I Survived a Powerless Hotel in D.C. (Armed With a Glow Stick and Flashlight)
No air-conditioning, but plenty of hot takes. Let’s talk testosterone, sauerkraut, and label lies.
♡ A Note from Allie ♡
What a trip: literally. I landed in D.C. with all odds stacked against me. My flight was delayed, I landed at 3AM, and arrived at a hotel with no power. They handed me a flashlight, a glow stick, and a mini candy bar (which, yes, I ate) as if that would somehow make 97% humidity and a non-functioning AC unit feel more… elevated. Spoiler alter: It did not.
Okay so I did something I swore I was not going to do….I finally cracked open Spare by Prince Harry and… I devoured it. Honestly, it left me deeply emotional. All I could think while reading was how badly he needed someone to hug him, tell him they loved him, and believe in him. The fact that he never got that? Devastating. If you need something easy, breezy & juicy to distract you this is your book!
I came across a super interesting New York Times article by a University of Arizona professor (Bear Down — my alma mater!) on what actually makes someone cool. TLDR: If someone was “super cool” in high school they most likely struggle in their 20s, developing problems with alcohol, drugs and relationships.
So much has happened in the world of wellness this week, but one headline made me double take: Coca-Cola might release new beverages with real cane sugar. This is huge. Though, only confirmed by President Trump (LOL) and not Coca-Cola themselves, will be interesting to see if they buckle now under this “publicity”.
Here’s everything else I bookmarked for you this week.
xx Allie
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♡ Clean Culture Watch ♡
The wellness world we’re whispering (and group-chatting) about this week…
♡ Flight attendants are begging you not to order coffee or tea mid-flight.
Apparently, the airplane water tanks are rarely cleaned, meaning the hot drinks might be brewed with water that’s… anything but clean. Stick to purchasing a bottle beforehand if possible!
♡ Lab-grown salmon makes its U.S. restaurant debut.
After FDA approval, the world’s first cultivated salmon is now being served at a Michelin-starred restaurant. “The future of sustainable seafood is officially on the menu”. This is so vile I actually cannot believe people are not rioting in the streets about this!
♡ New smart period pad detects cancer.
The MenstruAI pad can identify early-stage diseases like cervical cancer using menstrual blood biomarkers. It’s non-invasive, science-backed, and could change how we monitor health monthly. This is seriously revolutionary!!
♡ DAVID launches wild-caught Pacific cod.
The clean protein disruptor just expanded its product line with wild-caught, traceable cod (not farm raised and no, it’s not a protein bar either). It’s just straight up fish delivered to you frozen.
♡ Lawsuit filed against Casamigos & Don Julio on July 4th.
The fireworks weren’t just in the sky…new claims allege misleading labeling and health risks tied to “additive-free” tequila marketing. Rough way to celebrate on the 4th of July!
♡ What’s in the (Clean) Headlines ♡
♡ Men who drink green tea have 30% higher testosterone.
A new study links regular green tea consumption to significantly elevated testosterone levels in men, highlighting its potential benefits for energy, mood, and metabolism. Ladies - start making your husbands drink green tea in the morning ;)
♡ Sauerkraut heals leaky gut by up to 53%.
Fermented foods like sauerkraut are gaining major attention for their gut-repairing powers. Rich in probiotics and enzymes, it’s showing serious promise in restoring intestinal lining integrity. This is something I actually recommend to cancer patients. There is power in the sauerkraut!
♡ Toxic products, misleading labels.
Consumer watchdogs are cracking down on "clean" brands whose ingredient labels don’t match what's inside. Here’s a quick updated list for you!!
NATIVE
Native claims to use naturally derived, simple ingredients, but some products contain PFAS—forever chemicals linked to serious health issues like cancer and infertility. They also use preservatives like sodium benzoate and sodium salicylate that aren’t exactly squeaky clean.SEVENTH GENERATION
Despite its eco-friendly image, some Seventh Generation products contain ingredients like ethoxylated alcohols and synthetic fragrances, which are tied to cancer risk and hormone disruption. Their use of sodium lauryl sulfate also raises concerns for skin irritation and environmental harm.WATER WIPES
Even so-called “water wipes” can sneak in harmful preservatives like benzalkonium chloride, plus hidden endocrine disruptors like parabens, phthalates, and fragrance. These ingredients have been linked to hormone issues and cancer.MRS. MEYER’S
Mrs. Meyer’s may flaunt “plant-derived” ingredients, but many of their products still contain synthetic fragrance, SLS, and preservatives like methylisothiazolinone and phenoxyethanol—known irritants and potential endocrine disruptors. Don’t be fooled by the cozy branding; toxic is still toxic.GROVE CO.
Grove Co. talks a clean game, but ingredients like phenoxyethanol, benzisothiazolinone, and coco-glucoside tell a different story—some of these are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and neurotoxicity. “Safe in small amounts” isn’t good enough when it comes to your health.