Where do I start? :(

[Yasmin Jones]

Hi,

I'm not entirely sure if I've posted this in the right section. I have absolutely fallen head over hills in love with the natural living lifestyle. I have changed small things in mine and LO's lifestyle... However I feel like I've got such a long way to go

I grew up with the exact opposite.. And finding it difficult. I have no friends who have the same interest or any family members. I bought my 2 yr old a fluoride free toothpaste the other day and got criticised for being 'too paranoid' and using my son as a guinea pig by trying new things to better his health!

Id love to eat more naturally, use more natural products for not only our home but ourselves (creams etc).... Pretty much everything. I guess I'm slightly overwhelmed by the amount of things that need changing and not sure where to look for articles etc... To help with research.

I just want to do the best I can for My little boy

[mamazee]

You're in the right place! Peruse our various forums, as there are some on dentistry, but also on nutirtion and everything else you could think of. Read, and please contribute as well!

Welcome

[mkksmom]

Start with one thing at a time. The EWG report is a good place to start out with researching personal care products. You can easily switch to using vinegar and water 50-50 mix to disinfect. I add mint oil to make it smell better.

[CoBabyMaker]

I think where to start might be different for everyone.  I would just start with replacing things with a more natural alternative when you run out.  Poke around the forums for suggestions maybe.

For me, the easiest thing to start with was cleaning products, perhaps because I wasn't really attached to anything I was using and I was pregnant.   So I switched to using baking soda and vinegar.

Sometimes it takes time to figure out what new things you like/ what to make yourself vs. what to buy. 

Another thing that might be helpful is to think of it as a gradual process.  It's not always realistic to throw out everything you own and go buy new everything.  Baby steps. 

Here are some swaps that I have made but your priorities might be different. 

Cleaning products for baking soda and vinegar

Paper napkins for cloth- I just watch for these on clearance so they are cheap.  I don't worry about ironing them or stains.

Paper towels for rags.  For a long time we had no paper towels but DH wanted them sometimes.  Now we go through 2 or 3 rolls a year and I can live with that.

Commercial toothpaste for natural or homemade.  My mouth breaks out from commercial toothpaste so this was an easy choice for me.

Antipersperant for homemade deodorant.  Again, I get a rash from the other stuff so it was an easy choice. 

I mostly use honey to clean my face, and coconut oil moisturize.  It cuts down on products to buy since I already keep them in the kitchen.

I'm still in the process of figuring somethings out but I just try to remember it doesn't have to be overnight and it's not a contest to see who can be the most crunchy.

[owlhowl]

Hi! It's okay to take baby steps, change one thing at a time
Some people just don't understand the desire to have a natural/chemical free home, try not to let them get you down. You'd be surprised how often they come around and realize you are not crazy!