Intentionality in changing our buying and cleaning habits is vital for protecting our well-being. In order to be stronger and live longer, we must choose to create a healing habitat that effectively eliminates toxins in our bodies and reduces the source of toxins in our environment so that restoration of optimum health can occur.

These check-points will alert you to some of the ways to improve your health through behavioral changes:

1. Check in your sink and under it

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  • Dishwashing liquid residue is left on dishes and eaten, use a non-toxic alternative such as Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Liquid
  • Clean your sponge; studies have shown that the degree of contamination of sponges of a hundred million to one billion microorganisms of any kind per sponge. Wash your sponge (put it in your dishwasher even).
  • Toxic chemical arsenal under the sick! Yes, most of us are not conscious of the bombs we buy. Check out this article by Dr. Mercola, and I highly recommend you subscribe to his email newsletter.

2. Make your toilet less toxic

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  • Taking simple measures, like using
  • Use toilet paper that is not perfumed, dyed or bleached, nor made from recycled paper (such as Seventh Generation available from Gaiam.com).
  • What toilet cleaning liquid do you scrub it with? Melaleuca and Seventh Generation are recommended non-toxic products.

3. Focus on your food

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  • Drive-thru and convenience food is a fast way to introduce toxins into your system. If you haven't watched the movie Food, Inc., click the link to watch it in iTunes. It is a documentary that is extremely motivating and impacting.
  • Cut the intake of pesticides and herbicides that you eat by buying organic vegatables in your grocery and health food store, having it delivered (In the USA: Diamond Organics, Door to Door, Boston Organics, Urban Organic, and Planet Organics; UK: Abel & Cole & Riverford and Absolutely Organic in Ireland; in Canada: Green Earth & Spud ) or growing it yourself using organic pesticide from Green Light (http://www.invisiblegardener.com/ is a helpful resource).
  • Additives, seasonings, and toxic ingredients should be avoided; such as MSG, artificial sweeteners, nitrates, and preservatives in processed, canned and frozen foods.
  • Re-train your brain on how to eat properly.

4. Access what is in your medicine cabinet.

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  • Toothpaste and mouthwash introduce aspartame, sucralose, flouride, dyes and colors and alcohol among other things into your body. Consider using Theives toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss from Young Living.
  • Take less aspirin, and fewer over-the-counter medicines.

5. Beauty and body care products affects ourselves and others.

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  • Deodorant is one of most poisonous body care products. The New York Times even issued a guide on it. Read this article on Toxic or Non-Toxic Deodorant.
  • Perfumes and colognes are toxic pollutants. Click here to read more on the health risks from perfume. Consider using an essential oil as a body fragrance.

Safe, nontoxic alternatives exist for nearly every real need around the home, and much of what we use that compromises our health is not necessary if one can break the traditions and habits of using the household names that don't build our bodies up. Do everything you can to rid your home of pollutants. (Read this article on cleaning with tea tree oil)

The more you are aware of your body, it's sensitivities to toxins, you will know when you are exposed to a toxic substance. There are useful links on this page from MultipleChemicalSensivity.org and on the Enivironmental Illness Resource site for those who are making changes due to the effects of MCS/Lyme Disease/CFS/ME and other degenerative diseases that have weakened their health. The majority of the patients that come to us at the Hansa Center for Optimum Health are chronically ill, and a high proportion of them have Lyme disease (and chemical sensitivities).

Many ask, "How do you determine that?". Some of our patients arrive of course with the diagnosis, yet in others, we see it in their symptoms. They may have swollen joints and other chronic conditions that are suggestive of Lyme disease and the related infections. It's not the same with everyone. It is our approach to treat the whole person, not the disease.

"Treat the human condition and health will follow. Treat the bugs and more bugs will follow.™

What are the measures you have taken? What are the ways you have found helpful in making the necessary changes? Looking forward to getting your comments!