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Health, Boundaries, and Family
- Alana Falzon
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
A Post-Holiday Guide for the “Black Sheep” of the Family
While the holiday season is now well behind us, some of us may still be dealing with the stresses that came with it. Coming home for the holidays or gathering with loved ones can be complicated when you’ve been on a holistic health journey. You’ve learned about ingredients, toxins, nervous system regulation, and how deeply the environment impacts our well-being. Then suddenly you’re back in a kitchen with plastic-wrapped leftovers and a microwave that’s been humming since 1994, hearing “I've always done it this way” and “That's just a part of getting older,” leading you to the crossroads of..
‘Do I say something… or do I let it go?”
This question has been sitting with me for a few weeks now. I don't want to cause any friction within my family, but these are people I love and want to see live healthy, vital lives! So I decided to craft a guide, a guide for those you love who are “stuck in the ways” and don't believe any of your “ woo woo health crap.” Science-backed facts, to nicely show them that times are a-changin’.
A Reminder Before We Dive In
Some of us have loved ones who will always choose an allopathic route rather than trying a holistic approach first…immediately turning to medications, glorifying the grind (overworking/burnout), equating respect with obedience, and “just eating it anyway”...
The tensions can run high when you're in these positions, but it's important to remember that not every moment is a teaching moment, and that’s okay. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is quietly live your truth and let the curiosity come to you. Then maybe show them some science. ;)
Science You Can Gently Share (When Asked)
Why I have been slowly moving toward a plastic-free kitchen.
For decades, plastic Tupperware and other kitchen items have been seen as harmless conveniences. Leftovers go in, button gets pressed, life moves on.
Recent research shows that when plastics are heated, substances have been shown to migrate into food and be detected in the body over time. These small exposures add up. I now opt for glass or ceramic when reheating food and even try to avoid microwaves where I can.
Reference #1
Why I’m More Careful with Nonstick Cookware -
I’ve noticed a pattern in my life: the more convenient something is, the more curious I’ve become about the cost of that ease. Nonstick cookware was no exception.
Many nonstick coatings are made with PTFE, compounds that can release gases or degrade when overheated or scratched. Over time, repeated exposure has been linked to respiratory irritation and other health concerns.
I’ve gradually swapped nonstick pans for stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic. This shift felt way more upsetting than giving up plastic, but it feels worth it for the long-term well-being of my household.
Reference #2
Why I Read the Ingredients…Even When the Front Looks “Healthy”
UPFs are foods made with complex processes using industrial ingredients and additives not typically used in home cooking. Many ultra-processed foods contain harmful additives, refined oils, and flavor enhancers that can disrupt health and are often marketed with “natural” or “healthy” claims that don’t reflect their true nutritional quality. (I'll be posting a whole blog on this topic soon!)
Tools like Yuka can be a helpful starting point, but typically, if I skim the ingredient list and see more than 2 industrial preservatives, colors, or stabilizers, I won't purchase. Just be aware of healthwashing! Look deeper when a product has big claims or too many ‘___-free’ claims
References #3
Why I read the ingredients on household/toiletries too
Unfortunately, your air fresheners and scented cleaners are releasing volatile chemicals. Air fresheners, scented cleaners, and plug-ins can contribute to headaches, hormone disruption, and respiratory irritation, especially in the enclosed spaces they’re marketed for use in. This goes for personal care products as well.
This is a switch you really take notice of once you go without these chemically fragranced products for a while. I get actual sinus inflammation and headaches now when I walk into an Ulta or the detergent section of a department store. Aim for freshness through ventilation, simple ingredients, and fewer layers of scent!
References #4
Why I’m Reconsidering Synthetic Clothing
This is a hard switch, and can be a bit pricey as well! We know that synthetic clothing like polyester sheds microplastics, and besides contributing to environmental pollution, this can lead to potential skin and respiratory exposure, especially for those with sensitivities. New science is emerging about how wearing these can lead to toxic chemicals entering the body through sweat glands, hair follicles, and skin wounds.
Don't expect anyone to make these swaps overnight. What you can do is just gently bring awareness to these topics! And remember that outgrowing old habits doesn’t mean outgrowing your family. You can hold boundaries without building walls. You can honor your body while honoring the people who raised you. Holistic health is about wholeness, and that includes relationships changing with grace, and meeting people where they are (including yourself).
What ingredients do you want to be absorbed through your skin or inhaled daily?
What does your body have the natural ability to break down and process?
What are the signs of having too many toxins?
How much do you care about your vitality?
Resources:
Díaz-Galiano FJ, Gómez-Ramos MJ, Beraza I, Murcia-Morales M, Fernández-Alba AR. Cooking food in microwavable plastic containers: in situ formation of a new chemical substance and increased migration of polypropylene polymers. Food Chem. 2023 Aug 15;417:135852. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135852. Epub 2023 Mar 7. PMID: 36924723.
Sajid M, Ilyas M. PTFE-coated non-stick cookware and toxicity concerns: a perspective. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017 Oct;24(30):23436-23440. doi: 10.1007/s11356-017-0095-y. Epub 2017 Sep 14. PMID: 28913736.
Coulson, M. (2025, November 10). Most of the foods we eat are ultra-processed. Are they all unhealthy? Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-are-ultra-processed-foods?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Steinemann A. Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions. Air Qual Atmos Health. 2016;9(8):861-866. doi: 10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z. Epub 2016 Oct 20. PMID: 27867426; PMCID: PMC5093181.
Rádis-Baptista G. Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks? J Xenobiot. 2023 Mar 1;13(1):121-131. doi: 10.3390/jox13010010. PMID: 36976159; PMCID: PMC10051690.
Novotna J, Tunak M, Militky J, Kremenakova D, Wiener J, Novakova J, Sevcu A. Release of Microplastic Fibers from Polyester Knit Fleece during Abrasion, Washing, and Drying. ACS Omega. 2025 Mar 31;10(14):14241-14249. doi: 10.1021 /acsomega.5c00258. PMID: 40256517; PMCID: PMC12004151.
John, D. (2024, May 9). Do your workout clothes contain endocrine-disrupting microplastics? Goop. https://goop.com/wellness/health/do-your-workout-clothes-contain-endocrine-disrupting-microplastics/
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