6 Simple Steps Toward a More Natural Lifestyle

This post brought to you by Tom’s of Maine . The content and opinions expressed below are that of The Frugal Farm Wife.

Growing up, I had a very flippant attitude about health. I’m sure that’s pretty typical among kids who’ve never really have to think about it.

It wasn’t until I was an adult, and started meeting people – including my husband – with pretty serious health concerns that I started caring about how what you put not just in, but on your body affects you.

Eventually, I did realize that I couldn’t keep taking my health for granted, but it wasn’t until I had kids that I really took it seriously, and started making a really big effort to live a natural lifestyle.

As my kids have grown from toddlers to preschoolers (and beyond), they’ve wanted to copy everything I do. They want to use every shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, and deodorant that I use. If they see me put it on, they want to try it too.

It seems funny, but that’s what really gave me pause, and made me realize that if wouldn’t put my deodorant on them, or let them use my toothpaste, then I shouldn’t be using it either.

I didn’t want them to use conventional deodorant, or toothpaste, or any of those things, because I didn’t want those chemicals soaking into their little bodies. There’s a difference between doing something you know isn’t the best for you, and doing it for your kids. So I knew that I finally had to stop.

It has been a long journey toward living a more natural lifestyle, with lots of bumps in the road, and we certainly don’t do everything perfectly even now – we probably never will, But there are some ways you can jumpstart your success in living a more natural life.

7 Simple Steps Toward a More Natural Lifestyle

1. Find Good Replacement Products

When I first started trying to eliminate chemicals in our lives, I thought I had to make everything myself, and to be honest, it was a really overwhelming thought! Even now, I don’t make everything. Though that’s a goal, it’s probably not the best way to start your journey.

The easiest, and maybe best thing you can do is find natural products to replace the conventional ones you were using. One of the first natural products I was introduced to was Tom’s of Maine (thanks to my mom and her obsession with natural toothpaste!). With the Tom’s of Maine Made to Matter collection, sold exclusively at Target,

• Wicked Cool!™  Deodorants
• Luminous White™ Toothpaste, and
• Men’s Naturally Dry North Woods™ Antiperspirant.

Free of artificial dyes, fragrances, flavors and preservatives, Tom’s of Maine products are good for the planet and are Made to Matter® – handpicked by Target.

I’m personally a stickler for aluminum-free deodorant, and absolutely love the Wicked Cool! girl’s summer fresh deodorant. I’m a runner, and a lifter, but I never stink, and the best part is, I have no qualms whatsoever about letting my daughter use it when she’s ready.

2. Eliminate what you can 

Ask yourself a few questions as you go through your daily routine. Does hair gel make my hair healthy? Do I really need it? (Hint: try aloe vera gel instead!) What about cream foundation? Is it really beneficial for my skin’s long-term health? (I know makeup is a touchy subject, but so often it’s a “the more you use, the more you need” proposition that after a few weeks of bare skin, you’ll be shocked by how your skin will clear up!)

But living a healthy lifestyle extends far beyond our personal care routine. It encompasses everything we do! So here are four simple steps to help you take charge of the other areas in your life too!

3. Switch to whole foods

Just by cutting outboxed dinners and pre-made food, you will eliminate a whole host of chemicals and preservatives that our bodies were never designed to ingest! Five minutes of peeling and cutting potatoes will save you several dollars, plus all the additives in frozen french fries! The same can be applied to almost any food you can think of (I’m thinking about meatballs right now…)

4. Use natural cleaners

What kind of chemicals does your food pick up when it touches your countertop? What about when your toddler touches (or licks.. don’t ask) something you just power cleaned? Are your cleaners safe enough so that you feel comfortable letting your preschooler help clean the bathroom?

Just like with my personal care items, I like to make my own when I have time. but when you don’t, It’s important have an arsenal of natural cleaners in my cabinets to supplement.

5. Get active 

If there are any errands you can run on foot or by bike, do it! Play with your kids at the park or find local events or clubs to get involved with. Everybody has them! Our little town of 1,100 people has a rock climbing gym – a rock climbing gym! – with a small Ninja Warrior style obstacle course, as well as a fitness studio where you can take spin classes, yoga, body combat, and even practice Ju Jitsu (c’mon ladies, self-defense is important!).

Group activities will benefit your social life, and the fact that they’re active activities will make you more healthy – whether it’s through building muscle or sweating out toxins, and more motivated to clean up all areas of your life!

6. Use Natural Remedies 

Let’s face it, no matter how healthfully you try to live your life, sometimes the little buggers get the best of you, and the unthinkable happens – your body gets overwhelmed, you get sick. Support your body in it’s effort to get well by using natural remedies, whether they’re homemade, or bought. Use nutrition to fight bad bacteria.

These are simple steps you can take toward a more natural lifestyle, but as someone recently pointed out to me, simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. So what do you do if you find yourself overwhelmed by it all?

My advice is to pick just one step and use it until it become second nature. For instance, switch out your conventional tooth paste for Tom’s of Maine Luminous White Toothpaste. That’s not only simple, it’s super easy. Then on your next trip to Target, switch out your deodorant too. Then move on to the next step, and then the next.

Taking it slow truly does make a more natural lifestyle simple – simple and easy!