Back in the day, I had a short-lived stint selling BeautiControl. It kept my shelves fully stocked, but let’s just say most of those products didn’t make the cut once I started paying attention to ingredient labels. They had a “better” line, but most of it still had ingredients I wouldn’t use today. That gig fizzled fast.

Eventually, I got clear on what my skin actually needed and more importantly, what it didn’t. That’s when everything simplified. My current routine isn’t perfect, but it’s consistent, effective, and toxin-conscious. And that’s what makes it sustainable.

I used to roll my eyes at the saying, “One night of not washing your face adds two years to your skin.” Dramatic? Sure. But I’ve seen what skipping too many nights can do it- the dullness, breakouts, a weird dry patch that shows up out of nowhere and becomes a roommate.

So I started reading ingredient labels more closely. I learned about product build-up, fragrance fatigue, and how even “gentle” products can disrupt your skin’s barrier. That’s when I found SurfScripts - and honestly, it just made sense.

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This isn’t an ad, and I don’t have an affiliate link. I’m just sharing what I use because it’s simple, the ingredients are intentionally sourced, and I trust it. That alone has been a huge relief.

Their skincare is the opposite of hype:

• No synthetic preservatives

• No artificial fragrance

• No 20-step routines
  Just powerful blends of plants, herbs, clays, and oils.

Here’s what my facial routine looks like now:

Morning:

1. Splash with water in the morning (no cleanser needed every day)

2. Apply a few drops of Simple Spot Drops for skin penetrating moisture

3. Light layer of Sheer Face Lotion. It goes on smooth and absorbs fast.

4. SurfScripts sunscreen – for my face and body, it feels more like a body oil than SPF

Evening:

1. Wash with Fountain of Youth Cleanser (removes the day without stripping)

2. Gentle massage with Face Scrub 2-3 times a week

3. Dab of Eye & Bridge Cream (a little goes a long way)

4. Optional: Simple Spot Drops if needed

5. Sheer lotion again to seal it in

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That’s it. Five steps or fewer. And all of it fits into categories that make sense for my skin, not just my shelf:

• Cleanse

• Exfoliate (gently)

• Treat (targeted support)

• Moisturize

• Protect

It’s not about buying “natural” products and calling it done. It’s about understanding what you’re feeding your skin because your skin drinks it in. Our skin is like a giant sponge.

If you’re in the same spot I was, here’s your sign to simplify:

• Choose products with real ingredient integrity

• Stick to a sequence that fits you

• Let your skin tell you what’s working

If you try one change this week, make it this:
Ditch one product that makes you doubt your skin. Replace it with one that makes you feel grounded in your care.

Talk soon, Angie💚

Founder, Tangieco.com

Join my private Facebook group: Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler - your safe space to move from confusion to confidence.

Great question — this is honestly one of the trickiest parts of going non-toxic!

When you stop using conventional bleach and detergents, keeping whites bright suddenly becomes... a full-on experiment. The best natural whitening agent I’ve found is sodium percarbonate (often sold as “oxygen bleach”). When it dissolves in warm water, it breaks down into soda ash and hydrogen peroxide, which gently lift stains and brighten fabrics without chlorine.

The secret is time. Sodium percarbonate doesn’t work instantly — it needs hours to do its thing. So if your whites are looking dull, give them an overnight soak. A quick hour just won’t cut it.

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Another favorite (and free!) whitening trick is good old sunlight. UV rays naturally bleach and disinfect fabrics, and nothing beats that fresh, line-dried smell. I’m still searching for a drying rack that fits perfectly in my yard—and folds small enough to tuck into my tiny laundry room—but for now, I make do with a few random hooks on the soffit. Whenever the weather cooperates, I hang my laundry out there and let the sun do its quiet magic.

Here’s a picture of my very fancy sun dryer. 🌞

I don’t wear a lot of white clothing, but I do love my white sheets and pillowcases. There’s something about watching them sway in the sunlight that makes the whole ritual feel worth it.

Now, let’s talk about why natural detergents don’t keep whites so bright. Most commercial detergents rely on optical brighteners — chemicals that don’t actually clean the fabric. Instead, they coat your clothes with a fluorescent residue that reflects blue light, making whites appear brighter to your eyes. That glow isn’t cleanliness; it’s chemistry.

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Many big-brand detergents also contain enzymes and synthetic surfactants that break down organic stains quickly — but they can be harsh on fabrics and irritating to skin. The trade-off is that you get “brighter” whites at the expense of fiber longevity, residue buildup, and, of course, environmental impact.

And then there’s bleach.

Chlorine bleach is incredibly effective, yes — but it’s also one of the most toxic and corrosive household chemicals. It releases fumes that can irritate your lungs and eyes, and when mixed (even accidentally) with ammonia or vinegar, it creates toxic gases. If you absolutely, positively must use it, please do so with great caution: wear gloves, eye protection, and make sure your space is very well-ventilated. And never, ever mix it with anything else.

Honestly, it’s often joked about in natural and eco-living circles that the simplest solution is just to stop buying white things altogether! 😂 No white sheets, towels, or clothes — because eventually, they’ll need soaking or sunshine. Probably not the answer anyone wants to hear… but it’s definitely the honest one.

I’d love to hear what you’ve tried for keeping your whites bright — has anyone found a truly magical natural method? Or maybe you’ve embraced the off-white life like I have.

As always, thanks for reading!

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

PS - If you haven’t ready, please subscribe to my Substack. I’m loving sharing here and I hope you enjoy reading it here!

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I used to think that a product was better if it had more to it- more ingredients, more claims, more steps in the routine. Like many of us, I assumed that if something was sold at a beauty counter or came in a sleek bottle, it must be effective. But that belief slowly started to crack the more I learned about greenwashing, unregulated claims in skincare, and the shocking number of harmful chemicals allowed in U.S. personal care products. So scary!

Why I Changed:

It wasn’t an overnight shift. It started with curiosity, then turned into label reading, then full-blown ingredient rabbit holes. One conversation led to another, and I eventually found SurfScripts. Their founder was different. Not just passionate about beauty but fiercely committed to environmental health and clean, whole-body wellness. She sells to doctors and medi-spas, but she formulates like someone who’s seen what toxins can do.

When I looked at the back of her products, I saw long ingredient lists, but I wasn’t overwhelmed. Why? Because everything in there had a clear purpose, and many were things I already recognized: plants, clays, herbs, oils. It clicked. I didn’t need fewer ingredients. I needed fewer types of ingredients, ones that made sense, worked together, and supported my skin without confusing it.

That’s when I made my own “5-Ingredient Rule” for skincare. Not literally five ingredients, but five categories that guide what I use:

1. Plant-based oils: Think sesame, coconut, almond, and sunflower. Yummy and nourishing.

2. Herbs and botanicals: Like calendula, passionfruit, clove, and lavender. They calm, soothe, and bring natural scent and anti-inflammatory support.

3. Mineral-rich clays: For detoxing, balancing, and gentle exfoliation. My 50+ year old skin is sensitive so I like to treat it kindly.

4. Essential nutrients: Things like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, sea buckthorn- nutrients my skin craves which I adore in the Sheer Face Lotion.

5. Clean actives: Not every “active” has to be harsh. SurfScripts uses cucumber seed, rosehip, pomegranate, and hemp to brighten and renew, without irritation.

   

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My routine is simpler now, but more effective. I know what’s in my products, and I trust who makes them. I don’t need ten steps, just the right ones.

Detoxing your beauty routine isn’t about giving up great skin. It’s about redefining what “great” means to you - clear, calm, cared-for skin using ingredients that support your health and our planet. Once I stopped chasing complicated, I found results and relief.

Try this:

• Flip over your skincare products. How many ingredients can you recognize?

• Pick one item in your routine and see if there’s a simpler, more transparent version.

• Look at categories, not just names. Does this formula support your skin or just cover it up?

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If you want a place to start, I recommend checking out SurfScripts. Their products helped me detox my routine without giving up results.

Talk soon, Angie

Founder, Tangieco.com

Join my private Facebook group: Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler - your safe space to move from confusion to confidence.

But then a new ingredient came into my life, and into my formulations. Real life requires real tools, and sometimes, we need more than one.

