People ask me all the time if I have any pregnancy cravings…

Yes. Yes, I do.

Fruit and Steely Dan.

These days I can consume a half of a large watermelon in two days flat, and have several kitchen/shower/living room dance parties to Hey Nineteen, Peg, and FM. I don’t know why… baby just likes fruit and funky classics.

Other cravings include long walks, and taking time for luxurious self-care.

Good habits or cravings?

Both.

I mean, I figure my body’s doing a lot right now, the least I can do is take care of myself. That being said, sometimes “self-care” can equal toxic chemicals, and products with questionable and unpronounceable ingredients. Let’s talk about this…

As I’m sure you’re well aware, we’re constantly being sold to. Constantly. And when it comes to “rite of passage” moments (i.e. weddings, babies, what-have-you,) brands are even more stealthy and aggressive, and the ingredients are just as sinister.

Take “Bio Oil,” for example, a product specifically designed for preventing stretch marks. The first ingredient is, um… mineral oil.

Ha! Yes, of course I’d love to slather a crude oil by-product on my growing belly! Wouldn’t you!?

Mineral oil, aka crude oil, fake fragrances, unpronounceable ingredients, including nebulous Red 17? Um, no thanks.

And yet, women far and near are doing so, duped into thinking they’re doing their bodies and babies good. I mean… did you know that one of the most widely used baby oils, Johnsons & Johnsons, is literally scented mineral oil? Yep.

Do your own research, friends. We have to stop the gullible consumer madness, and we need to start reading labels.

Fortunately, there’s a safe place, a “haven” if you will, of pure, safe, non-toxic, and nourishing products… it’s called the Dutch Health Store. If you’ve been around these parts for a while, you know how much I love the Dutch Health Store.

I love it because it’s a small business run by a delightful woman named Wilma. I love it because it’s a treasure trove of delectable, self-care bliss. And I love it because her selection is so curated. (So, essentially, if you can’t be bothered to read labels but you’re still picking up what I’m putting down, Wilma has done the work for you. You lucky-pants, you.)

So if you love creamy, emollient sweet-smelling body care products like I do, but also fancy not slathering yourself with toxins, then you can have your cake and eat it, too, at the Dutch Health Store. (Mmm… cake. Well, this oil does smell like vanilla beans…)

Hallelujah!

Furthermore, it’s no secret that if you’re pregnant, your little bubba is soakin’ in all that you eat, hear, absorb, and even think and feel. As a result, it rrrrrreally behooves us to be even more vigilant about what we put on and in our bodies when we’re expecting.

In today’s video, we discuss why it matters so very much that we be informed consumers. Plus, I share a few of my fave products that are pure, delectable, effective, vegan and cruelty-free, that won’t pollute your precious bod and babe. (Of course, even if you don’t have a bundle of joy on the way, you can still delight in these juicy and safe products!)

I truly hope that you found today’s post and video helpful! If there’s any other pregnancy-related (or just healthy-living) content that you’d like to see on Veggie Magnifique, you know where to find me. 🙂

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! (If you’re in the States, may you find yourself eating some juicy watermelon at your 4th of July shindig, ’cause you know I’ll be.)