Non-toxic living Archives - Rustik Health https://www.rustikhealth.com/category/non-toxic-living/ Non-toxic, plant-based living Fri, 05 Feb 2021 20:59:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.6 How to make natural DIY liquid dish soap https://www.rustikhealth.com/liquid-dish-soap/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/liquid-dish-soap/#respond Sat, 01 Aug 2020 16:55:38 +0000 https://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=3283 In this blog post, I teach you how to make natural DIY liquid dish soap using only 3 ingredients! Finding natural dish soap options that are effective and easy-to-make was a long process. I wanted to ensure they: contained minimal and accessible ingredients didn’t require too much extra effort to clean off extra dirt I’ve…

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In this blog post, I teach you how to make natural DIY liquid dish soap using only 3 ingredients!

Finding natural dish soap options that are effective and easy-to-make was a long process. I wanted to ensure they:

  • contained minimal and accessible ingredients
  • didn’t require too much extra effort to clean off extra dirt

I’ve been using this natural DIY liquid dish soap for several months now and have not looked back. For extra dirty and oily dishes, it does require rinsing a second time or another squirt of soap. But it’s a small price to pay to avoid all the synthetic chemicals that are damaging to our health and the environment.

Remember: don’t expect a synthetic chemical result from a natural product or recipe. Going natural may require a bit more elbow grease but the joy and empowerment totally makes up for it.

Watch the video or read on below for the recipe…

Natural DIY liquid dish soap recipe

  • 1 TBSP cleaner concentrate
  • 10 drops essential oil
  • Soap nuts liquid

To make the soap nuts liquid, put approximately 20 soap nuts in large mason jar filled with water. Let soak in the refrigerator overnight then strain.

Slowly pour all ingredients in a glass dispenser. Your natural DIY liquid dish soap is ready-to-use immediately! Use this soap to hand wash and soak extra dirty dishes in the sink.

Learn more about our natural, non-toxic dish-washing routine. I share with you my favourite natural DIY dish powder recipe for the dishwasher. I also give you some tips for ensuring your dishes come out spotless.

Hope this helps!

M.

PS – start implementing this homemade product into your natural lifestyle by joining the next Non-Toxic Living Challenge! Be part of the discussion and watch live video training by joining The Non-Toxic Living Collective.

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Is eating healthy more expensive? https://www.rustikhealth.com/is-eating-healthy-more-expensive/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/is-eating-healthy-more-expensive/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:35:04 +0000 https://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=3271 Is eating healthy more expensive? Why do so many of us think it is and use it as an obstacle to feeling truly amazing, energized and happy in our lives? In this post, I am summarizing a video chat I did on my YouTube Channel with Luis Cruz from Nutrition Therapy. We are busting common…

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Is eating healthy more expensive? Why do so many of us think it is and use it as an obstacle to feeling truly amazing, energized and happy in our lives?

In this post, I am summarizing a video chat I did on my YouTube Channel with Luis Cruz from Nutrition Therapy. We are busting common health myths and sharing our thoughts on what it takes to truly become healthier.

Watch the full video or read on below…

First, I have to give credit to my friend Julie from Raise Your Resilience for Fewer Migraines for summarizing the key points from this video. If you suffer from migraines, make sure to join her group and check out her health-changing programs!

So, why do people think eating healthy is more expensive?

Need more money

One way to eat more healthy that most people will agree with is to start adding more fresh produce to your diet. However, a common mistake with this is that people will go overboard and buy more fresh produce that they can eat. This leads to spoilage and the perception that we spent a lot of money just to go to waste.

Unhealthy food is subsidized

Also, much of the unhealthy food is government subsidized. This enables companies to sell their food for much less than it is actually worth.⁣

Must buy more

Most of us are used to filling up on protein-rich and fat-heavy foods. This leads us to believe that we’ll go hungry if we’re eating more produce.

