Stop baking with these toxic ingredients

The other day I was doing some investigating at a local grocery store and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a large display of holiday baking ingredients. 

It was stocked full of… 

• Gold Medal All-Purpose Flour
• Clabber Girl Baking Powder
• Crisco "Vegetable Oil" and Shortening
• C&H Cane Sugar
• Karo Corn Syrup
• McCormick Artificial Food Colors
• Domino Brown Sugar

And all kinds of unhealthy ingredients for everyone to load up on for the upcoming holidays. 

I knew I needed to write about this immediately! 

If you have any of these items lurking in your cupboards, now is the perfect time to ditch those toxic ingredients and replace them with better options. That way you'll be all stocked up with healthier options before the holiday rush.

To help you, here are 4 swaps that will have the most impact…

COOKING OIL:

Stay far, far away from anything that says "Vegetable Oil" on the label - this includes canola oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, and soybean oil. These oils come from GMO seeds that are heavily treated with cancer-causing pesticides. They're processed to DEATH, with chemical solvents, steamers, neutralizers, de-waxers, bleach and deodorizers before they end up in the bottle. They are also horrible for the body - known to increase the risk of obesity, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease.

Instead, stick with organic unrefined oils: Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Avocado Oil. And use real butter or coconut oil in your baking instead of shortening! 

FLOUR:

Flour can be treated with up to 60 different chemicals before it ends up on store shelves – including chemical bleach. The industrial processing destroys nutrients, such as Vitamin E and fiber. It has no nutritional value and is essentially dead food, so they "enrich" it with synthetic vitamins that are not from nature. When wheat is not organic, it is often sprayed with Roundup weedkiller and residues can remain in the flour. The active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, is linked to cancer and other diseases.

Instead, choose an organic flour: whole white wheat (not bleached, this is a variety of wheat), sprouted flour, oat flour, or spelt flour. 

SUGAR:

White sugar, brown sugar, and powdered sugar are all processed forms of sugar, often made from GMO crops heavily treated with pesticides. They have no nutritional value and have an acidic effect on the body. Unless a sugar says it is "cane sugar" it is probably made from GMO sugar beets. Any sugar (including Cane Sugar) that is NOT organic could have been sprayed with Roundup, Atrazine, and other harmful pesticides. 

Instead, you can replaced sugar with organic coconut sugar in almost any recipe. It's completely unrefined, helping to preserve all of its vitamins and minerals. If you do use white sugar, make sure it's organic to avoid GMOs and synthetic pesticides. Even better, try coconut sugar which has more minerals and lower glycemic load.

FOOD COLORS:

Those food colors by McCormick and Betty Crocker are made with artificial food dyes from petroleum (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1). These are linked to several health issues, including allergies, cancer, and hyperactivity in children. Dyes are suspended in a solution, often made with propylene glycol and preserved with parabens – which are endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems. 

Instead, there are natural coloring kits available made from real food like beets, spirulina, and turmeric. This goes for holiday sprinkles too! 

Thankfully - You don't need to sacrifice your health to enjoy holiday meals and treats. It's all about making better choices, and this same philosophy applies any time of the year.

How we choose to spend our dollars is very powerful and changes the marketplace. If everyone made these healthier swaps, our stores would stop carrying all those toxic products and give us more good options! 

Please forward this email to your friends and family to show them why it is important to make better decisions when we shop for food. Let's all vote with our dollars and protect our health – yes, even during the holidays. 

In case you missed it…

My team and I put together our annual Healthy Holiday Gift Guide and scored some deep discounts just for you. You'll find my favorite beauty products, foodie gifts, and wellness must-haves that I personally love to use. 

Check out the new gift guide here. 

Xo, 

Vani

P.S. If you want to see everything I stock in my pantry for the holidays, I put them all together for you on this list on Amazon. This will make it super easy for you! Anything you may purchase there also supports the work that we do here at Food Babe, so thank you.

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Holidays gifts that aren't toxic or will kill you

I don't know about you...

But every year around this time, I start dreading the holiday shopping madness.

Not because I don't love giving gifts — but because I'm tired of seeing the same toxic junk marketed as "perfect presents."

Candles loaded with synthetic fragrances. Skincare packed with parabens. Kitchen gadgets made with who-knows-what chemicals.

And I refuse to give my loved ones products that could harm their health — even if they come wrapped in pretty paper.

That's why I created something different this year.

