When I began my journey of exploring alternative methods for healing my thyroid (rather than just taking medication), I quickly learned how important the daily lifestyle choices we make are. A common theme I came across while first starting my research was the importance of gut health for overall wellness. I learned about the gut-brain axis and how critical it is to have a diverse, healthy microbiome in the gut because of the influence it has on nutrition, immunity, behavior, and disease.
Not going to lie, it was all very overwhelming, but I dove in. I purchased countless books about reversing Hashimoto’s, healing autoimmune conditions with diet, and I read thousands of articles and studies about the specific diet protocols that have been shown to improve thyroid conditions.
The majority of 2016 was spent on nailing down my diet. I cut out gluten, soy, and dairy 100%. I reduced my sugar intake, cutting out added sugars and ditching any processed sweets. I cut out alcohol and limited caffeine. I added fermented foods and bone broth to my diet. I experimented (with guidance from my doctors) using different supplements to aid in my healing. I added probiotics to help in restoring my gut flora.
I also learned about the impact stress has on your body and the importance of having stress reduction methods for healing. I got serious about my sleep and recovery routine. I aimed to get 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night. I was careful with the types of workouts I would do. I implemented stretching and yoga which helped me with stress reduction and recovery after workouts. I learned how to listen to my body better and was able to start to give it what it needed. But tuning into yourself and what your body is saying is an ongoing practice. I was on the right track but nowhere near mastery.
So when 2017 rolled around how was I feeling?
I was feeling more like a 20-something-year-old should feel. I had more energy and continued to explore more healing methods through my own research. I learned about the effect harmful ingredients in toxic household cleaners and personal care products have on our bodies. The products that we put on our skin can be made up with ingredients that are hormone disruptors. This may lead to serious, adverse health issues such as pregnancy complications, obesity, type II diabetes, and hormone-related cancer. I investigated the products I had been using for skin care, hair care, and makeup. I had been purchasing “natural” products for a couple months at this point (from various stores, but mainly Sephora). The products I had been implementing were marketed to be NATURAL and PLANT BASED, so I thought they were safe and not harmful to me. But, when I looked closer, they were actually made up of the exact ingredients, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and synthetic fragrances, that I knew from my research to avoid! So these “natural” products I had been wearing on my skin and in my hair were endocrine disruptors and not in align with my mission to heal. I needed to make a change, so I dug deeper to find products that would work for me and my health goals.
This is when I found Beautycounter. I read the “Never List,” which is a list of over 1,500 harmful or questionable ingredients that they leave out of their products. I read the reviews on the performance of the products and that they were not only safer and cleaner, but also high performing. I was in and I made my first purchase to make an actual “clean swap” for my makeup.
As the year went on and became 2018 I made more and more swaps. Fast forward to 2019 and I am happy to say that I have made a full “clean swap” with all of the products I put on my face and body. Not everything I use is from Beautycounter, but you better believe at least 90% is. I am so happy I found Beautycounter, and I hope this blog post inspires you to look a little harder into what ingredients are in the products you and your loved ones use daily.
Ready to make the “clean swap” for yourself? You can purchase your favorite products through my link right here➸ https://www.beautycounter.com/kelleehogan
Just remember a small change is still a change. You don’t have to dump your entire makeup bag right now, but think about doing what I did and slowly start swapping out old/empty products with safer ones from Beautycounter. You are ultimately up to you, so whether or not you are going to use Beautycounter products, I am happy you at least have some information to go find out what is in the products you are using right now! Make the best decision for your health and wellness.
♡Kellee
ps: Feel free to contact me via message or email with questions! I am available to help shop with you through my link above as well!
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