However, when you’re giving your body what it needs (whole, nutrient-dense foods instead of processed) you’ll actually feel full and stay full longer⁣.

⁣It’s complicated

There’s a common perception out there that eating healthy has to be complicated. We’re bombarded with ads:

  • selling us special diet programs
  • telling us what nutrients we need
  • making healthy-eating appear like something only a health guru can figure out

But it doesn’t have to be complicated – JUST EAT REAL FOOD! And don’t look to ‘special diets’, especially ones that cut out whole food groups and may lead to deficiencies.

P.S. fruits and vegetables are ‘carbs’.⁣..⁣

And where will you get your protein?

Massive health myth we all need to shatter now: humans need lots of protein.

This is a whole other post / video on its own… for now, remember that you CAN get enough protein by eating plant-based. What your body really wants and needs are amino acids. These are abundant in fruits and vegetables.

Hope this helps!

M.

PS – to completely transform your health, start feeling more energized and empowered, and start achieving your goals and dreams, join us in Purify: elevate your lifestyle.

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How to make natural DIY grout cleaner https://www.rustikhealth.com/diy-grout-cleaner/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/diy-grout-cleaner/#respond Fri, 31 Jul 2020 00:04:46 +0000 https://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=3262 In this latest post, I show you how to make natural DIY grout cleaner using safe, plant-based and cost-effective ingredients. Cleaning the grout in the shower is NOT one of my favourite house-keeping activities. I have to admit, the space between our shower tiles was getting quite dark and dirty. I knew the only way…

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In this latest post, I show you how to make natural DIY grout cleaner using safe, plant-based and cost-effective ingredients.

Cleaning the grout in the shower is NOT one of my favourite house-keeping activities. I have to admit, the space between our shower tiles was getting quite dark and dirty. I knew the only way I would be motivated to do something about it was to find a great all-natural DIY recipe.

When it comes to DIY recipes, I have strict boundaries. We are a busy family of 5 plus one crazy, lovable cat. Any recipe I use must:

  • Require minimal ingredients (2 – 5 maximum)
  • Contain easy-to-find ingredients
  • Be super quick to make

And this particular recipe checked off all the boxes!

Watch the video or read on below… For live videos and to be part of the discussion on natural living, join The Non-Toxic Living Collective.

Natural DIY grout cleaner recipe

  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
  • 20 drops lemon essential oil

Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl. Apply the paste to dirty grout. Leave for 15 minutes then clean using an old toothbrush or grout brush.

You can play with the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide proportions. This particular recipe makes a watery paste so if you notice it doesn’t stick, reduce the peroxide or add more baking soda. Be careful not to make it too dry! Otherwise, the paste will flake off.

Tip: if your shower is how mine was and there’s A LOT of dirty grout to clean, take on a little at a time. I set a goal for myself to tackle it all over 5 days. I set a reminder in my phone so I wouldn’t forget. This reduced the overwhelm and gave me quick wins, which kept me motivated.

Enjoy!

M.

Start implementing this homemade product into your natural lifestyle by joining the next Non-Toxic Living Challenge! Learn more.

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Non-toxic travel tips: our family ski trip to Banff https://www.rustikhealth.com/non-toxic-travel/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/non-toxic-travel/#comments Tue, 04 Feb 2020 22:13:52 +0000 http://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=2931 Travelling can be disruptive to your natural, non-toxic lifestyle journey. Today I’m sharing with you my tips on non-toxic travel and how I maintain my healthy daily habits. Our family is leaving on a winter ski trip to Banff later this week and this is what I’m packing with me. You don’t necessarily have all…

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Travelling can be disruptive to your natural, non-toxic lifestyle journey. Today I’m sharing with you my tips on non-toxic travel and how I maintain my healthy daily habits. Our family is leaving on a winter ski trip to Banff later this week and this is what I’m packing with me.

You don’t necessarily have all of your non-toxic living products or tools with you while travelling because you’re limited in how much stuff you can bring. Plus, you don’t always have access to what you need where you’re travelling to.

