Health Blog

Ingredienserna vi alltid säger nej till i kosttillskott

Ingredients we always say no to in supplements

Many dietary supplements contain ingredients that the body does not benefit from, such as artificial sweeteners, colorants, and technical additives. Here we explain why we at Glimja avoid such substances and instead focus on pure, well-considered products where every ingredient serves a purpose for your health.

Farliga kemikalier i städprodukter - 10 naturliga alternativ

Harmful Chemicals in Cleaning Products - 10 Natural Alternatives

Did you know that a lot of nasty chemicals accumulate in ordinary dust? Yes, even if you try to avoid plastics and buy consciously, most homes have computers, TVs, phones, and cables that can release flame retardants and so on. When dust has been examined closely, besides hair, skin flakes, and mites, flame retardants, phthalates, and bisphenol A have been found. Cozy, right? The best way to protect ourselves from these chemicals is to clean and keep the home tidy. Vacuum (with a HEPA filter as close to 100% as you can find), mop, and air out! If you want to keep your home free from nasties, you can choose to switch to eco-friendly cleaning instead of buying conventional cleaning products. Eco-friendly cleaning is both cheaper and more enjoyable. But above all, you avoid a lot of harmful chemicals hidden in cleaning products. Choosing eco-friendly cleaning is not only good for your health, it’s also a great act for the environment! 10 Cleaning Products You Should Avoid If you have regular cleaning products at home, be sure to read the information on the packaging carefully, look for hazard symbols, and follow the instructions! Always use gloves and other protective equipment recommended when working with the product, such as safety goggles or natural rubber cleaning gloves. Always screw the cap tightly on the bottle when finished and store the products in their original packaging—preferably locked in a cabinet out of reach of children! Call 112 and ask for Poison Information if someone has ingested or come into contact with something that may be corrosive. 1. Common Laundry Detergents Laundry detergents often come in powder or liquid form. These can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Be extra careful if the products are concentrated. Avoid especially perfumed detergents. Synthetic fragrances can contain several hundred chemicals derived from the petroleum industry and also phthalates that can impair reproductive ability. Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers in plastic and rubber but also as solvents in perfumes and pesticides. Choose saponin-based detergents instead of surfactant-based ones. Saponin is found, for example, in soap nuts. You can also switch to an organic detergent that is as effective as conventional ones. 2. Fabric Softener Fabric softener is the last chemical clothes are exposed to before the wash is finished, and it often remains in the textiles. Since textiles are in contact with our skin and can be absorbed, these chemicals then enter our bloodstream. All products containing water, such as fabric softeners, need to contain preservatives to prevent mold growth and spoilage. Many of these preservatives are toxic to aquatic organisms and can disrupt the biological treatment of our wastewater. Instead, use a little vinegar as fabric softener and add a few drops of essential oil if you want fragrance. 3. Cleaning Products This category includes all-purpose cleaners and liquid cleaning products that contain synthetic surfactants, perfumes, and unnecessary dyes. These are especially irritating to our lungs because there is a high risk of inhaling the tiny droplets when spraying the product. They can also irritate skin and eyes. They often contain surfactants that dissolve grease and dirt by reducing water’s surface tension, as well as petroleum products that are both hard to break down and toxic to all life in our waters. The synthetic surfactants can also smell a bit musty. That’s why perfume is often added to cleaning products. Instead, choose soap flakes or eco-labeled dish soap or cleaning products. 4. Window Cleaner Window cleaner, like all-purpose cleaners, contains synthetic surfactants, perfumes, and unnecessary dyes. These become easy to inhale when spraying the product, which irritates lungs, eyes, and skin. Instead, you can mix your own window cleaner with this recipe consisting of vinegar, water, and dish soap. 5. Dishwasher Detergent Dishwasher detergents are especially risky because they are highly concentrated. Additionally, many are packaged in a microfilm that releases microplastics into our oceans when it melts. Microplastics are eaten by our fish, and then we eat the fish. Instead, choose eco-labeled dishwasher detergent without plastic film. 6. Descaling Agents Descaling agents are also highly concentrated and therefore extra risky. Instead, choose vinegar, which is a natural water softener. 7. Oven Cleaner Potassium and sodium hydroxide are examples of alkalis that may be included in oven cleaners. They are also called caustic soda and are very corrosive. Since oven cleaners are highly concentrated, extra caution is required. Instead, choose soap flakes and follow the instructions on Morotsliv. 8. Bleach Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, an alkali that is highly corrosive and has a very high pH. It is strongly irritating and can cause burns if it comes into contact with skin or eyes. Instead, choose sodium percarbonate, which is naturally bleaching thanks to hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. 9. Drain Cleaner Drain cleaners are extremely corrosive and can quickly cause serious and permanent burns in the mouth, esophagus, eyes, and on the skin. Every year, children and adults are hospitalized due to injuries caused by drain cleaners containing sodium or potassium hydroxide, also called caustic soda or lye. At Morotsliv, you can find recipes for a milder but effective version of drain cleaner using vinegar and baking soda or sodium carbonate. 10. Fragrance Spray Fragrance spray is something you breathe in. And synthetic perfumes contain many substances that disrupt our reproductive ability, the environment, and more. Instead, choose natural scents and fragrance sprays. If you want to save money on household expenses and learn more about eco-friendly cleaning, here is a highly appreciated online course on how to get started with eco-friendly cleaning!

