My Journey to Better Health – Back to Basics

Posted On March 28, 2026

It is easy to pour out for others and forget to take care of ourselves.  I am now at a place where I can take the time to find ways to better my own health. My children are grown and I am not taking care of parents. I would also like to be around to enjoy retirement and my future grandchildren.  I had a high blood pressure incident a while back that was a wake up call. I do not want to be on medications, so I told the doctor I would adjust my diet and do what I can to get it down. So far it is working.

I love to do research and I decided to share some things that I have discovered.

One of my greatest finds is … Barbara O’Neil – She is a lovely Christian woman who has quite the testimony and is now helping many people around the world heal with natural and alternative treatments. You can watch her many videos on Youtube which I do often.  She has written a book called “Sustain Me” that is a handbook of natural remedies which is so helpful. Barbara has a way of describing how your body works down to the cellular level that anyone can understand. I have learned a lot from her and love how God is using her today to help people.  Her official website is https://officialbarbaraoneill.com. I highly recommend her to help understand your body and how it can heal itself given the right conditions. I also think her material would make a great homeschool health course for high schoolers. One of the many things she recommends is to get chemicals out of your home.

So here are some ways I have found to do that…

Cleaning Supplies 

I have used Norwex for years and I like the fact you can clean with water and their products and I still use them. But I thought what did people use before we had all these products. I found that you can do a lot with vinegar, water, and bakings soda.  A spray bottle of vinegar and water will last a long time too.  For example …

Floors – vinegar and water

Windows and mirrors – vinegar and water

Pots and pans – baking soda and a dry paper towel to scrub stuck on messes

Fabric softener – vinegar

Bathroom counters and faucets- vinegar and water

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant.  The smell dissipates quickly.  I was spending money putting chemicals in my home, with ingredients I can’t even pronounce, when I did not need to. You save a lot of money by not buying products to support big companies.  Its time we save money and clean our homes naturally and with healthy ingredients that work just as well.

I also started using essential oil air fresheners if I want to freshen up a room. 

Perfumes, lotions, and shampoos 

Do you know what chemicals are in those products? I sure don’t know what they are.

So last Christmas, I asked for perfume that was made with essential oils.  My husband found some for me which I am so grateful for.  Now I feel comfortable wearing it knowing it doesn’t have chemicals that could affect my health.

There are mornings I wake up and look in the mirror and wonder who that person is. Yes, I am starting to look my age. lol  I have tried products to moisturize my face and reduce the fine lines. I discovered a product that I am starting to fall in love with. 

It is from Based Supplies and it is a tallow and honey balm for your skin.  It has four basic ingredients which are Grass fed beef tallow, cold pressed organic olive oil, organic bees wax, and organic raw honey.  It is not greasy and goes on smooth. I am Ioving the results! My face and skin look and feel better every day.  I also love their soap and have ordered their shampoo to try next. Their website is https://www.basedsupplies.com.

Clothing

I have discovered 100% organic clothing that is so comfortable. The product is from Pact.  Their site is https://wearpact.com. The clothes are durable and look good wash after wash.  Their shipping is fast and well packaged.  I am trying to wear less polyester and plastics against my skin.  I started with their undergarments and have moved to more of their tops and jackets slowly incorporating it into my wardrobe. 

Another Company that I have purchased from is All wear. Their website is https://allwear.com. I love their joggers. They have been very warm and comfortable this winter and also wash well. They don’t ship as fast sometimes but their products are worth the wait.  So if you are looking for Organic cotton or more healthy clothing for your everyday wear these are two companies I have tried and would recommend.

Food

As you may have heard Secretary Kennedy has turned the Food pyramid upside down and is recommending we eat more protein and real food in our diet.  I am so thankful he is doing what he can to get chemicals and pesticides out of our food. 

The Florida Health Department has also started initiatives to test what is in our food. Recently, they have found arsenic, mercury, and other toxins is some of the food they have tested such as breads, candy, and baby formula. To find out more you can go to https://www.floridahealth.gov/news to see the press releases on these studies.

I personally have tried to buy more organic whole foods where I can and reduced my cooking oils to mainly olive oil and butter. I hear beef tallow is good also, we just haven’t tried it yet for cooking. I have also changed my salt to Celtic salt as Barbara recommends to get more minerals in our food.  

Exercise

I have purchased a rebounder and some small weights as well as walk with my hubby for exercise. I am not as consistent as I should be but am trying to exercise more when I can.  Exercise is helpful in so many ways to get the heart pumping, oxygen, and blood flowing and strength training is good to keep our muscles and bones strong.

Sunshine

It is hard to get sunshine in the winter months so I make sure to take Vitamin D.  The rest of the year I try to lay outside 15 to 20 minutes per day to soak up the sun.  It feels so good, very relaxing, and is good for you to get your vitamin D. I feel recharged for the rest of the day when I get sunshine. I don’t use sunscreen anymore and the results from my dermatologist have been better since I have stopped using it.  If I am going to be in the sun for a long time, I put on more clothing to cover up.

Hydration

I have reduced my caffeine and soda intake substantially. I now make my own caffeine free chai tea to drink and drink mostly water or caffeine free teas.  This has helped a lot to reduce blood pressure so I highly recommend reducing your caffeine intake. Our body needs water replenished daily so stay hydrated.

Stress Relief

The best stress relief I have found is praying and trusting in our Creator. Our God knows what we need and will provide for them. He is a God that loves us so much. Read his word in the Bible and meditate on the scriptures that will help you each day. I have made it a goal to read the entire bible beginning to end. I am taking my time and learning a lot. I am in Psalms at the moment trying to absorb as much as I can.  

Also walking, listening to music, dancing, reading, writing, laughter, naps, a warm bath, gardening, and birdwatching are some ways to relieve stress.  Find what relieves you of stress and try to incorporate it in your routine. Reducing stress in your life is good for your health. Here is a couple posts I wrote earlier that might also help with this – Seven Ways to Refresh and Rejuvenate for Moms and One Way to Defeat Worry is to Pray.

Sleep

Try to get a good nights sleep.  We recently purchased a new mattress because I have been waking up with a back ache.  Afterwards, I got a good seven hours of sleep.  It is amazing what a good night sleep can do for your body and mind.  Sometimes, when we can’t sleep we will turn on the Bible app and listen to it.  It gives us peace and we can then go back to sleep.  So find out what works best for you to sleep well at night. It may be turning off your phones, a darker room, or a noise maker.  Your body will thank you. 

Disclaimer

I am not a physician or a neuropath. I am letting you know some things that have helped me and wanted to share them with you. Good health is important at any age.  Research it for yourself as well. A lot of it is going back to basics. I didn’t do all these things at once. It has been a gradual process. Hopefully, I have encouraged you by giving you some resources and simple things you can use to better your health.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1:2

God bless you and your families.

Cheryl