The Honest Company

Just over a year ago, I decided that I wanted to start taking steps toward making better consumer decisions and to understanding the products that I spend my hard earned money on. Having invested over ten years in the world of advertising, I know how overwhelming the crowded, cluttered shelves of many stores can be. Coupled with the lack of regulations that companies have to adhere to, it makes it virtually impossible to really know if the choices we are making are good ones.

Where things become even more troubling is when we do take the time to educate ourselves about choices we think are (were) smart and healthy, we may find we are being deceived by marketers, labels and claims. Today, I would like to introduce you to a company that I trust -- The Honest Company, founded by Jessica Alba and Christopher Gavigan. 

I encourage you to read about the Honest Company on their website to learn how they got their start and what promises they are making to their consumers. We have begun using many of their products in our home.

I think I've tried almost everything the company has to offer, including the baby products (you don't need a brand new bum to put a baby wipe to good use and their healing balm is wonderful for chapped skin). Everything is beautifully packaged and shipped directly to you, cutting out the middle man costs. If you sign up for the monthly bundle, it will save you money, and they automatically remind you when it's time to ship, giving you the option to update your product choices before it does.  

Here are a list of our favorites:

• Laundry Detergent 
• Multi-Surface Cleaner
• Fruit & Veggie Wash 
• Scrubber Sponge
• Hand Sanitizer 
• Body Oil 

Natural Immune Boosting Tips

Everyone here in New York has a serious case of spring fever! As we are gearing up to trade out our winter coats and snow boots for something a little less cumbersome, my twin sister, Rachel Curry, RN, says, "We might want to pay a little extra care to our immune systems." She also says, "Don't be fooled by the season changes; plants are in full bloom, causing increased allergens in the air that trigger colds and sinus infections. This is the time of year many people are still coming to see the doctor for the common cold, sinus infections and even the flu!" 

So, to give yourself a little extra love and boost your immune system naturally, Rachel and I want to provide you with a list of whole foods, spices and herbs you might already have stocked in your kitchen that can easily mix into your diet to give your immune system a natural pick-me-up.

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Apple Cider Vinegar

I take a shot of ACV diluted with a little water every other day and hold it fully accountable for keeping me in good health for this entire grueling winter season. Pick up a bottle in your local grocery store and test it out. Note: even those with candida issues can drink ACV -- I speak from experience.

Ginger

Not only is ginger an excellent anti-inflammatory and aid in digestion, it will help lift the immune system as well. You can add ginger to almost anything such as salad dressings or smoothies, offering a spicy flavor. Or make a comforting tea by grating up about about 1 Tbsp and pour hot water over it, let sit for about 5-10 minutes and enjoy!

Lemons

This bright fruit not only adds a pop of color to our kitchen countertops it helps aid in digestion and helps enhance our moods! Try drinking lemon in hot water first thing every morning. To learn more check out this article. 

Medicinal Tea 

All herbal teas have great benefits for the body, but try Traditional Medicinals Gypsy Cold Care if you feel a little tickle coming on in your throat. It's caffeine free, warm & comforting. 

Oil of Oregano

This is another natural immune boosting remedy. While admittedly very potent, it will work wonders by just adding a few drops into a glass of water, juice or milk. Drink up!

Turmeric

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer powerhouse.  I add a few sprinkles to my morning hot water and lemon. I also take a Turmeric Force supplement which supports cardio and liver health.

Vitamin C 

We all know we can get our daily dose of vitamin C from oranges but here are some other foods to consider. For people who travel a lot like myself you can always pack it in supplement form or try out the Lypo-Sepheric packs in the Shop Travel section. 

Love and Lemons

I have a mild obsession with the website, "Love and Lemons" for two reasons:  the enticing food photography and realistic, healthy, delicious recipes.  If this is the first time you are learning about "Love and Lemons",  I hope Jeanine and her husband, Jack change your life the way that they have mine and Dave's, adding a bit of simplicity and color into your kitchen.

The website also offers one of the best recipe browsers I've ever seen, in which you can search by season, diet restrictions, meal type or ingredient. The ease of use is definitely one of the reasons I keep going back. I encourage you to browse through the website on your own, but to get you started, I've provided links to a few meals that keep turning up in our kitchen. You will be hearing more about "Love and Lemons" recipes as I continue to experiment with vegetables.

Migas Breakfast Tacos

Peanut Soba Noodles

Strawberry Quinoa Salad

Smoothie Ingredients To Keep on Hand

This blog is dedicated to my brother, Ben for his recent curiosity of my Vitamix obsession. Below is the email I sent to him with ingredients I'd suggest keeping on hand to whip up a smoothie as a meal replacement or snack, especially when you're in a pinch or need a healthy fulfilling quick fix. The ingredients are all kitchen-categorized and alphabetized in true sisterly fashion. For anyone into grocery lists, I hope this makes your life a little easier. You can also shop these items directly from this website. Countless smoothie recipes to come! 

Pantry

• Almond Butter (lots of it)
• Bee Pollen
• Cacao Powder
• Cayenne Pepper (lots of it)
• Chia Seeds
• Cinnamon (lots of it)
• Coconut Oil
• Flax Seeds (ground & whole)
• Ginger (fresh and lots of it)
• Goji Berries
• Hemp Seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Maca Powder
• Matcha Powder
• Mesquite Powder
• Protein Powder
• Raw Shredded Coconut
• Vanilla Extract

Fridge

• Almond Milk (lots of it)
• Apples (Chopped)
• Avocado
• Beets (chopped)
• Carrots (chopped)
• Celery (chopped)
• Coconut Water
• Cucumber (chopped)
• Kale (lots of it)
• Mint (fresh - I grow this seasonally)
• Parsley (fresh - I grow this too)
• Pomegranate Seeds
• Spinach

Freezer

• Bananas (lots of them)
• Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Squares* (squeeze into ice cube trays and freeze)
• Organic Berries (all kinds)
• Anything that is about to go bad I throw in the freezer to use in a smoothie, i.e. avocado, herbs, etc

* You can squeeze any fresh juice into ice cube trays and freeze for single serving use!

Welcome to The Wren

wren | ren |

noun

1 A very small widely distributed bird that has a short erect tail and is noted for its song.  

2 Also happens to be a lovely combination of my name, with my last name being Woodruff and first name being Renee. 

I've carried many nicknames throughout my lifetime by various friends, friends and family members; with "Ren" being one of the more popular. And after taking over a year off from blogging, formerly as "Girl on the Go" for Shape.com, I've decided to give it another go. This time, autonomously.

The way I see it, we all have commonalities with a wren. In one shape or another, we are all songbirds, each singing our various songs. By creating "The Wren", I want to share my song with you. My hope is that in the stories that I share about my personal life,  you will find inspiration and motivation for your life.

I will use this blog to discuss topics that I'm most passionate about including: traveling, yoga, health and finding true happiness in the short lives that we've all been given. I'd love to hear from you if you discover something that you can relate to or that you enjoy on this blog. I encourage you to share the photos that I post and sample the recipes that I've discovered.

Thank you so much for reading,

Renee