Evidently, when Taylor Dukes was identified with a mind tumor it modified her complete life. The expertise precipitated her to audit each single factor in her life, specifically her residence. After doing her personal analysis, Taylor has constructed a whole model primarily based on more healthy selections for all areas of your life.
Taylor is a board-certified household nurse practitioner and the founding father of Taylor Dukes Wellness, a useful medication apply and academic platform. Taylor focuses on serving to people overcome persistent well being points by addressing intestine well being, hormonal imbalances, cleansing, and total life-style. By her apply, complement line, she empowers shoppers with personalised protocols and evidence-based methods to help long-term wellness.
Forward of transferring into a brand new residence and renovating, Taylor is sharing with us the highest issues she’s holding in thoughts for a non-toxic residence.
From cookwear to pantry staples, to bedding and completely free tricks to make your house a cleaner, more healthy place, Taylor’s suggestions are accessible to anybody. With that, let’s welcome Taylor to the weblog.
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Hey y’all! I’m Taylor Dukes, a useful medication supplier, board-certified household nurse practitioner, spouse, and mama with a loopy well being historical past.
In my 20s, I used to be coping with all the thriller signs – weight acquire, bloating, fatigue, pimples, mind fog, hormonal imbalances, joint ache, and extra. I used to be an ICU nurse, but I couldn’t determine easy methods to heal myself. Each typical specialist I noticed wished to slap a Band-Assist on my challenge with prescription drugs, weight loss plan, or invasive remedies.
Nothing labored till I gave useful medication a shot as a last-ditch effort. It modified my life by serving to me get to the basis reason for my points, which pushed me to pivot my profession path.
I skilled beneath prime useful medication docs, opened my very own personal apply, constructed a wellness product line filled with more healthy pantry staples, nutritional vitamins, dietary supplements, and extra (shoutout to the TDW Store), and created an on-line VIP group that has taken the confusion and stress out of navigating wholesome dwelling and useful medication for hundreds of individuals.
In 2022, I used to be delivered the shocker of a lifetime and identified with a mind tumor – by the way in which, I had zero signs. I used to be gifted a full physique preventative scan that exposed a mind tumor. I used an integrative strategy – I mixed the very best of useful oncology and western medication to beat it! I did have mind surgical procedure, however opted out of chemo and radiation. By the grace of God, I’m now cancer-free. We had been capable of decide that the tumor had been rising probably 8-10 years and began once I was sick years in the past. Regardless that I used to be feeling nicely and had no signs, that have made me double down on clear dwelling – particularly within the residence the place we spend 90% of our time.
I’m on the brink of transfer, so it’s the right time for me to share the easy residence swaps and suggestions I’m utilizing to create my household’s more healthy residence atmosphere. Whether or not you’re model new to this or have been making non-toxic modifications for some time now, these are real-deal suggestions that can truly make a distinction.
Taylor Dukes’ Suggestions & Swaps for a Non-toxic House
Bed room
Do you know your physique enters its strongest state of detox and restore whilst you sleep? Your liver, mind, hormones, lymphatic system, and digestive organs all work to flush out toxins and reset.
I can not stress sufficient the significance of constructing certain your bed room is a chemical-free secure haven to help your physique in detoxifying and resetting.
Mattresses & Pillows:
You’re both touching or respiration into these surfaces all night time, so it’s important they’re constituted of supplies which are clear and secure and won’t offgas chemical compounds akin to VOCs. VOCs are sadly present in the whole lot from rugs, paints, furnishings, and fireplace retardants to hairsprays, air fresheners, and cosmetics. I like Savvy Relaxation (use code TAYLORDUKES) and Avocado for all my household’s mattress and pillow wants.
Sheets & Bedding:
Go for 100% natural cotton or pure linen. Fortunately, these are broadly accessible at a wide range of worth factors – Goal, Pact, West Elm, Coyuchi, and Parachute all have good choices.
Space Rugs:
Attempt to keep on with pure fibers like cotton, jute, or wool to keep away from chemical compounds.
Toilet & Private Care
Rest room Paper:
Most are filled with dyes, chlorine, perfume and different chemical compounds. Not the type of stuff you wish to be wiping on such delicate and absorbent areas of the physique! I like TSC bamboo rest room paper.
