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I like to say that essential oils were like my gateway drug into the holistic health world. Little did I know at the time, that was barely even scratching the surface. In this blog post I am going to share a little bit about my journey with you and conclude by sharing eight simple and affordable tips for starting your holistic health journey.
So back to my story…
As a newly married military wife and soon-to-be mom, I was looking for a way to make some extra money from home. I got plugged into selling essential oils. The business didn’t last too long for me, but I do still grab my favorite oils pretty regularly for various things. Two years after getting married, when I was pregnant with my first son, I was blessed to have a good friend encourage me to take a natural birthing class in town. Keep in mind, this was not a birthing class offered through the hospital…not all birthing classes are the same!! This particular friend was planning a home birth which really got my eyebrows raising. How brave it was of her to do a home birth with her first baby, I thought. It was through this class and this dear friend that my eyes began to open to this entire new world. I was being encouraged to question things, to go against the status quo of the health industry, to trust my body and all that God made it to do, to not interfere so much with its natural processes, and to not trust my doctor at times, as sad as that is to say. Initially, we were planning on having a natural birth at the hospital that would be covered by insurance. However, during one of the birthing classes there was a guest midwife who I had the privilege of getting to know. Long story short, she was sympathetic to my situation as a military spouse with a deployed husband and offered to be my midwife free of charge. We changed our birth plan in the third trimester of my pregnancy. I birthed my son without any medications or interferences at her little birthing apartment. I felt more empowered than ever to take charge of not only my health but my newborn sons’ health. It was this amazing midwife, that I know God sent directly along our path, that set me on this beautiful journey of holistic living. I have never once turned back.
I want to share a disclaimer here…though I may not understand all the science behind certain things or be the best at finding the proof to defend my beliefs to skeptics, it didn’t take much to convince me this was the natural way of living. In my gut I knew this was God’s design. Getting back to our roots, getting back in nature, focusing on simplicity, whole foods, plants to heal us, trusting my body. Once this door was opened for me, it was a no brainer that there can be serious consequences to using pharmaceutical drugs, overloading our systems with toxins, eating fake food and dyes. Unfortunately, this way of living lines our grocery stores. Medications are pushed by “health” care providers to address symptoms, not root causes. It is not always easy or convenient going the holistic route. It can be overwhelming. The tips below are to help you lessen the overwhelm and take small steps to begin making changes in your lifestyle. Like my friend who invited me to the birthing class, I invite you in to journey alongside me as I pursue a more holistic route.
Now, I do want to note one more thing before getting into the tips. I am not 100% anti-medications or anti-doctor. And I do recognize that not all doctors are the same. To some you may just be another number, but there are genuine doctors who treat their patients with personalized care. Do I take a pill to relieve a horrible headache every now and again? Sure. I realize there has to be a balance in this lifestyle. Perfecting a holistic lifestyle in this fallen world just isn’t attainable. The perfect days in the garden before Adam and Eve sinned were short lived. But, I do think we are called to care for our bodies and in my opinion this is a very important aspect of that. God truly created our bodies to heal ourselves in so many ways, and we have to support it in doing so.
It has now been five and half years since my first son was born and it has been a never ending journey of learning, replacing items, educating myself on herbs, homeopathic remedies, water quality, etc. I know this is something I will continue to grow in for the rest of my life. At 28 years old, I may not be the most seasoned expert, but I think it is a gift to share the information we do know with others and not to walk the journey alone. So without further ado, let’s dive in to eight simple and affordable tips for starting YOUR holistic health journey.
1. Take the Time to Look
Start by simply looking at the ingredients list on the foods and products you buy at the grocery store. First step is to become AWARE of what you are putting in and on your body. If the list is super long and there are many words your unfamiliar with, that is probably not a good sign. The EWG website is a great tool to help you as you learn more about harmful ingredients in products. The I Read Labels For You is another great site if you’d like to look further into ingredients and their harmful affects.
2. Whole Foods
This took me some time, but we have to shift our mindset about food, especially if we did not grow up in a home with a focus on living naturally. Now that you are beginning to look at what is IN packaged and processed foods in the store, try prioritizing whole foods. Organic fruits and vegetables. Grass fed/organic meat. Real food full of nutrients and protein. Foods that nourish and are not harsh on the gut. Foods that have not been completely altered before coming to the store. Foods that have not been sprayed by a ton of chemicals. Again, perfection is not attainable here. But, as you begin to know better, you can do better.
3. Support Local
Where can you find these whole foods locally? How can you nourish your body and support your local farmers at the same time? Feel good about seeing the family your purchase is supporting! Buy local as much as possible and bonus points if it is organic. Maybe search facebook or check out the farmers market to see what is available in your area. Why does this matter? Because a freshly picked apple or tomato is going to have much more nutrients than produce picked way before it has ripened and been shipped to the grocery store. Start by looking for local honey, grass fed meats, freshly harvested produce, fresh eggs, and sourdough bread… these products will be better than anything purchased in a grocery store. Better in quality and taste!
4. Free Medicine
The best free medicine…nature! Immerse yourself in nature more often. It is not only good for the body but for the mind as well. Walk outside barefoot to strengthen your immune system, bask in the sunshine for vitamin D, breath in the fresh air, pick some morel mushrooms to cook. Side note…while there are plenty of controversial topics on the sun causing cancer and people needing to wear sunglass, just know to take in everything in moderation. The sun is a gift our bodies NEED, not something to be afraid of. The healing power of nature is something I am currently diving more in. There are many common weeds that have benefits to our bodies. The dandelion, for example, is a great liver detox and can be made into tea or a salve. Last year I purchased The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies to help me learn more in this area. Simply getting outside each day is a great start.
5. Simplify Your Products
When you begin to prioritize a holistic lifestyle, it’s not about going in and replacing every product in your home to a non-toxic alternative. That just sounds expensive and daunting. Start by simplifying. For example, baking soda and vinegar alone can replace so many household cleaners. Things you likely already have on hand. You do not need a 15 product facial system to have healthy skin. Tallow and coconut oil are my main go-to skincare items for many things. Read my post on 30 ways you can use coconut oil here. Like the old saying goes, less is truly more in this area.
6. One Swap at a Time
As you begin to simplify, I suggest to make one swap at a time. When something runs out, that is a good time to see if you already have something on hand that can replace its use. If not, go ahead and swap it for a healthier option. Focus first on products you use daily. This may be something like deodorant or shampoo and conditioner. Just remember, transitioning to a toxin-free home takes time and understanding. Give yourself grace in this area.
7. Examine Water Quality
Our bodies need water every day, all day. This one is a real bummer. Because bottled water is horrible for you, and good water filters are not cheap. But, start by learning what is in YOUR city water. You can do so here. Then, consider what you can do to improve your water quality. I have a Berkey and purchase my filters for it from greenfield water solutions. They have high quality and trusted water filter solutions. I also add Trace Mineral drops to my water to insure I am getting the important ions my body needs to be healthy. Mineral deficiency affects 90% of Americans so this is very important to consider.
8. Continue Your Education
Lastly, be open to continuing to learn. You do not have to be a heavy researcher by any means, but follow accounts that help you learn more about this topic. Talk to friends and ask them questions whom you know have a similar mindset. Look up groups on facebook that focus on holistic living. You can also find groups on facebook that share about local farms and markets around your area. A few of my favorite sources I have learned a lot from recently would be Dr. Courtney Kahla, Zach Bush, and Wilson Homestead. There are plenty more great resources available once you begin down the rabbit hole.
You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter to learn one simple product swap a month. It is truly my joy to walk alongside of you in this journey.
Thank you for being here and I look forward to sharing more in this area with you soon!
