In the wake of my cancer diagnosis in December 2017, I became a bit of a zealot (okay, maybe an outright zealot) about my health. You see, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is what’s called an environmental cancer. It has nothing to do with genetics – my mom’s breast cancer and my grandfather’s lung cancer and the handful of other diseases dotting our family tree like Japanese beetles had nothing to do with it. Truthfully, we don’t know what caused it. But, at the root, that all-encompassing word “environment” was to blame.
So I did everything I could to clean up my environment. I won’t lie, it’s been an expensive and time-consuming process but, ultimately, worth it for my health and the health of my family. I started with the easy things like diet. I tried going vegan and am so thankful that my daughter was too little to remember the very dry and very crumbly carrot cake with cashew frosting that I made for her first birthday. It was a week after my first round of chemo and I am still so moved when I think of our friends who gamely brought almond cheeses and nut-based slices of faux mortadella.
The idea was to eliminate inflammation in my body. Lots of veggies, no gluten, no dairy, no red meat, minimal alcohol (obviously, I became the life of the party!). And, as someone who LOVES food, who thinks of food as the ultimate love language, it felt impossible at times. To feed people and to be fed in return is one of life’s great joys. But eating like that was a way to exercise a small amount of control at a time when I felt unmoored. It’s the same reason I cleaned out cabinets and drawers constantly. I could tidy that one junk drawer or that one cabinet stuffed with extra lightbulbs and half-empty gallons of paint and feel a sense of relief. Now my diet is more balanced. Less about deprivation and more about eating what feels good.
Water was a big issue. I did a few internet deep dives on the impacts of glyphosate (I fancied myself a bit of an Erin Brokovich) and found all sorts of links to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Living in Napa Valley, there is runoff from the surrounding vineyards so, of course, glyphosate from weed/pest preventatives gets into the groundwater. After doing a ton of research, I ended up getting a Berkey water filter that I still use and love. If we owned our house and I had the resources, I would install this filtration system. A friend of mine has it and swears by it.
I swapped our mattress for a non-toxic Parachute version. We’ve since put Avocado mattresses in the girls’ room and I’d go that route if I had to do it again. I haven’t had a great experience with Parachute. Our sheets are Cultiver and they are a dream! I love knowing that I’m not breathing in any weird chemicals while I sleep. Dropps laundry detergent and dishwasher pods. Seventh Generation dish soap. No synthetic fragrances. Nothing that could mess with my hormones (that’s a topic for another day – hello, early onset perimenopause) or my lymph system.
When it comes to skincare, I could go on and on. I had the incredible fortune to meet Kristina Holey years ago, right when she joined Marie Veronique and have used their products almost exclusively ever since. They are expensive, but their science-backed formulas are effective and I love the idea of supporting my skin’s microbiome in the quest for balance – and age delay. I’m including a few of my favorites in the roundup below.
Also, being mindful of what I use to clean my mouth. Toothpaste, floss, mouthwash. Especially necessary to keep an eye on ingredients when I might be ingesting small quantities.
In my Big Clean, as we’ll call it, I turned to companies like CAP Beauty who had done all of the research and sourcing for me. I have been a long-time fan of co-founder Kerrilynn Pamer – she has excellent taste and her Instagram account is a gorgeous escape to the mountains of Calabasas, filled with ceramics and food and consistently good eyewear. She also routinely rounds up her current reading lists and I love to see what is catching her eye. In the spirit of that Big Clean, I’ve put together a list of my favorite CAP products, because healthy is the new beautiful.
CAP Beauty Favorites
I saw the luminous Kristina Holey, skincare specialist and co-collaborator at Marie Veronique, when I was struggling with the effects of chemo on my skin. I was prone to breakouts thanks to the steroids and I was severely dry. I have been using Marie Veronique products ever since and this Barrier Restore Serum is by far my favorite. My skin feels balanced and pampered. Marie Veronique Barrier Restore Serum $115
I wear this every day under the Protective Day Oil for extra sun protection. Smells weird (some people have described it as meaty which isn’t wrong, but it fades quickly). Chock full of antioxidants that help boost SPF. Marie Veronique Vitamin C, E + Ferulic Acid $115
My favorite cleanser. It has a beautiful honey-like texture and it feels so good at the end of the day (I only wash my face at night, another thing I learned from Kristina Holey). Marie Veronique Pure + E.O. Free Oil Cleanser $65
I am never without a box of this lypo-spheric vitamin C and swear it gets me through cold and flu season (not to mention that Vitamin C is important for skin, hair and my strung out nervous system). Livon Labs Lypo-spheric Vitamin C $47
I made the switch from Tom’s to David’s years ago and have never looked back. It tastes great, looks great (that pale mint packaging!), and I love the recyclable metal tube. Happy mouth, happy me. Davids Peppermint Toothpaste $11
Let’s hear it for lymphatic health! As someone who has had lymphoma, I pay close attention to my lymphatic system, and dry brushing is at the top of the list. I love the way this brush feels. And if I tell myself that it reduces cellulite too, then I’m even more inclined to use it. Merben Dry Brush $41
I found that I needed something balmy rather than oily to combat my relentlessly dry legs and arms. This tub was always in my hospital bag. Smells incredible too. Nucifera The Balm $40
I became a big believer in infrared saunas during chemo and would sit in the warm room, sweating all of the junk out of my system. This small but mighty gemstone mat offers similar benefits: soothing inflammation and supporting cellular repair. It fits perfectly on a dining chair (because I insist on sitting at the kitchen table) so I can get all of the healing powers while I work. Healthyline Gem Stone Heat Therapy Mat $349
A perennial favorite, this is always in my bag. I have used it for years and am never without. Dab it on lips and cheeks for a perfect bit of color. Olio E Osso Lip and Cheek Balm $28
Three cheers for liver health! My functional medicine doctor’s are always encouraging me to pay attention to my liver as it helps process estrogen which is essential for hormonal health. This tincture is one of my favorite ways to support my liver, plus B vitamins (including biotin for healthy hair) and rosehip for vitamin C. Let the light in! CAP Beauty + Wooden Spoon Herbs Light Ray $35
Made in collaboration with Honey Hi, this delicious, nutrient-dense pancake mix is one that I feel good making for the whole family. Our kids clamor for more and I get to indulge happily. Unrelated, but I love the Fleetwood Mac song “Honey Hi” – so sweet. Going to play it the next time I whip up a batch of pancakes. CAP Beauty + Honey Hi Pancake Mix $22
I take this every night to unwind and sleep deeply. Also helps keep me regular, which is something we all need. Moon Juice Magnesi-Om $42
Toilet paper was one of those things that I never gave much though to, but did you know that it takes 37 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper? And that the equivalent of 27,000 trees are flushed down the toilet every year?? Not to mention all of the chemicals needed to make a standard roll so white and fluffy. It’s staggering. I started a Plant Paper subscription early on in the pandemic when the regular stuff was so hard to find, and I’ve never looked back. Made from organically grown bamboo (one of the fastest growing plants), this stuff is changing the toilet paper game. Plant Paper 32 Rolls $68
I love this exfoliating mask. The grainy texture is deeply satisfying and it leaves my skin feeling baby soft skin. Josh Rosebrook Active Enzyme Exfoliator $70
I’ve linked to this before, but it deserves another mention. Microbiome-friendly retinol for optimal skin health. This product can seemingly do it all – treat acne, delay aging, restore elasticity, even skin tone. Feels great on my skin. Marie Veronique Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion $135
Take good care!
xx
Elyse