During this holiday season become more conscious of the toxins in your environment. On a daily basis we are exposed unrelentingly and, for the most part, unknowingly to an array of toxic chemicals in our environment which negatively impact our health. These toxic chemicals have been identified by many scientific studies and observed in many clinical settings to be carcinogenic, toxic to the reproductive tract, and disruptive to our hormones. Many of these toxins are persistent in our environment and store up in our bodies!

The first thing that one can do to promote healthy living during the holiday season is to limit their exposure to these poisonous chemicals. Learn which commercial products contain the dangerous chemicals (foods, cleaning products, personal care products, plastics, etc). For example, 2-butoxyethanol, a chemical product found in specialty cleaners, which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, is linked to blood disorders, liver and kidney damage. One product sold in Canada that contains this is Easy Off Glass Cleaner. So when you are cleaning for your Christmas party find and use safer alternatives. For example, friendlier cleaning products are manufactured by companies such as Seventh Generation, Nature Clean and Ecover.

One can also start to protect themselves by eating an organic diet. Eat non-contaminated meats, such as those that are fed organic grass or wild meat that have not been treated with different growth hormones and antibiotics. Some of the chemicals in our food that pose health risks include preservatives, dyes, colorings, text risers, herbicides and pesticides. So when you are planning your appetizers for your Christmas party, become a label reader to avoid toxic foods.

Finally when you are making or packaging your appetizers, limit your use of plastics. Common house hold plastics contain phthalates or "plasticizers&" which act to make plastics soft (Saran Rap, Zip-lock bags). Many known phthalates cause liver and kidney cancer. They leak out when they come into contact with liquids and/or a when heated (especially in microwaves). So to reduce the exposure to these plastic toxins you are encouraged to use glass or heat resistant crock pots when storing, cooking and/or eating food.

There are many specific treatments to address the already accumulated toxic load in the body. One of the more common naturopathic ways of addressing toxic load is to participate in a detoxification program. This could include lifestyle modification, dietary modifications, various vitamins, botanicals and complex homeopathics.