Tips on Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Adapting to a healthy, non-toxic lifestyle can be easier than you think. And using safe, chemical-free products can really make a difference to your health and happiness- not to mention help out mother earth ;). I know it can be stressful to think about changing parts of your lifestyle and implementing new things, but I am here to tell you that it can be trouble-free and very inexpensive! This blog post will reinforce why your health should be in mind when purchasing products and it will offer you 8 ways to help you start living a cleaner, healthier lifestyle.

Why do Ingredients Matter?

Your body is comprised of an epidermis which is comprised of complex cells that inherently absorb everything they come in contact with. Therefore, all things that you touch, smell, and come in contact with on a daily basis- such as cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and hygiene products- are absorbed into your bloodstream. It is very important for you to be aware of the ingredients inside of each product that you use and what you’re exposing yourself to. You’re not only exposing yourself to health risks when using toxic products, but you’re also supporting companies that are doing harm to the environment and other walks of life.

Over the past decade or so, research has concluded that our exposure to chemicals is having a serious impact on our health. And guess what? Chemicals seem to be in just about everything these days unless you carefully choose otherwise. Do you have bad asthma or allergies? Research is concluding that common chemicals used in popular, everyday products could be contributing to these issues, as well as others. So, as you purchase and use goods, it’s really important to stop and ask yourself “what is this made of?” and “is it harmful?”. You can check the ingredients list or simply look at the label to see if it has an eco-friendly verification mark or seal- like a USDA Organic seal, a Green Seal, or possibly a Forest Stewardship Council logo. Just don’t be fooled by false advertising techniques that use terms like “natural”, “green”, or “eco”. Any company can write “natural” on the bottle even if it has 10 terrible chemicals in it.

There is plenty of data and findings that prove why products like bleach, ammonia, and chemically scented air fresheners are harmful. I will not be going over those details here, instead, I will just focus on informing you of common goods you should ensure are chemical-free. I’ll also recommend safe brands to look for, resources that can easily help you decide if something is safe or not, as well as easy, inexpensive DIY recipes you can start mixing together!

8 Ways to be Healthier!

1. CLEANING SUPPLIES

As we spray, wipe, and inhale, we are exposing our bodies to all of the chemicals used in our cleaning supplies. There are plenty of really great non-toxic products you can use that clean your home effectively. You might have a whole cupboard, or possibly a few, full of cleaning supplies. Guess what!? You don’t need a different cleaner for each part of the house or area of the bathroom!! Many cleaners are made up very similarly and can do the same job. It’s mostly a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money. To make it easier on yourself, save storage space and save money, consider collecting a handful of go-to ingredients and mixing just a couple of cleaners yourself.

Carlay currently chooses to make her own cleaning supplies. She says she spends less money, takes fewer trips to the store, creates less waste, and most importantly, she knows exactly what she is spraying around her home. Below you will find a list of ingredients she always has on hand. She purchased a few reusable glass spray bottles and mixes away. It’s simple, safe, inexpensive, and reliable.

• Distilled water: as a mineral stain-free mixing agent
• White vinegar: disinfectant
• Isopropyl Alcohol/ vodka: disinfectant
• Dr. Bronners Castile Liquid Soap or other biodegradable liquid soap: disinfectant, oil residue cleaner
• Dr. Bronners Castile Bar Soap
• Aluminum-free baking soda/ Bon Ami powder: ref=”nofollow” scrubbing
• Essential oils: (100% pure) Young Living preferably- Thieves, Lemon, Lavender, Rosemary, Lime, Orange, Tea Tree & Grapefruit.
• Natural salt
• Reusable Bamboo Scrub Brush and Reusable Scrub Pad

DIY Cleaner Recipes:

• All-surface cleaner — Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp of castile soap, 20 drops of Thieves essential oil
• Window/mirror cleaner — Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, wipe with newspaper
• Bathroom mildew remover — Combine 2 cups water, 5 drops tea-tree oil, 5 drops lavender oil, spray and leave
• Sink cleanser — Combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 6 drops of essential oil, sprinkle into sink. Then pour 1/4 cup vinegar over top. After fizz settles, scrub with sponge and rinse with hot water.