My 2025 Healthy Holiday Gift Guide is here — and it's filled with products I personally use and genuinely love.

No fluff. No filler. Just clean, conscious gifts that actually make a difference in people's lives.

Here's what you'll find:

Healthy Stocking Stuffers - because the stocking-sized items deserve to be something other than toxic candies and lotions

Healthy Foodie Gifts - the cookware, food, and tools that transform everyday cooking

Healthy Home Gifts - gifts you'll find in my house, and gifts that people will actually use every single day in 2026!

Wellness Gifts — products that nourish instead of harm

Every single item has been vetted against my strict standards. 

And many come with exclusive Food Babe discounts you won't find anywhere else.

Click here to see the full 2025 Healthy Holiday Gift Guide →

This year, you don't have to stress about what to buy or worry about giving toxic products to people you love.

Just click the link, find what fits your budget, and feel good knowing you're giving gifts that actually support health — not sabotage it.

Shop the complete guide here

Happy (clean) gifting!

Xo,
Vani

P.S. Several of these brands are offering limited-time holiday discounts exclusively for the Food Babe community. Don't wait — these deals won't last long, and inventory is already moving fast!

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

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I make this every Thanksgiving! (You'll want to make it too)

Every year around Thanksgiving, everyone's asking me...

"What do I do when my family doesn't care about the ingredients they're serving at holiday meals?"

I get it. 

You don't want to eat the Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce loaded with high fructose corn syrup.

Or, Kraft's Stove Top Stuffing spiked with potentially cancerous preservatives. 

Everyone in your family may not take ingredients as seriously as you do…

But that's exactly why Thanksgiving is the perfect day to set the example and show them how incredibly delicious real food can be.

To make it easy for you, I've rounded up all my favorite Thanksgiving recipes made from real, simple ingredients – all published on the blog for free so you can create a homemade real-food feast your family will love:

• Sweet Potato Casserole: Almost like dessert (but healthy!)
• Cornbread Stuffing: Vegan, organic, and absolutely delicious. 
• Stove Top Stuffing: Frees up your oven for other dishes like the turkey and sweet potatoes.
• Spaghetti Squash Casserole: Incredible creamy and savory side dish.
• Raw Stuffing: The crunch of the pecans and savory cauliflower, celery, onions and carrots is just dynamite!
• Cranberry Sauce: Sweetened with fresh squeezed orange juice and honey.
• Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream: Without refined sugar!
• Sweet Potato & Sausage Breakfast Casserole: The ultimate holiday morning hack – cooks overnight in the slow cooker so you have a hassle-free morning.

Now's the perfect time to get your recipes organized and gather up your ingredients so you'll be ready to go in two weeks.

And don't forget, if you have my cookbook Food Babe Family, you'll find a few more of my all-time holiday staples in there too – like my Favorite Green Beans, Perfect Marinated Beets, and Classic Apple Pie.

Have fun planning your Thanksgiving feast!

Next week I'll send more tips your way. 

Xo,
Vani

P.S. Make it easy on yourself and order Organic Apple Pies and Organic Pumpkin Pies from Organic Bread of Heaven! They're soooo delicious and made with the best ingredients, shipped straight to your home. They also have organic sourdough stuffing cubes! I partnered with them to give you a 10% discount when you use the code FOODBABE at checkout. 

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Wait, I forgot the best part...

I forgot to mention something important...

When I told you about my pulled muscle and how Lumebox helped with the pain and inflammation...

I didn't tell you how fast it worked.

I was honestly shocked.

Within days, the pain was significantly reduced. And I wasn't masking it with anything — my body was actually healing without a dose of pharmaceutical drugs.

That's the power of red light therapy working at the cellular level to reduce inflammation naturally.

So this is your reminder that if you want to try it...

Tonight at 11:59 PM PT, Lumebox's biggest sale ends:

50% OFF — Just $315 (regularly $629)

Click here to save $314 on Lumebox →

If you've been on the fence about natural pain relief, faster healing, or anti-aging for your skin, this is your moment.

Remember:

Most people reach for pills or synthetic creams that just mask symptoms.

Lumebox is different — it supports your body's natural healing without chemicals. It's 3rd party tested for high irradiance and low EMF. And it's portable enough to use anywhere.

I use mine in my office while I work. It helps with muscle pain, wound healing, period cramps, and anti-aging for my face.

Don't wait. Sale ends tonight.

