Our society has largely lost the wisdom of generations past. There is a lot to be learned from our grandparents' and great-grandparents' ways — so much, in fact, that it can literally save our lives.
1. Grow your own food.
Invest
some time and energy in growing your own food. Not only is there an
incredible sense of accomplishment and wonder in growing your own fruits
and veggies, but the quality control is unparalleled. You can ensure
that your crops aren't sprayed with pesticides and you can control the
types of seeds and transplants that you sow and grow.
Choose
heirloom varieties whenever possible. Whether you're living on a large
plot of land or in a tiny apartment, you can grow some of your own food.
Square foot gardening is an incredibly effective method to produce a
robust share of food in a small space.
2. Get back in the kitchen.
Nothing
beats a home-cooked meal. First off, the intention and love you put
into cooking for yourself and your loved ones is incredibly nourishing.
Secondly, if you prepare your own food, you can control what goes onto
your plate and into your body. You can make more empowered choices and
ensure that you are eating a whole foods, organic, non-genetically
modified diet.
3. Make your own cleaning products.
Say
goodbye to toxic household chemicals and cleaners and scrub your home
down with easy-to-make homemade products. Get comfortable using baking
soda, vinegar, lemon, castille soap, and essential oils for most of your
cleaning needs.
For a general household
cleaner and disinfectant mix a couple of drops of castille soap into 2
cups of hot water. Stir in 30 drops of lavender or tea tree oil- both of
which have antibacterial properties, and you have a great, all around
cleaning product. Pour into a spray bottle and use on all surfaces
except for glass.
4. Get some home remedies under your belt.
Many of us have been taught, or at least been exposed to, home remedies
that have been passed down from generation to generation. Well, there
is some serious wisdom in a lot of these teachings! Learn how to combat a
cold with garlic, ginger, and onions. Fight seasonal allergies with nasal saline rinses and green tea. Soothe a bug bite with lavender oil or a plantain poultice.
5. Don't discount the power of broth.
Broth
was the foundation of most foods a couple of generations ago. Learn how
to make your own homemade broth from scratch and consume it on a daily
basis. Make pot full of broth once and week and use it as the base for
your weekly cooking. You can use grass-fed animal bones (chicken, beef,
or fish) or vegetables for a mineral dense and incredibly nutritive
broth.
6. Ferment your own foods.
Almost
80% of your immune system exists in your gut, which contains about 100
trillion bacteria. Here’s some perspective – you have 10 times more gut
bacteria than the number of cells in your whole body!
The
gut also houses your body’s second nervous system- you have the same
amount of neurotransmitters in your gut as your brain.For optimal immune
and nervous system function, you need adequate friendly microflora
populating your gut. Consuming fermented food
on a regular basis can help rebalance and repopulate health-promoting
bacteria in your gut and redirect your body towards good health.
7. Find a tribe.
People who have close relationships
with others and maintain regular social commitments have a 50% lower
risk of death than those who live more isolated lives. Researchers have
found that “weak” social ties were more harmful to overall health than
heavy smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity. So, host that monthly
Pinterest party, start a knitting circle, or find a group of folks to
work-out with. Get connected with others and foster those relationships
throughout your life.
8. Spend time outside.
Go outdoors! Get some vitamin D
and give your eyes a break. Vitamin D is a powerhouse in the body- it
boosts your immunity and functions in hundreds of processes body wide.
And spending time outdoors is great for your over-stimulated eyes.
Your
pupils contract, similar to muscles, when looking at various distances -
simply by strolling around outdoors, your eyes have a chance to both
focus on the ground in front of you and the landscape around you, which
is great for our vision.
And finally, let's not
forget the benefits of simply being in nature. Run around the yard
with your pets or kids, read a book on a park bench, or take a stroll
around your neighborhood. Spend time in natural light and connect with
our beautiful planet.