On the other hand, I choose to purchase my cleaners from a plant-based cleaning company. If you’re like me and don’t have much extra time in the day to spend mixing ingredients, you might want to consider buying affordable plant-based cleaning supplies too. Thankfully there are more and more products coming to the market with ingredient lists that are truly all-natural and safe, you just have to do the research and ensure the label represents the ingredients honestly. A great quality to pick in a cleaner is that it is a concentrate. Concentrates don’t take up that much room in your cupboard and will last much longer.

I prefer and use Branch Basics as my all-purpose cleaner. It is comprised of simple plant-based ingredients, it is inexpensive, and lasts a very long time since it’s a concentrate. You can literally use this stuff for all of your cleaning: laundry, hand soap, surface cleaner, etc. It is an amazing, small-business, owned by three women who care about what they offer. You can learn more about this earth-friendly company and view their products on the Branch Basics website.

2. LAUNDRY

When the word “fragrance” is listed in the ingredient list of a product, it is a generic term that can represent literally hundreds of chemicals and chemical combinations. Or, if it is a “clean” product it might just be from a natural source like pure essential oils. This is something to look for and do some digging about. Many laundry soaps include strong chemically created fragrances which come in contact with your skin all day long. I recommend finding a detergent that uses essential oils or is unscented, and that is also biodegradable.

• Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap: I make my own laundry soap using the concoction below. Just fill a bucket with hot water and mix all of the ingredients together. Use a 1/2 cup scoop for each load. This is SO much cheaper and very environmentally friendly compared to purchasing plastic tubs each month at the store. It only takes about 15 minutes to mix together and lasts 1-2 months. See below for recipe!
• Liquid Laundry Soap: Branch Basics also offers laundry soap along with their household cleansers. I’ve used this several times now and have been very pleased.
• Laundry Soap Strips: An alternative product that Carlay uses in her RV is called Tru Earth Eco-strips Laundry Detergent (Fragrance-Free). All you have to do is place one concentrated laundry soap strip into the washer. Boom, done. There is no measuring, no mess, it dissolves quickly in hot or cold water, and the strips come in compostable packaging. This product is environmentally friendly, toxin-free, perfect for those with sensitive skin, and great for small storage spaces! You can learn more and purchase their products at Tru Earth. Their certifications include paraben-free, phosphate-free, free of added dyes, free of chlorine bleach, free of 1,4-dioxane, readily biodegradable in accordance with OECD 310D, hypoallergenic, and vegan.

DIY Laundry Soap Recipe:

• Laundry Soap — 2-gallon bucket, 1 cup of washing soda, 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of borax (optional), 1/4 cup of table salt, 1/2 bar of shredded castile soap

While we’re on the topic, I wanted to share the only other two products I use in the laundry room.

• Dryer Balls: These are the best alternative for fabric softeners and dryer sheets! Reusable wool dryer balls help with static control, softening fabrics, lint collection, and cutting your drying time up to 25%. They also can be reused at least 1,000 times so they will save you big money!! There are a few options to consider: felted wool or felted wool wrapped around a fiber core. I use 100% wool dryer balls from Tru Earth. They are a pure, natural alternative to conventional flammable, chemical-drenched dryer sheets, as well as liquid softener. Another safe option to soften your fabrics is by adding 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to your wash! Get rid of dryer sheets and choose the more sustainable way!!
• Stain Remover: I have three go-to products for stain remover. If it is a mild stain I just add a few drops of Dr. Bronners Castile Liquid Soap on the stain, add a little water, and carefully scrub the area with my fingers. If I am dealing with a stronger stain I have found Molly’s Suds Stain Remover to work extremely well! Lastly, the Branch Basics Laundry Kit includes an “Oxygen Boost” stain remover that also works wonders!