3 giftfria och enkla påskpyssel för hela familjen

3 non-toxic and simple Easter crafts for the whole family

Does your child also like to do crafts? Here at Glimja, we love crafting, and Easter is a really cozy holiday where you can create many beautiful decorations to brighten up your home. Here we offer three non-toxic Easter crafts suitable for children of all ages. The youngest children may need some assistance with certain steps, but otherwise the whole family can gather and enjoy this fun Easter craft together. Flowers made from FischerTip You need: FischerTip building pieces (potato starch and natural food coloring) Scissors (assist the youngest children with scissors) Damp dishcloth Instructions: Choose the colors you want for the stem. We chose 3 green FischerTips. Tap one short side of a building piece against the damp cloth and attach it to another piece. Build the entire stem this way. Cut a yellow building piece in half and attach it to the top of the stem. Cut pointed petals by splitting three building pieces diagonally along the long side, or make round petals by cutting a building piece straight across. See the pictures below. Tap the petals against the cloth and attach them around the yellow pistil. The flower is now finished. Try placing the yellow pistil at an angle on the stem; this makes the flower lean and easier to see from the side. These flowers are easy to make for all ages, and if the child is not old enough to use scissors, an adult can cut the pieces and the child can assemble the flower. Feel free to put the flowers in a cute little vase when they are done and decorate the Easter table with the arrangement! Flower with pointed petals: Flower with round petals: Hearts made from FischerTip for the Easter twigs Be a true animal lover and skip real bird feathers in the Easter twigs. Instead, go for a vegan-friendly alternative like these cute hearts made from FischerTip. The birds used in the feather industry often suffer, and as mentioned, there are other options to hang on the twigs. You need: FischerTip building pieces (potato starch and natural food coloring) Scissors (assist the youngest children with scissors) Damp dishcloth Sewing needle Thread Easter twigs (can be bought at flower shops or picked in the forest – remember to ask the landowner for permission before picking Easter twigs) Instructions: Choose two building pieces in the same color. Cut off a corner on both building pieces. See the picture below. Moisten the cut surface and attach the large parts together. The top of the heart can be made rounder by cutting with scissors or shaping it with slightly damp fingers. The small leftover corners can be saved and used for other crafts. Take a needle and thread and thread the thread straight through the heart from above. Tie the thread on the underside and cut off any excess thread. Hang the pretty hearts on the Easter twigs. This craft is simple but threading the needle and tying underneath can be a bit tricky. Help the youngest children and let them assemble the building pieces and hang the hearts on the Easter twigs. Sweet chicks with fingerprints You need: Watercolor or finger paint A brush A thumb A piece of paper Markers Instructions: Paint your thumb with watercolor or finger paint. We used ökoNORM’s watercolor in the pictures. Press your thumb onto a piece of paper. Repeat until you have as many chick bodies as you want. Let the paint dry thoroughly. Draw eyes, beak, legs, and any accessories on the chicks. We used ökoNORM’s markers in the picture. Write HAPPY EASTER on the drawing and give it away or hang it up at home. Everyone can make fingerprint art, and only your imagination limits how many different kinds of chicks you can create. Try putting a hat on the head or give the chick skis on its feet or a broom in its hand so it can fly to Blåkulla! Bonus tips We have now received beautiful natural face paints that are perfect when you want to dress up as an Easter witch, Easter man, chick, or Easter bunny. Check out Namaki’s range of face paints, face pencils, and hair mascaras. ökoNORM watercolors can also be used to decorate the eggs for the Easter table. Use a brush and lots of imagination to create colorful and beautiful eggs that are a delight to the eye!

