A Day in the Life of Toxins: The Hidden Chemicals You Encounter from Morning to Night
I’ve been wanting to write a post like this for a long time. I don’t think we talk about this enough or even realize it anymore. Everyday toxins. They are all around us. Sometimes hidden and unavoidable but sometimes in plain sight and controllable.
I believe that most of us a very aware that there are a lot of chemicals, toxins, pesticides in our environment but we often think that it’s just a little… the amounts are so miniscule, right?
What difference does it make?
Stick with me here. Read Megan’s story.
A Day in the Life of Megan: The Hidden Toxins
Megan stretched as the morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, feeling the cool sheets against her skin. She reached for her phone on the bedside table, checking her notifications while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The screen emitted its usual soft blue glow, and she knew the EMFs and blue light weren’t great for her health, especially at night. But it was her routine now. It’s just a little…
As she got up, Megan headed straight for the bathroom. Turning on the tap, she let the water run, waiting for it to warm up. She glanced at the showerhead. Chlorine in the water was always on her mind, but she'd gotten used to it. Stepping into the shower, she felt the warm water trickly down her skin, washing away the night but reminding her of the chemicals absorbed with each splash. It’s just a little…
After her shower, she reached for her skincare products. A little of this, a little of that—face serum, lotion, deodorant. She knew there were PEGs, parabens, and fragrance in her skincare, along with aluminum in her deodorant. But how else could she stay fresh all day? It’s just a little…
Heading to the kitchen, she grabbed a bowl of cereal and poured milk over it. The box boasted “heart-healthy,” but Megan knew the cereal contained BHT and BHA, both preservatives she’d read about online. With each spoonful, she wondered if she was doing her body a favor or adding to the list of toxins it had to handle. As she brushed her teeth afterward, the familiar minty taste of fluoride and SLS from her toothpaste lingered. She spit into the sink, knowing full well the water contained fluoride too. It’s just a little…
Before heading out, Megan slathered on her sunscreen, making sure her skin was well-protected. She couldn't help but think about the oxybenzone it contained, but wasn’t she supposed to protect herself from the sun? Dabbing on a bit of perfume and spraying her hair with hairspray, she caught herself wincing at the thought of the chemicals she was inhaling. It’s just a little…
She grabbed her keys and purse, noticing a receipt from her last grocery trip still tucked in the bag. BPA from the receipt paper—it was everywhere. Hormone-disrupting, skin-absorbing, and yet unavoidable. It’s just a little…
Megan decided to stop by Starbucks for her usual morning Caramel Macchiato. The disposable cup was a staple of her routine, but she knew the plastic lining inside could leak chemicals into her drink. Still, the caffeine boost was worth it. She didn’t want to think the amount of sugar in it. Sipping her drink, she headed to the office, dodging the morning traffic and inhaling a mix of auto exhaust. Her workday began as usual, with back-to-back meetings and constant phone use, exposing her to more EMFs and radiation throughout the day. It’s just a little…
Lunch was a quick grocery store run—grabbing pre-packed salad, some veggies, and a sandwich. She knew most of the produce had been sprayed with pesticides like glyphosate. Not to mention, the sandwich likely contained seed oils and hormone-filled meat. But she was in a rush, and it was convenient. It’s just a little…
Back at her desk, Megan reached for her over-the-counter headache meds, feeling a twinge behind her eyes. She popped a couple of pills, wondering what titanium dioxide might be doing to her body over time. Her fingers brushed the filling in one of her molars, and she shuddered at the thought of the mercury sitting in her mouth for years. It’s just a little…
Before she heads out, she puts on some of her favourite fragranced hand lotion and bright red lipstick. It always makes her feel better. But does it? She makes a mental note to look for a lipstick without parabens, artificial fragrances, synthetic dyes, petroleum and lead. Although it’s just a little…
After work, Megan headed to the salon for a root touch-up. As soon as she stepped through the door, the chemical scent of hair dye and fumes hit her. Sitting in the chair, she flipped through a magazine, knowing that the dye would penetrate her scalp, potentially affecting her lymphatic system and increasing the risk of lymphoma, even though the thought unnerved her. It’s just a little…
On her way home, Megan stopped at the grocery store for dinner ingredients. Walking the aisles, she noticed how nearly everything had seed oils, high-fructose corn syrup, or other additives. Even the organic vegetables she grabbed had likely been sprayed with pesticides. It’s just a little…
