Our Slow Switch to Healthier Living (with 5 Kids in Tow)

Plastics and PFAS were some of the first things I started paying attention to when we began rethinking our home environment.

Plastic is everywhere—in our kitchens, bathrooms, and even baby gear—and it can leach microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals into our food, water, and skin. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that shed from containers, cutting boards, and fabrics. They don’t break down and are now found in our oceans, soil, drinking water—and even human tissue. That shocked me.

Then there’s PFAS—also called "forever chemicals" because they never degrade. They’re found in non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, takeout containers, diapers, and even dental floss. These chemicals are linked to hormone disruption, developmental issues, immune dysfunction, and more. Once I understood how common they are, I couldn’t unsee it. We started with little swaps.

When we had our first baby, I honestly didn’t know much about toxins, endocrine disruptors, or off-gassing anything. I just used whatever was easy, convenient, and available at the store. But as the years went by—and more babies joined our family—I started learning more, noticing more, and realizing: we can do better.

Our switch to a more natural, low-toxin lifestyle didn’t happen overnight. It was slow, intentional, and full of trial and error. But little by little, we made swaps that now feel second nature.

{This post contains affiliate Amazon links. That means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you choose to make a purchase through one of these links. I only recommend products I genuinely love, have personally used, or have thoroughly researched and would confidently use for my own family.}

Swaps in the Kitchen

Glass containers instead of plastic—because leftovers shouldn’t come with BPA. Plus, they don’t stain or smell.
Unbleached parchment paper & silicone baking mats—a cleaner, safer option than aluminum foil. (Amazon)
Stainless steel cups, straws & baking sheets—We’ve been through so many sippy cups and utensils that cracked, smelled weird, or didn’t last. These are the only ones that held up through all the toddlers. (Cups, straws, baking sheets)
Cloth napkins & towels—I’ve actually used these since childhood. We never had paper towels growing up. I just wash and reuse them.

Cooking with Cast Iron

One of my favorite swaps was ditching non-stick pans and embracing cast iron. At first, it felt intimidating—I had to learn how to season and care for it—but now I love it. It cooks evenly, adds a touch of iron to our meals, and once it’s seasoned, nothing sticks. (Amazon)

I use it to make everything from eggs to roasted veggies, and of course, our family favorites:

Fluffy Kefir Oladushki (Russian Pancakes)

Ingredients:

220 ml kefir (room temperature)
1 egg
60 g sugar
0.5 tsp baking soda
200 g flour

Instructions:

In a bowl, whisk everything together until smooth.
Let the batter rest for 10–15 minutes.
Heat a pan with a little oil over medium heat.
Fry spoonfuls of batter on both sides until golden and cooked through under the lid.

Serve warm with jam, honey, or sour cream!

Sourdough Oladushki (Naturally Fermented Pancakes)

Ingredients:

220 ml kefir (or milk)
1 egg
60 g sugar
150 g flour
100 g active sourdough starter (unfed or discard works fine)

Instructions:

Mix kefir, egg, sugar, and sourdough starter in a bowl.
Stir in flour to form a thick batter. Cover and let it ferment at room temp for 2–4 hours (or overnight in the fridge for more tang).
Cook spoonfuls in an oiled pan over medium heat until golden on both sides under the lid.

GreenPan Waffle Maker

I never thought I’d be so excited about a waffle maker… until we found the GreenPan one. With five kids, waffles are a regular thing in our house—weekend brunches, birthdays, even fun “breakfast for dinner” nights. But I always felt uneasy cooking on traditional waffle makers lined with Teflon or other nonstick coatings that release toxins (like PFAS and PFOA) at high heat.

The GreenPan waffle maker was a total game changer. It's made with a ceramic nonstick surface that’s PFAS-, PFOA-, lead-, and cadmium-free, and it performs just as well—if not better—than the toxic versions.

It is also perfect for our big family as it makes 4 waffles at a time. (Amazon)

Egg & Parmesan Cheese Waffles

A high-protein, low-carb, crispy — perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even a quick toddler snack!

Ingredients (makes 2 waffles):

2 eggs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated works best)
Optional: a pinch of black pepper, garlic powder, or Italian herbs for extra flavor

Cotton Sheets, Towels, and Underwear

We slowly swapped to organic cotton sheets for everyone. It sounds small, but when you’re sleeping 8+ hours on something, what it’s made of matters. I noticed fewer skin reactions and way better breathability.

I also switched to 100% organic cotton underwear and bras (Pact is my go-to)—because intimate fabrics shouldn’t come with synthetic chemicals. This brand has everything from dresses to workout pants to men's underwear. Look them up! (Amazon)

Wipes — Simple & Safe

We’ve tried a lot of baby wipes over the years, but WaterWipes are the best. They’re made with 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract—that’s it. No fragrance, no weird chemicals, no rash-causing additives. (Amazon)

Barefoot Shoes for the Whole Family

It started with our kids. I noticed their feet looked squished in regular shoes, and they always wanted to be barefoot anyway. That led me down the rabbit hole of foot health and natural movement, and we eventually switched to barefoot-style shoes.
They’re wider, more flexible, and let the feet develop naturally. Now my husband and I wear them too, and none of us are going back. (Amazon)

Look at the photo below where my kids are actually barefoot and wearing barefoot shoes.

DIY Cleaners & Simpler Living

Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with simple homemade products—because they’re cheaper, non-toxic, and honestly just work. One of my favorite crunchy swaps is making our own dishwasher detergent. Here’s our go-to blend:

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

Just mix it all up in a mason jar and use 1 tablespoon per load. Sparkling dishes, no chemicals, no plastic pods.