Now, I keep two shampoo bars in rotation. One uses SCS (Sodium Coco Sulfate), a very mild surfactant made from coconut, and the other uses SLSA (Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate), which is even gentler and completely sulfate-free.

And while the names sound similar, they’re actually quite different.

SCS is a sulfate, yes- but not all sulfates are the same, and not all are bad. SCS is far milder than the harsher ones you often hear about (like SLS or SLES), and it’s effective at breaking down oil and buildup. Think of it as your “reset” shampoo- great for those days when you’ve used styling products, or just feel like your hair needs a deeper clean.

SLSA, on the other hand, is a non-sulfate, ultra-mild cleanser also derived from coconut. It doesn’t give you that bubbly lather, it’s more of a creamy wash, but it still does a beautiful job cleaning your scalp and strands without stripping away your natural oils. And those oils? They’re actually good for your hair.

So here’s what I do:
I use my sulfate-free bar (SLSA) most of the week. It’s gentle, it cleans without drying, and it helps keep my scalp balanced. But once or twice a week, I reach for the SCS bar. That little extra boost of cleansing power helps lift away buildup from oils, sweat, or dry shampoo.

It’s not about choosing one over the other, it’s about listening to your hair.

This is also why I formulated two different shampoo bars at Tangie. If I find value in both, I know many others will too. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to shampoo, not in bar form, and definitely not in life.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

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My cousin Mike once told me he loved the smell of bleach. That made me smile — not because I love the smell, but because it reminded me how our brains attach meaning to certain scents. For so many of us, that sharp, stinging smell = “this is clean.”

But here’s the tricky part: bleach fumes linger in your indoor air. And when used on wood, it’s too harsh. The truth is: clean doesn’t have to smell like bleach to be clean.

Mike’s a total foodie. So when he asked me how to clean wood cutting boards safely, it meant a lot. It told me he’s been listening to my eco message in the background — probably longer than I even realized.

There’s a quote I love that fits this moment: 
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”

Here’s what I can’t unknow now about cutting boards:

If you can feel grooves in a wood or plastic board, that means you’ve shaved some away. Where did those shavings go? Likely down the drain — or into your food. 😬 Those grooves also trap moisture and proteins, which is why boards can hold odor over time.

Here’s what’s worked best for me:

• Never soak wood boards.

• Wash with a little gentle soap, rinse, then stand it on edge to dry.

• Keep a separate board just for meat.

• After raw chicken or steak, sanitize with plain 3% hydrogen peroxide (5–10 mins).

• For smells, spritz white vinegar or scrub with salt and a lemon half.

• Once a month, rub in food-grade mineral oil or MCT oil to keep it from cracking.

I used to baby my wood boards. Then I upgraded to a titanium board. No more fibers or plastic bits in my food. It’s lightweight, knife-friendly, and the only downside? It’s a little louder. I also added a few little rubber feet to the backside, so the metal would not slide on my countertop. If you love wood, no shame! Just give it the care it deserves.

Behavior Tip: Trade your cue, not your comfort

If bleach is your “clean comfort,” here’s a nudge from behavioral science, you don’t have to give up the feeling of clean. Just swap the cue instead.

Try this:

Cue Substitution
Replace the smell of bleach with a new “clean” signal: citrus vinegar, or a lemon rub on the board. Use it every time. Your brain will rewire the association, it just needs repetition.

Implementation Intention
“If I finish washing the board, then I spritz vinegar, take three slow breaths, and stand it to dry.” Simple. Write it down or say it once aloud, it works when you’re on autopilot.

Habit Stacking
“When I load the dish rack, I finish with the vinegar spritz.”
“When I make Sunday coffee, I oil the board.”
Anchoring a new action to an old one makes it stick.

One small change this week:

No bleach on wood. No soaking.
That’s it. Your board, your knives, your lungs, and your food will thank you.

PS – a great use for a wood cutting board you no longer want to cut food on, use as a serving tray like I did. Shots anyone? 😊

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com

Join my private Facebook group:
Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler – your safe space to move from confusion to confidence.

I’ll never forget the phone call. When my mother‑in‑law Mary (miss you, Mary) was diagnosed with brain cancer, I felt both powerless and determined. I was in Florida; she was in Michigan. She knew I was a passionate eco-green girl. She supported by ideas, used everything I mailed her- my Tangie laundry soap, DIY bathroom sprays, and shampoos – even though she loved those heavily scented Bath & Body Works products.

She also knew I was passionate about nutrition, so when I asked her if I could speak with her doctors at the cancer center, she said yes. What they told me still astonishes me: she was advised to stop eating red meat and deli meats because studies show direct links between processed meats and cancer.

“Wait, WHAT!? Why don’t they tell people before they get cancer?” I thought, in shock.

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That moment became a turning point for me. I realized that the foods we think of as convenient or “normal” (hello, boxed lunches and sliced meats) may carry risks our bodies pay for. Since then, I’ve stopped eating deli meat entirely. I rarely eat red meat. Honestly? I don’t miss them. I believe there’s a reason the message isn’t shouted from the rooftops and that reason it because there’s no big profit in us staying well. Gulp. Even typing it makes me a bit emotional.

Here’s what the evidence shows:

• According to the Mayo Clinic, regularly consuming processed meats (ham, hot dogs, deli meats, sausages) is associated with increased cancer risk especially colorectal cancer. Mayo Clinic News Network+2Mayo Clinic News Network+2

• Their “Food risks and cancer: What to avoid” guidance states that processed meat has been categorized as a Group 1 carcinogen (the highest risk category) by the World Health Organization. Mayo Clinic News Network

• A regional health system report in Michigan noted that diets high in red and processed meats (including deli meat) can raise the risk of colorectal cancer. Mayo Clinic Health System

What this means for you (and me):
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about choice and awareness. From a behavior‑change perspective, you’re moving from the contemplation stage (“Maybe this meat stuff matters”) to preparation (“I’m ready to swap something”) and toward action (“Here’s the new habit I’ll try”). You are capable of changing your food story, one decision at a time.

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Simple actions you can take this week:

1. Choose one deli meat you’ve eaten recently. Look at its ingredient list (nitrate/nitrite, preservatives, salts). Ask: Is this something I want on my “health side”?

2. Try one swap: Instead of turkey or ham slices for lunch, try chick‑pea salad in lettuce wraps, or smoked salmon on whole‑grain crispbread.

3. Increase your “plant‑forward” meals: Aim for at least one lunch or dinner this week that doesn’t include any red or processed meat. Let this small win build your confidence.

You don’t have to overhaul everything. But starting with one habit empowers your body, your health, and your future.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚

Founder, Tangieco.com

Join my private Facebook group:
Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler – your safe space to move from confusion to confidence.

Let’s be real: processed pantry swaps sound easy in theory. But in real life? They require effort. Extra steps. And at first, it felt overwhelming.

I used to rely on all the quick comforts: boxed cereal (hello Captain Crunch), canned soups, deli meats, freezer dinners. Convenient, yes, but they often left me sluggish and bloated. Deli meats is a topic I’ll dive deeper into on my next post.

Swapping out processed pantry staples didn’t happen overnight. It started with one soup. I found a powdered broth base, tossed in freeze-dried veggies, and added leftover protein. Boom, I had homemade soup in under 10 minutes. That small win lit a fire that would keep spreading.

Now, I batch-cook all the time. I freeze extra soup in canning jars. I pre-chop random veggies for the week and store them individually for a variety of uses throughout the week. Cook a large batch of tofu in different flavors. It’s not perfection, it’s preparedness.

I’m not the kind of person who bakes bread from scratch (although I deeply admire those who do-- I’m talking about you, Mr. Pires, my friend who makes the best dinner rolls!). I just wanted to find better options, not become Martha Stewart. Swapping white bread for sprouted grain. Choosing organic, non-GMO cheese. Yes, it’s a little more expensive, but I eat a bit less, and over the years, my waistline is thanking me.

Breakfast was a struggle… until it wasn’t.

After reading Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means, my hubby and I decided to give our mornings a total makeover. Now it’s so simple and energizing! Hard-boiled eggs or pre-baked tofu, avocado slices, fermented foods (store-bought or homemade), sprouts, and a sprinkle of ground flaxseed. That’s it. Sometimes we add toast or bagel to the plate.

