My first draft of this post was called 10 Simple Promises When I Promote a Product. But I found myself in the very next post promoting a product that did not deliver on my promises. I was reminded how frail we human creatures are in this fallen world.

Yet, I still believe the 10 principles (that I almost touted as promises) were the standard to achieve. So I revised this post title to the 10 Guidelines When I Promote a Product. This leaves room for a little flexibility which is so necessary in the imperfect world in which we live.

And yet there are lines that I will not cross. If I do step the bounds of these 10 guidelines, it is only because I really believe the benefits of the product out weigh the negative. And this is a little subjective.

I guess what I am really trying to communicate in this post is that I will not promote a product simply to put money in my pocket.

For example, recently Thrive Market was offering a free box of energy bars as a promotion. I thought — this is a great offer to share with my readers. But then I read the ingredients on the box and knew I could not in a good conscience share that particular offer. If my convictions can waver to make a few dollars — then they are not convictions at all.

But if my convictions waver because I really believe that a product is beneficial, even though it does not fit perfectly in my box, then I believe sharing the product is more beneficial than withholding it. And I don’t feel like I am compromising.

Here are 10 guidelines I use when I share a product:

1. It will be organic or organically grown. However,  there are some food items which do not need to be organic:
   1. honey
   2. sea salt
   3. water
   4. fish
2. It will not contain GMO (corn and soy are almost always GMO if they are not organic) or GMO derived ingredients (soy lecithin). Of course all organic products are supposed to be GMO free.
3. It will not have dangerous ingredients (to the best of my knowledge). Just because a product is labelled organic does not mean that it is healthy or safe.
4. If I can’t pronounce it, or don’t know what it is — I will not recommend it.
5. It will not contain known neurotoxins like MSG or secret names for MSG including:
   1. Natural flavors
   2. Spices
   3. MSG
   4. Yeast extract
   5. and more
6. It will not contain unnecessary additives or preservatives. Chocolate for example is a wonderful food. But I will only recommend healthy organic chocolate. Hershey chocolate and other mainstream brands contain dangerous preservatives. They are not necessary. Avoid them completely. There are plenty of organic chocolates available on the market that satisfy every chocolate craving.
7. It must taste good. I have tried new products, excited to share them on Reformed Health. But then after tasting them,  I change my mind. Flavor is so important. God did not make food boring. However, He has given different people different taste preferences. So, my favorite may not always be your favorite.  And my boring may not be your boring.
8. It must be beneficial in some way. Maybe the benefit is that it is a healthier version of another product. For example, too much sugar is not healthy, but I make a Beet Cake with Chocolate Frosting that contains sugar — but there are no harmful ingredients. Sugar in moderation is acceptable. Too much sugar is not acceptable.
9. The supplements I recommend will (almost) always be whole food supplements from organic sources, herbs, or essential oils. From time to time I might veer a little here — but I will let you know. In these cases — special care is necessary. Anytime an ingredient is separated from its natural environment there are risks. God created food to be absorbed with all the natural factors and co-factors which exist in their original design.
10. I will not share anything that I do not personally believe in. If I have reservations about a product’s purity or safety — I will not share it just to make a few dollars. It is not worth it. The products I share on Reformed Health are the same products I use in my own home and serve my own family.

I realize many people have particular health concerns, like gluten intolerance or diabetes. Don’t let my standard be your standard. Just know that I strive to not compromise what we teach at Reformed Health to make a buck. And for full disclosure — some products I share I may earn an affiliate commission for sharing. This helps cover the cost of running a website.

What are some of your standards for healthy living? Share in the comments below.

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Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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