Why Non-Toxic Living Matters!
This week's blog post will be a beginner friendly guide on different items that you might be using that are toxic to your body and health.
Every day, we’re surrounded by things we don’t think twice about our toothpaste, the pan we cook dinner in, the medicine we take when we have a cold. But what many of us don’t realize is that these everyday items can contain ingredients and chemicals that quietly affect our health over time.
The same goes for the food we eat gluten, for example, may not affect everyone, but for many people (me included), it can trigger inflammation, discomfort, and long-term health struggles.
Choosing to live a more non-toxic lifestyle isn’t about being perfect or throwing everything in your home away at once. It’s about awareness, small swaps, and giving your body the best chance to thrive. When I started removing toxic products and eating gluten-free, I noticed huge changes not just in how I felt physically, but in my energy, mood, and overall well-being.
The Kitchen: Where Clean Living Begins
I knew one of the first topics I wanted to cover here had to be the kitchen specifically, what we cook with and what we use to clean. Clean living truly begins with the tools we prepare our food on. The materials in our cookware and utensils can either support our health or slowly introduce harmful substances into our meals.
Non-Toxic Cookware, Cleaning, and Storage Essentials
In my own kitchen, I keep things simple and safe: I rely on a large cast iron pan and a non-toxic pot for everyday cooking. For utensils, I stick to bamboo, wood, and stainless steel materials that are durable, effective, and free from harmful coatings or plastics. These swaps may seem small, but over time, they make a meaningful difference.
When it comes to cleaning and food storage, small changes can make a big difference in reducing daily toxin exposure. Swappable bamboo dish brushes are a sustainable alternative to plastic sponges, while plant-based soaps like Molly’s Suds clean effectively without harsh chemicals. Choosing non-toxic glass containers over plastic helps keep food fresh without the risk of chemical leaching. Even appliances can make a difference stainless steel blenders and tools are safer and more durable than their plastic counterparts. These simple swaps create a cleaner kitchen environment while supporting long-term health.
I have linked Molly's Suds dish soap on amazon if you would like to check it out.
What is Toxic in our pans and pots?
Research shows that using Teflon, Nonstick, Aluminum, Lead and Copper if not properly coated and there is more that these. Many of these includes health risks because of the coatings used to make them. These coatings have been linked to cancer and thyroid disease, the chemical is polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) when it breaks down from heating this chemical can be released. Teflon and Non-Stick can have another chemical called perfluorooctanoic(PFOA) which is a known carcinogen. A buildup or continued absorption of carcinogens lead to diseases, cancer and more.
Why food storage and cooking materials matters!
The items we choose to pack our lunches/what we eat our meals off of make a huge difference in our health. Using plastics, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, Ziploc's etc... are toxic for health. These items have many toxic elements that directly affect our hormones and general health. The two main toxins in Ziploc's are called polyethylene and polypropylene these are released through being heated or cooled. Both of these toxins are derived from petroleum. The Ziploc company is currently being sued for claiming "microwave safe and freezer safe" the bags are not clearly labeled with warning about the microplastics from heating or freezing.
This is an excerpt from the article "Microplastics and human health: unveiling the gut microbiome disruption and chronic disease risks" MPs have been shown to accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, disrupting the gut microbiome, and causing dysbiosis-a harmful imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria. This disruption has been linked to various health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, systemic inflammation, and chronic diseases". I have linked the article above! But this shows us how much these "unknown" toxins can affect us. These invisible toxins affect our whole lives.
Next Week
In the next blog post, I’ll go even deeper into creating a non-toxic kitchen. I’ll share the exact products I use, from cookware and utensils to lunch containers and cleaning tools, and include links so you can easily find safer alternatives too. If you’ve ever wondered how to make small swaps that actually make a difference for your health, this post is for you. I’ll give you practical tips to make clean living easier, one step at a time. Stay tuned it’s going to be full of useful info you can start using right away!
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