5 Tips to Start Living a Natural Lifestyle

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureUp2018 #CollectiveBias

Transitioning into a natural lifestyle can be overwhelming. There are so many places to begin that it can all quickly seem like to much. Throughout my life I’ve always strived to choose natural options but several years ago following the birth of my second daughter, my family and I chose to 100% commit to living natural and eco-friendly. In order to do this it was necessary to start small and focus on things we could change easily. From the small changes, we worked our way up to making more substantial changes. Before we knew it, our groceries, cleaning products, self care, clothes/linens, medications/supplements, and our daughters’ toys had all shifted to natural alternatives. It’s a continuous process and we’re still learning what options are best in living a non-toxic lifestyle, but we can have peace of mind in the healthy and eco-friendly choices we have made up to this point for our family and the environment.

One of my favorite brands that made our shift to a natural lifestyle effortless is Tom’s of Maine®. This brand is affordable and offers a variety of natural personal and oral care products that are as effective (if not more) than their conventional counterparts. When you purchase a Tom’s of Maine® product you can be confident that it is free of artificial colors, flavors, fragrances, preservatives and has not been tested on animals. Additionally, all Tom’s of Maine® packaging is recyclable through TerraCycle® and 10% of profits go to human and environmental goodness. The trusted 48+ year old natural company was founded on the principle that “both human beings and nature have inherent worth and deserve our respect” and places high value on the environment through their ingredient selection, manufacturing practices, and the packaging.

Tom’s of Maine® currently has an exciting partnership with Mind Body Green in which they are providing a valuable resource for those looking to bring a natural focus to their lives, whether it be in fitness, health, or most importantly personal care. Enter to win a full year’s worth of free Mind Body Green classes, discover useful tips for going natural in a #NatureUp e-book, and learn more about Tom’s of Maine® and natural personal care here! Because you need a good starting point when moving into a natural lifestyle, I have shared my top 5 tips below to help with the transition.

1. Start from the Inside Out

The perfect place to start when you’re looking to make a natural change in your lifestyle is with personal care products. Take a look at your skincare, cosmetics, hygiene, and oral care products and research alternatives that have simple plant-based ingredients. Because more people are adopting a non-toxic lifestyle, there is a huge variety of natural skincare and cosmetic brands to choose from that offer quality products. For personal hygiene products, I turn to Tom’s of Maine®. I love that they offer a natural fluoride-free Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste. With the majority of oral products being loaded with chemicals, it’s great to have a alternative that not only whitens and helps fight tarter but is also free of artificial dyes/sweeteners/colors and preservatives. The spearmint flavor freshens breath and helps to effectively cleans teeth. Another self care product that is typically loaded with unhealthy ingredients is deodorant. Tom’s of Maine® Unscented Long Lasting Deodorant is an aluminum free, fragrance free deodorant that is 100% sourced from natural ingredients. It offers effective 24 hour odor protection through plant based ingredients like Hops (humulus lupus). Tom’s of Maine® offers complete transparency with their product ingredients through providing the source and purpose of each ingredient in their deodorant as well all other products  on their website. You can shop all of Tom’s of Maine® products at your local Whole Foods in their Whole Body department. Also, right now save $1 on all Tom’s of Maine® products when you download the Whole Foods app!

2. Eat Whole Foods + Drink Plenty of Water

Choosing organic whole foods is a huge part in living a healthier natural lifestyle. Fresh fruits are perfect for when you get sweet cravings and vegetables are great for a more savory snack. Nuts and seeds are an excellent way to incorporate extra protein and are ideal for making DIY take along snack mixes. I love to create bowl style meals for breakfast and lunch that have a grain base like quinoa or oatmeal and build it up with various toppings that complement each other. Sweet potatoes, greens (kale or spinach), berries, and avocados are good staples to have on hand and are relatively affordable to buy organic. Your taste buds will quickly adjust to eating whole foods and you’re likely to not even miss the processed foods of your past. Incorporating these ‘real’ foods into your diet will help increase energy levels and can create a positive impact overall on well being. Staying adequately hydrated with water is essential as it flushes out toxins throughout the day. Drinking the recommended amount of water also aids in digestion, temperature regulation, and transporting nutrients throughout the body.

3. Utilize Natural Remedies

Instead of instantly turning to conventional OTC medications for common issues (sinus congestion, cold viruses, menstrual pain, allergies) research alternative therapies. There are several simple pantry items including teas and herbals that can help relieve symptoms as well as physical therapies (i.e.: acupressure, yoga) that are valuable in symptom reduction. A skilled naturopathic doctor (ND) can be a good start in assisting you to navigate a more natural course in treating any symptoms you may have. Of course always consult with your regular medical doctor before beginning any new type of therapy.

4. DIY Cleaning Products

Cleaning products are some of the most toxic items you can have in your home. These chemical biohazards are known to cause negative short and long term health issues and those formulated with active ingredients can give off harmful fumes causing serious respiratory and skin problems. In addition to negative health effects, regularly purchasing cleaning products can be expensive, especially if they are natural/organic. Rather than buying products, you can easily make your own with just a handful of ingredients. A few key ingredients you will need are lemon, vinegar, tea tree oil and baking soda. Lemon juice has an infinite number of uses within cleaning including stain removal, streak-free multipurpose cleaning, and naturally deodorizing. Vinegar is another multipurpose cleaning item as it’s acidity works well in removing stains, soap scum/grime, and even disinfecting bathroom fixtures. Tea tree oil is a powerful disinfectant derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, which makes it an excellent additive to disinfectant sprays. Baking soda is a powerful degreaser and also helps to deodorize. All of these items either by themselves or in combination provide you with a safe and effective alternative to conventional household cleaners.

5. Shop Local

Shopping at a local farmer’s market or local merchandise within a larger retail store (like Whole Foods) is a great way to help support small businesses within your community as well as lessen your carbon footprint. I seek out companies that have an eco-friendly, natural mindset and can often find everything from clothing to fresh produce to housewares created just a short distance from my home.