Clean.

Over the last two years I haven't been feeling well specifically after eating dairy. Over the last year or so we've been cleaning up what we eat. Less processed and more clean whole foods. Now we haven't completely gotten rid of dairy, we still love our cheeses. We are just more aware of how much we are taking in. We feel so much healthier.

We're recently encouraged to watch the documentary, Chemerical. Its about all the toxins we put on our body (lotions, hair products, make-up) and that linger in all our household cleaning products.
It really spurred our curiosity. So we, okay really Andy, challenged me to try natural cleaning.
I made dish detergent, laundry detergent, all- purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, shampoo/ conditioner, and stopped using lotions. The ingredients in the majority of homemade products were made from simple things: vinegar, baking soda, lemon, baking soda,

We've grown to really enjoy it. I find myself cleaning more often, not because I need to, but because I actually enjoy seeing something I've made working so well.

So yesterday, I decided to give the bathroom a good cleaning. I don't know what spurred me to do it, but I grabbed a "green, natural" store-bought cleaner I hadn't gotten rid of. I sprayed the bathtub and shower walls. I was floored (almost literally) by how it made me feel. I was having trouble breathing and it gave me a headache. Little Bear didn't like it so much either.  Even though it was "green" and "natural" there was still processed toxic chemical whatever it is still lingering inside that pretty green liquid of no-good-for-you.
So I aired out the bathroom, and went back later with my handy citrus infused vinegar/ water cleaning solution. When I was done, I admired how beautiful my bathroom was and went on to clean the kitchen.

It then got me thinking, what other things do we have in our lives that are seemingly good for us but are just straight up toxic? Friendships? Relationships? Habits?

(Bad habit of mine: I am a glutton! I love food. I will eat and eat and eat, even when I should eat no more. Its a bad habit. There I said it. Admitting it is the first step, right?)

So what kinds of things in your life do you need to 'clean up'. And how are you going to take the steps to do it?



DISCLAIMER: We are not totally free of toxic chemicals or eating 100% healthy. The fact is we are a work in progress. The changes will come.