More and more, I’m thinking about my life. How fulfilling it is and how I wanna be around for as long as humanly possible.
I’m a nurse in geriatrics. More specifically, a Long Term Care facility. Heaven’s Waiting Rooms they call them. I’ve seen some pretty awful things in my time and there will be more, I’m assured. My basic role is to assess, medicate, and document all issues with my patients. I hate the “medicate” part. When I was working full time, more often than not I’d get the nickname ‘Dealer’. I don’t like that society now-a-days thinks they can fix everything with a pill. Or 30. People, in general, take too much medication!
All this medication is leading to some type of pickling process – I’m sure of it! I heard somewhere recently that Funeral homes are having to use 25% LESS embalming fluid because we’re already “pickled” enough!! My jaw hit the floor.
Sure, I know that this world is full of toxins. Man-made, man-caused and whatnot. But I don’t need to help contribute to that. IT STOPS IN MY HOUSE TODAY (because that really is all I can ultimately control)!
I pitched my Lysol (did you know you have to leave that stuff, in a literal puddle for TEN minutes on your counter before it gets rid of the ‘bugs’ it says it will??). I got rid of my Febreeze and my aerosol hairspray. I’m sure that everytime I spritz something I’m contributing to another 10% increase in the ozone hole issue. My Pinesol is out – sure it makes me feel like the floors are cleaner because they *smell* cleaner, but I don’t want someone to lick them and get sick somehow.
This year, for my family – it’s about cleaning house. From the inside out – human and brick and mortar.
I wanna leave you with some very INTERESTING points:
If you enjoy the smell of clean clothes straight out of the dryer you may be shocked to learn that smell comes at a cost. Most commercial fabric softeners–dryer sheets or the liquid variety–contain many toxic chemicals. Here are eight toxins found in most fabric softeners (and eight reasons to switch to natural options)
1. Alpha-Terpineol–This chemical has been linked to disorders of the brain and nervous system, loss of muscle control, depression, and headaches
2. Benzyl acetate–Benzyl acetate has been linked to cancer of the pancreas
3. Benzyl alcohol–Linked to headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, depression, as well as disorders of the brain and nervous system
4. Chloroform–Chloroform is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Hazardous Waste list because it has been identified as a carcinogen and neurotoxin (toxic to the brain and nervous system)
5. Ethanol–also on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list for its ability to cause brain and nervous system disorder
6. Ethyl Acetate–causes headaches and is on the EPA Hazardous Waste list
7. Linalool–in studies, this chemical caused loss of muscle coordination, nervous system and brain disorders, and depression
8. Pentane–causes headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, and depression
The standard argument in favor of using fabric softeners is that the amount of the chemicals to which a person is exposed is insufficient to cause harm. Studies are showing that even small amounts of these toxins can have serious effects. So, think twice before you add that dryer sheet or liquid fabric softener to your laundry, particularly for children whose developing brains are more vulnerable to the effects of toxins.
Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, RNCP, ROHP, DNM, PhD is an international best-selling and eleven-time book author and doctor of traditional natural medicine, whose works include: The Vitality Diet, Allergy-Proof, Arthritis-Proof, Total Body Detox, The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan, and The Phytozyme Cure. Check out her natural health resources and free e-newsletter at www.WorldsHealthiestDiet.com.
Parts of this article were provided to me as part of my information package in becoming a consultant for Norwex.
Really interesting (and shocking) information, thanks for the info!
Stacey recently posted..NOVICA
I just went to a talk on friday at work about natural house hold cleaners – all you need is some basic projects like baking soda, vinegar, lemon. No toxic chemical here!
I agree people don’t want to work for anything anymore they just want to be “fixed” by meds
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hmmm…i don’t know why i didn’t clue into something like this..
i get headaches a LOT..i also like to use cleaning supplies and fabric softeners, etc etc etc..
Food for though. Thanks!
orangeheromama recently posted..Lovable Labels Friendship Pack – review and g!veaway
I have been using nontoxic, although not completely yet (I feel better when I bleach my toilet, whether it cleans better or not), for awhile now. I’ve been looking into certain products but many household natural ingredients, like lemons and baking soda, can clean most of what you need to clean in the house. Can’t get the smell out of a smelly coffe mug? Boil some lemons in the mug in the microwave or do the same thing to get the stench out of the microwave….lots of ways to use lemon alone.
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Great post! Lots of food for thought. You are so right about how toxic household cleaners can be and why it’s so important to go the natural route. Thanks for sharing!
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Twitter: multitestingmom
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What a great post!
I’ve been on the natural cleaning route for a few years now, but have only truly started doing it 99% of the time since last April when I got introduced to Norwex!
I also use Earth’s Berries to wash my laundry – and I have also been trying the Norwex detergent.
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Cee I am so proud of you taking this control of your life, there are so many natural ways to clean our home, I use dryer balls in my dryer for the static and we never use sheets or anything like that. The clothes already smell clean. Good for you for taking a step to a less chemical life for you and your family!
Positively Pampered Patty recently posted..School House Rock Saturday
I know there are a lot of natural ways to clean the house. I’ve been trying to find safer methods for cleaning myself. I work in the health field too. I see people going to the doctors for every little sniffle, they load them up with anti-biotics and then we wonder why we get these superbugs. I’m not saying people shouldn’t go to the doctors I just think sometimes a cold is just a cold and will get better on it’s own.
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Twitter: multitestingmom
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Visiting from SASS – thank s for participating this week
We use wool dryer balls and Earth’s Berries for laundry detergent.
I use Norwex cloths for cleaning the whole house and I love them!!!
Oh AND I use the Norwex toilet brush and cleaner (love it!)
We hardly ever use papertowel in our house anymore – I am so happy!!!
Multi-Testing Mommy recently posted..Now’s Your Chance to S.A.S.S. back, with the Saturday Alexa Stop & Share (Feb 3-5)
I actually never use fabric softener or dryer sheets, and I don’t think I will be starting after reading this.
SASS
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“25% LESS embalming fluid because we’re already “pickled” enough”?! If that doesn’t shock one into making some lifestyle changes, nothing will. Chemicals and preservatives are scary stuff. We started using the wool drier balls almost a year ago now. Took a bit of getting used to, but they are pretty darn cool. (I’m using BaaLLS which I got from GivingGifts.ca, but you can find many other option – for example, tons of etsy folks making handmade ones.) – SASS
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