On a recent trip to Melbourne Beach with my best friend Robin, I prepped eight travel plates for our hotel stay. We didn’t need to leave the room for breakfast. No heavy pancakes to start the day, because that is what I would choose from the restaurant menu. I LOVE pancakes—I just highly dislike the carb crash that comes with them. So t help me not eat pancakes for 4 days in a row, I prepped these tasty meals at home and they gave us nice slow mornings with real, nourishing food, while listening to the sound of the ocean.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about choosing a better baseline for your energy and your peace of mind.

One small action for this week:

Pick one processed item you eat often and ask: Can I swap it for something with fewer ingredients? Or prep a version myself this week? Start with one. Let it become your new normal.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com

Join my private Facebook group:
Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler – your safe space to move from confusion to confidence.

Windhorse was more than a market. It was a colorful, bustling hive of health seekers, authors, chefs, herbalists, yoga instructors, permaculture farmers, conscious parents, musicians, actors, educators; all seeking more knowledge and genuinely believed that what we put in and on our bodies matters.

Conversations about detoxing, fermentation, and food-as-medicine were just part of a normal Tuesday. That environment changed me. Deeply.

For the first time, I started really reading food labels, not just scanning calories, but actually looking at ingredients. I remember someone saying, “If you can’t pronounce it, maybe your liver can’t process it either.” That stuck with me. I wish I could recall who said it, so I could thank them!

But the real turning point was when I got my food allergy blood panel done. Seeing my own inflammatory triggers on that lab sheet was sobering. I realized that “healthy food” isn’t a one-size-fits-all label. We all agree broccoli is the solid choice over a pint of ice cream – nutritionally speaking, of course. LOL. But even ‘clean’ foods can trigger chaos in your unique body.

Turns out I have food sensitivities to almonds, kale, and eggs. For years, I learned these were the holy trinity of health foods. Maybe for some- but for me? Not so good. This was the wake-up call that listening to our own body is better than any health trend or expert advice. We know ourselves better than we think.

Reading labels became less about restriction, and more about empowerment. I wasn’t being picky; I was protecting my energy, my mood, and my long-term wellness.

One small action for this week:

Next time you shop, pick one item you usually buy without thinking like cereal, granola bars, or salad dressing-- and flip it over. Look at the ingredient list. Ask: Would I cook with those at home? You don’t have to change everything at once. Just start noticing.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com

Join my private Facebook group:
Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler – your safe space to move from confusion to confidence.

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For me, it started at the nightstand. I cleared the stack of half-read books (they now sit on a lower shelf – out of my line of vision), added a bottle of linen spray and one of my favorite crystals, along with a beautiful lamp, and one book I’m actually reading. The room didn’t change much, but the energy did. It felt like quiet.

Here’s what I’ve learned: mental clutter often mirrors visual clutter, scent clutter, and even noise clutter. When I pare down what my senses take in, I think clearer and move slower in the best way. This is not about minimalism rules. It’s about choosing what helps you feel safe, soothed, and you.

try this, gently

• Pick one micro-zone. A nightstand, coffee table, kitchen sink, or desk corner. Clear it until your eyes can rest.

• Keep one thing that sparks warmth. A candle you love, a plant, a framed photo, or a small stone from a favorite place. I collect rocks from all my trips, and they sit in a collection on my back porch.

• Toxin-free touch. Wipe the surface with a simple cleaner that smells like “clean” not perfume. Let the room smell like itself.

• Soften the inputs. Reduce one noise source. Mute a notification. Add a soft lamp or natural light.

• Make it easy to keep. Little tray for keys. Small basket for remotes. A home for the daily stuff so it stops shouting at you.

a few cozy swaps I love

1. Warm lamp with a 3-way bulb. instead of overhead glare. I like the option to control the quantity of light depending on my need for the room.

2. Pillowcase you love, one that feels luxurious. Treat yourself to quality fabric for a pillowcase. The small size means a small cost, as compared to a full set of sheets.

3. Open space on a shelf, on purpose.

4. One book, not seven.

5. A plant you won’t fuss over. (hello snack plant!)

If this feels good, repeat the micro-zone magic in another spot. Over time, these tiny clearings add up to a home that exhale-breathes with you.

One more gentle note. “Toxin-free” isn’t only about ingredients, it’s also a vibe. Simple products, fewer scents, less plastic, more natural textures. If you want a step-by-step for two high-impact areas, my free 3-day detox mini-guide for kitchen and bathroom is a sweet place to start. You can grab it HERE or message me, happy to email it over.

I’d love to know: what corner of your home is asking for white space right now? If you try a micro-zone, send me a photo or a few words about how it felt.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

✨ I also share shorter content in my private Facebook group Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler — a safe place to move from confusion to confidence about all things wellness.

PS – If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack. I love sharing here and hope you enjoy reading it too!

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Hi, I’m Angie. That’s me with my avocado plant. I turned my own search for gentler products into Tangie and a lifelong practice of toxin-free, low-waste living. I share what actually works, minus the overwhelm, and I’m here to cheer you on as you build a healthier home. Thanks for reading my Substack’s!

Screens, especially in the evening, suppress melatonin, shift your internal clock, and fragment sleep, which leaves you groggy and wired the next day. And the feed you’re scrolling? It’s optimized to keep you engaged for as long as possible, because attention equals ad dollars, not necessarily your wellbeing.

why screens drain your energy (quick science)

• Evening light = melatonin drop. Blue-rich light from phones and e-readers can suppress melatonin and delay your internal clock, which makes it harder to fall and stay asleep.[1][2]

• The “just one more” loop. Feeds predict what will make you click, like, or watch a few seconds longer. That engagement signal trains the algorithm to show you more of the same, creating an intermittent-reward loop that’s hard to exit.[4][6][7]

• Doomscrolling stress. Repeated exposure to alarming content is linked with higher anxiety and reduced sleep quality. Your nervous system doesn’t fully “wind down” afterward.[8][9][10]

five easy wins to regain your energy

1. 10-minute sunset buffer. After dinner, dim overheads and switch lamps to warm light. Park your phone to charge outside the bedroom. This single environment shift reduces evening light exposure and late-night scrolling friction.[1][3]

2. Swap the last scroll for a cue. Pick one anchor habit for the final 15 minutes: stretch, breathwork, or a paper book. Keep the book on your pillow so the choice is automatic.

3. Create a “clean feed” window. Give yourself one timed window for socials or news, ideally daytime. Use a timer and log off when it dings. If news spikes your stress, switch to email digests a few days per week.

4. One-tap blockers. Move social apps off your home screen, disable badges, and enable app limits. Make ease your ally: fewer cues, fewer loops.

5. Morning light, real life. Get outside within an hour of waking, even for 2–5 minutes. Daylight anchors circadian rhythm so melatonin rises naturally at night and energy feels steadier tomorrow.[1]

a tiny bit about “the algorithm”

Platforms optimize for what they can measure—clicks, likes, watch time—because those signals predict ad impressions and revenue. That’s why you’re shown the most engaging, not necessarily the most nourishing, content. It’s not personal, it’s a profit model... which is why you need boundaries, timers, and friction to balance it out.[4][5][6]

what you can do to beat the system

1. Pick just one change tonight, like charging your phone outside the bedroom.

2. Tell a friend or partner what you’re trying this week so they can cheer you on.

3. Set a 10-minute app limit and put a paperback book on your pillow.

4. Notice how your body feels tomorrow morning—lighter, clearer, calmer.

5. Repeat steps 1-4

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What’s one small swap you’re willing to try this week?

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

✨ I also share shorter content in my private Facebook group Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler — a safe place to move from confusion to confidence about all things wellness.

PS – If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack. I love sharing here and hope you enjoy reading it too!

