Spring into Your New Life -step 5

Hello everyone, I'm back! My laptop decided to take a vacation, and refused to cooperate, telling me I didn't have a hard drive installed...and of course someone else turns it on, and it opens like it should. So, after being a whole week, (with multiple attempts to correct the problem -including replacing said hard drive,) I'm going to hurry and do my best to get this post out to you.

Step 5

Now that we are reading ingredients and swapping out personal care products, household cleaners, and food...what's next?

Let's pause a moment to mention scented candles, air-fresheners, sprays and plug-ins, and just how toxic they can be. Studies have shown that the residual chemicals from our beloved air-fresheners contain toxic chemicals that accumulate in consistently-increasing amounts over time. You don't need me to tell you how bad that can be. Chemicals such as Phthalates, which have been known to interfere with the production of testosterone and have been associated with reproductive abnormalities. Formaldehyde, has been linked to things such as throat and nose cancer, is known to cause chronic irritation to the airways, increasing the risk of asthma, infections and other respiratory ailments. Naphthalene, found mostly in plug-ins compounds the risks formaldehyde brings, since it was shown from studies done on rats to cause tissue damage and lung cancer. And the list goes on.

Essential oils can be used in diffusers to spread not only a pleasant aroma throughout the house, but a

beneficial one as well. Oils on their own and in various combinations can have beneficial effects on the household, from uplifting or calming, odor removing and purifying, to respiratory aid and more.
If you love your candles, make your own using beeswax or another safe wax and essential oils. It's that easy. There are recipes for reed diffusers as well as simply placing a few drops of your chosen oils on some un glazed pottery beads. Fortunately for us today, you can google a DIY in a split second. There are so many safe, fun and beautiful recipes out there. Indulge yourself.

Of course, you can get yourself a diffuser and some essential oils and go to town. You won't regret it, because if the blink of an eye you can set the mood with a beautiful diffuser that'll be beneficial to those fortunate enough to be in the room. My absolute favorite one is called the Desert Mist diffuser because it will stay on all night (if that's what I want) and shut off afterwards. It offers different operating modes and white light, candle light or any of the beautiful rainbow colors. Oil diffuser packages are available and you can learn more about them HERE. If ever you decide to get one, leave me a message and II'll throw in a free gift.

One last thing...A great way to help rid your body of all these toxins we've been talking about is to take a bath with Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oils! This soothing, relaxing, detoxing or even invigorating baths will do you a world of good. 1 drop of Lavender in 1 cup Epsom salts will help you unwind, the Stress Away blend is pure magic. Raven or eucalyptus for soothing the respiratory tract  or Pan Away to ease a sore body after a workout is ahhh-mazing. (All these blends are from Young Living, the only company I trust, and I've been using oils for 30 years now...I have tried so many over the years, organic and all...but these are simply the best. You'd need to put 20 drops of any other lavender oil to get the same benefits of a single drop of our oil...I kid you not. So in the end, you're spending more on the cheap oils getting less out of them on so many levels.)


I wanted to add a pic of my favorite diffuser...It's on a shelf on my room, so it's not a pretty promo pic, but it'll do. The candle setting really looks like a flickering candle, it's sooo pretty. The girls like it when it's cycles through the different colors. To each his own.

Spring into Your New Life -step 4

Hello!
How are we all doing?

Hopefully we're all reading labels and rethinking what we've been using and consuming. And with a little luck, a few light bulbs have been going off, not to mention a few red lights as well.
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed and wondering where to go from here...then maybe this'll help.

Stop and take a deep breath. My journey in the kitchen started with a mason jar filled with dried chickpeas, and it took me a long time before I figured out what to do with them. By taking it one step at a time, replacing food and products with non-toxic, non-GMO organic alternatives, you are already doing something great for your body, your family, your home, the environment and our planet.
Did you know glyphosates are water soluble?
Meaning they get into ground water, so they are not only on the plants and foods we eat, but in them as well (since the plants drink the tainted water), and they contaminate our environment. The coral around the Hawaiian islands where some of these crops are grown are now dead or heavily damaged because the toxins that wash into the ocean. I was going to post a link, but there were too many to choose from and they made me feel sick. So...suffice it to say, choosing  organic has a greater impact than you might realize. Just think of the Bees.

