Spring Cleaning - Reduce Your Toxic Load
"Remember, your body is like a 'bucket'. Each toxic ingredient... each product... each day... adds up. Don't let it be the cause of disease, sickness or death for you."
~ Terri Breaux Manoogian's
We are living in an environmentally toxic world. Chemical manufacturing produces thousands of chemicals. Industries release harmful metals like mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic into the water and earth. Burning wastes release toxic gases such as dioxins into our air. Mining, smelting, fossil fuels, coal, wood burning, pesticide, herbicides, fertilizer, plastic wastes all leach into our environment. Even with BC’s comprehensive industry laws and regulations governing the disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes we are still left with historical contamination stemming from a multitude of industrial activities. Landfill sites, incineration emissions, and modern waste streams still contain “forever chemicals” that do not break down. Environmental groups are always calling for cleaner technologies highlighting concerns about the impact of toxic waste on our health.
In our homes we have chemicals in our furniture, electronics, household cleaners, cosmetics, fragrances and non-stick cookware. Even natural toxins like mold, radon, and sulphuric gases that nature produces, can enter our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption; their impact is often linked to chronic, low-level exposure.
Reducing our toxic load involves minimizing exposure to these environmental chemicals and supporting your body’s natural detoxification pathways. Key actions can include eating organic whole foods, filtering drinking water, using non-toxic cleaning products, avoiding plastic food storage and improving indoor air quality with Hepa filters.
Below is a comprehensive guide to reducing your toxic load, even choosing one change can put you on a path to a healthier body.
Dietary Changes (Reduce Ingestion)
Eat Organic
Prioritize organic foods to avoid pesticides, particularly for items on the "Dirty Dozen" list. Spinach, kale, collard, and mustard greens, strawberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes, and peppers. It is best to purchase these items organic to reduce pesticide ingestion.
Eliminate Processed Foods
Avoid packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food, which contain additives and preservatives.
Filter Your Water
Use a quality carbon or reverse osmosis filter to remove contaminants like chlorine, fluoride, and lead.
Avoid Plastics
Store food in glass, ceramic, or stainless steel instead of plastic to avoid BPA and phthalates, especially when heating food.
Switch Cookware
Replace non-stick (PFAS) pans with cast iron, ceramic, or stainless steel.
Household and Personal Care (Reduce Absorption)
Improve Air Quality: Use a HEPA filter vacuum, keep shoes off inside, and open windows to air out your home, particularly when bringing in new furniture.
"Green" Your Cleaning Products: Use natural cleaners or DIY solutions (vinegar, baking soda) to avoid harsh chemicals.
Check Personal Care Items: Swap out beauty products, lotions, and soaps for natural alternatives that are free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Use the EWG Skin Deep database to check product safety.
Avoid Synthetic Fragrances: Avoid artificial air fresheners, scented candles, and perfumes.
Lifestyle Habits (Support Detoxification)
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of filtered water to support kidney function and help flush out toxins.
Move Your Body: Exercise regularly, including sweat-inducing activity, to help remove toxins through the skin.
Support Liver Health: Eat cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts) and consider herbs like milk thistle.
Use Saunas: Utilize infrared saunas to promote deep, detoxifying sweat.
Simple Daily Reductions
Wash Hands: Wash hands, especially before eating, to remove heavy metals and dust.
Reduce EMF Exposure: Turn off Wi-Fi at night, use wired headphones, and keep phones off your body.
Wash New Items: Wash new clothing and linens to remove chemical treatments
I want to move freely, feel my best and grow old with as much health as I can manage. I want to see my grandkids grow up and hold their kids too, if I get the opportunity. I don't want to grow old and be physically limited in ways that I could have done something about.
Let’s all start working on that bucket and unload some of the toxins. By making a few simple adjustments with our diet, household and lifestyle we can help our bodies take care of themselves.
❤ Becca
Looking for a simple everyday way to decrease toxins? Check out our Cilantro Lime Drink recipe!