Un-complicate Clean

There was a time when washing meant drawing water from a well.

When cleansing required effort. Intention. Gratitude.

In 1st century Judea, people did not stand in aisles comparing thirty-seven types of body wash. They did not scroll through flash sales on organic floor cleaner. They did not keep bins of half-used products under the sink.

They used what they had. And what they had was enough.

They washed with water. They scrubbed with ash and sand. They anointed with olive oil. They swept with reed brooms.They immersed in mikva’ot discovered in places like Jerusalem.They washed hands carefully, as referenced in Mark 7:3–4.

Cleanliness was not consumerism. It was stewardship. It was rhythm. It was reverence.

And somewhere along the way… we lost that simplicity.

When Clean Became Complicated

Today we are marketed solutions for problems we didn’t know we had.

We are told we need:

• A different cleanser for every surface.

• Separate creams for day, night, eyes, hands, elbows.

• A scent for every season.

• A product for every insecurity.

And we buy them.

I know I did.

I used to overspend constantly on “trying” products. I was always searching for better. Cleaner. More effective. More aesthetic. I would find something promising, use it halfway, then move on to the next thing that claimed to be revolutionary.

The result? Half-used bottles. Overflowing cabinets. A lingering sense of dissatisfaction. Money spent on things I did not need.

The irony is this: we have more than ever, yet we feel less content than ever.

Ancient households had fewer options—but they also had clarity. They chose what worked and stayed with it.

That realization slowly changed the way I shop.

The Freedom of Choosing and Staying

Instead of chasing every new launch, I decided to do something radical:

Find what I love. Test it thoroughly. Commit to it. Stop browsing.

And it has changed everything. Not only do I spend less…I feel calmer.

There is peace in knowing:“This works. I trust it. I’m done searching.”

Here are the brands I have found, love deeply, and now stick with.

Piper Blue – Makeup I Feel Good In

Piper Blue

I wanted makeup that felt beautiful, didn't make my face feel cakey, fall into any cracks, or had cancer causing ingredients, AND aligned with my values. Something clean, thoughtfully made, and not overly complicated.

When I found Piper Blue, I stopped hopping from brand to brand.

The formulas feel light.The colors are wearable.The packaging is lovely. Though, as you may know, I use Norwex skin care, but this company's frankincense face spray is absolutely lovely.

One brand. A curated collection. Done. It fit every checkmark.

Evan Healy – Skin & Body Care That Feels Timeless

Evan Healy

If ancient women anointed their skin with olive oil, there was something grounding in that simplicity.

Evan Healy feels like a modern return to that rhythm. Botanical. Intentional. Minimal.

Instead of ten steps, They have a few beautiful staples that nourish your skin without overwhelm. Your bathroom counter feels peaceful again. You can read and understand the ingredient list. They care about people and the planet so its also earthly stewardship. Each ingredient is thoughtfully sourced.

When you stop chasing trends, your routine becomes ritual instead of reaction.

My Twin Acres – Home Cleaning & Goat Milk Lotion

My Twin Acres

There is something deeply satisfying about cleaning your home with products made simply and well.

My Twin Acres has become my go-to for home cleaning and their goat milk lotion. The lotion is rich without being heavy, and the cleaning products are effective without filling my home with harsh chemicals.

Instead of a different bottle for every imaginable surface, I use what works. The linen spray keeps things fresh. All are made on a family farm and in small batches.

Simple. Reliable. Enough.

Norwex - non-toxic cleaning

Norwex

I have used Norwex for years, and every time I grab my enviro cloth and window cloth I am still amazed at how the dirt and grime, spills, and everyday grit of life simply disappears. Its easy, it's light (no lugging around buckets or bottles), and I never have to worry about anyone touching the surface.

I use almost every single product; from the cleaning to the skincare which is EWG certified and perfect for all ages. I even carry a cloth in my purse so I am at the ready no matter where I go to tackle those pesky germs.

The mop heads? Well, lets just say, gone are the days of moving around and lifting a bucket filled with dirty water and my floors have never sparkled more. The rubber broom head gets up all of our dog Rivers hair from the throw rugs. Win-win. I love every single thing about this company from their mission, their caring heart, their story, their integrity, and yes...their products. This is why, although I am actually an artist by trade, I am also a Norwex Independent Consultant, and proud to say so.

Yes, I have given you other options here that I do also enjoy periodically. But, I am a true Norwex fan from ceiling, to floor, to body, to fridge. I love not only supporting, but being a part of a company that walks the talk. I love being a part of helping to steward the earth that God created. I love that I am not overloading mine or my families bodies with toxins. Have I also mentioned how much money I have saved over the years staying out of that chemical laden grocery isle? Read those labels please if that is a spot you frequent.

If you have never tried them...here is a gentle nudge to encourage you. Norwex with me!

The Financial & Emotional Shift

When you stop sampling everything, you stop spending everything.

Instead of:“I wonder if this one is better…”

It becomes:“This works. I’m grateful.”

The shift isn’t just financial—it’s emotional.

You move from:

• Comparison → Contentment

• Impulse → Intention

• Clutter → Clarity

And that clarity spills into other areas of life.

You cook more simply. You buy fewer clothes. You reuse what you have. You appreciate instead of accumulate.

It begins to feel closer to the rhythm of earlier centuries—less excess, more gratitude.

Returning to Enough

The people of 1st century Judea did not have abundance of options.

They had:Water. Oil. Ash. Cloth. Sand. Gratitude. And it was enough.

We don’t need to return to washing our floors with sand to learn the lesson.

But we can return to this:

Choose carefully. Buy thoughtfully. Stay loyal to what works. Stop chasing every new solution. Simplicity is not deprivation. It is devotion to what matters. And in a world that constantly tells us we need more…

There is quiet rebellion in saying, “This is enough.”

Hopefully I've helped cut through the time and funds when it comes to finding what is great and what works.

XO, Marie

PS. Yes, I am an affiliate with each of these companies—because I also love a discount.

If you choose to follow my link and purchase, you will not pay anything extra. I will simply make a small commission. But hear this clearly: Even if I were not affiliated, I would still share these. I use them. I love them. They have simplified my home and routines in a way that feels sustainable and peaceful.