Shopping Naturally through Apps

There are a lot of great resources out there to help moms/dads determine how to a choose a product that is good for your family. There are sooo many things to consider:is it healthy,is it sustainable;is it responsible,etc. At some point I become overwhelmed and paralyzed with information overload! So for those of you that are like me,I thought I would share a few of my favorite Apps and websites for shopping (by the way these are all free):

1. GoodGuide:The Good Guide is an organization that is dedicated to increasing consumer awareness and conscientious purchasing. In their own words,their “mission is to help consumers make purchasing decisions that reflect their preferences and values.” They have a great database of products of everything from Personal Care to Cars,and you can set your personal preferences as to what is important to you (nutrition,organics,controversial ingredients,fragrance free,animal welfare,energy efficiency,recycled materials,climate change,pollution,resource conservation,fair trade,labor and human rights). Then when you search a product,they will show your personal rating and their ratings as well. You can become a member and follow other members,such as viewing their reviews of products (CLICK HERE to follow me on Good Guide). Another great tool that they offer is the Transparency Toolbar. This is a toolbar that will show up when you are using Amazon that will show you the Good Guide and your Personal Ratings for the product on the page. They are in the process of expanding this toolbar to more websites and retailers. But one of my favorite tools is the Good Guide App. You can access the information in their database or scan (really cool!) the products bar code to get instant information. It’s actually a lot of fun!

2. Environmental Working Group,Dirty Dozen and Sunscreen Guide:The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an endless wealth of information on toxins and the environment. If I am looking for information on a substance,they are always my first stop. As I have stated many,many times before,I use the EWG’s Shopping Guide to Pesticides in Produce (AKA the Dirty Dozen) as a guide to buying produce. This is considered the gold standard in pesticide information in the organic community. They also have a free App which has the Dirty Dozen (higher pesticide residues and should be avoided),the Clean Fifteen (the least residues and can be purchased conventionally),and even their full list. I find the App very helpful when I am out and can’t remember all the Clean Fifteen. Note:sweet corn is on the Clean Fifteen list,but if you are avoiding GMOs,then you should by it organic.

The EWG also maintains a web-based database of cosmetics and rates them according to their ingredients,called Skin Deep. A high score means that the group considers the ingredients harmful. A low score mean they are considered safe. You can go to the Skin Deep website to look up most products or ingredients. I would just caution you to use your own judgement as well as theirs. I find some of the “harmful”ingredients they list are OK to me. But their most thorough testing and evaluations are done on sunscreens. This list I don’t worry about,I just look for a sunscreen with a score of less than 3 and call it good! This list is also available in an App that is handy when you are shopping and wondering if that sunscreen on sale is really worth it. For example,I find a lot of these new mineral based sunscreens get good scores,but cost a lot of money,and leave a white film that is even hard to get off with soap. My favorite sunscreen right now is Supergoop! SPF 30+ All-Over Everyday UV Pump. It feels good going on,has a SPF 30,very water resistant,has no fragrance,and scores a 3.

3. Seafood Watch: The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch puts out an annual sustainable seafood and sushi guides. It lists the different fish and rates them as Best Choice,Good Alternative,and Avoid. You can print out a wallet size guide for each or download the  App. I find this most helpful when trying to make a decision at restaurants.

4.  ShopNoGMO and nonGMO Project:I included both of these because they serve a little different purpose for me. I find that the Non-GMO Shopping Guide has the most straight forward information on GMO in general. They offer a downloadable Shopping Guide and their ShopNo GMO App is very helpful with 4 Simple Tips,Shopping Guide,Information About GMOs,and you can create your own favorites list with brands you frequently purchase. They are also certified by the Non-GMO Project. The Non-GMO Project is a group that collect pledges from Manufacturers (Brand Names) and Retailers that pledge to be GMO free and submit themselves to testing. Their website may be the most extensive information on GMO-free products out there. I find the nonGMO Project App useful when I am just looking for a specific brand or if traveling and you want to find a grocery store that you can rely on.

5. Leaping Bunny Program Cruelty Free:The Leaping Bunny Program is a coalition that  is dedicated to cruelty free cosmetics,personal care items,and household products. This is the most extensive list I have found. I have to admit this is one of my lesser used Apps,mostly because the “natural”products I buy I know are vegan and cruelty free. Many products nowadays mark this on their label,but not all. They also have a helpful downloadable shopping guides if you can not get the App.

So,here are a lot of helpful Apps,Guides,and Websites for your shopping pleasure. A little overwhelmed? Don’t worry,we all are. Just start one App,Guide,or Issue at a time. When that becomes second nature add a new one. Also,almost  all of these organizations have Facebook pages if you want to keep up with the latest information.

Wishing you Appy Shopping!