After having 3 of my 4 children home sick with flu and fevers for nearly two weeks, aside from wanting some much needed ‘mummy time’, it has made me realise how important it is to be and stay well in the first place.
Well, as well as possible of course, obviously there are things that are out of our control, like what is floating around in the air and the environment, (even though we do play our part here too) going to school and work makes it hard to avoid the colds and flu that go around, however there really is a lot we can do to reduce the severity, and time we are sick or avoid it altogether!
Our incredible bodies are in a constant state of healing, our immune system is constantly fighting off the nasties and trying to keep us well. We can do so much to help ourselves to stay healthy and well. It can be daunting to know where to start though, and a lot of people say to me, ‘it’s so expensive to be healthy’. There are a lot of things you can do that are not expensive and starting small makes it easier and affordable. My response to healthy being expensive is, ‘try being sick, then you’ll know expensive’.
Starting small, being prepared and organised is a simple way to start being healthier, and on the road to chemical free.
A Few of My Top Tips:
- If organic produce is a little too expensive, buy what you can afford organic like the leafy greens, and produce that absorbs chemicals easily like strawberries. With the rest of your produce, once you get it home, fill your sink with water and add a cup of vinegar and soak and rinse your produce for 10 minutes, then leave it in the dish rack to dry.
- Try to buy from farmers markets, it’s fresher and you can ask your farmer questions, and its supporting locals!
- Changing your products to chemical free can be a big job, start with the most important like toothpaste and deodorant, these two products alone have a world of nasty chemicals and we are putting them in our mouth! And under our arms being absorbed quickly. Or start with a category like bathroom, make up, kitchen and buy what you can, when you can and use sparingly to ensure it lasts and you get as much out of the product as possible.
- Avoid processed foods, which means avoiding most of the supermarket. If you are time poor and cooking is a problem, pick meals and foods that are easy to make with just a few ingredients. Slow cookers are amazing, throw a few vegies, some meat and stock in before work set on low and dinners waiting when you get home! There are loads of easy quick recipes online, or ask me if you’d like some of mine and I will gladly send you some.
- Good oils and fats! If possible organic butter, olive oil and coconut oil, at all costs avoid margarine, vegetable and seed oils, I know they are cheap but they are cancer and disease causing disasters in a bottle! If you can buy organic, use sparingly so it lasts longer, it is so worth it!
- Eat your greens! Lots of dark leafy greens are absolutely packed with vital nutrients for your body to stay healthy and well. If chomping through bunches of kale and spinach is not your thing, there are affordable green powders you can add to water or juice that are only required in small amounts so last for ages, and you don’t miss all the amazing benefits.
- Make most of your plate vegies and salads, then add your protein of meat, eggs and so on. Add seeds and needs or avocado for good fat and fermented gut loving goodies like sauerkraut. Fill up on the good stuff and you’ll be too full to eat many of the bad guys.
- Balance! My rule is eat 80/20 that means 80% of the time I eat and drink very well and nourish my body, 20% of the time I enjoy a wine or whatever treat I want.
These are just some of my favourite tips, I hope they are of some help. Please let me know if you would like to hear some more.
Stay well, healthy and grateful!
Megs xxx
