A total household cleanse
Mark Pavilons

While many of us engage in the spring cleaning ritual, how many have opted for a total, household exorcism?

My venture into the allnatural realm began a few months ago when I did some research on a column about aspartame. Fully disgusted with the substance and its harmful effects, I've never touched diet soda since (and never will again on a regular basis). Thank goodness beer doesn't contain the stuff!

While interesting from my perspective as a writer trying to pass on some wisdom, the exercise proved a bit draining. I have no idea how many of us have put ourselves in unnecessary danger, and what the longterm effects will be. This could be just the tip of the proverbial toxic brew iceberg.

I've been taking herbal supplements for more than a year now. Some antioxidants and fish oils now figure prominently in my regime. That, coupled with regular exercise have put me on the straight and narrow. The beer gods do call from time to time, but I've ignored their pleas lately.

I think most of us welcome any information and new-fangled ways to increase our lifespan and keep death at bay. Heck, I'd eat eel droppings if I thought they'd give me a brighter disposition and add a few extra years to my life.

We don't know how much of this actually works, or whether any of it will make us live longer, happier lives. As with many things in life, there is so much contradictory information it's difficult to make informed decisions. We're at our apex of information gathering, yet, we still have trouble separating fact from myth.

After our kids were seen by pediatricians and allergists, it seems both have unusual skin conditions. My neighbour believes all of today's allergies in children are caused by food or environmental factors. It's somewhat concerning from a parent's perspective. While not serious, we're at a loss to explain why young children these days are acquiring such ailments. In what seems like droves, we're all getting sicker and no one - from infants to seniors - is immune (pardon the obvious pun).

Part of the allergy exercise at home is trying to identify triggers by removing various foods, etc. Then there's the routine of creams, ointments, etc.

Along the way, Kim and I discovered some potentially life-changing truths. Almost everything we use in our homes - from toothpaste to dish soap to window cleaner - contains a multitude of chemical concoctions. This potentially harmful manmade soup could pack a tenfold punch. Add the really cool blue stuff from the window cleaner to the thick green stuff from the toilet cleaner, to the dancing colourful grains in the laundry detergent and poof - you've got a heck of a recipe. This mix of interesting ingredients undoubtedly makes for one fine witch's brew, but what is it doing to our lungs, skin and organs?

We can either stop bathing, cleaning and doing laundry or opt for a chemical free alternative.

Many are opting for a chemical-free way of life. There are always alternatives and options. Many manufacturers are offering all-natural products that do the job and won't make you sick along the way.

Kim and I looked into the Melaleuca line to get our

house in order. Our interest wasn't in starting a part-time business but just changing our lifestyle. This company offers everything from meal replacement bars and multivitamins to soap and deodorant, all containing that mighty wonder-extract, tea tree oil.

So far, so good. It will take some time to evaluate the effects of the vitamins and detergents, but I suppose we're on the right track. Yes, the initial changeover can be a bit costly, but if you consider you have to buy dryer sheets and tile cleaner anyway, why not go all-natural?

Until I found these products, I was under the assumption that multivitamins and supplements were all pretty much created equal. Not so, I'm told. Some supplements are made to be better absorbed by the body, so less is wasted. Some experts have argued that what many of us end up with after taking these supplements, is just very expensive pee. Hey, if that's the case, maybe I should package and market that!

Life is about change. It's also about licorice, chicken wings and sand between the toes. Perhaps, but using a new brand of shaving cream, I can watch a few more sunsets, and bounce an extra grandchild on my vitaminenriched knee one day!