Subscribe now

references

[1] Harvard Health Publishing. “Blue light has a dark side,” updated July 24, 2024. Melatonin suppression and circadian delay from evening blue light. Harvard Health

[2] Chang A-M. et al. “Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing…” PNAS (2015). e-readers suppressed melatonin and shifted circadian phase. pnas.org

[3] American Academy of Pediatrics (sleep & media resource pages). Guidance on keeping screens out of the bedroom and avoiding screens before bed. AAP+1

[4] Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia. “Understanding Social Media Recommendation Algorithms,” 2023. Engagement prediction drives ranking, aligned to ad revenue. Knight First Amendment Institute

[5] Milli S. et al. “Engagement, user satisfaction, and the amplification of preferences…” 2025 (open-access preprint). Ranking tends to optimize revealed engagement signals. PMC

[6] Metzler H. “Social drivers and algorithmic mechanisms on digital media,” 2023. Feedback loop between social drivers and algorithmic ranking. PMC

[7] Wadsley M. et al. “Reward-based motives underlying social networking site use,” 2021. Social reward and intermittent reinforcement mechanisms. PMC

[8] Harvard Health Publishing. “Doomscrolling dangers,” Sept 1, 2024. Health impacts and strategies to curb doomscrolling. Harvard Health

[10] UC San Diego Today. “Doomscrolling Again? Expert Explains Why We’re Wired for Worry,” Apr 9, 2025. Overview of mechanisms and impacts. today.ucsd.edu

That’s usually my cue: it’s time to ground.

Over the years, I’ve learned that “detoxing the mind” isn’t about retreating from life; it’s about returning to myself. When my thoughts get noisy or scattered, these are the rituals that help me press reset and remember what calm feels like.

Since I was born in the seventh month, I’m doing my Top 7 reasons for taking time to ground, connecting back to the rhythm of the earth, and disconnecting from the busy world around me.

1. Stepping outside (barefoot if I can)

Even two or three minutes of fresh air shifts everything. I’ll step onto the patio, stretch, feel the air, and just breathe.

Science backs it up — grounding, or “earthing,” has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and balance the nervous system within 20 minutes of skin-to-earth contact (Journal of Environmental and Public Health).

But even without studies, I know it works. When my feet touch the ground, the noise inside me softens.

I’m fortunate that the corner of my back patio was never filled in (intentionally), and it’s become the perfect little spot for grounding with the Earth, especially on days when the weather isn’t cooperating enough to go barefoot outside.

2. My hammock ritual

You’ve heard me mention my hammock before — it’s my portable peacekeeper. I have one on the patio and another that travels with me (yes, really).

When I climb in, everything slows down. Watching the birds at the feeder, feeling the breeze move through the trees — it’s nearly impossible to stay tense. Those ten-minute swings reset me faster than anything else. It’s such a simple ritual, but it reminds me that peace doesn’t come from distraction; it comes from presence.

“Balance isn’t something we chase; it’s something we choose — one pause, one breath, one hammock break at a time.”
— Angie Ringler

3. Breathwork breaks

If you ever catch me staring into space at my desk, I’m probably counting my breath.
Four in. Four hold. Four out. Four hold.
That simple box-breathing rhythm signals safety to my nervous system.

According to research in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, even five minutes of controlled breathing lowers heart rate variability and increases focus — proof that calm is physiological, not just emotional.

4. Gentle movement

Yoga remains my favorite way to physically release mental clutter. Three or four times a week, I unroll my mat and let the day drain out through my muscles.

But on heavy workdays, I remind myself that it doesn’t take a full class.
A five-minute stretch beside my desk, some bouncing on my BOSU ball, or a short walk in the yard, often does the trick. Harvard studies show that 15 minutes of movement can improve mood by up to 30 percent. It’s one of the simplest ways to shift from “overwhelmed” to “okay.”

5. Touching stillness (literally)

Grounding isn’t always movement; sometimes it’s stopping completely. I keep a spiral quartz crystal on my desk. When my brain starts sprinting, I hold it in my palm, roll the spiral between my fingers, feel its cool weight, and breathe.

That tiny ritual- physical touch meeting awareness reminds me that I’m not my thoughts; I’m simply the one observing them.

6. Mindful inputs

Lately, I’ve been more intentional about what I let into my mental space.
I limit news bursts, choose music over TV (although I still enjoy my fair share of Family Guy), and subscribe to spaces that refill me — like Mindful Wellness on Substack. Their gentle daily notes are small but powerful nudges to stay balanced and aware.

7. Digital sunsets

Most nights, I dim the lights around 10pm, fortunately my phone automatically goes on “Bedtime Mode” at 9pm, and I try to let my brain quiet down before bed around midnight. Blue light blocks melatonin, but honestly, it’s not just about sleep. It’s about reclaiming peace before tomorrow begins again.

Grounding is a practice, not a performance

I used to think calm was something I had to earn — like a reward for finishing the list. Now I see it differently. Grounding is maintenance, not luxury. It’s part of the work of living well.

So if you’re reading this feeling frazzled or overstimulated, here’s your invitation:

Step outside. Breathe deeply. Notice the texture of the air.
Your body already knows how to find its rhythm again — you just have to give it a chance.

Leave a comment

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

✨ I also share shorter content in my private Facebook group Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler — a safe place to move from confusion to confidence about all things wellness.

PS – If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack. I love sharing here and hope you enjoy reading it too!

I’ve learned (the hard way) that a toxin-free lifestyle isn’t just about what we wash with — it’s also about what we feed our minds.

My own mental detox practice

Over the years, I’ve built little habits that help me clear the mental clutter and reset my thoughts. I practice yoga three or four times a week, and every few hours I step away from my desk — even if it’s just a few minutes walking in the yard or sitting on the patio. A complete change of scenery does the mind, and body, good!

It doesn’t take long to feel the difference. Science actually backs this up: just 15 minutes of movement can reduce cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) and improve mood by nearly 30%, according to research published by Harvard Health. Yes, 30% !!!

Even short bursts of activity — stretching, breathing, or walking — increase dopamine and serotonin, the brain’s natural mood-lifters. The American Psychological Association notes that even a single mindful walk can sharpen focus and lower anxiety for hours afterward.

One of my favorite ways to reset is by simply stepping outside and sitting in my hammock. It’s my calm place. The one on my patio faces trees, bird baths, and feeders — it’s hard not to smile watching the cardinals and squirrels go about their business.

And because it brings me so much peace, I even take a portable hammock when I travel. Buying it felt like a small luxury at the time, but honestly, it’s one of the best investments I’ve made in my well-being. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with spending money on things that support your peace of mind — the key is to actually use them.

For me, that hammock is more than just a place to relax — it’s a tool for calm. There’s something incredibly grounding about being cradled by nature, even if it’s only for ten minutes between activities. Those short pauses often give me more clarity than an entire hour spent staring at a screen.

According to NIH studies, spending time outdoors — even simply gazing at greenery — can lower blood pressure, slow heart rate, and boost mental clarity. My hammock moments have become my way of pressing “reset” without needing a full vacation. They remind me that peace doesn’t have to wait for the weekend — it can happen right in the middle of a busy day.

I also find inspiration from the Mindful Wellness Substack. Their short, thoughtful reflections are gentle nudges to come back to the present — to slow down, breathe, and remember that balance isn’t something we chase, it’s something we choose. Those reminders help me anchor what I already practice and keep my own toxin-free mindset on track.

What toxic thinking looks like

You can’t always see it, but mental buildup often shows up in subtle ways:

• Constant overthinking or self-criticism

• Scrolling mindlessly even when you don’t want to

• Comparing yourself to others

• Feeling foggy or unmotivated despite “doing everything right”

Those are signs your brain needs a break from toxic input — whether it’s social media, overstimulation, or internal pressure. I work in front of a computer all day. I must find ways to combat overstimulation or my body suffers, and I feel it!

If you chose one of these, what’s something small you do to feel better afterward?

Leave a comment

Simple ways to detox your thoughts

Here are a few small swaps for a clearer, calmer mind — no yoga mat required.

️ 1. Move your body.
You don’t have to hit the gym. Just 15 minutes of gentle activity — walking, stretching, or dancing — can shift your brain chemistry toward calm.

2. Step outside.
Natural light and fresh air help regulate your circadian rhythm and serotonin levels. Try a 2–3 minute “patio pause” during work hours.

3. Limit digital noise.
Turn off push notifications or move your phone to another room for an hour. Mental rest is as vital as physical rest. In the Digital Wellbeing setting in my Android phone, I have it set to go into Bedtime Mode every day from 9pm until 8am. This automatically silences my device, dims the wallpaper, and changes the screen to black and white. Colors are more engaging, so if I do happen to pick up my phone (for the wrong reason), it is less appealing. The Bedtime Mode setting still allows alarms and important calls to ring through.

