So snuggle up and settle in. I can't wait to tell you everything. 

I've taken a long hard look at some of my choices in life, especially dating, that got me into a very unhealthy place. And while I cannot (and definitely won't) take all the blame in this story, I think self reflection is unbelievably important to growth and success, marriage, and parenting.

The test I refer to ad nauseam in today's episode is the Enneagram Test, a personality test on crack. I've never been so seen (and so called out) in my entire life. 

If you'd like to take the test yourself (and maybe have a spouse take it, too) you can find a free version here:

https://enneagramuniverse.com

I also read multiple clips from the Enneagram Institute, one of the foremost purveyors of the nine personality types with a wealth of articles and information to dive even deeper into:

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com

If you want to be the most ready, though... you gotta check out my Thanksgiving Meal Planner I just put together for you. Y'all. It's PERFECTION. If nothing else, at least for me to refer to while I'm cooking? Um, yes please. 

After close to a decade of hosting this holiday, I think I finally got the whole system nailed down, and I want you too as well. So snag your copy of the ULTIMATE Thanksgiving Meal Planner HERE:

https://stan.store/jwolfer/p/get-your-ultimate-thanksgiving-guide-now

Presenting: 15 parenting lessons I wish I had 15 years ago (but also let's be real, sometimes ya girl just have to learn some of these the hard way).

Whether you're not a parent, in the early stages, or an old pro, I hope you find a bit of joy in this episode. Even if it's only from the old underwear. 

And maybe it's selfish of me, but even when I became one, I didn't want to give up my career and business that I had worked so hard for. But I had also fallen in love with homeschooling.

So how could I do both? Well, with a little bit of creativity and a whole lot of grace, that's how.

BTW: I mention another book in today's episode. If you're an entrepreneur, I HIGHLY recommend you read it. https://amzn.to/3MJNLFu 

 

BTW: I mention this book in today's episode. If you're an entrepreneur, I HIGHLY recommend you read it. Post haste.

What are endocrine disruptors?

According to Endocrine.org, “Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances in the environment (air, soil, or water supply), food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of your body’s endocrine system. Since EDCs come from many different sources, people are exposed in several ways, including the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. EDCs also can enter the body through the skin.”

The National Institute of Health regards these ten as the most common, but there could be anywhere near 1,000 endocrine disrupting chemicals according to the Endocrine society.

• Atrazine is one of the most commonly applied herbicides in the world, often used to control weeds in corn, sorghum, and sugarcane crops.
• Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is used in manufacturing, food packaging, toys, and other applications. BPA resins may be found in the lining of some canned foods and beverages.
• Dioxins are a byproduct of certain manufacturing processes, such as herbicide production and paper bleaching. They can be released into the air from waste burning and wildfires.
• Perchlorate is a colorless salt manufactured and used as an industrial chemical to make rockets, explosives, and fireworks, which can be found in some groundwater.
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of chemicals used widely in industrial applications, such as firefighting foam, nonstick pans, paper, and textile coatings.
• Phthalates are a large group of compounds used as liquid plasticizers. They are found in hundreds of products including some food packaging, cosmetics, fragrances, children’s toys, and medical device tubing. Cosmetics that may contain phthalates include nail polish, hair spray, aftershave lotion, cleanser, and shampoo.
• Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring substances with hormone-like activity found in some plants; they may have a similar effect to estrogen produced by the body. Soy foods, for example, contain phytoestrogens.
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are used to make flame retardants for products such as furniture foam and carpet.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used to make electrical equipment, such as transformers, and are in hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants, and plasticizers. PCBs were mass-produced globally until they were banned in 1979.
• Triclosan is an ingredient that was previously added to some antimicrobial and personal care products, like liquid body wash and soaps.

"How do people encounter endocrine-disrupting chemicals?

People may be exposed to endocrine disruptors through food and beverages consumed, pesticides applied, and cosmetics used. In essence, your contact with these chemicals may occur through diet, air, skin, and water.

Even low doses of endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be unsafe. The body’s normal endocrine functioning involves very small changes in hormone levels, yet we know even these small changes can cause significant developmental and biological effects. This observation leads scientists to think that endocrine-disrupting chemical exposures, even at low amounts, can alter the body’s sensitive systems and lead to health problems.

When absorbed in the body, an endocrine disruptor can decrease or increase normal hormone levels, mimic the body's natural hormones, or alter the natural production of hormones.

EDCs often disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking or interfering with a natural hormone. These “hormone mimics” can trick the hormone receptor into thinking the EDC is the hormone, which can trigger abnormal processes in the body.

They have been linked to human health issues related to sperm quality, fertility, abnormalities in sex organs, endometriosis, early puberty, nervous system function, immune function, cancers, breathing problems, metabolic issues, obesity, heart health, growth, neurological and learning disabilities, and more."

So what can you do?! While I know this seems daunting, I promise there ARE steps you can take to avoid these pesky little buggers. 

In fact, I've created an entire Low Tox Guide to get you through it. Snag yours here.

I get it, it's supposed to be a fun conjunction of two simultaneously opposite things, and I guess it's meant to be motivational? Here's the deal - most female entrepreneur content didn't speak to me when I was getting started. The sources were either MLM hoppers or didn't have kids, so it felt like they just didn't get the true struggle. No offense to MLM baddies, but you kind of get handed a business in a box... It just felt different starting from scratch.

And I didn't have ANYONE telling me how truly achievable it would be. So that's what today's episode is all about: how being a mom and an entrepreneur is not only possible, it can be a symbiotic relationship where one feeds the other. I hope you enjoy my take on the whole Mompreneur thing. (Also if you know of another word we can be using here, lemme know. 🤢)

Thank you sooo much for always being here and supporting my content. If you happen to like it, I would be so much obliged if you went and gave it a five star review wherever you listen 🤍

Nothing in this podcast should be taken as biblical truth, nor should it replace any sort of medical advice. This is just one girlie talking to another girlie about her journey, but you can feel free to steal any ideas I might have shared. 

If you enjoyed the episode, please don't forget to give the Lovely Humans Club Podcast an epic 5 Star review! ✨