And for nearly everything else—laundry, hand soap, body wash — we use Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap. A little goes a long way, and one bottle replaces a dozen different products. I keep a big bottle in our laundry room and dilute it for different uses around the house. It’s safe, gentle, smells amazing, and makes low-tox living feel so simple. (Amazon)

Natural Skincare

When I started switching to natural products, deodorant was the hardest one to get right. Most natural options didn’t work—or worse, caused irritation. But after trying so many brands and DIY recipes, I finally found a simple, clean version that works for me and even for my husband.

DIY Deodorant Recipe

Here’s my go-to blend that we’ve used for years:

5 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp beeswax
3 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp arrowroot powder, cornstarch or tapioca starch
A few drops of tea tree, lavender, or lemon essential oil

Post-Pool Care: DIY 2-Ingredient Vitamin C Spray

Chlorine can irritate the skin, trigger eczema, and even affect breathing in those with allergies or asthma. After swimming, we always use this simple, natural neutralizing spray—it’s affordable, effective, and takes seconds to make.

½ tsp powdered Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
4 oz filtered water
Shake in a small spray bottle and spritz on skin after pool time. Gently pat dry. That’s it!

Vitamin C neutralizes chlorine and supports skin healing—safe even for babies.

DIY Lotion Bars — Simple, Moisturizing & Gift-Worthy

Lotion bars are one of my favorite ways to keep skin soft and nourished—especially during dry winters or after lots of handwashing. They're also a perfect gift for teachers, friends, postpartum mamas, or anyone who needs a little love.

What You’ll Need:

¼ cup oil of your choice (jojoba, almond, or fractionated coconut work beautifully)
¼ cup shea butter
¼ cup beeswax pastilles
30–40 drops essential oils (lavender, sweet orange, frankincense, or your favorite blend)

Optional: mango butter, cocoa butter, tallow, or vitamin E.

Instructions:

In a double boiler over low heat, melt the beeswax, shea butter, and oil until fully combined. If using cocoa or mango butter, add those now.
Remove from heat and stir in your essential oils.
Carefully pour into silicone molds or small tins.
Let cool for 1–2 hours until firm.
Pop out of molds and keep in a cool, dry place.

These bars melt with body heat and are perfect for elbows, heels, hands, or even pregnancy bellies. They're completely customizable and a beautiful, crunchy alternative to store-bought lotions full of synthetic fragrances.

I have a video on Instagram.

Clean Water

I’ve never used plain tap water for my babies—or for myself. From the beginning, I knew clean water was essential. We use Home Master® Reverse Osmosis System under our sink. It gives us the purest, safest water—free from fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, microplastics, and all the things I don’t want in our meals or bottles. (Amazon)

We also use a shower filter to reduce chlorine and protect skin and hair (especially for the kids).

Cold Plunges (Because I'm Russian)

Cold water therapy has always been a part of my life. Growing up in Russia, winter plunges were totally normal—and honestly, I loved them. Years later, I gifted my husband an ice bath tub, and now it’s part of our weekly rhythm.

It’s invigorating, immune-boosting, and such a mental reset. He was skeptical at first, but now we both use it regularly—sometimes even with the kids splashing around nearby! Texas heat is no joke!

Swapping Scented Candles

One of the biggest changes we made was saying goodbye to store-bought candles. I used to love the cozy scents of fall, but once I learned how harmful synthetic "fragrance" ingredients can be—especially for kids’ lungs and hormones—I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Instead, we started making our own candles at home. It quickly became one of our favorite fall projects with the kids. We use beeswax, add essential oils like orange, cinnamon, and clove, and pour them into little glass jars or silicone molds. They smell amazing and make the house feel warm without all the hidden toxins. It’s also a beautiful, screen-free activity we look forward to every season.

And when we’re not lighting candles, we use a diffuser with essential oils.

Herbal Tea the Old-Fashioned Way

I don’t use tea bags with added “flavoring” or hidden ingredients—especially those with “natural aromas” or essential oils sprayed on dried leaves. Instead, I grow my own herbs and make simple, real herbal tea from whole leaves and flowers. It’s the most nourishing, natural way to enjoy tea, and my kids love helping harvest and dry them too!

Some of my favorite herbs to grow and use:

Peppermint - cool, refreshing, and great for digestion.
Lemon Balm - uplifting, antiviral, and calming for the nervous system.
Chamomile – calming, soothing for digestion and sleep
Lemon Balm – antiviral, calming, uplifting for mood
Peppermint – digestion, focus, cooling
Catnip – gentle relaxant, safe for children
Fennel Seed – tummy troubles, colic, and gas
Yarrow – helps with fevers, colds, and wound healing
Mullein – supports lungs and respiratory system
Thyme – antimicrobial and excellent for coughs
Sage – antiviral, helps sore throats
Holy Basil (Tulsi) – adaptogen, stress support
Lavender – calming, supports sleep and mood
Calendula – skin healing, lymphatic support

Want to start with the best for your baby?
I’ve also put together The Ultimate Non-Toxic Baby Registry Guide—packed with safer swaps, product links, and personal favorites after raising four little ones (and now expecting our fifth!). If you're just beginning your toxin-free journey or building a baby registry, it's a great place to start.

If you have any questions, want to share your own favorite non-toxic swaps, or have a product suggestion, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment under this post or email me directly at lubacain@gmail.com.

This journey is all about learning and growing together.

Thanks for being here!

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