Så kan kroppsvänliga mensskydd göra stor skillnad för dig

How body-friendly menstrual products can make a big difference for you

Imagine not having to deal with a tampon that chafes. Or a pad that can feel like a sticky diaper. Instead, being able to put on a pair of underwear and maybe even forget you have your period, while still knowing you’re protected. Being able to exercise, walk, do yoga, or just rest without worrying about leaks or discomfort. Not having to change your tampon every three hours and feeling stressed about it at work or when you’re out on an adventure. For many, switching to reusable options is a relief. And not just for the skin, but for the whole feeling of being yourself during the days you might need it most. And of course, there are many other reasons to find alternatives to tampons and pads. Reducing the amount of plastic and waste is an aspect we must not forget. Have you heard of TSS, or Toxic Shock Syndrome? Many haven’t, but it’s something we should all know about, so more on that below. So, menstrual cup, period underwear, or cloth pad… What suits you? Or maybe your daughter? That’s the question. Here’s a guide to help you find the right fit, along with some other information we think you deserve. What you might not know about superabsorbents Many disposable pads and tampons use something called a superabsorbent, a material that can absorb many times its own weight in liquid. It’s often made from synthetic polymers, plastic-like substances, that help keep the period “in place” longer. The problem is that these materials are not biodegradable and can sometimes disrupt the natural moisture balance in the intimate area, especially if the tampon is left in too long. For some, this can lead to dryness or irritation. When the tampon stays in too long – about Toxic Shock Syndrome TSS, or Toxic Shock Syndrome, is a rare but serious infection caused by bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus, which can produce a toxin that spreads through the body. The condition can develop quickly and always requires hospital care. TSS can occur with tampon use, especially if they are left in too long or have a high absorbency. That’s why it’s important to change tampons regularly and choose the lowest absorbency level that suits your flow. Menstrual products that are not inserted into the body, like period underwear or cloth pads, carry no risk of TSS. Nor does a menstrual cup, if used and cleaned properly. Menstrual cup – the smart choice you might never have tried A menstrual cup collects blood inside the body and can be worn for up to 12 hours. It’s made from medical-grade silicone, free from BPA and other plastics, and comes in several sizes. For many, it’s a way to feel freer. You don’t need to change it often, and you can sleep, exercise, and swim as usual. It might take a cycle or two to get to know your cup, but once you do, it usually feels like the most practical solution of all. How to clean your menstrual cup: Rinse with cold water immediately after use, then wash with mild, fragrance-free soap. Boil the cup for a few minutes between periods and store it in the included cloth bag. We recommend MonthlyCup – a Swedish-made menstrual cup in soft silicone with different sizes for different needs. Period underwear – like regular underwear but so much more Period underwear looks like a pair of regular underwear but has a built-in absorbent layer that keeps you dry and secure. There are models for light, normal, and heavy flow, and you wash them like regular underwear. They are soft, made from organic cotton, and comfortable to wear. You avoid the feeling of chafing or the rustling sound. Perfect for night use or the first days of your period. For those experiencing their period cycle for the first time, period underwear can be a safe and simple protection. No need to change at school and no stress about getting the tampon angle right (we’ve all been there). How to clean period underwear: Rinse in cold water immediately after use, then machine wash at 60° with other laundry. Avoid fabric softener to preserve functionality longer. We recommend Imse – a Swedish brand offering period underwear in organic cotton available in several models and sizes. Washable panty liners – soft, durable, and easy Cloth panty liners attach easily to your underwear with a button. They are thin, soft, let the skin breathe, and stay securely in place. Made from organic cotton, they work well for lighter flow as a complement to a menstrual cup or period underwear. Imse offers panty liners that are easy to use every day. How to clean your panty liner: Rinse immediately after use in cold water, machine wash at 60°, and air dry. Plastic-free disposable products that feel safer It can feel strange, and maybe even uncomfortable, to change routines you’ve had for a long time. Maybe you’re not ready for either a menstrual cup or period underwear. But there are actually disposable products that are much safer for you than conventional options. Without plastic film, perfume, or chlorine bleaching, they let the skin breathe and break down faster in nature.At Naty you’ll find organic pads, panty liners, incontinence products, and even diapers. They are made from bio-based, recyclable materials and are free from perfume and chlorine. If you want to continue using tampons, Natracare is a gentle alternative. They also offer pads, panty liners, and incontinence products. Their products contain organic cotton and cellulose and are completely free from chlorine bleaching, plastics, and superabsorbents. Close contact with sensitive areas – why many want to avoid certain substances Many traditional menstrual products contain plastic, perfume, or chemicals used during manufacturing. It’s not something we think about every day, but these materials come into close contact with some of the body’s most absorbent mucous membranes, month after month. Year after year. For some, this can cause irritation or discomfort. Others simply feel better choosing options with as few additives as possible. Choosing natural materials when we can is a way to show care for the skin, intimate area, and yourself. How to find the right fit – try, feel, and combine It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can start with one garment or another protection. Maybe a cup during the day and period underwear at night. Maybe a cloth pad as backup in your bag. It’s about making your period a little easier. Kinder. And making sure you’re as comfortable as possible. Want to know more about what you can easily do to feel better before and during your period? Read more here.