Well, not right away.
The truth of the matter is that not one single thing will kill us, other than life itself. Yet rather, it is the constant layering upon layering of poor choices from everything to the food we eat, the household cleaner we use, the shampoo and beauty products we put on, to even the type of furniture we buy that will have the greatest impact on our health. Through these choices, the average person is exposed to several dozen toxins and pesticides on a daily basis. And although it may take years for us to feel a physical imbalance, you may come to eventually realize that your health issues are not by chance but rather are environmental.
Some of the typical toxins in everyday products that we are exposed to that I have listed below are linked to cancer, asthma,birth defects, behavioral issues, and much more:
Pthalates (also listed as parfum or fragrance)
Parabens (also losted as parfum or fragrance)
BHA BHT (food grade preservative)
DEA, TEA
DMDM hydantoin
Diazolidinyl Urea
1,4 Dioxane
Triclosan
FD&C Color
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone
Sodium Benzoate
Disodium EDTA
Print out EWG's guide to ingredients so that you can remember what to avoid when you go to purchase an item.
So how do you get to having a happy, healthy home after reading all that? It's simple. Here are a few of my personal recommendations:
1.) Replace your toothpaste with an all-natural version like Tom's of Maine or Kiss My Face
2.) Stop using anti-perspirant and switch to an all-natural deodorant or just simply use lemon juice. I'm serious. Slice up a wedge and try it. You will never use anything else. Try Every Man Jack, Kiss my Face, Alba Botanica, or Toms of Maine,
3.) Use all natural beauty and bath products. That means eye cream, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body lotion, you name it. Here are some of my favorite brands: Yes To, Alba Botanica, Mineral Fusion, Tarte Cosmetics,Shea Moisture, One with Nature, Lavera, or Physicians Formula Organic Wear
4.) Replace your laundry detergent for one with essential oils and plant based ingredients. Try Seventh Generation, Baby Ganics, or Ecos.
5.) Replace your household cleaner,hand soaps, and hand sanitizers with an all-natural one. Or just use good old lemon juice, baking soda and white vinegar to deodorize and sanitize your counter tops, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, etc. Try Clean Well, Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, Dr. Bronners or J.R. Watkins
6.)When needed, use industrial strength cleaners for carpets, etc that are non-toxic like Simple Green. Think about petitioning your workplace to incoporate non-toxic products like Simple Green that meet industry standards but that are safer for you and the environment.
7.) Buy 100% organic produce, or shop the "Dirty Dozen" for the produce containing the least amount of pesticides if you simply do not have the budget.( FYI, If you didnt buy all that packaged cereal and snacks for you or your child, laid off the booze and clothes shopping, you'd have much more disposible $$ to buy organic)
8.) Choose household furniture, cabinets, flooring, etc with the GREENGUARD or KCMA Environmental Stewardship certifications.
9.) Limit your intake of GMO, processed foods. Look for the NON-GMO Project certification on products. Download the ShopNoGMO app for your phone to help you while you are shopping.
10.) Sign up for a CSA ( Community Supported Agriculture)
11.) Choose Organic Coffee and Tea like Starbucks ( not all types) Allegro, Equal Exchange, Tazo
12.) Buy organic, all-natural meats and sustainable seafood.
13.) Use all natural baby products such as California Baby , Baby Ganics, Weleda , Yes To, Badger
14.) Avoid canned food, especially tomatoes. The acid breaks down the lining and is leached into the tomatoes. Purchase only BPA free lined cans (which there are few, not even Whole Foods is BPA free) I only purchase organic beans and pumpkin from Eden Foods and Farmers Market Foods in cans because I know they are BPA Free. Also, dont hesitate to call and verify with the company whether their cans are BPA free. And dont believe the hype when they state that current studies have not shown a significant risk in using BPA and that they will continue to monitor for additional information and uses. It's total crap. They don't care about your health. So don't give them your money.
15.) Use glass jars for storage instead of plastic. Safer plastics will be labeled with a # 2,4,5 on the bottom. Avoid# 1,3,6,7 at all costs.
16.) Avoid using your microwave. Better yet, just get rid of it. Use your stove to heat up left overs, boil water for tea, etc. Steam those veggies instead. Do anything but use a microwave. We got rid of ours about a year ago and we haven't missed it since. No extra dishes required each time, we just wash the same pot after eash use and put it right back on the stove
17.) Ditch the non-stick cookware. Choose a greener version like Green Pan which is PTFE, PFOA, Lead, and Cadmium free.
18.) Remove that plastic shower curtain and replace with a PVC Free version.
19.) Recycle, Compost, Re-use!
And while this is not an all-encompassing list, these are some of the biggest changes I have made over the years. Also please note that I do not receive compensation in any way shape or form by recommending these products or for even writing my blog. I just want to be able to share with as many people that I can how to make little changes that really do have such a great impact on our health.
If you have some great all natural, organic products you've tried recently that I haven't listed, share them with me on my facebook page! Click the link to the right and like "A Kinder Katie" if you haven't already!
No comments:
Post a Comment