Are you trying to live a toxic-free life? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by all the information? Are you looking for like-minded women? Savvy Women’s Alliance may be just what you’re looking for!
Savvy Women’s Alliance is the first and only nonprofit association dedicated to nurturing mainstream women who are interested in nontoxic living.
Savvy represents the vision of Kristi Marsh, a mother and cancer survivor whose life was turned upside down 10 years ago. Diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer at the age of 37, Kristi began to consider ways to create a healthier home and body. Six years later she published Little Changes: Tales of a Reluctant Eco-Enthusiast.
Now she’s joining with three nonprofit founding partners and a team of women to launch this unique outreach. I’m thrilled to be a part and am proud to introduce you to Kristi!
Three Questions for Kristi About Nontoxic Living
1. How do you help women process the vast amount of information that often invokes fear and guilt?
Approaching this world of “nontoxic living” can be overwhelming. It can be gloomy, frustrating, and often very isolating. But it doesn’t have to be.
Start with one small area in your life. Maybe it’s eggs. Or nail polish. Or window cleaner. For an assortment of nibbles in different areas, I love Savvy’s new tool, our Budget-Friendly challenge. Twenty tiny tips that will either save money, or don’t cost a dime, and create a safer and healthier home. Just like that.
It’s much simpler than we think. We use phrases like “nontoxic living,” or “environmental health,” but really Savvy is just a fresh way of looking at our health and living fully. It’s about encouraging the best life possible.
One final suggestion: Don’t do this alone. It takes three times longer and is five times less fun when solo! Confide in a friend. Host a book club. Join a Savvy community. Women sharing recommendations, ideas, tips (and sales!) with enthusiasm is a crazy powerful combination!
2. Living toxic-free can be consuming. How do you keep balance in your life?
For me, it is a unquenchable passion; I can work 24/7 on this, and I have for nearly nine years. After fighting cancer, my passionate side revealed itself more prominently and a natural consequence is that I struggle with balance daily. There are steps I take daily, including 20 minutes of yoga before I start at my desk, getting outside every day, and “treating” myself to fresh food.
It’s my ongoing challenge to learn how to turn the switch off in my head, but I delight in my place in the world. I have witnessed my children’s bodies benefit tremendously and I have witnessed an entire town flip in its culture to be encouraging, supportive, and health-focused. I have come to learn to love the choices I am making. I love being an advocate for my body.
3. What is your hope for women who are new to nontoxic living and visit Savvy Women’s Alliance for the first time?
Women deserve a place where they will feel intrigued and welcome upon arriving. That’s it. No commitments, no overload. Our age of information is fabulous . . . except it is scattered, sometimes untrustworthy, and often filled with aggressive and angry commenters. I believe every woman has the right to learn about what is happening here in our generation, the right to understand, and the right to protect her body. My quest started 10 years ago with a stage three breast cancer lump. It is my hope that someone else’s journey starts with Savvy.
Learn more about Kristi, her story and her vision in this edition of The Connecting Place!
*Note: During the interview Kristi makes mention of two books that profoundly impacted her. These are:
- The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan
- Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry, by Stacy Malkan
Visit Savvy Women’s Alliance
The word savvy is derived from the Latin word sapere, which means to be wise. The Hebrew element suggests a meaning of ultimate clarity. Who doesn’t need a bit more wisdom and clarity when it comes to today’s world?
Would you like to see what Savvy is all about? Check out and be sure to introduce yourself!
Oh thank you! I love the defining moment at the end! Even I learned something!
Very excited to see what’s in store for Savvy, Kristi. Thanks for leading the way!
So excited about this! I love the idea of women coming together in support of each other. There is nothing more beautiful than that.