With the beginning of a new year, we love stopping to reflect on the year past and the year to come. There is much power in fresh starts and new beginnings, and we want to take advantage of them. As the new year begins, we want to help cultivate health both for ourselves and for you. In fact, the driving force behind every ingredient we use and every product we make is promoting wellness and providing healing. If you, like us, want to take steps towards a healthier you this year, we have some ideas for you:

• Increase your body's magnesium consumption - Did you know that approximately half of Americans are magnesium deficient? This vital mineral plays a role in sleep, muscle function, cardiovascular health, nerve function, mental health, blood glucose control, bone health, immune function, and more. And we have good news for you: magnesium is best absorbed through the skin, making our magnesium products a great solution. Two of our favorite ways to get magnesium are by rubbing magnesium cream on the feet before going to bed or soaking in luxurious bath salts. Check out the entirety of our magnesium collection here. 

• Boost your immune system - Being sick is exhausting, and many of us know far too well the experience of getting over one sickness just to catch another. A few habits that can be key to boosting the immune system are getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet (particularly avoiding processed sugar), getting out in the sun, and being physically active. One other easy habit we add to our list is using It Takes a Thief Spray (due to its immune-boosting essential oils) regularly when sickness is rampant. This can mean spraying it in the mouth or simply using as a body spray.

• Switch to all-natural cleaners - Many cleaners used in the home contain a multitude of chemicals, and they are introduced to our homes, bodies, and the air we breathe as we use them. One of our favorite products to use is our Laundry Soap. Being completely all-natural, it will leave your laundry fresh and clean, and you will not expose your skin to harmful chemicals and fragrances.

• Ditch the candles - The vast majority of candles that tout themselves as being better for you are actually still very harmful. Soy-based candles are often advertised as being natural and better for you, when in reality, soy-based candles release carcinogens when burned. Additionally, many candles contain artificial fragrances (even if they contain a small amount of essential oils too), that are known endocrine disruptors. While some people may be happy ditching candles all together, others like to have an alternative. Our favorite alternative is diffusing essential oils. Our favorite blend to use during cold and flu season is our It Takes a Thief Blend, as the essential oils are immune boosting, promoting health rather than harming it.

While many commercial laundry products promote themselves as being “free & clear,” they are chock full of toxic chemicals and fragrances that are extremely harmful for your body and the environment. These chemicals not only irritate your skin, but they are also carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and neurotoxins and are damaging to your organs. To make matters worse, they get in our water supply, harming both humans and marine life.

Our laundry products, on the other hand, are completely all-natural and made without any toxic ingredients. Using them is important to avoid exposure to the toxic substances found in commercial laundry products. They are especially good for young skin and those with allergies, eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin. As an added bonus, our all-natural products are completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly. 

Ever wonder what RWF essentials to bring with you while you travel? Some of our favorites that Colette talks about today are our It Takes a Thief Spray, Travel Foaming Soap, Lip Balm, and Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer. 

It Takes a Thief Spray
Our It Takes a Thief Spray contains a blend of antimicrobial and immune-boosting essential oils. This serves as an especially good defense when flying and trapped in an enclosed space with who-knows-what germs. Spray on your body to boost your immune system; spray in hotel rooms, on plane seats, and on other surfaces to help kill bacteria; and spray in your mouth if you start to develop sickness while traveling.

Travel Foaming Soap
Bring our Travel Foaming Soap with you so that you don't have to use the commercial soaps provided in public restrooms and hotel rooms. Our foaming soap is completely all-natural and gentle on your skin and won't leave your hands feeling dry and stripped of your skins natural oils. Plus, this convenient travel size is perfect for sticking in your purse, diaper bag, or backpack wherever you may go.

Lip Balm
Do your lips get chapped when you fly? Our lip balm is the perfect solution. Providing long-lasting hydration, our lip balm will leave your lips feeling soft and supple. Also, our lip balm is made from truly moisturizing oils, rather than petroleum, so you won't have to constantly reapply as you do with commercial chapstick. 

Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer
Our hand sanitizer is made without the synthetic chemicals used in commercial hand sanitizer. Made with grain alcohol and antimicrobial essential oils, our hand sanitizer is effective for killing pathogenic organisms. Also, thanks to our addition of aloe vera juice, it won't dry out your skin but will instead be moisturizing.