10 things you can do starting tomorrow that can INCREASE NOURISHMENT and REDUCE TOXICITY in your life
Becca Crawford
When people start learning about the toxicity that surrounds us in our modern day life, they can often feel overwhelmed. From the “food” we eat, the tap water we drink, the toxins found in personal care products and household cleaning products, the blue lights we are exposed to at night, the chronic levels of stress we labour with, the electromagnetic radiation we are bombarded with, and the list goes on and on.
Indeed, one door opens another door which opens another door and suddenly you feel like you’ve been doing everything wrong and you’ve ruined not only your life but also your childrens’ lives! I’ve been there! It is indeed tragic that we live in an increasingly toxic world where we are exposed to unprecedent levels of toxins that have directly contributed to this epidemic of chronic illness and degenerative disease. However, burying our heads in the sand is not the answer. But neither is getting overwhelmed – which just adds to our stress levels.
When I start telling people about the toxicity that surrounds us, their response is “Ok! Ok! I’m in! I’m in! Let’s do this!! But where on earth do I start?!??!”
Great question! We start one step at a time. One baby step, then another and then another. With your hand held tight for support (or as tight as you need!) my team and I help you start making SMALL changes that have a BIG impact. At your pace and in your own time. Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m been walking this road for over 2 decades now and there’s still things I’m learning, tweaking and changing. It’s part of evolving and growing as a person.
Ok, so where to start?
Set out below are 10 things that can INCREASE NOURISHMENT and REDUCE TOXICITY in your home (the ONE environment that you can control!). Start where it feels right for you and once you’re comfy with opening one door and exploring that room, then open another door. Remember, YOU are in the driver’s seat. I’m just here to provide you with all the support, education, tools and resources you need.
Be conscious and curious about everything you put in and on your and your childrens’ bodies. Question everything. Don’t just accept that if something is allowed to be sold it must mean that it is safe. Sadly not.
Learn to read labels on ALL packaged goods – food or otherwise - to educate ourselves and make healthier, informed choices. A good rule of thumb for food ingredients– if your great grandmother wouldn’t have recognized that ingredient, don’t touch it. If it’s a non food item – if it doubt plug the ingredient into the EWG (Environmental Working Group) website which rates it toxicity (1 or A being the least toxic, 10 or F being the most toxic).
Buy nutrient-rich whole unprocessed foods – starting with organic produce from farmers markets, co-ops, or organic stores. Try to buy as many single ingredient unpackaged food as possible.
Learn how to make nourishing meals for your family with those single ingredients. To that end learn how to make nourishing staples like gelatinous bone broths, slow cook meals, organ meat dishes and gluten-free baked cakes in my online cooking workshops. Subscribe to my website or follow me on social media to learn of upcoming in person cooking classes.
If you don’t have the time, energy or bandwidth to make all your meals every single day from scratch, know that at Broth Bar & Larder we make onsite organic bone broth, broth based soups, 15 hour slow cooked meals, fermented foods and drinks, activated nuts and seeds, nutrient-dense raw treats free of all refined and artificial ingredients. We also have an online store.
Learn how to reduce the toxicity in your home by attending a healthy homes gathering where my team and I can help you swap out the toxins in your personal care products and household cleaning products in a positive and empowering way without the overwhelm. My team run these at least once a month in Sydney and further afield (including all over Australia in 2019 as part of an Australian tour).
If you really want to get serious about reclaiming and maintaining vibrant health, invest in a life-changing one on one health coaching session with me (either in person or via skype) or attend at a fraction of the price a group Food as Medicine talk (which I am presenting all around Australia in 2019).
For healthy lunch box inspiration, follow me on social media to see what I pack for my 2 chipmunks every single day. I also have a lunchbox inspiration ebook.
Educate your children and loved ones, gently and from a place of love.
Enjoy the journey of learning new knowledge and using it to make SMALL changes that have a BIG impact. Many think ignorance is bliss but there’s nothing blissful about chronic illness and a ravaged planet. Knowledge is power. Power brings choice. And choice brings an opportunity to change your health, your childrens’ health and the planet’s health.
When we increase nourishment (in all areas of our life), and decrease toxins (again in all areas of our life) - that’s when our children can grow and function properly, perform their best and reach their true genetic potential, so that ultimately they can be the best possible versions of themselves! At the end of the day that’s essentially what we parents want for our children!
Ultimately this is a message of hope because as parents we are in the driver’s seat. We can dial up our childrens’ nutrient-density. We can reduce their toxic exposure. In our lap lies an awesome and empowering responsibility.
So I implore you to join me on this journey for the sake of this next generation in any one or more of the ways set out above. MY reach is only so great. And YOUR reach is only so great. But if we work together as a community, our reach is POTENTIALLY UNLIMITED! If I tell 3 people about the benefits of making more nourishing, less toxic choices, and each of those 3 people in turn tells 3 people who each in turn tell 3 people, this creates a ripple effect that can be the force of change that this planet so radically needs.
Remember that this is not about deprivation. It’s about healthy swaps. We need to change our mindset about healthy swapping and view it as an act of self love because its saying “I care (or give a sh#t) about my health, my kids’ health and the planet’s health.” And at the end of the day, what is more important or empowering than that?!