Taylor Dukes’ Ideas & Swaps for a Non-Poisonous Dwelling
For sure, when Taylor Dukes was identified with a mind tumor it modified her complete life. The expertise triggered her to audit each single factor in her life, particularly her residence. After doing her personal analysis, Taylor has constructed a whole model based mostly on more healthy selections for all areas of your life.
Taylor is a board-certified household nurse practitioner and the founding father of Taylor Dukes Wellness, a useful medication follow and academic platform. Taylor makes a speciality of serving to people overcome power well being points by addressing intestine well being, hormonal imbalances, cleansing, and total way of life. By means of her follow, complement line, she empowers purchasers with customized protocols and evidence-based methods to help long-term wellness.
Forward of transferring into a brand new residence and renovating, Taylor is sharing with us the highest issues she’s retaining in thoughts for a non-toxic residence.
From cookwear to pantry staples, to bedding and completely free tricks to make your private home a cleaner, more healthy place, Taylor’s ideas are accessible to anybody. With that, let’s welcome Taylor to the weblog.
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Hey y’all! I’m Taylor Dukes, a useful medication supplier, board-certified household nurse practitioner, spouse, and mama with a loopy well being historical past.
In my 20s, I used to be coping with all the thriller signs – weight acquire, bloating, fatigue, pimples, mind fog, hormonal imbalances, joint ache, and extra. I used to be an ICU nurse, but I couldn’t work out tips on how to heal myself. Each typical specialist I noticed needed to slap a Band-Assist on my challenge with prescription drugs, weight-reduction plan, or invasive remedies.
Nothing labored till I gave useful medication a shot as a last-ditch effort. It modified my life by serving to me get to the basis reason behind my points, which pushed me to pivot my profession path.
I skilled below high useful medication docs, opened my very own non-public follow, constructed a wellness product line filled with more healthy pantry staples, nutritional vitamins, dietary supplements, and extra (shoutout to the TDW Store), and created an on-line VIP group that has taken the confusion and stress out of navigating wholesome dwelling and useful medication for 1000’s of individuals.
In 2022, I used to be delivered the shocker of a lifetime and identified with a mind tumor – by the best way, I had zero signs. I used to be gifted a full physique preventative scan that exposed a mind tumor. I used an integrative strategy – I mixed one of the best of useful oncology and western medication to beat it! I did have mind surgical procedure, however opted out of chemo and radiation. By the grace of God, I’m now cancer-free. We had been capable of decide that the tumor had been rising doubtless 8-10 years and began after I was sick years in the past. Despite the fact that I used to be feeling nicely and had no signs, that have made me double down on clear dwelling – particularly within the residence the place we spend 90% of our time.
I’m on the point of transfer, so it’s the proper time for me to share the straightforward residence swaps and ideas I’m utilizing to create my household’s more healthy residence setting. Whether or not you’re model new to this or have been making non-toxic modifications for some time now, these are real-deal suggestions that may truly make a distinction.
Taylor Dukes’ Ideas & Swaps for a Non-toxic Dwelling
Bed room
Do you know your physique enters its strongest state of detox and restore whilst you sleep? Your liver, mind, hormones, lymphatic system, and digestive organs all work to flush out toxins and reset.
I can’t stress sufficient the significance of constructing certain your bed room is a chemical-free protected haven to help your physique in detoxifying and resetting.
Mattresses & Pillows:
You’re both touching or respiratory into these surfaces all evening, so it’s important they’re comprised of supplies which are clear and protected and won’t offgas chemical substances akin to VOCs. VOCs are sadly present in all the pieces from rugs, paints, furnishings, and fireplace retardants to hairsprays, air fresheners, and cosmetics. I really like Savvy Relaxation (use code TAYLORDUKES) and Avocado for all my household’s mattress and pillow wants.
Sheets & Bedding:
Go for 100% natural cotton or pure linen. Fortunately, these are extensively accessible at a wide range of value factors – Goal, Pact, West Elm, Coyuchi, and Parachute all have good choices.
Space Rugs:
Attempt to persist with pure fibers like cotton, jute, or wool to keep away from chemical substances.
Toilet & Private Care
Bathroom Paper:
Most are filled with dyes, chlorine, perfume and different chemical substances. Not the form of belongings you wish to be wiping on such delicate and absorbent areas of the physique! I really like TSC bamboo rest room paper.
