How to Be a Modern Hippie

Green Living
Written By

Live a Cleaner, Greener Life!

Are you new to this "Modern Hippie" lifestyle?

Do you want to Clean-up your health and Green-up your life but feel overwhelmed by the mass amounts of information and Do-It-Yourself recipes on the internet and have no idea where to start!?

Well, you've stumbled upon the right place!

Not so long ago, I was in your shoes, too - entirely overwhelmed by the amount of information on the web and felt like a failure because everywhere I turned, it felt like I was doing the wrong thing!

Well, you're NOT a failure, and the fact that you are even considering making a positive change in your lifestyle, either for the sake of the environment, your health, your family's health, or all of the above, deserves a big pat on the back.

It is possible to start the transition to a cleaner, greener life and avoid feeling overwhelmed while doing so - and I'd like to show you how (because I wish there were someone to show me when I was starting).

My Story

I remember the DAY when everything my mom had been preaching to me for years suddenly clicked into place.

"You are what you eat, Carly!"

This phrase that had been said to me SO many times that it had lost meaning finally started to make sense!

Of course, we are what we eat -  food is fuel for our bodies. Like a luxury vehicle, our bodies run well on nothing but premium. How do you think you will run if we put low nutrient, processed, and downright evil "fuel" into our bodies?

But not only is it what we put IN our bodies that affect our ability to run efficiently, but what we put ON our bodies and INTO our environments plays a role, too!

The day it all clicked for me, I immediately wanted every toxic ingredient out of my home, but I had nothing to replace it with or the knowledge or skills to do so.

I didn't know where to start at first. Once I began to notice all of the unhealthy chemicals and ingredients lingering in my home, the task of replacing them seemed daunting.

Since then, I have spent a lot of time educating myself about homemade non-toxic alternatives. They are better for our health and the environment, but you'll also save a lot of money!

My first suggestion is just chill and have fun on your new modern hippie journey. You don't have to change your entire life overnight.

Break your goals down into three categories/areas of focus, and within those categories, create sub-categories (don't worry, I've laid it all out below).

By focusing on ONE category at a time,  you'll feel less overwhelmed. As you complete each goal, your sense of accomplishment will give you the encouragement that you need to continue on this exciting journey!

The Three Categories

  1. Cleaning Products
    • Multi-Purpose Cleaner/Surface Cleaners
    • Carpet Cleaners
    • Laundry Soap
    • Air-Fresheners
    • Dishwasher Detergent
    • Fabric and Room Deodoriser
  2. Food and Drinks
    • Condiments/Spices
    • Bread and baking
    • Juice and Soda
    • Non-dairy milk
    • Healthy Sweets
  3. Personal Grooming/Hygiene/Beauty Products 
    • Hair Care (Shampoo/Conditioner/Hairspray)
    • Oral Hygiene (Toothpaste/Mouth Wash)
    • Body Products (Lotions/Butters/Shaving Cream/Deodorant)
    • Facial Products (Cleaners/Moisturizers/Toner/Lip Balm)
    • Outdoor (Sunblock/Bug Spray)
    • Salves/Medicinal Tinctures
    • Bath Products (Bath Bombs/Bath Salts)

#1 Cleaning Products

Homemade Cleaning Products

Removing toxic chemical cleaners from your home is at the top of the priority list because they are easy- DIY recipes are straightforward and effective. Also, switching to safe alternatives involves minor life adjustments, and the environmental and health impacts are enormous!

If you're not totally convinced, you will be after reading this article: Four Reasons to Make Your Own Cleaning Products.

Here are the cleaning products and FIRST products to replace:

Citrus Infused Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Effective, Homemade Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Glass and Spray-Mop Cleaner

Homemade, Eco-friendly Liquid Laundry Soap

Dishwasher "Detergent"

Carpet Cleaning Solution for Carpet Cleaners

Alternative Ways to Freshen the Air in your Home

#2 Food and Beverages

Eating wholesome, non-processed, and so-called "real" food is the new focus on this journey to a cleaner life. It's time to stop analyzing fat content and calories, and instead, start reading the ingredients!

This category involves a lifestyle change, so like I mentioned before, take it slow. You may need to take this one real slow... as there are skills that need to be acquired, heads that may take time to wrap around concepts, and, most likely, other family members in your household that may not be ready to give up their Lucky Charms.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that may help clear the air...

"What food shouldn't I be eating?"

Below is a list of some typical food additives/ingredients that should be avoided. If you come across something in your pantry or fridge that contains one of the ingredients, consider making it yourself instead!

