Autoimmune can mean a lot of different things for different people, but it’s important to remember that we really do have more control than we’ve been led to believe when it comes to feeling good. It’s our job to be educated and learn how we can feel good; because we can!
When you’re a mom it’s not always easy to take that extra care of ourselves that we need to do, especially with an autoimmune. There are hard days and days that we aren’t feeling like our best selves. Food is one of the best ways to take care of yourself because it plays a huge role in so many things. Food can effect your mood, how you feel, your energy levels and more.
Not only is ensuring that YOU get good foods in your body, your family benefits as well! Everyone has different thoughts on how you ‘should’ eat so it’s important to find what feels good for your body. Focus on what triggers a positive or negative response in your body. No matter what you’re eating sourcing it well is incredibly important.
I love visiting our local farmer's market; it's something I truly enjoy doing and the food is so much better for us! Eating local allows you to know exactly what is in the item. So many foods that we can buy on the market today are pumped full of chemicals and things that are not meant to be ingested into our bodies. Finding a source that you know and trust is a game changer.
Visiting our local farmer’s market has actually turned into a family affair for us and it’s so fun! We get outdoors to enjoy the beautiful day and we’re able to teach our son the importance of finding good foods to serve our body. It’s truly a win/win for us!
As someone with an autoimmune, it’s important that I’m mindful of what I’m putting into and on my body and that I’m taking extra care of myself. Especially being a breastfeeding mom, I need to keep myself healthy for my munchkin.
It’s so unfortunate that in today’s society, we can’t trust what is in the products we use. I’m consistently having to be mindful of the products I’m using and ensure that what I put in and on my body has good ingredients. Having an autoimmune, means that these toxins can impact our hormonal health and our endocrine system negatively. Toxins can get into our bodies and disrupt the normal processes needed to live in homeostasis (or balance). Exposure to certain toxins can actually cause flare ups!
As someone with an autoimmune, it’s incredibly important to know that these toxins can impact our hormonal health and our endocrine system negatively. (To be fair it’s important for everyone but autoimmune adds another layer). It’s important to take steps to lessen the toxins absorbed into your body or exposed to (as much as we can). With an autoimmune it’s even more important to take extra care of your body, mother or not!
Ingredients to avoid:
• 1,4 dioxane
• ammonium sulfate
• ammonium quaternary compounds
• benzisothiazonline
• BHT
• bleach
• brighteners
• dyes
• ethoxylated ingredients
• formaldehyde
• fragrances
• methylisothiazolinone
• natural fragrances
• nonylphenol ethoxylate
• octylisothiazolinone
• PEGS
• phenoxyethanol
• phosphates
• polysorbate 20,60,80
• sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate
When I started this low tox lifestyle, I went product by product replacing them so that I wouldn’t get overwhelmed. There’s nothing wrong with a slow progression because you’re taking steps to better your home and your health! Your laundry room is a great place to start because you’re absorbing the toxins into your skin all day from the laundry products you use! I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to use good quality products!
*the first thing I replaced was my various cleaners with Thieves cleaner! Once I started doing that, I not only saved money but also supported my immune system!
As a family, it’s so important for us to reduce toxins whenever we can. Having a little baby, we really want to reduce his exposure as much as possible because we want his little body to grow properly and without toxic disruptions! As for me and having an autoimmune, it’s important that I reduce my toxin absorption as well to stay healthy!
With that being said, we don't want to miss out on summer fun (who doesn't love a pool on a hot day!), but we want to learn how to care for ourselves and keep our toxin intake to a minimum when we can.
Being in a chlorinated pool is one of the ways that your body absorbs toxins in the summertime. Swimming in a chlorinated pool can increase markers of DNA damage after just 40 minutes in the water!
- Swimming in a chlorinated pool means exposure to known skin irritants that can cause skin to become dry and itchy.
- Research suggests that chlorine in swimming pools can increase rates of asthma, cancer, and skin/throat irritation.
- When chlorine mixes with water it forms hypochlorite, a bleaching agent that causes fabrics to fade (Ever notice how faded swimsuits get?).
If you find yourself swimming in a chlorinated pool this summer, here are a few ways you can mitigate the toxic absorption into your body.
- Increase your Vitamin C and antioxidant intake before swimming
- Use a good lotion that contains Vitamin C
- Use a dechlorinating hair spray before and after swimming
- Rinse before getting in and shower afterwards.
Here’s a recipe for a great dechlorinating hair spray to use before and after swimming!
- 8 ounces distilled water
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp Vitamin C powder
- 5-10 drops Geranium Essential Oil
- 5-10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- Splash of fractionated coconut oil
(I use all Young Living essential oils!)
These are just a few ways to combat the effects, but it's going to be most beneficial to limit the pool time or find another source all together! There are pools that use salt water or UV rather than chlorine, which is a better option for your health. Open bodies of water are great too!
Our #1 goal is to reduce the chemical intake as much as we can! Hope you found this helpful!
Breakfast is an important meal of the day, but it can be one that is easily forgotten as we're rushing to get ready for the day or have little ones who need our attention. This oatmeal is delicious and is simple to whip together when your morning is a little hectic. Plus, it's perfect for this time of year with the apple and pumpkin.... need I say more!?
Ingredients:
1 organic apple, sliced into thin, bite-sized pieces
1 ripe banana
1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
Pinch of salt
¼ cup organic pumpkin puree
2 pasture raised eggs
3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
4–6 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality, to taste*
*You might also try experimenting with Cardamom Vitality, Nutmeg Vitality, or Clove Vitality for added complexity.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Cut apples into thin, bite-sized slices and set aside. For an added boost of flavor, sprinkle ½ teaspoon of cinnamon on the apple slices and toss to incorporate.
3. Place banana, oats, baking powder, salt, pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, maple syrup, and Cinnamon Vitality into a blender and blend until smooth (about 1 minute).
4. Add apple slices into the batter and fold through with a spoon or silicone spatula to incorporate.
5. Grease oven-safe ramekins or other small, oven-safe dishes with cooking oil.
6. Pour the blended batter into the dishes, about ¾ full to leave room for it to expand.
If you aren’t in the mood to wait for this decadent treat, place your ramekin in the microwave for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is fully cooked.
Allow it to cool for 1–2 minutes before serving. Top with maple syrup or nut butter and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!
