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Where I started
Have you ever felt like your body was weighed down by what you were eating, putting on your skin, or even breathing in every day?
That’s exactly how I felt before I began my journey toward natural living.
Today I want to share my reasons for going all natural — and how holistic living has completely shifted my health and happiness.
Before I started my holistic living journey
I grew up eating all manner of junk food. Corn syrup- capri suns, chimichangas. Transfat shelf pies. Little donut holes from dollar tree, preserved queso cheese and top ramen. Just to name a few.
Even though my parents were somewhat health conscious about nutrition, I did not have the best diet growing up which caused me to have great inflammation all of my life.
I was tired all the time. I often couldn’t breathe through my nose.
I’d have painful puffy joints and my brain function was like trying to run through mud.
I did not have the same childhood experience of exuberant energy and easy learning as other children.
And due to my constant inflammation I always felt somehow dirty or icky. My body always smelled like onion or skunk even after washing thoroughly.
My Wake-Up Call: Realizing I Needed Change
An experience that stands out to me often is remembering how I would feel being in nature.
I grew up in arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Pacific northwest with lush evergreen forests, waterfalls, and mountains.
Seeing such beautiful mountains and forests I never felt like I was a part of this beauty, or even natural.
I felt so toxic inside.
I did not understand this at the time but reflecting back on it now it had to do with being so separated from nature in all that I did and ate.
What I ate, drank, put on my body, my attitude towards myself and others. These were not aligned with nature.
I know this might sound strange to some of you, but I wanted to have the capacity to look at the beautiful sky and know that I am made of the same stuff.
These were my own reasons for why I focused on a holistic lifestyle. My shift to being natural was a gradual process.
Who Inspired My Natural Living Journey
A big influence on me was my Japanese mother.
My mom influenced me first by helping me see that the majority of what is marketed to us is unhealthy for people and that it’s okay to go against the crowd.
Another major influence on my journey was the owner of Living Libations: Nadine Artemis.
Nadine helped me find holistic paths I was not aware of before.
I first read her book on Holistic Dental Care then found her other book Renegade beauty.
Reading these books changed the way I thought about many things, especially dentistry and our body’s microbiome.
The Gradual Steps I Took to Go All Natural
My holistic journey was gradual. I didn’t change overnight. I started small:
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First my shampoo & conditioner
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Then facial products (moisturizers, toner)
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Later lotions, lip balms & toothpaste
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Eventually deodorant and makeup
Another thing I found on my holistic living journey was that my straight hair is actually wavy! Check out my post “My Toxic-free Curly Hair Method” to find out more about what products I use to have curlier hair.
Changing my food came later as well.
Food was a big milestone for me since I had a very unhealthy relationship with it.
I also lived with my family so it was more challenging to change.
But I started implementing more fruit into my diet and cooked veggies.
I just added more fresh foods or swapped things on other days.
What I came to find out and still am experiencing is that I became sensitive to unhealthy processed foods and unnatural body products.
The Changes I’ve Experienced from Holistic Living
My taste buds and sensitivity have become superb in detecting harsh chemicals and fakeness.
Like regular mascara really irritates my eyelids, makes them so itchy, (yes even if it’s a brand new bottle). So I had to switch that out.
I cannot for the life of me use regular scented shampoos or conditioners since they irritate my scalp and burn my sinuses.
Still Growing: My Ongoing Journey
All in all this journey has led me to where I am now.
I am still on a path of fine tuning my holistic living and I see others that are further along in this path.
But I am glad with how far I have come in being closer to nature and self cleaning.
I’m grateful to the people that helped me along and hope someday I can do the same for you.
Let me know in the comments what inspired you to start a more holistic journey and who gave you guidance in your path.
With much love thank you for visiting my blog.
