Invasion of the Body Toxins!

I post a lot about free radicals that enter our bodies, and the foods (and wine!) that fight these toxic waste products.  I truly believe the more toxins you can avoid and the more free radical fighting foods you can consume, the healthier you will be.  Whether that is in the prevention of disease or if you're fighting a disease.  I don't however believe free radical fighting foods aka super foods aka healing foods are a substitute for conventional medicine but part of a  recipe for healing and maintaining optimal health.

So today's topic is toxins in our homes.

Usually they can be found under our kitchen sinks and in our bathroom cabinets.  I'm talking about cleaning supplies that are full of VOC's (volatile organic compounds) and get pumped into the air for us to breathe in.  The worst offenders are drain, oven, and toilet bowl cleaners and products containing chlorine and ammonia.  (Chlorine and ammonia were combined to make a chemical weapon in WWI)

Instead of chemicals look for products made from 100 percent natural ingredients to clean your house. They're just as effective and cheap too!  If you really want to go au naturale try these items that are probably already in your pantry:

Lemon juice is a great substitute for bleach.

Baking soda can be used to deodorize your fridge, freezer, and carpets, to clean cutlery, and to scrub toilets and tubs. Try putting baking soda over bottom of oven,  then cover with enough water to make a thick paste. Let set overnight and wipe up. Follow with a little liquid detergent on a sponge to wash off the residue. To unclog a drain try pouring 1/2 to 1 cup baking soda down the drain, then slowly pour 1/2 to 1 cup white vinegar in after it.  Cover the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes. If it bubbles like a volcano, it means it's working. Flush with a gallon of hot water.

White vinegar mixed with water can be used to clean floors, windows, and mirrors. To clean kitchen surfaces, spray them first with pure white vinegar, then with hydrogen peroxide, and wipe the surface clean.  Be sure and store vinegar and hydrogen peroxide separately. Rid your garbage disposal of smells by adding vinegar to water for ice cubes, then let a few of them get chopped by your disposal.