Watch the video or read on below…

Essential oils for emotional and physical support during non-toxic travel

I always bring a good collection of essential oils with me during my travels. Essential oils can help reduce anxious feelings while travelling, support your immune system by helping fight germs in public areas and transportation, as well as help you get through jet lag.

Some of my favourites include Peace roller blend, OnGuard immunity blend, Peppermint and Lavender. Get these oils at 25% off here.

Non-toxic travel personal care products

Two non-toxic lifestyle tools I never travel without are:

  • Tongue scraper: to remove the white film on your tongue that can contain bacteria and metabolic toxins. Get one here.
  • Gua sha tool: to enhance circulation, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and give you glowing skin.

One of the many benefits of living more naturally is how little products you really need for personal care. You’ll notice many of the ingredients are multi-purpose. For example, I bring Jojoba oil as my face and body moisturizer. I also bring baking soda as my deodorant, shampoo and toothpaste (use sparingly).

Supplements to strengthen immunity and digestion on your journey

During my travels, I am extra diligent about taking supplements. I’m never quite sure what kind of food I’ll have access to so I bring my multivitamins, digestive enzymes and probiotics. This helps my body ensure it still get everything it needs and supports my digestive system which may have to work overdrive.

Staying hydrating and eating well abroad

One of the most important things to do while travelling, especially when a flight is involved, is to stay hydrated. I like to bring an empty stainless steel bottle with me so I can fill it at the airport and ensure I always have water to drink.

Also, bringing snacks will help you avoid succumbing to the processed airport and flight food options. Since we’ll be travelling domestically, I’ll be bringing fresh apples, grapes and oranges for hydration and energy. I’ll also bring dry fruit and nuts for extra sustenance.

I hope this gives you some good ideas on how to travel while still living the non-toxic lifestyle. If you have any questions or have your own tips to share, drop them in the comments below.

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

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Storing DIY products | Preserve your non-toxic recipes https://www.rustikhealth.com/tips-for-storing-your-natural-diy-products-for-body-and-home/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/tips-for-storing-your-natural-diy-products-for-body-and-home/#comments Sat, 01 Feb 2020 13:52:14 +0000 http://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=2922 Finding the perfect containers to store your homemade, natural DIY products can be an obstacle on your non-toxic lifestyle journey. Storing DIY products can be an obstacle at the beginning of your journey, preventing you from even entertaining going non-toxic. It can also be an obstacle when you are further along, preventing you from taking…

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Finding the perfect containers to store your homemade, natural DIY products can be an obstacle on your non-toxic lifestyle journey. Storing DIY products can be an obstacle at the beginning of your journey, preventing you from even entertaining going non-toxic. It can also be an obstacle when you are further along, preventing you from taking the leap from natural store-bought products to homemade options.

I feel you… this was actually me for a long time! Every now and then, I’d find DIY containers at a natural health store but they were often expensive or it wasn’t exactly what I needed. It seemed way too daunting to start making my own products.

There are many reasons why you might want to consider making your own DIY products. As we all know, you can simply buy pre-made “eco-friendly” products.

But keep in mind:

  • There’s still a lot of greenwashing out there. Companies make themselves look more non-toxic and environmentally-friendly than they really are…
  • Many natural product companies have been bought out by large corporations (think Burt’s Bees and Tom’s of Maine). Do you really trust these big conglomerates who make tons of toxic, synthetic-chemical filled products?

Over time, I discovered that finding containers for storing DIY products can be easy! Here are a few of my favourite hacks.

Watch the video or read on below.

Tip #1: reuse existing containers for storing DIY products

The easiest DIY container hack is to use what you already have around the house. For example, “empties” of the following products:

  • Glass food jars
  • Lip balm containers
  • Glass sparkling water bottles
  • Mason jars
  • Essential oil roller bottles
  • Glass or stainless steel tupperware

Re-using existing containers is also a great way to lower your environmental impact.

