail! Tallow based products are definitely coming up more and more as of lately, and they are so beneficial because the oil in our skin shares many of the same fatty acids with tallow making it a one stop shop for ALL of our skincare needs (many Primally Pure Products are also tallow based). Are you catching our drift yet? :) Use it as the best moisturizer for face or body, to get rid of a pesky pimple, on cuts or scrapes to help heal the skin, or really anything else you can think of. It is safe for the whole family! Lots of people rave about how beef tallow healed their kiddos eczema… How cool is that?! There are no fillers so you do not need a lot; a little goes a long way for this balm. Apply a small glob and watch the magic happen!
Toothpaste
Our oral biome is such a huge part of our overall health. The mouth is home to a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, which contribute to the proper functioning of your oral cavity.When this balance is disrupted, often by poor diet, certain medications, or poor oral hygiene, harmful bacteria can proliferate, leading to inflammation, infection, and even systemic health problems. This is a big reason we have upped our oral hygiene routine. Our favorites toothpastes are Boka and RiseWell which are both fluoride free and swap safe and natural alternatives that clean and protect the mouth and teeth just as effectively.
Why flouride free you ask? Excessive fluoride exposure in children, before their teeth fully develop, can lead to dental fluorosis, a condition that causes discoloration or damage to the enamel. Some research is suggesting that ingesting too much fluoride over time could have potential links to health issues like bone weakness, thyroid problems, and even cognitive development concerns. As someone who is thyroid cautious due an autoimmune disease (Annie), this is a small swap that I have made that has made a huge difference. What do you say? Are you going to make a toothpaste switch? Finally, our goal for this blog is to give you the facts so you can make informed choices that are best for you and your family… Our choices might look different that your choices & that is ah okay!
Water Filters
Drinking tap water? Couldn’t be me. There are many ways you can get around drinking from the tap in your household! A water filter can go a long way. Filtered water can remove many harmful contaminants that are in tap water including but not limited to lead, copper, mercury, chlorine, pesticides, and microorganisms. Some research suggests that drinking filtered water may reduce the risk of cancer. Arguably the most convincing reason to drink filtered water is that it has been shown to improve digestive health as well as the immune system. There are a few water filters we both have grown to love! The Alexapure and Berkey water filters reduces 206 contaminants that are found in tap water. They are both super easy to refill, fit nicely on your kitchen counter, and are made with stainless steel! These water filters are investments you can make for your family’s overall health and wellness. Water filters are wonderful, but when you filter out the bad from your tap water you may also be filtering out some of the good. We add elements and minerals back into our drinking water daily! A great brand of elements and minerals is Trace Minerals. Minerals are essential for you and your family’s health, growth, and development. Remember… hydration is key!
