Ecoholic Body: Your Ultimate Earth-Friendly Guide to Living Healthy and Looking Good
by Adria Vasil

When I read the original Ecoholic book, I was shocked to learn how harmful some of the products we use every day can be to our health as well as the environment. Where the first book has a small section on health and beauty products that covers just the basics, Ecoholic Body gives us the low-down on just about every product that comes in contact with our bodies. From hair to sunscreen, nail polish to clothes, Ecoholic Body tells you what harmful ingredients to watch out for and lets you know which brands passed the stringent Ecoholic tests. The book even touches on things that you probably wouldn’t ever consider having an environmentally friendly option such as tattoos or medical devices.

Even if you’re not all that concerned about toxins or chemicals, there really is something for everyone in Ecoholic Body. Sections on health and natural health products offer up new solutions for what ails you. Or you may be surprised to learn just how harmful the production of our clothing and jewellery is to the planet. There’s a section on Kids & Babies which sheds light on some of the more harmful products available for kids. I don’t have children, but I saw many items that my friends use regularly for their children on the bad list! The helpful Resources section demystifies labels and symbols, explains the differences in plastics and offers a great list of enviro-friendly stores and websites. And one of my favourite things about the Ecoholic books are the well researched lists of products that have been tested and rated by the Ecoholic crew. This is a huge time (and money) saver if you’re looking to adapt some of these products into your life!

With so much great information in one book, I could go on for days about all the fascinating things I learned. But for the sake of brevity, here are a few things that I think everyone should know:

• Was your house built before 1950? Then chances are high you have lead pipes carrying your water. Which means traces of lead are leaching into you. Be sure to filter your water!
• Feverfew – an organic supplement that is reported to equal the best medical treatments – may help sufferers of debilitating migraines.
• Did you know that Formaldehyde (a known carcinogen!) is used to make our clothes “wrinkle free”?  Ew!
• Follow the DIY tips to make your own non-toxic items like bug spray and mouthwash!
• Do your kids wear those cute (and cheap) plastic sandals? Be aware they could be leaching chemicals into their bare skin!
• For Ecoholic advice on a regular basis be sure to check out the Ecoholic Blog!

Ecoholic Body is the third book in Adria Vasil’s Ecoholic series, and for those of you who are serious about what you put in and on your body, this entertaining and easy to read book has all your options covered.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.