Click here to get 50% off Lumebox before midnight →

Xo,

Vani

P.S. Once this sale ends tonight, Lumebox goes back to full price ($629). If you've been thinking about trying it, now is the time.

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

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Ouch! This really helped.

Whenever I get an injury or ailment, I always look for ways to heal my body naturally – not just mask the pain. 

I pulled a muscle in my back recently and had heard about people having success with red light therapy, so I decided give it a try. 

I got the Lumebox, which is a portable red light therapy device...

And it really helped! 

Here's why it works:

Inflammation is your body's response to injury or stress. But chronic inflammation leads to pain, slower healing, and premature aging.

Red light therapy reduces inflammation at the cellular level — supporting your body's natural healing without pills or chemicals.

It's small and portable, so I can put it in my office behind my chair while I'm working. No traveling to an expensive spa or keeping a large clunky device in my home. 

You can also use it on your face for anti-aging — it supports collagen production, reduces fine lines, and helps with breakouts.

And there are other benefits too:

• Faster wound healing
• Less muscle and joint pain
• Soothing period cramps
• Better skin tone

Why Lumebox is different:

Most red light devices don't deliver therapeutic light levels, or they emit high EMF radiation.

Lumebox is 3rd party tested for high irradiance AND low EMF. 

Right now, Lumebox is having their BIGGEST sale:

Save 50% OFF your own Lumebox device when you click here (Expires Tuesday 11/11)

There is no code needed, but this discount is ONLY available through this link.

I know that the body can heal itself naturally. 

Sometimes it just needs the right support.

And yes, it drastically reduced the time I was in pain from that pulled muscle in my back!

Get your Lumebox for 50% off here. Ends tomorrow, Tuesday 11/11.

Xo, 

Vani

P.S. Use the protective goggles when Lumebox is directly in front of your eyes. They come with your Lumebox kit.

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

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My Favorite Snacks At Sprouts!!!

There's a big mistake people make about me...

That I don't love snacks. 

Many people think that in order to "be healthy," you "can't snack."

Trust me, I know why people are skeptical…

I've been fighting the food industry to create better standards for over 10 years. A huge pain point for me has always been the "healthy snack" options in stores…

Many of them are filled with High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavors… The list goes on, really. 

But my go-to grocery stores like Sprouts Farmer's Market ALWAYS have amazing snacks, with better ingredients. 

My go-to Sprouts snack? The Only Bar by Truvani, formulated by my team and I!

And as of this month…

Sprouts Farmers Market officially carries The Only Bar in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Sugar Cookie nationwide!

Sprouts has carried a few other flavors of The Only Bar like Chocolate Brownie, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Peanut Butter…

But almost everyone's undoubted absolute favorites are Sugar Cookie and Cookie Dough. 

Sugar Cookie tastes exactly like its name… with a soft, chewy texture that feels as good as it tastes. It's made with just 7 organic ingredients like cashews, almond extract and dates! 

I love this one in particular for my kids, because there is no chocolate!

And Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough? My goodness, people are wild for it. 

It tastes like actual cookie dough, with only 7 organic ingredients I literally have in my kitchen right now. Mind blowing. 

You can now find The Only Bar in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Sugar Cookie, as well as other flavors of The Only Bar and Plant-Based Protein at Sprouts nationwide!

We could not have done this without you. 

Together, we made it possible to make them easily accessible and on-shelves for all. 

Xo, 

Vani

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I brought my turkey to the beach?!

Every year when Thanksgiving rolls around I'm always in charge of the turkey because I'm so particular about it. This might sound a little unconventional... but I've even packed my turkey in the car when we traveled to the coast for Thanksgiving. We'd put it in a cooler and just drive it down! 

I'm not willing to buy some random turkey at the store, because most of those turkeys in grocery stores are not what they seem…

On the farm, they're typically fed antibiotics to prevent them from getting sick in crowded, dirty living conditions. 

These antibiotics don't stay on the farm. Researchers recently found antibiotic residues in nearly 2/3 of turkey meat samples! The antibiotics also leach into our soil, water and air – we're being exposed to them at an alarming rate causing antibiotic-resistant infections that put us all at risk.

This is why, no matter what, you'll want to look for a turkey labeled as "No Antibiotics Ever" to ensure it wasn't raised with antibiotics.

Speaking of labels… Don't be fooled by "No Hormones" on the package. Hormones & steroids have been banned from poultry production since the 1950s. That means that ALL turkey and chicken raised in America is raised without hormones. What a scam label, right?

