Ebook | Creating A Non-toxic Kitchen For Beginners

Hannah St. Julien

Content Writer
Copywriter
By creating "The Non-toxic Kitchen For Beginners: Simple Tips to Eliminate Chemicals, Clutter, & Chaos," this brand establishes itself as an authority in promoting healthy and sustainable living. This ebook showcases their expertise, builds trust with the audience, and positions them as a go-to resource for non-toxic kitchen solutions, enhancing their brand's reputation.

Creating A Non-toxic Kitchen For Beginners: Simple Tips to Eliminate Chemicals, Clutter, & Chaos

INTRODUCTION

I couldn’t be more excited to share with you this killer e-book filled with loads of actionable tips, tricks, and woo! These are my best simple practices and tips to fast forward your non-toxic journey by eliminating all the fluff and excess, and getting right down to the impactful changes headed your way. 
Although this might seem like a lot of information upfront, feel free to do this at anytime fast or slow, as a first step, or even as maintenance throughout the year when things are starting to feel cluttered and stagnant. 
Remember: The first step is the hardest, but here you are making it all happen! 
Notice your intuition and passionate drive to create change for your soul and own that power. 
You. Go. Girl. 

CHAPTER 1: CLEAN SLATE

Set Your Intentions 

A huge part of the detox process is cultivating a mindset and having a strong ‘why’ to keep pushing you through the blocks you may encounter while going through the process. 
Ex: I want more free time with my family so I choose to own less, meaning I have less to maintain and can spend more intentional time with them. OR My anxiety is getting overwhelming and I want a functional space where I can decompress fully and have some self-care and spend more time on what you are passionate about. 
It might be more time, freedom, money, self-care, sustainability, knowledge, etc. 
If you keep your ‘why’ at the forefront, you will be able to move through this with less tension and more ease. Having a goal to work towards will push you to the finish line. 

Eliminate The Tech

So hate to break it to you but one of the first ‘rules’ I have when detoxing and creating an intentional space is to do it without any technology on. Aka get off Instagram, Pinterest, and no Netflix on in the background so you can truly get involved mentally and energetically in the process. It might sound woo, but a huge part of how successful you will be in maintaining your results is within your intention and energy of how you go about working through the steps. 
So while you might think you’ll be able to be fully present while scrolling on your phone and watching TV, and listening to music all while trying to cleanse and create a sanctuary… I don’t buy it. 
Use this time as an excuse to recharge and set some boundaries, because after all this is all for the benefit of you and the dreams you’re working towards. 
You might find your mind drifting out of the moment or being pulled towards your phone- notice this habit- then let it go and pull yourself back into the task at hand. 
At first, it might feel alarming how often just out of habit you are pulled elsewhere.
The energy around you will feel so much lighter if you are not being pulled in 20 different directions mentally or physically. 
One more rule with tech Try not to use your phone after the sun goes down, not quite kitchen related but I’m serious… Your eyes, your sleep, and your mind will thank you for it. 
It’s not long- I promise you’ll feel better for it, and there is no better time to start new habits than when you already have so much momentum to grow pushing you forward. 

CHAPTER 2: DETOX 

Detox

The first thing we are going to do is ditch all of the chemicals looming in your kitchen and create some natural and just as effective cleaning alternatives. 
You’ll want to have these recipes year-round for daily/weekly maintenance, it's way cheaper, so easy, and not harming the planet …YAS.
Most chemicals used in the kitchen are intense endocrine disruptors and are doing WAY more harm than good. Do yourself, your family, and mother earth a favor and become a kitchen goddess alchemist by making your own non-toxic potions. 
So pull out everything you would use to clean the kitchen… 
Use your best judgment here, if there are warnings about safety on the label, it smells like it’s unsafe to be around, or has 400 chemicals listed in the ingredients. Toss it ASAP.
(Insert graphic of common cleaning products someone can replace)

CHAPTER 3: CREATING YOUR NEW ESSENTIALS

Gather Your Supplies 

Most of these items you’ll likely already have at home but if you don’t, no big deal! 
All of these items are super inexpensive and can be found at most grocery stores. However don’t let this stop you if don’t have what you need right away, keep your momentum going and just come back to the cleaning recipes ASAP! Stop paying for poison and get yourself some cleaning supplies that aren’t harmful to you or your environment!
White Vinegar 
Lemons 
Baking Soda
Castile Soap 
Isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol) 
Essential Oils (Optional)
Hydrogen Peroxide

Create Your Non-toxic Cleaners (All-purpose, Disinfectant, Scrub, Glass):

