Baby Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Week 2: Simplify

Now that we’ve covered the topic of drinking plenty of water, it’s time to get down to business and prepare for the baby steps to come.  The topic for week two is SIMPLIFY.  If we are going to make significant changes in our lives through some baby steps, we need to cut out some unnecessary things.  Don’t be overwhelmed with this post!  Remember that we are taking baby steps, and I will give the baby step at the end of the post.

Companies, commercials and society would have us believe that we need so many of the items we have.  This is great marketing, but we need to be able to step back and decide what is really important.  If you want to cut out some expenses and make room for some natural foods and products that I will be talking about soon, you will need to decide to cut out some things that you don’t need.

Here’s a top ten list of items you may not need in your home (in no particular order).  These are items that we have either cut down on or completely cut out so that we have more money to spend elsewhere.

1. Teeth Whiteners - these expensive items really are not necessary in my opinion.  A simple bottle of hydrogen peroxide will naturally whiten your teeth and save you money.  This also serves as an antiseptic for minor cuts and boo boos.
2. Hair Conditioner – While it’s nice sometimes to have, it’s usually ridden with chemicals and isn’t always necessary.  Alternatives to use would be Apple Cider Vinegar (do a rinse after you wash your hair) or Coconut Oil (use a very small amount as a leave in conditioner).  Both of these items can be used in your kitchen for meals, so they have multiple uses.  See a list of 4 More Items You Don’t Need In Your Bathroom here.
3. Cable TV- See how we cut cable and still watch our favorite shows for under $10 a month here.
4. Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets – A cup of white vinegar in your wash works just as well, and isn’t toxic to the environment or your family.  White vinegar can also be used for cleaning and cooking, so again we have a natural product with lots of uses!
5. Paper Towels – Use cloth, save money and help the environment.  Read more about not using paper towels here.
6. Boxed Cake, Pancake, Brownie and Muffin Mixes - Most of these items are filled with bleached flour, aluminum and more harmful products.  We can make most of these items with the same simple ingredients and they will be healthier and less expensive.  This will be discussed later in the series.
7. The Majority of Cleaning Products – Vinegar and Baking soda will pretty much clean anything. They aren’t toxic, and both items can also be used in cooking.  We’ve got a win-win here!
8. Juice, Soda and other Artificial Beverages- We talked last week on how important water is.  It’s the main thing we should all be drinking, and cutting out these items will not only significantly decrease spending, but will also promote more healthy drinking.  Fresh fruit is far better than processed juices and sodas.  Cut these things out, and we can financially make room for healthy eating of fresh fruits and vegetables. I always find it humorous to see people gawking at the price of organic produce when they have a case of soda in their cart.  It’s time to start prioritizing!
9. Brand New Store Bought Clothing -  Start checking out the thrift stores and yard sales in your area, or find people that can pass on hand-me-downs.  You will be surprised at the quality clothing available for pennies on the dollar.
10. Meats -  While I’m not a vegetarian,  I have added a significant amount of vegan sources of protein into our diets.  This has allowed us to eat raw and organic foods, while cutting back on the meat we consume.  Meat can be one of the most expensive things that most people buy, and the majority of what is available is filled with hormones, antibiotics and even traces of e coli. Watch the Food Inc. documentary if you would like to know more.   I’ll discuss vegan sources of protein later in the series.

I’m sure some of you could add a lot to this list of items we may not need in our homes, and I’d be interested to hear what you have to say.  Now onto the baby step for this week.

Baby Step Week 2: Simplify by cutting out three (3) items you don’t necessarily need from your grocery shopping. You can choose something off of this list, or something of your own choosing.  Our goal is to simplify and reduce spending.

When we simplify and reduce spending, we make room for more important things.  For this Baby Step, you are not limited to eliminating three items if you would like to do more.  Just remember to do baby steps so that you aren’t overwhelmed.  Ready, set go!  And let us know about your progress here in the comment section!

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Baby Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle is not meant to diagnose or treat illnesses of any kind.  It is merely a series of personal opinions and facts based upon the author’s research, and is for entertainment and educational purposes only.  Please consult your physician for health related problems and before starting on any kind of fitness plan, nutritional supplement or diet change.

Tagged as: Health and Wellness