We know that living a non-toxic lifestyle can be challenging, and sticking with it means making changes for you and your family over time. It's not a quick fix. Here are a list of small changes you can make to get your non-toxic new year underway, if you haven't already.
1. Choose Non-toxic Makeup
Switching to a non-toxic makeup is not only better for your health, but it can clear up your skin. According to the Environmental Working Group, the average woman puts 168 chemicals on her body before walking out the door each morning...168!!! That's enough to make you look closely at your products. Instead of loading your skin with chemicals, opt for a natural, but full coverage makeup. Most mineral makeups are too sheer, so finding heavy coverage without the chemicals can be challenging. I started using CRUNCHI about a year ago, and couldn't imagine using anything else! The foundation, lipgloss, nightcream, etc. are all fabulous. They continue to add great products to their line. Their foundation can be mixed with primer for light coverage. Put it on by itself and it can be heavier coverage, without looking cakey or too made-up.
2. Skip a straw, save a sea turtle!
Instead of using plastic straws, opt for reusable straws from Sea Straws. Our world is full of plastic, and this plastic is getting into our oceans of harming our sea life. This in turn will harm us! Fish swallow millions of micro plastics which end up in their bodies and ultimately, in our food! For every purchase you make, they make a donation to conservation efforts in saving these beautiful and endangered animals. So...make a small change for a BIG impact, and get SIPPIN...worried about stainless steel straws if you have a little one? Purchase a set of silicone straws from Klean Kanteen.
3. Switch to Natural Scents
It’s that simple...instead of using synthetic fragrances from Bath & Body works, or Yankee Candle, or even your favorite Homegoods candle, opt for candles that are made from natural substances, and burn clean from a nontoxic wick. If you ever see a candle that contains harmful substances, don’t burn it, because you’re breathing those toxins into your lungs. Terralite candles are fair trade and nontoxic. While you’re at it, unplug those synthetic fragrance diffusers that attach to your outlet. So...make a small change for a BIG impact, and get LIT, breathing clean air for both you and your family
4. Choose Organic Bedding for you and your Family
If you want a BIG change, opt for an organic mattress, made without flame retardants ☝🏻 Did you know that sleep can actually be interrupted by the off-gassing of chemicals, which can stem from products such as mattresses or sheets? Mattresses that are created from synthetic materials and glues can release chemicals into the air, such as formaldehyde. Many mattresses contain polyurethane foam, a petroleum-based material that emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. These types of chemicals can disrupt sleep. Placing your child to sleep on an organic mattress and pad will keep your child’s little lungs breathing clean air.
5. Replace two key things in your household today- laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent
Why switch to a non-toxic dishwashing detergent? Cascade scores a “D”, Dawn scores a “D”, Babyganics, Palmolive, and Dapple score an “F” Why switch to a non-toxic laundry detergent? Tide, Dreft, Mrs. Meyer’s, and Oxi-clean score an “F”, All, and Up & Up score a “D”. Do you know what ingredients are in your products?
6. Opt for a Natural Toothpaste Speaking of harmful ingredients, toothpaste is no saint- it often contains fluoride (which you probably get enough of in your tap water already). Earthpaste, is an all natural toothpaste you can switch to- or Purehaven toothpaste is great for kids because it's fluoride free! Often found in conventional toothpastes, are ingredients such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Triclosan, and Diethanolamine, just to name a few. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or SLS, has been linked to the development of cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, as well as skin irritation and even endocrine disruption. This is reported by Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Mightynest (love their products, and also their monthly subscription) dubs Triclosan a thyroid disruptor. It is marketed as a synthetic ingredient that wards off bacteria, and inhibits its growth, which is something you want in toothpaste, right? Wrong! It can even alter hormone regulation. Diethanolamine is an ingredient that scores a whopping 10 on the EWG database as high hazard. It can cause irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), and organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). Yuck! Those three ingredients are enough to make me want to switch to a cleaner, healthier option.
These are simple changes you can make to get the ball rolling on your non-toxic family journey!