Your next step is finding a new recipe you'd like to try and integrate it into your weekly routine. Try adding a new one every week (depending on your schedule), until the good things have crowded out the bad. The great thing about this approach is you won't even notice it happening.
You'll just look back at your pantry somewhere down the line and realize how far you've come.

Every day, new products, recipes, tips n tricks become available. These veggie-kabobs on the left...drizzle a tiny bit of avocado oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and marjoram, and my mouth is watering just thinking about it! I will BBQ this as soon as the snow melts. Marjoram is amazing on veggies. Or if you're fully raw...salad on a stick. Either way...it'll be yummy!

What lies ahead? Well, we're going to take a look at plastic, recycling, composting and all that stuff. Again, baby steps. A little knowledge goes a long way, but sadly in our world today, we seem to be living life in fast-forward, with barely time to catch a breath. So we end up going with the flow, not even realize what's going on behind the scenes. We fail to see how great an impact  our choices can have. On the plus side, there are those who have gone before us, and we're already starting to see the change their choices are having. It's just the tip of the iceberg, but it's promising.

If you go through my blog, there are a few recipes and DIY's you might like to try. If you come across any great recipes or products on your side, don't hesitate to share! If you'd like to be interviewed on this blog, sharing your journey (be it day 1 or 1000), let me know. It'll be fun.

See you in Step 5

Spring into Your New Life -step 3

I've probably mentioned this before, but I'm going to say it again...I hate when someone compares the food we eat to the fuel we put in our cars. Gasoline makes the car go (providing everything else is in order)...but when it comes to making our bodies 'go', food is so much more than fuel. Think about it. When your car breaks down, it doesn't matter if you have a full tank or only a quarter tank. The fuel won't repair the car. But the food we eat has an effect on our body's overall state.

Everything you put in your mouth is going to have an impact on your body and your health. Your body has the most amazing ability to repair, to regenerate, and to rebuild itself. Some things better than others. Every single cell in your body will be replaced at one time or another, some within days others taking up to ten years, and what you've been 'fueling' your body with is going to show up in one or more areas. 

Has this ever happened to you? You get a random cut or scratch that leaves a scar, but that other injury that everyone groaned and said "That's gonna leave a mark," is no longer visible. Why?

The food you eat provides the nutrients or building blocks for a healthy body. Empty calories, endless chemical ingredients, pre-packaged, processed foods are far from the best you can do for  yourself, because instead of making you the best possible you, your body has to scramble to sort, remove, process and neutralize all the crap you've been feeding it. Do you need an endless supply of caffeine to keep going? Do you have skin issues, mood swings, mental fog, aches and pains to name a few? Could your body be trying to tell you that it's reached its max toxic load?

So now that we've got you reading labels in and around the house, what about your food? This is where you can throw in, "You are what you eat." I'ts as simple as that. If you're thinking something like, "Eating Organic is just too expensive," we'll get into that in just a bit. I found two videos you might like to take a look at. The first one is about 2 min, and the second covers the Clean Fifteen and the Dirty Dozen. Think of it as a good place to start. Just click on the links. 

Toxins in the body, and the Dirty Dozen. 

As I mentioned at the beginning of this journey, it doesn't take long before you start to feel the effects of these green and healthy choices. I think you just might be in for a wonderful surprise. 

Where do you start? 

Pay attention to what you're eating. If you are buying your food in any other form than what comes straight from Mother Nature, read the labels attentively. If it doesn't sound like something you'd use in your kitchen, but rather in a science experiment, you might want to rethink putting that in your mouth. Cameron Diaz wrote in The Body Book, "Just because you can put something in your mouth, chew it, swallow it, and poop it out, doesn't mean it's food." And that says it all. 