Keep in mind you’ll want to use glass here if you plan on adding essential oils here because some can eat through plastic, but use what you have and skip the essential oils if you are repurposing a plastic bottle. 
All-purpose/Glass Cleaner- Vinegar & Lemon
2 cups of warm water
¼ cup vinegar
1 tsp. vegetable-based dish liquid (I use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap)
The juice of ½ small lemon
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle
NOTE * Do NOT use vinegar on stone surfaces such as granite or marble floors, it will cause etching. Do NOT use vinegar on wax surfaces, cast iron, or aluminum. It is also advised NOT to use vinegar on your smartphone or laptop screens because it will strip the coating that prevents fingerprints and smudges.
Granite or Stone Countertops- 
1/4 cup Isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol)
3-5 drops Castile soap (or any dish soap)
5-10 drops Essential Oils (optional)
1 1/2 cups distilled water
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle
Natural Disinfectant- 
Hydrogen Peroxide (that’s it!) 
Hydrogen Peroxide must be used after a surface is already wiped down to be most effective and left to do its job before wiping down. You can always just spray and let it dry on its own as well! 
Peroxide does have the ability to lighten fabrics and surfaces, though it’s nowhere near as strong as bleach. Use caution if spraying it on or around fabrics, upholstery, or anywhere that could accidentally be “bleached” in the process. If you’re worried about a specific surface, just do a spot test first.
*NOTE Peroxide must be stored in a dark, opaque bottle (like the one it came in!) because it breaks down and loses its effectiveness when exposed to light. You can also try screwing a spray bottle top directly onto your peroxide bottle
Scrub- Sink/Tile/Floors
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
5-10 drops essential oils (optional)
Mix all ingredients and store in a container
I store mine in a mason jar, but any container will work! 
If you are afraid the salt will scratch your surfaces, do a spot test first. I use this in my stainless steel sink, and it works wonders!

CHAPTER 4: ACTION

You will be taking my Chemical, Clutter, & Chaos criteria through each of the following areas of your kitchen: 
Food
Things You Eat With 
Things You Cook With
Misc. (Junk Drawer, Mail Pile, Etc.)

Chemicals

Here are some basics for cutting out chemicals in the kitchen. Apply all of these rules to each of the 4 sections of your kitchen one at a time. 
Cut as much plastic from your kitchen space as possible. Especially in areas that are in contact with food! Aka Shrink wrap, single-use snack bags, leftover containers, plastic bags used for produce, and cutting boards. No need to throw them away, just repurpose them around your house not around food!
Even “safe” plastics used in the kitchen are usually single-use and will leach when exposed to heat so do not reuse things like water bottles. Just stick to wood or glass. 
Here are the basics with plastic: 
The safest plastic to use and reuse is number 5 (PP).
1 (PET), 2 (PE-HD), & 4 (PE-LD) are generally safe but have issues with toxicity and limited shelf life. 
Avoid 3(PVC), 6 (PS), and 7 (O). 
The best rule for kitchen utensils that are “eco-friendly” is that wood is good. Untreated or coated is best, and is much more durable than plastic alternatives without the nasty chemicals. 
I’m pretty no-nonsense about this. Get rid of your non-stick pans. Non-stick pans are coated with a chemical called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) aka Teflon which is used in everything from paint to razors. At high temps, it is known to release fumes and particles into the air. The EWG says that at 680ºF using a regular electric stove released at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and a chemical that is known to be lethal to humans. (!!!) Even at lower temps- 464ºF-, the EWG found that toxic particles were released. 
Always use your non-toxic cleaners in the kitchen.
Continue to toss and dispose of any toxic or harmful products that you might come across as you move through your kitchen. You might find you forgot about the disinfectant wipes next to the cereal, old expired batteries in the junk drawer, or seemingly the apples in the bottom of the fruit bin, etc. 
The point is to take this system through each area of your kitchen one by one and not try to revamp it all in one go and not stifle or overwhelm yourself. This way you’ll be able to see your progress as you move forward. Little wins and immediate gratification do wonders for momentum! 

