My Favorite Things

Even though this EI life is so challenging, I’ve been thinking about the many good gifts God has provided to help me walk this road. So here’s a list of some of my favorite helpful and enjoyable things. =) 

*Peppermint oil – This is one of the few essential oils I’ve been able to use and I LOVE it! I enjoy the smell of it, which is in itself a wonder (since I reacted to any smells for many years, even natural ones). And it’s great for so many things – relieving pain, lifting mood, detoxing, etc. My mom and I use it almost every day, so even when it’s not Christmas season, our house still smells like Christmas! =) 

*Epsom salts – There’s nothing like a foot bath or detox bath in epsom salts to relax you. They’re also great for helping with detoxing. 

*EM1 – A friend told us about this unique product and it’s been so helpful with our laundry! If our clothes get contaminated with chemicals, mold, etc. we soak them in a small amount of EM1 then wash again, and they come out fresh and clean (or at least much better…sometimes we have to soak them twice if it’s a really stubborn chemical). The product information lists many other uses for this as well, though so far we’ve only used it in laundry.

*Charcoal – You can buy charcoal in capsules or powder. We mostly use the capsules. Charcoal binds with/absorbs many different chemicals and toxins. We keep a bottle of capsules in our car. Then if we go somewhere and get exposed to petroleum products, cigarette smoke, or other toxins, we just hold a few capsules in the right hand for 10 minutes. This helps to counteract the exposure. We also put charcoal tablets in new appliances for 10-20 minutes to help them off-gas. Sometimes I even set charcoal out in my room for 15-20 minutes, if I’ve been detoxing a lot and my room feels toxic. It’s a wonderful tool for trying to live non-toxic. 

*Organic dark chocolate – There are a lot of unhealthy foods that I don’t eat, so sometimes it feels like my diet is very limited. But I’m so thankful that organic dark chocolate is actually good for me! =) I usually eat 1 tiny square 2-3 times a day. It gives me a little energy boost and feels like a special treat, all while benefiting my health. Win-win! =) 

*Coconut oil – I use it all the time for cooking, baking, putting on my food, and even as a lotion. I like the flavor. I love the health benefits. And I appreciate having a wonderful multi-purpose product. 

*The beach – We don’t get to go as often as we’d like. But when we do go, I love the fresh ocean breezes, walking in the sand, and watching the waves roll in. It’s very healing and refreshing. =)