My suggestion here is to become aware of what you've been feeding yourself. The last thing I promote is cutting things out of your diet, because restrictions bring out resistance and sets you up for failure, or a walk of misery. This should be a celebration! You matter enough to merit loving care. Organic produce on sale is affordable. Buying from the clean fifteen (see video) is awesome, because you know these foods are safe. Avoiding the dirty dozen also keeps toxic food out of your diet. There are ways to get healthy...many ways.

If you start making yourself a smoothie for breakfast (or any one meal a day) you will have changed over 30% of your diet with this one, simple move. Now how's that as food for thought?
See? It really isn't that hard. Taking baby steps over a long period of time will get you farther than running off half-cocked, only to give up ten days later. We are not trying to make this painful, we want to make lasting changes, healthy choices, and we want it to be a wonderful experience of learning and growth.

Cheers!

Here is a list from dirtiest to cleanest veggies that came out 2 days ago from the Environmental Working Group.
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/full-list.php

Spring into Your New Life -Step 2

So, did you do it? Did you start looking at labels and ingredients?
How many of you were curious enough to look up some of these ingredients? How many of you now feel a little overwhelmed, thinking, "Now what?"
No worries, I've got your back.

For sure the best thing you could do would be to chuck it all and get new, non-toxic, organic products. However, I am well aware that not everyone has that option. So here we go. Finish that bottle, and replace it with a better choice. Same thing for your toothpaste, conditioner, fabric softener, body lotion, bubble bath...etc. Replace them one by one, or start by buying one every week when you get your groceries and run your errands. I've also found that the good stuff works better and lasts longer.
Now, take a look at what you really need. Is it possible for one product to do more than one thing? Take your time, ask around, and read labels before choosing.

What to look for...
Organic,
Non-GMO,
5 ingredients or less (Or as few as possible),
Ethical,
Eco-friendly,

I have been making my own products for over 25 years, but I do buy products as well. I will be sharing recipes for those who want to get started on this for themselves. Although it is less expensive in the end to make your own, you have to take into consideration that the initial startup will be an investment.
When it comes to store-bought items, I mostly use Bio-Vert or Young Living products.  The awesome part of Young Living is that they work, they are very concentrated (no unnecessary water added to them) AND...you get redeemable points and freebies just for buying your products. Once you start looking into your personal care products, move on to household products. My absolute favorite is the Thieves Household Cleaner, formulated with 100 percent plant and mineral based ingredients. You add a capful of the cleaner to a spray bottle and fill with water...it works well and still surprises me with how great it is. When I suggested getting multi-purpose products, Thieves Household Cleaner is right up there, because you can use it for every household cleaning project, from crystalline, streak-free windows and mirrors, to floors, bathrooms, kitchens, the garage and more. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil to up the grease-cutting abilities for those nasty jobs.

I don't wear makeup, but my grown-up daughters do. They've fallen in love with the Young Living Savvy Mineral Makeup collection, as well as the facial products and moisturizers. It's such a relief to be able to trust where you're products are coming from.
The new Seedlings collection cover all of your baby's needs. I can't tell you how outraged I was when I read my fist baby wash label and discovered formaldehyde in it! My youngest is 4 and we went with elimination communication, so we didn't use diapers or toxic wipes.

I've added the links to the Young Living Canadian Product Guide, and the US Savvy Minerals guide. If you need the US product guide, you'll see the link for it on ISSU. IF ever you're interested in Young Living, let me know. I'll gladly answer any and all questions you may have. In the Canadian Issue there is a section highlighting the  Natural Health Products, their benefits and uses.

My family is precious to me. I want to watch them grow up to be healthy and happy, and I take my role in their growth and education seriously. I am deeply grateful to play this role, and I rejoice in every moment we share together, from discussions to study topics, arts & leisure or even preparing a meal and doing chores.

I watch as my older children share in their discoveries of the world around them, choosing their own organic, non-toxic path. And I see the difference with my younger ones, the youngest being brought up in a 100% organic household. They are all aware of our 'footprint' on this planet and every time one learns of something we can do to improve any part of it, they share. Great discussions and investigations follow.

