Let’s talk about what’s stocked in my cozy Manhattan kitchen. When it comes to roasting, sauteing, poaching and steaming I’m all about using non-toxic kitchen staples. The kitchen in my new home is quite a cozy spot where I spend a heck of a lot of time testing recipes and I’ve really grown to love how relaxing it can be to make a meal, light a candle, turn on some of my favorite relaxing music and cook the night away.

I’ve found a few of my favorite kitchen staples the last few years from trial and error of using new pots and pans and every kind of kitchen product possible while testing recipes for my cookbook, Eating Clean, and while I was at it, I learned a few tips and tricks that I thought I’d share with you to help make your kitchen nice and cozy, too.

Scroll down to my favorite products and click on the images for more information. These are ALL of the products I use weekly in my kitchen.

BASIC KITCHEN TIPS

COOKWARE //

When looking for quality cookware, I suggest staying away from non-stick and aluminum pans and opt for stainless steel, cast iron, glass, and lead-free ceramic products instead. Most people don’t realize that the substances found in non-stick surfaces can lead to many health issues (hormonal imbalances, in particular, ladies!). You can find toxins in everything from stain-resistant products to pizza boxes to other plasticware so I suggest you shop wisely for what you’re using daily because it will end up in your body! My Tip: Steer clear of non-stick everything.

LEFTOVERS + GLASS CONTAINERS //

I’m a leftover kinda-gal. I really love having leftovers in my fridge for one day (no more than that because then they get all mushy!). I always use glass containers such as the weck jars down below, which I love to use for everything from sauces to soups. I avoid plastic at all cost because I’ve been working hard to balance my hormones for over a decade and I don’t need any toxins coming into my body disrupting my endocrine system. My favorite glass mixing bowls and glass storage containers are also below! My Tip: Reach for glass over plastic.

BAKING POWDER + OTHER STAPLES //

This doesn’t have anything to do with cookware per se but it does have to do with quality ingredients. I cannot stress enough how important it is to read your labels and make sure you’re wise about what’s going into your food. One item I use in baking is baking powder and most baking powder is loaded with aluminum in it. My Tip: Make sure your baking powder is aluminum-free. Here is the one by Bob’s Red Mill that I use.

NON-ANTIBACTERIAL //

I suggest being cautious of the antibacterial chemical triclosan that can be found in plastic food containers, sponges, dish towels, hand soap, and many cutting boards. Yes, you heard me: cutting boards! This chemical toxin can have a long list of potential health effects such as liver toxicity and hormone disruption, both of which I have dealt with personally and are not fun to heal. My Tip: Stay away from non-antibacterial. It sounds too good to be true and those products are not healthy!

GLAZED POTTERY + HEAVY METALS //

Lead can be found in glazes on ceramics and pottery. Unfortunately, lots of antique dinnerware, such as glazed terra cotta, should also be avoided when you’re eating. I suggest you use these items for decorating purposes only so that the toxicity from the glazes and antique elements do not get into your body because let me tell you from my experience they are NOT easy to get out and require a full-blown heavy metal detox and much more. My Tip: Stick to using glassware (see below for my favorites) or stainless steel or ceramics that do not contain lead. Call the company to ask what ingredients are used if you’re concerned.

CUTTING BOARDS //

Plastic cutting boards leach into your food so I highly suggest you remove them from your kitchen at all cost! There is a lovely set of wooden cutting boards below that I love. I have a few different varieties but these are lovely for cooking a large meal. I also have a small marble board that I use below for entertaining. Anything without plastic is my go-to. My Tip: Look for safe options like sustainably harvested bamboo cutting boards.

BASIC REFRIGERATOR TIPS

HOW TO PACK IT //

Never overpack your fridge. I learned this the hard way! This overworks your fridge and freezer and uses way more energy than you need to. My Tip: Less is more! Organize your fridge and your food shopping to be 2x a week so that you can leave space for everything to breathe.

WATCH WHAT’S ON THE DOOR // 

The door is the warmest part of your fridge. Store condiments and sauces here. I do not recommend storing perishable items on the door. My Tip: Use the weck glass jars below and store your jams and jelly and almond butter on your door. Try storing nuts and seeds there, too, for easy access!

THE TOP + BOTTOM //

The bottom area of your fridge is the coldest so keep your fresh veggies at the bottom whether you have bins or an open area – it’s prime real estate for any organic animal protein such as chicken, fresh herbs and veggies. Keep ready-to-eat foods such as fresh fruits at the top for easy access. My Tip: Use the glass storage containers below to store your favorite sliced fruits and veggies to keep in the top and bottom areas of your fridge.

