Don’t Sacrifice Your Health for Convenience

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Living a Purer, Green, Organic, Simple life is not convenient.                 At least when you first begin. Like any new habits, they are awkward at first.         You have to go out of your way to find what fits with your new healthy habit whether it’s diet, exercise, attitude  or less toxic living. Healthy living is not convenient in our society and it’s easy to compromise your standards for the sake of convenience. It’s not easy to make healthy choices when most resaurants, grocery stores and retailers are loaded with processed, additive filled and pesticide sprayed chemicals. Really, I do have six kids and I’ve relied on convenience more times than I’d like to admit, because it was – well, convenient. I have developed habits and a toolbox of resources that help me make the best choices every day.  These are not complicated, you just have to be intentional in your thinking and follow through in your actions.

Here are 5 Simple Tips to help you rely on convenience LESS:

1. Think Long Term   Somedays, long term may be just a couple of hours. Almost everyday on the way home from school, one of my kids is “STARVING”. I think they do this in hopes that some day I might stop for Fast Food, but I remind them that they will home in 20 minutes or less. I know to an 8 year old (or impatient adult)  that can seem long.   I would rather wait 20 minutes or an hour for a healthy meal or snack from a Natural Grocery Store than settling for short term junk food. If you begin with the end in mind, whether it’s a slimmer waistline or a day without relying on pain meds for a headache, keep your goals in mind and make choices that move you towards it rather than away from it.  

2.  Plan accordingly – When you decide what your long term goals are, make the choices that support them and  stick with it. If you are trying to lose weight, keep healthy snacks close by  so you’ll be prepared when hunger strikes. You’ll be less likely to hit the drive-thru and stick to your agenda. I buy some foods in bulk, like nuts and coconut oil. Not crazy obscene amounts like enough to feed our family for a year, but enough to keep me from relying on convenience foods instead.  I like to have high quality essential oils (that don’t expire)  on hand because I can quickly and easily mix up Pure air freshener, hand soap, cleanser, skin treatments and more and I won’t be tempted to settle for chemical-filled products that will most likely make someone feel sick. You don’t have to be a Boy Scout to appreciate the mantra “always be prepared”. 

3. Avoid STUFFmart  Convenience and impulse purchases often go hand in hand. The Convenience Factor  is short-term thinking. We’re in crisis mode or think we need something (now) and make decisions based on our emotions to fix the crisis right away.  I also  know from firsthand experience that the more you shop, the more you want.  Scientists know this too, and retailers take advantage of the information. Point of Purchase displays, impulse and trendy items are all placed strategically to speak to our emotions and wants rather than our needs.  Be intentional about where you are going and what you are buying and it will be easier to stick with your goals.  If you are thinking long term and plan accordingly, you won’t be tempted to settle for less for compromise your standards.

Depending on where you live, you may have to go out of your way to find the best places that support Pure Living, that takes planning. Once you become familiar with where you can find the best sources, it’s easy. The toughest part will be taking time to find what works for your family and your lifestyle, but I promise it will be worth it! When you are prepared, Pure Living will be more convenient and actually save you time and money.  

Live a Life of Substance

4.  Don’t Settle For Less  Here’s another challenge – simply do without. How often do you compromise your standards to just settle for less? If you are shopping for something, whether it’s  a special event or gift, if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for would you consider doing without? Or waiting . I’m also a firm believer in Quality vs. Quantity.   We vote with our dollars, when we settle for less it supports the companies that are producing an economy of cheap, convenient, and chemical goods.

5.  Find the Resources that fit your lifestyle. Make the transition to better choices that will support Health and well-being. It will be easier to bypass inferior options when you know where you can find Quality that will fits with your goals and budget.

Live With Intention

I have figured out a system that works in our family, whether dining out or shopping. I’d like to save you some time by sharing some of my favorites.  Once you find your own, it’ll be easy to pass up the less-than-optimal choices that are holding you back from healthier habits. 

I was at a local natural foods store in Milwaukee over the weekend, Outpost foods.  They always have fresh, whole foods plus “convenient” healthy meals to go. This is my first choice for “fast food” that is good for me and my family. In my short visit, I also got to sample some great foods. They have a fresh juice bar and always have extra “shots” of blends they just created. I would drive a little further or wait any day for an extra hour if it meant getting some high quality choices that will energize me rather than relying on convenience at a fast food restaurant that is close by.

Here’s a snapshot of some of my favorite places that support Pure Living: Check out my resources page for more!

In the Milwaukee Area:

Online:   Wilderness Family Naturals – Coconut products, nuts & seeds including soaked and dehydrated!  They have options to get discounts on group pricing, a fun way to keep connected with local friends and get bulk discounts (up to 40%!)

Healthy Child, Healthy World – Non-profit organization that educates parents and families on raising kids in a non-toxic environment. Donate $25 or more and you’ll get a box of free samples like I did to share with friends at your own Healthy Child Party.

Abe’s Market – Large selection of healthy living items. Check out their free samples – Just pay $2 for shipping. They also have a cool flip book for raising a Natural Baby.

Share natural samples at your own Healthy Child Party

Free Samples from Abe’s Market. My choices for healthy living? Laundry soap and dark chocolate!

Check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pureHOMEandBODY , watch for freebies and give aways, coming soon!

 

 

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