When we think about health and well-being, our minds typically go straight to exercise, nutrition and sleep. But, our everyday environment matters too. The products we choose and the way we cook and store food can play a significant role in our overall well-being. A lox-tox lifestyle doesn’t have to mean a complete and immediate overhaul of your home and habits. Instead, it’s about making small, achievable and sustainable changes over time.
In this month’s article, I’ll be sharing some practical resources and recommendations to help you explore a lower-tox approach in a way that feels manageable, sustainable and relevant to your everyday life. Let’s start with a pretty obvious one – food.
Eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables is by far one of the best things you can do for your health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes an annual guide known as the Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen. These lists rank fruits and vegetables according to pesticide residue levels, with the Dirty Dozen highlighting produce found to have the highest residues and the Clean Fifteen identifying those with the lowest.
While the data is based on produce grown in the United States, the guide can still be a useful reference when making informed food choices. Although it isn’t a perfect reflection of Australian farming practices, it provides a practical starting point for those looking to reduce pesticide exposure without feeling the need to buy everything organic.
Dirty Dozen:
- Spinach
- Kale, collard greens, mustard greens
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Apples
- Blackberries
- Pears
- Potatoes
- Blueberries
Clean Fifteen
- Pineapple
- Sweet corn
- Avocado
- Papaya
- Onions
- Sweet peas
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Mangos
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Kiwi fruit
Beyond the food itself, the way we prepare it and store it can also influence our everyday environment. Health concerns have been linked with non-stick cookware primarily due to synthetic chemicals known as PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that are used to create the Teflon/non-stick surface. The safety concerns don’t relate to single use, but rather long term use resulting in an accumulation of the associated chemicals. It’s recommended that if you are using non-stick/Teflon coated products that you avoiding cooking on high heat, avoid using metal cookware to prevent damage and you discard any cookware that has been scratched or damaged.
Solidteknics are an Australian brand worth exploring. They produce high quality iron and stainless steel cookware free from synthetic coatings, the pans are a great investment, are super durable and are suitable for all heat sources, including induction https://www.solidteknics.com
Once the food is prepared, it’s also worth considering how we store it. Plastic food storage containers have been a topic of discussion for many years. Concerns generally centre around the chemicals used in some plastics, such as BPA, along with growing awareness of microplastics in our environment. Factors such as heating food in plastic containers, repeated dishwasher cleaning and storage of fatty and/or acidic foods can accelerate degradation over time.
For those looking to make a simple swap, glass containers are a practical alternative. The are durable, easy to clean and don’t retain stains or odours in the same way plastic containers often can. There are many brands available, a brand I particularly like is Seed and Sprout, they produce great products that combine functionality with thoughtful design.
Another simple strategy is to wash and reuse glass jars from pantry staples such as pasta sauces, peanut butter and jams. It’s an easy way to reduce waste and extend the life of existing packaging. https://seedsprout.com.au
The next area worth close consideration is the products we are using to clean our homes. These products will often end up on our hands, surfaces, dishes and clothing making them a part of our everyday environment. Choosing cleaning products with thoughtfully selected ingredients can be a simple way to reduce unnecessary chemical use while also supporting a more sustainable household.
Laundry detergent is one of those products we frequently use without giving it much thought. Our clothes, towels and bedding come in close contact with our skin every day. Choosing a detergent with a simpler ingredient profile can be one way to support a lower-tox home while also reducing environmental impact.
A brand I thoroughly recommend is The Dirt Company, a Melbourne-based business producing high-quality laundry products with sustainability at their forefront. Their detergents are supplied in refillable glass bottles, helping to reduce additional packaging and single use plastics. I’ve been using The Dirt Company products for years and continue to be impressed. They clean exceptionally well, the refill system is convenient and buying in bulk makes everyday sustainability that little bit easier. https://thedirtcompany.com.au
And finally we have a fantastic podcast recommendation.
Looking to learn more about living a lower-tox lifestyle? Alexx Stuart is an educator, author and the founder of Low Tox Life, a platform dedicated to helping people make informed and achievable choices for their health and the environment. She is the author of the book Low Tox Life and hosts a long-running podcast exploring a wide and fascinating range of topics.
What I particularly appreciate about Alexx’s approach is that it focusses on progress rather than perfection. Her conversations are practical, balanced and accessible, featuring a wide range of experts and thought-provoking guests. If you’re curious to explore further, her podcast is a fantastic place to start. https://www.lowtoxlife.com/low-tox-life-podcast-index/
As with all aspects of health and wellbeing, low-tox living isn’t about perfection. It’s about staying curious, keeping an open mind and making informed choices that feel realistic for you and your family. Whether it’s replacing a plastic container with glass, trying a new laundry liquid or simply listening to a thought-provoking podcast, small changes made consistently can have a meaningful impact over time – for ourselves, our communities and the environment.