Female Merchandise:
Search for 100% licensed natural cotton that doesn’t embody perfumes, dyes, colours, or added chemical compounds you’ll be able to’t pronounce. Simply plain cotton! Alternatively, you’ll be able to go together with a medical grade silicone cup. Some favourite manufacturers for each natural cotton female merchandise in addition to cups embody: Rael, Viv, Natracare, Cora, Organyc, Saalt, and Flex.
Razors:
Give it some thought – most typical razors have security strips that comprise all kinds of chemical compounds. And also you’re swiping these chemical compounds (even nicking your self!) throughout areas which are loaded with lymph nodes (underarms, groin, and many others.). For the physique, I like one thing tremendous easy like Leaf or Zomchi.
Towels and Washcloths:
Wrap your physique in 100% pure natural cotton washcloths and towels. Goal, West Elm, Coyuchi, and Pact have strong choices.
Instruments: Physique brushing, pure sculpting, and non-toxic anti ageing instruments are the place it’s at. No judgement ever, however I’ll all the time select a pure technique akin to these talked about above over invasive remedies or chemical-laden Botox and fillers. A few of my favorites embody TSC’s Ice Curler (once I’m not at residence, the Mint Curler travels with me in all places) and the Butter Brush.
Cleansing & Laundering
Indoor air will be 2-5x extra polluted than outside air – in some instances as much as 100x increased (supply)! Indoor environments are full of all kinds of artificial chemical compounds and different indoor air contaminants from typical cleansing or laundering merchandise.
Candles:
Swap out typical candles with endocrine-disrupting chemical compounds and artificial fragrances, for cleaner choices like The Skinny Confidential one. I like that Lauryn formulated the TSC candle with pure soy wax and pure important oils.
Air Freshening:
Toss the plug-ins and air fresheners which are laden with endocrine-disrupting chemical compounds for a diffuser and pure important oils akin to Pranarom important oils.
Cleansing Options & Sprays:
DIY with vinegar, baking soda, and water for practically any cleansing want. Or use Department Fundamentals like me for actually all features of home cleansing, from bathrooms to tubs to kitchens to flooring.
Laundry Detergent:
Go for non-toxic options – Molly’s Suds detergent or Department Fundamentals powdered laundry detergent are nice choices.
Cloth Softener:
Do you know you should utilize distilled vinegar as non-toxic material softener?
Dryer Sheets:
Wool dryer balls are the right dryer sheet different. Add a pair drops of important oils to every laundry ball in case you’re in search of that “clear scent” impact.
Kitchen
As a big-time label reader and mother, I used to be so upset with the dearth of unpolluted meals and beverage choices on the market, which led me to create my very own wholesome variations of on a regular basis dietary merchandise. I can’t inform you what a aid it’s to not have to fret about discovering a clear choice for protein powder, sports activities drinks/electrolytes, espresso, and extra. All of our merchandise are made with natural and/or actual meals components. You possibly can use code SKINNY for a ten% low cost on any TDW Store order (excluding subscriptions).
Not solely is your meals essential, however so is your cookware, your storage — all of it provides up. Right here’s what I preserve in my low-tox kitchen.
Pantry/Fridge:
Inventory your house with natural, complete meals. This implies avoiding extremely processed meals, refined sugars, and unhealthy fat. All the time learn labels! If the ingredient record is a mile lengthy – or in case you can’t pronounce/don’t know a few of the components – toss it!
Lauryn and I are one in the identical in our perception that we must always all devour high-quality protein at each meal for lean muscle tissues, balanced hormones, glowing pores and skin, and fewer cravings. Whether or not it’s grass-fed beef, pastured hen, wild-caught seafood, or a clear protein powder like Taylor Dukes Wellness Bone Broth Protein.
Another staples along with the clear proteins talked about above embody:
Wholesome fat: ghee, grass-fed butter, further virgin olive oil, tallow, avocados, macadamia nuts.
Natural produce: A spread! I am going for antioxidant-rich berries, all of the leafy greens, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts.
Cleaner swaps for typical merchandise: That is the place I am going for issues like my clear and handy mixes for Protein Pancakes, Electrolytes, Scorching Chocolate, and Lemonade. I additionally love Siete tortillas, Masa chips, Chomps or Paleovalley jerky, and Solely fruit to call just a few.
Meals Storage/Water Bottles:
Trash your plastic, particularly these with “endlessly chemical compounds” like PFAS that may leach into your meals. Go for glass or stainless-steel as an alternative. Silicone baggage akin to Stasher are good for snacking and storing meals, simply as long as it’s not sizzling!
