part0019

Let’s take a look at some common toxins found in the home. As we’ve seen, fluoride is present in tap water and toothpaste. It claims to help prevent tooth decay, yet research shows that it makes little difference. Geographic locations that haven’t fluoridated their water have the same rate of cavities as areas that do. By drinking fluoridated water, you can overload your body with this toxin. It can mimic symptoms of arthritis and give you joint aches and pains. It will also cloud your mind and make concentration harder, and it affects children and young adults even more than older people.

Make your own chemical-free toothpaste from organic coconut oil, food-grade peppermint oil, and pure baking soda. Choose natural springwater as your drink of choice, or invest in reverse-osmosis filtration.

Triclosan is a highly toxic ingredient in antibacterial products, toothpaste, cosmetics, and many liquid soaps. It’s a synthetic antibacterial agent that is very dangerous. It’s been linked with immune- and endocrine-system issues and can disrupt your thyroid function (the thyroid is responsible for your metabolism and growth). Studies have shown that triclosan can increase cell growth and cause elevated activity in the brain. It disrupts hormones in the body and also affects your muscles .

Researchers from the University of California, Davis, and the University of Colorado presented a scientific paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that showed that triclosan impairs muscles of the body and heart. They suggested that triclosan forms a very real risk to humans.

Many researchers say that the presence of triclosan has little benefit in antimicrobial and antibacterial hand washes. The process of rinsing your hands and rubbing them together dislodges bacteria and viruses, and the presence of triclosan doesn’t make a significant difference. A study was completed on the effectiveness of triclosan as an antibacterial hand wash, and the lead researcher admitted that it’s only effective in uncommon situations when there are extremely high levels of bacteria. He also admitted that the research was shaped and funded by the American Cleaning Institute, a trade association for producers of cleaning products. Naturally, they have the most to gain from keeping this harmful chemical in their products.

Phthalates are common in plastic packaging, plastic wrap, and plastic bags. They can also be found in soap, shampoo, hair spray, and nail polish. They’re added to plastics to make them stronger and more flexible. Cosmetic manufacturers use phthalates to prolong the scent of fragrances. Phthalates have been linked to reproductive and endocrine-system issues.

As we’ve touched upon at several points, BPA plastics are present in many food and drink containers. There has been much research done into the dangers of BPA-containing plastics: they leach this dangerous toxin into foods and lead to liver disturbances, heart disease, and reproductive concerns. BPA plastics have recycling number 3 or 7. Avoid these plastics at all costs.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is responsible for the foaming of many hand and body washes, facial cleansers, and shampoos. It may cause allergic reactions with repeated use. It can also damage the protective layer of the skin, which keeps harmful chemicals out. However, with respect to shampoo, there are a number of products now labeled “sulfate-free,” so you might want to be on the lookout for them .

Essential oils can be powerful disinfectants and are provided to us by nature. The oils offer physical cleaning properties along with metaphysical healing energies. This makes them the perfect choice for spiritually aware people like you. An excellent antiseptic oil is lavender. Add lavender oil to a spray bottle of water, shake well, and let sit for several hours. When you’re ready to use it, shake vigorously again before spraying the surfaces you wish to clean. After you finish, mist some more lavender over the surface for extra protection. The aroma of lavender is very soothing and helps calm anxieties and fears. It works to open your third-eye chakra and awakens your clairvoyance.

There are many wonderful natural products that you can use for cleaning and self-care. Most of these are common household items. Learn how they can be used in different ways to help you avoid chemical-laden products.

As discussed earlier in the book, tea tree oil is an excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic essential oil. It’s perfect for cleaning and disinfecting, as it breaks through bacterial defenses.

Tea tree oil can be used in a whole host of ways. Dab a drop on acne and it will clear up the spots. Pop a few drops in an aromatherapy diffuser to combat colds and flu. Add a little to shampoo to prevent head lice. Use it as an all-purpose cleaner by adding two teaspoons to two cups of water. Put this in a spray bottle and shake very well. Use it on kitchen countertops, in the shower, and to combat mold. If you don’t care for the smell, add some geranium oil to the mixture .

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a wonderful household item that’s safe for you and your family to use. Baking soda balances the pH of anything it interacts with. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Rinse it in your mouth, swish it around, and then spit into the sink. Your breath will be fresh, as the baking soda neutralizes odor and balances your oral health. You can use it as an exfoliant, as it’s gentle enough for daily use.

Make a paste by adding a little water to some baking soda. Then, gently rub in circular motions over the neck and face. You can give yourself a whole-body scrub, too! This is also a great hand cleanser for stubborn dirt or odors.

