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Let’s chat- all natural, non-toxic, and more!

  • Writer: taylor howard
    taylor howard
  • Dec 2, 2024
  • 7 min read

In this blog post, we’re going to dive a little bit into the “non-tox, low-tox” lifestyle, why I decided to get into it, and some simple swaps you can make! I will make separate blog posts for each individual topic eventually, but I wanted to make one where you could find everything in one place as well. Y’all may think I have lost my mind after reading this, but I have a platform and I wanted to share what I have learned through all of this. I won’t share all of my beliefs and theories because some are a little different, but I hope you find this helpful in the long run. I’m always up for a chat if you want to deep dive into it.😉


If you would’ve told me 4 years ago I would’ve been making my own baby food, swapping from plastic to glass, not using Bath and Body Works, etc. I literally would’ve laughed in your face. I still make fun of my self from time to time because I cannot believe I went from one way of living to another.


In 2022 I felt sluggish all the time. It didn’t matter how much sleep I got, I felt terrible! That’s when I decided to ditch the hormonal birth control. I had a terrible reaction when I got off of it. I gained 15 pounds in a month without changing my eating habits, I was losing my hair in clumps, and many other side effects I won’t get into in this post. I was convinced that there was more going on. That terrible experience sent me down the rabbit hole of “non-toxic living”. It seemed (and still seems) like everyone I know has been affected by some sort of illness or disease and it absolutely breaks my heart.


I’m going to be real, when you start researching, it is VERY overwhelming. I didn’t realize how many things that I came in contact with on a daily basis were as harmful as they were. It honestly scared me. Don’t let it scare you. We live in a world where it is almost impossible to be completely “non-toxic” unless you are living off of the grid somewhere. As tempting as it sounds, that life ain’t for me. I started with the smaller things and I am here to help you out!


Apps to help you out:

The app Yuka has been a great tool for me! If you are unsure about something while standing in the grocery store or at home, simply scan the barcode in the app. Some products haven’t been completely updated, so I will also post ingredients to lookout for at the bottom of this post! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yuka-food-cosmetic-scanner/id1092799236

My mom also told me about the app Ref Guide for Essentail Oils (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ref-guide-for-essential-oils/id937793199)


Facebook groups to help you out:

First and foremost, these groups can be overwhelming, but they contain some great information! I have learned tons from them. They have great swapping guides and if you need to look something up, simply search it in the group. Two of my favorites are these:


“Simple Swaps- toxin free/ low tox living for beginners” https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BgcwfuVMd/?mibextid=K35XfP


“Toxin-free living guide”


Swaps for the home-

I will compiled a list of all of my favorites in this Amazon storefront link, but I will give explanations also.



Cookware:

In my home we have completely swapped from Teflon pots and pans to stainless steel, cast iron, and borosilicate glass cookware. Teflon contains PFOA which is linked to immune system dysfunction, reproductive problems, and cancer risks. Studies show that high quality stainless steel and cast iron is the way to go!


Cooking utensils:

Since I have moved into my home, we use stainless steel and wooden utensils. With plastics, there is always the risk of melting. Plus plastics contain harmful chemicals that disrupt hormones (read more: https://www.beyondplastics.org/fact-sheets/black-plastic#:~:text=Therefore%2C%20high%20levels%20of%20toxic,be%20chewed%20or%20sucked%20on.) We ultimately can’t just stop using plastics all together, but it’s a pretty simple swap to get them out of the kitchen!


Cutting boards:

We have always used wooden cutting boards. New research shows that titanium is also a great alternative to the classic plastic ones. I just placed my order for the titanium. When looking for wooden cutting boards, you want to be sure to get a board that is one solid piece of wood. A lot that you see online are glued together. They will not last as long. Plus, you don’t want little glue bits in your food when the board starts to break apart. We have had our wooden boards for 3 years and use them daily! For cleaning them, I like using this recipe (https://organicallywell.com/non-toxic-ways-to-clean-a-wood-cutting-board/)


Cleaner:

A lot of MLMs or pyramid companies (yes, even the ones your mom has used for years🫣) have a very harsh ingredient list. I’m just going to go ahead and say it, I LOVE essential oils. Young Living and doTerra are good brands, but they get quite expensive. My new go-to is Revive. For my daily cleaner, I like getting their “protect” cleaner concentrate. I have it linked in my storefront, but here is their website for the full list of cleaners (https://www.revive-eo.com/shop/?utm_source=home-m-logo) I love their seasonal scents as well. The best part is that they are naturally scented with essential oils, so no hormone disrupters.

