So What's EWG mean and Why Should I Use It?

Maybe you have browsed around at natural living sites or green living blogs that have talked about EWG and how products "measure up" and wondered, what is this anyway? Or perhaps you already know what it stands for (Environmental Working Group) and you just have not sunk those pumps down into some healthy soil to figure out how to use to use it's features?

Let me just begin by saying it is actual green gold! Not the kind of gold that sparkles in a yellowish color - but rather, information with an immeasurable worth. The Environmental Working Group is like your mom or grandmother who, growing up, always seemed to know what was best. She seemed to have the right answer at the right moment to help guide your sail on a day without much wind. The EWG is a database, a HUGE accurate factual database that's primary mission is "to use the  power of information to protect human health and the environment." The EWG website is FULL of information on what products are the healthiest and which ones contain synthetic, toxic or potentially dangerous chemicals, as well as a user-friendly rating system so that we can compare ingredients with the confidence we need to make a healthy choice in our cosmetics.

Now in it's triumphant sixth year, the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database (online safety guide for cosmetic and personal care products) is the largest resource for product safety! Skin Deep contains information on online safet assessments for thousands of products for all of us who are concerned about keeping our family safe from the dangers of unregulated products and ingredients. They are truly bridging the gap between consumers who want safe and healthy products and the many products that sit on our store shelves. By supplying us with real hard-core data, we are then able to make informed choices and to "see" some of things that maybe they just do not want us to see. So maybe then we could say it's like Double-O Grandma?

I have to say that I personally love and utilize their information all the time! I have, on many occasions, looked up certain products that I wanted to try, or products we already owned to see just what their rating was. There were many times that I left there disappointed and disgusted at how cr@ppy a particular product really was...but then, I also learned a few things too. That's what it's all about - no shame here - because none of us have all the right answers (noooo...not even sweet ol gramma) but we do our best with the information we have.

This is why I encourage you to take a look at the EWG site and see all of the amazing tools they have to help guide us on our green and healthy journey. There is much to be learned on our paths, but by sharing what we know and learning along the way, we can make healthier more informed choices. Knowledge truly is power and a gift that we can enjoy with the help of people who have one primary goal - to educate. The EWG is an amazing resource...and before you know it - you might become a full fledge Double O yourself, giving wind to other sails in your green journey.