4. Journal or brain-dump.
Write down your racing thoughts. Seeing them on paper gives your mind permission to let go.

5. Honor rest.
Detoxing the mind means slowing down — not just powering through. Even short breaks improve focus by up to 40%, according to research from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.

Your mental environment matters

When we talk about living toxin-free, it’s easy to focus on what touches our skin or fills our homes. But the truth is, our mental environment is the one we live in every single moment.

Choosing stillness. Choosing boundaries. Choosing to breathe before reacting — that’s detoxing, too.

If you try one thing this week, let it be this:
Step outside, breathe deeply, and give yourself two minutes of nothing. Let your mind have some clean air, too.

I’d love to hear from you:
If you clicked one of the poll options, what helps you clear mental buildup when it shows up? A short walk? Journaling? Turning off notifications?
Your ideas might help someone else in the comments today.

Leave a comment

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

✨ I also share shorter content in my private Facebook group Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler. It’s a safe place to move from confusion to confidence about all things wellness related. I’d love to see you there, too.

PS – If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack. I love sharing here and hope you enjoy reading it too!

Subscribe now

References

• UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center. “How to Practice Mindfulness Throughout Your Work Day.”

• “Exercise is an effective stress-buster” — Harvard Health Publishing
  https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-effective-stress-buster Harvard Health

• “How to reduce stress and anxiety through movement and mindfulness” — Harvard Health
  https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/how-to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety-through-movement-and-mindfulness Harvard Health

• “Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress” — Mayo Clinic
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469 Mayo Clinic

• “Mindfulness” — Greater Good Science Center
  https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness Greater Good

• “Mindful breathing practice” — Greater Good in Action
  https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/mindful_breathing Greater Good in Action

• “Five ways mindfulness meditation is good for your health” — Greater Good https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_mindfulness_meditation_is_good_for_your_health Greater Good

That’s exactly what happened when Dawn posted in our Facebook group recently about car exhaust and air pollution. She was wondering if her small indoor air filters were enough to make a difference when she lives near a busy street. Her question stopped me in my tracks — not just because it was thoughtful, but because it hit close to home.

My husband spent over thirty years as a car auctioneer. Day after day, surrounded by running engines, exhaust fumes, and that unmistakable haze of a garage full of cars. I can still picture him coming home from work, clothes smelling faintly of fuel. And even though I didn’t talk about it much, I’ve always carried that quiet worry about what all those years of exposure might mean for his long-term health.

So when Dawn asked her question, it really stuck with me.

At first, I thought about the usual answers — HEPA filters, sealing windows during high-traffic times, air-purifying plants. But I had a feeling Dawn already knew about those things (and maybe you do too). So instead of repeating the basics, I started digging into ways to actually understand what’s happening in our own homes.

One thing that kept coming up: we often assume our air is bad, but rarely measure it.

These days, there are small indoor air quality monitors that can give you real data — levels of PM2.5 (the fine particles from exhaust), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), CO₂, humidity, and temperature. Some even connect to your phone and chart readings throughout the day, so you can see patterns, like if your air quality dips during rush hour.

It’s empowering to know, not just guess.

And because we all live in different places with different climates, traffic patterns, and even building materials, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Instead of trying to cover every possibility, I thought it might be more helpful to share a few search prompts you can use to narrow down your specific concerns and start finding solutions that truly fit your home and lifestyle.

If you’re curious to explore, here are a few to get you started:

🔍 “best affordable indoor air quality monitors for apartments”

🔍 “how to measure PM2.5 inside my home naturally”

🔍 “HEPA vs activated carbon filters for car exhaust”

🔍 “plants that absorb carbon monoxide and VOCs indoors”

🔍 “best cabin air filter for traffic pollution exposure”

That last one might surprise you- the air inside your car can actually have higher pollutant levels than the air outside during traffic. Simply switching to a higher-grade cabin filter (look for HEPA or activated carbon) can make a big difference.

As I researched, I also wanted to understand what happens inside our bodies when we breathe in these pollutants — especially for people like my husband, who’ve had long-term exposure.

It turns out, our liver is one of the body’s hardest-working detox partners. It processes not just what we eat and drink, but also airborne toxins like benzene and toluene — both common in exhaust fumes. According to research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the liver uses two main “phases” of detoxification. Phase 1 breaks down toxins into smaller pieces, and Phase 2 binds them with molecules so they can be safely eliminated.

When those pathways are well-supported, our bodies handle exposure much more efficiently. But if they’re sluggish or overloaded, toxins can linger longer than we’d like.

That’s where nutrition comes in.

Supporting your liver doesn’t have to mean extreme detoxes or fancy supplements. It starts with the basics: staying hydrated, eating plenty of cruciferous veggies (like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower), leafy greens, sulfur-rich foods (onions, garlic, eggs), and antioxidants like vitamin C or NAC (N-acetyl cysteine).

If you want to dive deeper, try searching:

🔍 “liver detoxification of benzene and toluene exposure”

🔍 “natural ways to support phase 1 and phase 2 liver detox pathways”

It’s fascinating — and empowering — to see how much our bodies already know how to do, if we just give them the right tools.

Share Wellness Without Toxins with Angie Ringler

Still, what stood out most to me in all this wasn’t the data. It was the reminder that so many of our wellness worries are invisible. We can’t see the air we breathe or measure exactly how our bodies are coping every moment — but we can choose curiosity over fear.

That’s what I love most about this community. A single question from one person leads to learning for all of us. It’s a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to feel lonely or overwhelming — it can start as simply as a thoughtful comment and a little shared curiosity.

So, Dawn- thank you! Your question not only made me reflect on my husband’s years around cars but also inspired me to dig deeper into what it means to truly breathe well.

Until then, keep asking the good questions. They’re how we all grow.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚

Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

PS – If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack. I love sharing here and hope you enjoy reading it too!

Subscribe now

✨ I also share shorter content in my private Facebook group Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler. It’s a safe place to move from confusion to confidence about all things wellness related. I’d love to see you there, too.

I’m 56 now, and I’ll admit it — I don’t miss having a period. (It’s truly one of the best perks of aging, right?) But I do sometimes wish I’d known more back when I did. I would’ve made better choices — not just for the planet, but for my own body. Back then, I’ll be honest; I would’ve cared more about me than Mother Earth.

The area where we use these products is so delicate, and it deserves extra care. And yet, for decades, most of us have trusted whatever the store shelves offered without realizing what those products were made from… or what happens to them afterward.

The average person who menstruates uses roughly 11,000 pads and tampons over their lifetime. That adds up to about 250–300 pounds of waste, most of which is plastic.

Disposable pads are about 90% plastic, from the waterproof backing to the packaging and applicators. Each one takes hundreds of years to break down — and along the way, releases microplastics into our soil and water.

When you think about it that way, a “monthly” routine quickly becomes a lifelong environmental legacy.

What’s really in those conventional products

Modern pads and tampons may look simple, but they’re chemical cocktails wrapped in soft fabric.

• Rayon and bleached cotton:

  • These fibers are often treated with chlorine compounds that can leave behind dioxins, chemicals linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive harm. [1][2]

• “Fragrance” and absorbent gels:

  • These can contain undisclosed phthalates and synthetic musks, known irritants that may alter hormone activity. [3][4]

• Plastics and adhesives:

  • Non-breathable materials trap moisture, raising the risk of irritation, yeast infections, and even microtears in sensitive tissue.

The vagina is one of the most absorbent parts of the body. What touches that tissue doesn’t just stay on the surface — it can enter the bloodstream more easily than through skin elsewhere.

As the nonprofit Women’s Voices for the Earth put it:

“We shouldn’t have to choose between managing our periods and protecting our health.”

A better way forward

Thankfully, we have better options today — ones that are safer, reusable, and genuinely comfortable.

Here’s what others are saying about their plastic-free period swaps:

“I never realized how much better I’d feel until I stopped using disposable pads and tampons. The cup was intimidating at first, but it’s now my favorite thing — zero waste, zero irritation.”
— User testimonial, Women’s Voices for the Earth Community Forum

There’s a learning curve with some of these swaps, but most people say they’d never go back. And with so many good brands available now, there’s an option for every comfort level.

