Chemicals laden with carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and more are all around us - including the everyday items we use, well, everyday. And just because I don’t like being Debbie Downer, isn’t it fantastic that we’re finally becoming aware of just how toxic these common goods are?

Have you read the ingredient lists on some of your favorite seasoning packets recently? Yikes! They are full of some of the most questionable, highly processed foods and flavorings that none of us wants or needs, and worse yet, absolutely aren’t necessary. From MSG to GMO’s (bioengineered ingredients), nasty seed oils and more.

If you’re like me, you don’t think about foot health too often - until something goes wrong and you realize exactly what you’ve been taking for granted.

I’m 47 and aside from an occasional ingrown toenail, my feet have never bothered me, so I never really gave them any thought. I’d get up, go about my day, jog or walk or do yoga and all was good.

Until it wasn’t.

The more I delve into food, specifically the ingredients that go into our food supply, the more I realize how truly tainted the food industry has become.

If you’re a label reader like me, you may have noticed something in recent months. The EXTREME use of bioengineered food ingredients. They’re everywhere, and yet, these ingredients are a bit obscure. Do you really know what they are? How they’re made? Or why they’re showing up in everything?

There are several types of phthalates, but, in general, phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more durable. A specific type of phthalate, DEP, is also used in fragrance, as it extends the life and aromatic strength of the fragrance. These types of phthalates are really in many types of fragrances, from body lotions to skincare, from cleaning products to candles. Phthalates in shampoo and other haircare products are also common.

Working to get healthy and worried about preservatives? You should be! Preservatives for food are a bit scary, as we’re seeing more and more of them linked to serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Whether you know it or not, the FDA had taken a significant role in our everyday health and well being. What they approve gets stuffed into our bodies, usually without our knowledge that their might be something unhealthy about it. Learn more about FDA labelling and why we should question some of their practices.