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Healthy Home Habits


Your home is your sanctuary, and it's where many of your daily habits are formed. Making healthy choices within the walls of your home can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. In this blog, we'll explore some essential habits and choices you can incorporate to create a healthier living environment. From avoiding artificial additives to choosing the right storage containers, these tips will help you and your family lead a healthier lifestyle. Habit 1: Eliminate Artificial Additives The journey to a healthier home begins with a conscious effort to eliminate or minimize artificial additives from your diet. Artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup have been associated with various health concerns, including allergies, hyperactivity, and obesity.

They can also disrupt our natural cravings for essential nutrients. Think of it this way: our bodies often guide us to the foods we need. When we're deficient in specific nutrients, we may find ourselves craving foods rich in those nutrients. For example, a strong desire for leafy greens after a period of unhealthy eating might indicate a need for iron. Listening to these cues is crucial for maintaining our well-being, but we can lose those cues if we have confused our brain signals with flavorings and additives. The good news is that our brains are able to continue to learn (and un-learn) if we change the external stimulus.

While it may seem daunting at first, you'll soon discover that healthier, additive-free alternatives can be just as delicious, if not more so, than artificially flavored or sweetened products. Consider the delight of homemade chocolate chip cookies crafted with organic flour, pasture-raised eggs, and grass-fed butter!

Habit 2: Make Healthy Options Visible and Accessible The saying "out of sight, out of mind" doesn't apply when it comes to making healthy food choices. To encourage better eating habits, arrange your kitchen to highlight nutritious options. Keep fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain snacks, and nuts/seeds prominently displayed on shelves and counters. When you see these wholesome options readily available, you're more likely to choose them over less nutritious alternatives. Life often gets busy, and having convenient, healthy options at your fingertips can be a game-changer. Organize your refrigerator with pre-cut veggies, fruits, and lean protein sources like grilled chicken or boiled eggs. This simple act makes it effortless to grab a nutritious snack or whip up a quick, healthy meal when time is short.

Habit 3: Rethink Plastic Containers and Wrappings Plastic containers and wrappings can contain harmful chemicals that leach into your food and beverages over time. Whenever possible, choose glass alternatives for condiments, oils, vinegars, and other food items. Glass and stainless steel are stable materials that won't undergo chemical changes in typical environments, ensuring the safety of your food. Consider the conditions that plastic undergoes during transportation and storage, particularly when exposed to heat. These fluctuations can lead to the absorption of harmful molecules into your food and beverages. Even organic fruits and vegetables, often covered in plastic, may absorb these contaminants. To mitigate this risk, transfer foods into stable containers like canning jars as soon as you bring them home. Additionally, opt for reusable stainless steel containers over plastic bags for travel snack items like cut carrots.

Maintain a Realistic Perspective It's essential to remember that perfection is not the goal. Achieving a 100% healthy lifestyle is unrealistic for most of us. Instead, aim to increase your daily healthy choices incrementally. Start by striving for a 50/50 balance between healthy and less nutritious options, and gradually work your way up to higher percentages. For example, target 60% healthy choices, then 70%, and so on. A practical goal, like aiming for 80% of your daily food choices to be healthy and free from harmful additives, can guide your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Special occasions and celebrations may temporarily shift this balance, but overall, this approach allows for flexibility while prioritizing your well-being.

Creating a healthier home begins with simple, sustainable changes in your daily habits and choices. By eliminating artificial additives, making healthy options visible and convenient, and choosing safe storage containers, you can establish an environment that promotes well-being for you and your family. Remember, your home is the foundation of your wellness journey, so make it a place that nourishes your health and supports your overall well-being.



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Dr. Hannah Zarroli LLC, Honest to Goodness healthy life coaching:  The information provided on this website is intended for general health and wellness purposes only and does not create a patient-physician relationship. Dr. Hannah Zarroli, operating in the capacity of a health coach, is not acting as your treating physician. The content on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

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