3. HYGIENE

Hygiene supplies are very important because you are directly applying these products to your body. Below is a list of items you can browse through quickly. Ask yourself and use the EWG app or website to determine if the products you use are safe. If not, consider the go-to brands I listed.

• Toothpaste: Try naturally whitening and minty fresh solid toothpaste bits from Bite. Not only are Bite products safe for your health, but they hold high standards in sustainability by being a plastic-free company.
• Shampoo and Conditioner: J. R. Liggett’s shampoo bars include natural and highly effective ingredients for clean, healthy hair. I use their shampoo bar religiously when we travel and most of the time at home. My hair requires conditioning but with their shampoo bar, I don’t need any additional product. My hair is left feeling light, soft, and silky. This company is very environmentally friendly with its paper packaging and reusable travel sleeves. Another shampoo bar 2 in 1 that I have used and highly recommend is from Bambo Earth. I have tried their Shampoo Bar High Performance and Conditioner Bar and they work phenomenally as well. Again, these bars help cut back on wasting plastic since they come in compostable paper wrap. La Tierra Segrada (The Sacred Earth) is a holistic hair care line that offers all-natural, hand-blended ingredients. They are a bit pricey but a little bit of their product goes a long way! They are an environmentally-friendly small business offering quality products. Lastly, feel free to try out Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soaps. You can read awesome tips from A Definitive Guide to Washing Your Hair With Dr. Bronner’s. I recommend using their soap if you have short hair that doesn’t tangle easily.
• Body Wash: Once again, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap All-One! is perfect for an all-natural body wash! You’ve probably noticed I’ve noted Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap numerous times now on this page. I use their liquid and bar soap in so many ways! They offer eight scents, including an unscented, and each of them includes only pure organic and Fair Trade ingredients. There are no synthetic preservatives, no detergents, or foaming agents!
• Hand Sanitizer: Try not to overuse hand sanitizer as a rule of thumb. It is important to not kill off the good microbes (beneficial bacteria) on your skin. If you need to use it though, choose alcohol-based, without triclosan, phthalates, and parabens. If you have kids around, it’s safest to choose a sanitizer without alcohol. Elyptol Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer Gel is my favorite. It offers a gentle formula that not only kills everyday bacteria and germs but also leaves hands smooth and moisturized. Elyptol will donate 10% of proceeds from every purchase of a 16oz Gel. Proceeds go to WildArk who are actively protecting habitat for Australia’s native wildlife.
• Wound cleaner: Sovereign Silver’s Silver First Aid Gel fights minor skin infections, calms skin inflammation, reduces topical pain, and promotes skin healing. Another quick cleaner you can mix together at home is a drop of tea-tree oil with a tablespoon of vinegar.
• Deodorant: The first thing you want to ensure in your deodorant is that there is NO aluminum in the ingredients list. Thankfully there are many brands out there now that create aluminum-free as well as free of other toxins. You can try Native, Toms, or Each & Every, Or, see below for my deodorant recipe.

DIY Deodorant Recipe:

• Deodorant — small glass jar, 6-8 tbsp coconut oil, 2 tbsp shea butter, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup arrowroot powder, 20 drops of essential oils (I mix lavender, patchouli, & cedarwood) *It helps if you melt the coconut oil and then mix all ingredients together. Also if you have a skin sensitivity to baking soda, just add more of the arrowroot powder instead.

4. SKINCARE & BEAUTY

Similar to the hygiene category above, clean skincare and beauty products also contribute to your health. We rub, brush, and dab so many products onto our skin- which soaks it all up. It’s so important to make sure these products are clean and safe.

