audio time: 10 mins | read time: 9 mins

disclaimer: This is not medical advice. This is intended to educate, inspire and support you in your self healing journey. Speak to your medical professional. Some content might be sensitive; I invite you to practice self-harmonizing.

I felt my body shutter upon hearing dad say "I'm gunna fight this thing".

The odds of surviving a Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis is 1%.

And my trauma healing training points to the battle within us as being the instigator of the dis-ease.

So if fighting himself internally got him here, then how is "fighting" going to save him?

It didn't.

He died 4 weeks after the diagnosis.

In those precious few weeks at his side, we hoped for years together.

We imagined him visiting my home in Medellín, Colombia and him walking me down the aisle.

We recalled trips to Hawai’i, concerts we’d been to, our European family vacation and how he coached my soccer teams growing up.

We did reiki, took short walks and watched the sunset in the backyard. We laughed and held each other. He shared his hopes for me and my future.

And we made some non-toxic home swaps I wish we’d made a decade ago.

You see, dis-ease isn’t black and white. It isn’t a thing, but a process.

And we know through the study of epigenetics that genes don’t play a big role in dis-ease or disorders.

It’s the environment tells the genes how to express themselves, it’s the environment that plays the biggest role in your health.

The environment includes what’s in your home, what you eat, where you live, your relationships, your job, your emotions, and so much more. All of this factors into your health.

Unlike healing emotions, relationships, finances, etc. which are incredibly complex, these home swaps are pretty much “one and done”.

And sometimes in our stress healing and nervous system harmonizing journey… we need those easy wins:

Note: please do not pressure yourself to do all of this at once. Go at the pace that feels right to you, your family, your wallet and your nervous system.

1 — water filter

Studies show tap water is contaminated with arsenic and other heavy metals, fluoride, pesticides, flame retardants and more! *gross*

Needless to say filtering those toxic chemicals out of your water is beneficial for your health! See what's in your tapwater here on EWG

Berkey and AquaTru are high quality drinking water filter brands. You might also consider filtering shower and bathroom sink faucets.

2 — air purifier

We spend so much time at home indoors; sleeping, cooking, lounging, etc. so getting a high quality air purifier is key to making sure your lungs don't get overwhelmed with all the crap in the air. I have an AirDoctor. Also set the intention and make goals to get outside more!

3 — cookware

Traditional non-stick cookware contain toxic chemicals that leech into your food.

Just one scratch in Teflon pan can leech thousands of PFAs into your food, these “forever chemicals” are endocrine disruptors, affecting hormone and overall nervous system health and harmony.

Instead, opt for stainless steel, cast iron and ceramic.

The "non toxic" brands like Caraway, GreenPan, etc. don't use traditional PFAs (such as PFOA/PTFE aka Teflon a known carcinogen), however there is debate on if they are really non-toxic or just “less-toxic” so they haven't sold me.

You may remember that I purchased stainless steel set for myself in Medellin, I was hesitant at first because "the clean up is so hard" but it's not! For easier clean up: low or medium-low heat and use plenty of ghee or avocado oil.

Note: if you are allergic to nickel, stainless steel might not be the right option for you, better to opt for cast iron or ceramic.

4 — cleaners

We’ve got to be washing our dishes, counters, clothing, bodies in GOOD stuff!

The "non-toxic" brands you find at Target for exmaple are mostly greenwashed (looking at you Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyers that contain harsh toxic chemicals)...

The next time you’re buying cleaners, try a cleaner cleaner like Branch Basics or Dr Bronners.

5 — food & supplements

nourishing meal to support nervous system health

Also not exactly “one and done”, but every time you go to the grocery is an opportunity to make a swap or two:

eat real food, not ultra processed foods (aka those pre-made, packaged products with ingredients you can’t picture or pronounce)
read ingredient labels (front of food packages can lie!)
choose “organic” and “pasture raised and handled” certified labels whenever possible
eat the rainbow; diversity of fruits and vegetables full of phytonutrients, fiber, prebiotics, etc.
shift away from carb-heavy diet to protein and fat heavy diet (carb heavy meals spike glucose)
high quality probiotic like Seed Synbiotic (pre and probiotic) because 70-80% of your immune system lives in your gut...
reduce/eliminate seed oils

6 — bedding

You spend 1/3 of our life in your bed, and beds contain a scary number of toxic chemicals (polyurethane, pesticides, flame retardants, formaldehyde, chemical adhesives, etc.)

Those toxic chemicals leech into your skin and lungs for 8ish hours every single night… for years!!! YUCK!

Better bedding options include: birch, avocado, brentwood home, plush beds, my green mattress, pact

Tip: you might buy new sheets, blankets and pillow cases this year, and save for a couple of years for a new bed.

7 — clothing

Skin is the largest organ and it absorbs what you put on it; bedding, body wash, clothing, etc.

When I went through Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in 2020 was the first time I was introduced to the idea of wearing organic clothing from natural materials; cotton, linen, bamboo, wool, silk, as a way to support skin and overall health as well as …

After all… who wants to wear plastic (made from gasoline! 🤢)??? Then have that plastic end up in a landfill for 1,000+ years!

Brands I've purchased from: MATE the label, Everlane, Pact, Indigo Luna, Skin, Reformation

Share with me: where do you feel inclined to start or continue your home health “non-toxic” journey?

DIVE DEEPER: receive 1:1 somatic coaching in your unique healing journey

infinite love,
Stephanie

— Until we meet again, daddy May 27, 1950 - September 6, 2022 —