SHOP our KITCHEN

(use the gray arrow to the right to see a few more of our products from our kitchen)

TheHealthyApple.com participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

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We’ve been getting a ton of questions lately regarding the best non-toxic home staples so we wanted to share some of our favorites with you! These are products that we not only love but that keep our home and bodies safe from toxins and chemicals that hide in most products. We’re bringing you everything from jar sets and essential oils to bedding and shower curtains. Here are a few of our favorite brands that we trust when it comes to non-toxic home staples.

ORGANIC BATH TOWELS // We love using these organic towels (one option we love is in the first row down below and another option we love in the third row down below) to dry off with after bathing with our favorite non-toxic body wash which you can check out here. Start with one organic towel and see how you like it before going in and purchasing a few. These towels are plush and super cozy!

SMALL GLASS FOOD STORAGE JARS // These are the best for storing your leftover veggies (located in the first row) like from our Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze recipe in your fridge or for your dry ingredients such as dry quinoa and wild rice in your pantry.

LARGE GLASS BEVERAGE + FOOD JARS // Looking for the perfect glass storage container to store all of your dry foods? This is our favorite one (see below in the third row) that you can store your gluten-free oats in. We keep this in our pantry and it keeps our oats and other gluten-free whole grains super fresh!

GLASS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS // We love using these storage containers (see below in row two) for leftovers when we make our Baked Chili Pasta Casserole recipe and when we have extra Beautiful Butternut Squash Sauce. You can use these containers for anything from salads to sauces to soups. Our recent recipe, Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup would keep nicely in these containers. Our food always tastes fresh, even after storing leftovers for a few days in our fridge. It makes such a difference to purchase quality storage containers for your food!

PRESERVING + CANNING JARS // These jars (see below in row five) are perfect for preserving or canning your food. Processing the food at high temperatures helps the food to not spoil while removing any contaminants and air. These are our favorite for preserving some of our veggies.

NON-TOXIC DRYER SHEETS // We no longer use dryer sheets because they are filled with chemicals and the scent is way too much for us to handle, instead we use the wool balls shown below (located in the third row).

ORGANIC BEDDING // Sleeping on non-toxic bedding is not only super comfy but also gives you peace of mind knowing you’re not sleeping with any harsh chemicals. If you’re looking for more ways to transform your sleep you can read our article here. We’re sharing our favorite sheets (see below in the second row) that we love that have no chemicals in sight!

GLASS JUICE JARS // We use these juice jars (see below in the forth row) to store our freshly squeezed orange juice and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. The jars are ideal for locking in freshness! We also like to filter our water and store it in these jars as well with a few slices of lemons and limes. You can read more about how to filter your tap water from chemicals here.

PARCHMENT PAPER // Using parchment paper instead of aluminum to line your baking sheet will keep you from accumulating heavy metals in your body because the aluminum from tin foil does leach into your food. We love this brand of parchment paper (see below in row five) when we’re making some of our favorite dinner recipes. Make sure to purchase non-bleached parchment paper so you’re not allowing bleach to leach into your food!

NON-TOXIC CANDLES // This candle smells amazing (see below in row six) and it’s perfect to keep in your bedroom to relax your nerves before bed. Many candles are filled with chemicals and the wicks are full of lead so you inhale all of that junk when you light a regular candle. Not healthy at all! Read more about how to make your bedroom non-toxic here.

NON-TOXIC TOWELETTES // We love having some cleansing towelettes on-hand at all times especially when they have essential oils in them. Just sprinkle a drop of your favorite essential oil (ours is below) on the towelette with warm water and use. These are great for kids and ideal for any room in your house, especially the kitchen and bathroom as well as the playroom if you have children. If you don’t want to make your own, you can buy our favorite brand listed below (located in row six).

NON-TOXIC SHOWER CURTAIN LINER // It’s easy to forget that even something as simple as a shower curtain liner can contain toxic chemicals and it’s even more toxic when hot water and heat rubs up against it. We love the brand below (located in row six) because it’s inexpensive and matches any bathroom. Don’t forget, while you’re showering to wash your hair with non-toxic shampoo and conditioner.

ESSENTIAL OILS // Essential oils serve many purposes, they can be calm and relaxing or uplifting and refreshing. They even help treat allergies, especially this Eucalyptus one (located below in row six). Pair this along with our favorite air filter, which you can read about here and your home will smell like a spa in no time.

Shop the Best Non-Toxic Home Staples

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS? Check out our Non-Toxic Cookware and Amie’s Non-Toxic Shop for more remedies.

