1. My favorite- CHOCOLATE! Start eating 1 oz. Of organic dark chocolate that contains at least 77% cacao every day. The high percentage of polyphenols in chocolate helps to protect your body from free radicals and also reduces your risk for heart disease and cancer. I’ve been eating Dagoba “New Moon” dark chocolate lately, that is 74, or 77% cacao, I believe. What do you eat?
2. Trade in your plastic water bottles for a permanent solution- Sigg.com makes unbreakable water bottles that are safer to drink from and more eco-friendly than plastic- which even though recycleable, still stresses resources. Also, the chemicals in plastic water bottles leach out into the water inside of them- especially when exposed to heat (such as being shipped, or left in your car).
3. Avoid fumes. Also known as off-gassing, that plastic-y smell from new carpeting, fresh paint, new shower curtains, plastic flooring and other “smelly” things is actually the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Opt for wood or tile floors, air out shower curtains and plastic items outdoors until they no longer are off-gassing. Choose new indoor paints that are VOC-free.
4. Get some greens indoors. Not a natural-born gardener? That’s alright… there’s lots of houseplants you can grow in your home that are very low maintenance. Houseplants make your indoor air cleaner, as plants synthesize carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
5. Play with clay. Use a clay masque on your face to draw out toxins and impurities. Contrary to popular belief, all skintypes can benefit from clay masques. White clay is best for dry or delicate skin, Green clay is best for oily skin, and Red or Rose clay is best for Normal or combination skin.
6. Stop dry cleaning. Did you know that the solvent used in dry cleaning is toxic? Invest in a steamer. I got mine on Ebay for $79, and I haven’t used the dry cleaner for anything but the most fancy, delicate or ornate clothes. The steamer does a fantastic job, solvent-free. Also investigate other alternates to dry cleaning, such as Dryel…. At home “dry cleaning”. It’s not all natural, and it’s not as effective as dry cleaning or steaming, but it works wonders for giving new life to items that you’d regularly dry clean, and spot treating soiled problem areas.
7. Read labels. It’s impossible and often unreasonable to go “totally natural” with all of your beauty and home and cleaning products, but you can become label savvy and try to make positive changes with these products when possible. I use “green” cleaning products and eco-friendly soaps and laundry/dish detergents. I also try to use natural bodycare and skincare products, but I do believe that it’s everything in moderation. Make changes where you can… even that will make a difference!
8. Eat organic. Eat organic produce whenever possible. Not only does it taste better, but it isn’t laden with pesticides and enhancers such as waxes. Our family has also switched to hormone-free milk, cheese and poultry, and I try to avoid milk altogether, instead drinking soy milk.
9. Give allergens the chill. Once a year, leave pillows and duvets and comforters in freezing temperatures, such as your garage, car trunk, outdoors on a tarp. If like me, you live in an area where it rarely or never goes below freezing, then use dust-mite and allergen impenetrable covers on pillows and comforters, and wash them regularly. I also suggest replacing pillows every 4-6 months. Let’s face it, they get kind of icky, you know?
10. Shoes off! Stop wearing your shoes in the house. Do you know how much dust, dirt, pollen and other gunk you bring into your home on the bottom of your shoes? Approximately 80% of all indoor dirt is brought into your home from your shoes. Put a good doormat outside your door and use it to brush your shoes off before entering your home. Then kick your shoes off. Invest in cozy knit socks or cute slippers. If you’re a shoe freak and must wear shoes indoors, then have a pair of house-only shoes. (I need to seriously work on #10 with my family!)
2. Trade in your plastic water bottles for a permanent solution- Sigg.com makes unbreakable water bottles that are safer to drink from and more eco-friendly than plastic- which even though recycleable, still stresses resources. Also, the chemicals in plastic water bottles leach out into the water inside of them- especially when exposed to heat (such as being shipped, or left in your car).
3. Avoid fumes. Also known as off-gassing, that plastic-y smell from new carpeting, fresh paint, new shower curtains, plastic flooring and other “smelly” things is actually the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Opt for wood or tile floors, air out shower curtains and plastic items outdoors until they no longer are off-gassing. Choose new indoor paints that are VOC-free.
4. Get some greens indoors. Not a natural-born gardener? That’s alright… there’s lots of houseplants you can grow in your home that are very low maintenance. Houseplants make your indoor air cleaner, as plants synthesize carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
5. Play with clay. Use a clay masque on your face to draw out toxins and impurities. Contrary to popular belief, all skintypes can benefit from clay masques. White clay is best for dry or delicate skin, Green clay is best for oily skin, and Red or Rose clay is best for Normal or combination skin.
6. Stop dry cleaning. Did you know that the solvent used in dry cleaning is toxic? Invest in a steamer. I got mine on Ebay for $79, and I haven’t used the dry cleaner for anything but the most fancy, delicate or ornate clothes. The steamer does a fantastic job, solvent-free. Also investigate other alternates to dry cleaning, such as Dryel…. At home “dry cleaning”. It’s not all natural, and it’s not as effective as dry cleaning or steaming, but it works wonders for giving new life to items that you’d regularly dry clean, and spot treating soiled problem areas.
7. Read labels. It’s impossible and often unreasonable to go “totally natural” with all of your beauty and home and cleaning products, but you can become label savvy and try to make positive changes with these products when possible. I use “green” cleaning products and eco-friendly soaps and laundry/dish detergents. I also try to use natural bodycare and skincare products, but I do believe that it’s everything in moderation. Make changes where you can… even that will make a difference!
8. Eat organic. Eat organic produce whenever possible. Not only does it taste better, but it isn’t laden with pesticides and enhancers such as waxes. Our family has also switched to hormone-free milk, cheese and poultry, and I try to avoid milk altogether, instead drinking soy milk.
9. Give allergens the chill. Once a year, leave pillows and duvets and comforters in freezing temperatures, such as your garage, car trunk, outdoors on a tarp. If like me, you live in an area where it rarely or never goes below freezing, then use dust-mite and allergen impenetrable covers on pillows and comforters, and wash them regularly. I also suggest replacing pillows every 4-6 months. Let’s face it, they get kind of icky, you know?
10. Shoes off! Stop wearing your shoes in the house. Do you know how much dust, dirt, pollen and other gunk you bring into your home on the bottom of your shoes? Approximately 80% of all indoor dirt is brought into your home from your shoes. Put a good doormat outside your door and use it to brush your shoes off before entering your home. Then kick your shoes off. Invest in cozy knit socks or cute slippers. If you’re a shoe freak and must wear shoes indoors, then have a pair of house-only shoes. (I need to seriously work on #10 with my family!)
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