Top Things I've Stopped Doing as an Integrative Health Practitioner

Since becoming an Integrative Health Practitioner, I have learned A LOT. There are many things that are considered "normal" to daily life, that are actually causing chaos in our bodies. Since learning these things, there are a lot of things that I NO LONGER DO. Let me be clear: this isn't about perfection, fear, or guilt. This is about awareness so you can make informed decisions for YOUR body and YOUR health.

Without further ado, the top things that I no longer do as an IHP are listed below:

Drink Tap or Bottled Water

With over 60 million Americans drinking tap water, and even more drinking out of bottles, do they actually know what is lurking, undetected to the eyes and nose, in that water supply?

On average, most tap water contains the following contaminants:

• Heavy metals

• Pesticides & weed killers

• Radioactive elements

• PFOAS (forever chemicals)

• Chlorine & Fluoride (thyroid disruptors)

• Trace pharmaceuticals

• Pathogens & parasites

Unfortunately, your Brita and fridge filters are not cutting it when it comes to these. You need at least a Reverse Osmosis or Distiller to remove these - but make sure to add back minerals! Plastic water bottles are no better, most contain the same chemicals, toxins and also have micro plastics & BPA - not to mention many bottled waters are actually just tap water with a label! Check your water report if you don't believe me!

Sleep 8 Hours a Day

Wait, what? To be technical, I now shoot for 7.5 or 9 hours instead of an even 8. But why?

The average sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes. When you force yourself to sleep exactly 8 hours, you're likely waking up mid-cycle, which leaves you groggy and unrested.

Instead, aim for 5 complete cycles (7.5 hours) or 6 complete cycles (9 hours).

This one change can literally transform your energy levels overnight.

Use Microwaves (especially with plastic)

Most Americans have a microwave in their homes, mine has since become a place for storage.

Here's why—studies have shown that microwaves actually strip nutrients from food, leaving them void of any nourishment. There is also the radiation aspect - while microwaves are "designed to contain the radiation they emit", my TriField radiation meter paints a MUCH different picture. If you store your food in plastic (I've since switched to glass storage) and heat that plastic in the microwave, it releases a wide variety of chemicals directly into your food - with health impacts ranging from hormone imbalances to cancer!

A simple fix — put your leftovers in a glass pyrex, set a mason jar ring at the bottom of a pan, pour in an inch of water, place the glass dish on the ring and bring the water to a low simmer with a lid on. Quick way to heat up the food without the need for a microwave!

Get Annual Pap Smears & Mammograms

For decades, we were told annual Pap smears and "preventable" Mammograms were non-negotiables. But the research tells a different story.

Over-screening actually leads to:

• Unnecessary false positives

• Painful, invasive follow-up procedures

• Anxiety and emotional distress

• Micro-trauma or scarring to the cervix or breasts

And here's the kicker: cancer rates aren't lower in countries that screen more often. In fact, evidence-based (less frequent) screening yields the same or even better outcomes. Alternatives to mammograms include QT Scans, Contrast-free MRI, Ultrasound & Thermography scans.

Work with your provider to determine what's right for YOUR risk factors—not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Use Wireless Headphones

We know that holding a cellphone to the head while talking or charging your phone next to your head (things I also no longer do) can emit radiation that penetrates through the skull and causes disruption in brain waves & cellular damage.

Wireless headphones are no different—especially for children who's skull and blood brain barrier are not even completely formed yet. Get those old school wired headphones, and put an EMF protector (discount code OHANAWELLNESS) on your devices, your brain will thank you!

Eat Peanut Butter

I know —my clients hate me when I tell them this one. Most people love the taste of peanut butter.

But peanuts are notoriously high in mycotoxins (mold toxins)—even organic varieties. For those of us who are mold-sensitive or dealing with systemic inflammation, this can be a hidden trigger.

My go-to swap? Raw organic almond or cashew butter. Still delicious, way cleaner.

Cook with Non-Stick Kitchen Items

Ahhh good ol' Teflon. This was the one thing I used to actually look for when buying pots and pans!! I mean, who wants their food to stick?

But—Teflon is loaded with harmful chemicals and heavy metals. And that one little scratch on your pan can release those chemicals at even higher amounts!! I have since switched to cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic and glass. This goes for things like your crock pot and air fryer too - opt for a stainless steel instant pot and glass air fryer instead!

