ShiftCon 2018: Best of the Expo

ShiftCon is always one of my favorite conferences of the year. While I am a science-based blogger, I am passionate about fighting for labeling in products, natural bath and beauty products, disclosure in supplements, regenerative agriculture, and green cleaning products, and fragrance free living. All of these things are part of ShiftCon. It’s not just for hippies. Although, as you might already know, I wear natural deodorant and believe marijuana should be legalized, so I’m practically a flower child.

The brands that are at ShiftCon are generally right up my alley. These are brands I already buy in my day-to-day life and support with my hard-earned dollars. I wanted to show you a few of my favorites from the expo, and also give away a swag bag (the photo above) with some amazing products that I just know you’ll love!

I met the founders of Replenology and I was so excited to see that their products do not contain gluten ingredients. It’s also vegan. And it’s for hair loss/alopecia! I know that many of us thyroid warriors have issues losing large amounts of hair. And unlike those multi-level marketing sellers for other products for hair loss, these don’t contain gluten. It’s a four part system including a bottle of supplements and serum, on top of shampoo and conditioner. I’ve only been using the serum, and get this – I’m trying it on my eyebrows. It’s probably not made for eyebrows, but…if I can regain my beautiful bushy brows, I’m in.

I’m also really excited about Oral Essentials, a natural, whitening toothpaste that doesn’t contain SLS (a product I haven’t used for years due to mouth ulcers). I have TERRIBLE celiac teeth that were robbed of minerals for 25 years. My front teeth are chipping away, a fact that I’m not sure I’ve ever told you guys before. It sucks. I’ve had veneers put on the bottom, but they’ve all fallen off. And my teeth are terribly stained from coffee and tea. I’m using these vegan/gluten-free whitening strips from Oral Essentials. I took a picture of my smile and I guess we’ll see how well they work!

I had a bit of an IBS flare when I was there (or pancreas or gallbladder attack, who the hell knows what’s actually going on in my body), and ended up sick one night and sleeping on the hotel room floor with the worse intestinal cramps ever. So, I ended up missing some parts of the conference, but thankfully ShiftCon brought together my friends, like Cybele of Cybele’s Free to Eat, Vegetarian Mamma, and Krysten’s Kitchen, and they were so great to have, even when I was feeling in rough shape.

Speaking of Cybele – she had a chance to show off her gluten-free, vegan, allergen-free cookies and pasta to all of ShiftCon! It was awesome to see so many people come up to the booth and fall in love with her products – just like I did! Cybele is one of my favorite people on the planet and I’m so happy that her products are doing so well. Remember, when you buy a box of her cookies or a box of her new pasta, you’re supporting this food-allergy mama who is an incredible inspiration.

Also, we met Max Eats Life (and his mom), a 10-year-old blogger who is already a better blogger than I am. 

Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss was there launching new flavors of their non-dairy vegan frozen dessert bars. YOU HAVE TO BUY THESE. The raspberry acai one was SO GOOD. I love acai bowls, but I know the flavor is overpowering to many, so this one is really toned down with equal parts of raspberry. The other flavor is vanilla and it’s perfection.

Goddess Garden made another appearance here at ShiftCon. It’s been awesome to see them grow over the years from a sunscreen company, to introducing skin care products (that I now use regularly), and now aromatherapy.I love being an ambassador for their high-quality natural products.

Applegate was there, with their new shelf-stable turkey pepperoni (hooray for not having to refrigerate until I open it!) and their new no-sugar uncured bacon. I talked to a microbiologist (my favorite .- a hunky scientist, swoon), about Just Thrive probiotics. I’m giving them a 30 day try for IBS, so pray for me. I fell in love with the CEO of NutriGold, and her passion for transparency in the supplement industry. I cleaned the cat with Ed Begley Jr.’s new pet spray. I gushed about So Delicious to the Danone Whitewave team. I sat in an infared sauna and realized that there’s no way I can have one because I rent a townhome. I’m rocking Earth Mama Organics new deodorant. I slayed this year’s expo.

ShiftCon swag is some of the best around. I was so excited to receive this beauty kit at ShiftCon from BeautyCounter corporate! I used to think that this brand was just another MLM, but these products are super high quality, responsible, and made with top tier ingredients (if you couldn’t tell by the price).

If you want to try out BeautyCounter, I am not a consultant. However, my friend Beth from Tasty Yummies is one, so click here to check out the awesome collection from BeautyCounter. Almost all products are gluten-free, so make sure to read the ingredients (like you would with any product). I’m obsessed with their HAND CREAM (in citrus mimosa) and their BALANCING CHARCOAL FACIAL MASK. They’re worth it!

I want you to enjoy some of my favorite samples from ShiftCon too. You can win by entering in the Rafflecopter below. One lucky US resident (18+) will win a swag box from the ShiftCon expo hall!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks again to ShiftCon and Leah from Bookieboo LLC for making this conference happen every year. I’m consistently impressed with the brands featured.