I have had a history of acne and perioral dermatitis. For years I searched for any kind of product to give me relief from these issues. I started to frantically buy and use too many different kinds of products which ended up not helping, and in turn, made my skin worse and more chronic of an issue. Not only does your diet play a factor in your skin health, but your skin is also comprised of a barrier function and microbiome. When you are using too many products or products that strip away your natural oils, your skin’s barrier function and microbiome then becomes compromised and can lead to an array of skin problems. I finally came to the realization that less is better and to stick with one product line. I finally found Marie Veronique skincare and it saved my skin health. She is a chemist that developed her own skincare line due to a history of dealing with her own acne issues while growing up. Her line is a bit on the expensive side, but it lasts a while and a little does go a long way. My skin has completely transformed using her products and I no longer deal with dermatitis or major acne issues that I have dealt with in the past.

• Makeup: As I mentioned earlier, Credo Beauty is a great resource to browse through clean makeup brands and decide what your preference is. One of my favorite makeup brands is DIME Beauty. They are a company that contributes to the sustainable beauty movement and is bringing individuals of all skin types to a line of quality, vegan skincare products. Juice Beauty is another go-to of mine. They have developed a collection of high-performance makeup products made with certified organic ingredients and vibrant plant pigments instead of synthetic dyes.
• Makeup Remover: Simply use unrefined coconut oil or another pure plant-based oil like jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil. I use reusable makeup pads/ rounds from Last Object to wipe my makeup away and apply toner with.
• Lotion: Plant-based oils and shea butter are wonderful, pure options to use on your body! If you are new to using oils, start with just a little and use it every day for at least a few weeks. You might feel really oily but over time your body will get used to it and stop producing oils on its own. Also, after a few minutes, the oils should soak into your skin leaving your skin’s surface to be less oily and shiny. If you prefer a creamy traditional lotion, Everyone Nourishing Lotion creates a clean, plant-based lotion as well as several other body products.
• Sunscreen: If you can stick with the same skincare company, I highly recommend doing so! Since I use Marie Veronique’s skincare products, I use her Everyday Coverage Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30 for my face. Carlay uses and recommends Juice Beauty’s SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer. If you are planning to swim in the ocean- or any body of water- check out reef-safe face and body sunscreen from Raw Elements.
• Scar Remover: Simply rub pure Vitamine E oil on the scarred skin. Pure essential oils can help as well.

5. AIR FRESHENER

When we think of air pollution, most of us think of the outdoors. Pollution like vehicle exhaust and factory smoke. Indoor air pollution is just as important. A lot of the air freshener sprays, plug-ins, and even candles contain harmful ingredients such as phthalates, volatile organic compounds, benzene, unnatural fragrances, and formaldehyde. These ingredients have been linked to cancer, asthma, headaches, neurotoxicity, and more. The good news is that we have full control over our indoor air pollution and can make easy changes. See below for some non-toxic ways to freshen your living spaces!

• Essential Oils: Essential oils can be used in oil diffusers to be dispensed into the air to purify and smell nice. All you have to do is purchase a diffuser and follow the directions on how to properly add essential oil to it. There are several different kinds so it is important to follow the directions it comes with. Make sure the oils you choose are 100% pure essential oil. There should be nothing else listed in the ingredient list other than the single oil or blended plant-based oils. I purchase my oils and diffusers from Young Living. Another reputable brand is Doterra. There are plenty of therapeutic benefits you can enjoy from diffusing essential oils as well! *Be careful when diffusing oils if you have animals. Here are just a few pet-friendly oils: Lavender, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Frankincense, Myrrh, Valerian, Ginger, and Cedarwood.
• Candles: There are a few things to look for in candles to ensure they are non-toxic. First, look for 100% cotton wicks or wicks made of wood. You’ll also want to find clean burning wax such as soy or sustainably sourced Beeswax. Lastly, make sure the only fragrance is 100% pure essential oil. Many clean candles will highlight how they are “phthalate-free”, so look for that on the label. Some great candle companies are Crosby Elements and Hyggelight Candles.
• Plants: Many blogs and magazines claim that adding plants to your home will serve as a natural purification system. The process of photosynthesis allows plants to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Unfortunately, recent research has shown that you need to have about 100 house plants per 100 sq feet of your home to actually purify the air you breathe. Despite this research, it can’t hurt to have plants around us still!! Here are some plants that supposedly release more oxygen than other plants: Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, English Ivy, Bamboo Palm, Spider Plant, and even Mums! *If you have pets that might try eating your plants be sure to pick non-toxic ones like Spider Plant, Money Tree, Palms, Bamboo, and Boston Fern.

