A WATER BOTTLE CONTAINS A NEW WAY OF LIFE

Outdoorsy types have always thought it hip to carry a water bottle. In recent years, the rest of the world has caught on to the financial and environmental savings that come with ditching bottled water. A simple water bottle was actually the gateway to a completely different way of life for me.

Several years ago, I needed a new water bottle. My old plastic bottle was nearing six years old—cracks, scratches, and a destroyed cap convinced me I needed a new one. So I purchased a stainless steel water bottle. I thought it would keep my water colder. And I liked the aesthetics; it looked nicer.

The label also indicated the bottle was "BPA free." I wasn’t entirely sure what BPA was, but it sounded ominous. So I bought the bottle, went home, and did a little research.

Turns out Bisphenol A is a hormone disruptor that can lead to various health problems. BPA is commonly found in many plastics, including the lining of canned foods and some food storage containers.

Armed with this knowledge, I quickly began doing more research about toxins. I was inspired to rid our home of unnecessary plastics and chemicals. We started using safer products—like baking soda and vinegar for cleaning, glass containers for food storage, and more natural personal care and beauty products. No, we didn’t move to a solar-powered organic farm; but we did make vast changes to led a healthier lifestyle.

I also used this knowledge to expand my Web-based business. We started writing about how to choose healthy water bottles and other personal health issues. Our traffic, media coverage, and revenue quickly grew.

I thought I was just buying a new water bottle. Instead I was buying a new way of life.

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