Tip #2: store-bought containers for DIY products

If you don’t have any empties ready to use or you need more, you can find many suitable containers at every day stores you might shop at or have nearby.

I’ve found great soap dispensers at a reasonable price at stores like Walmart and Ikea. I’ve also found the perfect dishwasher powder and bath salt containers at the Dollar Store.

If you have something very specific in mind, you might still have to scour the natural products stores in your area.

Tip #3: order low impact storage containers online for DIY products

Nowadays, you can order almost anything online. If you need something specific and don’t want to hunt down natural products stores, it’s likely available on Amazon.

If you just don’t want to leave the house, you can also find a variety of DIY product suppliers online.

Tip #4: reduce your need for DIY storage containers

As you progress along your non-toxic lifestyle journey, you might finding yourself needing to make less and less DIY products. One-ingredient products can be very effective for your skin, as a deodorant and more!

For example, my skin lotion has simply become fractionated coconut oil – no mixing required! I’ll sometime add a drop of essential oil to it straight into my hand.

My face lotion has simply become jojoba oil. I have a pre-made roller bottle of essential oil mixture I’ll often dab in a few key spots on top of the jojoba oil on my face.

For nearly 10 years now, straight baking soda has been my non-toxic deodorant and I haven’t looked back!

Tip #4 is the ultimate in reducing your environmentally impact. If you can find a bulk store to refill your one-ingredient products, even better!

I hope this was super helpful. If you weren’t exploring non-toxic DIY recipes because you didn’t feel set up for it, maybe now you’ll at least think about it.

Because, honestly, one of the best ways to ensure you are using TRULY non-toxic products is to make them yourself.

If you have any other DIY container hacks, please share them with us in the comments below!

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

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DIY product shelf life | How long do non-toxic products last? https://www.rustikhealth.com/diy-product-shelf-life/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/diy-product-shelf-life/#comments Sat, 11 Jan 2020 15:49:10 +0000 http://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=2879 It’s really easy nowadays to find DIY natural product recipes online so you can ditch the toxic, store-bought stuff. What’s not so easy is figuring out how long these products will actually last before going bad. In this post, I am going to attempt to answer the question “what is the DIY product shelf life…

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It’s really easy nowadays to find DIY natural product recipes online so you can ditch the toxic, store-bought stuff. What’s not so easy is figuring out how long these products will actually last before going bad. In this post, I am going to attempt to answer the question “what is the DIY product shelf life for home cleaning and personal care needs”?

You’ll find out what is the average DIY product shelf life. I’ll also give you some tips to make your DIY products for home cleaning and personal care last longer.

Watch the video or read on below…

The problem with DIY natural products

The issue with making our own house cleaning and personal care products is we don’t include preservatives. In fact, avoiding preservatives is usually one of the reasons we start making our own products!

By not having any preservatives in our DIY natural products, they become susceptible to mold and bacteria growth. Some ingredients in the recipe may also eventually become rancid, break down and lose their effectiveness.

What goes bad and what can help

Certain ingredients tend to go bad more quickly or frequently than others. These include:

  • Fruit (e.g. lemon), yogurt and eggs.
  • Water – remember, water breeds life and that includes bacteria and mold!
  • Preparations with hydrogen peroxide.

Although not preservatives, certain natural ingredients can help extend the shelf life of your DIY products. There are typically anti-microbial agents and antioxidants, such as:

  • Borax
  • Vitamin E oil
  • Alcohol
  • Essential oils
  • Grapefruit seed extract
  • Citric or ascorbic acid
  • Salt or sugar
  • Vinegar

So how long do your DIY natural products really last

My rule of thumb, which I determined based on my research and own personal experience, is 2 – 4 weeks for recipes that include water and up to 3 – 6 months for other recipes.

