Cleanliness is Next to Godliness: A New Post in the Letting Out the Domestic Series
/
Know what I love about this 60-day yoga challenge I'm completing?
It's inspiring me to change a whole lot more in my life than just my Bikram practice. My eating, cleaning, and general living habits are improving, too.
That's right: not only am I making inner changes to my muscles, skin, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system and mental health, but I am also consciously choosing a healthier lifestyle. Bones to skin, inside out, beyond my own flexibility.
I've kicked soda, alcohol and super sweet foods.
I'm making more nutritious recipes, including lentil soup, foraged greens with garlic and chile, honey-vinegar braised chicken, and creme fraiche ice cream (so it's rich, but still better than Ben & Jerry's!). I also want to try my hand at cheaper and healthier alternatives for granola and trail bars. I'm a sucker for the Luna brand, but they can be pricey!
I'm limiting my caffeine (specifically coffee) intake and increasing the amount of water and hydration-rich foods I take in each day. I'm also trying to eat more superfoods that benefit women, like berries, grapefruit, salmon and low-fat yogurt.
I'm meditating more. (I'll be posting a review quite soon about Julie Rader's Mukti Meditations CD.)
I am doing my best to get more sleep, and rest my Monkey Mind when it should be relaxing instead of worrying.
And the other important change I've implemented? Healthy cleaning! That's right. It makes me look like this:
I smile because I am no longer inhaling toxic chemicals, nasty bleach, or ridiculously harmful materials while I wipe down the kitchen and bathroom countertops, or while I scrub the toilet, or when I mop the floors.
Fresh air. Natural products. Healthy, thankful lungs! It's a beautiful thing.
I'm also excited to try out some new home spa remedies, like an Epsom salt and baking soda bath (great for the skin), an invigorating coffee/salt body scrub, and a lavender foot and hand wash. So lovely!
Especially with the transition to cooler weather -- and the threat of the impending cold & flu season -- it's great to be thinking holistically about my health. I feel more conscious now than ever of the products and potions I allow myself to come in contact with and the way I keep my body and home pure.
It's like they say: you are what you eat. But you are also what you practice, what you inhale, what you believe, and what you put your time and money into -- whether it's your yoga practice or your tub cleaner!
Be conscious. Use green products. Respect your body.
Live in a way that's sustainable!
If you're interested in reading more, I'd suggest these sites which are new to my Google Reader:
Also, you're reading Seth Godin's blog by now, right? If not, get on it!
