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.

The post Storing DIY products | Preserve your non-toxic recipes appeared first on Rustik Health.

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.

The post Natural lifestyle goals | How to CRUSH your 2020 appeared first on Rustik Health.