TheHealthyApple.com participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

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Ahhhh the bedroom. My favorite place. I have a feeling your bedroom is probably your favorite place in your home, as well. I mean, I love my kitchen and all…but there’s something about the bedroom that is heavenly and cozy and zen-like. Our Buyer’s Guide to a Non-Toxic Bedroom is here to help you detoxify the hidden toxins where you sleep and how to avoid these toxins in the first place. Plus, it’s the best time of the year to give you and your family a Holiday Detox right before the New Year!

AUDIO

Click the PLAY button below to listen.

Let’s face it. We’re all exposed to toxins on a daily basis, which means we can all benefit from taking the time to understand our exposure and how we can lessen our body burden on a daily basis.

Boosting our body’s natural detoxification system is what the last decade of my life has been dedicated to. Heavy metals, mold, fungus, you name it, I had it and I had to work with dozens of specialists to detoxify my liver and other organs from toxins that were inhibiting me from being my vibrant, healthy self.

Now that I’m on the other side of that wild fiasco that I don’t wish upon anyone, I am passionate about helping you and all of my clients understand the deeper levels of healing the body, removing toxins, and educating ourselves on what no one ever taught us about health!

I often wish someone taught us about toxins when we were younger so we could understand how to naturally support our body and our home (especially our bedroom since that’s where we spend the most time). Doing this would allow our body to heal naturally and we wouldn’t have nearly as many health issues as we see popping up all over the place these days.

The Star of the Bedroom: The Mattress

What’s the most important thing in any bedroom? The Mattress, of course, which you spend 33% of your entire day on. YES, 33% of your day. Isn’t that wild? We often don’t think about how much time we spend in our bed, which is exactly why it’s so important to understand the toxins that are hidden in conventional mattresses, sheets, and pillows.

You’ve heard me talk about how our skin is our biggest organ, which means whatever we are putting ON our skin, is getting absorbed into our body and adding to the body burden of toxins that our liver and other detoxifying organs have to process. This means the mattress, sheets, and pillows you are laying on all night long are touching your skin, being absorbed into your body, and are affecting your health in ways you may not even be aware of.

So, instead of sleeping on a conventional mattress, I have an Organic Naturepedic Mattress that I love and I’m honestly not sure what I would do without it. It’s like sleeping on a slice of heaven. Super cozy and plush without any toxins; just the way I like it.

Naturepedic is offering 10% off their organic mattresses just for YOU! Use Code: healthyapple10 at checkout.

Disclaimer: *10% off qualifying Naturepedic adult mattress online only valid through December 31, 2018 with code healthyapple10. Qualifying mattresses are Chorus, Serenade, EOS® Classic, EOS Pillowtop, and EOS Trilux. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other offers, discounts or promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.

Non-Toxic Furniture

Particleboard, plywood, MDF and pressed wood are all cheap materials used in furniture but they require the use of toxic glue when they’re put together. This glue surprisingly contains formaldehyde, a VOC, which off-gases for a long time and cause health issues. Finishes, varnishes, and other materials are often used with bedroom furniture and they pollute indoor air and cause many health issues from respiratory issues to skin problems.

Furthermore, many paints that are used to coat furniture are full of lead and other heavy metals that cause issues in young children and infants brains. Look for natural sealants in your furniture such as oil or beeswax instead of polyurethane. Be sure to ask the company what is used in the furniture and also do your own research.

Non-Toxic Paint

VOCs are hiding in many types of paint on your walls. Most paints emit toxic VOC compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde. They give off a smell that lingers for a long time and affects our health. Choose low VOC and natural paints for your walls in your bedroom and your entire home so you’re not inhaling these chemicals.

Organic Sheets

Many people don’t realize that conventional cotton is bleached with chlorine bleach, formaldehyde resins and dyes full of heavy metals. Cotton has harmful chemicals (aka pesticides and fertilizers) in it from when it’s grown. These chemicals contain poisonous substances that are toxic and known as carcinogens. It’s also important to be aware of ‘wrinkle-free’ sheets that are loaded with formaldehyde (aka a carcinogen). I use the Naturepedic organic sheet sets and their organic waterproof mattress protective pad.

Their sheets are made without synthetic dyes, softeners, and chemicals. Naturepedic uses only U.S. grown and certified organic cotton filling in its mattresses. Be sure to switch to organic sheets and pillowcases because they’re what touches your body the entire time you sleep! You can read this article for more detailed information about Why Organic Cotton Is Better.