Acesulfame K, Artificial Colours (Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Yellow 6), Artificial Flavours, Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose), Benzoate, Canola Oil (and other commonly GMO’d oils), Corn Syrup,  BHA,  Enriched Flour (white, processed flour), Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Palm Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Oils, Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Propyl Gallate, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Bromate, Propyl Paraben), Polysorbate 60 & 80, Refined Sugar, Soy.

"But I don't want to throw all of my food away - that's a waste!"

I'm not suggesting that you should rummage through your pantry and fridge and toss out everything that contains a questionable ingredient.

Throwing everything away all at once would be expensive and time-consuming to replace, and well, you may not even know what to replace it with.

Here's my advice - use up what you have, and once it's gone, consider making it yourself or finding a healthier alternative next time around!

For example, once your ketchup is gone (aka corn syrup sauce), try this Naturally Fermented Homemade Ketchup Recipe! Fresh out of Fruit Loops? Try this Homemade Coconut Flax Granola! Replace foods as you use them up - this will help determine the order in which you replace everything.

"Isn't making my own food from scratch expensive?"

Expensive? No. Making your food from scratch can save you a lot of money. Quality ingredients cost more (organic vs non-organic, ancient grains vs refined white flour), but since you're buying in bulk, you save. So when it's all said and done, you're getting nutrient-dense food that saves you money.

"Isn't making my own food from scratch time-consuming?"

Time-consuming? Yes, but not necessarily. As I mentioned before, replacing everything doesn't have to happen all at once.

By following the "replacing once it's used up" method, you may only find yourself making something new once per week.

If you're feeling particularly short on time one week, opt for healthy store-bought alternatives. There are a lot of great companies out there that have health and the environment at their core values, too. Although more expensive than cooking from scratch once you become educated on reading labels and ingredients, this option is very realistic.

If you're curious about the nutritional value and health of one of your favourite store-bought foods, try looking up its Food Score on the Environmental Working Group Website. The Food Score will be rated between 1 and 10, with 1 being the best score and ten being the worst.

Foods and Beverages to Stop Buying and Start Making

Basic Condiments

Beverages

Bread / Baking Staples

Breakfast Basics

#3 Personal Hygiene/Grooming/Beauty Products

Our skin does a pretty good job of keeping things out of our bloodstream, but there are many controversies out there about just how much your skin absorbs.

Skincare ingredients are absorbed into your skin cells before entering your blood circulation; they pass between skin cells before entering blood circulation; or are absorbed into glands and often retained and stored in those glands before being excreted out of the body (source).

This can either be good news or bad news - we do want the good guys to penetrate, like Vitamin C and E, while keeping the more harmful ingredients, like Retin-A, out.

It is impossible to put a figure on this absorption rate, and it is impossible to estimate how much ends up in our bloodstream. Every person is different, and every chemical is other; however,   it is always good to question what you put on your skin due to this uncertainty.

Making your hygiene and beauty products is more cost-effective, creates less waste because you can use and re-use your containers, and you know and control the ingredients you're putting on your body.

You can tackle this category in the same manner as the food and beverage category - use up what you have, and replace it when you run out. But honestly, it takes a long time for lotions are makeup to run out, so you can also do what I did - throw out one product a week and challenge yourself to make your own or find a safe alternative.

This is the most significant area of cost savings, and you can create high-quality and effective skincare and hygiene products without using questionable ingredients. Plus, safe and sustainable beauty products are all the rage! Trust me; I've built a business around it ;)

That being said, tackling this category is the most difficult and requires practice, patience and skill. Below are my favourite DIY recipes for homemade skincare and personal hygiene products.

If you're not interested in making it yourself, you can find my Modern Hippie Skin Care Products line  in the Modern Hippie Shop!

Personal Hygiene

Skin & Hair Care Basics

Some Other Articles to Inspire

Last but not least...

...and this is important.

A warning from a perfectionist: DON'T aims for perfection! NO ONE'S health and wellness regime is perfect 100% of the time. DO your best, given the time that your life allows.

If you decide that you hate DIY-ing your toothpaste, then don't! Find a company that fits your set of values and Buy It!)

Despise baking bread or don't have the time? Again, then don't make it. Instead, educate yourself on quality brands that use quality ingredients. Silver Hills Sprouted Grain Bread is a go-to in our house when I don't have time to make a batch of my own.

If you strive for perfection, you will give up and fail because it's simply not realistic - you're only human! Do your best and be kind to yourself. Celebrate your accomplishments - even the little ones!

I'm here for you, and I'm proud of you! If you have any questions along the way, comment below, and either myself or someone in my shoes will be happy to respond :)

Your Modern Hippie,

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