Holistic Health: More Than Just Medicine
When I was attending medical school in Brazil, I quickly realized something that no textbook had prepared me for: people are complex—not just biologically, but culturally, emotionally, and spiritually. Defining a treatment plan wasn’t just about diagnosing a condition. It was about understanding a person’s world.
Brazil is a country shaped by layers—Indigenous wisdom, European influence, African heritage, and generations of immigration. This beautiful blend of cultures creates a rich diversity of beliefs and traditions that shape how people live, eat, love, connect with nature, and take care of their health.
Some families pray before meals. Others honor elders at the table. Many still believe in the healing power of river baths, herbs, and ancestral remedies—while also embracing new technology and modern treatments. Self-care, in Brazil, often means both: a grandmother's tea and a pharmacist’s pill. A ritual and a routine.
That’s why the idea of holistic health makes so much sense to me.
Holistic health is more than a wellness trend—it’s a way of seeing people as whole. The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines it as an approach that “considers the whole person and how they interact with their environment,” emphasizing the connection between body, mind, and spirit.
It also recognizes that wellness isn’t one-dimensional. True health touches every part of our lives—our thoughts, our relationships, our spiritual lives, and how we manage stress, pain, and joy. As the University of Western States explains, it’s about honoring all the dimensions of wellness: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.
And yes, it still values science and medicine. But it also asks deeper questions. Why do some people stay sick even with treatment? Why do others feel better when they change not just what they take, but how they live? According to the Mayo Clinic, holistic care focuses on “treating the underlying causes of disease,” combining traditional care with supportive therapies like nutrition, mindfulness, and movement.
Culture, family, and spirituality all play a role in how people define health. In some households, a health crisis means reaching out to God first. In others, it’s about handling the physical pain before facing the emotions. Some people need silence and space. Others need music, touch, conversation, and connection.
There’s no single way to be well. And that’s exactly the point.
In this blog, we’ll explore what holistic health really means—not in abstract terms, but in the everyday lives of real people. Because if we want to support true healing, we have to see the full picture.
Why I Became Obsessed with Reading Labels (And Why You Might Want To, Too)
I remember it like it was yesterday. As a kid, I was always curious about what was inside the things I loved—whether it was the ingredients in cookies, the little chocolate milk bottles, or even the shampoo in the shower. I’d read labels, scan for fragrance names, and wonder what all those complicated words meant.
That curiosity never left me. In fact, it only grew. These days, I wouldn't even be surprised if someone called me weird for how obsessed I am with checking ingredients. I question every unnecessary addition to our food, cosmetics, cleaning products—you name it. Honestly, I inspect labels like a dog sniffing the ground for something suspicious. (Okay, maybe I’m joking… but not really!)
My latest focus is food—especially because of my kids. But I’m not one to buy junk for myself either. I also keep an eye on what's in wine and mixers. My rule is simple: if I don’t know what an ingredient is, I don’t buy it, I don’t eat it—and neither do my kids. (Husbands get a little more freedom, I suppose.)
After every grocery trip, I soak all our produce in a baking soda solution to help reduce pesticide exposure. I don’t use synthetic sprays to make the house smell good. Those “fresh scents” are often loaded with endocrine-disrupting chemicals—and knowing that, I just can’t justify exposing my family to them. It might be impossible to avoid everything harmful, but minimizing exposure makes a big difference.
Here’s a tip: if you already have something potentially toxic at home, store it somewhere out of reach so you're not tempted to use it. And if you do, open your windows! It’s shocking how quickly our homes can become polluted with everyday products.
When I had my first baby, I started worrying about endocrine disruptors—but I didn’t have much information back then. Years later, I discovered the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and I’ve been hooked ever since. They work to inform people, companies, and even policymakers about harmful chemicals and environmental toxins. (If you’re pregnant or planning to be, check out this EWG guide—it’s full of helpful tips!)
My personal health journey—dealing with hypothyroidism and a history of infertility—sparked a deeper interest in holistic healing. I’ve learned so much from people who turned their lives around through detoxing and mindful living. Some of them are professionals—doctors, herbalists, nurses—and others are just everyday people who decided to take their health into their own hands.
Whether you have a diagnosis or just unexplained symptoms, one thing is certain: healing requires change. That might mean shifting your habits, your routines, and your mindset. For me, healing also includes reconnecting with God and with Nature—grounding myself spiritually whenever I feel lost, whether it’s health-related or something else like finances, relationships, or self-worth.
Once you learn how many toxins surround us—in the air, water, food, skincare, and even our furniture—it’s hard to ignore. But knowledge gives us power. The more we learn, the more mindful we can be about our choices. That’s why I encourage you to spend some time on the EWG website. The resources there are eye-opening.
Lately, I’ve been researching BPA, phthalates, parabens—and even synthetic fabrics like polyester. I recently discovered that many pieces of furniture, especially pressed wood, come with scary warnings. We bought a dining table recently, and I was shocked to find a label saying it contains wood dust that may cause cancer. What?! Why wasn’t that made clear at the store? I swear, I wouldn’t have bought it if I had known.
So yes, we need to pay attention—to everything. So that's why I'm sharing what I’ve done to minimize exposure in our home—I feel it deeply. This isn’t about being perfect or living in fear. It’s about making informed choices, one step at a time, and doing what’s within our reach to protect the people we love.
From swapping out chemical-filled cleaners to choosing safer personal care products and being more mindful of what we bring into our kitchen, these small changes really do add up. It’s not about throwing everything out overnight, but about building awareness—and acting on it when we can.
More than just housekeepers, we are homemakers—and that’s something truly amazing. We have the power to shape our little community, called family, into a safe, nurturing space. A home that feels like a sanctuary, where everyone can thrive, grow, and reach their full potential in life.
Let’s keep walking this path together—one intentional choice at a time.
Stay connected for more simple tips and real-life ways to care for your home and your loved ones in healthier, more mindful ways.
Simple swaps, mindful choices, and everyday habits to reduce toxins and protect what matters most.
How to Choose the Best Products for Your Home, Family, and Yourself
When it comes to creating a healthier environment at home, curiosity is essential. We have to question everything—every ingredient, every label, every purchase—if we want to live a less toxic life and begin to purify not only our environment but ourselves.
One of the very first products that became a staple in my low-tox routine was Castile soap. Honestly, I fell in love with it just by reading the label. What caught my attention wasn’t only the ingredients—it was the message. The brand shared a few words about depression and emotional wellness, reminding readers that detox isn't just about the physical body—it’s about the mind and soul too.
Understanding how toxins can affect our mental health can be a real turning point. That label made me pause and reflect, and it confirmed I was on the right path.
But beyond the message, Castile soap is a powerhouse of safe, multi-purpose cleaning. I use the suggested dilution for all-purpose cleaning and apply it to nearly every surface in my home—kitchen counters, bathroom tiles, toys, you name it.
One of the best parts? It lasts forever. Because you dilute it for different uses, a single bottle can stretch for months—sometimes even years—depending on how often you use it. It’s an investment that saves money in the long run while keeping toxic, overpriced products out of your cart and out of your home.
This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through the link, I may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I truly believe in and have personally benefited from.
