Clean Your Home ... Naturally

Cold Weather ... Holidays ... Spending More Time Inside ...

As the year draws to a close, many of us will spend more time inside either due to unpleasant weather, fewer hours of daylight, or entertaining family and friends. If you are planning on entertaining over the holidays, you are probably starting to decorate and clean the house.Have you stopped to consider whether the products you use to clean your home are actually harmful?

Take Stock of Your Cleaning Products

M products used in our homes contain ingredients that can potentially harm our health, our pet’s health, and the environment. Take a look around your house and read labels. Do you notice many of the products you use are chemical- laden? Take inventory of your detergents, household cleaners, hand sanitizers, air fresheners, perfumes, body lotions, hair products, deodorants, soaps, and cosmetics.

Transform Your Home ... Economically

Years ago I transformed my home by replacing my cleaning products with environmentally friendly options. I no longer cough when I spray a mirror to clean it! The transformation can be costly if you have a large stack of products that have just been opened. Instead of being wasteful, use this time to research alternative products to replace yours with when you finish them. Research clean product choices at ewg.org/guides/cleaners and ewg.org/skindeep, and download an app such as Detox Me at silentspring.org/detoxme to walk you through the process and track your progress.

I have found products that I love that are mailed to me…I HATE the chemical smell of the cleanser aisle in stores!

Disclaimer: “This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Slow Down Skin Aging

Loss of elasticity is a natural part of the aging process because the body is less effective at producing collagen and elastin,  two of skin's main structural proteins.

How do you reverse the loss of skin elasticity that comes with aging? 

Collagen Supplements

Collagen has been clinically proven to keep skin taught and moisturized.I add collagen to yogurt each morning to help my skin and joints.

 

 

Mineral Sunscreens

A daily use of mineral sunscreens packed with plant-based antioxidants can help prevent further signs of free radical damage like sagging and sun spots.According to Good Housekeeping Magazine, there are 11 natural and mineral based sunscreens to consider using for your family. Many work well for sensitive skin and some are approved by the EWG. The 2019 EWG Guide to Sunscreens is another place to research before you purchase.

 

Restore Circulation and Oxygen 

Exercise can help restore circulation and oxygen to the skin. Yoga is a great way to start. When your blood is effortlessly flowing, your skin glows. Simple poses that increase circulation include: legs up the wall, down dog, camel, triangle, and full wheel.






Disclaimer: “This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”
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Childhood Adversity Negatively Impacts the Body

Childhood Adversity Can Lead to Physical and Emotional Distress in Adulthood 

I am a big believer in the connection between a healthy body and a healthy lifestyle. Recently I read A Columbia University study that found adversity early in life is associated with increased gastrointestinal symptoms that may affect children’s brains and behavior as they mature.

According to the Columbia University researchers, there is an indication that adversity-associated changes in the gut microbiome are related to brain function, including differences in the regions of the brain associated with emotional processing.

The study finds that childhood trauma, as early as two weeks of age, can have a measurable negative effect on gastrointestinal development, brain development, and emotional health.

Adults can work to foster a healthy child by keeping this study in mind if they have a role in child rearing. Creating a loving environment is important for an infant to thrive into adulthood. The study has found that it is possible to manipulate the gut microbiome and ameliorate the effects of adversity on the central nervous system, especially during the first years of life when the developing brain and microbiome are more plastic through the use of probiotics and dietary interventions. 

Foods Can Help the Gut Heal

The study does not address what nutritional steps can be taken to try to ameliorate the effects once someone has grown. Perhaps it is possible to use foods to help the body heal past trauma. According to an article on healthline.com, some of the best foods for digestion include:

• Yogurt
• Apples
• Fennel
• Kefir
• Chia seeds
• Kombucha
• Papaya
• Whole grains
• Tempeh
• Beets
• Miso
• Ginger
• Kimchi
• Dark green vegetables
• Natto
• Sauerkraut
• Salmon
• Bone broth
• Peppermint

If someone has GI troubles that stem from past trauma, including these foods in their diet may make a difference and work to heal the body from within.

Foods Can Reduce Anxiety

Foods have also been found to play a role in a person’s mental and emotional health. Healthline.com also lists foods that reduce anxiety. The list includes:

• Salmon
• Chamomile
• Turmeric
• Dark Chocolate
• Yogurt
• Green Tea

The tie that binds both lists is salmon. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids that are known to reduce inflammation and promote the brain’s ability to adapt to changes. Salmon also contains vitamin D that improves levels of calming neurotransmitters.

