Items in your home that may be toxic!

Welcome to the nontoxic lifestyle coaching newsletter with Rachelle Jackson.

This week we are going to take a deeper dive into our homes and environments; exploring items that we use every day that are toxic filled with chemicals, carcinogens, neurotoxins, and more. Before we get too far in I want to reiterate that nontoxic lifestyle is a marathon not a sprint! What I mean by this is that it's a gradual journey of replacing toxic items with nontoxic items at a pace and cost you can afford. For example, we took the route not replacing the item until it was finished; at that point we then switched over to the non-toxic item and never looked back. Our family has been at this for well over 15 years and we still occasionally find a toxic item. So unless you have extremely deep pockets and wish to completely rehab your entire toxic home it is a slower journey. However, if you are looking to completely overhaul your home in one shot I do offer that service as well. So let's dive in.

Plastic food containers, plastic water bottle's, plastic wrap - These are on the top of my list because they are so prevalent. Our society has moved to using bottled water instead of tap water we're home water systems which creates extensive amounts of plastic water bottles. In addition we've become a society of takeout; this has resulted in plastic food containers. In addition it is very easy to pick up reusable plastic food storage containers at a very low price. Plastic wrap is another offender and using it in the microwave on top of your food is one of the most toxic things you can do.

Why are they so bad you might ask? Well it is because they contain a chemical phthalates or a version of phthalate. Phthalates are known and proven endocrine disruptors and they produce adverse developmental, reproductive, and neurological effects in humans because the plastic breaks down over time and releases dangerous chemicals into your food. This is why my family and I have chosen to switch to glass containers. For school lunches we use paper sandwich bags they can easily be found in grocery stores are recyclable and do not have any phthalates on them. They also come with cute little patterns and you can write your child's name on them. Mission there are beeswax food wraps and cups or sippy cups that are made of stainless instead of plastic. These are all liable and cost-effective solutions that will not only keep you safe but those you love.

Nonstick pans and cookware - It may not surprised you to know that nonstick pans and cookware are the most popular cookware in the US. One thing you mean I know is that they were only designed to reach 350°F. According to the environmental working group the coatings on these pans can reach 700°F within 3 to 5 minutes. At that point they are releasing 15 toxic gases and chemicals, including two carcinogens (cancer-causing agent). Quite frankly this is not a risk I'm willing to take especially with the various types of stove tops and difficulty in controlling heat.

Options are out there you just have to do your research. There are versions of nonstick pans that are non-toxic but you really do you have to do your research don't trust the box read the labels call the manufacturers and get a list of ingredients. Then compare them to known toxins, chemicals and carcinogens to ensure that you truly have a green product. However and even easier solution one that my family takes is using glass cookware because it's safe for the oven the stove top and the microwave. In addition we love our cast iron pans as they produce a wonderful crispiness for things like grilled cheese or Paninis and more. our mainstay cookware is a set of stainless steel high end pots and pans that we purchased years ago before we were even married. We did not know at the time that we were making an investment in our own health but cooking and stainless is an absolutely excellent choice. I recommend all three and it's up to you to choose which is best.

Air fresheners, Candles and Wall plug-ins - We all like to keep a nice smelling home, however at what cost. A study done by the University of California Berkeley found that when used excessively in unventilated areas such as a bedroom bathroom living room; they release toxic levels of pollutants. In addition the Environmental Protection Agency found that potentially hazardous chemicals can commonly be found in fragrances causing major side effects. Most candles are made from paraffin wax and this creates a highly toxic benzene and tolene when burned; the toxicity level is the equivalent of the fumes of a diesel truck. I'm sorry but it's not worth my house smelling good do you have a diesel truck drive through it.

There are options natural candles made from vegetables or soy wax with the lead free work and no fragrance are available. However if you do you like fragrance my recommendation would be to get an essential oil diffuser (it doesn't have to cost much one on Amazon is fine) and a few of your favorite High quality essential oils. You can then fill your diffuser with water to the recommended line and add a few drops of your choice of essential Oils. You can even blend them to make your favorite scent mine is Lavender, Northern lights black spruce and Cedarwood and I call it Justin Timberlake because I think that is what Justin Timberlake would smell like; it's just yummy. Essential oils not only make your house smell amazing they are produced without heat or risk of fire by a vibrating ultrasonic plate and a cool mist. They look beautiful and best of all they purify the air, create calming or stimulating environments and generally improve your mood.

