POOPING... One of life's most important bodily functions for vibrant health. But one that most people feel uncomfortable talking about. Or even acknowledging that they do.  I used to be one of those people!  (Are you?) That is, until digestive and other issues completely crashed my health... and my daughter was diagnosed with the worst case of stool impactme...

Another title for this post could be:  How to Get Out of Your Hormones' Way So They Can Do Their Jobs The majority of the products we are exposed to –- both at home and in the outside world –- contain hormone (endocrine) disruptors. Is this really a big deal??? You better believe it!  According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science:   "En...

Those of you who know me well know that I NEVER drink coffee these days, as even a couple of sips tend to cause digestive upset. But I know that many of you LOVE your morning coffee!  Or perhaps your afternoon coffee... or even evening coffee! BUT... Pesticide, fertilizer, or plastic residue in your coffee? Or exploitative child labor? No thanks! When consum...

Have you ever used aloe vera on sunburned skin? Or as a face moisturizer? Or when making DIY products, such as hand soap or hand sanitizer? You would think that since it is based on a healing liquid that comes from a plant that we wouldn't need a safe swap for this. Right?!? Turns out that most also vera gel on store shelves is FULL of junk, including carcin...

👗  For most of my life, my only consideration when picking out new clothing was whether I liked the way a piece looked and fit. I had no idea that there are other important considerations -- even life and death situations -- to think about when selecting the fabrics that touch our bodies... both during the day and while we sleep. In the next few minutes, I'...

Let’s be truthful… no one wants to stink! Most of us were taught to deal with underarm perspiration in one of two ways: Stop it from happening with an antiperspirant. Cover it with heavily scented, conventional deodorant. Neither of these is good for our bodies or long-term health! If you're ready to stop preventing perspiration or masking body odor, here ar...

Let me introduce you to the perfect summer side dish! It's light, perfect for summer, and SO nutrient dense!  Last weekend, a friend joined us for dinner. We enjoyed so many different things picked from our garden or sprouted in our kitchen, including our favorite creamy radish and cucumber side dish .  We also thoroughly enjoyed this fresh sprouted lentil ...

It's no fun getting eaten by mosquitoes or other biting insects! To avoid the discomfort they cause, many people reach for well known repellent brands like OFF, REPEL, or Cutter.  Unfortunately, chemical insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET and Permethrin come with potential health hazards. Let's take a look at them!  Dangers of DEET and Ot...

Summer is nearly upon us in the northern hemisphere. My daughter had her last day of 2nd grade a week ago and we've plunged into vacation season (for her at least!). As this is the time I normally also replenish my sunscreen stock, it's the perfect occasion to update the annual sunscreen safe swap post that I put together for my toxin-free living community ...

In the northern hemisphere, the 2019 autumnal equinox – one of two days each year when the length of day and night are roughly equal – fell on September 23rd. Regardless of the weather where you were (it was hot and sunny at my house!), this day represented the end of summer and official start of fall.    In many parts of the U.S., the air is getting colder ...

Who here LOVES candles???        Take a moment to think about what prompts you to bring a new one into your home.    Perhaps it's the fragrance that calls to you? Will it make your room feel cozy, comfortable, or relaxing? Or maybe it has a fresh, clean scent? Or a spicy aroma that’s perfect for the winter holidays? The scent of a candle can absolutely add t...

Hi, everyone! Until now, I've personally written all of the posts that have appeared on the Holistically Healthy Home website and haven't purposefully sought out any other contributors. That is, until I met Amanda Klecker of Healthy House on the Block , who knows many things about creating a healthier home that I still have yet to learn.   Amanda is a certi...

Are you in on the bath bomb craze???    Bath bombs are an easy way for tired bodies and souls to wind down, relax, and indulge in a bit of pampering at the end of a long day. Depending on the combination of ingredients, they may help detoxify your body, moisturize your skin, soothe sore muscles, or reduce stress.    These colorful, fizzing orbs also make bat...

Feet… we rely on them to move us an untold number of steps in our lifetimes, but we rarely think of them (except when they hurt!) and do precious little to care for them. Seems to me they deserve more thanks than they are getting!  One way I’ve recently started taking better care of my feet, as well as my entire body, is through the practice of soaking them ...

There are times when we all need to increased focus to get something done, learn a new concept, or achieve a goal. Or when everything around us seems chaotic or out of control, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, frazzled, and ineffective. Essential oils are a great help to us in these situations, whether it’s to clear our minds, clarify our thoughts, provide g...

Today is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere.  Not familiar with this term? It’s the day each year when the sun travels on its lowest arc in the sky. This results in the shortest amount of daylight and longest period of darkness . It’s also the first official day of winter on American calendars. Yes, the sun is at its least today, with darkness ...

Searching for the best natural remedies to get you through the winter *ick*? Or to strengthen your immune system to the point that it can fight off just about anything? Then walk with me a bit...  I’m sharing some of my most effective tools!   My grandmother loved proverbs. You know, those pithy sayings that convey a deeper truth. They are not so much comm...

I DON’T WANT TO GET SICK   (pleads everyone this time of year) !!!   This post (and  it's companion ) will show you the natural remedies you need to stay healthy until Spring! November is here! We are now well into Fall and hurtling quickly toward winter.  With the cooling weather has arrived various forms of seasonal “ick.” You know what I’m talking about…...

New to golden milk, a.k.a. the " turmeric latte "? You're missing out on a most delicious, nourishing treat!  Originating in India, golden milk is a centuries-old Ayurvedic drink that has recently been making inroads in other regions. This comforting beverage is traditionally made by simmering milk with turmeric and other spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, ...

Welcome back to the third and final part of my series on healthy travel! You’ve planned wisely, packed smartly, and journeyed using strategies to best to avoid illness and counteract the stress that travel puts on your body. Now that you’ve reached your destination, how do you best support your health? And how do you keep on track with your wellness goals wh...