   Article: Early life adversity has negative effects on the gut and brain by Columbia University

   Disclaimer: “This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Reduce Plastic Use With Simple Swaps

I read an article, 10 Ways to Say No to Plastic, by Melaina Juntti and learned that humans have generated over 8 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. The biodegradable plastic is still sitting in landfills, as the decomposition process takes QUITE A LONG TIME. Plastic refuse is everywhere; on the side of the street, in the ocean, in the forest, and in proper recycling/trash bins. 

Make a choice to reduce your plastic use

We can each make a decision to reduce our own plastic consumption. Some choices can be made on a regular basis like using reusable bags in the store for produce as well as your total purchase. 

Choices that can be made that might not be as frequent, but each one makes a difference include:

1.    Purchase wines with real corks

2.    If the store asks you if you wish to take home the plastic hanger, JUST SAY NO!

3.    Avoid using straws in restaurants

4.    Purchase ice cream in a cone, not a cup

5.    Ask your dry cleaner if you can leave your own garment bag for your clothes to be put in once cleaned.

6.    Ask a flight attendant to refill the BPA free bottle you brought on the flight. 

“Portions of this post were provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Eliminate Food Waste ... Recipes and Household Uses for Citrus Peels

Wasting food is a concern of mine. I try to purchase only what I need so I do not waste my money or precious food.  I read the article “12 Ways to use Food Waste” by Amy Palanjian and she suggests using a citrus peel to flavor water. This fascinated me as I have noticed wedges of citrus in water, not just the peel.

This prompted me to start to look for other uses for citrus peels. Citrus peels can be used in a variety of ways.

• The peel can be grated and stored in jars for use in recipes.
• A citrus peel can be added to a 50/50 mix of vinegar/water and soaked for a week. The result is a scented household cleaner.
• Citrus peels can also be boiled in water. The natural oils in the peel will permeate the water and the room acting as a natural air freshener.
• A citrus peel in the refrigerator will help remove odors much like a box of baking soda does.
• Orange peel is known to remove scuffs from the rubber soles of athletic shoes.

“This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Think Twice Before Using Plastic

Think Twice Before Using Plastic 

I read an article, 10 Ways to Say No to Plastic, by Melaina Juntti and learned that humans have generated over 8 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. The biodegradable plastic is still sitting in landfills, as the decomposition process takes QUITE A LONG TIME. Plastic refuse is everywhere; on the side of the street, in the ocean, in the forest, and in proper recycling/trash bins. 

We Can Make A Difference

We can each make a decision to reduce our own plastic consumption. Some choices can be made on a regular basis like using reusable bags in the store for produce as well as your total purchase. 

Six Choices that can be made that might not be as frequent, but each one makes a difference include:

1.    Purchase wines with real corks

2.    If the store asks you if you wish to take home the plastic hanger, JUST SAY NO!

3.    Avoid using straws in restaurants

4.    Purchase ice cream in a cone, not a cup

5.    Ask your dry cleaner if you can leave your own garment bag for your clothes to be put in once cleaned.

6.    Ask a flight attendant to refill the BPA free bottle you brought on the flight. 

 “This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Four Steps to Take to Reduce Plastic Use

Four Steps to Take to Reduce Plastic Use

I read an article, 10 Ways to Say No to Plastic, by Melaina Juntti and learned that humans have generated over 8 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. The biodegradable plastic is still sitting in landfills, as the decomposition process takes QUITE A LONG TIME. Plastic refuse is everywhere; on the side of the street, in the ocean, in the forest, and in proper recycling/trash bins. 

Recently I have been informed that there is trouble with plastic recycling since China passed the National Sword policy banning plastic waste from being imported (to protect their environment) beginning January 2018. According to an NPR story from January 2018, The US, Japan, and Germany are all at the top of the list when it comes to exporting their used plastic. In the US alone, over 26 million tons were sent out of the country between 1988 and 2016. The waste that had been traveling o China is piling up in communities. Something needs to be done. 

I continue to search for more ways to create less waste. I belong to a Facebook group, Journey to Zero Waste, which gives me ideas on ways I can create less of a footprint on the Earth and leave it a better place than I found it. This article pointed out ways we can all contribute to the environment through a reduction in our use of plastics.

Suggestions for the home include:

1. Remove yourself from mailing lists. The plastic windows in envelopes make the envelopes not able to be recycled.
2. Use bar soap rather than liquid soap (in a plastic container)
3. Skip balloons at parties and opt for recyclable decorations
4. Skipping plastic produce plastic bags and bringing your own reusable bags instead

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“This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”
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