Unnecessary products that the media tries to trick you into believing you need.

Companies often use marketing tactics to try and make you feel like you need a product to improve your life and create more convenience. The truth of the matter is, all of these things listed below, are really just scams to get you to spend more money on unnecessary material items. Of course you are free to spend your money how you please, but I do think it is important to be reminded that you don't have to spend unnecessary money to achieve the same results.

1. Dryer sheets and dryer balls. Static is usually a result of over-drying or using too hot of a temperature setting. Turn down the heat, reduce the dry time and you should be static free without the extra cost of dryer sheets and dryer balls.

2. All of the fancy sourdough bread tools. Forget the bannetons, bench and bowl scrapers, dutch ovens, dough whisks and bread lames. At a minimum, all you really need is a stainless steel or glass mixing bowl, a loaf pan (sandwich bread) or baking sheet/baking dish (boules), a spatula, knife and preferably a scale, but a measuring cup can work too. You can still make delicious and beautiful bread with minimal tools

3. Grounding sheets. Grounding through sleep can be done by simply sleeping on clean sheets, using essential oils in a pillow spray or taking an epsom salt bath before bed. Establishing a night time routine can be very beneficial for helping you become grounded before getting a good night of rest. If you absolutely must change your sheets, try organic cotton sheets or some hemp bedding!

4. Vitamin supplements. Most vitamin supplements are full of fillers, sugars, dyes and synthetic ingredients. Vitamin supplements often can contain a large variety of different vitamins and minerals that when taken together, cause each other to not absorb properly. A whole food diet is what our body needs, not gummies full of synthetic vitamins and minerals.

5. Facial sculpting tools. Although they can be cute and fun to use, your fingers are really all you need! I have used several sculpting tools myself, but my fingers will always be my favorite and most effective.

Next time you see a new trend, think to yourself, do I have something else at home that could do the same thing? Is it really worth the extra money when I have a product that can do the same thing? Will this product create more clutter or just be one more thing that I need to wash? Don't allow yourself to be a victim of overconsumption culture! Simplicity and minimalism is key for a balanced, low tox lifestyle.