Go to Bed Without Socks On

This might sound weird, and some people will automatically skip this one, but hear me out.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), keeping your feet warm supports almost all of the yin and yang meridians that start or end in the feet—including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, bladder, kidneys, and stomach.

Warm feet = better energy flow, digestion, detox, circulation, and even emotional balance.

Try it for a week and see how you feel!

Use Mouthwash

Most people don't know — Antibacterial mouthwash kills both harmful and beneficial bacteria in your oral microbiome. This creates a "rebound effect," allowing opportunistic pathogens to overgrow.

Many commercial mouthwashes are also:

• Highly acidic

• Alcohol-based

• Full of artificial dyes & chemicals

This combo can erode enamel, dry out oral tissues, stain teeth—and some ingredients have even been linked to cancer. Your mouth is your first line of gut defense. Protect that microbiome!

Use Fragranced Products

Synthetic (fake) fragrances are lurking everywhere. In your trash bags, in Febreeze air fresheners, in Glade plug-ins, incense sticks, fake essential oils, wax cubes, cleaning products, shampoo, deodorants, perfume/cologne, shaving cream, body lotion, cosmetics, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, candles, toilet fresheners — you get the idea.

The problem — these smells are actually chemicals derived from petroleum (yes, oil). These chemicals mimic estrogen and disrupt hormonal balance in both males and females. They can cause a litany of health issues, especially for those sensitive individuals.

The fix? Switch to real essential oil based fragrances instead! Plant Therapy is a great brand, easily accessible, and quality oil (not China-based fake oils) that you can diffuse into the air. Go for unscented products when you can't find essential oil ones. Low-tox fragrance-free cleaning chemicals, personal care products, low-tox candles, wool dryer balls.... there are swaps everywhere you look!

Give My Dog Flea or Tick Meds

I stopped this after my German Shorthair Pointer actually had a seizure after administering this medication. It happened TWICE, so I know it wasn't just a fluke. These medications are loaded with toxicants that pose serious health hazards—not just to pests, but to your pet.

Instead, I now use essential oil-based sprays and collars that naturally repel fleas and ticks when we go out for walks. If we go on a hike or to a tick-heavy place (he's a hunting dog) I also check him as soon as we get home and have a special tick removal tool on hand.

But this is what your vet isn't telling you: when you clean up your dog's internal terrain with quality diet and detox support, they become a less ideal host for pests in the first place.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride is antimicrobial—which means it damages the beneficial bacteria your oral microbiome needs to stay balanced.

It also:

• Competes with iodine (impairing thyroid function over time)

• Weakens bones with longterm exposure

• Causes permanent tooth spotting (fluorosis)

• Has been linked in studies to lowered IQ and neuro-developmental issues (yes, even to babies when pregnant women used it during gestation)

There are excellent fluoride-free options out there. Companies like RiseWell, Primal Life, Zebra, Davids, Dentalcidin, FYGG, Boka, etc. Easy swap.

Go Through Airport Scanners

I LOVE to travel. I think the world is way too big and beautiful to stay in one place for too long. So if you travel frequently like me, it can be a sneaky way to massively increase your EMF exposure—on top of what you're already getting from being on the flight itself. (Pro tip: sit towards the back of the plane and choose the aisle seat).

I got TSA PreCheck so I only go through a metal detector (far less radiation). Before that, I always "opted out" and requested a manual pat-down (even though TSA may have been annoyed by it).

Just tell the TSA worker you're "opting out." It takes maybe 5 extra minutes and is totally worth it. I also take Cellcore's ViRadChem binder (patient access code f5sm3NtA) before and after the flight, Glutathione and Vitamin C to help with oxidative stress, Aire's EMF pendants and Lamb's EMF protecting clothing!

Cook in Cast Iron (Daily)

Hear me out: cast iron isn't inherently bad. But if your serum iron or ferritin levels are already elevated (which I see sometimes in clients), cooking in cast iron everyday can push you over the edge and cause a lot of oxidative stress to the body.

Best approach is to monitor bloodwork regularly, know your numbers. During certain seasons, as local food supply changes, it's common to see iron creeping up. When this happens, switch to stainless steel, glass or ceramic instead!

Perfect example of how health is not a one-size-fits-all plan!

With all of that said, again, this post is about awareness, not judgement. It took me years to figure all of this out, and this absolutely was NOT an overnight shift in my lifestyle. You don't know what you don't know. It's all about educating yourself and making the choices that are right for you!

With love,

Brie