As a naturopathic and functional medicine practitioner, I have the privilege of educating and supporting my clients on the nutrition, movement, lifestyle factors, and self-care practices that will optimize their individualized needs, goals, genetics, and epigenome. However, one of the biggest triggers and disruptors to staying healthy, even with the best wellness plan, are the insidious and excessive chemical exposures that the overall population is up against (https://www.gdx.net/core/interpretive-guides/Toxic-Effects-CORE-Interp-Guide.pdf) each day.
It’s gotten to the point where I have needed to add extra supplemental support to almost every person’s protocol as protection from these toxins. In fact, just last week, I had several requests from clients for acute consults and they were all due to recent environmental exposures!
I am proud my clients recognized the cause of their symptoms and reached out for support, but saddened that we live in a world where so many are “sensitive.” Those who have certain genetic predispositions, variations in detoxification genes, and/or high overall toxic burden are our “canaries in the coal mine.” They alert us to the consequences of the after-effects of “better living through chemistry” and poor government oversight.
It seems there is no organ system is “immune” to the nutrient draining, hormone havoc creating, nervous system disrupting, and basically all-out-crazy effects of these toxins.
I have studied aspects of environmental health since the beginning of my functional medicine certification. As I continue to educate myself on the enormity of the situation, I believe that one of the most important actions we can take for our physical and emotional health is being proactive about what we choose to put on our bodies and in our homes.
I have been passionate about sharing this message to you! Recently, I have launched a 6-month challenge to guide you in action steps to take the scare to care.
By “Cleaning up Your Home and Health in 6 Months,” everyone, not just my clients, can benefit from better health while securing the well-being of future generations and our planet.
Just a few days ago, I posted the third challenge. You can learn more about it here and catch up on all the preceding ones.
Why I Use Essential Oils for the Challenge?
Essential oils and oils-infused products are accessible to everyone (at a discount) and they also support and protect our body from unwanted exposures. Using them for our “greener products” means we get multiple, holistic benefits. Essential oils and oils-infused products:
- Ensure that we are safely cleaning without harm and preventing unwanted chemicals from entering our bodies.
- Enhance our immune system and balance our biochemistry and physiology as we do our “chores” and beauty routines.
- Provide benefits to our psychology and strengthen our mind-body connection by decreasing our stress response!!
- Promote environmental stewardship.
- Prevent corporate greed from harming our well-being…
I’ll share a story with you to demonstrate.
The Dark Side of Corporate Greed
Last year, I moved into a new community. As I was contemplating this fact and humming to my mailbox, I opened it to receive an unwelcome surprise.
It was a bill with a $25.00 increase in my Turbo internet fee from Spectrum!
Not a horror, but horrible!
I called to see if I could get a better deal and some sympathy for this substantial price increase. In the past, Time Warner had honored my loyalty as a customer and cut me a break on the “mandatory price increase” after the one-year introductory offer.
Spectrum was different… not in a good way.
After speaking to several people, nothing could be done for “established customers.”
I could; however, stop the service for 30-45 days and then recommit for a cheaper price!
Insanity?!
A company rewarding disloyalty.
My mom pinned it: They can offer deals to reel in new customers, but once they are “hooked” on the product, lock them in at a 33% price increase!!
I’m calling attention to Spectrum, but it happens with most consumer products when demand is high and competition low and, quite frankly, it’s just plain wrong.
Have you been there?
Click here to learn more about Challenge for a Greener Home! Contact me if you’d like more information on becoming a member of my site to access all 6 challenges with specific product suggestions and education to lead you step-by-step to better health and safer houses.
Disclaimer: This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.
This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)
Thanks for the images Pixabay.