Three simple swaps

1. Menstrual cups – Made from medical-grade silicone, these are reusable for up to 10 years. They collect rather than absorb, preventing dryness and irritation. Brands like Saalt and DivaCup are highly rated for comfort and quality. [5][6]

2. Reusable pads – Soft, washable, and available in organic cotton, these eliminate single-use plastic entirely. GladRags and Aisle (formerly Lunapads) are popular for their durability and designs. [7][8]

3. Period underwear – Comfortable and discreet, designed to absorb flow without extra products. Thinx, Modibodi, and the collaboration between zero-waste advocates Katherine Kellogg and Shelby Oly (called Kayaness – for K&S, clever, right!) are all great starting points. [9][10][11]

If you want to learn more about these brands or products, I’ve linked each one at the end. Switching even one of these into your routine makes a big difference — for your health and the planet.

The best time to start

If you’re still getting your period, this change is one of the most impactful (and personal) ways to reduce waste. Start small: try reusable pads at night, or switch to period underwear on light days.

And if your cycle days are behind you, share this message with someone who needs it. The women coming after us deserve the information we never had.

Because sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet — it’s about caring for ourselves, too.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

PS – If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack. I love sharing here and hope you enjoy reading it too!

Subscribe now

PS - I also share shorter content in my private Facebook group Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler. It’s a safe place to move from confusion to confidence about all things wellness related. I’d love to see you there, too.

🛒 Product Links

Saalt Menstrual Cup

DivaCup

GladRags Reusable Pads

Aisle Reusable Pads

Thinx Period Underwear

Modibodi Period Underwear

Katherine Kellogg & Shelby Oly’s Zero-Waste Collaboration

🔖 Sources & References

Environmental Working Group (EWG). “Dioxins and Furans.”

National Institute of Health (NIH) PubChem Database. Dioxin toxicity profile.

Women’s Voices for the Earth. Chemicals of concern in feminine care products.

NIH Toxicology Program. Phthalates and fragrance exposure risk.

PubMed Central. Safety and efficacy of menstrual cups in menstrual hygiene management.

Saalt. Company sustainability and social impact report.

GladRags. Reusable pads product lifecycle and materials.

Aisle. Sustainability and comfort in reusable period products.

When I started down this path, I didn’t overhaul my life overnight. I took small steps, one category at a time, and let those changes stick before moving on. Here are a few quick tips I always share with people just getting started:

• Join your local Buy Nothing Facebook group and start asking for things there before purchasing.

• Unsubscribe from all advertising emails and alerts. Less temptation means fewer impulse buys.

• Pick one category of spending—like takeout, makeup, clothes, or cleaning supplies—and reduce or shift your habits in that area. Once you’re comfortable, move on to another.

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Trying to take on everything at once is a recipe for burnout.

Instead, look around your home and ask yourself where you can start replacing disposable items with longer-lasting, more sustainable options. For me, one of the earliest and easiest switches was ditching paper towels and napkins. I now use cloth napkins and rags for everything—and I don’t miss the paper waste at all.

One question I often ask myself before buying something is: What will the end of this item’s life look like—and how soon will that be? A piece of solid wood furniture might be used for decades and passed along to someone else. But a cheap plastic patio chair? It could break in a season and live in a landfill for hundreds of years. That’s not a tradeoff I’m willing to make anymore.

It might seem counterintuitive, but consuming less can sometimes cost more at the beginning. Better-quality items, sustainable materials, or secondhand treasures may come with a higher upfront cost. But they last longer, retain value, and help us break out of the cycle of constant consumption.

And one more thing: you don’t have to accept every freebie that’s handed to you.

At fairs, conferences, even the dentist’s office—I politely decline the branded goodie bags and ask only for what I truly need. For me, that’s usually one of the specialty flossers to clean around the wire behind my front teeth. I don’t need another toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, or a plastic bag to carry them all home.

Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Start small. Think long term. And know that each intentional shift matters.

As always, thanks for reading!

Talk soon,

💚Angie

(founder of Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins)

For years, I never thought much about what was in my shampoo or body wash. I just reached for what smelled good and promised “shine,” “moisture,” or “smooth skin.”

But when I started detoxing the products in my home, and later, expanding Tangie’s product line to include shampoo and conditioner, this became one of the biggest challenges. Not just because of the mountains of plastic bottles these products create, but because performance matters. If the bars didn’t work as well (or better) than the bottled versions, people wouldn’t keep using them. And a swap that doesn’t last isn’t truly sustainable.

That journey taught me something powerful: what we use every day adds up, especially when we layer multiple products on our skin, day after day. Shampoo rinses over your entire body. Conditioner, too. Then come the body washes, scrubs, and lotions, each adding another layer of ingredients our skin must process.

And sometimes, that buildup doesn’t just affect the planet… it affects how we feel.

I recently received a message from one of Tangie’s retailers, Emma Morris, a salon owner at Fresh Salon in Trumansburg, New York. She wrote:

“My clients have really been loving the bars; they do work wonders. I use them too and actually find the results somewhat better than the other fancy stuff I’m selling in bottles.”

I can’t tell you how much that made me smile! Because that’s exactly what I’ve believed (and wanted to accomplish) all along: you don’t need harsh or complicated ingredients to get salon-quality results.

The truth about what’s hiding in your shower

Many conventional hair and body products are filled with ingredients designed to feel luxurious in the moment - foamy, silky, fragrant - but those same ingredients can leave long-term damage behind.

Here are a few of the most common offenders:

Sulfates (like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate): These harsh detergents strip away not only dirt but also your scalp’s natural oils. That “squeaky clean” feeling? It’s actually your skin barrier crying out for help. [NIH, PubChem]

Silicones: Found in many conditioners and “smoothing” serums, silicones coat the hair shaft to create fake shine. Over time, they build up, suffocating your strands and weighing them down.

Parabens: Used as preservatives, parabens have been shown to mimic estrogen in the body. They’re commonly found in shampoos, lotions, and body washes. [Environmental Working Group]

Synthetic Fragrances: These can contain hundreds of unlisted chemicals, including phthalates — compounds linked to hormonal disruption and allergies. [NIH Toxicology Program]

The truth is, you don’t need any of these for your hair or skin to thrive. Nature already offers gentle, effective cleansers and moisturizers that don’t compromise your health — or the planet.

What clean can really look like

Tangie’s Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar — made with simple, clean ingredients that nourish your hair without the toxins.
Proof that nature knows what it’s doing. 💚

When I started formulating Tangie’s shampoo and conditioner bars, I wanted to prove something simple: clean ingredients can perform beautifully.

Each bar is made with plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, purified water, and natural clays — mild sulfate, no silicones, and no synthetic fragrance. Just gentle, effective cleansing that lets your hair breathe again

It’s not all about shampoo. Think about all the other products we use to clean our bodies in the shower like body wash, shave cream, and skin scrubs.

Tangie’s foaming Hand & Body Wash and Shave Bar skipped the synthetic foaming agents and petroleum fillers found in traditional washes and creams. They cleanse, hydrate, and rinse clean — no residue, no irritation.

And here’s the thing — this isn’t about buying from Tangie (although your support always means the world to me 💚). It’s about knowing that you can have great hair and healthy skin without exposing yourself to toxins.

A new kind of clean

Detoxing your shower isn’t about deprivation — it’s about rediscovering how good simplicity can feel.

Once you’ve experienced that difference; the soft hair, the calm scalp, the smooth skin without fragrance overload, it’s hard to go back. Your shower becomes more than just a routine; it becomes a ritual of care, clarity, and calm.

Start small. Swap one thing. Notice how your body feels.
That’s where the real magic begins.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚
Founder, Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins

PS – If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack. I love sharing here and hope you enjoy reading it too!

Subscribe now

✨ I also share shorter content in my private Facebook group Wellness Without Toxins by Angie Ringler. It’s a safe place to move from confusion to confidence about all things wellness related. I’d love to see you there, too.

Sources & References

Environmental Working Group (EWG). Parabens and their potential health effects.

Environmental Working Grous (EWG) Human Toxome Project. Parabens

National Institute of Health (NIH) PubChem Database. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate profile.

