The Herb Stop Blog
Clean Living: Try This, Not That Healthy Lifestyle Changes (Part 2!)
Cleaning living encompasses healthy and sustainable lifestyle swaps in all aspects of our lives, from food to the products you use to lifestyle choices that impact your footprint.
We had a great response to our first clean living article and decided to create a part two! Here are additional clean living swaps you can make to work toward leading the healthiest lifestyle possible.
Choose Safe Cookware and Food Storage Options
According to the San Francisco Environment Department, the chemicals in or used to manufacture non-stick coatings are harmful to human health and the environment. The class of chemicals, PFAS, found in non-stick and waterproof cookware products may harm our health by causing reduced immune system response, cancer, or abnormal thyroid hormone levels.
The solution? Substitute non-stick cookware with cast iron, ceramic, stoneware, or stainless steel when possible. If you have non-stick cookware and can’t switch it out immediately, use wooden cooking utensils to avoid scratching the non-stick coating, which quickens the release of PFAS. In addition, cooking at low to medium temperatures with proper ventilation can reduce your risk when using non-stick cookware.
As for food storage, avoid plastic containers (especially thin plastic) when possible.
Harvard Health Publishing shares that certain chemicals in plastic may leech out of the plastic, contaminating the food and drinks we consume. These chemicals may cause reduced fertility and other health problems like metabolic disorders.
When possible, use metal or glass containers to store your food, and avoid microwaving your food in plastic containers, as this exacerbates the rate at which the chemicals in plastic leech out.
Switch to Natural Cleaning Products
When cleaning your home, you’re often up close with your cleaning products, leading to you touching the product or inhaling fumes as you scrub away.
Unfortunately, not all cleaning products are created equal, with some having harmful ingredients!
The American Lung Association states that many cleaning supplies have dangerous chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can irritate your eyes and throat and lead to headaches and other health problems — especially if you have asthma or another respiratory condition.
Interested in assessing how “clean” your current cleaning products are? The Environmental Working Group has a handy search engine that grades products from A to F and breaks down potentially harmful product ingredients.
Another alternative is making natural cleaning products, which saves you money in the long run while providing peace of mind. Plus, essential oils are a fantastic way to make your home and DIY cleaning products smell divine! Check out our guide on how to clean with essential oils for more information.
For a safe swap, The American Lung Association recommends reading all labels on cleaning supplies and choosing products without (or with limited) VOCs, irritants, fragrances, and other flammable ingredients. Alternatively, warm water, soap, baking soda, and vinegar are excellent ingredients you likely already have at home that you can use to clean safely.
Regardless of what products you choose, always open the windows and doors to keep the area you’re cleaning well-ventilated to protect yourself as much as possible.
Choose Chemical-Free Skincare
Our skin is the largest organ of the human body. It provides so many health benefits for us, from synthesizing vitamin D, releasing sweat, providing immunity, and protecting our internal body parts.
A clean living swap we strongly recommend is switching to natural skincare to treat your skin like the super powerful organ it is! Remember, products you apply to your skin are absorbed to some degree by the skin, giving them access to your body.
A few of our top-selling natural skincare products:
- Goddess Glow Cream: An absolute favorite among our clients! The Goddess Glow Cream is silky smooth, hydrating, scented with pure essential oils and filled with powerhouse, natural ingredients like hyaluronic acid to hydrate and tighten the appearance of your skin. Even better, it works great for all skin types!
- Hydrating Primrose Eye Cream: The skin around your eyes is especially sensitive and delicate, which is why this eye cream is created with 100% natural ingredients that are extra gentle. Evening primrose oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and grapeseed oil are some of this cream’s star ingredients that promote moisturized skin and softening effects on fine lines and wrinkles.
- Ageless Beauty Serum: A great skincare step between washing your face and moisturizing — this antioxidant-packed serum helps your skin look and feel refreshed!
For a comprehensive list of our herbal skincare products, click here (we have the skincare products sorted by skincare steps to make it super easy!).
Relax Mindfully and Limit Technology
So many of us crash at the end of the day, watch TV, or scroll on our phones for an hour, then roll into bed only to repeat this routine the next evening. While there isn’t anything wrong with enjoying a favorite TV show, taking time to relax mindfully can make all the difference in how we feel about our limited free time and how relaxed and rejuvenated we are the next day.
For example, you could read a book or take a relaxing bath. (We recommend our amazing Vanilla & Lavender Bath Salts or Coconut & Lime Bath Salts for the ultimate cozy experience).
Another nighttime activity we love is making moon milk. Moon milk is a milky drink (either warm cow’s milk or plant-based milk) combined with soothing herbs like astragalus and ashwagandha.
These herbs promote better sleep and stress management. Plus, warm milk is known for its relaxing properties! You can also add a sweetener like honey or agave and savory spices like cinnamon to take it to the next level.
Our Moon Milk Shake is an excellent choice if you prefer a quicker option! All you have to do is mix it with warm water, and voila!
If you have limited relaxing time, consider pairing an activity you need to do (like packing your lunch for work) with something you look forward to, like listening to an audiobook, podcast, or upbeat music. Simple additions or swaps can make your evenings feel more like a treat and less like a “rinse and repeat” until you hit the weekend.
Final Thoughts
Clean living doesn’t need to be hard! We recommend starting with one small swap at a time and then making another once the first swap is second nature.
Little steps make big changes over time!
Well Wishes,
Herbalist Natalie & Herbalist Leilah