Once home, she wiped down her counters with her go-to cleaning spray and noticed the air was still thick with the smell of air freshener from earlier. She lit her favorite candle to mask the smell, ignoring the fragrancechemicals it released. It’s just a little…
Before preparing dinner, she put in a quick load of laundry with her favourite Summer Breeze scented laundry detergent. She emptied the dryer and inhaled the fresh scent from her new dryer sheets. Most likely filled with hormone disrupting chemicals but it’s just a little…
Dinner was a quick stir-fry in her non-stick pan, knowing it contained PFAS, but she hadn’t found a replacement she liked yet. She poured herself a glass of tap water, unfiltered, and thought about the fluorideagain. Dessert was a small treat, but it came wrapped in plastic. She couldn’t escape the microplastics that had likely seeped into her bottled water earlier that day too. It’s just a little…
As the night wore on, she reached for her skincare products once more, applying them mindlessly, despite the parabens and PEGs. She settled on the couch with a glass of wine, aware that alcohol wasn’t the best for her, but it had been a long day. She idly scratched the tattoo on her wrist, wondering about the ink's impact on her immune system. It’s just a little…
Finally, before bed, Megan took a moment to think about her DNA test results. She had learned recently that her body didn’t detoxify well, which only amplified her concerns about all the toxins she encountered throughout the day. Her naturopathic doctor mentioned her exposure to BPA, mercury, and formaldehydecould have long-term effects on her fertility and hormone balance. Even her period products weren’t safe, containing traces of arsenic and lead. But it’s just a tampon for five days per month. It’s just a little…
She also wanted to discuss her Copper IUD with her doctor next time she’s in to see her. She recently read an article about copper toxicity, and it made her think whether this could be something that caused her symptoms, she’s been dealing with for quite some time now. Although it’s just a little…
As she turned off the lights, Megan caught sight of the golf course outside her window, the rolling green lawns sprayed with pesticides. She let out a deep sigh. It felt overwhelming to think about all the ways her body was absorbing toxins, day in and day out, and how little control she had over some of it. It’s just a little… isn’t it?
But tomorrow was another day. And, maybe, she'd figure out a way to make it just a little bit cleaner.
The end.
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If you’re still with me, kudos to you and thank you. Now for the non-believers, this may seem a bit exaggerated and, of course, it may not all apply to you (have we moved on from air fresheners yet?) but this is also not even everything we are exposed to daily. I think you get the drift.
People think it’s just micro amounts in food, in skincare, in cleaning supplies, etc. and it won’t be so bad, but accumulation matters and if you look at the big picture, you will see that there are so many more toxins that you are exposed to in your everyday life.
Think about it. What does a day look like for you?
Now think about what these micro amounts do to your kids. Children are even more vulnerable to these toxins. They can absorb, retain, and be more affected by environmental toxins at much higher levels than adults.
And now you may say that “I did and ate all of this when I was a kid and I’m fine”. No, that’s not the answer. The food we eat now is not the same it used to be. The sheer amount of toxins we’re exposed to is not the same it used to be. Also, are you really fine?
Most chemicals are tested individually for safety, but little is known about how they interact in the body when combined, potentially creating unknown risks through cumulative or synergistic effects.
I don’t need to tell you what all these toxins do in your body, if you feel like you need to know more, please look it up. Do your own research.
And yes, several people will now say, but I don’t do this, and I don’t have this and I would never eat this etc. sure, but think about it and be aware of where your toxins come from. I can guarantee you that there are many sources throughout your day, when you really think about it and be honest with yourself.
Toxic load is real – and your body will tell you one way or the other.
Most people will not be able to tolerate it over time… key is to reduce your toxic exposure where and when you can. With many things, unfortunately, we are not able to control our exposure but a lot of times we can. Does it require some effort? Yes! It’s called self-care.
Are you worth it?
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If you want to chat more about reducing toxins, please send me a message to hello@cabbageandbeets.com.
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What are some of the toxins you’re exposed to every day? Tell me in the comments!