Another thing to watch out for is what they inject into the turkeys before they package them up. Sometimes they're pumped full of preservatives and natural flavors made in a lab. This is totally unnecessary! Check the ingredient list to make sure.

The best way to protect yourself is to choose a pasture-raised organic turkey. You can find these in natural foods grocery stores or local farmers. It's best to order one now, because they can get reserved fast! That's why I'm sending you this email now, so you can get yourself prepared ahead of time like I always do.

Do you know anyone who would love these turkey tips? Forward this email to them to share!

Xo, 

Vani

P.S. If you need to update your cookware for the Holidays, now is the perfect time to get your roasting pans, pie pans, and cookie sheets from my partner 360 Cookware. Their products are free from the toxic chemicals that you'll find in most cookware, and they last a lifetime. 360 Cookware will give you a whopping 25% discount when you use the code FOODBABE at checkout here.

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Ooops forgot to mention something... (ends at midnight)

I forgot to mention something last week...

I've been raving about how much my skin has been glowing since I started using Herbal Face Food on my face.

Especially as I'm very particular about the products I use.

But after one of my trustworthy friends recommended it, I had to try it.

She's a fellow activist, and takes everything she puts in and on her body as seriously as I do.

Anyways... she warned me about this too before I tried this new fix.

You can actually feel it working, as it slightly tingles on your skin (in a non-irritating way, it feels amazing!)

And there are various potencies in their products, depending on what you need.

For example, Serum I is the most mild, while The Cure is very intense, and is for where you have a problematic area of your face.

You'll notice more of a sensation with this product than their Serum. 

So this is your reminder that if you want to try it...

Tonight at 11:59 PM PST, Herbal Face Food's biggest sale ends:

50% OFF everything with code FOODBABE50 

If you've been on the fence about finally upgrading your skincare routine, this is your moment.

Remember:

Your skin is your largest organ, and what you put on it matters immensely.

Most serums are filled with synthetic silicones, synthetic vitamin C, preservatives, and fragrance chemicals your body doesn't recognize.

Herbal Face Food is different -- 100% plant-powered with 25 therapeutic botanicals that actually work to improve your skin instead of just covering up problems.

People have seen results in as little as 3 days (And I had a blemish that went away so fast I couldn't believe it, after I blotted a little "Cure" on it).

My skin is glowing. My hyperpigmentation is fading. And I've fallen in love with their skincare products! 

I am so happy they are giving me a code to give you in case you'd like to try it too.

Shop 50% OFF with code FOODBABE50 (ends tonight at 11:59PM PST)

Don't wait. Sale ends tonight.

Click here, and use code FOODBABE50, to save 50%.

Xo,
Vani

P.S. Once this sale ends tonight, these products go back to full price. If you've been thinking about trying them, now is the time.

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

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My skin is glowing from this

Earlier this year I had pneumonia and had to take some pharmaceuticals I haven't had to take in over decades. As a result, of either a side effect of the medication or the infection, I had some post inflammatory hyperpigmentation show up on my face. 

This was the first time I have ever noticed anything like it. Little brown marks and enlarged pores on both of my cheeks… it was annoying and I've been trying to figure out how to get rid of them ever since.

And then over the summer, I was hanging out with my friend Zuri, who introduced me to Herbal Face Food, 100% plant based face care products with no problematic ingredients. She told me the reason the founder invented it was for issues like mine! 

Let me tell you, I hate trying new skin care, I am a creature of habit, but at this point, my face was not getting better. 

After a few weeks of pondering it, I decided to give it a try. 

First, I used "The Cure" on a blemish, and within one day, it was gone. And then I started to use it on my spots, and using the serum as well. 

It's only been about 2 months, but I notice my skin is glowing, the appearance of the hyperpigmentation is lessening, not completely gone, but less noticeable. 

After loving the results, I decided to reach out to the company to see if they would like to partner and bring you a discount and they agreed. 

I wouldn't be recommending this unless I truly loved it. (if you read this blog, you know, I don't recommend personal care items unless I really love and use it.)... 

And this week they have their biggest sale, which makes their otherwise expensive products, much more affordable - which expires on Monday, November 3rd. 

Save 50% OFF sitewide with code FOODBABE50 - (Expires 11/3)

Let me know if you give them a try, I would love to hear your feedback!

And I will keep you posted on my annoying skin issue…

Xo,

Vani

P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

P.P.S. This is their biggest sale with 50% off and I'm not sure when they'll run this again. If you want to give them a try, now is the time! It ends on Monday.

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Warning about skincare products

I need to ask you something important…

You read every ingredient label on your food.

You avoid pesticides, preservatives, and artificial dyes.

You've switched to organic food, filtered your water, upgraded your cookware.

But what about what you're putting ON your body every single day?

Your skin is your largest organ - it covers and protects everything in your body.

How you treat it is incredibly important to your health.

Yet it's one of the most under-appreciated organs, and one I used to take for granted, slathering products full of toxic chemicals on it day after day.

Those ingredients don't just sit on the surface. They make their way into your bloodstream:

• Parabens that mess with hormones
• Sulfates that strip your skin
• Synthetic fragrances hiding thousands of chemicals
• Petroleum byproducts (yes, from crude oil)
• Artificial preservatives with unknown long-term effects

We obsess over what goes IN our bodies... but think it's fine to slather toxins on our skin?

That ends today.

I recently discovered Herbal Face Food - and their ingredients are so pure, you could literally eat them.

They're 100% plant-powered: organic or wild-harvested botanicals, no fillers, no synthetics. Nothing your body can't recognize.

Every botanical is:

• Never heated or processed
• Free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial preservatives
• Packed with antioxidants that heal your skin

What's inside their products?

• Turmeric -- boosts collagen, reduces inflammation
• Green Tea -- protects against UV damage
• Aloe -- hydrates and promotes healing
• Frankincense -- regenerates skin cells
• Rosehip Oil -- reduces signs of aging

These are therapeutic-grade botanicals that work with your skin, not against it.

And here's why that matters:

When your skin is battling synthetic chemicals, it's in constant inflammation mode -- trying to detoxify instead of heal.

But feed it pure plant compounds?

The antioxidants help your skin do what it's designed to do: regenerate and protect itself.

And right now, you can try it at a big discount:

Save 50% OFF sitewide with code FOODBABE50

October 29–November 3 only.

Yes, this is only available for 5 days… so don't wait!

If you've been meaning to clean up your skincare routine, this is your moment.

Click here to save 50% OFF with code FOODBABE50.

Xo,
Vani

P.S. I know what you're thinking -- "Another thing I need to swap out?"  But here's the truth: if you wouldn't eat it, you probably shouldn't put it on your face. Start with one product (I love their serum) and see the difference. Your skin will thank you.

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

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What to do with toxic Halloween candy (Turn tricks into treats!)

If you're dreading your kids coming back from trick-or-treating with loads of toxic M&M's, Reese's, and Snickers...

Don't despair! 

I have a trick for turning those poisons into real treats. 

Her name is the Switch Witch!

If you've never heard of the Switch Witch, let me explain...

The morning after Halloween, the "Switch Witch" arrives and sweeps away all the junk candy. 

My kids leave it by the door, and the witch switches it out for books, stickers, and BETTER treats.

At first, I thought my kids wouldn't love this idea.

But you know what happened?

They got MORE excited about what the Switch Witch would bring than they ever were about eating candy corn and Skittles.

Here's what makes this work:

Instead of feeling deprived, they feel like they're getting an upgrade.

They still get to trick-or-treat and collect candy with their friends...

And I don't have to be the "mean mom" who throws away their Halloween haul.

What the Switch Witch brings to our house:

I stock up on clean treats they can actually enjoy without the artificial dyes, corn syrup, and preservatives. Plus a few small toys or books they've been wanting.

I've put together all my favorite Switch Witch swaps in one place →

You'll find:

• Better candy options without the junk ingredients
• Fun non-candy treats
• My favorite Halloween books

The best part?

My kids now understand that not all candy is created equal. They're learning to make better choices - not because I'm forcing them, but because they genuinely feel better when they eat cleaner treats.

This year, as you're preparing for Halloween, you have options.

You don't have to let your kids eat toxic candy for weeks.

You don't have to be the "fun police."

You just need a little creativity - and the Switch Witch.

Stock up on Switch Witch treats here (before Halloween!) →

Your kids might surprise you with how excited they get about this new tradition.

Xo,
Vani

P.S. If your kids are older and might not believe in the "Switch Witch," you can still do the swap! Just be honest: "Let's trade the junk candy for better treats and a few things you've been wanting." Works like a charm.

P.P.S. At Food Babe, we only promote products we love to use. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn commission.

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