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!
For years we accepted my husband, Dan's asthma diagnosis as a lifetime illness that would be managed by medications. We never thought asthma and COPD was something that could be improved or irradiated.
In fact, in 2007, Dan suffered a severe asthma attack that landed him in intensive care for a week! The follow ups with pulmonologists after his stint in ICU, were also daunting experiences. He was in addition to the label of asthmatic, Dan was now also suffering from COPD.
What? Dan was only 32 years old! What is his future going to look like? Will he eventually succumb to these diseases? How did this escalate so quickly?
In 2017 Dan and I watched the movie "The Magic Pill" on Netflix.
It was totally up my natural wellness alley so I was excited to sit down and learn. I did not expect to ball my eyes out!!!
The stories in this documentary are so powerful! Each person in this film suffered from a different disease, but weren't improving. Each were put on a diet where they eliminated processed foods, and ate organic, whole foods, while abstaining from gluten, dairy and sugar.
For Dan and I, the lightbulb turned on.
However, not relating to Dan's Asthma, it was our youngest daughter who's language delay was pretty severe.
There is a little girl in the movie who suffered from autism, and she was completely non verbal. After 10 weeks of eating organic whole foods and eliminating gluten, dairy and sugar from her diet, she began to speak!
I was in tears watching her transformation and Dan and I decided, right then, we would immediately begin eating this way in our home.
It was incredible how quickly the clouds lifted in Harper's brain. You see, brain function begins in the gut. Crazy right?
All four of us began to eat whole foods, and stayed away from sugar, gluten and dairy. We knew if we wanted to girls to eat properly, that we would also need to adopt this way of eating.
It was pretty challenging until we developed a routine, but soon it became easier and easier.
We also noticed our oldest daughter, Avery, who has symptoms of ADD, was also doing better!
It wasn't until a year later and a half later that we noticed Dan has stopped using his asthma inhaler. This is an accumulative result using, essential oils, dietary supplements, eliminating toxins in our home, AND DIET!
We knew we were onto something, a sure fire system to help others achieve better respiratory health!
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!
Incredibly Easy, DIY, Toxin Free Hand Sanitizer - Yes you can!
Are you a zero entry person?
I am a zero entry kinda girl. I search for ease.
I crave simplicity, the easy way, if it's to complicated... I'm out!
I look for recipes, and tasks with short (and not too many) steps, simplistic directions. I guess it's my nature... but I also think it's my desire for time freedom.
Time is the one commodity we cannot make more of. We can make more money, but precious time, once that minute is gone, it can't be gotten back.
So, what I'm trying to say is...
Yes you can make better choices... I promise it's not hard! Or time consuming!
Why hand sanitizer? Well, because of the pandemic, hand sanitizer has become even more of an everyday item. An item that contains ingredients like triclosan.
Triclosan - Recent studies have also found that Triclosan interferes with the body's thyroid hormone metabolism and maybe a potential endocrine disruptor. Children exposed to antibacterial compounds at an early age also have an increased chance of developing allergies, asthma and eczema.
Source: Beyond Pesticides
When avoiding asthma triggers, and in the interest of doing better for your general health, it's best to avoid products with triclosan. Hand sanitizer being one of the most popular offenders!
I use a plant based hand sanitizer with essential oils and high quality ingredients, but if I run out before my monthly wellness box arrives, I'll whip up a batch of DIY hand sanitizer... so stinkin easy!!!
DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe:
Ingredients:
Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Clove, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Eucalyptus and Lemon Pure therapeutic grade Essential oils
Isopropyl Alcohol or Grain Alcohol (Like Everclear)
Optional - Healthy fatty oil like jojoba oil or Avocado oil
How to make it:
- Fill tube mostly with aloe vera gel (I eyeball it) - you can get the tubes I use here (pictured below). Or the more traditional tubes here.
- Add a splash of alcohol, I add just a few drops.
- Add 2 drops of each Essential Oil, or as many as you'd like. I use Thieves blend, which is these 5 oils combined and formulated for efficacy.
- Shake until combined.
Thats's it! See, super easy! And the best part is no asthma triggering triclosan!
I make this hand sanitizer in this video! Just click the graphic below!
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!