Female Merchandise:
Search for 100% licensed natural cotton that doesn’t embrace perfumes, dyes, colours, or added chemical substances you’ll be able to’t pronounce. Simply plain cotton! Alternatively, you’ll be able to go along with a medical grade silicone cup. Some favourite manufacturers for each natural cotton female merchandise in addition to cups embrace: Rael, Viv, Natracare, Cora, Organyc, Saalt, and Flex.
Razors:
Give it some thought – most typical razors have security strips that comprise all kinds of chemical substances. And also you’re swiping these chemical substances (even nicking your self!) throughout areas which are loaded with lymph nodes (underarms, groin, and so on.). For the physique, I really like one thing tremendous easy like Leaf or Zomchi.
Towels and Washcloths:
Wrap your physique in 100% pure natural cotton washcloths and towels. Goal, West Elm, Coyuchi, and Pact have strong choices.
Instruments: Physique brushing, pure sculpting, and non-toxic anti getting old instruments are the place it’s at. No judgement ever, however I’ll at all times select a pure methodology akin to these talked about above over invasive remedies or chemical-laden Botox and fillers. A few of my favorites embrace TSC’s Ice Curler (after I’m not at residence, the Mint Curler travels with me in all places) and the Butter Brush.
Cleansing & Laundering
Indoor air may be 2-5x extra polluted than out of doors air – in some instances as much as 100x greater (supply)! Indoor environments are crammed with all kinds of artificial chemical substances and different indoor air contaminants from typical cleansing or laundering merchandise.
Candles:
Swap out typical candles with endocrine-disrupting chemical substances and artificial fragrances, for cleaner choices like The Skinny Confidential one. I really like that Lauryn formulated the TSC candle with pure soy wax and pure important oils.
Air Freshening:
Toss the plug-ins and air fresheners which are laden with endocrine-disrupting chemical substances for a diffuser and pure important oils akin to Pranarom important oils.
Cleansing Options & Sprays:
DIY with vinegar, baking soda, and water for almost any cleansing want. Or use Department Fundamentals like me for actually all facets of home cleansing, from bathrooms to tubs to kitchens to flooring.
Laundry Detergent:
Go for non-toxic options – Molly’s Suds detergent or Department Fundamentals powdered laundry detergent are nice choices.
Material Softener:
Do you know you should utilize distilled vinegar as non-toxic cloth softener?
Dryer Sheets:
Wool dryer balls are the proper dryer sheet different. Add a pair drops of important oils to every laundry ball if you happen to’re on the lookout for that “clear scent” impact.
Kitchen
As a big-time label reader and mother, I used to be so disillusioned with the shortage of unpolluted meals and beverage choices on the market, which led me to create my very own wholesome variations of on a regular basis dietary merchandise. I can’t inform you what a aid it’s to now not have to fret about discovering a clear choice for protein powder, sports activities drinks/electrolytes, espresso, and extra. All of our merchandise are made with natural and/or actual meals elements. You’ll be able to use code SKINNY for a ten% low cost on any TDW Store order (excluding subscriptions).
Not solely is your meals necessary, however so is your cookware, your storage — all of it provides up. Right here’s what I maintain in my low-tox kitchen.
Pantry/Fridge:
Inventory your private home with natural, entire meals. This implies avoiding extremely processed meals, refined sugars, and unhealthy fat. All the time learn labels! If the ingredient checklist is a mile lengthy – or if you happen to can’t pronounce/don’t know a few of the elements – toss it!
Lauryn and I are one in the identical in our perception that we should always all devour high-quality protein at each meal for lean muscular tissues, balanced hormones, glowing pores and skin, and fewer cravings. Whether or not it’s grass-fed beef, pastured rooster, wild-caught seafood, or a clear protein powder like Taylor Dukes Wellness Bone Broth Protein.
Another staples along with the clear proteins talked about above embrace:
Wholesome fat: ghee, grass-fed butter, further virgin olive oil, tallow, avocados, macadamia nuts.
Natural produce: A spread! I am going for antioxidant-rich berries, all of the leafy greens, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts.
Cleaner swaps for typical merchandise: That is the place I am going for issues like my clear and handy mixes for Protein Pancakes, Electrolytes, Sizzling Chocolate, and Lemonade. I additionally love Siete tortillas, Masa chips, Chomps or Paleovalley jerky, and Solely fruit to call a number of.
Meals Storage/Water Bottles:
Trash your plastic, particularly these with “without end chemical substances” like PFAS that may leach into your meals. Go for glass or stainless-steel as an alternative. Silicone luggage akin to Stasher are good for snacking and storing meals, simply as long as it’s not scorching!
