4 Questions to Ask Yourself: Where to Start When Creating a Healthy Home

4 Questions to Ask Yourself: Where to Start When Creating a Healthy Home

Blog, Lifestyle Change
Are you spinning in overwhelm, unsure of what part of your home to make healthier? You're not alone. It’s hard to know where to start or what to do next. When you consider all that could be changed, the possibility can be overwhelming. Or, it could be exhilarating! In this article, we’ll give you the four questions to ask yourself in order to transform your home into a healthy household in the shortest amount of time. Why Transform Your Home into a Healthy Household? In addition to fulfilling your burning desire (awesome in-and-of-itself), living in a healthy household can have multiple health benefits. Studies show that when the air in our homes is cleaner, health conditions can be reduced or eliminated. Here are two examples of such studies: “…health improvements are associated…
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Non-Toxic Bedroom: 9 Reasons It’s Important for Health

Non-Toxic Bedroom: 9 Reasons It’s Important for Health

Blog, Health, Household Items
Are you tired and wake up with low energy levels? With a non-toxic bedroom, that's possible. Sleeping in a non-toxic bedroom is essential for good health - it's the most important room in the house. Since scientific studies show that indoor air quality can be more polluted than outdoor air in the most industrialized cities, it’s in our best interest to act. To create a healthier indoor air quality. In this article, we’ll discuss the ways chemicals enter our bodies, 9 reasons why a non-toxic bedroom is important for good health, and to-the-point tips on how you can create your own non-toxic bedroom. How Chemicals Enter Our Bodies: 3 Ways Chemicals from our everyday products get into our bodies one of three ways: Breathing.  Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds…
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Which Nontoxic Wood Furniture is Healthier: Hardwood vs. Softwood?

Which Nontoxic Wood Furniture is Healthier: Hardwood vs. Softwood?

Blog, Furniture
Are you buying nontoxic wood furniture for the bedroom, kitchen, or living room and want to consider all of the factors for choosing organic, nontoxic furniture?  Wood type is one of four factors you should consider. Why? Woods, by nature, off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.  Therefore, when choosing your organic wood furniture, you’ll want to choose a nontoxic wood type. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of choosing the right wood type, the two types of natural wood, and which is healthier for your home. Why is Wood Species Important to Consider? So many people (!) think that only human-made materials produce VOCs, but that’s not true.  VOCs are found naturally in our outdoor environment. Mother Nature has created things that off-gas VOCs into the air. Wood…
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Solid Wood vs Composite Wood: What’s the difference in furniture?

Solid Wood vs Composite Wood: What’s the difference in furniture?

Blog, Furniture
Have you confused solid wood, hardwood, and composite wood? You’re not alone. So.many.people confuse these terms and use them interchangeably.  However, they have entirely different meaning— and healthiness level.  In this article, we’ll explain the difference between solid wood and composite wood, which rooms should have solid wood furniture, and why it matters.  Solid Wood vs. Composite Wood: What’s the Difference? Solid Wood Solid wood means that the entire piece of wood is actually wood (!) instead of fillers and binders that can be toxic to health.  Solid wood is the healthiest form (compared to composite wood). How do you know your organic, nontoxic wood furniture is made of solid wood? It will state “solid wood” on the product description.  Almost too easy, right?! When choosing solid wood furniture, be…
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How to Make Non Toxic Laundry Detergent Affordable

How to Make Non Toxic Laundry Detergent Affordable

Blog, Cleaning, Clothes & Textiles, Uncategorized
Are you concerned about the cost of living a chemical-free lifestyle? 8 out of 10 times, cost comes up as a concern when I talk to people about becoming organic and chemical-free.  It’s a legitimist concern, one that I had to address in my own life over the years. You want to buy the best nontoxic, chemical-free products while still living within your budget.  And you certainly can do that! Keep reading to find out how. How to Make “A” and “B” Rated Non Toxic Laundry Detergents Affordable Once you find the best chemical-free laundry detergents (rated “A” or “B”), think about how to make these detergents more affordable. Here are a few simple strategies for making your nontoxic laundry detergent fit right into your budget: Add Arm and Hammer Super Washing…
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Radio Interview with ARBICO Organics

Blog, Food, Podcast
Want tips for keeping your organic food, organic? Listen to my radio interview with ARBICO Organics, out of Arizona. Topics include: What health benefits did I experience when creating an organic and chemical-free household? What type of gardening and pest control can you use? What type of cookware do you use in order to keep organic food chemical-free (and organic)?  Listen to the interview by clicking the play arrow below.
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What Do HAPs Stand for & VOCs Mean?

What Do HAPs Stand for & VOCs Mean?

Blog, Lifestyle Change
Have you heard the acronyms VOC, SVOC, HAP, or CoC tossed around? Do you know what HAPs stands for? Maybe the term VOC and off-gassing are more familiar to you. They are used more often. However, terms like SVOC, HAP and CoC are a bit foreign to most people and not frequently discussed. Yet. These chemical families have been around for decades, but are just starting to gain recognition from the public. So what is this alphabet soup of acronyms and can we use this info when label checking? Keep reading to find out! VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds. Beyond knowing what VOC means – volatile organic compounds – it’s important to know what’s happening when we buy products made of VOC ingredients. This family of chemicals release harmful gasses into…
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Are “Brain Fog” Toxins in Your Home?

Are “Brain Fog” Toxins in Your Home?

Blog, Health
Have you had brain fog for weeks? Or months? Or years? Could you have toxins in your home that are causing your brain fog? In honor of Brain Awareness Week, we’ll tackle this topic and answer your questions. What are these brain fog toxins and how can we choose products that don’t cause brain fog? How the Brain is Effected By Toxins Studies show that toxins from our everyday products can cause brain fog, but are there other brain-related affects? Of course! Otherwise, this article wouldn’t exist. ;) The brain is part of the nervous system. Responsible for controlling body activity, the nervous system is a major organ. It controls and regulates all communications in the body. It affects: The Nerves – Impaired ability for messages to pass within the…
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What Lifestyle Change Can You Do To Be Healthy?

What Lifestyle Change Can You Do To Be Healthy?

Blog, Lifestyle Change
Are you wondering what lifestyle change you can do to be healthy? Have you considered creating an organic, chemical-free household? Chemicals in our everyday products (food, clothes, personal care products, cleaners, household items, furniture, building materials) may be linked to over 140 health conditions. But making this lifestyle change, like other types of lifestyle change, means you will encounter naysayers and challenges but also reap the rewards of becoming the YOU that you want to be. In the words of an anonymous author who’s wisdom hangs on our refrigerator, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."-Anonymous Creating a life with fewer chemicals is becoming easier, with more people every day becoming aware and wanting to live healthier happier lives. But there are still challenges. Naysayers Naysayers are…
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Which Pots & Pans are Toxic & Nontoxic on the Stovetop?

Which Pots & Pans are Toxic & Nontoxic on the Stovetop?

Blog, Food, Household Items
Do you faithfully buy organic food, but then ruin it by cooking with toxic pots and pans? Chemicals and heavy metals from stove-wear can leach into our healthy food, making it less healthy. However, healthy options are readily available. You have to know what to look for. Want to know which pots and pans are toxic and which are nontoxic? Read on! 6 Types of Pots & Pans for the Stovetop: Toxic and Nontoxic 1.Ceramic Coated Pots and pans that are ceramic-coated only have a thin layer of ceramic on the cooking surface, vs. made of ceramic all the way through. The rest of the pan is made of metal (stainless steel, copper, aluminum). The coatings may contain chemical finishes and nanoparticles, which has raised health concerns and is being…
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