Produce Spotlight: Garlic
Exposure to toxins in our environment can cause or contribute to a wide range of health problems. From the chlorine & fluoride in our tap water to the herbicide, fungicide & pesticide residues on the food we bring home with us from the grocery store, everything from the common cold to cancer could be attributed to the buildup in our bodies of the variety of toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis. The more toxins your immune system has to deal with, the less attention it can give to other stuff going on in the body.
The reality of it is that there isn’t a magic pill to take or a particular diet to follow to reduce the toxic load on our bodies. There are many simple things that can be done to reduce the amount of junk your body has to withstand.
Personal Products
- Wash hands frequently
- Wear clothing to cover up rather than slathering on sunscreen
- Consider alternatives to toxic menstrual products
- Try essential oils rather than perfumes
- Reduce the amount of prescriptions you’re body is needing to process if possible
- Think about whether you need to be using as many products on your body when you get ready in the bathroom (the daily average for a woman is 12 products, with 168 ingredients!)
- The skin is your largest organ & is permeable to all chemicals. Think about that.
- Check out how your makeup, shampoo, hair products, lotions & more stack up
Eating Clean
- If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it
- Don’t buy products from the grocery store, buy ingredients
- Choose organic whenever possible
- Soak non-organic produce in the sink with 1 tbsp lemon juice & 2 tbsp white vinegar to help neutralize pesticides
- Get the (free!) dirty dozen app for your smart phone to consult when price comparing organic vs non organic at the grocery store
- Pesticides are stored in the fat of the food that we eat. Foods with high fat levels (nuts, eggs, dairy etc.) are best bought organic
- Buy meat from farmers who do not use antibiotics or other chemicals in their farming practices (visit the farmers market & talk to your farmer about how they raise animals!)
- Avoid canned goods lined in BPA (cans that are white on the inside)
- Avoid items packaged in plastic (I like to bring my own containers to the deli or fish place!)
- Use a water filter
- Limit alcohol consumption & don’t smoke
Cleaning Products
- Dump baking soda down the drain followed by white vinegar (hold the drain closed) followed immediately by a kettle of boiling water to unclog junky sinks
- Scrub that tub or toilet bowl with baking soda
- Sprinkle baking soda on the carpets, then vacuum up
- Grind a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal
- Choose laundry & dish soaps that are biodegradable, and are without phosphates or petroleum based ingredients
- Choose unscented laundry detergent
- Skip the dryer sheets & use 1/2 cup white vinegar in the wash instead
- Change furnace filter regularly
- Clean frequently so that harsh chemicals aren’t necessary
- Find out how your favorite household cleaners scored here
- Here are a few alternatives
Household Maintenance
- Don’t use chemicals on your lawn or to clear icy sidewalks
- Be conscious of what goes into the fireplace, fire pit & bbq
- Keep chimneys clean
- Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home
- Build some muscle instead of using fuel powered snowblowers, lawnmowers etc
- Choose zero VOC paint, and be cautions with old paint that may contain lead
- Avoid paraffin candles & other artificially scented products
- Install a filter on your shower head, or where the water supply comes into your home
- New homes off-gas for about 7 years- This means new car smell too! Be aware.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” -Ben Franklin
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