I’m always interested in learning more about health, nutrition and ways to live a healthier lifestyle.  Which for me means learning about ways to reduce toxins in our home.  We live in a world full of toxins, as grim as that sounds, it’s a true statement. Our bodies naturally know how to detoxify through the liver and other the organs that have that important job, but sometimes the overload of toxins can have adverse affects.  I’m realistic about the fact that we will always have exposure to toxins, it’s just the world we live in.  But I would like to have an active role in reducing that exposure when possible.  I am constantly learning from other people, but then I teeter on the line of what to do with that information.  I like to think I’m just like anyone else, who wants to do the best they can but I don’t always have the resources to do everything without majorly breaking the bank.  And sometimes I will ask myself, is that really something I should consider changing?  I think that’s just a personal decision, you can take information and then decide if its something you want to implement.  And for us, sometimes it’s a process, I’ll add things to our routine a little at a time.  So with that said, here are some simple things you can do in your home that are cheap and effective ways to help reduce your toxin exposure.

1) Make natural fragrance to fill your home

Most people have heard of using a diffuser to fill your house with fragrance and I absolutely agree with that. We use one in my home as well.  But this is an alternative way that works really quickly, it’s very effective in the strength of the aroma and it is cheap to do! Recently, one of my new friends I’ve met through the GAPS protocol shared this idea on how to fill your home with a natural aroma. I thought this is genius! I can’t believe I had never thought to do this.  Again.. point from above, I’m always learning from other people! It truly is so simple and your house will smell amazing! So here are the deets:

1. In a pot, just add cinnamon sticks, cloves (whole or powdered), cranberries, oranges or other fresh fruits like apples.  Possibilities are endless.
2. Fill with water to cover.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat.
4. Continue filling with water as it burns down.

This picture is what the mix initially looks like, but it will start to turn brown and bubbly as it cooks.  Keep adding water every little bit to keep the aroma brewing.  This is something you will want to do when actively in your home! And keep your eye on it periodically.   Do not put this on the stove and then leave your house!  If so, you will put your home at risk for a fire! 

You can also put this in a crock pot, almost like how potpourri used to cook in a small crockpot.

2) Make your own everyday kitchen cleaner

I read a study that showed the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide in killing germs.  I wasn’t convinced on how well it would clean, so I put it to the test.  I took a spray bottle, filled it with 32 oz peroxide, 1/4 cup Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap and 10 drops of lemon oil. I started using it on my kitchen counter ever time I cooked or the kids ate at the bar.  Not only did it get up the greasy messes, it left my counter squeaky clean! And by using lavender flavored soap and lemon essential oil,  it leaves a really refreshing smell behind!  You can use any type of scents or oils to flavor your cleaner.  Another thing I noticed was how it started foaming in an area behind my sink where the counter and backsplash meet.  It opened my eyes to some bacteria that had been there even though I clean very well on a daily basis.  So I thought that was interesting to be able to see some areas that I needed to clean a little better!

3) Make your own balm/lotion 

With the winter season coming up, it’s nice to have a thick lotion to rub on your skin.  We use this on my son who has dry skin, but it is also very effective for eczema. Use this on lips, dry cracked skin, baby bottoms, and eczema. This recipe is a classic recipe that my GAPS Practitioner recommends for her patients with eczema.   The tallow helps add back fatty acids in the skin while the essential oils are soothing.

Tallow Balm:

• 1 1/4 cup tallow
• 2 tbs olive oil
• essential oils of choice (we use lavender)