Gut Health & Simplifying Wellness for a Low-Tox Home — My Top 5 Tips
*Disclaimer
This is not medical advice—just what we do as a health-conscious, holistic family of five. I encourage you to do your own research and find what works best for your family’s needs.
"All disease begins in the gut." — Hippocrates
This quote has been around for thousands of years, and yet, modern science continues to confirm its truth. Our gut isn’t just responsible for digestion—it’s the foundation of our immune system, our mental health, and our body’s ability to manage inflammation.
For me, prioritizing gut health and reducing our toxic load isn’t just about feeling good day to day—it’s deeply personal. Losing my mom to breast cancer when I was just 15 shaped my perspective on health in ways I couldn’t fully understand at the time. And currently, watching my mother-in-law fight her own battle with cancer reinforced what I had already knew: our daily choices matter. What we eat, what we put on our skin, what we clean our homes with, how we reduce environmental stressors and our toxic load—it all plays a role in our overall wellness.
And while there are endless books, studies, and experts on the topic of gut health, I’ve found that keeping it simple is key to actually implementing these habits in a busy household. If you’re new to holistic health and completely overwhelmed on where to start, start here friend! Less is more, and don’t let information overwhelm prevent you from starting. Start small, start today.
Here’s what I focus on for our family:
Minimalist Tip:
Start small — Two basics: food and water. Switch to organic and filtered. Ditch the processed foods and refined sugar.
1. Nourishing, Whole, Organic Food
Food is either fueling health or feeding inflammation. I choose organic (bonus if it’s local), prioritize healthy fats like coconut oil, avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil this one is my hands down fave, grass-fed dairy, nuts, and focus on gut-loving foods like bone broth, fermented veggies, and probiotic-rich options. We keep processed foods, seed oils, and refined sugars to a minimum, knowing that what we put into our bodies is the first line of defense for our gut health.
2. Filtered Water
Hydration is non-negotiable, but quality matters. We use a reverse osmosis water filter to remove toxins (note: our tankless system isn’t perfect the one we have strips the water of 99% contaminants that can disrupt the gut bacteria and burden the body, but also removes the trace minerals which isn’t good). The Spruce did an excellent 2025 roundup of Reverse Osmosis filters based on 5 criteria and included the top 5 RO options. When considering a RO system make sure it has a remineralization step that puts the good for you trace minerals back into the water. Considering our bodies are made up of 60% water, drinking clean water is a simple, but powerful way to support overall wellness.
3. Juicing & Internal Support
Juicing is one of my favorite ways to flood our bodies with nutrients in an easy-to-digest form. We keep it simple—celery, cucumber, green apples, lime and ginger are staples. I also incorporate targeted supplements and Internals by Oliveda for gut support. My favorite supplements can be found here (use code: THEJOYFULMINIMALIST for 20% off your first month subscription) and internal support for overall immunity, gut and skin health here.
4. Non-Toxic Personal Care & Household Products
Our skin is our largest organ, and what we put on it gets absorbed into our bloodstream. A 2008 study conducted by the EWG found 16 hormone-altering cosmetics chemicals in teen girls tested. As a mama to a young daughter I know prevention is key and that’s one of the many reasons why I prioritize non-toxic goods for my family. What we put on our skin matters! We’ve swapped out conventional skincare, makeup, and cleaning products for non-toxic alternatives. The biggest offenders to steer clear of include parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde (terrible right?), fragrances, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, oxybenzone, and hydroquinone. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about making better choices where we can.
5. Opening the Windows & Fresh Air
One of the simplest (and free!) ways to detox our home is by letting fresh air circulate. According to the American Lung Association indoor air quality can be 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, thanks to off-gassing furniture, synthetic fragrances, and household cleaners. It’s become part of my morning routine drinking warm lemon water, opening the windows, and sunlight or red light on my face. A few minutes of open windows each day makes a big difference.
At the end of the day, wellness doesn’t have to be complicated.
While this is by no means my comprehensive wellness list, I wanted to share my top 5 tips to start your minimal wellness journey. It’s about small, consistent choices that support the body’s natural ability to heal and thrive. My goal is never perfection—just progress, one step at a time. And if I can create a healthier home for my kids, one that supports their gut health and minimizes unnecessary toxins, I know I’m honoring both my mom’s and my mother-in-law’s legacies in the best way I can.
If you’re looking to simplify your approach to gut health and a low-tox home, start small. Swap out one product, add in one new habit, and build from there. Your future self (and your family) will thank you for it.
Are you ready to start supporting your gut?
Reply to me here. And for the sake of ease, here’s a roundup of all my non-toxic, elevated favorites I mentioned:
