There are a few things that you can start doing that don't cost tons of money. You may not like every suggestion I have for you, but even if you take just a couple here or there you'll end up making a big impact on your life! Here are a couple tips to get you started living naturally:
- Begin using "unpaper towels" in your kitchen and/or bathroom.
- Take 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every day.
- Switch your toothpaste to something fluoride-free.
Unpaper Towels
I have some fabric that I've been meaning to serge into unpaper towels (basically cloth squares) for months now. I just never seem to find the time to do it, so we still have paper towels for big messes in the kitchen and the hand drying towel (that in reality only gets changed about 2-3 times a week, please don't get too grossed out) in the bathroom. <---This is dirty. Germs live in places that stay wet. That's why having something to use once and throw in a laundry bin is soooo much better.
Ultimately I would love to make my kitchen unpaper towels with terry cloth on one side, quilter's flannel on the other, and strategically place my little plastic snaps on the corners so that they can unroll just like a real paper towel! BUT that would require me to actually choose a fabric, cut and sew. That just isn't happening fast enough. My ideal fabric (at least I think it is) for my bathroom napkins (I really don't know what to call them, that was the best I could come up with, sorry) is birdseye, also called diaper cloth at Jo-Ann Fabrics. After using a single-use napkin, you can wipe up the counter to keep it dry. Did you know that the germiest place in your bathroom is the sink because it stays wet? At least that's what the internet says. :P
Fortunately, Walmart has a wonderful, quick fix for me. There is, and has been for the past couple years, a package of 18 washrags for $4 - all white or white and multi-colored, you choose. I finally bought some, and you can too. Easy peasy and not too hard on your pocketbook (although I bought 3 packs, hehe).
Apple Cider Vinegar
This vinegar reportedly helps with soooo many ailments as well as weight loss. Just google it, and you'll find tons of information. There's, of course, not much scientific proof to back up anyone's claims because there's just not that much money in making vinegar, but read all the testimonies online and ask around to see if your friends have ever heard about it. I'll bet you can find someone you trust that gives it due credit.
For general health the most common "prescription" I've found in my searching is to take 1 tablespoon per day diluted in 8 ounces of water. It's also been suggested that you drink the required amount of water you need for each day in order for your body to process correctly while taking it (64 oz. on average, but it's really based on your lifestyle).
You don't want to take ACV straight because it can ruin your teeth or burn a hole in your esophagus (please believe me - I took a shot of it straight the first day and really thought I might catch on fire). Another important note is to buy a good brand. One that you can see "the mother" in. Bragg's is the most recommended by far.
Fluoride-Free
I don't know much about fluoride, but I know it's been at the center of some great debates, and I don't really want to get into all that now. I do know that the majority of people who "live naturally" do so without fluoride, so I figure there's probably something to that. Also, fluoride is added to my water already, so I don't really need it in my toothpaste, right?
So here are your options: 1) this is not the option for you because you loooove all that fluoride that you every-once-in-a-while accidentally swallow while hollering at the kids with a toothbrush in your mouth, 2) can buy a fluoride-free toothpaste for a good bit more money from the grocery store, or 3) make your own toothpaste just because you want to be a little crunchy (that's just modern day hippie-talk which means natural).
I chose option 3. So here's the recipe I'm giving a try from my new online natural role model, Crunchy Betty (and please don't give up trying natural alternatives after just a couple days, there's an adjustment period to everything). 3 tablespoons coconut oil + 3 tablespoons baking soda + 25 drops peppermint essential oil. You can also use just coconut oil (which is what I've been doing for a few days) or just baking soda and water or you can go all out and add a packet of stevia to the mix to sweeten it up!
Give it a whirl. Try just one of these easy ways to change up your routine and live more naturally. I think you'll find that you enjoy it. If there's any more information you want, just ask. I may have already scoured the internet myself, but just didn't want to bore you with any more details if you weren't interested.
And, as always, I'm not promising anything, but maybe next week I can give you another new tip to keep you coming over to the "crunchy" side of life along with an update on how these are playing out in my own!