DIY product shelf life will also depend on how big of a batch you make, how often you use it and how much you use each time.

Tips for extending the life of your DIY natural products

This is a list of my favourite tips for making your DIY natural products last as long as possible.

  • Make small batches so your products don’t sit on a shelf too long and have time to go bad before you run out. The best way to extend the shelf life of your products is by making shelf life a non-issue to begin with!
  • Clean and sterilize the containers you will be using very well so you don’t find yourself with bacteria right from the start.
  • Use distilled or boiled water.
  • Keep products refrigerated as heat can affect shelf life.
  • Store your DIY natural products in dark, amber bottles as sunlight can create oxidation.
  • Wash hands to avoid contaminating your products, especially when it comes to face and body creams or scrubs.
  • Use oils that have a longer shelf life, such as jojoba and fractionated coconut oil.

And finally, my FAVOURITE tip of all… Pick recipes that call for minimal preparation and ingredients so you can whip them up at a moment’s notice.

I hope this was helpful 🙂 Feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments below.

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in The Health + Mindset Collective group.

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Natural lifestyle goals | How to CRUSH your 2020 https://www.rustikhealth.com/2020-natural-lifestyle-goals/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/2020-natural-lifestyle-goals/#comments Sat, 04 Jan 2020 14:28:06 +0000 http://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=2852 Maybe instead of calling them new year’s resolutions, you prefer to call them natural lifestyle goals… or intentions… No matter what you choose to call them, here are my top 5 tips for crushing and keeping your new year’s resolution to lead a more natural lifestyle in 2020. Even though new year’s resolutions seem to…

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Maybe instead of calling them new year’s resolutions, you prefer to call them natural lifestyle goals… or intentions… No matter what you choose to call them, here are my top 5 tips for crushing and keeping your new year’s resolution to lead a more natural lifestyle in 2020.

Even though new year’s resolutions seem to be out-of-style these days, the start of a new year – or decade, in this case! – is a great trigger to make positive changes in your life. It can be your cue to start swapping out your products for non-toxic options, testing out DIY recipes and reconnecting with nature.

Watch me talk or read on below!

Start with something easy

This might seem obvious but it’s definitely worth mentioning. Plus, “easy” will mean something different if your goal is to buy natural products versus make natural products in 2020.

If you are committed to buying more natural products, pick products you can easily buy. These could be from the natural product section of the current stores you buy from or from a natural product store that is conveniently located. Don’t make it hard for yourself by getting a product that makes you go out of your way or that is hard to find.

If you are committed to making more natural products, pick recipes that are easy to make and have minimal ingredients. Don’t make it hard for yourself by choosing recipes that take a lot of time out of your already busy day! You also want to make it easy to refill this product once you run out.

In both cases, starting with something easy also means not swapping out a product you are currently really attached to. Go with something you don’t mind having out of your life right away. Something you buy without really paying attention to what brand you get or something you buy just because it’s on sale, for example.

Swap out products you use daily

To really create a new habit and, ultimately a new natural lifestyle, consistency is key. Start by swapping out products you use daily – like toothpaste or hand soap – so you can develop this consistency and also experience the empowerment that this lifestyle brings on a daily basis.

If you’re not quite ready to swap something out but want to add a more natural, non-toxic product or habit into your life, try layering it into your existing routine. For example, I’ve layered spraying our linens with anti-microbial and great-smelling essential oils every time I make our bed. Every time I go to make the bed, it’s my cue to take out the spray!

Do something that provides immediate benefit

Aim to really get that dopamine going and program yourself to keep living your natural lifestyle goals from the get-go. Swap something out or introduce a new habit that provides an immediate or obvious reward.

Examples of natural lifestyle habits that will leave you feeling amazing immediately:

  • Diffuse essential oils to clean the air, enhance your mood and help reduce the spread of illness in your home. Breathe it in deeply and pay attention to how it makes you feel.
  • Moisturize with 1 TBSP fractionated coconut or jojoba oil with one drop of lavender essential oil and feel how smooth your skin gets without any nasty synthetics.
  • See how clean your dishes can get using simple, all-natural ingredients with a homemade DIY diswashing liquid recipe. Feel the power.

