The Quiet Shift: Our Journey Back to Natural Living
- Sarina Mesfin
- Jan 26
- 5 min read
Hello Beautiful Souls,
Lately, I have been thinking about how we are currently living in a world where we are facing and listening to a lot of alarming health statistics - rising cancers, neurological conditions and autoimmune disorders, which sometimes make us feel powerless.
Research tells us that microplastics don’t just pollute our oceans, they are circulating in our blood, chemicals aren’t just "out there," they're in our homes, in our water, in our food.
So, I reached a turning point, not with panic, but with purpose. I realized that while we can't control everything about our environment, we can consciously try to shape the small world of our home. If this modern life has introduced complexity, maybe our homes can return to simplicity. So, in our family, we began a slow, intentional shift away from plastic and chemical-filled items toward things that are pure, timeless, and true. This is the story of our quiet shift.
Our journey began with a simple question: What if every swap toward natural materials was a small act of reclaiming our health?
Here are the thoughtful changes we’ve integrated, each one chosen not just for function, but for the peace of mind it brings.
The Heart of the Home: Our Kitchen’s Transformation
1. The First Move: Kitchen Renaissance
My first and most significant change was in our cookware. We said goodbye to non-stick coatings and aluminum pots. In their place, we bought a curated collection of stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, and glass from IKEA. Our food tastes cleaner, and we cook with the confidence that nothing unwanted is changing from pan to plate.
2. The Kettle: Clear Intentions
Replacing our plastic electric kettle with a sleek glass kettle (from Amazon) felt great. Now we watch water boiling with transparency. No more wondering about what might be leaching into our morning coffee or tea.
3. The Cutting Board: Cutting to the Grain
Our plastic cutting boards were swapped for a wooden board (from IKEA), designed with two sides - which we use one for the fruits and vegetables, the other for meats. Wood is naturally antimicrobial and is kinder to knife blades.
The Everyday Details: Glass & Clarity
4. The Glass Jars: Spice Up Your Life (The Clear Way)
Then we turned our attention to the small things we had at home. We replaced every mismatched plastic spice container with a uniform set of 24 glass spice jars from Amazon and IKEA. Then, to give a place for our most-used oils and vinegars, we chose a beautiful glass bottle with a classic stopper from IKEA. Seeing our ingredients clearly, without labels or plastic barriers, makes cooking feel more connected and intentional.
5. The Table Setting: Through the Looking Glassware
Our drinking glasses even got an upgrade. We chose a set of six perfectly clear drinking glasses from IKEA - simple, classic, and free from any coatings or colors. For serving water at the table, an elegant glass carafe with a stopper (also from IKEA) completes the look.
The Bathroom: Curating a Sanctuary
6. The Shower: The Filtered Finish
Understanding that our skin is our largest organ, we decided to turn our attention to our daily shower. We installed a water filter system - the Blu NMC cartridge and shower head (from Amazon). Every few months, we change the cartridge – making sure our showers are free from chlorine and impurities. The difference in our skin and hair is softer, less irritated skin, and we have wellness delivered drop by drop.
The Atmosphere: Clearing the Air We Breathe
7. The Candles: Light My (Soy) Fire
We also changed products that affect the very air we breathe. We replaced standard paraffin candles with clean-burning soy candles (we love the selection from Bath & Body Works for their variety and clean burn). The difference is a cleaner, longer-lasting flame without the heavy smoke or suspicious fumes. The ambiance now feels healthier, not perfumed with chemicals.
8. The Spray: Scent-sible Solutions
For freshening our home, we swapped conventional aerosol sprays for a plant-based odor removing spray called Fresh Wave Lavender (found on Amazon). It works wonders on everything from kitchen smells to weird odors, using natural enzymes and essential oils instead of masking scents with synthetic chemicals. It’s a breath of fresh air, literally.
What’s Next? Our Ongoing Journey
Our next phase is in process, is to slowly replace our food storage with glass containers - where leftovers won’t hold stains or smells, only freshness and getting wooden, stainless steel and bamboo utensils to finally stop the using our remaining plastic tools.
A Philosophy of Quiet Change
Our journey hasn’t been an overnight change or perfection. It has been a philosophy of mindful replacement – choosing better, healthier alternatives when the time is right. It’s about building a home filled with materials that are timeless and true.
We chose the materials that will last, that feels clean, that brings a sense of calm to our hands and our home. This created a living space that feels lighter and safer.
So, are you ready to begin your first swap?
We would love to hear about your own journeys.
Have you or your family made a similar swap that brought you better health?
Do you have a favorite brand for glass storage or cast iron?
What does 'natural living' mean in your daily life?
Let’s share and inspire each other towards homes that fulfill us, body and soul.
You can start with what you use the most – it can be your morning coffee cup, your cooking pan, your shower. The journey starts with a single intentional step.
Let me know if you’d like to help with any product recommendations or a specific guide on transitioning from non-stick to stainless steel or cast-iron cooking.
Love Always,
Sarina xx
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