What the heck is Ditch and Switch?
In January of 2015, my friend Angela, told me "it's great you guys eat healthy, but what about all the cleaners and air fresheners you are using daily? Did you realize they have an effect of your health?" She went on to explain that even though we were seemingly healthy, the exposure to air pollution inside of our home, was actually worse than the air pollution outside!
When these facts were brought to my attention, it made so much sense! Dan's asthma and allergies getting worse each year. My weekly and sometimes daily headaches. Irritability and anxiety that we both suffered. And the effect this was having on our dogs... I knew we had to make a change. Ang said "you need to ditch the toxic cleaners and switch to plant based ones!"
In January of 2015, my friend Angela, told me "it's great you guys eat healthy, but what about all the cleaners and air fresheners you are using daily? Did you realize they have an effect of your health?" She went on to explain that even though we were seemingly healthy, the exposure to air pollution inside of our home, was actually worse than the air pollution outside!
When these facts were brought to my attention, it made so much sense! Dan's asthma and allergies getting worse each year. My weekly and sometimes daily headaches. Irritability and anxiety that we both suffered. And the effect this was having on our dogs... I knew we had to make a change. Ang said "you need to ditch the toxic cleaners and switch to plant based ones!"
I was so saddened by some of the things I had learned. So, right away we stopped using the blue glass cleaner as our “just about everything “ household cleaner...
Those pups (Daphne and Phoebe pictured above) were our babies before we adopted our beautiful daughters from China. The thought that some of the cleaners we were using had affected our dogs’ health weighed tremendously on me.
Here are some of the things we used on a daily basis:
*Candles
*Blue all purpose cleaner
*Bleach
*Dryer sheets
*Air fresheners
*Laundry soap with fragrance
*Stainless steel polish
*Granite cleaner
*Oven cleaner/degreaser
*Scented AC filters
*Deodorizing spray
*Hand soap
*Dish soap
*Dishwasher detergent
Not only did these items cost us a pretty penny each month, but they were affecting our health and poisoning our pets. 😢
When we decided to make the shift to plant based solutions, we did it slowly, over time. Little by little, each month.
First - we started with our household cleaner and deodorizing spray.
The next month we added laundry soap, hand soap and dish soap.
The third month we opted for an essential oils diffuser instead of candles and air fresheners. And ordered different oils to try.
Not only did we save big time on our grocery bill, but we also had the peace of mind knowing we were doing our best for ourselves and our remaining doggies.
I know that the damage we did to our pets, using all those toxic chemicals, was a contributing factor in all four of them dying from cancer. But I am grateful for the knowledge I have now, to do better for our family.
If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not.
We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor.
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.
xoxo Liz
Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!
I know that the damage we did to our pets, using all those toxic chemicals, was a contributing factor in all four of them dying from cancer. But I am grateful for the knowledge I have now, to do better for our family.
If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not.
We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor.
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.
xoxo Liz
Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!
There was a time in my life that I fell overwhelmed, uncertain, like my nerves were on edge. I would get nervous in the car, and feel off. Like the strong person I once was had left the building.
A very dear friend of mine discovered that she felt the same way, but it was mostly triggered when she wore cosmetics.
What? I doubt it, plus I am a makeup girl. There is no way I am going through life without my "face" on!
A very dear friend of mine discovered that she felt the same way, but it was mostly triggered when she wore cosmetics.
What? I doubt it, plus I am a makeup girl. There is no way I am going through life without my "face" on!
Years later, when Dan and I started diving into a natural lifestyle, looking at perfume and cologne as triggers for Dan's Asthma, was an obvious change. It seemed like a no brainer. Use naturally derived scents instead of synthetic. Done!Wait!
What about fragrance in other products? Shampoo, aftershave, lotions, and Makeup!
One of my favorite things to do was to go to Nordstrom and buy new lipsticks, try different foundations, and of course we can't forget skin care!
Different makeup techniques and products are some of my favorite things! I love getting dolled up and feeling pretty <3
What the heck was I to do if makeup was actually causing me and my family harm? I kiss my kids and husband while wearing makeup.
Then I remembered my friend and her discovery years ago! Could it be that toxic makeup was actually affecting how she felt?
I didn't even want to think about not wearing makeup, it's not happening!
So I began to research, thanks Google! And I found a few, very few, clean makeup brands with plant based options. I ordered some and gave them a try. Some were okay. Not the Department Store Quality I was used to, but at least there were options.