If you can start feeling the joy and empowerment early on, you are more likely to keep going on your non-toxic living journey.

Make your resolutions progressive

If you have many non-toxic living goals, take little steps at first. This is a progressive and ongoing journey. When I started on this lifestyle, I began with simply replacing my face wash and I waited many weeks until I mastered that step before moving on to other habits.

By making your resolutions progressive, you:

  • reduce the overwhelm
  • build confidence
  • can celebrate milestones
  • set yourself up for lasting change

Don’t give up on your natural lifestyle goals

Finally, and this is the most important tip, DO NOT give up! Sure, the start of the year is a great cue to make positive changes. But if you slip up anytime during the year, you can absolutely press the reset button on your new year’s resolution and try again!

If you’d like support on transitioning to or progressing in your non-toxic lifestyle, make sure to check out Purify. For more non-toxic living tips, download my free e-book.

Thanks for watching / reading 🙂

M.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

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Healthy living tips I learned from 2019 https://www.rustikhealth.com/healthy-living-tips-from-2019/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/healthy-living-tips-from-2019/#comments Fri, 27 Dec 2019 02:01:32 +0000 http://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=2827 We are days away from a new decade… and, like me, you may be reflecting on this past year. One of my proudest achievements from 2019 is how much of a natural living family we’ve become. It’s been a long journey (10 years!) but it’s become my mission is to help others like you fast-track…

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We are days away from a new decade… and, like me, you may be reflecting on this past year. One of my proudest achievements from 2019 is how much of a natural living family we’ve become. It’s been a long journey (10 years!) but it’s become my mission is to help others like you fast-track their natural lifestyle with my healthy living tips.

Thinking back, these are the top 3 lessons I learned from my natural lifestyle and by reducing my family’s toxic exposure. I’m also giving you my top 5 natural ingredients to have in your home at all time! So read on…

1. A natural lifestyle can reduce stress and increase joy

We often get caught up in our day-to-day routines because they are comfortable and familiar. Even though you feel stressed out most of the time, the idea of changing up your routine with healthy living tips might cause you EVEN MORE stress.

Or you might think that living a natural lifestyle is more stressful because you have to:

  • intentionally look for or make non-toxic products…
  • spend more money on non-toxic products…
  • discover if these non-toxic products are actuallly going to work…

One of the lessons I learned this year is that non-toxic living does not have to be a stressful experience – in fact, it has been the opposite for me. Continuing my family’s natural living journey has reduced stress and even increased joy. Mundane chores, like making the bed, have actually become fun and empowering.

Maybe it’s because of the:

  • aromatic compounds from the essential oils and their effect on the limbic area of my brain…
  • empowerment that comes from knowing you can easily reduce your family toxic’s exposure by mixing 2 or 3 ingredients together…
  • ease that comes from always having everything on-hand to refill your natural cleaning or personal care products…

Whatever reason it may be, going deeper into the natural lifestyle has definitely reduced my stress levels, given me peace of mind and increased the joy I feel each and every day.

2. Nature and humanity are undeniably interconnected

Inevitably, as I’ve progressed on this journey, my connection to nature has strengthened and the environmentalist within me has be reborn. I was hyper earth-aware but, as I grew up, became more disconnected with Mother Nature around me.

I got caught up in the rat race, conveniences of the modern world and my focus was elsewhere for a long time. Even when my focus was on my family’s health and nutrition, I wasn’t really considering my impact on the earth.

Sound familiar?

But 2019 is the year I reconnected and my motivation to help save our planet was further solidified by our non-toxic lifestyle. At first, this journey was all about me and my family but now it’s part of a larger mission – including helping the planet.

