PFAS, otherwise known as the “forever chemical”, has been found in the blood of newborn babies and even animals at this point. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent used in traditional toothpaste and also caused hair loss and emaciation in the rabbits it was tested on. One of the first things an oncologist will tell their newly diagnosed breast cancer patient? To ditch their deodorant due to the aluminum. And I’m over here wondering why in the world are we not having this conversation earlier?! It’s a health crisis that no one is talking about. However, I am a firm believer in the empowerment that comes from knowledge and the power within baby steps taken. This is why I wanted to share five ways to start reducing your toxin load now. Let’s dive into today’s edition of Wellness Wednesday!

I get it. It can seem like a daunting idea and an overwhelming task to figure out where to start. And hello, there are bad ingredients in everything it seems like! I’ve been there and have had those same thoughts when I started out. The fact of the matter is our downfall has and will always be convenience. Look at all that has been sacrificed in the name of it over the past several decades. This is a deeper topic for another time, but when you really look you can see it. With the increase of fast food, fewer dinners at the family table, a pill for every ill – convenience has increased while health has decreased.

And when it comes to products, the biggest lie we have been sold is that the ones sitting on the store shelves and in our grocery stores are good for us. With more and more chemicals and compounds being used in products – whether it be for increased production to keep up with the masses or to keep food better longer – the real truth is we don’t know the long-term effects of these chemicals. Which, by default, makes us the test subjects.

It’s time to get honest about the massive implications it has all caused. It’s time to get back to basics.

So, here are 5 ways to start reducing your toxin load

Number one: Move your body and sweat every single day

Sweating is your body’s way of eliminating toxins and heavy metals. It has been shown that sweating helps eliminate things like phthalates, BPA, and heavy metals such as lead and mercury. These are things that are abundant in our environment and that we are exposed to all the time. We have exposure through water, food, industrial emissions, the products we use, electronics, cookware, etc.

Ensuring that your body has the opportunity to sweat is a wonderful way to reduce toxins.

Number two: Cook dinner

Well, cook every meal at home that you can! We have lost our sense of what real and honest food even is. What actual nutrition is! It’s not about the fad diets. It’s about connecting with where your food comes from. Begin simply by eating out less. Then from there start reducing the processed foods you by. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel.

Number three: Toss your non-stick cookware

This is a really important one especially because this is where PFAS comes in and the “forever chemicals”. I have talked about this previously and why our family switched to cast iron. You can take a deep dive into that right here. (A story I share in that post was quite shocking and extremely eye-opening. I tossed my non-stick pans in the same week).

Number four: Say no to anything with the ‘F’ word

That ‘F’ word meaning: FRAGRANCE. Did you know that synthetic scents or “fragrance” are actually a combined mixture of ingredients that include known carcinogens, respiratory irritants, allergens, endocrine disruptors, and neurotoxic chemicals? Incredibly unhealthy stuff, but to put it simply – there are at least 3,000 different ingredients that could be used to make up a product’s scent. And these are not just exclusive to perfumes and candles. We are talking about all products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient on the label. This includes laundry detergents, soaps, lotions, household cleaners, hair care products, air fresheners, and more.

Everyone in our home knows that if a product contains the F word, we don’t touch it.

And yes, mama. Teach those cubs young to read labels and know what they are consuming! It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Number five: Get intentional with the products you buy

Grabbing a product from the store shelf that tells you how “clean and green” it is right on the packaging seems so incredibly easy. But what are you really inviting to your home? What are all of those ingredients listed on the back of the bottle? There was a time when I paid zero attention to this. As a busy mom of five, I liked the convenience of getting what I needed from my local big box store. And I was happy with the blue liquid that cleaned my windows and whose logo I recognized. Same with my bathroom cleaner! These are products that felt comfortable. I had used them for years.

But once I started to look at the back of those bottles? Everything changed. What once felt like convenience now felt like deception. And it has been baby steps ever since. We are the gatekeepers of our homes. Get intentional with what you are buying and inviting into yours. There are companies out there doing it right and doing it honestly. And the peace of mind that comes from that type of intentionality is worth it all.

For my family and I, we have discovered a handful of companies that we love and support. Not only do their products work but they are made with intention. And the clean and healthy ingredients mean everything to us. 

Be sure and click here to learn about the app we use regularly when shopping that helps us know if what we are buying is safe.

I hope these five ways to start reducing your toxin load are helpful!

What are some of your favorite clean products that you have discovered? Or what are some of the baby steps you have tackled in reducing your toxin load?