It's a treat to lather up with these all-natural cleansers. Made with good-for-you ingredients, these kind-and-gentle choices contain no harsh chemicals. Plus, they nourish as they cleanse.
Saving Face
Soap is a dirty word to Boomer-age skin like mine. It's already starved for moisture so w
hy aggravate the problem? That's why I like these more natural alternatives. They clean without drying and leave my face feeling soft. Designed for all skin types, they remove dirt, oil and makeup in one easy step.
On the Shelf: $42 (8 ounces) at Nextderm.com and dermatologists nationw
ide
On the Shelf: $8 (6 ounces) at Neutrogena.com and food, drug and discount stores
impurities without sacrificing your skin's natural protective nutrients. It's loaded with Sea Buckthorn, a Himalayan berry rich in vitamins (A, C, E and K), minerals and antioxidants. And since this workhorse contains tons of tiny buffing beads, I can exfoliate while washing. (Ahhhh!)Scrub a Dub, Dub ... All-Over
Delightful shower- or bath-time companions, these all-natural, coconut-based scrubs clean and pamper your skin.
cleans and moisturizes. Sure, in a pinch, every girl's shaved with body wash before. But this one makes the experience comfortable and guards against irritation thanks to cushioning organic rose hip oil. Real Simple says it's a "stellar bath product" and we have to agree! Lavanila Body Wash 2-in-1 comes in five vanilla-inspired scents, including Boomer Brief fave Vanilla Grapefruit with just a touch of lime.
On the Shelf: $14 (8 ounces) at Lavanilla.com and Sephora
On the Shelf: $10 (8 ounces) at PacificaPerfume.com
After losing my locks to chemotherapy, it's taken two, LOOOONG years to even approach my former length. So a mild shampoo that works to keep my hair healthy and 
happy is a must. I like babying it with plant-based formulas like these. Besides brimming over with organic and natural ingredients, they're made without animal testing.
On the Shelf: $10.95 (16 ounces) at BeautyWithoutCruelty.com and natural foods retailers
handy age-reverser gives your scalp a wake-up call. It cleanses and invigorates with nourishing flower and leaf extracts and vitamin B5, leaving hair feeling soft, silky and smooth. The clever formula protects my highlights while giving each stand a strengthening dose of Pathenol and wheat proteins. On the Shelf: $10.99 (10.15 ounces) at select Ulta, Walmart and Walgreens stores
Give 'Em a Hand (or Two!)
Although Bob and I are keen on antibacterial hand soaps and sanitizers, we never thought much about how they kill all those germs. Most do the job with harsh chemicals like Triclosan, whose safety has been questioned according to a recent New York Times article.
That's why we wanted to try CleanWell All-Natural Antibacterial Hand Soap. Instead of waging chemical warfare, CleanWell gets rid of germs with a patented natural thyme oil formula infused with white tea and aloe. That means it's kinder to your skin; great news for Bob, in particular. He's constantly fighting to keep his hands from drying out and cracking (ouch!).
We've both enjoyed using the skin-friendly, foaming formula because it keeps our hands clean and soft. Although we like the lightly citrus smell of Orange Vanilla CleanWell, it also comes in Ginger Bergamot, Lavender and Spearmint Lime scents.
On the Shelf: $4.59 - $6.49 (9.5 ounces) at CleanWellToday.com and Whole Foods Market, select Target stores, The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC
We'd like to shout out a big "Thank You" to all the brands named in this post; they provided free samples for review and testing.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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