What does it look like to live a “Natural Lifestyle”?
There are all kinds of different definitions for the word “natural”. Many foods are labeled “natural” in an attempt to appeal to the conscientious consumer. Corn growers pay for advertisements that say that High Fructose Corn Syrup is “natural”. Well, sure it is…in a loose sense of the word I suppose, but that doesn’t make it good for us. Shucks…arsenic is natural.
My own definition of living a “Natural Lifestyle” I suppose would be “getting back to the basics”. Whether we’re talking about food, family choices, in general taking care of ourselves…doesn’t it just sound refreshing to “get back to the basics”?
Here are five simple ways I’d like to suggest to live a more Natural Lifestyle:
1. Eat Real Food
Yes, you’re so surprised I listed this one aren’t you? Real food is best. Food in it’s natural form. Food that isn’t processed. Food that tastes so stinkin’ good you don’t know what to do with yourself!!! It’s amazing what food without chemicals tastes like!
Need a little help getting started? Here are some links to past series I’ve written about how I feed my family and about why I feel real food is best:
- How I Feed My Family
- Getting Real With Food
- Our Healthy Eating Journey
- Simple Steps Toward Healthy Eating (I’m still working on this series…stay tuned!)
2. Drink Water
I already wrote about how you should drink more water and told you about some healthy alternatives to soda and other not-so-good-for-you beverages. But really…one of the simplest (and cheapest!) ways for you to adopt a more natural lifestyle is to stop filling your body with icky beverages and just drink water.
3. Exercise
Yeah, and this advice is coming from me…the girl who doesn’t really like to exercise. Guess what though?! My husband and I have made it a point to exercise together three days a week for the past few weeks and I’m actually starting to like it! I’ve heard people say that once you start exercising regularly, you begin to crave it. I never believed them. Until now.
It’s really not as hard as you think, but exercising is just like anything else you need to be doing…YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO IT. I know, profound. The main idea is this: Do what you can to not be sedentary.
A side benefit of exercising: You’ll crave more water and more real foods. Yeah, somehow having a candy bar and soda after exercising feels a little silly. Water and fruit sounds much better.
4. Stay Home More
This may seem like a weird item for our Natural Lifestyle list…but it doesn’t get much simpler or more natural than this. Stay home more. You’ll save money, your vehicles will last longer…and joy of joys…you may not be so worn out all the time! I find that when I’m running from here to there and back again…I am completely exhausted AND behind on all the work I need to do at home. We don’t need THAT much outside “stuff”. When you’re home more…you’ll find you’ll be more rested and more relaxed…naturally.
5. Waste Less
The more natural your lifestyle, the less waste you’ll have. If you make your food from scratch, you’ll have a lot less packaging trash. If you serve smaller portions and make it a point to eat leftovers, you’ll throw away less food. If you don’t buy stuff you don’t need, you’ll waste a LOT less money. If you use cloth napkins and let your kids draw on used scratch paper, you’ll save a lot of trees. None of these things are hard. You just have to be a bit more intentional.
And then of course there are all kinds of other things I’d recommend as you work your way to a more Natural Lifestyle, like planting a garden, buying locally grown produce and other foods, getting good sleep and eating lots of chocolate.
Just kidding. Chocolate may be natural, but eating lots of it would be “The Simplest way to Gain Five Pounds”. That‘s another post for another day.
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Be sure to take the time to read these “Five Simple Ways” posts too! A big thanks to Toni at Happy Housewife for organizing this series!
Jen from Balancing Beauty and Bedlam: 5 Simple Ways to Dress Fabulously for Less
Melissa from A Familiar Path: 5 Simple Ways to Take Better Photos
Laura,
That’s a great list. I find that when you get “back to the basics” and “waste less” you also appreciate much more where food comes from which makes it much more enjoyable!
I love these tips, especially the one about staying home. I never thought about it that way before.
I just started exercising too. I’m still in the hate it stage…. but hopefully I’ll experience the love of exercising too!
Good luck, Toni! That “getting started” is the hardest part.
This makes it sound so simple! Thanks!
Thanks! Great post! Just what I needed to kick start my day and my January goals.
What a great list! I’ve been reading your blog for months now, but I think this is my first time commenting.
I never thought about “staying home more” as a way of living more simply and naturally, but you make an excellent point. We stay home much of the time and a lot of our friends and family don’t understand that choice, but you’ve given me a new perspective on how I can explain that! Thank you.
Very well written, and great tips.
If you need some more family friendly, natural recipes, just look up my new cookbook:
Love More Feed Less
A Tasty Path Toward Avoiding Childhood Obesity
I believe that you’ll like and savor the recipes within.
I LOVE your blog! I’ve grown a ton in my homemaking and mothering from the wisdom God has given you. Thank you for sharing! I’m excited to read the other simple ways and implement them.
God’s grace and peace to you sister in Christ!
~Heather
wow,, this is a very nice post, here written tips on how to live healthy, I am very interested to read this and writing in it really helped me a healthy lifestyle. thanks
I am not a blog follower, or even occasional reader, but when I found some recipes on your blog that I wanted to try, I found that I loved your blog. You cook the way I do, so your recipes give a good change to what I have been making for a while. All of these items on your list would be at the top of mine, and I would include on my own list learning the basics of natural remedies. I think we’d be good friends if we knew each other. ;) It seems we have lots in common, well, except you have 4 boys, and I have 4 girls. Thanks for all the great posts!
I just had to comment: what a novel idea to suggest staying home more! I totally agree with your reasoning. I love to be home myself, and now you’ve just given me another reason to say why!
My belief is that home is a haven from the outside world. Come home and recharge your batteries before you have to go back out there! If you’re home is not a haven, then changes need to be made …
By the way, I linked to your blog and shared your philosophy about staying home with my readers. I think everyone needs to hear what you have to say!
Several months ago I found your blog and started looking through your ideas and tips. It sounds great – but expensive. My husband and I are in ministry, have 3 children, live in the middle of Cincinnati and last year made a little under $13,000. Our grocery budget is $150/month. We do have an empty plot of land next to us that we use every inch of to plant a garden, few fruit trees and berry bushes. Do you know of any blogs/resources out there for people who don’t have unlimited resources to spend on insuring that their family is doing things as “naturally” as possible? I’m beginning to think I’d better start one myself! God has blessed us abundantly and I believe I’m doing fantastic with the resources I have (but I can’t pay $5.77/gallon for milk through the local herd share program). Thanks for your help – direction.
The joke at the end “The Simplest way to Gain Five Pounds” is hilarious. But in all seriousness, many need to take heed to your tips. Nuff respect.
One Love Peace.
This article is true and we have to especially watch out for the skincare products. Our largest organ is our skin and what we put on it goes directly INTO our bodies! The soaps in the grocery stores are really detergents! Not soap at all. This company makes handmade soaps that’s natural and they don’t use toxic chemicals. The soap is amazing! You can definitely tell the difference from store brand soap. http://www.SoulNourishingHomemade.com
This is a great way to get started! Unfortunately, it is true that one does need to be home more in order to make the time. But if it’s worth it to you and your family, then you will prioritize accordingly. Any natural stay-at-home-dads out there? I’d love to see some blogs from natural papas.