Some accomplishments I’m particularly proud of:

  • Finally finding a super natural DIY dishwashing liquid and powder that works well and that I get excited about.
  • Turning our large garbage into our compost bin and our small compost bin into our garbage can.
  • Putting a deposit on an electronic car to trade in our current gas guzzling SUV next fall.

There are small steps you can take and also big steps. They are all equally valuable!

3. The simplest and cheapest products are the best

I used to roll my eyes at DIY products, especially when the recipes were too complex. Actually, I still roll my eyes at complex recipes! That’s because living naturally is NOT complex so why make it so?

In fact, the vast majority of the natural products I use in my home – whether to clean the house or for personal care – are simply a mixture of 2 or 3 ingredients. Some are even just 1 ingredient! These ingredients are also super easy to find (you likely already have some in your pantry) and not expensive at all.

The more I researched and experimented with recipes (don’t worry, I’ve done all that work for you), the more obvious this became.

The 5 natural ingredients to always have in the home:

  1. Baking soda: deodorizing, exfoliating, scrubbing and alkalizing.
  2. Vinegar: streak-free cleaning, unclogging, restoring PH balance.
  3. Soap nuts: washing, washing, washing!
  4. Castile soap: all-purpose cleaning, hair care and body wash.
  5. Essential oils: detoxifying, natural fragrance, physical and emotional support.

Keep these on-hand at all times so that when you run out of something, you can quickly whip up a new batch within a matter of minutes.

Watch me talk about what I’ve learned from my natural lifestyle journey in 2019.

I hope these healthy living tips were useful 🙂

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

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Non-toxic holidays: maintaining your natural lifestyle https://www.rustikhealth.com/non-toxic-holidays/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/non-toxic-holidays/#respond Mon, 16 Dec 2019 00:15:21 +0000 http://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=2764 For many of us, the holiday season is an especially hectic and stressful time. The last thing you need to worry about is how to make sure you experience non-toxic holidays. You might be fighting crowds trying to get holiday gifts for your family or trying to figure out the perfect present for a loved…

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For many of us, the holiday season is an especially hectic and stressful time. The last thing you need to worry about is how to make sure you experience non-toxic holidays.

You might be fighting crowds trying to get holiday gifts for your family or trying to figure out the perfect present for a loved one. You might be looking at your calendar and feeling overwhelmed by the number of holiday gatherings you have planned. You might be looking outside at the snow-covered roads, dreading your travels to see family members.

Or maybe you are the one hosting the holiday gatherings and you find yourself busy cleaning, cooking and prepping your home before the guests arrive. You are bogged down by end-of-year deadlines at work and getting everything done before you take holiday vacation.

And either as a result of all of this stress or the germs going around – or both – you find yourself crashing and falling ill at this peak time…

I’d say there are 4 common obstacles that can prevent you from having non-toxic holidays. Here are some of my favourite tips on overcoming them.

Obstacle #1: Lack of time for non-toxic holidays

Probably the biggest obstacle to your non-toxic lifestyle during the holiday season is going to be lack of time. For all of the reasons listed above and maybe some additional reasons unique to your own circumstances.

But honestly, this might be the time of year when you need to gift yourself a bit of time for yourself THE MOST. To gift yourself the time to:

So I encourage you to think of one non-toxic ritual that you love most and set up a reminder for yourself to do it during this holiday season. You can set up this reminder in your phone with a notification to complete it or write it out in your planner.

Don’t worry… if the reminder pops up and you’re just not feeling it that day, feel free to push it back to the next. The point of this is NOT to add any additional stress! But you want to make sure not to forget it entirely.

As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. So keep filling your cup with non-toxic living rituals so you can feel joy and keep pouring into the cup of others without sacrificing yourself.

Obstacle #2: Lack of control over your holidays

Another thing we often lack during this time of year is control. You are at the mercy of traditions, family gatherings and expectations. You are no longer on your usual schedule, you might be staying and eating elsewhere and maybe indulging in excessive holiday cheer!