Cookware:
I encourage you to do an overhaul and eliminate something Teflon/nonstick. Listed below are the surfaces I like: forged iron, stainless-steel (like All Clad), enameled forged iron (like Le Creuset), and non-toxic ceramic. I like my Caraway set.
Wrap/Baking Sheets:
As a substitute of aluminum foil or plastic wrap, which may contaminate your meals with heavy metals and/or PFAS, select non-toxic choices like Bee’s Wrap or unbleached parchment paper.
Dish Cleaning soap/Detergent:
The residue from no matter you employ will most definitely stay in your dishware. I like ATTITUDE unscented dish cleaning soap or utilizing my Department Fundamentals all function spray, plus I additionally love their dishwasher tablets.
One of many largest objections I hear from others towards transitioning to a more healthy life-style is the associated fee. However transitioning to a more healthy life-style is feasible, even on a funds. No change is just too small that it doesn’t make an affect.
Beneath are inexpensive modifications you may make and not using a whole residence renovation required:
Open home windows every day to enhance air flow and air high quality.
Moist mud and vacuum (with a HEPA filter vacuum) usually to rid your house of VOCs, which journey on mud.
Put money into an air air purifier (first, for the bed room, and subsequent, for widespread dwelling areas). If a high-end air air purifier isn’t your funds, you’ll be able to DIY an air air purifier with a field fan and a filter for tremendous low cost. I define the method in this text.
Use the lavatory exhaust fan earlier than, throughout, after bathing and showering to scale back the chance of mould.
Observe humidity (optimum purpose is beneath 45%) – yow will discover humidity displays for beneath $10 on Amazon! If vital, buy a transportable dehumidifier.
Take your sneakers off indoors. Preserve a shoe tray and/or shoe rack by the entrance door as a mild reminder for all who go to.
Put money into a water filter to take away contaminants out of your ingesting water. This will vary from a comparatively cheap gravity filter to an under-sink RO system to a complete home system. We use Aquasana filters at my residence (use code AQTDW50).
All the time select strong wooden each time attainable over particle board, mdf, or artificial wooden supplies. This contains the whole lot from cupboards to flooring to furnishings.
Take into account the supplies you’re utilizing in your house. Go along with pure fibers like cotton, jute, or wool each time attainable. Go along with actual hardwood. Select OEKO-tex, Made Secure, and GOTS licensed natural supplies each time attainable.
I’m nonetheless within the technique of packing and planning for my transfer, however I’m excited to include all of the aforementioned non-toxic issues into my new residence. Right here’s just a few different top-of-mind issues:
Flooring and paints are massive ones to me to not have offgassing of chemical compounds. We’re sanding and re-finishing all of our new residence’s flooring and repainting. We’re doing all ECOS paint, which is water-based, non-toxic and has zero VOC.
We’re mitigating EMF publicity when attainable by hardwiring Web-installed ethernet cords. Whilst you may not have the ability to hardwire your complete residence, turning your Wi-Fi off at night time is a superb begin.
We’re on nicely water, so a whole-house water filtration system is a non-negotiable for me. That is the model we’re utilizing. Additionally they have just below the sink filters with reverse osmosis and remineralization and bathe head filters.
Keep tuned for all of the wholesome residence transform content material coming to my IG quickly – I will likely be sharing unique content material with my insider record, too.
I hope the following pointers and product suggestions encourage you to create a house that promotes true restoration and well being for you and your loved ones. Bear in mind, small modifications make a giant distinction!
In order for you extra personalised steering in your wellness journey, I’d love to ask you to affix my VIP on-line group for unique help, assets, and common dwell calls with me. It’s additionally so enjoyable to attach with like-minded folks.
You can too discover me on IG and my weblog for tons of free assets, recipes, and swap strategies. And don’t neglect you’ll be able to save 10% off my wholesome dwelling merchandise – collagen protein powder, electrolytes, detox baths, dietary supplements, and extra – with code SKINNY.
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There you go. Tons of tricks to progressively and slowly make your house a more healthy one. It’s simple to get overwhelmed with all of the non-toxic swaps accessible to you so begin small, and give attention to the issues which are most relevant to you.
We hope you liked this publish, and keep tuned for extra coming quickly from Taylor.
x, The Skinny Confidential staff.
+ Lauryn’s non-toxic being pregnant necessities.
++ More healthy bodycare swaps with The Natural Bunny.