new homeowner gift guides for your health
I have a friend who recently bought a home. By the time I post this, they will most likely have closed on the home and will be moving in. Through my journey of becoming in tune with my cycle and taking care of my overall health, I have learned that not only do the things that we eat effect our hormones and our overall health, but so do a plethora of other things.
Those plug-ins that you may have lining your walls. The non-stick pots and pans that make cooking and clean-up a bit easier. The candles that make your home smell wonderful and feel cozy in the winter. The air we breathe. The water we drink.
There are many, many factors that go into taking care of our health and it can seem overwhelming. Over time I have changed the water filters I use, the food I eat, the candles I light, the non-stick pans to stainless steel ones and honestly, I could go on and on. It has been GRADUAL, because it can get expensive. If you can do 1-2 things a month, that benefit your health and hormones, you’re doing amazing!
So lets get into what I am getting this new homeowner to help her home be a safer place for her and her family.
#1 AND THE MOST AFFORDABLE : INDOOR PLANTS.
Every time you walk into your home with your shoes on you bring in what you have walked on. This could be asphalt road residue or lawn chemicals that can lead to endocrine disruption. The contaminants you bring in your home can be odorless and colorless, so you may not even know they are there.
So how will plants help if you wear your shoes inside?
According to NASA, certain house plants can filter out harmful components such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air. Not only are these 3 plants (there are plenty others) a powerhouse for improving air quality in your home, they also add texture and visualization.
The Snake Plant
A good plant for beginners, due to its low maintenance. Snake plants thrive in low light and remove toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene.
Aloe Vera
Not only does Aloe Vera help clear formaldehyde and benzene from the air, it also has medicinal properties such as helping to soothe sunburns. Another great plant for beginners as it thrives in indirect sunlight and is low maintenance.
English Ivy
Known for effectively filtering many air pollutants, English Ivy would look beautiful growing down a bookshelf. They prefer moist soil, and partial to full-shade.
STAINLESS STEEL OR CAST IRON SKILLET.
Who doesn’t love a new kitchen? A clean, beautiful kitchen? It’s the heart of the home and we are in it every single day, so why wouldn’t we start with what we cook our food in? Majorty of us have used, and may still have non-stick pans that are coated in Teflon. Teflon Is a synthetic chemical made up of carbon and fluorine atoms. When teflon reaches high temperatures, it can release PFAS. Research is ongoing for Teflon, but I prefer Stainless steel or Cast Iron Skillets. Stainless steel is easy to use once you learn. I just watch YouTube videos on how to cook things like eggs to prevent sticking.
We can go from affordable brands that Target and Amazon carry, to quite pricey from Caraway and Our Place.
Breville Stainless Steel Pan
https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Thermal-Stainless-12-5-Inch-Helper/dp/B01M3MHNN0?th=1
Our Place - Always Pan 2.0
https://fromourplace.com/products/always-essential-cooking-pan?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pmax&utm_campaign=us_na_performance-max_cookware_all&utm_content=&utm_version=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAvoqsBhB9EiwA9XTWGW14DxLXrKyPJM3hcPYq6dAXyUyxr1GcpJ8Q8-NsfWVA_vdD_GTVpxoCx4IQAvD_BwE&variant=43315634110658
NON-TOXIC CANDLES.
When it comes to candles, you want ones with 100% natural waxes like beeswax, coconut, or soy. Scents should be 100% therapeutic grade essential oils or unscented, and made with cotton or wooden wicks. I love a wooden wick that crackles. You want to avoid candles that have a paraffin or gel wax as these give off Vocs, which are volatile organic compounds that can cause headaches or irritation to eyes, nose, and throat. Under long term exposure they can damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Some VOCs are proven carcinogens. Always vent a room after lighting a candle to help the air quality. Below are some ‘non-toxic’ candles I have found and/or use.
Primally Pure Candles
WATER FILTRATION.
If the homeowner didn’t install a water filtration system and I could afford it (lol) I would provide them with 1 cycle of a Purely Filtered water pitcher. I have used this for a couple of years while we rent, and It makes our water taste amazing. It filters over 360 chemicals and contaminents, this also includes filtering out some of the minerals that we actually need in our water as well. Make sure you’re adding 100% Celtic sea salt - like Redmonds - back into your water to replenish minerals.
CLEAN LAUNDRY + CLEANING PRODUCTS.
A simple, yet affordable laundry product that I always have on hand is wool dryer balls. There are multiple studies on laundry products and the ingredients in them having negative effects on the central nervous system as well as the endocrine system. Which if you don’t know - the endocrine system is made up of glands that make your hormones AND influences almost every function of our body. You could say its a very important system to take care of.
Branch Basics
Molly Suds
Although I have not drank in 2 years myself, I know many people do and they do enjoy a drink as a gift. Maybe a ‘better for you’ version of wine.
One other thing I will be providing is a gift card for dinner because who wants to cook on those moving days?
I hope this list helped you come up with some ideas, or triggered a different one. Either way, encourage your friends and family to make small changes to their lives to live a healthier more harmonious one.
Happy Homeowning!
