While the idea of creating a healthier home with more natural products and foods can seem overwhelming as a whole, there are some simple steps on that journey that you can take today.
Bonus, most of these steps cost little-to-nothing since you might already have some of the supplies in your home already!
1. Open the Windows
One of the simplest ways to clean out the air in your house is to open some windows.
If it’s a bit on the chilly or the hot side, maybe just open one window to get some airflow going. Also, make sure to change the setting on your thermostat so your HVAC system isn’t constantly working against the air coming in through the window.
Not only can this prevent your house from getting a stale smell from lack of fresh air, but it can also bring in pleasant smells like spring flowers, summer rains, or fall leaves. Though, if you live near a gravel road like the one I grew up on, you might have to open windows on the opposite side of the house so you don’t add more dust along with your fresh air.
2. Get rid of artificial scents
While those fun-smelling candles might seem like they give your house a “freshening up“, the petroleum-based waxes and artificial scents in them are actually polluting your house from the inside out.
My favorite alternative to candles is diffusing essential oils. Not only do The individual bottles of oils last for a long time when used in this way, but you can also mix and match to create different scent combinations every time you turn on the diffuser. Make sure when you buy essential oils that you are getting you are oils that have not been cut with any fillers. This tends to be the case with really cheap wheels with the ones you might find in a dollar store. Pretty much, if the price seems too good to be true for a real essential oil, it probably is.
Essential oils too expensive?
If essential oils and a diffuser aren’t in your budget (though I have seem some pretty affordable ones available that are still good quality), you can make a simmer pot to go on your stove. The idea behind these are that you put good smelling things in a pot of water and just let it slightly simmer on the stove and release all the good smells.
I’ve seen simmer pot recipes that include things like:
- Orange Slices
- Apple Slices
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Whole Cloves
- Ginger Root
Pinterest has lots more ideas for simmer pots if you’re looking for inspiration! While the above ingredients that I listed would contribute to a more autumn-type scent, there are tons of combinations that would be perfect for any season!
3. Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Making your own cleaning products might see you intimidating at first, but it’s actually very easy and can save you tons of money!
My favorite all-purpose cleaner to use is made with just 3 ingredients: white vinegar, lemon or orange peel, and water. Just add the orange peel to a glass jar, fill the rest of the jar with vinegar, and let it sit for two weeks. After two weeks is up, take out the orange peel and dilute the vinegar half-and-half with filtered water. That’s it!
Here are a few homemade cleaning products to get you started. And the best part is, they only require a couple ingredients each! You probably have everything you need to make them in your house already.
4. Make Your Own Personal Care Products
As I talk about in my post on the toxic ingredients hiding in our personal care products, there are lots of ingredients hiding in our personal care products that we don’t want in our bodies.
Just like with cleaning products, homemade personal care products are can be really easy to make! One of my favorite blogs to reference for homemade personal care products is Our Oily House. Below are some of her recipes for homemade personal care products:
5. Cook from Scratch
Cooking most of your own food at home can help significantly cut down on the number of synthetic ingredients being introduced into your body.
If you’re new to cooking from scratch, start with a one food, one recipe. Pick something simple that you’d like to make yourself, and keep trying until you are successful at making it. It might take one try, or it might take 5 or 10. Once you have a food or a meal that you’re comfortable making, pick something else. Each time you successfully make a new food, you’ll gain more confidence in your cooking skills!
If you’re new to cooking from scratch, these posts have some great resources!
Best Cookbooks for Cooking from Scratch
Simplifying Your Kitchen to Make Cooking from Scratch Easier
Best Small Appliances for Cooking from Scratch
6. Eat ”whole food” snacks
One of the easier places to start incorporating more whole foods into your diet is snacks!
If your kids are using to highly processed or sweetened treats, they might have a bit of an adjustment, but there are so many options that they’re sure to fine lots of things they’ll like.
Some examples of whole food snacks are:
- Apples and Peanut Butter
- ”Ants on a Log”
- Nuts
- Oranges
- Peppers and Homemade Dip
- Beef Jerky
- Cheese Sticks
For more snack ideas, check out my post on kid-friendly snacks straight from the garden! If you don’t have a garden of your own, you can find many of these snacks in the produce section of your local grocery store.
If you want to add some fun your snacks (or a snacky lunch), put a cheese, meat, and fruits and vegges on a sheet pan or a wooden cutting board and call it charcuterie! While I did take the picture, I can’t take credit for the gorgeous charcuterie board. My sister made it for her 4th of July get together a couple years ago!
If you want to take some of those first steps toward creating a healthier, more natural home, pick one of these steps to try today!
