Living a More Nontoxic Life: Effective, Budget-Friendly Steps to Take Now for Increased Vitality, Wellness & Longevity
Nontoxic homemade cleaning products increase vitality, wellness & longevity while being safe, effective & budget-friendly.
It’s not news that we live in an increasingly toxic world. From pesticides and GMOs (yes, even with organic produce) to the microplastics in the air we breathe, from our drinking water to our mattresses, escaping some of these variables is impossible. But we are empowered to limit our exposure and adopt more effective, budget-friendly, nontoxic habits, adding to our levels of vitality, wellness and longevity. Run your life through these filters, and learn new ways to keep yourself and your family healthier:
1. Avoid Pesticides
Choose organic fruits and vegetables, always. There’s a myth that’s been floating around for years that these items are always more expensive – this simply isn’t true. Compare pricing at different chain supermarkets, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and most importantly, your local farmers markets. Food that is grown en masse is significantly lacking vital nutrients in today’s world, due to soils that just aren’t rich and healthy any longer. Check out the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and veggies you should never consume when conventionally grown. Animal products are also vitally important to consume organic and without hormones and pesticides.
2. Ditch the Cleaning Chemicals at Home
Besides the abundance of nontoxic cleaning products on the market today, it’s even easier and more cost-effective to make your cleaning solutions at home. Distilled white vinegar mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio cleans many items and bacteria in your home, but it is acidic, so don’t use on surfaces such as granite or electronics. The biggest caution with white vinegar is to NEVER mix it with other chemicals such as bleach, as it creates a toxic gas. Young Living Essential Oils makes a Thieves concentrated cleaning solution that is nontoxic and works magic at killing germs and making floors, mirrors, windows and bathrooms shine. A capful in a large spray bottle of water will last weeks to months, and it smells delightful. You can also add a small splash to your dishwasher and washing machine.
3. Consume Safe Drinking Water
Tap water is not safe. If you’re filtering it, educate yourself on the pros and cons of the filtration method you’re using. Fridge carafes with filters do not eliminate some of the most harmful ingredients in tap water, such as fluoride. Home water delivery can be a viable option, particularly when packaged in glass 2.5- or 5-gallon jugs that are sterilized and reused. A rechargeable pump can be purchased online for about $12, so no heavy lifting is necessary. Simply place a carafe in the fridge if you enjoy your water cold. Mountain Spring offers spring water packaged this way, delivered to your door in many places across the U.S. Additionally, spring water is naturally structured and easily hydrates your cells better than any other alternative. There are myriad benefits of consuming structured water, including reducing inflammation, improving energy and sleep, strengthening the immune system and it contains anti-aging properties. For more info, look up EZ water.
4. Do a Mental-Emotional Cleanse
Monitor the non-food things you consume in life for toxicity that affects your mind, emotions and physical wellbeing. Sources include friendships and relationships, social media, television, music and what you read. Find a balance of choosing to consume things that don’t deplete you and support the person you’re continuously growing into.
Begin incorporating more of these effective, budget-friendly, nontoxic practices into your life for increased vitality, wellness and longevity. The cost of a cleaner lifestyle is not necessarily higher in terms of dollars if you shop around, and it’s the ultimate investment in your and your family’s long, healthy life.