Did you know most cleaning products sold in the average store qualify for hazardous waste disposal? How about the amount of chemicals you ingest or inhale from these products on a daily or weekly basis? Every day we are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands of chemicals in our own homes that have been linked with cancer and other health problems.

More than a year ago I fell in love with running thanks to Christopher McDonald’s “Born to Run.” Nothing was more instrumental in getting me out of the house, into some barefoot shoes, and into the peace and comfort that a run can provide. Because of this book and the fact that Scott Jurek has clearly proven the power of a well planned vegan diet, I decided to read his book, “Eat and Run: my unlikely journey to ultramarathon greatness.”

Worse than any mutant monster lurking in the tub or the possibility of getting sucked down the drain, the toxic chemicals in your shampoo and soap are something to be feared.

A splash of neurotoxins to wash your face, a hint of carcinogens to make your hair really shine, all topped off with a mist of reproductive toxins to leave you sweet-smelling all day.

In the course of a single day, women put 168 chemical ingredients on their skin and men use 85. While these numbers seem inordinately high, the exhausting list on the back of most shampoo bottles alone puts a solid dent in the tally.

But just because these products are loaded with chemicals, does not mean they are safe.

The evidence of the dangers of Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is piling up. High levels of urinary BPA are linked to an increased risk of childhood obesity, according to a recent article from the New York Times.

More than 90 percent of Americans have BPA in their urine. BPA is in everything from water bottles, aluminum can liners, to even the receipt they hand you at the grocery store.

Although BPA was banned in California from baby bottles and sippy cups last year, the chemical has not been mandated to be removed from all consumer applications like many have called for.

Every third Friday of the month hundreds to thousands of people get together to dress up, blast some music, and ride through San Jose. For the past three years I have gone to the anniversary ride for the San Jose Bike Party, which is by far the biggest ride. This year more than 4,000 people joined the 24 mile ride.

We all know the old adage that beauty is from the inside, but author of “Beauty Pure and Simple: the Ayurvedic approach to beautiful skin,” Kristen Ma, proves just how true this may be. Ma, an Ayurvedic practitioner and esthetician, breaks down complex Ayurvedic concepts and skin conditions into easily understandable chapters. Her solutions to problems like acne, dry skin, sensitive skin, and many other skin ailments are simple to understand and easy to follow.

Ma incorporates the whole body’s health in the belief that the skin reflects trouble brewing underneath. She also explains why conventional skin products and medication aggravate and can create many skin problems. The book details the best skincare routines for every problem or skin type without pushing products or turning into a TV “infomercial”.

This book is a must for anyone who struggles with acne, dry skin, sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema, aging, or who just want to make their skin as healthy and beautiful as possible. Ma guides readers to look internally and find what may be the true cause of their ailment and how to best reach whole body health and a healthy, radiant complexion.

With the recent hype in the media about probiotics, companies are scrambling over one another to tell consumers about how great their product is and how powerful their probiotics are. By now most people know that probiotics support digestive health, the immune system, reduce inflammation, and support overall good health. What most people don’t know is how to find the best sources or product.

Fermented foods like yogurt and kombucha are a good source of probiotics. However, your stomach begins to break down the good bacteria before it reaches your intestine, so it is not the heaviest dose of probiotics. With that said fermented foods are still a great way to increase the amount of good bacteria in your digestive system.

How to pick the best probiotic

If you choose to use a supplement, there are a few things to keep in mind according to Dr. Shekhar Challa, author of “Probiotics for Dummies.” Be certain that the supplement:

1. Has at least five strains of bacteria.

2. Has at least 3-5 billion microbes. If you are currently experiencing digestive system problems or illness than you want to look for 5-10 billion.

3. Is encapsulated to protect it from your stomach and ensure that the microbes make it to your intestines.

The coconut oil also needs some coercing to go from a solid to a liquid.

4. Mix all of your wet ingredients together until well combined.

5. Add your dry ingredients and beat until just combined. The less you stir, the more tender your muffins will be.
6. Gently fold your blueberries into the batter.

Recipe adapted from PaleOMG.