If there is one thing I have recently learned through my studies as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, it is this: your health (and weight) depends on many external factors. Honestly, this concept was pretty life-changing for me. As a Certified Personal Trainer for several years, I was taught to believe (for YEARS) that calories in versus calories out was the only way to achieve weight loss and other health benefits.
Let me share that again: external factors other than calories affect your weight and overall health. Yep, you read that right! A few major external factors include: food choice and quality, toxins, stress, and more.
So, how can you pursue a detoxed life and improve your health without slashing calories? I’m sure glad you asked.
These are my top 7 ways to live a detoxed life (and, yes, I implement all of them in my personal life):
Spider Plants
I recently purchased two spider plants off Amazon, but not necessarily because they’re pretty. I purchased one for the living room and one for the bedroom in hopes that they would purify and detox the air. Given we live in an apartment, there are many toxic, environmental factors we cannot change. However, introducing spider plants to our living space can help combat airborne toxins. Spider plants, among a few others, are known for their purifying and detoxing properties. The National Wildlife Federation shared this statement on their website: “The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), which tested the abilities of three common houseplants to remove formaldehyde from the air, found in preliminary tests that spider plants were the champs, removing 95 percent of the toxic substance from a sealed Plexiglas chamber in 24 hours.” 
Cast Iron Pans-
Despite their convenience, it is time to ditch those nonstick pans. It is not worth sacrificing your health. Unfortunately, pans made of teflon (aka nonstick material) expose you to PFOA toxins, which is a known carciongen. Cast iron pans are a preferred replacement. I keep two on the stove at all times- prepped and ready to go! Additional benefits of using a cast iron pan include: increased iron consumption, hotter cooking surface, and affordable cost. Stephanie from Camping Cooks provides a thorough and in-depth guide to caring for cast iron skillets!
Glass Tupperware–
Continuing with the kitchen theme, say good-bye to plastic tupperware. Plastic is known to be a endocrine disruptor, which messes with your hormones and overall health. Most plastic tupperware (and water bottles) contains a well-known endocrine disruptor, BPA. Avoiding plastic as much as possible is the best bet for your health! Blake and I were gifted glass tupperware from our wedding registry and it is probably our most-used wedding gift. I love it! Plus, you can transfer the stored food straight from the fridge to the microwave, without dirtying extra plates or worrying about toxins from microwaved plastic. Score!
Charcoal Pills–
Charcoal is a natural substance that binds to toxins and carries them out of your body. If you know me personally, you know I carry charcoal pills with me everywhere. I mostly use them when I’ve consumed alcohol, dairy or grains, excess sugar, or questionable foods. As the charcoal helps eliminate toxins from the body, the following can be avoided or limited: hangovers, stomach upset, headaches, nausea, skin breakouts, along with other allergic responses.
Bulletproof Coconut Charcoal Pills are my absolute favorite and I highly recommend them.
Unplug-
Spend time in the fresh, outdoor air and leave the phone at home. It is undeniable that most of us spend the majority of our day using phones, computers, televisions, iPads, and other technological devices. Designate 30-60 minutes every day to unplug from all devices, slow down, and be present. Admittedly, this is probably one of my biggest challenges. I would also encourage you to spend one day every month without any digital devices. Yes, I said it. While it can be hard to give up the socials for one day, I promise you will not regret it.
Blue Light-Blocking Glasses–
Blue light-blocking glasses help protect you from blue light, which is emitted from all device screens, including computers, phones, and televisions. Once the sun goes down, blue light exposure can mess with your sleep patterns and biological clock. If you spend most of the day on a device, blue light blocking glasses can help prevent mental fatigue, eye strain, blurry eyes, and more. Not too long ago, I purchased J+S Vision glasses and I literally wear them every day. I wrote a blog post explaining the many reasons why I wear blue light-blocking glasses.” 
Filtered Water–
Without exception, everyone should drink filtered water. Tap water contains a lengthy list of chemicals, such as chlorine, copper, and mercury, that do not serve our bodies well. You can purchase an affordable water filter pitcher to store in the fridge or install an under-the-counter water filter system. Since Blake and I live in an apartment, we purchased an 18 cup Brita filter years ago and never looked back.
To be honest, this list is just the beginning. Our world is filled with toxins that greatly affect our health. However, making small changes to better serve our bodies add up. By simply implementing the steps above, I can almost guarantee you’ll feel better.
*The tips shared in this post are based on my personal experience and thorough research. I am not a doctor or medical professional.