National Toxicology Program. Phthalates in synthetic fragrance.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Phthalates in Cosmetics

Journal of Cosmetic Science, Vol. 63, Issue 5 (2012): Silicone buildup and hair health.

So I dug in a little deeper.

The Truth: Can ACV Damage Tooth Enamel?

Yes... it can - if used incorrectly.

ACV is highly acidic, with a pH around 2–3. When that acidity sits on your teeth, it can begin to soften and erode the enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth. Once enamel wears away, it doesn’t grow back.

That’s the science-backed caution. But here’s the key: it’s all about how you use it.

The acidity of apple cider vinegar (ACV) is well-documented, and numerous dental experts have warned about its potential to erode tooth enamel over time. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), acidic substances like vinegar and citrus can soften and wear away the outer layer of teeth, leading to sensitivity, discoloration, and long-term enamel damage.

A 2021 clinical study published on PubMed found that adults who consumed diluted vinegar daily over an 8-week period showed measurable increases in enamel wear compared to a control group. Other health resources, like Verywell Health and GoodRx, caution against swishing or brushing with ACV due to its pH level, which can contribute to enamel erosion and gum irritation when not used carefully.

To protect dental health while still gaining the potential benefits of ACV, experts recommend a few key strategies…

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Safe Ways to Use ACV Without Damaging Your Teeth

• Always dilute. Never drink ACV straight from the bottle. Instead, mix 1–2 teaspoons (or tablespoons) into a full glass of filtered water. This lowers the acidity hitting your teeth.

• Don’t sip it all day. Frequent exposure to acidic drinks throughout the day keeps your mouth in a low pH state, which is harmful.

• Use a straw. A simple trick that limits direct contact with your teeth.

• Rinse your mouth after (but wait to brush). Swish with plain water afterward to help neutralize the pH. Don’t brush your teeth immediately—wait at least 30 minutes.

My Personal Routine

When I do ACV in the morning, I mix it like this:

• 2 ounces filtered water
• 1 cap of raw unfiltered ACV (with the “mother”)

To make it more palatable, many people choose to add a splash of lemon juice, dash of cinnamon, and a bit of raw honey.

But Everyone’s Body Is Different

Joanna’s concern is the perfect reminder that no wellness habit is one-size-fits-all. What works for one person might cause sensitivity for another. For those with compromised enamel, gum recession, or active dental issues—it may not be the best fit without a dentist’s guidance.

And that’s okay.

Share Wellness Without Toxins with Angie Ringler

Got Your Own Story?

If you’ve used ACV regularly, I’d love to hear:
• What’s your go-to way of taking it?
• Have you noticed any changes in energy, digestion, or blood sugar?
• Did you have concerns like Joanna’s?

Drop your experience in the comments—we learn so much from real-life stories like yours.

Leave a comment

Want to go even deeper on this topic?
Check out our ongoing discussions in the Wellness Without Toxins Facebook group—where this entire thread began.

Here’s to informed choices, small shifts, and taking care of your teeth and your gut.

As always, thanks for reading!

Talk soon,

💚Angie

(founder of Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins)

But before we get into the benefits, there’s something important to know.

If you’re on medications for blood sugar or blood pressure, adding apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your daily routine could amplify the effects of those drugs and lead to problems like:
- Blood sugar dropping too low (hypoglycemia)
- Blood pressure dropping too low (hypotension)
- Lower potassium levels, especially with high intake

If any of that applies to you, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before using ACV regularly.

Here’s what I’ve learned about choosing the right kind of ACV:

- Look for raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized ACV. That cloudy “mother” at the bottom? That’s what you want.
- Organic and non-GMO labels help ensure you’re not getting pesticides or unwanted additives.
- The ingredients should be simple: just ACV and water, usually with 5% acidity.

A few trusted brands I’ve used or researched:

- Bragg Organic ACV (still my go-to)
- Fairchild’s Vinegar
- Eden Foods ACV
- Lucy’s Organic
- Nonna Pia’s

Bragg is still privately owned by people committed to wellness—not a mega-corporation. Its ownership includes names like Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, who continue to honor the brand’s health-first mission.

The “mother” in raw ACV contains:

- Enzymes
- Probiotics
- Organic acids

These can support digestion, gut health, and blood sugar balance. That cloudy sediment at the bottom isn’t something to fear—it’s a good sign.

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Easy ways to incorporate ACV:

- Mix 1–2 tablespoons with 8 ounces of water and sip
- Add it to salad dressings or marinades
- Make a tonic blend with lemon, cinnamon, and a touch of honey

Things to steer clear of:

- Filtered or pasteurized ACV (it’s stripped of the good stuff)
- Sweetened ACV drinks and gummies—often more sugar than benefit
- Taking it straight—it’s tough on your teeth and stomach

ACV might seem like a small habit, but over time, little changes add up. Especially when they come from both tradition and science.

Do you use apple cider vinegar? Have a favorite way to take it—or a story of how it’s helped you? I’d love to hear.

You can comment on this post or email me at Angie@Tangieco.com.

As always, thanks for reading!

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Talk soon,

💚Angie

(founder of Tangieco.com and Wellness Without Toxins)

Share Wellness Without Toxins with Angie Ringler

We’ve all walked into a room and instantly recognized that “clean” smell: a citrusy spritz, a floral mist, or that unmistakable powdery perfume of fresh laundry. It feels comforting, right? Like a job well done.

But what if that scent is just a cover-up—not just for odors, but for chemicals that can silently affect our health?

Many fragrances in air fresheners, candles, personal care products, laundry detergents, and even baby wipes contain synthetic chemicals linked to hormone disruption, respiratory issues, allergies, and more. And the problem isn’t just what they include, it’s also what they hide.

But your nose knows they aren’t “hidden” at all!

In the world of product labeling, the word “fragrance” can legally be a placeholder for hundreds of individual chemicals, many of which are never disclosed to the consumer.

These mixtures are considered “trade secrets” and protected by outdated regulations that allow manufacturers to keep their proprietary blends a mystery. That means even products that seem natural or safe can contain a cocktail of unknowns.

Some of the most concerning chemicals commonly hidden under “fragrance”:

• Phthalates: Used to make scents last longer. Linked to hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity, and developmental issues.

• Musk ketone & musk xylene: Synthetic musks that accumulate in human fat tissue and breast milk. Known to be neurotoxic and possibly carcinogenic.

• Limonene & Linalool: Found in citrus and floral scents. They are naturally occurring, but when exposed to air, they can form formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

• Benzene derivatives: Such as toluene and styrene, linked to cancer, immune system damage, and developmental toxicity.

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You might be wondering, where do these chemicals sneak in. Great question!

Even if you’re already avoiding scented candles and perfume, synthetic fragrance may still be hiding in everyday products:

-Laundry detergent
-Dryer sheets
-Shampoo and conditioner
-Deodorant
-Moisturizer and lotion
-Makeup
-Household cleaners
-Trash bags
-Diapers and baby wipes

These chemicals don’t just stay in the air. They cling to clothes, absorb into skin, and accumulate in indoor dust, which is then inhaled or ingested—especially by kids and pets.

Scientific studies have linked synthetic fragrance chemicals to:

• Asthma and breathing issues

• Endocrine disruption

• Neurotoxicity and behavioral issues

• Increased risk of cancer

• Skin sensitivities and allergies

Many of these effects don’t show up immediately. Instead, they build up over time, taxing the liver, endocrine system, and immune response.

And the truth is: you don’t have to be severely chemically sensitive to be affected.

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Now onto my tiny house story…

Several years ago, my husband and I decided to downsize. We were going to sell our home and move into a tiny house we had purchased. It felt like the perfect minimalist, eco-friendly shift.

But things changed, and we eventually decided to sell the tiny home. One of the people who came to view it was a woman who had chemical sensitivity disorder so severe that she couldn’t live in traditional housing or RVs due to off-gassing from construction materials.

She was hopeful our tiny home might be different. To help her decide, we invited her to spend the night.

Here’s a pic of our cute tiny house, we called her The Heron :)

She loved the space—except for one thing. By morning, she was experiencing a flare-up. We traced it back to the two cabinets in the entire house: one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom. She believed the construction materials (likely particleboard or MDF with glues and finishes) were causing the reaction.