As a natural deodorant, baking soda can be lightly applied to your underarms. Just use the dry powder and pat away any excess. It can be used to neutralize other odors, too. Keep an open box in the refrigerator to absorb odor. After a month or two, dispose of the box by pouring it down the drain. As you do so, let the warm water run from the spigot. It will remove any drain smells and make your sink fresh. Also, you can sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of trash cans to avoid unwelcome smells.

Use baking soda to clean your home. Sprinkle some onto a damp sponge and scrub the shower and bathroom as normal. Then, rinse off and wipe dry. The tiles will sparkle like new, and there isn’t any need to wear a face mask since there are no harsh chemicals!

For baked-on food, sprinkle a few spoons of baking soda into the pan. Add a little water and let it soak. You’ll find that food sponges off much easier. Clean your oven by making a paste with baking soda. Apply it to stubborn areas and then let it sit overnight. In the morning, use a wet sponge to clean the inside of the oven. Remove any debris and go over it again with a damp sponge. Mop your floors with a solution of a half cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Dust over the carpet and leave overnight. The next day, vacuum up the baking soda for a fresh-smelling room .

Use additional natural skin-care items such as virgin coconut oil. Your skin readily absorbs this natural oil and repairs connective tissue. It can help to minimize fine lines and bring a youthful glow to your complexion. Apply the oil to your face and all over your body.

You can use organic virgin coconut oil in cooking, too. Unlike other oils, it won’t go rancid or form unhealthy trans fats when heated. You can use coconut oil to cook at high temperatures and it still remains nutritious. Your body easily digests this oil, which can help you lose weight. As you replace other oils with natural coconut oil, you’ll find that you have energy, which will speed up your metabolism.

Don’t spray toxic insecticides in your home. Instead, create your own blend of natural, safe insect repellent. Add 10 drops of citronella essential oil, 5 drops of lavender oil, and 5 drops of geranium to a 3 fl. oz. (100 mL) spray bottle. Fill with water and shake well. Spray throughout your outdoor areas to naturally repel bugs and insects. You can spray this mixture on your skin, or make a lovely oil to use topically. Make a base of organic cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil, or organic coconut oil, and add the same essential-oil combination. Apply a small amount to your palms and then gently massage into your skin. You’ll smell great, nourish your skin, and keep insects away.

Use peppermint tea as a natural insect repellent as well. Brew a strong pot of peppermint in a closed vessel like a teapot, add ing three teaspoons of dried, organic peppermint leaves for every cup of boiling water. Let it steep for half an hour and cool. When it’s room temperature, you can decant it into a spray bottle. Use this outside on your plants and flowers. This prevents bugs from munching on your blooms and salad greens, although once it’s washed away through rain or watering, you’ll need to re-mist with the refreshing scent of peppermint.

Kirsti Boothroyd, whose story of detoxing from sugar was recounted in Chapter 7 , learned of the harmful effects of household chemicals. Reading the ingredient lists, she discovered toxins in her toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, face cream, and cleaning products. She was horrified by this knowledge, as she had three small children she wanted to keep safe.

She did some research on the subject and decided to remove all chemicals from her home. She wrote on her whiteboard “Chemical-Free Home” as a commitment to the angels. She asked them for help in replacing the old chemicals. The very next day, she found enough money to replace all chemicals with Earth-conscious products.

A wonderful website sponsored by the Environmental Working Group will give you instant analyses of the ingredients in thousands of cosmetics, toiletries, and personal-care items. You just type in the name of the product and you’ll read about any toxins it may contain. We highly recommend this website: www.ewg.org/skindeep .

In addition, Americans can download a3 app for their smart-phones that allows for pointing at the UPC bar code on a food product to learn if it contains genetically modified (GMO) ingredients. Look for it in your app store under the name “Fooducate.” As you set up and personalize the app, simply move the button that asks whether or not you want it to scan for GMOs (you definitely do) .

Supplements and herbal products aren’t exempt from chemicals and toxins. At the time of this writing, there’s information coming out saying that so-called organic products from China may be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. In China, there are different regulations governing organic farming. As long as the farmer isn’t adding additional pesticides or fertilizers to the crops, they can be called organic. The soil or water may contain many harmful toxins, though. Most supplements and herbal products will be concentrated, and if they aren’t grown in a truly organic way, there can be concentrations of toxins, too.

Check product labels and seek out organic supplements when possible. Read the labels and find out where the ingredients are sourced or where the product is manufactured. Making an informed choice leads to better health.

