Safe, chemical free basics

We are trained and conditioned to ignore the undeniable truths our bodies try to tell us.  However, as we came to learn...everything happens for a reason.

Lexi's body began showing signs of chemical intolerances from early childhood.  Some of the symptoms her body so generously gave us and which we tried to suppress for years included:

• Rashes (termed eczema) that became severe with time, covering her entire body
• Routine spikes of high fevers with no medical determination of cause
• Endless, sleepless nights of itching
• Nightmares and hallucinations
• Repetitive twitches (tics)
• Odd aversions to simple things such as a sock seam or an out of place toy
• Constant ear infections
• Continuous bouts of strep throat
• Chronic runny or stuffy nose
• Sour disposition
• Brain fog
• Lack of focus
• Puffy sunken, dark and wrinkled eyes (raccoon eyes)
• Hive outbreaks
• Swollen tingling lips

All of these combined made for an emotional and stressful family life.  As doctors; needles; potions; pills and bills piled up, we exhausted all avenues for medical direction from both traditional and non-traditional methods to no avail.

The pain my heart felt as Lexi suffered was like no other feeling I had ever experienced.  I was unaware that these symptoms were actually signs of the environmental chemical overload, which were taking a devastating toll on our daughter’s health.

I began dissecting the ingredients of everything my family used or came into contact with - hygiene and cleaning products, furnishings, and food.  From the smallest of things such as the toothbrush, to the paint on the walls, I discovered that harmful chemicals laced everything in my little girl’s life...everything in our lives.

The reality that cancer-causing chemicals and neurotoxins are common ingredients in so many products was hard for me to believe or comprehend.  How could this be?  Why is this being allowed?  Who is allowing it to happen?  I had many questions, but my main concern was gaining the knowledge I needed to make informed choices about the products I purchased.  The realization that Lexi had been exposed to so many poisons without our knowledge or consent was difficult to come to terms with.

I began taking measures that seemed drastic and extreme to those who knew us, as I systematically gutted our house from as many synthetic products as possible.  The transformation took a toll on our family in many ways, but the payoff was huge.  As hidden chemicals were discovered and eliminated, Lexi's symptoms dramatically improved with amazing results.

The process was difficult, basically changing everything that had shaped our lives and lifestyle for over 20 years.  My husband followed through with each and every change.  He was the one who appeared calm and level headed, as he tried to make sense of my findings.  He was the one trying his best to hold us together financially, while implementing and replacing just about everything in our home.  His support and love never wavered.

For Lexi, all these changes brought incredible relief to her body.  She no longer had to be drugged, wrapped in bandages, or packed in ice to fall asleep at night.  Her brain fog lifted and learning became accessible.  The terrifying "autistic ticks" disappered.  Although she is only nine and the innocent victim of this chemical onslaught,  Lexi will tell you that everything was worth it for the quality of life she has now, but we can never forget what she had to endure to get here.

Lexi is a survivor. Through agonizing dietary experiments and restrictions, a painful stuffed animal purge and limited contact with her dog Jingle Bells, her courage and tenacity were and are amazing.  We are grateful for everything she has taught us.

The support we received from teachers and friends as we implemented the critical changes needed to make our daughter well, were so much appreciated and a stark contrast to the painful conflict and doubt demonstrated by our closest family members.

It is interesting how things happen...and if you believe that everything happens for a reason, then the reason for our journey becomes very clear.  The lessons learned are invaluable; our perspective on what is important in life forever shifted, with a new-found appreciation for what Mother Nature has to offer.   As our journey continues, we hope to share our passion for creating awareness to the harmful effects of environmental toxins, so that other families may travel an easier path.