The life of abundance

We think our home is a safe refuge from toxins in the environment, think again. Toxicity in the body and mind manifests from home. So here are some tips to free yourself from a toxin infested home environment.
1- Save yourself from toxic formaldehyde exposure by sleeping on untreated cotton sheets.Formaldehyde exposure can cause insomnia and respiratory problems, among other symptoms. Sidestep formaldehyde-coated polyester/cotton sheets and no-iron cotton sheets and choose cozy cotton flannel sheets or untreated cotton percale sheets, both available at major department stores and online.

2- Protect yourself from exposure to toxic ammonia by washing your windows with vinegar and water. Ammonia can cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and burn your skin. Instead, mix distilled white or apple cider vinegar half-and-half with water in a spray bottle. Spray on windows and wipe with recycled newspapers for a streak-free super shine.

3-Use green, soap-based cleaning products instead of poisonous detergent. While detergents seem safe, they are a petrochemical-based product that is responsible for more household poisonings than any other substance. Soap, on the other hand, is made from natural oils and minerals and has been safely used for centuries. Natural and organic,green soap-based products can be found in natural food stores and online.

4-Refill your own non-plastic water bottle instead of using toxic plastic water bottles. While it’s good for your health to carry your own water and drink it throughout the day, if it’s in a clear polycarbonate plastic bottle, it is leaching a toxic substance into your water–even if the bottle is sitting on table at room temperature. Bisphenol-A. BPA is a potent hormone disruptor that can impair the reproductive organs and have adverse effects on breast tissue and prostate development. Drink from a glass bottle or carry an aluminum or steel bottle, available online.



5- Avoid hazardous pesticides by making dinner using fresh, organically-grown produce. Most food sold in supermarkets are sprayed heavily with pesticides, many of which cause cancer. Find out where to buy pesticide-free organically grown food in your community, go there and purchase what looks good and is in season. One taste and youll go back for more. A great variety of organically-grown food can also be ordered on-line.If you must buy conventional produce, you can wash in a green citrus based cleaner or dilute hydrogen peroxide in water and scrub with vegetable brush.

6- Wash away petrochemical perfumes and take a botanical bath. Many commercial bath products contain detergents and artificial fragrances that can be irritating to sensitive areas. You can have a luxurious relaxing bath by adding natural substances to warm bathwater, such as fragrant dried or fresh herbs (try lavender, rosemary, or peppermint), a quart of buttermilk, or 1 cup Epsom salts. For bubbles, use a natural or organic soap, available in natural food stores and online.

7- Use houseplants.- They inhale the carbon dioxide we exhale and they exhale oxygen we need to survive. Certain plants like the spider plant remove some pollutants.