Welcome to Christy's Non Toxic Lifestyle. We’re all so busy managing: families, careers, households, relationships and even technology. At some point, something has to give — and eventually it will — unless we all “slow down” and start giving more attention to our health and the one body we’ve been given. Empower yourself! You can live a non toxic lifestyle!
Note: As we enter our second decade, I just wanted to thank you, my readers for helping me to make this a better site. We're all in this together. I'm continually looking to improve the process and quality of this site for me AND for you. So grateful for all of your emails to me but I would love it if you’d share your thoughts in the “comments” section of my site, too, so others can contribute and benefit from each other’s feedback. Thank you!
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Favorite Fall and Winter Posts
Fall Allergies — Dairy, Apples, Honey and Neti Pots, Oh My!
While autumn signals the beginning of allergies for some folks, others tend to suffer year round. Ragweed is the main irritant for my husband during the fall, starting in early August and running through mid-October. I’m one of the lucky ones who have year round sensitivities to dust and mold. Either way, allergies can leave one feeling tired, and just plain miserable. Click here for more!
Enter the No Flu Zone – Boost Your Immune System!
Yep, we’re officially in the cold and flu season and there are lots of germs flying around. So how do you stay healthy? I recently read that one teaspoon of sugar has been shown to depress the immune system for up to 4 hours! Okay, so there’s one excellent reason to walk away from processed and refined sugars. Click here for more!
Foods That Can Cause or Worsen Congestion
Hi all! Whether it’s Spring or Fall, many of us find the delights of of the season often bring pollen and allergies. Did you know that while you may be eating healthy, some of those foods may be causing histamines, worsening your allergies and congestion? And for those of you who suffer from regular sinusitis (inflammation or swelling of the tissues lining the sinuses), there’s some good info here that might at least help bring you relief! Click here for more!
Warming Trends
Many years ago, I visited my acupuncturist in New England because I was feeling sluggish and experienced digestive issues following eating most meals. While my diet WAS “healthy,” he pointed out that most of my meals, including beverages, were cold. I’ve always loved green, super salads and iced tea, coffee and water. He suggested that I try “warming” my foods. Given that it was summertime, I was very hesitant and we know old habits die hard sometimes, right? Fast forward 20 years and here’s the advice of another expert in this area. Click here for more!
Tasty Winter Soups
Many parts of our country are experiencing wet weather and cold temperatures. ! Even though our Denver weather is mild, the changes are being felt and I find soup one of the most comforting of foods during this time of year. and well into winter months. There are so many options for healthy soups and if you make big batches, you can freeze and enjoy down the road. Here are 3 of my winter favs. Enjoy!” Click here for more!
“March Madness” with Mediterranean!
As the winter winds down, some of my most favorite comfort dishes come from the Mediterranean regions of the world. I subscribe to Clean Eating magazine so imagine my delight last night to receive my latest copy with several mouth- watering recipes. Numerous studies have proven that the dietary habits of those living in Mediterranean areas have lower rates of cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases. In fact, many claim it to be the world’s healthiest diet. Click here for more!
Two Books I Read from Everyday!
Yep, I look at these two books every morning! And when I say “read” I mean I turn to a random page each day and am beautifully reminded of the abundance of living simply and with gratitude. I’ve had these books for three years and never tire of reading these gems of wisdom from the author, Mina Parker. She interjects her thoughts with quotes including Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Gertrude Stein and others. Click here for more!
The Art of Doing Nothing
Could this period of “social distancing” actually be considered both physical AND mental health gifts during these challenging days and those ahead? While many of us are working from home in our attempts to ease the spread and the risks of contracting this nasty virus, I am going to be bold and present a few of the gifts in this period. Consider reduced stress of transportation to and from a demanding work environment. Consider being able to squeeze in a 20-minute meditation or nap during the day. Click here for more!
Foods for Lung Health
A few years ago, Portland, Oregon, registered the poorest air quality in the world due to the raging fires in their state. Read that again… In. The. World. Anyone who spent that particular day outside in Portland had inhaled the equivalent of 15 cigarettes according to an Oregon news source. Add to that, COVID 19 which attacks the respiratory system. Add to that, seasonal allergies. Add to that, lots of folks who try to manage their chronic asthma. Right now, more than ever, we all need to be doing all we can to protect our lungs. The good news is that we CAN! Read on.Click here for more!
Sleep on This – Cherries!
For many of us, this is the best time of the year when fruits and vegetables are plentiful! One of my very favorite fruits are cherries. I just can’t get enough of them in July, when they’re in season. Not surprising is that my favorite pie flavor is cherry, too. In addition to the fact that they’re plump and juicy and just taste amazing, they actually can help with sleep. No kidding! Read on and I’ll tell you how. Click here for more!
Magnesium Matters!
In the past few months, several friends have commented on their insomnia, night leg cramps, depression, migraines and brain fog. Did you know that these can often be symptoms of magnesium deficiency? Did you know that magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body? It truly plays a big part in the health of one’s body. Click here for more!
