Though I have been interested in natural living for a very long time, it was when I became pregnant that my desire to eliminate chemicals and increase our focus on a natural lifestyle reached near-obsession level. Look for many more posts along this line in the future.
I’d like to thank Katie Moore for stepping up with this lovely post during Urban Earthworm’s summer lag:
When I became pregnant, I started to look more closely into just what types of chemicals were included in household products that I used on a regular basis.
Transitioning into a more organic lifestyle is something that can be accomplished successfully with education and awareness about organic and non-organic items.
I was startled to find out that many of the products I used each week around my home were loaded with unhealthy chemicals that left a film of toxic fumes in the air and on surfaces in my house. I set out to discover how to make my own organic products using natural ingredients.
Changing Toxic Products Out for Natural Products
A quick Internet search will lead to a plethora of information on how to use ordinary, natural products to make your own effective cleaning solutions. Products such as vinegar are ideal for removing soap scum, using for a window cleaner and for cleaning floors and toilets without adding harmful chemicals to your home. If you’re not a fan of the way vinegar smells, you can add lemon juice or a citrus zest to give it a bright, fresh scent!
Use Coupons to Purchase Organic Foods
If you have tried to purchase organic foods, you probably have discovered they are often much more expensive than non-organic items. This is especially true when it comes to specialty flour products, organic pastas and organic fruits and vegetables.
Being pregnant and expecting a baby can put many people on a limited budget. Purchasing baby items, paying co-payments on doctor visits and decorating a nursery room are all added expenses most people take on when they are expecting a baby. Because of this, finding affordable ways to purchase natural foods is often a must for people who cannot afford the otherwise high costs of organic items at their local grocery store.
Using coupons is a great way to reduce the amount of money you spend on organic foods. It is also important to keep in mind that if you are making your own cleaning supplies, you will be saving a lot of money that can be used for organic foods. Checking your local newspaper, buying clipped coupon services online and printing off free coupon from online sites is a great way to save money on the more expensive organic items. If you are unable to find many coupons for wholesome produce, consider visiting a farmers’ market or sharecropping with a neighbor’s garden.
Finding a balance between living a natural and healthy life is easy with the right tools and information. I was fortunate enough to have a supportive family and doctor that helped me every step of the way. My doctor gave me invaluable information about pregnancy details I never would have thought of, from living naturally to the value of cord blood, the best local pregnancy classes and much more! Enjoy your pregnancy as naturally and happily as possible!
Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26
For more pregnancy related posts on Urban Earthworm, check out:
Birth Story – Inside a completely intervention-free home birth; the good, the bad, and the midwives.
Henna Hair Color – for a chemical free pregnancy.
Business and the Breast – breastfeeding and attachment parenting for a full time working mom.
If you are interested in contributing a guest post to UEW, shoot me an email at TheUrbanEarthworm [at] gmail.
If you have any questions or post requests, you can also send those to the email address above or post them to the Facebook page. Fair warning: These are rolling in fast, so it may take me a couple weeks to get back to you.