I didn't even want to think about not wearing makeup, it's not happening!
So I began to research, thanks Google! And I found a few, very few, clean makeup brands with plant based options. I ordered some and gave them a try. Some were okay. Not the Department Store Quality I was used to, but at least there were options.
There brands I would stay away from are Arbonne and Tarte. Mostly because they are not as clean as they lead you to believe.
Companies I like a lot are Omiana, and 100 Percent Pure, with my favorite being
Companies I like a lot are Omiana, and 100 Percent Pure, with my favorite being
Savvy Minerals.
With Savvy you will NEVER find:
Bismuth, Carmine, Coal tar, Dimethicone, Formaldehyde, Hydroquinone, Lake dye, Mineral oil, Nano particles, Oxybenzone, Parabens, Petroleum based ingredients, Phthalates, Polypropylene, Silicone, Sulfates, Synthetic colorants, Synthetic fragrances, Synthetic preservatives, Talc, Triclocarban, or Triclosan.
Savvy will also never use any of the 1,328 banned ingredients on the European Union banned cosmetic list.
What I want you to know is... you can make the switch! And when you do, I want to hear about it!
Bismuth, Carmine, Coal tar, Dimethicone, Formaldehyde, Hydroquinone, Lake dye, Mineral oil, Nano particles, Oxybenzone, Parabens, Petroleum based ingredients, Phthalates, Polypropylene, Silicone, Sulfates, Synthetic colorants, Synthetic fragrances, Synthetic preservatives, Talc, Triclocarban, or Triclosan.
Savvy will also never use any of the 1,328 banned ingredients on the European Union banned cosmetic list.
What I want you to know is... you can make the switch! And when you do, I want to hear about it!
My friend noticed that her feelings of being unsettled, overwhelm, and not being herself all went away when she swapped out toxic makeup for cosmetics that were good for her!
If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not.
We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor.
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.
xoxo Liz
Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!
Could Amino Acids really HELP?
When Dan and I began our health journey it started with food. As time when on it turned into supplements, then cleaning up our home environment. The journey became a gradual effort that resulted in Dan saying good bye to his asthma meds for good.
Yes. Read that again.
Dan said good bye to his asthma meds.... for good.
Here's Dan with our youngest daughter.
As we began sharing our asthma recovery story, we wanted to pinpoint what exactly was most integral, for Dan, in weening off of his inhalers.
Side note: Dan did not intentionally ween off of his asthma medications... he would forget to use them because he felt so good, and one day he announced,
"I haven't used an inhaler in weeks!"
That's when we realized we were onto something amazing!
ONTO AMINO ACIDS!
As we incorporated more supplements into our daily lives, we included drinking a wolfberry purée drink and adding in an organic form of natural, plant based sulfur powder. We also take a sulfur supplement, in capsule form every night. Both of these nutritionals are fabulous amino acids!
Amino Acids are amazing for decreasing inflammation.
Why would someone with respiratory issues (or anyone for that matter) want to decrease inflammation?
Amino Acids, because of their anti-inflammatory properties, may ease asthma symptoms.
Ani-inflammatories stops the lungs from swelling and narrowing when a trigger is present.
This swelling and narrowing of airways makes breathing difficult!
So now rather than using a long-acting bronchodilator, we manage Dan's pulmonary disease with daily sulfur supplements. In fact, when presented with a trigger, we've made our wolfberry drink with sulfur, rather than using a fast acting rescue inhaler.
The best part of Dan getting off of his medications, was no more side effects.
There was a time that Dan was extremely angry, irritable and down right intolerant. I would walk on egg shells because he was quick to shift into a foul mood. His temperament did not make for a loving marriage, and I wondered why he was so miserable and what was the root cause.
I go into more info about the side effects Dan suffered in my Asthma Medication Side Effects post.
Nowadays, Dan is full of love and joy and has an incredible zest for life! I can honestly say he is completely different now. The debilitating effects he suffered are gone and instead of fearing a breakdown in his system as he ages, Dan embraces building strength, endurance and wellness!
If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not.
We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor.
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.
xoxo Liz
Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!
I've talked recently about asthma triggers, and one of the WORST offenders are dryer sheets.
