Healthier on a Budget: Priorities

Unless you're a millionaire, it's not likely you will be financially able to immediately overhaul everything you use and replace them with natural, organic products. Regardless of money, it's also not likely your family will be completely on board with all of the changes. Let's face it - FruitaBu natural fruit roll-ups taste good, but they don't taste quite like Betty Crocker's artificially flavored Fruit by the Foot. For the sake of your wallet and your sanity, decide on your priorities. If you have a child on medicine for ADHD, maybe your priorities will be to take out artificial food colors. Maybe you just want to have a long, healthy life so your priority is like mine - to reduce processed grains, eat more whole grains, and simply include more fruits and vegetables in our diets. Because of the mold exposure, Nikki became chemically sensitive so switching to natural unscented cleaners has been her priority.

That One Big Thing
I recommend beginning by buying organic (or at least natural) of one thing your family consumes the most of. Milk, eggs, cheese, crackers, fruit roll-ups - whatever it is. Our bodies are designed to extract toxins, but I don't believe it's meant to be bombarded day in, day out. If you consume large amounts of produce from the dirty dozen list, consider buying organic at least of these. The dirty dozen are the 12 most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables.

Baby Steps
Unless you have a life-threatening condition, I recommend taking baby steps to a healthier lifestyle. Too many changes at once invite failure. Examples of baby steps:
1. Replace 1 soda or tea with a glass of water (with lemon, lime, or orange if you need flavor)
2. Put 1 less packet of sugar in your coffee.
3. Add 1 vegetable with lunch (lettuce on your turkey sandwich, a side of cucumber slices with ranch dressing, etc.)
4. Cut down on TV or computer usage by 30 minutes a day - Do something active or helpful instead or spend the extra time with your family.
5. Pick 1 produce to buy only organic of, like apples which are on the dirty dozen list.

Good luck! I'd love to hear what baby steps you've begun with.

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