What types of images come to your mind when you think of the word, “toxic”? Sadly, when I think of the word, images immediately begin to scroll through my mind (like that sheet music on old tyme player pianos) of packaged foods, hormone-injected chickens and cows, and shelves full of lotions, soaps, sprays, shampoos and other bodily-confections. Detoxifying home, body and life is a top priority for many adults in the modern world.
Decades ago, I might have imagined vapors rising out of a contaminated water reservoir, or garbage and debris piled mile-high at a waste dump. Now, I need not look further than the average American pantry or bathroom cupboard to find oodles of examples of toxicity in the raw.
In addition to the toxic, poisonous foods and products lining shelves of the average American’s home, there also seems to be an overload of toxic-ness in relationships, these days. For whatever reason, people have a really difficult time cutting ties with those who cause misery in their lives on a regular basis. Why is that?
Detoxifying home, body and life feels good
Detoxifying home, body and life can be a very liberating, freeing experience. It doesn’t require any elaborate, radical or expensive undertakings, mostly just a dose of motivation, followed by a large dash of gumption.
It’s easiest to speak from personal experience, so rather than tell you what you need to do to detoxify your life (since I have no idea because you’re you and I’m me) I can share some simple ways that I have detoxified:
Home: I stopped buying commercial cleaners. Those things are loaded with toxins! I’m now a one-stop-shop kinda’ gal and use a strained mixture of organic apple cider vinegar with the mother culture in it that has soaked in a mason jar filled with orange peels for a week. This spray cleaner shines and disinfects anything! Talk about cheap, and I save tons of money not buying cleaners. I also make my own non-toxic laundry detergent, which is super easy and very cost effective. (Just do a little Googling for instructions. My basic recipe uses Fels-naptha soap, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, and Mule Team Borax.) As for lotions, body butters, and scents…organic coconut oil does the trick! (And, you can eat it/cook with it for added nutritional benefit!) You can also make cosmetics at home!
Body: Detoxifying home, body and life has a lot to do with food. Eat as close to what God made as possible. I heard a comedian say that if there is a commercial for it, you shouldn’t eat it. His reasoning was that if a company pays millions of dollars to convince you to eat its product, chances are it is not good for you! Steer clear of packaged/processed/white sugar/GMO, etc…grow your own when possible. And, start using probiotics! (Fermented foods/drinks, homemade organic yogurt, etc…)
Life: Ask yourself this question: “Am I allowing God to forge my friendships?” Is there someone in your life that impedes your journey in some way (spiritually, emotionally, intellectually or physically)? Be brutally honest with yourself, then cut ties where necessary. When you embark on a journey for detoxifying home, body and life, pay close attention to your relationships.
There’s no better time than the present to detoxify!
Writer Bio
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.
