Naturally Simplified
I started changing my eating habits in 2012. I have been reading, trying new recipes, and figuring out where to shop ever since. It's a lot of work to keep on top of healthy eating! I felt body products, chemical-laden cleaning products, and all things of that sort weren't much of my concern because I was busy with food preparation. Also, since I ate healthy, I didn't need to care as much, right? Wrong. As I was getting ready to have a baby, I suddenly had concern for these products in my home. I have slowly started to change them out, but I have so much more to learn. That is why I am really looking forward to learning from this certified aromatherapist. I have a ways to go and she's great at kindly pointing the way when I need help. Now, let's talk about her....
Danielle delights in making body products that actually serve you. Her company, Naturally Simplified, is about providing us all with non-toxic, organic and wild crafted alternatives for our everyday needs. No hassle. No long list of ingredients to read. Plain and simple ONLY what you need when you need it.
Whether you DIY or just want to purchase products, she’s got you covered. Danielle started the company in 2015 to offer to others what she herself had been seeking. Nourishing, revitalizing, and deliciously aromatic. She sells through Etsy, Facebook, and is currently setting up to offer her products on Amazon.
I know these photos make it look like I happened upon this rare species of a woman in a jungle, but I didn't. I found her right here in Northwest Ohio! I have used her FrankinMint Toothpaste, Lavender Linen Spray, Peppermint Lip Balm, and Body Butter. They all excite me. I totally look forward to brushing my teeth! I love them.
In true Beetroot fashion, I threw some interview questions at her. Read on for her responses that will likely blow your mind...
Interview
How did you come to care about what was in your skincare products?
On top of always having extremely dry skin that was easily irritated, working in a fiberglass company did not help. My skin became more irritated and I would have spells where drying off with a towel would feel as if I were pushing on bruises all over my body. It scared me. Soon after this started, a friend posted on social media about our skin being the largest organ of our bodies and the light bulb turned on. I had been reading food labels for a few years by this time and never once thought to look at my skin care products. Once I started reading the labels, guidelines and restriction (or rather lack thereof) in the body care industry I became angry and that fueled the flame to find healthier alternatives.
“Soon after this started, a friend posted on social media about our skin being the largest organ of our bodies and the light bulb turned on.”
And did you say you changed your diet as well during the transition to better skin products?
I have changed my diet. It has been a slow transition over the past six years. Rewind six years, I ate horribly…Fast food multiple times a week, “junk food” with no nutritious value at all, candy, pop, suicide slushies (those were my favorite! But only if there was cherry AND blue raspberry LOL) Five years ago, I started implementing healthier foods into my diet on a regular basis. Now, for the most part, if someone catches me eating anything but veggies and fruit or a “weird” concoction of grains they will ask me if I’m okay!
What the heck is a certified aromatherapist?
Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant extracts from various plant parts for physiological and physical well-being. Being a Cerified Aromatherpaist means I have devoted over 265 hours to learning how to use these plant parts to help support our bodies natural healing process. It means I am recognized by the AIA (Alliance of International Aromatherapist) and the NAHA (National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy) which are two national organizations dedicated to the teachings of aromatic plants and essential oils. I am loyal to the continued learnings of such a vast amount of information. My constant research and studies are a symbol of that and I hope that it shows people I am serious about finding non-toxic, organic alternatives for our everyday needs.
What is the biggest misconception about essential oils?
That because it is from a plant, it is safe to use however you want.
That all essential oils are created equal – from brand to brand Peppermint is not the same. Batch to batch may even be slightly different. It’s in the testing reports (GC/MS) that you’ll find the information you need.
Why should I care to take out parabens from my shampoo? Or aluminum from my deodorant? I take care of my body by eating well and getting a lot of rest!
These toxic ingredients in our products are affecting our largest organ in our body. That organ is trying so hard to fight off everything it is knows to reject then each and every day we keep slathering on products it isn’t quite sure how to handle. Those items are absorbed, ran through our blood stream leaving the other organs to fight and distinguish what to keep and what not to. Sometimes our body isn’t sure so it keeps it. Eventually enough builds up and interrupts our delicate systems and we can no longer heal the way we were intended to. It isn’t enough anymore to just eat healthy.
“It isn’t enough anymore to just eat healthy. ”
What is something super niche and cool about Naturally Simplified?
It truly is what you see is what you get. I have NO, ZILCH, NOTTA desire to keep anything secret about my products. I create my own blends and I use product from sources that most people have yet to hear of, the mainstream names do nothing for me. Having oils already mixed means that you do not get that special blend made perfect and just for you. I’d rather take a few minutes to get to know my customers and their issue so we can tackle it with minimal amount of ingredients necessary – hence the name “Naturally Simplified”.
What kinds of ways do you like to use essential oils?
I personally love using essential oils anyway I can get them into the air! LOL I use cool mist diffusers (four in my house). I use them with beeswax in wax warmers for the laundry room area (less evasive in the air becomes more of a freshener than any therapeutic measure when heated). I take them with me in my car diffuser which is also heat (I really want one of those nifty ultrasonic cool mist ones though). I travel with them in nasal diffusers that are a soaked cotton wick in a plastic shell (think Vicks vapor).
If you could have any animal on earth, what would it be?
Easy. Giraffe. BOOM!
Who should be particularly cautious with body products and essential oils?
EVERYONE should be cautious with essential oils. They are not toys and used incorrectly, can cause more harm than good.
Pregnant women. In my studies, I decided early that unless someone had already been using EO’s on a regular bases, leaving that regimen out during pregnancy and breastfeeding would be the best option. TOO many EO’s can cause issues with the pregnancy. It isn’t worth it. Babies, infants and toddlers are developing quite rapidly and their bodies are not yet capable of excreting materials the way older kids, teens and adults are.
“EVERYONE should be cautious with essential oils. They are not toys and used incorrectly, can cause more harm than good.”
If I want to try to make the biggest impact in my personal care products within a month, which 3 products should I focus on to change or get rid of?
Lotions, Foundation, Deodorant: these three are an everyday item that are applied directly to your skin and are worn all day. At the presentation I will review a study that shows a decrease in toxins within THREE days! …the % of change will amaze you, I promise!