I can hear you saying it LOUD and CLEAR! And aren’t we seeing so many more people, particularly mothers making the change. Swapping for the natural, low tox life style. Through chatting with friends and mothers groups, I noticed a wave of people really starting to think about how they ‘did life’ in the home.
I’m often asked why I chose the low tox lifestyle? To me it’s a no brainer. But it did take time. Time to rewire my brain. To understand and realise what was in my household cleaning items and why things had to change!
My transition into this beautiful, clean lifestyle has been somewhat of a journey when I look back. I didn’t mean for anything to happen the way it did. It came about organically. As you know, the more we educate ourselves the more we make changes to our lives along the way. Whether it be spiritual, physical, mental, wholistic, it’s all about learning and growing. Changing one step at a time no matter how small the step. It’s still in the right direction.
Keeping that in mind- my first step was almost 9 years ago. I was expecting my first child and I kept thinking about the idea of my baby being perfectly safe inside my belly. Bringing him into a world where nothing is perfect. In fact far from it. I had this obsession with creating a safety for him where he felt he was still in the womb. Safe and unharmed. That meant dressing him in a soft and gentle way. The best way that I could possibly do this was to create my own laundry wash and use that on my clothing. That way I was in control of what touched his skin. I wanted to keep my sons baby skin as pure as possible. Over the years I tried a few different ways of making my own low tox laundry wash. It was only this year that I found what I believe is far better than store bought. And really, it only takes me less than five minutes to make two litres of Laundry Wash and Fabric Softener.
But that’s as far as I went for some years. I still used chemicals everyday for everything else.
All this time I was so close yet so far! In my home I loved the beauty in knowing I had never cooked a packet meal ever for my family. I was buying organic meats, washing my fruit and veg (blah, blah… this isn’t a post on food. I have plenty of those already 😉. However I will say here, I promise you reader you can always find a super quick and fast alternative. If I can do it as a busy mum, anyone can do it.)
And so on my journey I truly believed eating a whole foods diet of simple, clean foods that God has put on this earth was all you needed. And it’s by far the greatest thing you can do for yourself and your family and friends.
However, in 2014 I was sitting in church listening to our pastor speak on the gifts Jesus was given at His birth. He read aloud the gifts of ‘Frankincense’ and ‘Myrrh.’ Explaining how these precious items were worth more than gold!
At this point all I can say is I’m glad we were sitting in the back row. I pulled my phone out of my bag… and simply googled just exactly what Frankincense and Myrrh was and why they were considered to be of great value. I was ASTONISHED(!!!) at the information on the health and wellness these resins carry. I couldn’t stop reading and soaking it all in.
From there I stumbled across DōTERRA and let me tell you, that was a whole new level. The HUGE range of 100% unadulterated oils. Frankincense and Myrrh were just two of many. I learnt about the transparency of doTERRA and their indepth testing of their products. I wanted so much to implement this into my family’s life. We were healthy (Praise God), we exercised and now… now I wanted to be free from chemicals in my home. I wanted to know that if one of my children accidentally grabbed hold of my toilet cleaner or surface spray and they sucked on the bottle there would be no fear. I wanted to use products that are natural and from the earths rich resources. In reading and understanding the oils it lead to further questions, how are they derived and who does DōTERRA support? I wanted ethically produced oils.
I soon discovered the sourcing model has made sure they look after their growers and the people on the ground level in all these countries they source from.
Through their Source To You model they are/have cultivated partnerships with artisans, small-scale growers and distilleries. By forming cooperatives with the growers, that means they have had the opportunity to create more jobs and improve income and livelihood for farmers around the world.
My process was slow. In hind sight too slow. I’ve been using essential oils for close to four years now and to be honest I bought whatever oils were the cheapest. I made the mistake of thinking all oils are of the same quality and level. I was so very wrong. And that’s ok. We live and learn. As I kept discovering I couldn’t deny the findings. I couldn’t deny the product testing by third party testers. I strongly felt now was the time for me to take action in my household. Now was the time to create a low tox culture and ditch those chemicals! I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t buy second best. You can’t ‘unknow’ once you know!
My mind went into overdrive. If I could make my own detergents in a matter of minutes how hard would it be to swap all my daily products over?
Friends, I couldn’t believe it. I spent maybe 20 minutes of my day (whilst breastfeeding… look at that multitasking 😂) understanding how to make hand soaps, surfaces sprays, fly spray, toilet cleaner, shampoos, body lotions. You name it, there is a easy low tox alternative for it.
This transition is not hard. Don’t allow it to be. I’ve tried to summarise the easiest way to transition below.
My 5 top tips on Transitioning to Low Tox;
1. Research and understand what your top items are that you need for your low tox life.
You will need:
Pump foaming containers (for hand soaps)
Glass Spray Bottles and nozzles
Rollers
Glass jars and bottles.(for detergents and laundry wash)
Your Essential Oils
Dr Brenner Castile Soap
Bi Carb Soda
Vinegar
Filtered water
*Give or take you’ll need a few extra things. These are always at the top of my list.
2. Don’t try to change everything at once. Wait until your store bought item is finished and then simply replace it. That way you have plenty of time, be it of an evening or weekend to make a note on what you need so you’re ready for the easy transition.
3. Keep your favourite DIY recipes close by and saved. It’s a great idea to pop over to my Instagram page or search my blog under the search bar for anything you’re looking for.
4. Enjoy the process. Find a small moment to read up on your oils. Keep a file on your laptop of all the information you learn along the way. Make learning fun and be creative. Using your oils for beauty products and perfumes become stunning, personal gift ideas.
5. Don’t be afraid to share your love. Often I find in chats with friends or on social media people will mention a struggle either with themselves or someone they love. And that struggle will tend to be physical or mental. Don’t be afraid to offer an idea or even a small house made gift to show you care. You’re listening and also being proactive in your friendship. There’s nothing wrong with ever saying ‘hey, after last weeks chat I thought this roller bottle might help with…’
Too often I get met with comments about it all being so overwhelming and too much effort. Please be encouraged, friend. It really isn’t. ONE STEP AT A TIME. One small purchase at a time.
The low tox life chose me, I promise. And it will chose you.
It’s time you allowed it.
Come and chat with me anytime. I’m here to answer your questions. Or sign up and create your own wholesale account through me.
Let’s do this. Together.
Low Tox Living.
BODY. MIND. HEART. SPIRIT
*The Healing Hands Foundation that doTERRA created is also an incredible organisation, bringing refuge, hope and light to so many less fortunate lives around the world.
Jennifer Clanfield 