Detoxifying Plants

I use plants to clean up the air inside my home, especially my bedroom. Plants absorb pollutants and help add a sense of freshness and life to any room. Try adding a few of these below options to help create oxygen while filtering out toxins from our furniture, plastics, detergents, paints, adhesives, varnishes and carpet such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. I like spider plants, lady palm, Boston fern, aloe vera and peace lilies. These plants can easily be added to your bedroom to help filter out toxins.

Organic Pillows

Along with my organic mattress, I use the fluffy Naturepedic Trio Pillows, which are so soft and heavenly to sleep on. They are clouds. I kid you not. They remind me of stuffed cannolis. Really. I’ve never seen pillows quite like this. There is an entire LAYER inside the pillow that gives you the extra oomph of the cloud-like feeling and it is unlike anything you’ve slept on before. I have two of these pillows; I put my head on one and put the other next to me to snuggle with because they’re so fluffy and cozy. Unlike conventional pillows, these pillows are made without toxic chemicals, which allows me to rest and not feel like I’m in bed with a pile of toxins. 

Non-Toxic Beeswax Candles

I love candles and they are wonderful for helping me relax my body, however, conventional candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum by-product and contribute to asthma and other health issues. Surprisingly, formaldehyde, toluene, carbon tetrachloride and benzene are emitted throughout your home from lighting candles, so instead of using those toxin-laden candles, try 100% pure beeswax candles instead.

Mold & Dust

How often to do you dust your bedroom? For me, it’s not enough and I’m constantly putting on my air filter to help get rid of excess dust and mold. Many people don’t realize that dust contains disinfectants, pesticides, flame-retardants and phthalates and other toxins. Also, the heat from the sun naturally eliminates extra moisture from the room, decreasing the risk of mold and fungus growth. My suggestion is to wipe your bedroom furniture with a wet cloth and also vacuum the floor regularly. During the summer and on warmer days, open your windows to let fresh air circulate throughout your bedroom.

Shoes

We often wear our shoes into our bedroom but we don’t realize that our shoes carry pesticides and herbicides from lawns on them and these chemicals are tracked throughout your home. An EPA study suggested that “80 percent of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors and that measurable levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been found in the air inside homes.” Leave your shoes at the front door and wear slippers or socks around your home instead of your shoes. The first thing I have people do when they enter my home is to remove their shoes!

And now for the GIVEAWAY

We’re giving away n organic sleep bundle with a sheet set, waterproof pad and one standard Organic Cotton Kapok Pillow (pad and sheet set) to one lucky reader. To enter, leave a comment below. We’ll be choosing one winner on December 22nd, 2018. Open to US Residents only.

To learn more about how to create a non-toxic bedroom for you and your family, you can read the following features:

How Your Mattress & Sheets Could Be Affecting Your Health

4 Changes to Transform Your Sleep.

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The Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents leave out everything you don’t want on your skin. Think about this! Conventional detergents are filled with synthetic chemicals that touch your skin when you wear your clothes. Since your skin is your largest organ, you may not realize that you’re absorbing these toxins!

I go through the list of chemicals in cleaning supplies, detergents, makeup and so much more in my best-selling book, Eating Clean, if you’re looking for more information on what chemicals to avoid.

Here are a few of my favorite non-toxic laundry detergents that you can use for you and your family. Click on each detergent below for the ingredients and more information.

Happy washing!

TheHealthyApple.com participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

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Many of my clients come to me with awful insomnia and sleep disturbances and they often don’t realize how lack of sleep plays a huge role in affecting the quality of their day and their overall health. Today we’re sharing with you 4 small changes to transform your sleep, and in turn, support your overall health and well-being. Sleep is so important for all of us; it’s the time when our body detoxes from the day and each organ (see below for the chart) has a particular time when it detoxes (example: if you wake up at between 1-3 AM, that’s a sign your liver woke you up and that your liver is doing extra work detoxing–possibly from too many glasses of wine you drank that night.

The same goes for all of the other organs listed below. When you start to track your sleep to see what time you’re waking up, the below chart will be quite helpful to help you understand what’s going on in your body. This chart has helped me in so many ways throughout the last few years with my health because my energy workers (chiropractors, acupuncturists, etc) all use this to understand what’s happening inside my body.

AUDIO

Click on the PLAY button below to listen.

Tips to Transform Your Sleep

The below four tips are important to review if you want to improve the quality of your sleep and the quality of your life because sleep is what fuels us, regenerates us and detoxes us from the toxins we encounter that day.

