Toxins are around us every day. It’s impossible to avoid them all, but we can make sure we aren’t adding to our toxic load by making smarter life choices and purchases. A recent study found that the average woman uses an average of 168 chemicals before even leaving the house in the morning! Men use an average of 68. Most of these morning toxins come from our personal care products. What’s also scary is these chemical toxins added to our every day products are not regulated by any governing body. Remember the Johnson & Johnson saga where a lady died from ovarian cancer, which was linked to her use of their baby powder? According to the case, Johnson & Johnson knew about the cancer link but failed to warn customers.
Toxins impact our hormones and can result in imbalances, which can lead to decreased fertility, skin disorders, metabolic imbalances and weight gain. They also alter fat metabolism and retention leading to weight gain, and can disrupt our energy production leaving us fatigued and suffering with brain fog, headaches, nausea and migraines. We simply cannot put our trust in these production companies and must instead opt to purchase safer alternatives.
Below I have given some guidelines that you might like to implement into your life to reduce your toxic burden. I also have a video coming out soon on ‘Detoxing – Do we really need to?’ so make sure you sign up to the newsletter to get notified when it’s released!
Detox your life today…
…with food
Start your day with a warm lemon water and apple cider vinegar drink (I like to use the juice of half a lemon and 1 tablespoon ACV in 100ml water)
Drink at least 2-3 litres of filtered water daily (I use an ALPs water filter and Prill Beads – I love that they have a glass tank now too! Another great brand is Zazen)
Buy organic where possible
Soak/wash fruits/vegetables in water and vinegar to remove pesticide residues
Eat lots of green leafy vegetables
Eat clean! Avoid processed foods, food additives and preservatives, refined sugars, fried food, bleached flours, sodas, alcohol (opt for red wine over other alcohol)
Limit caffeine consumption to 2 cups tea/2 shots of coffee maximum a day (or choose decaf versions) and consider replacing with herbal teas (particularly green, dandelion, burdock, and milk thistle) – the safe amount appears to be 300-400 mg daily but I personally opt on the lower side of this
Eat less meat and dairy – choose organic 100% grass-fed pasture-raised varieties and have at least two animal produce free days a week
Include coriander, malic acid (in grapes and wine), citric acid (in citrus fruits), succinic acid (in apples and blueberries), citrus pectin (in peel and pulp of citrus fruits) and Chlorella in your diet regularly – all exhibit natural chelating properties useful for the elimination of toxic metals
Eat foods rich in antioxidants (blueberries, raspberries, spinach, kale, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, oranges, butternut squash)
Eat superfoods rich in omega 3 (salmon, sardines, avocado, walnuts, almonds, olive oil, flaxseed)
Eat wholefoods i.e. foods that are in their natural state
Include foods high in natural fibre in your diet
Eat fermented foods and probiotics to help your digestive system
Swap some meals for a smoothie or soup/stew to help give your digestive system an easier job from time to time
…in the home
Use stainless steel cookware
Use stainless steel or glass food/drink containers, also avoid vegetables in plastic containers and bags and try instead to buy loose produce and place in paper or reusable fabric produce bags – recycling your glass jars is perfect for this! I also love storing my veggies in theswag.com.au bags making them last longer
Reheat food in a pan not the microwave – jury is out here as to nutrient content effect but you are definitely irradiating your food…I choose not to if I can help it…
Use natural household cleaners and laundry detergents (avoid phthalates often found in softeners) – some great brands include EcoStore, Adobe, Little Innoscents, Ecologic, Soapberries, Kin Kin, Earth Choice – better still clean with microfibre cloths and water (we love Norwex)
Use essential oils to scent your home instead of synthetic sprays – book a dōTERRA party with us and we can introduce you to heaps of choices!
…with you!
Only take vital medications; don’t just take a quick paracetamol, ibuprofen, antacid, cold and flu tablet … try natural alternatives
Take some liver and gut support like milk thistle and slippery elm or L-glutamine
Use natural makeup – we love Inika, EcoMinerals, Eve Perez, 100% Pure, Lavera
Use natural cosmetics and personal care – we love The Hemp Lady, Sukin, La Bang Body, Dr. Bronner’s, Acure, Weleda
Choose a natural toothpaste – we love dōTERRA On Guard toothpaste, Magic Mud, Miessense
Use organic sanitary products or menstrual cups – we love Juju cups, TOM Organics
Use a natural sunscreen – we love invisible zinc, DeVita Solar Protective Moisturiser, Keeki Pure and Simple
Use natural deodorant or jump online and make your own! – we love Primal Pit Paste, No Pong
Wear perfumes sparingly, only on occasion and spray your clothes not your skin – great alternatives are essential oils however so book that dōTERRA party with us!
Use natural baby products – we love Edible Bubba, Zoe Organics, Kelapa Baby, Meow Meow Tweet, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Sanctum – use Redmond clay or bentonite clay in place of baby powder, and Tick Tock or dōTERRA Terra Shield for insect repellent
Exercise at least 30 minutes each day to raise your heart rate and produce sweat
Have regular massage (every 2-5 weeks depending on your activity level and pain) to keep your muscles and fascia moving well, prevent tension and injury, improve circulation and immunity, and help relaxation
Don’t smoke
Include a weekly Epsom salt bath (I also like to add bentonite clay, bicarbonate and lemon/peppermint/rosemary essential oils) and soak for at least 20-30 minutes with some candles and soft music to de-stress. Maintain hydration whilst in the bath. If you don’t have a bath then do a foot spa!
Try dry body brushing or silicone cupping self-massage to stimulate the lymphatic system
Have a five minute hot shower followed with periods of cold water for a bit of hydrotherapy, and/or consider regular saunas (particularly infrared saunas that get deep into our tissues)
Use natural products on your skin e.g. shea butter or coconut oil moisturisers, aluminium-free deodorant (I love Primal Pit Paste and No Pong), natural shampoos and conditioners
Brush your teeth and tongue on waking and before bed and don’t forget to floss! I love using a water flosser and find I am more likely to floss because I actually enjoy using this!
Get 7-8 hours sleep a night
Breathe deeply and consider meditation and yoga
Keep a clean organised home. Make your bed each morning, it is a small task but it sets you up for a day of achieving!
Most importantly, take care of yourself and have some YOU time!