by Susan Trost

 

The flowers are peaking out and the trees are blossoming. It is that time of year again. Time to start new and start fresh. Out with the old and in with the new. Here are some tips to help you get a healthier start to spring.

House Cleaning:

Make sure to use non-toxic cleaning products. Aerosols are especially bad for your lungs. Wear gloves. Keep in mind, what is on your skin is in your blood stream in just 30 seconds.

Clean out your cleaning products. To learn more about the products and chemicals you have in your house visit the Household Products website http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/. It details what is in the products, potential health problems and how to use and handle them safely. The website is hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It will really make you wonder if you even want these products in your house and will help you to understand some of the health implications that result.

Contact your local government about collection sites for toxic chemicals and cleaning products. Do not throw them into the regular trash or put them down the drain.

Want to make your own natural cleaning products? http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html#

Remember to recycle and reuse items as you clear out your closets, basement and garage. Don't throw away items that could benefit someone else. It will help someone out and be better for the environment.

Get in the habit of taking your shoes off at the door. Your house will stay cleaner and you won't track in toxins and dirt.

Yard Work:

Lawn Care and Gardening: Every year billions of pounds of pesticides/herbicides are applied to our lawns and farmlands. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, birth defects, immune system damage, lower sperm count and impaired neurological development in children, pets, adults, and wildlife. The chemical runoff pollutes our water supply, lakes and rivers.

Safer Choices: If you decide to use these products, follow the directions carefully. Avoid products labeled with "Danger". Do not go out on the lawn or work in the garden right away. Wear shoes in the yard and wear gloves when gardening. Look into organic or natural alternatives. Visit www.naturallandscapes.org for more info and some ideas.

The internet is full of natural recipes for your yard too. Here is just one of many options for fertilizers: http://frugalliving.about.com/od/doityourself/tp/Homemade_Fertilizer.htm

Plant a tree for Earth Day. It will beautify your yard, provide shade/wind block in a few years which can help with heating/cooling costs, and help improve air quality.

Consider composting to make good use of your yard clippings and certain food waste.

Self Cleaning:

Time to clean out your medicine cabinets and under your sink. You might be amazed at how old some items are! Do not flush medicines down the toilet or put them in the trash. Check with your town to see if they have a collection site for unused or expired medicine.

The average person uses 9 separate products with 126 chemical ingredients every day according to Skin Deep. What you put on your skin quickly ends up in your bloodstream. The FDA does not require testing before products go to market. Unfortunately, the personal care industry is not well regulated and marketing claims are often false. Typical claims include organic, natural, hypoallergenic, animal cruelty free, and fragrance free. Read the ingredient label carefully to find evidence that the claims are true. Dangerous ingredients include talc, parabens, mercury, lead, phthalates, petroleum byproducts, nanoparticles, fragrances, hydroquinone and more. Look for Certified Organic Skin Care products that are certified by an outside agency.

www.cosmeticsdatabase.com is a great resource. Share this site with every pregnant woman you know. It details products and what their ingredients are linked to (cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, violations, restrictions, warnings, allergies, immunotoxicity and more).

Easy Liver Detox: Each spring and fall, do the following easy liver cleanse each morning before you eat, drink or even brush your teeth. Blend up 1 garlic clove, the juice of 1 lemon, and one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Drink it and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. Do it for 5 days in a row.

Want more information on healthier living, how to decrease toxins getting into your body and how to increase toxins getting out of your body? Visit www.livinghealthiernow.com for articles, tips and technologies. Enough cleaning. Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!