Reducing Your Body’s Toxic Burden
Kimber and I are all about eating nourishing food that helps our bodies thrive. But the last few years the realization and knowledge that what we put ON our bodies and our environment is just as important as what we put IN our bodies. (as well as our mental, emotional state, but that’s for another post…) We 1000% understand it can be overwhelming to switch from toxic, chemical laden products that are considered “normal” by mass advertising, to non toxic products. But these mainstream brands of household and body care products are increasingly being found to have negative health effects on the nervous and immune systems, and on our reproductive, endocrine, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.
According to the EWG (Environmental Working Group) In the US personal care products alone are manufactured with 10,500 unique chemical ingredients, some of which are known or suspected carcinogens, toxic to the reproductive system or known to disrupt the endocrine system. Cosmetic ingredients do not remain on the surface of the skin. They are designed to penetrate, and they do. Scientists have found many common cosmetic ingredients in human tissues, including phthalates in urine, preservatives called parabens in breast tumor tissue and persistent fragrance components in human fat.
Let’s Start with Products
The good news is there are more and more companies making incredible, effective and totally non toxic products. Remember, even small changes help. Think of your body as a funnel. It can filter (funnel) toxins but when you keep adding to the load, it will overflow into your tissues. Every chemical you take out is one less your body has to spend the energy clearing out.
I am a product junkie and am always experimenting with non toxic products. Listed below are my current favorites I’m loving. Mind you, there are many more brands doing the right thing and choosing safe ingredients. If you aren’t sure of their non toxic claims, check on EWG.
I get Coco Kind, Dr Bronner’s and Evan Healy products locally at Clover’s or Natural Grocers. O Way is carried locally by Marla’s Organic Salon. True Botanicals, Osea, Hollys Keeping it Real and Branch Basics need to be ordered online and essential oils from DoTerra can be ordered from Kimber and Young Living, Crunchi and Beauty Counter I order through local reps! Easy peasy.
If you want less expensive, yet really effective products, Kimber and I both make several things at home. For instance, I have color treated hair and use 100% jojoba oil as a mask overnight is so nourishing for hair and makes it really soft. There is no need to spend money on hair mask. I also use this jojoba oil, mixed with an essential oil as my body moisturizer. Simple, clean and effective!
Why in the world do I have a armpit detox recipe? Because transitioning from conventional deodorant isn’t the most pleasant experience but I promise once your body becomes acclimated your b.o. will disappear. This “detox” just helps speed up the process. And I promise it’s worth taking aluminum, phthalates, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, parabens found in traditional deodorants off of your body and more specifically off of your lymph nodes.
Treating/Preventing Sickness
Let us please reiterate we are not doctors and to please consult with your own physician. These are just alternative options that we personally use and want to share for those who don’t want to put use potentially harmful medications when they aren’t needed. Please note that we are in no way against conventional medicine. We have all needed it and are beyond grateful for the brilliant minds who practice and save lives when an emergency arises. Now back to our hippie, witchcraft.
From October to March-ish my husband, son and I take Elderberry Syrup daily. We make Elderberry Syrup from locals elderberries at Nourish. Elderberry Mama also makes an incredible product that we are fans of and she’s local.
If you do feel yourself becoming sick, this is what we do. With a healthy body you will be amazed how fast your cold will come and go.
Cold
Elderberry every 3-4 hours (1-2 tablespoons) - also during the flu
Silver - we both love Silvercillin by Design for Health
On Onguard or Thieves on the back of your neck and bottom of feet
Oil of Oregano
Manuka or raw honey
High doses of vitamin c - I do Camu Camu powder
Drink a TON of water and sleep as much as possible
Stomach Bug
Activated charcoal
Wish Gardens- Calm-o-Tummy
Digestzen
Anise, caraway, fennel, ginger, lemon and tarragon essential oils
Stress/Anxiety/Insomnia
CBD - I love Papa and Barkley’s and Kiskanu which you can get locally with Hempsley
Passionflower
L- Theanine
Ashwagandha
Magnesium
Breathing techniques (breathing with an exhale longer than an inhale allows the body to regulate itself and achieve a state of relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system)
EFT
Meditation/yoga
Lavender, vetiver, ylang ylang, bergamot, frankincense essential oils
Headaches
Magnesium
Peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oil
Of course hydration
Chiropractic care or acupuncture
Minimize Your Overall Toxic Burden
Remember even changing one thing helps lower the toxic burden for you and your family. Think of it as one less chemical your body has to process so it can focus on something else. You can slowly make the switch as you run out of something. Never think of it as all or nothing!
Use non toxic products (check EWG website/app, trusted brands mentioned above or make your own)
Sweat (especially infrared saunas and do regular detox baths)
Eat organic whenever possible to avoid chemicals/pesticides
Eat nourishing foods so your body can better deal with chemicals (incorporate cilantro, beets, sea veggies, chlorella, high fiber veggies and water)
Get outside and put plants in your home
Make the switch from plastic to glass (food storage containers, water bottles)
Non toxic cookware (GreenPan and natural metal containers)
Steer clear from "fragrance" (perfumes, tampsons, trashbags, febreeze)
Mattresses and anything that "off gases" (Avocado and Tuft and Needle)
Filter your water (drinking and bath) - if you don't have a home system add 1 tsp of vitamin c powder to bath
Consider the alcohol you are drinking (make the switch to natural wines)
Beware of chemicals sprayed on your lawn
with gratitude,
Kalle + Kimber
