How many of you are directly affected by someone who has cancer or an autoimmune disease? Most of us have at least one person, if not several people close to us that are dealing with one or more of those conditions. And it’s becoming more frequent every day.

Do you remember when a diagnosis like that was rare? When I was younger, it was far less common to know someone who was dealing with cancer and autoimmune diseases were almost unheard of.

So, what changed? Why is it so prevalent now? Most of you know I’m a nurse. In my 30+ years of nursing, I have, sadly, seen people getting sicker, not healthier. A lot of that has to do with what we are putting in and on our bodies, as well as the environments we live in.

Our bodies accumulate all the toxins we are subjected to in our environment, as well as through our food and the products we use on a daily basis. Most of us don’t even know the ingredients in the products we use or how they affect our bodies. We just assume because they are sold in stores, that they are safe for us to use.

Here’s an eye-opening little experiment to try…… Take some of the products you use every day in your home, and on your body,  and look at the ingredients. How many can you even pronounce? Do me a favor and google the names of some of the ingredients listed and put “dangers of” in front of the ingredient. You will be shocked to see what comes up! (Is it any wonder that hormone imbalances/disorders, breathing problems, skin disorders, and more are on the rise when you read the problems those ingredients cause?!)

 Why is that important?  Our skin is a carrier, not a barrier, as we once thought it was; It absorbs everything it is exposed to.  Over time, this affects how our bodies function. Our bodies can no longer function as efficiently as they once did. It’s like a toilet that is getting clogged; it flushes slowly until it becomes fully clogged, at which time it overflows. The same thing happens with our bodies. Sometimes they just don’t work as well, other times we develop one of the things we discussed earlier.

So…. what can we do about it? Or are we just “sitting ducks”, waiting until it knocks at our door?

While it’s true that some things are beyond our control, there are lots of things we DO have control over. While some things are directly related to the age we live in (cell phones, microwaves, etc), there are plenty of things we can do to minimize our risks and improve our health.

Most of the products we use on a regular basis are super toxic. But the good news is that is very simple to switch to products that are not harmful to you and your family.

Did you know that plug ins, candles, and other typical air fresheners are as harmful as smoking a pack of cigarettes?!  And it’s sad that we have grown accustomed to using cleaners around our kids that have poison warnings on them. Not to mention how toxic laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and name brand dish soaps are. The agent that causes the bubbles (which we have been told indicates clean) is very toxic and can cause nerve damage with extended use.

While this can feel overwhelming and the thought of switching everything out can feel daunting, it doesn’t have to.

So what can a busy mom on a budget do to make things safer in her home, for herself, and for her family?? Super simple swaps!

I buy my products from a company that I have found;  I have been using their products for 9 years now. They are a very reputable company (they have been in business for over 30 years) and their products are all natural/organic. They have everything you need for personal care, cleaning, laundry, dishes, and more. They also have a line of supplements, as well as high quality essential oils.

They offer subscribe and save options, discounted options, credit to use towards future purchases, and it’s all shipped to your door! Most of their products are concentrated so it’s an extra value….you get multiple bottles/uses out of 1 product! It’s a win-win!

Where do you even start?! I picked a few products to switch out each month so it was more budget-friendly for me. But it was a no-brainer. I no longer had to worry about using products that weren’t safe for my family. (My husband is a mechanic. He uses harsh chemicals every day at work. While I can’t change that, I can reduce the amount of harmful products he’s exposed to at home.)

The first thing I did was throw my candles in the trash. I bought a starter kit with a diffuser and essential oils so my house would smell good without breathing in all of the harmful ingredients of air fresheners and candles.

The next priority for me was to swap out my cleaners for better options. I had stopped using cleaners from the store a long time ago due to one of my sons having asthma; I found his breathing worsened after using those harsh cleaners. I used vinegar, baking soda, and lemon to clean but my family detested the vinegar smell so finding Thieves Cleaner was a Godsend! Another plus? Thieves cleaner can be used as a multi-purpose cleaner. I put a capful in a glass spray bottle and use it on my counters, mirrors, etc. I use it “straight” as a spot remover/detergent booster for my laundry…..the many ways it can be sued are too numerous to list here!

I then moved on to purchasing different dish soap, laundry products, and personal care products. It took me many months to switch everything out but making those changes has drastically improved my health! (And I’m much more sensitive to “fake smells” now that my body has detoxed from all those other ingredients.)

If any of this resonates with you, I highly encourage you to check out youngliving.com and explore their products. They have truly changed how I care for myself and my family! As a nurse, it is my desire to see people living their best, healthiest lives!

Love and blessings,

Mindy

P.S. If you do place an order, I would be honored if you use my code when you order (12866758  or enter my name). If not, no worries….I’ll still love you. ;-)

If you are struggling with a difficult circumstance in your life, I’m also a life coach and would be honored to walk with you through that struggle. Visit my website: mindyheinercoaching.com to book a time. If you have not previously booked a session with me, your first session (30 minutes) is free! I can’t wait to chat with you!