It’s true! Here’s my Essential list for living organically on a budget:

Start where you live
Your home is your sanctuary. You can make it a safe, healthy environment without losing your shirt!

My favourite resource for affordable ways to reduce chemical toxins in the home is Adria Vasil’s Ecoholic books

At Organic lifestyle, we’ve sourced safer products that provide:
great quality with reduced toxic exposure
longer lasting use compared to conventional counterparts
the peace of mind you can achieve knowing your products are safer

Cleaning supplies: a closer look

Concerned about big bad bacteria?

Well, did you know that FDA report shows that using triclosan containing anti-bacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soap and water?

Furthermore, many people claim that growing up in bleach-drenched environments may have resulted in multiple chemical sensitivities later in life.

Many strong cleaning chemicals are fatal if ingested. That’s a pretty good indicator of its toxicity. You would not allow your child near it, so why would you clean your house with it? You don’t have to!

• At home, I use a vinegar-and-water combination for general cleaning
• Old clothes are recycled as rags and conveniently machine washed for re-use!
• You can find cleaning creams and glass cleaners from local groceries or natural food stores that have less harsh chemicals in them; read labels carefully
• I stay clear of dry cleaning, magic erasers, Febreeze-like air fresheners, and bleach altogether

For laundry, there are plenty of less harmful detergents on the market.

Tip: I hang dry my clothes near my boiler or use the dryer with wool balls to reduce the need to iron. (Okay, technically, this is not about being organic, but it is about being energy conscious and helping your clothes last longer! Dryers are notoriously hard on clothes.)

2. You are what you eat – Eating organic doesn’t have to cost a bundle

• Steer clear of the Dirty Dozen – 12 food items known for heavy pesticide use; buy organic equivalents instead!
• Go to your local farmer’s market, talk to the farmers, and find out which products are pesticide free
• Sign up for an organic food-delivery service and avoid crowded supermarkets!

3. You are what you slather your body, too! – Marketers love to bandy about words like “natural” and “healthy” to attract health-conscious consumers without having to meet actual health standards. Sadly, the Dirty Dozen isn’t exclusive to fruits and vegetables.

But those of us committed to the health and safety of our communities have our consumers covered! David Suzuki’s Foundation, Environmental Defense (Canadian environment focused non-profits) is a great go-to for identifying toxic health and beauty products in personal care and cosmetics.

Organic Lifestyle carries Clean Care certified personal care products and cosmetics, made by Canadians! Healthy and local!

4. Let’s talk about sex!
Or, at least, the room where it’s most likely to occur. The bedroom is where we do a lot of healthy recharging, whether we’re sleeping or enjoying a loving encounter. Toxins most definitely be reduced in this sacred space.

• We spend 1/3 of our life sleeping. Having organic pillows, linens, and mattresses helps reduce our chemical exposure
• Organic products last far longer than conventional ones because they are made of high-quality materials with no chemicals to cause them to breakdown over time

Of course, there is a lot more that can be done on the cheap; however, I believe if you are actively taking action in these 4 areas, you are making a significant impact on reducing toxic exposure to you and your family.

Stay tuned for more in-depth ways to reduce toxic impact in other areas of your life.

In the interim, I’d love to hear from you on:

• any suggestions of your own you’d like to share?
• how many of the 6 areas are you currently active in?
• Was this helpful?

Dihan, part of the Organic Lifestyle team.