What a weekend! On October 10 and 11, we set up our Halloween-themed booth at the Wellness Expo at the Grapevine Convention Center, and it was a joy from start to finish. We left with full hearts, a long list of new friends, and even more determination to keep sharing what we've learned about the hidden toxins in our everyday lives.
A weekend of new faces and good conversations
With more than 100 exhibit booths filling the convention center, it was wonderful to meet so many curious, kind-hearted people who stopped by to say hello. Some followed the ghost with the "Booware of Toxins!!" sign over to our table. And many lingered to ask real questions: What's actually in my shampoo? Why do my kids' snacks have so many ingredients? Is there a better option for cleaning my home?
Those conversations are exactly why we do this. Our display board, "Where We Encounter Unnecessary Toxins," walked visitors through the places everyday exposures sneak in, from water and food to skin care, laundry, cleaning products and pest control, alongside trusted clean brands that offer simple swaps. Goodie bags were shared with product samples from our brand partners, a Sweeter Things LLC magnet, and a few Halloween treats.
Raising awareness, one swap at a time
Awareness is the first step, and the response was heartening. So many people told us they had a nagging feeling something wasn't right about certain products but didn't know where to begin. We shared what we know, listened to what they knew, and pointed to clean, healthy alternatives they could try right away. No guilt, just one small swap at a time. If you missed us, you can find the same picks and service providers on our Sweet Picks and Sweet Pro's pages.
Voting with our dollars
One of the biggest things we talked about all weekend is the power of where we spend our money. Every purchase is a vote. When we choose to support small, local businesses that are providing truly clean products and services, we tell the market what we want more of. And as demand grows, those businesses can earn their place on the shelves of big box stores, so that truly nontoxic products can one day become the majority of what's offered rather than the exception that takes a special trip to find.
That's how the tide turns: not all at once, but one thoughtful purchase at a time, multiplied by every friend who does the same.
Bringing the conversation to our schools
If you've ever wished the next generation had a head start, here's where you can help. By sharing Sweeter Things LLC with your family, friends, and colleagues, we hope to start more conversations that eventually reach our local schools. Imagine classrooms where kids learn about the hidden dangers around them and how to tell a clean product from a toxic one. Imagine vending machines and concession stands stocked with real, wholesome food and drinks, and practice gear and uniforms made from safer fabrics.
Those changes begin with parents, teachers, coaches and neighbors who care enough to ask. If you'd like to learn more about why this matters so much for kids, read our post, Why Everyday Toxin Awareness Matters — Especially for Kids.
New educational resources for parents and teachers
To help make those conversations easier (and more fun), we created a collection of free, printable activities for our new Educational Resources page, including a Halloween toxin maze, a word search and a crossword. They're designed to help parents and teachers talk openly about the realities of the toxins around us and how to safely navigate a sea of toxic products, leading to a healthier and happier life. Download them, share them with your classroom or family, and let the puzzles do the icebreaking.
A special thank you to our brand partners
None of this would be possible without the companies and professionals we are proud to partner with. To our affiliate partners: thank you for doing the right thing. By creating and providing clean product and service alternatives we can trust, you give families real choices, and you make conversations like the ones we had at the Expo possible. Your products, samples and information helped turn our table into a place where visitors could see and hold the cleaner options for themselves.
We're grateful and honored to share your work. You can meet them all on our Sweet Picks and Clean & Trusted Pro's pages.
Thank you
To everyone who stopped by our table, thank you. Thank you for your curiosity, for the stories you shared, and for the knowledge and hard-earned experience you generously passed along. We learned as much from you as we hoped you would learn from us.
Together we are stronger, and together we can change our immediate and global environment for the better. Let's keep the conversation going: follow along on social media, share your favorite clean swaps with us, and get in touch anytime.
This post is for general education only and is not medical advice. Some links may be affiliate links. Sweeter Things LLC may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you.