Does Your Kitchen Need a Detox?

Usually when we hear the word "detox", we think of a supplement program or cleanse for our body that may be done once in a while. But what if a detox encompasses something beyond that? What if it is actually more of a lifestyle change that starts outside of our bodies, with the items we use every day?

The purpose of a detox is to clean out the things that are bogging down the system. We live in a world filled with numerous exposures that are toxic to our bodies, and though our bodies have been designed with powerful detox organs to deal with this, these organs do get bogged down to the point of not being able to function well. Some of these exposures are beyond our control, but there are many things that are within our control, especially within our homes. The purchases we choose to make is a good example. By being conscientious of the things we put in, on, and around our bodies daily, we can lessen the toxic burden that our bodies work very hard to manage. Lessening this burden frees our body up to work on other important functions like rest, recovery, and repair.

A great place to begin such a detox is in your kitchen. Prioritizing eating real food vs processed food products is important to support our body, as processed foods burden our body whereas real food has a cleansing effect. Before you even take a bite, consider the implements that we use in our kitchens daily that come into direct contact with the food we eat. Unknowingly, you may be exposing yourself to harmful chemicals, plastics, and non-stick coatings that leach into your food. The EWG has reported that these common toxins have been detected in the cord blood during pregnancy.

Here is a short list of everyday kitchen swaps you can make to ensure that you are not adding to your family's toxic burden:

1. Remove all Teflon and aluminum cookware as these will degrade and leach toxins into your food. Instead, use stainless steel, regular or enameled cast iron, stoneware, and glass. These items last forever with proper care, and can even be passed down through the generations. My most prized possession is my set of stainless steel pots and pans that my grandpa purchased as a wedding gift for my grandma, and then passed on to me.

2. Instead of purchasing plastic cooking utensils, opt for stainless steel and wood which will also last forever with proper care! Have you ever noticed the way the edges of plastic spatulas will get crusty and melted over time? Guess where that melted plastic went? Yuck! Heat and plastic are a bad combo. The next area to tackle: your plastic travel mugs, drinking straws, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons. These can all be replaced with stainless steel or glass.

3. Swap out plastic food storage containers for glass, especially for storing hot foods and liquids. Many glass food containers are oven and freezer safe. Mason jars come in various sizes and can be used for hot foods and liquids, as well as dry goods and freezer storage. We have so many mason jars here, we also use them as our drinking glasses!

4. Use unbleached filters and tea bags for your coffee and tea. You can also switch to using a French Press or using loose leaf tea to avoid chemicals leaching into your daily cup. This is especially important if you are using teas for their medicinal benefits.

If your budget allows, you can purchase these items new from well-known brands, online, and from big box stores, but you can also make these swaps on a budget. Your local thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and garage sales are a fantastic place to find good quality kitchen implements and cookware that are still perfectly usable and super affordable.

As always, do the best you can with the season of life you are in! Every small step you take towards your health is a good one, and small changes made over time make a big, lasting impact.

Blessings, from my kitchen to yours!

-Kyla