That moment stuck with me. It reminded me that we don’t need a visible rash or a diagnosis to be affected by chemicals. Most of us are exposed daily to substances that burden our bodies quietly. And while our systems are resilient, they’re not invincible.

Building materials like composite wood, vinyl flooring, glues, sealants, and even cabinetry can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for months—or even years—after installation. These hidden pollutants often include formaldehyde, toluene, and other respiratory irritants that quietly build up in our indoor air. Unlike fragrance products, which we can choose to stop using, many construction materials are hard to remove once they’re in place. That’s why being mindful about the products we can control—like air fresheners, candles, detergents, and body care—is a powerful way to reduce your toxic load without tearing down walls. Small changes still count.

As we age, detoxing becomes harder. The buildup gets heavier. And suddenly, things we used to tolerate start showing up in headaches, fatigue, allergies, and more.

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. But awareness gives you the freedom to make smarter choices—one swap at a time. Here are a few science-backed, sanity-saving first steps:

1. Read ingredient labels carefully. Look for products labeled “fragrance-free” or “unscented,” and double-check that “unscented” doesn’t just mean the scent is masked with more chemicals.

2. Avoid anything with “fragrance” or “parfum” on the label unless the brand discloses all fragrance components (some clean brands do this transparently).

3. Choose natural scent options like essential oils in a diffuser—or better yet, just open the windows and let fresh air circulate. Clean air doesn’t need a scent.

4. When remodeling or building new, look for low-VOC paints, solid wood furniture instead of particle board, and cabinetry made without formaldehyde or solvent-based glues.

5. Use fewer products overall. Every extra spray, wipe, or plug-in increases exposure. Simplicity is a powerful detox strategy.

If you’re not sure about a product, message me or comment on this post. I’m happy to help you decode an ingredient list.

🚫 handy quick reference: chemicals to avoid (when possible) 🚫

Phthalates (DBP, DEP, DMP)
Musk ketone
Musk xylene
Limonene (when oxidized)
Linalool (when oxidized)
Toluene
Styrene
Benzyl acetate
Ethanolamine compounds (DEA, TEA, MEA)

Your health matters. The air you breathe, the products you use, the clothes you wear—they all add up. Make those choices count.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚

Founder, Tangie and Wellness Without Toxins

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📚 Citations & Further Reading

• NIH: Phthalates and Endocrine Disruption

• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Secret Scents

• How fragrances affect health, and ways to reduce exposure

• NRDC: Hidden Hazards in Air Fresheners

• Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality

Yet, I’m not all that shocked it happened.

It definitely got me thinking a lot about the air inside my house.

I talk so much about food, skincare, or cleaning swaps, but today - I’m obsessed with the air, in a good way. Air, that little thing we simply can’t live without, the thing I take for granted, every day!

Wanna hear a wild stat?

Research shows we spend about 90% of our time indoors, yet indoor air can be 2 to 10 times more polluted than outside air. The word more made me do a double take! I try to be careful about walking past someone smoking outside or standing near a running vehicle, but inside my home I could be inhaling just as many irritants. WHAT!

Back to my nose.
I burned it with bleach.

Yes, me, the green girl, uses bleach every so often. Let me stress, I hate using it! I hate the smell, even worse, I hate having to dispose of it. It’s so harmful. So harmful to, well, everything. I certainly don’t want it going down my house drains and draining into our septic tank. That’s definitely going to kill those happy, busy bacteria processing all my other shit. [pun intended]

So, when the disposal need arises, I’m like a sheepish 12-year-old girl, silently lurking in my backyard, hoping no one sees me. I carefully pour the nasty liquid out of the blue bucket, slowly — no splashes, please!

You see, I went months without cleaning that cloth shower curtain. The mold got so embedded into the fibers it didn’t come out with my usual soaking in sodium percarbonate (that’s nature’s bleach, in case you were wondering). I said, eh a quick soak in a little bleach, that should work.

So, I took out the big blue bucket I use for special laundry tasks, turned on the faucet int eh slop sink, filled it 1/4 way full of water, added in about 2 ounces of bleach. Smooshed the shower curtain into the bucket, carefully - making sure the moldy ends were nice and saturated. Set the bucket aside in the laundry room and shut the door.

Off to bed I go.

About 30 minutes later, I’m lying in bed, my nose is burning. A strong, noticeable burn. My throat it feels a little irritated too. What is happening? It takes me a few minutes - the bleach! No way. It’s way over in the laundry room.

I get out of bed, and as I walk towards the laundry room - IT. IS. DEFINITELY. THE. BLEACH. whoa. I open the door, pick up the blue bucket, and walk it straight out the back door. Setting it on the back patio for the night.

I bet you can guess the rest.
Yes, the burning in my nose subsided, and my throat, fine.
It didn’t take very long for the odor to dissipate. Thank goodness! But those couple of ounces affected me that badly. And not just me, hubby also felt the wrath of the stank. He was happy I took that bucket outside.

Now, I might be more sensitive to it than you, but that doesn’t mean it’s negatively impacting your air quality less than mine. That my friend is what drove me down deep into the air pollution rabbit hole. My burning nose.

When I dug a little deeper, I found that some of the biggest culprits were hiding in plain sight. Take laundry dryers, for example. I had no idea they could release more than two dozen chemicals through the vent— THE VENT - shouldn’t that be venting it all outside my house? Turns out seven of those chems are classified as hazardous by the EPA. We’re talking about benzene and acetaldehyde, both considered probable (not possible) carcinogens. Part of the issue is also dryer sheets. I know, they seem so harmless—just a soft sheet to keep clothes fluffy and smelling fresh. Even “green” or “natural” labeled products released the same kinds of harmful chemicals.

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I’ve known this about dryer sheets for a long time now, but when I first read about it, I started treating dryer sheets like plug-ins and air fresheners, those things that seem comforting but are quietly pollute the air in my home. Swapping them out for wool dryer balls (with a drop of essential oil if I wanted scent) was such an easy shift. Honestly, my laundry room air stopped feeling stuffy almost overnight.

And gas stoves? Just turning one on can push nitrogen dioxide levels in small homes close to, or even above, what the World Health Organization says is safe. I’ve always wanted a gas stove, I live in a small house, so now I’m rethinking that want.

Then there’s the microplastics problem. A recent study estimated that we may inhale up to 68,000 tiny plastic particles every day. Most of that comes from indoor air—things like synthetic fabrics breaking down in the wash or everyday plastics slowly shedding into our environment. It’s unsettling when you think about how invisible it all is.

Ughhh, the power of knowledge. Ignorance can be so freegan blissful. Am I right?

But here’s the part that keeps me grounded: even with all this information, small changes make a real difference. Even the small act of sharing this article with just one other person.

Share Wellness Without Toxins with Angie Ringler

Sometimes it’s as simple as opening a window while you cook or clean. Letting your sheets air dry in the sunshine instead of always relying on the dryer. Swapping heavily fragranced detergent for something fragrance-free. Adding one easy plant, like a snake plant, to the corner of a room. I know these things might sound crony or so tiny how can they possibly matter, but they do!

Remember the dryer pollution factoid? The simple switch to a fragrance-free detergent or ditching the dry sheets can be an impactful change! Enjoy the natural scents of life, not the “midnight breezes” or “hibiscus hulas”. It all makes me realize how much my nose—and my lungs—do for me automatically, so why should I make them work harder just to filter out all the unnecessary crap.

If you care to read my well worded rant on ditching paraffin wax candles and how they’re harming us too, click HERE.

Honestly, the best part, none of these changes to improve our indoor air pollution requires fancy gadgets or expensive systems, yet collectively, they help create a little more breathing room—literally.

The air inside our homes doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to support us. We can’t control everything, but we can choose a few swaps that give our bodies a break.

So, here’s my question for you: if you were to try just one thing this week to freshen your air naturally, what would it be? Opening a window, swapping your detergent, letting a candle rest, or adding a plant? I’d love to hear what feels most doable for you.

As always, thank you for being here with me on this journey.

Talk soon,
Angie 💚

Key citations used:

Steinemann et al., research on dryer vent emissions, including carcinogenic VOCs like acetaldehyde and benzene

Steinemann & Potera, findings on “green” products emitting just as many harmful VOCs as conventional ones Healthline+3PMC+3Snopes+3