Check with your local water district to see if fluoride is added to the water supply. If it is, protest this archaic and dangerous practice. A lot of times cities continue to add fluoride without questioning the habit. Do research on the latest scientific information regarding fluoride health hazards, which outweigh the minimal advantages for oral health.

In the meantime, it’s wise to get a water filter or purifier for your home. There are many varieties, starting with the small and inexpensive hand-held Brita or Pur brand water filters connected to a water pitcher that you keep in your refrigerator.

You can buy more elaborate water filters that fit beneath your kitchen sink to purify the water you use for tea, cooking, and drinking. Or, you can buy a whole-house reverse-osmosis system. These systems are sold in “stages,” with each stage treating and filtering the water. The more stages, the cleaner the water. You may need to add minerals back into reverse-osmosis water to ensure that it’s alkaline and tastes good.

Ordinary sheets, blankets, comforters, and towels are made from synthetic oil-based materials or from pesticide-covered cotton. These materials are often made in sweatshops where workers are treated cruelly and barely paid any money. Because the manufacturers don’t pay a decent wage to workers, the items are sold inexpensively at major department stores. You think you’re getting a bargain, but think again. …

How does the energy of sleeping on sheets that are made at someone else’s painful expense affect you? And if you’re sleeping on synthetic sheets, have you noticed that your skin can’t “breathe” and you often feel sweaty, or too hot or cold?

That’s why we highly recommend investing in organic and sustainable household fabric goods that are made under Fair Trade operations (meaning that the workers are treated and paid fairly).

The positive-energy difference in sleeping with organic sheets, pillows, and blankets is huge! Sheets made from organic bamboo and cotton are soft and cuddly, like your most comfortable shirts. You may enjoy the experience so much that you gradually start wearing organic-fabric clothing, which also has a high-vibrational frequency that you can feel each time you wear it.

Only purchase organic cotton swabs, as ordinary cotton is filled with pesticides and genetic modifications. Get as much information as you can so you can rest assured that you’re using safe and natural products. Search for the ethics of a brand or company to ensure they treat their workers fairly. Don’t buy products from companies that use animal testing or that are fighting the labeling of GMOs. All of these factors will filter down through the energy of the items produced. You’re already doing so much work on your energy and spirituality, so it makes sense to take excellent care of your physical body, too.

Traditional saunas use a hot environment to promote sweating. They typically have a heating element of rocks that reaches a high temperature. Moisture is added to the air by pouring cupfuls of water over the stones. Infrared saunas are quite different. They do little to heat up the external environment, but work with infrared radiation to heat your body internally. These infrared saunas filter out the UV radiation, leaving behind the same infrared radiation that comes from the sun. These waves of radiation only penetrate a little way into the skin. They can help raise your metabolism and promote sweating in a safe way.

Your skin is the biggest organ of elimination. Through sweating, you can release old, built-up toxins. Infrared saunas stimulate your circulation and bring more oxygen into your cells. As this occurs, you push out chemicals and health hazards into sweat. Saunas can be great for people who don’t sweat regularly through exercise. Use infrared saunas to cleanse your body if you haven’t exercised for some time. This releases any buildup of toxins and encourages you to enjoy exercise again.

Start using infrared saunas slowly. Begin with 20 or 30 minutes and then get out. Over time, you can slowly increase the amount of time spent in a sauna. However, in the early stages of your detox, less is best .

This may be the most important item you could add to your healing home, for the sake of your health. Gardening is relaxing and meditative, and connects you with nature. And food grown in your own garden has the highest vibration of anything you could possibly eat! The angels say that eating freshly picked, locally grown produce is like reading Mother Earth’s newspaper because you’re connecting with, and getting messages about, local energies.

You don’t have to own a piece of land to grow a garden—you can grow one anywhere! There are hydroponic gardening kits for sale online that allow you to create a garden inside your home. You can also plant tomatoes and other hardy vegetables in pots on your balcony.

There are many online resources and books to help you finesse your garden. There are also gardening clubs that will give you personal support and the opportunity to meet new friends. Similarly, some communities have co-op gardens, with a large plot of land subdivided between many people.

Be sure to plant only heirloom, organic, and non-genetically modified seeds. You can buy them online through reputable suppliers who’ve taken the “Safe Seed Pledge.” This means that they’re certifying that no artificial bioengineering has touched their seeds. Heirloom and organic seeds can be harvested for other seasons. GMO seeds have been created to only last one season, forcing gardeners and farmers to give money to GMO corporations for new crops.