This blog post is about living a non-toxic lifestyle which is something Greg and I are working on right now. For us, it's an ongoing endeavor. It's not for the faint of heart, for it does require some work and discipline, but the results can be very rewarding.
The word toxic simply means anything that is poisonous or harmful. It's anything that might be detrimental to a living organism. It can refer to the physical or to the mind and emotions, as well.
Our world is full of toxins, and in order to live a healthier life, we need to find ways to deal with those toxins.
Greg and I generally try to eat as healthily as possible.* We've been eating mostly organic and non-GMO food for several months. We're now gradually eliminating all white flour and food containing sugar, which is not an easy task. In fact, in order to do this, I've started using whole grains and natural, low glycemic sugar or fruit for baking. (No artificial sweeteners for us!)
Starting tomorrow (2/29/16), Vani Hari (AKA Food Babe) will be featuring an article about sugar addiction on her website. (Greg and I, and almost everybody else are sugar addicts. Even Food Babe has struggled with sugar addiction.) (Did you know that sugar is more addictive than cocaine?) Vani will be discussing how to overcome it. Her information should prove to be very helpful. ( www.foodbabe.com )
However, this being said, an acupuncturist told us that in order to balance the yin and yang, and to keep from feeling deprived, that it's okay to occasionally indulge in a favorite treat. Hers was ice cream. Greg and I do that. We normally eat out only once a week, and make the healthiest selections we can, and then, on special occasions, we allow ourselves a special treat. (However, if the food we might like to eat is truly harmful, such as one that would cause a severe allergic reaction, we, of course, avoid that food altogether!)
As far as environmental toxins go, we're still working on that one. We do try to avoid all cigarette smoke, and we use all non-toxic cleaning supplies. We especially like using baking soda.
Research on the Internet can be valuable for trying to live a non-toxic lifestyle.
Also, letting go of any toxic people in one's life can be valuable, as well.
"It doesn't matter whether someone is a relative, romantic interest...friend...you don't have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small....if a person disregards your feelings, ignores your boundaries, and 'continues' to treat you in a harmful way, they need to go."
-Daniell Koepke
So, try to surround yourself not only with nice, positive people, but it's also good if you can have your home environment as clean, neat, and organized as possible.
Your home doesn't have to be fancy, just comfortable and enjoyable to be in.
Also, much of the entertainment industry has gradually become more toxic. You might want to switch off that toxic TV show in favor of one of your own DVD's that is truly healthier and more enjoyable.
Being in the great outdoors can often help overcome toxic emotions.
Can you think of anything else that might improve the quality of your life, to make it less toxic?
Happy non-toxic lifestyle!
*Disclaimer: Whatever lifestyle Greg and I lead may be great for us, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily right for anyone else. I am certainly not an expert in the field of health, physical or mental. I am not responsible for any harm that might come to anyone as a result of reading this or any of my other blog posts. (B. A.)
Signs of spring alert!-
Here in Tennessee last week, we noticed daffodils were already blooming!
Also, there were several robins.
Positive thought: "Every moment is a fresh beginning."-T. S. Eliot
Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky
