About 2 years ago I had a vision, and exactly 1 year ago I put myself out there and executed that vision. I wanted to share my health story in the hopes of just helping even one person.
I wanted to help others learn that health isn’t found in the bottom of a pill bottle or in the time you spend in a waiting room. I wanted to share my personal story and give others hope in healing their own diseases/symptoms and navigating a world that makes us feel like having a long list of symptoms is normal – it’s not btw.
For those of you who have been on this journey with me from the start of Penny Health, you already know this, but I think it’s important to briefly rehash how I got here. From a young age I was a perpetual patient. My list of chronic symptoms and list of specialists grew over time until I finally decided I had had enough. I was constantly sick, took several medications daily, and was hardly ever feeling my best. I became numb to it all over time. I dove head first into getting down to the root cause of my health issues and committed to healing my body naturally.
I went from spending over $500+ per month (with insurance) on drugs that caused more side effects, to no longer needing those medications.
It feels so freeing to say that I can’t even remember the last time I went to a pharmacy.
I have found health in my daily habits, and I’ve watched my body heal over and over again through diseases and symptoms that I have been told countless times had no cure. I’ve learned more about myself and the human body through my healing journey than I thought was possible. Most importantly, I’ve learned that healing is not linear.
The impact I have made by sharing my healing journey may seem small to some. To me, I’m just getting started. I am more and more motivated by each person I connect with that finds hope through my story. I’m even more motivated by the stories I hear of people seeing healing happen in their own lives.
I’m not here to be a gatekeeper of information. I want to share the methodologies I’ve used on a daily basis for several years now. I actually believe so much healing can take place with simple and very inexpensive habits. These are things you may think seem too simple to make a difference. The truth is that our health is an accumulation of our daily habits. If we make it a priority to support our bodies naturally, we start to no longer need the expensive medications.
In honor of 1 year of Penny Health, I am sharing a list of my top 10 health tips I have used to support my health and help my symptoms disappear. This is by no means an all inclusive list – to be honest I had trouble cutting it down to something manageable for someone who may be new to their health journey.
I’ve broken the list into two categories. The first, we’ll call Pennys. I named this blog Penny Health because health can be found in ways that are very inexpensive and oftentimes cost less than a penny. The second list, we’ll call Invest and it will be featured in my next post. The invest list is something you can plan for over time.
I challenge you to pick 2 things from this list, implement them for 60 days, and see what happens. Don’t let your health end up like mine, where you’re forced to implement everything at once.
Pennys
- Grounding – Get your bare feet on the ground for 20 minutes a day. Grounding can reduce inflammation, improve sleep, reduce stress, speed up wound healing, and calm your nervous system. I make an effort to ground daily when playing fetch with my dogs, checking out my garden, or just taking a quick break from work during the day. Bonus points for laying in your grass and watching the clouds pass.
- Avoid seed oils – Vegetable oils like canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil wreak havoc on your health. Watch a video on how canola oil is made and you’ll understand why. They are ultra processed and can lead to severe inflammation in the body. These oils are in everything like mayonnaise, sauces, salad dressing, crackers, chips, and cookies. Most restaurants exclusively use these oils and if you ask for an alternative, many do not have anything else on hand. We’ve been conditioned to think these oils are healthier for us. I’m here to tell you this was just a very successful marketing campaign that has only made our country sicker. Villainized cooking oils like butter, extra virgin olive oil, lard, and beef tallow are actually the most natural and best oils for our bodies. Avocado oil is also a great alternative.
- Ditch the dryer sheets – Dryer sheets are full of toxic chemicals like fragrance and VOCs. You can smell an unopened box of these from a mile away. We have been conditioned to think this is normal and that clean clothes should have a strong smell. Heating these chemicals in the dryer only introduces more health risks as they release into the air. I had a friend telling me after stopping dryer sheet use, a month or so later their clothes still retained the smell. This should really be telling us something! Replace dryer sheets with 100% wool dryer balls. They are affordable and last for years. If you can’t live without a scent on your laundry, try 1 to 2 drops of one of these on your dryer ball before tossing it in your dryer. All of this holds true for any cleaning product, from detergents and soaps to countertop and window cleaner – but one thing at a time! Ditching the dryer sheets is simple and easy.
- Evaluate what you spend your time on – You are what you consume. Are you watching the news all day? Are you playing endless video games? Are you listening to depressing or vulgar music? Looking at your phone all day? I’m not saying it’s not okay to partake in these activities, but evaluate how much time you have and whether you could spend more of it reading, with friends, or in nature.
- Give up candles – The candle industry is not regulated. Candles are filled with chemically made toxins like fragrance, phthalates, and VOCs that can cause a myriad of health issues. Just opening a candle jar releases these toxic substances into the air, but heating or burning these substances only multiplies the dangers. This is even true for the homemade soy candles you may see. These are not toxic on their own, but can be carcinogenic when burned or heated. The most affordable alternative is just to ditch them all together. If you’re like me, you like to cultivate a vibe in your home and keep it smelling fresh. Try a simmer pot on the stove, or grab some nontoxic diffusible oils. (Just remember, with either of these options it is equally as important to ensure sourcing is pure to ensure no toxin exposure).
- No receipts – Receipt paper can contain BPA that is 250x to 1,000x more than what is in a can of soup. We often hear of soup cans and water bottles being BPA free, but the real culprit is receipt paper! BPA can be absorbed by the skin very easily, disrupting hormones and wreaking havoc in the body. A recent study found large amounts of BPA in umbilical cords, linking it to adverse health effects in children. If you absolutely must touch a receipt (like at Costco), use 2 fingers.
- Shop the outside aisles in the grocery store – This will not only save you money, but avoiding all of the processed junk in the middle of the store will help you avoid all of the toxins that are terrible for your health. Healthy alternatives to junk food can be expensive. Make an attempt to hit the produce, meat, dairy, and eggs sections of the store only without even stepping foot in the middle aisles. And if you must indulge on some crackers, cookies, or chips – shop affordable at Thrive Market where many food additives and toxic chemicals are banned.
- Drink natural electrolytes – I call water with no electrolytes “empty water”. Water itself will not hydrate you, and too much of it can actually dehydrate you. It is the electrolytes and minerals (like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium) that hydrate you. The water is just the transportation agent for these electrolytes. The simplest and least toxic way to get electrolytes in is to salt your water with all natural salt (I like himalayan pink salt) and squeeze in some lemon. Another great way is with coconut water – with this option, just ensure there is no added sugar and the only ingredient is coconut water.
- Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen Lists – By now, you’re getting the sense that chemicals are everywhere. Unfortunately, they have also infiltrated our produce as well. An easy way to start avoiding toxic chemicals is to look at the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen lists. The Clean 15 is a list of produce that you don’t need to pay as much attention to buying organic, as toxic peticides are not as widely used on them. The Dirty Dozen, are those non-negotiable produce items that you must buy organic in order to avoid poisoning yourself with chemicals like glyphosate.
- Eat within 1 hour of waking – Yes, eat your food before coffee. The timing of your meals affects your metabolic health and thus your hormonal health. This includes your circadian rhythm as well. You have been fasting all night, and upon waking need to give your body the fuel it needs to function well. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.
I hope you enjoy my quick tips for a less toxic and healthier life. I’d love to hear about how it goes if you choose to implement any of these in your daily life!
Big shoutout to my friend @HPH_art for this post’s cover art.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or conditions.