Laundry: I am a sucker for smelling nice, but sadly a LOT of the laundry detergent they sale at the store is toxic. If you still want to smell good, I like Mammy’s laundry detergent. She also has a good stain stick and more! (https://mammyssoapco.com/collections/laundry-soap). If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, I like the unscented Molly’s Suds. To add smell, simply put a few drops of an essential oil of your choice (I like the revive blends) on some wool balls and toss them in your dryer when you add your clothes in!


Dish soap: Castile soap all the way, linked in my storefront!


Here are some DIY cleaners as well-

all purpose cleaner:

dusting spray:



Body products-

For soap, shampoos, facial products, and more, we are pretty simple people.

Soap: For soap, I use Amish Farms Bar Soap for the whole family- my one year old, our dogs, and us. It really doesn’t matter which box or bag of Amish Farms Soap you get, they are all the same to me. They are vegan and cruelty free. They are lightly scented. My husband and I both struggled with little, dry bumps on our arms. After using this, we no longer have that problem. These bars are also huge and last a very long time.


Face routine: my facial routine has to be the quickest and easiest of them all. I cleanse my face twice with Amish Farms Bar soap, tone with witch hazel, and for moisturizer I use beef tallow! I know, sounds gross, but it’s not. I get mine scented with vanilla so it doesn’t smell like how you think it would. If you need a more in-depth routine, Mammy’s Soap Co. has a great skincare line!

My personal favorite, Cattle Creek Mercantile tallow, vanilla scented-

Mammy’s facial products for acne-

Mammy’s facial products for moisture-


Deodorant-

I have tried ALL of the natural deodorants and let me tell you, I was not a fan until I found this one. I have very sensitive skin and most of them broke me out in a rash or left me stinky by the end of the day. This one is amazing. I use Clean Age. I’ve only used the scent “waves”, but I am ordering a different scent next time! I will say, natural deodorants protect against the smell, but you will still sweat because they don’t contain aluminum. I have it linked in my storefront!


Body oils and lotions-

If I’m not using beef tallow all over, I’m using Mammy’s through and through. I absolutely love her body oils and butters for the winter and summer!


Shampoo and conditioner-

I SWEAR by a shampoo bar. I know that it is a sin for a cosmetologist to say that, but my hair has never been healthier. A lot of professional products have toxic ingredients. I personally haven’t used salon shampoo in 2 years (sorry not sorry). My favorite shampoo bar is Mammy’s once again. Earthley Wellness also has a really great one! For conditioner, I will reccomend Mammy’s conditioner bar over Earthley Wellness’s conditioner spray. I feel like Mammy’s gets the job done on my wavy/curly hair better!


Alternative to candles:

Lately, I love getting the scent blends off of Revive and simply putting a couple of drops in the diffuser. If you MUST HAVE a candle, beeswax is the way to go. Etsy is a great place to shop for that! I’ll add a few of my favorites below.

diffusers- in amazon storefront!


Health:

Of course if you are sick, please go to the doctor. I just try alternative measures before I go. I used to think my mother was crazy for using essential oils, but here I am doing the same! I’m not going to go into great detail, but the Refernce Guide app will tell you what oils to use for things such as upset stomach, headaches, cramps, colds, etc. It is a very useful tool. Revive and Young Living also have guides you can use. Please read guides and study up on oils before you just slather them on. Most, if not all oils, require mixing with a carrier oil before being placed on the skin.


I really hope I didn’t overwhelm you in today’s post. It is A LOT to take in if you aren’t used to it! I will post the “ingredients to avoid” photo somewhere in the blog post. Thanks for reading and follow my socials @taylorgholz for more blog posts!






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