Clutter

Apply all of these rules to each of the 4 sections of your kitchen one at a time.
When it comes to clutter you must be diligent and not let your ego step in the way of making progress. Your mind will tell you whatever reason you need to hear and or justify why you might need to hold onto something that is no longer serving you. Keep your ‘why’ you established earlier at the forefront and keep working towards the life you are building for yourself. 
Because we are in the kitchen what feels like 24/7 the goal here should be ease of cleaning. Every item should have a home that is not on the counter or cluttering up any surfaces, for ease of wiping down, disinfecting, and a more welcoming energy.  
Declutter by category not by area. Aka All cutlery at once, all linens, all spices, etc. Gather everything in each category and only keep what meets all of the following criteria. 
Do you love it or think it is beautiful? 
Not expired or gone off. 
Useful. 
Not a duplicate or you have something that already serves its purpose. (Twelve different cheese graters, a food processor, a blender… you get it) 
Less isn’t always best in the kitchen and there is no defined set of “minimal” tools in the kitchen because it is different for everyone. 
Stacking is your best friend; don’t be afraid to put items inside of others like little Russian dolls. Just make sure you aren’t overwhelming the space by separating lids from bases and storing them separately but within the same space. 
Store your food by category. (Spices, Cans, Pasta, etc.) 
Store appliances by function. (Mixers, Cooking, Toasters, etc.)
Labels are everything! They make shopping lists easier and take the confusion out of clutter because everything has a designated home.
The trick here is…you will intuitively feel if the space still feels overwhelming or like there is no room to breathe after removing what you think is “enough”. The amount of stuff will be dependent on who’s cooking and their habits. EX: They are a baking aficionado, parent of lots of kids, or simply never use the kitchen at all, etc.
So while there are no set criteria on how much you’ll need to get rid of to feel better, a good rule of thumb is leaving yourself some room to grow and not filling up every single space to max capacity. Energetically, physically, mentally, and inevitably come the holiday season when you’re gifted more weird kitchen tools, you’ll be happy you’ve got some space. 

Chaos

Apply all of these rules to each of the 4 sections of your kitchen one at a time.
Eliminate the need for visual overwhelm by organizing things in a way where you can see everything on a shelf, in a drawer, or on a cupboard with a quick glance. Do this by grouping like items and stand anything up that can be stored upright. 
Move stagnant energy from your kitchen by doing a deep non-toxic clean first then maintain the good energy by constantly letting fresh air into the space. Deep clean as needed. 
Always go to bed with a clean kitchen. Cleanliness is so important because it is a space that is constantly being used 24/7. To fall behind is very easy, but maintenance with a little effort is crucial.  
When your kitchen is chemical, clutter, and chaos-free the energy will be more inviting, light, and calm. I’m serious when I say your food will taste better because the energy will shift from a chaotic space to a space that invokes love and happiness into your food. 
You do not need to make decorations or flair minimal in a kitchen- just make sure they bring you so much joy. 
Get as much off the counters as possible- nothing feels more clean and inviting than a counter that is clear and ready to be used for cooking. 
Focus on your fridge; let this set the tone for everything else! When your fridge is out of whack, usually this seeps out to the rest of the kitchen. 
Creating a functional kitchen will help keep up and set better habits. Just like a clean organized fridge will help make healthy eating easier, a clean non-toxic kitchen can help you take the next step into a zero-waste kitchen with so much more ease. 

CHAPTER 5: FINISHING TOUCHES

In conclusion, The Non-toxic Kitchen: Simple Tips to Eliminate Chemicals, Clutter, & Chaos is your ultimate guide to transforming your kitchen into a healthy and harmonious space. By implementing the simple yet effective tips and strategies presented in this ebook, you can create a non-toxic haven that nourishes your body, supports your well-being, and promotes sustainability.
Throughout this journey, we have explored the dangers of chemical-laden products commonly found in our kitchens and the detrimental effects they can have on our health and the environment. We have debunked myths, uncovered hidden toxins, and armed you with the knowledge needed to make informed choices.
By adopting a minimalist approach, decluttering your kitchen, and embracing natural alternatives, you will not only create a serene environment but also save time, money, and resources. From swapping out harmful cleaning products for eco-friendly options to opting for organic and locally sourced ingredients, you have the power to make a positive impact on your health and the planet.
Remember, this is not just a one-time endeavor; it is a lifestyle change. Embrace the journey and be patient with yourself as you gradually transition to a non-toxic kitchen. Small steps can lead to significant results, and every choice you make contributes to a healthier future.
As you embark on your non-toxic kitchen adventure, always keep in mind that simplicity, mindfulness, and conscious decision-making are key. With the knowledge and tools provided in this ebook, you are equipped to take control of your kitchen environment and create a space that promotes wellness, nourishment, and joy.
Thank you for joining us on this transformative journey toward a non-toxic kitchen. Here's to a healthier, happier, and more sustainable future!
(INSERT CALL TO ACTION AND LINK SOCIAL PROFILES)
SUGGESTIONS: 
Create a link to non-toxic products for clients and include them at the end of the book. (Great opportunity for affiliate if applicable)
Canva is a great tool for graphics if you’re tech-savvy. Fivver is my go-to paid site for creating simple graphics quickly
Etsy also sells great plug-and-play ebook templates to keep branding cohesive at a fraction of the price of getting one custom. 
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