Bedtime Rituals for Better Sleep
So here we are returning to Standard Time again, which occurred last Sunday, November 7th. While we all love that extra hour of sleep, these twice-a-year “adjustments” tend to affect many of us by disrupting our circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that tells our bodies when to sleep and regulates many other physiological processes. Click here for more!
Where to Begin?
I can’t tell you how many times my readers tell me that they really want to live a more “non-toxic” lifestyle but they don’t know where to begin. They also express concerns about doing this in an affordable way. Believe me, I know. I started this journey 15 years ago. I admit it can be overwhelming, but I do have a few suggestions for making the transition easier! Click here for more!
Why are Autoimmune Disorders Rising for Women?
Did you know that 80% of people with autoimmune disorders are female? Did you know that digestive issues, headaches, low energy and even eczema can be early signs of an autoimmune disorder? What’s that, you say? According to Dr. Robin Berzin, an autoimmune disease is “when the immune system, which is supposed to attack outside invaders, starts attacking the cells in your body.” Click here for more!
Women’s Hormones: A Delicate Balancing Act
Show me a woman who sleeps soundly eight hours every night, has a high libido, hasn’t gained weight in years (with proper diet), is emotionally stable 24/7/365, doesn’t experience bloating or any mild depression and whose brain is as sharp as a tack, and I’ll show you a woman with perfectly balanced hormones. (And, I’ll sell you some swampland in Florida!) Click here for more!
Egoscue to the Rescue!
A couple years ago I wrote about a wonderful pain management protocol that was introduced to me by a good friend. (Thank you, Phyllis Mitz!) I was preparing for a 10-day bicycle trip and my training was just making a back problem worse. One of the therapists, here at Egoscue of Denver, helped me enormously with excellent postural exercises and voila, huge relief and a successful bike trip! Click here for more!
Healing Power of Reiki
It’s an understatement when I say I had the good fortune of being introduced to Reiki nearly 12 years ago! I had been diagnosed with cancer and was looking for anything to help me heal. I am so grateful that I am open to trying new things, especially healing modalities, as long as it doesn’t involve pain! I’ve learned that the world is abundant in healing resources. We just have to know how to tap into them. Click here for more!
On Pins and Needles – Acupuncture 101
After decades of being prescribed antibiotics by my doctor for my chronic and frequent sinus infections, I tried my first acupuncture treatment 25 years ago. It was time to to try something different, and I was delighted that I could breathe so much better after my first treatment! I learned that regular treatments could help me manage my allergies and build and maintain my immune system. Click here for more!
Rhymes with “Ooh-gah”
In December I read an interesting article about “hygge,” pronounced, “hoo-gah,” a Danish term defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” It can be used as an adjective, noun or verb. Hygge has long been considered a part of the Danish culture. And Danish people are thought to have some of the highest levels of happiness. Hmm… throw me a bone on “well-being” and I’m after it! Click here for more!
My Updated Research is in on Non-Toxic Yoga Mats!
Okay yoga friends, I continue to get questions on which yoga mats are the least toxic and healthiest to use. I’ve had some great comments from many of you and I have done more research. I’m happy to report that my latest research shows that a couple of the mats I recommended in my first post are still on the list! I’ve also learned of some others definitely worth checking out. Criteria were based on possible harmful chemicals used, environmental kindness, comfort and smell since no one wants to be cringing in downward dog, right? Read on! Click here for more!
Happy Feet: The Health Benefits of Foot Reflexology!
Did you know that the human foot and ankle contains 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 ligaments, muscles and tendons? The bones in both of your feet added together make up about 25 percent of all the bones in your body. Our feet carry an incredible load everyday and yet are typically the least pampered parts of our bodies. Many cultures have practiced foot massages for years as an alternative to medicine in promoting good health and wellness. And WHO doesn’t enjoy a good foot rub? Click here for more!
The ABCs of VOCs!
VOC? What does that mean? The Minnesota Department of Health states that Volatile Organic Compounds are “a large group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. While most people can smell high levels of some VOCs, other VOCs have no odor. Odor does NOT indicate the level of risk from inhalation of this group of chemicals.” Click here for more!
The Perfect Storm Theory of Breast Cancer and Iodine Deficiency
Okay, so how many conversations do you hear about this topic? Believe me when I say it’s important! In Lynne Farrow’s book The Iodine Crisis I recently read that thyroid and breast disease “skyrocketed between 1970 and 2000.” Apparently iodine was looked at as a “universal medicine” going back thousands of years, and used primarily in it’s earlier form as seaweed. Click here for more!
Cleaning Products in Your Home
One of the first areas I explored after my cancer diagnosis was the cleaning products I was using. Years ago I thought I was being a super mom in that I was keeping a really clean house. Little did I realize that behind the “sparkle” I was exposing my family and pets to toxic fumes from most of the cleaning products I was using. One of the worst was bleach. Boy did my toilets and ceramic bowls shine but at an expense of poor and toxic air quality to me and my family. Click here for more!
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