We constantly hear about all of the toxins in our environment these days -- in our air, in our foods, in our furnishings and just about everywhere else.  The good news is that there are many simple ways to reduce those toxins, counteract them and get them out.  Here's 40:

1. Exercise daily.  Try to do exercise that helps the circulatory system (such as swimming and biking) and encourage deep breathing and stress reduction (such as yoga).
2. Use houseplants to clean the air.  (Find out what types do the best jobs here and here.)
3. Cook with spice.  Some of the herbs and spices that help detox are turmeric, ginger, oregano, parsley and rosemary.
4. Plant native, easy-care plants in your yard and garden.  This will reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
5. Eat as much organic as possible, especially for "dirty dozen" produce and animal products like meat and butter.
6. Better yet, eat vegetarian or vegan -- at least part time.
7. Reguarly work up a sweat -- in a sauna, through hard work, or exercising.  While the ability to detox through sweat is debated, the other health effects of these activities are not.
8. Breastfeed your children.
   
9. Laugh together.  Check out the many physical and psychological benefits of laughter here.
10. Install water filters, including in the shower.
11. Take epsom salt baths.  These are especially good for children who have reactions to ingredients like artificial food coloring.
12. Aim for at least one raw meal per day.  Easy choices are salads, smoothies, fresh juices and plain fruits.
13. Get enough sleep.  Every part of your body regenerates while you sleep, and the effect is not the same when you are just being sedentary.
14. Buy used.  When you bring furniture, rugs and other goods into your home that are pre-owned, they've already offgased somewhere else.  Older furniture is also much more likely to be made from real wood instead of particle board.  Just be sure you're not bringing equally bad stuff in, like lead paint or mold.
15. Eat your greens --dandelion greens.  These weeds are actually excellent for detoxing and loaded with vitamins.  Find recipes and how to reduce bitterness here.
16. Eat foods with lots of natural fiber, such as vegetables and whole grains.
17. Spend regular time outside as a family.  Not only will the fresh air and exercise both help detox, but the Vitamin D from the sun will also support your immune system.
18. Get and give massages.  These support the circulatory system and help the lymphatic system remove toxins.
19. Avoid the use of chemical pesticides in or around your home.
20. Reuse glass jars for storage.  They're free, they keep your foods away from plastics and they can be frozen or heated in the microwave.
21. Stretch.  Stretching exercises help nearly every system of the body.
22. Cook from scratch as much as possible.  Choose all natural brands when buying packaged foods.
23. Research immunizations, and make an informed decision about which ones you will give your children (if any) and on what schedule.
24. Eliminate sources of off-gasing phthalates like plastic shower curtains, mattress protectors and tablecloths.  A simple way to tell if plastics contain phthalates is to see if they're flexible.  If they bend and move (like a shower curtain or child's bath book) then they generally have added phthalates (many other products like new carpets also contain these harmful chemicals).  If you must bring these into your home, hang them on the clothesline or leave them outside to offgas for a few days beforehand.
25. Use natural products like coconut oil for moisturizers, especially on children.
26. Eliminate sources of chemical perfumes in your home such as chemical air fresheners and cleaning products. 
27. Make your own cleaning products or buy natural brands.  Vinegar and baking soda are excellent at simple cleaning jobs.
28. Eliminate sneaky sources of chemicals and food coloring for your family in products such as toothpastes, vitamins and medicines.
29. If your child is on a regular medication, see if you can find a compound pharmacist to customize a prescription free of dyes and additives.
30. Use cloth diapers and reusable or natural menstrual products.
31. Get a body brush and do dry brushing daily.  You can find more information here.
32. Get rid of as much as possible that's made of plastic, particle board and other treated materials.
    
33. Take spirulina.  Read about its benefits here.
34. Aim for the right balance of humidity in your home.  Too much humidity will encourage the growth of mold and dust mites, while too little tends to cause more allergens (like dust and dander) to linger in the air.  Aim for around 40% humidity.
35. Cut out or reduce your intake of sugar, hydrogenated oils and alcohol.
    
36. Drink lots of fresh juices and filtered water.
37. Eat superfoods.  Foods that support the immune system include blueberries, goji berries, cranberries, wheatgrass juice, onions and garlic.
38. Clean the air -- open windows when possible and regularly clean and change filters in air conditions and furnaces.
39. Clean the house -- wash drapes twice a year; vacuum carpets and furniture regularly (use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or you'll stir the dust and pollutants up in the air); wash down walls and floors with a mixture of vinegar, water and a few drops of tea tree oil (which kills germs and mold) and put door mats out to reduce what's tracked inside.
40. Take a trip.  Dr. Alfred V. Zamm says in his book, Why Your House May Endanger Your Health, "The best place is either to be oceanside, in an area where sea breezes blow inland constantly, or high in the mountains.  The mountains, in fact, with their heavier concentration of negative ions and relatively pollution-free atmosphere, make the best all-around choice for a homesite."  Since there are neither mountains or oceans here in Minnesota, that seems like a perfect rationale for a family vacation to me!