6. HOME GOODS & CLOTHING

Not many people think about the fabric in terms of health, but the chemicals in many fabrics can have major risks. The fashion industry poses huge problems with pollution due to toxic chemicals and dyes that they use in fabrics. Every day that factories produce synthetic clothing and each time we consumers wash synthetic clothing, plastic microfibers wash out of the fabrics and inevitably end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. A 2017 study even found these microfibers in 83 percent of tap water samples tested globally. On top of that, poorly created synthetic materials like polyester, rayon, and spandex contain and release toxic chemicals that are absorbed by your skin causing all sorts of skin and health issues. If you need to purchase these materials try to find a blend with a natural fiber as well.

I use the website and app called Good on You to find many of the companies that are choosing to implement clean, sustainable, and ethical practices. The type of materials used to make clothing is important to understand. I focus on purchasing materials made from natural fibers like organic/recycled cotton, merino wool, hemp, bamboo, linen, tencel, econyl, and qmonos. These natural fibers contain qualities like hypoallergenic, non-toxic, antibacterial, and durability! Clothing should last a long time, doesn’t need to be washed after every wear, and should never need to be dry-cleaned.

If a company is Certified B, then you can have confidence that it not only offers safer goods, but their process of creating and shipping is cleaner as well! Some benefits of purchasing from these companies are the use of recycled materials, natural fibers, compostable packaging, the decrease in water usage, and some even offer “pay it forward” programs by planting a tree and donating to charity with each sale. A few companies that Carlay and I personally love are found below. Find many more on the All Resources page!

7. FOOD AND DRINK

In reality, this category can be a blog post all on its own. Instead, I will just touch on the basics of clean eating and drinking. I’ve been talking mostly about ingredients that we come in contact with, but it is SO important to understand what ingredients we put directly into our bodies as well. Here are just a few things to consider.

• Whole, organic foods: As much as possible, choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. And they’re best when grown completely chemical free, especially the dirty dozen. Consider growing your own fruits and vegetables. When packaging food is a must, pick the brand with the shortest ingredient list, and an ingredient list you can pronounce!
• Hormone-Free Meat & Poultry: Try to purchase from local farmers who implement ethical practices, do not give added hormones, and that let their animals graze on fresh grass and are indeed free to roam around.
• Filtered Water: First, I recommend completing a water test kit to check if your water meets standards and is safe to use. Just a few common toxins found in water are copper, mercury, nitrates, and lead. Even the added chlorine can be too high and cause harmful byproducts when mixed with other organic compounds. You can be exposed to these toxins during your bath, shower, washing your hands, or by drinking and cooking with sink water. Filters can help remove these contaminants though! There are two simple ways to ensure the water you drinking is clear of toxins. You can install water filter(s) in your home or use reusable jugs and fill them up at your local grocery or water store. If your water source produces contaminated water you can consider adding filters directly to your faucets and showerheads. Or, you can add jumbo filters to your waterline as it enters the house. Carlay does this with her RV to ensure all of the water coming into the RV is filtered and safe for use. She purchased hers from the RV Water Filter Store (10% off link) . If a water test tells you that your water is relatively safe from harmful toxins then consider using a Berkey Water Filtration System which can be used to only filter the water you want to drink. I personally use one and absolutely love it! Aquasana is another great brand to check out. Purchasing cases or large jugs of plastic water bottles is extremely wasteful! This should be your last resort to clean drinking water. If you absolutely have to though, I recommend choosing spring water (not purified water- purified water removes all of the healthy nutrients).