Flame Retardants - flame retardants have actually been banned since 2004 because they use polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDE's. So why are they still on the list? Well are mattresses and couches or furniture that have foam in them may pre-date 2004. If that is the case they do contain PBDE's. This is particularly risky because these chemicals linger on your skin clothing and body end Studies have been proven did they are linked directly to learning and memory problems as well as many other health issues. Another area of caution is hand me down children's clothes. Sleepwear used to require flame retardants; so if you are using your older children's clothes for your younger children, or potentially have received the greatest gift of hand me down clothing you run the risk of putting your child in flame retardant pajamas. This is exceptionally dangerous as it is against their bare skin and will Leach into their skin as they sleep.

This is a fairly easy fix check your mattresses check your furniture if it pre-dates 2004 then we have to act. If it does not no further steps are necessary. For your furniture you can buy non toxic furniture covers or slipcovers to keep on your furniture and avoid that lingering effect from the PBDE's. As for mattresses this is another area that is fairly simple. Invest in a non-toxic mattress protector that has solid cloth or cotton all the way around zips closed keep this over the mattress at all times and I recommend laundering every two weeks so you may want to buy two per mattress. The nontoxic version that is full coverage is not inexpensive but it is cheaper than new mattresses throughout your home. That is how we have mitigated this issue in our home.

Shower Curtain Liners - I'm going to be honest this particular item surprised me. No our showers all have glass shower doors so we don't have shower curtain liners; but I am very familiar with them from my days in apartments and other homes. The challenge with shower curtain liner's is in particular with the ones that have any sort of plastic in them they can feel very soft and pliable but still have plastic. That plastic is a phthalate! Yeah, you could knock me over with a feather! Safavids have been associated with causing harmful effects particularly in children and I know we've discussed throughout this newsletter all of the other challenges that come from phthalates. Daily touching of a shower curtain moving around in the shower rubbing against it with your body and its birthday suit put you in direct contact with those phthalates. They then began to leach into your skin and cause great concern. Children typically bathe and come in contact more often with shower curtain liners; which is why this is a particular risk for children.

Not to worry my friend there is a solution. You can replace your shower with glass shower doors but that cost a lot of money and you may not like the aesthetic of that. In that case they make cloth fabric liners that you've probably seen in high end hotels (because they are protecting you) that are a perfect solution. Ensure it is an organic material and I recommend purchasing two. The reason I recommend purchasing to is because they should be washed every two weeks and if you're like me it would be very difficult to take down all of your shower curtains launder them get them dry and rehang them in one day. So by purchasing two you always have one at the ready. These are extremely cost affordable and work effectively.

Wrapping up I want to share with you that I have reviewed some big items in your house end it may be scary for you or not. However, in order to have a complete healthy lifestyle eating right treating your body right working out in order to live a longer life you also have to integrate the removal of toxins. I would challenge you to say that the removal of toxins should come first over the others; but they can all be done at once. I started my nontoxic lifestyle journey because I have three special needs children, two disabled children and I am terminally ill. I knew in my heart there was something more that was causing problems in our life. That is when I began investigating toxins switching over to all natural cleaners and I'm happy to report my family of seven has never been healthier or happier then they are today. In addition I have surpassed my life expectancy and will continue to do so for decades. Life is about living and we have to advocate for ourselves; I do use both eastern and western medicine and western medicine helps to keep me alive. However Eastern medicine in the choice to live a non-toxic lifestyle eating healthy and staying Active well help me be there to watch my kids have grandkids.

Most people start the non-toxic journey because they've had an experience that has caused this some sort of health condition, cancer, or a close call. I implore you not to wait for that to happen. Start something today whether it's a small step or a giant step but do one thing moves you in the direction of a non-toxic lifestyle. It will not make you crunchy granola or bohemian (not that there's anything wrong with that I have a lot of great friends in those categories) but it will make you feel better, live longer, and be happier.

Please reach out to me to discuss further by booking a free consultation at my website www.nontoxiclifestyle.com. Or listen to my podcast that healthy home healthy life which can be found at iTunes Spotify all of the major Podcasters iHeartRadio and if you start at the beginning you can hear my whole story.

I want to help you grow in your health and prosperity! please reach out with any questions or comments you may have and do not be shy.

Mahalo and Namaste,

Rachelle M Jackson

www.nontoxiclifestyle.com

[email protected]

614-395-4474

Podcast : Healthy Home Healthy Life