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Introducing Our Chief Product Investigator

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Written by Colleen Webb, Chief Product Investigator

Hello, everyone! I’m Colleen. My name and face may be new to you, but I’ve been working here at Gimme the Good Stuff in a behind-the-scenes role since 2014. Most of my work involves really nitty-gritty research. I look into products and what they’re made of. Some people may call this neurotic, and others may call it “thorough.” I’ll take either!

As a human being and mom, I have a strong drive to get to the bottom of things and help us all make the healthiest choices we can for ourselves and our loved ones. I also have personal experience with pregnancy, birth, raising little people, and creating a home that’s as healthy, nurturing, and sane as we can make it.

In the coming weeks and months, you’ll see more posts from me where I share some my experiences and the questions and challenges that are part of my life as a mother and wife.

Maia and I Go Way Back!

I’ve known Maia and her family for as long as I can remember. We lived in the same Vermont town for much of my childhood, and her mom, Suzanne—a.k.a. the Chief Health Officer at Gimme the Good Stuff—is largely responsible for my mom’s interest in natural food. My mom’s interest in natural food became my interest in healthy living, which eventually evolved from a personal passion into my professional work, so…I guess I have Suzanne to thank for my wellness career!

My Education & Background

I attended Duke University for my undergraduate degree (Duke is also Maia’s husband’s alma mater!) and then got a master’s in Integrative Health Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies. I’ve been a freelance health writer and wellness coach since 2009. Also, and mostly, I’m a mother and a wife. I have two young kids and a third one on the way. My husband is a military officer and PhD student. Our lives are full, to say the least!

My Approach to Health & Wellbeing

If my life and work have taught me anything definitive about health, it’s that there isn’t always a clear line between good and bad, “healthy” and “unhealthy.” There are so many ideas and theories about how we should be eating, sleeping, exercising, raising our kids, etc. And yet, we constantly have to make choices about what’s best for us and our families.

These days, it seems like everyone has an opinion and a position that they can support with “evidence.” Trying to sort through all of this information can be maddening. That’s why I do what I do, and why I’ve been following Maia’s work since she began digging into things in 2009.

I learn new things every time I take on a project. I’ve seen trends and professional recommendations in health and wellness come and go, so I take all current thought with a grain of salt. I ask myself what makes the most sense based on the ideas that have held up the best over time. It’s a historical gut-check of sorts. I also try to keep an open mind and be humble enough to accept information that may disrupt some of my long-term thinking.

And at the end of the day, I remember Maia’s mantra—“Stay sane!” The human body is remarkably complex and resilient. Most of us are doing okay not just because of the good choices we make, but in spite of all the bad stuff that we’re exposed to all of the time. That’s pretty awesome, don’t you think?

To your health,

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. We’ve got a bunch of awesome new product guides in the works, but are always open to suggestions. Comment below with what you want me to dig into next!

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  3. Kristin says

    I would love for you to review probiotics – specifically for kids (but an adult post would be awesome too), as it is so critical if one is forced to formula feed (unless you choose HiPP 😉 )

    Reply

  5. Judy Walchinsky says

    Olive oil! This is a product used widely (more than say, nail polish or makeup) for both food and body. I would absolutely love to hear your perspective! Thank you for what you do, and keep up the good work!

    Reply

  10. Tiffany says

    I thought there was a list for hands soaps I use eco me! But yes pleaseeee do one for NAIL POLISH I tried doing some reasrach myself and a supposedly non toxic nail polish was scotch naturals but looks like they went out of business and then I looked at piggy paint but wasn’t sure if it applied on nicely and I’m just sitting here with unpolished nails for the past 5 months sadden by the fact that they actually put formaldehyde in our nail polish but summer is coming up and I need a cute nail polish 💅 😢

    Reply

    • Meg says

      Also to go along with best olive oils, would love some suggestions on other healthy oils and their best uses. For example a lot of “healthy” recipes call for canola oil for things like sautéing but would love to know alternative oils that would work well for higher heat.

      Reply

      • Maia James says

        We love avocado oil for higher heat! People like coconut oil, too, but I don’t like the flavor it imparts.

        Reply

  17. Lisa D says

    Hand soaps and nail polish!!! Like other people that have posted as well I have been on a hunt for a good probiotic for kids that aren’t gummies, organic, non gmo and somewhat taste good for my son.

    Reply

  24. Jordan Bell says

    Nail polish for sure! With summer quickly approaching, we all need some tips on what is safe, but still fun for our nails 🙂

    Reply

  25. Paula H. says

    Hand soap (how about all those pretty and cheap soap from Europe at least it says so at Marshall’s and TJ Max) and olive oil (organic vs not, location matter?) would be very interesting and useful.

    Also someone mentioned “on a budget”, I would love to read more healthy anything on the budget!

    What is really going on with the mercury in the silver fillings!? I just read about it and now freeking out, do we (people with silver fillings) all really have to run to the dentists to replace them with the white stuff?

    Thanks for all Your work behind the scenes!

    Reply

  32. Jamie Williams says

    Hand soap! Ditto the budget friendly aspect, as well as a vote of support for the “best of the worst” category – sometimes budget or time crunch necessitate mainstream brands 🙂
    Thank you!

    Reply

  35. Kinga says

    Hi Colleen! Nail polish!!! Yes! Kids shoes, specifically for toddlers. I also have been looking for a non toxic alternative to hairspray. Hair products in general seem tricky to me. I used to use hot rollers, but since plastic and heat do not go well together I decided to toss them. Is a curling iron the only non toxic option? Watcha think?

    Reply

  37. Robin J says

    A face lotion with SPF, definitely agree with that post!!!
    And hairspray or gel. Us curly haired girls need something ‘safer’ tame our frizz and keep our curls in check.
    I use a hairspray brand from Whole Foods but I don’t know how much ‘safer’ it may or may not actually be.
    And more about kid toy brands like B and Apple Farms organic buddies. Are these Good Stuff?

    Reply

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