Cookware:
I encourage you to do an overhaul and eliminate something Teflon/nonstick. Listed below are the surfaces I like: forged iron, stainless-steel (like All Clad), enameled forged iron (like Le Creuset), and non-toxic ceramic. I really like my Caraway set.
Wrap/Baking Sheets:
As a substitute of aluminum foil or plastic wrap, which might contaminate your meals with heavy metals and/or PFAS, select non-toxic choices like Bee’s Wrap or unbleached parchment paper.
Dish Cleaning soap/Detergent:
The residue from no matter you utilize will most actually stay in your dishware. I really like ATTITUDE unscented dish cleaning soap or utilizing my Department Fundamentals all goal spray, plus I additionally love their dishwasher tablets.
One of many largest objections I hear from others in opposition to transitioning to a more healthy way of life is the fee. However transitioning to a more healthy way of life is feasible, even on a funds. No change is simply too small that it doesn’t make an impression.
Under are reasonably priced modifications you can also make with out a whole residence renovation required:
Open home windows every day to enhance air flow and air high quality.
Moist mud and vacuum (with a HEPA filter vacuum) frequently to rid your private home of VOCs, which journey on mud.
Spend money on an air air purifier (first, for the bed room, and subsequent, for frequent dwelling areas). If a high-end air air purifier isn’t your funds, you’ll be able to DIY an air air purifier with a field fan and a filter for tremendous low cost. I define the method in this text.
Use the toilet exhaust fan earlier than, throughout, after bathing and showering to scale back the chance of mildew.
Monitor humidity (optimum objective is below 45%) – you’ll find humidity screens for below $10 on Amazon! If mandatory, buy a conveyable dehumidifier.
Take your footwear off indoors. Preserve a shoe tray and/or shoe rack by the entrance door as a mild reminder for all who go to.
Spend money on a water filter to take away contaminants out of your consuming water. This could vary from a comparatively cheap gravity filter to an under-sink RO system to an entire home system. We use Aquasana filters at my residence (use code AQTDW50).
All the time select strong wooden every time doable over particle board, mdf, or artificial wooden supplies. This consists of all the pieces from cupboards to flooring to furnishings.
Think about the supplies you’re utilizing in your house. Go together with pure fibers like cotton, jute, or wool every time doable. Go together with actual hardwood. Select OEKO-tex, Made Protected, and GOTS licensed natural supplies every time doable.
I’m nonetheless within the technique of packing and planning for my transfer, however I’m excited to include all of the aforementioned non-toxic issues into my new residence. Right here’s a number of different top-of-mind issues:
Flooring and paints are massive ones to me to not have offgassing of chemical substances. We’re sanding and re-finishing all of our new residence’s flooring and repainting. We’re doing all ECOS paint, which is water-based, non-toxic and has zero VOC.
We’re mitigating EMF publicity when doable by hardwiring Web-installed ethernet cords. When you may not be capable of hardwire your complete residence, turning your Wi-Fi off at evening is a good begin.
We’re on nicely water, so a whole-house water filtration system is a non-negotiable for me. That is the model we’re utilizing. In addition they have just below the sink filters with reverse osmosis and remineralization and bathe head filters.
Keep tuned for all of the wholesome residence rework content material coming to my IG quickly – I shall be sharing unique content material with my insider checklist, too.
I hope the following tips and product suggestions encourage you to create a house that promotes true restoration and well being for you and your loved ones. Keep in mind, small modifications make an enormous distinction!
In order for you extra customized steering in your wellness journey, I’d love to ask you to hitch my VIP on-line group for unique help, sources, and common reside calls with me. It’s additionally so enjoyable to attach with like-minded individuals.
You too can discover me on IG and my weblog for tons of free sources, recipes, and swap strategies. And don’t overlook you’ll be able to save 10% off my wholesome dwelling merchandise – collagen protein powder, electrolytes, detox baths, dietary supplements, and extra – with code SKINNY.
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There you go. Tons of tricks to progressively and slowly make your private home a more healthy one. It’s straightforward to get overwhelmed with all of the non-toxic swaps accessible to you so begin small, and concentrate on the issues which are most relevant to you.
We hope you really liked this submit, and keep tuned for extra coming quickly from Taylor.
x, The Skinny Confidential crew.
+ Lauryn’s non-toxic being pregnant necessities.
++ More healthy bodycare swaps with The Natural Bunny.