Here's something for you to watch on our topic. Let me know what you think, and share with your friends!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVIuyNyIan0
OK, and a second one as well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVIWhPUjrek

Spring into Your New Life

As much as I would LOVE to shout out that spring has finally arrived, I'd be lying...we're buried in snow here, and they're actually calling for another snowstorm this weekend. BUT! That means we have more time to get our groove on and move into our new healthy lifestyle.
Now don't go running off on me just yet, hear me out. Allow me to be your guide on this journey, bringing simple, economical, and fabulous new habits, recipes and tips for a healthy home and lifestyle. This will not only be painless, but you'll feel absolutely Ahhh-mazing. Your family will thank you. Your friends will notice, co-workers will comment... OK, OK, in all seriousness, read on, give it a try, and let me know what you think.

What I am proposing is this. There's an expression, 'Once you learn something, you can't unlearn it.' Knowledge is power, (no it's not me throwing another quote at you), and in gaining knowledge, you gain power over your life!

Ready? Then let's do it.
We're going to start with your daily routine.
Think about it, starting from the moment you stretch and yawn. This first stage will most likely be an eye-opening experience.
I want you to  look for the toxins you come in contact with as you move through your day. Now the easiest way to do so is by reading ingredients on the products you plan on using, from soap and shampoo, to anything that goes in or on your body.

Don't go running to google all the ingredients just yet, because you'll find yourself spending hours, if not days doing research. Start simple, read your shampoo ingredients on the bottle, (and any other product you use). Anything that you don't recognize, any word you don't understand, or know for sure to be totally safe in-or-on your body, you might want to re-think using.

Before you say something like, "I don't drink my shampoo," I want to share this little fact. The skin is an amazing organ, and whatever you place on your skin is absorbed into the body...within 26 seconds. Yes, that's all it takes before traces of the product can be found in your blood. So if you don't recognize the ingredient, chances are, your body doesn't either.

Toxins are everywhere and in everything, so let's start with becoming aware of them, and reducing our exposure to them. The human body is an amazing thing...capable of regeneration and healing, provided we give it the right tools and environment. We want to avoid having our body spend all of its time and energy trying to rid the toxins from our system, and let it do what it was meant to do...repair, rebuild and regenerate.

Ingredients such as acetone, alcohol, alpha-hydroxy acids, benzophenones, BHA, BHT, collagen, coal tar dyes, DEA, dibenzoylmethanes ether, fluoride, formaldehyde, hydroxyanisole, isopropanol, lanolin, MEA, methylene chloride, mineral oil, paba, PEG, phenol, phenylenediamine, propolyne glycol, quaternium, saccarin, SLS, SLES, talc, toluene, triclosan, TEA...to name a few, are linked to health issues such as cancer, skin/eye irritations, allergic reactions, asthma, and have been known to accumulate in the organs. Oh, and let's not forget that some are considered neurotoxins, causing damage to the central nervous system or Teratogen, affecting the embryo.  How's that for an eye-opener? And all you wanted was to take a shower.

I haven't started in on makeup either, because they come with their own set of nasty. Perfume can easily have over 250 different chemicals, nail polish- 31, lipstick- 33, eye shadow- 26, blush- 16, foundation- 24, deodorant- 15, body lotion- 32, etc. But we were only going to start reading labels today, looking into what we've been putting on or in our bodies.

Are you ready to head down this path  with me? You might just find yourself feeling better, more vibrant, and alive! It doesn't take months to notice the difference either. Lowering our toxic load can make us feel great in a short amount of time. And I promise I will make this as painless as possible. Heck, it might even be fun.

I will gladly list alternatives, solutions and even some DIY projects for those of you who want to know exactly what they're putting on or in their body.

If you're feeling adventurous, go a little further than your bathroom. Have you ever taken into consideration things like your household cleaners, laundry products, dishwasher detergents, dish soap, disinfectants, etc?

Day 1

Read the ingredient list on the products you use.

What have you found on this little treasure hunt?  Can you think of any other places we might come in contact with toxins in the home? Share in the comments below. Let's rock this!