1. Bedtime & Wake-Up Time 

Bedtime and wake-up time should be consistent as much as possible meaning you should go to bed around the same time every night and wake up around the same time every night. I cannot stress enough how important it is to sleep in tune with the circadian rhythm (in bed around 10 PM and up around 6 AM). Your circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal clock that is running in the background of your brain and cycles between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals. Your circadian rhythm works best when you have regular sleep habits such as going to bed and waking up around the same times from day to day…YES, this also includes weekends.

I learned a lot about this through alternative medicine and falling asleep/waking up around 10 PM/ 6 AM will do wonders for your hormones and your overall energy level. I know it’s not easy to do, I do not do this every night because life happens, but I do my best. The Chinese Body Clock, below, is also very helpful to understand what’s going on in your body when you wake up or have a consistent symptom at the same time each day.

The Chinese Body Clock

If you’re feeling off at a particular time during the day, this chart can help you decipher the meaning behind what’s out of balance and what needs to be addressed. This does not mean it’s time to pop an Advil when you have a headache. It does mean that if you have a headache, it’s important to work with an alternative medicine specialist to help you understand what’s throwing your body off balance.

Throughout the first 7 years of my chronic health issues, I would wake up between 1-3 AM, which of course, was my liver, as I mentioned above. My liver has been the biggest issue for me throughout my journey, which is why DETOX is such a huge part of my story, my book, my retreats and my talks. I have been working on my liver for over 5 years now every day via Castor Oil Packs, Coffee Enemas, eating organic, drinking filtered water, using non-toxic personal care products, and doing lots of energy work.

Image Source: Chalkboard magazine

2. Get Your Hormones & Minerals Tested

If you have my book, Eating Clean, you know that you cannot test for hormones or minerals in the blood and expect an accurate reading. If your doctor is reading your hormones or minerals from your blood, you need a new doctor. PRONTO! I can help you if you’re lost and not sure where to go. These are the tests I help my clients with when I work with them in a Private Session because (especially for women), your hormones and your minerals WILL affect every aspect of your sleep, your mood, your weight, the pace your body/skin ages, and so much more.

3. Use an Organic Mattress

This is so important, especially for anyone who has a thyroid problem, hormonal imbalances or any other health issue because the toxins in mattresses will contribute to the load of body burden your body is trying to manage. The more toxins you come into contact with, the more your body has to detox and sooner or later, there will be too many toxins to detox, which is what causes PMS and many other hormonal symptoms, weight gain, fatigue and so much more.

I’ve been using Naturepedic‘s fluffy pillows, organic mattress, organic sheet sets and organic waterproof mattress protective pad for four years and I love them. They’re incredibly clean and pure and they’re made without the use of any toxic chemicals, unlike conventional mattresses. 

Support your liver with a few of the ideas above (in the Chinese Body Clock paragraphs) and click on the links to learn more about how you can support your liver on a daily basis.

Naturepedic is offering 10% off their organic mattresses just for YOU! Use Code: healthyapple10 at checkout.

Disclaimer: *10% off qualifying Naturepedic adult mattress online only valid through December 31, 2018 with code healthyapple10. Qualifying mattresses are Chorus, Serenade, EOS® Classic, EOS Pillowtop, and EOS Trilux. While supplies last. Cannot be used with other offers, discounts or promo codes. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Valid one time per customer. Other restrictions may apply.

4. Remove Your Blue Light Exposure

Remove yourself from the exposure of blue lights of screens (computer, phone, kindle, etc.) at least one hour before bed. Too much mental arousal before bed from these lights will keep you awake, even if you are tired. The lights and wi-fi do affect our body but many of us aren’t sensitive enough to feel it. If you’re anything like me or if you’ve been through the ringer with health issues, I’m sure you feel it, as well. Take the time to close your computer and turn off your phone an hour before bed. Read a book, connect with your partner, meditate, listen to my favorite relaxing playlist and allow your nervous system to move from the sympathetic (fight/flight mode we’re all in during the day) to the parasympathetic (rest/relaxation mode we need to sleep).

Now, for the GIVEAWAY you’ve been waiting for:

Naturepedic is offering a giveaway for one WINNER to win 2 of their ORGANIC TRIO PILLOWS.

Leave a comment below to enter and let us know why you would LOVE to win these pillows. We’ll be choosing one winner on November 5th, 2018. This giveaway is only eligble to US residents. Good luck!

If you haven’t read How Your Mattress & Sheets Could Be Affecting Your Health, we suggest you read this article for a deeper look at what’s hiding in conventional mattresses and sheets.

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