I encourage you to remember that there is only so much that you can control… it is okay to release and enjoy this time of year. By remembering this and creating your reminder to keep doing your non-toxic rituals, you will maintain a better sense of balance.

Obstacle #3: Falling ill during this season

It always happens at the worst moment… and it often happens during the holiday season. You catch that illness going around at your child’s school or at work. The LAST thing you need is to be sick when there is so much to do and so much going on!

Prevention is key. There are simple non-toxic living rituals you can do to help support your immune system. I also highly recommend you work with a natural health practitioner to determine what is best and safest considering your circumstances and current health status.

Here are my favourite natural ways to strengthen my health and reduce susceptibility during the holidays:

  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Start your day with a glass of lemon water and then fruit.
  • Avoid sugary and processed foods.
  • Get some vitamin sunshine.
  • Use immune-supportive essential oils (I love tea tree for this).
  • Add adaptogens (e.g. tulsi or ashwaganda) to your smoothie.
  • Use garlic as a garnish generously.

These rituals not only support your immune system and help reduce your susceptibility, they provide you with CONFIDENCE. You can release some of that fear around illness because you are taking proactive steps against it. Carry this confidence with you always.

Obstacle #4: Fear of being judged by others

Not everyone is going to be on board with your non-toxic lifestyle. You might be referred to as the crunchy, tree-hugging, hippy-dippy family member. They might snicker at your DIY hand sanitizer or comment on your patchouli pure-fume.

My best advice to you is keep living your non-toxic lifestyle during the holiday season and make it visible. Even better, gift some natural DIY products to family members so they can experience first-hand the amazing benefits and see how easy it can be.

Most importantly, OWN IT. The more confident you are in your non-toxic lifestyle, the more others will be curious about it and convinced that it is worth trying for themselves.

For more tips on overcoming non-toxic living obstacles, get my free e-book.

Hope this helps you have non-toxic holidays!

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

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DIY face mask | Clay, essential oils and apple cider vinegar https://www.rustikhealth.com/diy-face-mask/ https://www.rustikhealth.com/diy-face-mask/#comments Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:39:58 +0000 http://www.rustikhealth.com/?p=2666 In this latest post, I share with you my favourite DIY face mask recipe. As a teenager and even into my early twenties, I had very oily skin. I would wear tons of foundation and powder my face multiple times to give a semblance of perfect skin. As you can imagine, my pores were also…

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In this latest post, I share with you my favourite DIY face mask recipe.

As a teenager and even into my early twenties, I had very oily skin. I would wear tons of foundation and powder my face multiple times to give a semblance of perfect skin. As you can imagine, my pores were also quite clogged and I was prone to breakouts.

I tried multiple different face washes, creams and masks but nothing make huge improvements. To be honest, massive shifts only began happening once I became much more conscious of my diet and transitioned to non-toxic face products.

To celebrate, I haven’t used face powder or foundations in YEARS. I can remember the last time I put anything on my face except for blush. I’m actually terrified to put anything more on my face than that given all of the progress!

For a while, my favourite non-toxic DIY face mask was simply egg white. I liked the tightening effect and may go back to it someday but lately this has been my go-to…

DIY face mask recipe

  • 1.5 tsp green clay
  • 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 drop essential oil

This makes a one-time use portion, which I love because I don’t have to worry about it going back or adding preservatives to it. I leave it on for about 5 – 10 minutes, or dry, and then wash with water. I’ll then go over oil-prone areas with witch hazel and apply face oil to moisturize.

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I set an alarm on my phone to remind me to do this mask every week. I will sometimes change it up and only use green clay and water. I’ll also switch up the essential oils I use. My favourite include geranium, frankincense, black spruce and tea tree.

And your non-toxic facial routine can be as simple as that!

What’s your favourite DIY face mask recipe?

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

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