Dan and I were standing in Whole Foods last week, and suddenly we were bowled over by the smell of dryer sheets! I turned to Dan and asked, "Is someone doing laundry?", we then both looked over at the woman who had just passed by us... she left a trail of toxic fragrance in our wake! She must have used way more than one dryer sheet!
I usually smell dryer sheets on people at the airport, while scanning carry-on luggage. One or two people need to open their suitcase, and the freshly washed, and dried laundry wafts out a fragrant over load of toxins.
I also notice it in our neighborhood. I'd love to track down exactly the homes using dryer sheets and leave them a basket filled with wool dryer balls... like the Laundry Bunny! Ha!
Have you heard of wool dryer balls? Not only are they non toxic... they are better for the environment! Way less waste! Wool dryer balls can last up to a year! And they are super affordable! And reduce drying time so they save on energy costs too!
Theses are the Organic Wool Dryer Balls that I get. Click the image for product details and to purchase. 
Here are some interesting points I learned about dryer sheets (and other laundry products):
☢️Forty-four percent of scented laundry products tested spewed at least one carcinogenic hazardous air pollutant. Some of these include acetaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.
☢️Some of the more immediate dangers of synthetic scents in laundry products include migraines, asthma attacks, eye and throat irritation and contact dermatitis.
☢️In one mice study, fabric softening products triggered limited airflow and pulmonary irritation in the animals studied. (7, 8)
☢️In 2009, nearly 10 percent of the general U.S. population reports irritation from scents coming out of dryer vents. By 2016, that number increased to more than 12 percent.
☢️In a study focusing on hormone disruptors and asthma triggers in everyday products, Silent Spring Institute researchers found dryer sheets contained some of the highest concentrations of harmful fragrance chemicals. Compounds like acetyl hexamethyl tetralin, isobornyl acetate and phenethyl alcohol also turned up.
☢️According to EcoWatch, dryer sheets often contain quaternary ammonium compounds, which can trigger asthma attacks. These cautoionic fabric softeners also routinely trigger reproductive toxicity in animals. Acetone in the sheets can trigger dizzy spells and headaches. Aside from that, up to 10 percent of a dryer sheet’s weight could be comprised of fragrance chemicals.
☢️Dryer sheet “grades” vary greatly. Some “F” products contained quaternary ammonium compounds compounds due to their well-known asthma-triggering properties. Other fabric softening compounds routinely used in dryer sheets are considered toxic to wildlife.
Breathe well and take care. You can change your reality one step at a time.
If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not.
We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor.
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.
xoxo Liz
Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!
Itchy face.
For years and years, I would joke with my husband Dan, that I was allergic to him. Sounds crazy, right? I honestly, truly thought, I must have some sort of an allergy to him!
Here's why...
After any type of passionate smooching, my face would be as red as a beet. I assumed, it was the natural oils from his, wiry, black facial hair and skin.
This silly joke continued for as long as I can remember.
One spring morning, our oldest daughter, Avery, woke us up, by bounding into our bedroom and announcing, "Good morning mommy, good morning daddy!".
I invited Avery to come snuggle with us as we slowly entered the day. She happily joined us as we hugged and kissed our precious girl.
Dan was kissing Avery and rubbing noses with her. She giggled,
"daddy, your beard is tickling me",
so of course, he continued to amuse her with his stubbly facial hair.
A few minutes later I noticed that Avery's face was all red! Just how my face gets, when I kiss Dan! So I did what any logical, I mean silly, person would do...
I joked that Avery is also allergic to Dan!
We got a chuckle out of my declaration, and continued on with our day.
The redness both Avery and I experienced would subside quickly, so we never gave it much thought, beyond my silly joke.
UNTIL NOW.
As I prepare to teach many others who are suffering from respiratory illness and other bioaccumulation symptoms, this memory came to the front of my mind.
I can not remember the last time either Avery or myself have experienced a red face after kissing or snuggling with Dan. In fact it's been years!
It wasn't Dan's hair or skin that causing the irritation... IT WAS HIS AFTERSHAVE AND COLOGNE!
It's quite remarkable that years later, I finally figured it out!!!
As you begin to rid your home and yourself of toxins, keep in mind, the little things that contributed to your triggers, and how it will play a part in your own recovery story.
Oh and that word bioaccumulation? Bioaccumulation is the gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism. Even though our bodies have a detoxification system, when we are overloaded, symptoms, and triggers will show up.
If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not.
We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor.
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.
xoxo Liz
Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!