8. EXERCISE

Last but not least, exercise! When you exercise and work up a sweat, your body releases any toxins it contains by helping detox your organs, lymph nodes, and digestive system. So exercise can be a really great way to release and cleanse your body of the chemicals we inevitably pick up. Here are a bunch of easy ways to get yourself moving!

• Walk: Walking seems so simple but it can be a powerful way to exercise if you do it consistently, walk fast enough to get your heart rate up and go for a minimum of 15 minutes. Try out a Fit Bit watch or a free phone app like Samsung Health or Apple Health to track your steps and distance.
• Run: You don’t need to be a long-distance runner, just get outside and go for a jog. Take breaks by walking every few minutes if you need to. Use a phone app like Nike Run Club to track your distance and pace! Make goals and improve each month!
• Hike: Are there any parks or hiking trails in your area? This is a great way to get some fresh air, relax within nature, but get some steps in too!
• Bike: Bike riding fun for all ages! Spend time with a friend, your sibling, or a grandchild! Bike riding is an exercise to work on balance and tons of muscles within your legs, glut, and core.
• Swim: Swimming is one of the best ways to exercise. It is very easy on your joints and can be a full-body exercise. You don’t necessarily have to freestyle or butterfly, just jump in a enjoy a calm breaststroke.
• Yoga, Pilates, & Barre: Find a studio near you or simply go on Youtube and follow along with a free video at home! If you’re a newbie, I recommend taking a few classes with a professional before trying it alone at home.

What Are Some Benefits of Being Chemical-Free?

There are endless reasons why you should live a chemical-free lifestyle. But here’s just a few:

• It can help to live a long and healthy life
• Build your immune system to fight off bacterial infections and viruses
• If you’re already sick, cutting down exposure to chemicals can allow your body to heal faster
• You’re helping the environment- we’re adding fewer toxins to our natural waters
• You’re supporting sustainably run companies- which also helps our planet for future generations

Here are some tips to consider when you’re picking out future products:

• 100% truly from a natural and safe source
• Short and readable list of ingredients
• Ingredients that are compostable or biodegradable. And understand that “Biodegradable in 3-5 days” holds more meaning than just “biodegradable”.
• Be aware: Advertisements and labels can be misleading. Claims like “natural”, “eco-friendly”, and “organic” aren’t regulated and could mean anything. Just because the term “natural” is placed on the label doesn’t mean it was derived from a natural source and is completely non-toxic. Look for certifications or verifications seal or printed on labels to know if a product is truly clean and green. Companies don’t legally have to disclose all of the ingredients on the label. But if they are verified by an organization like “USDA Organic“, then you can believe that the product is truly organic.

Helpful Tools: EWG & Credo

It is very difficult trying to learn and memorize 100’s of ingredients, but luckily, there are plenty of free resources out there that can help us quickly tell if a product is non-toxic or unsafe. First, The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization that is educating and empowering consumers to make more informed and safer decisions about products and companies. They analyze products, explain what every ingredient means, and then provide what grade the product falls onto their scale from A to F. They cover products ranging from beauty and hygiene to packaged food! Whenever I am looking to purchase a new product at the store I always open up my EWG app and scan the barcode from the product. It gives me a quick answer on how safe it is and if I should buy it or not. You can check out their website at EWG.org or download their free app called “EWG Healthy Living”.

The second resource I use often is Credo Beauty. Credo Beauty is a company that focuses on informing people about clean and safe beauty and hygiene products as well. They have a high standard when it comes to healthy products and only partner with companies that meet that standard. They also ensure the product is eco-friendly and cruelty-free. By shopping their wide variety of partnered brands, you can ensure you’re purchasing high-quality products.

What products and brands are in your house right now? Go check out these resources and see if your items rate out well! If not, I hope these 8 helpful tips allow you to transition to a cleaner lifestyle.