MY PERSONAL FAVORITE PRODUCTS
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the product links below are affiliate links. Please know that affiliate links never increase the cost to the customer. I personally use all of these products, and would never recommend a product that I did not fully believe in and use in my own home.
INFRARED SAUNAS:
1) CLEARLIGHT
It’s hard to think of a better way to detox than using an infrared sauna! These units use heat differently and can be used inside the home, even on carpeting. They don’t get hot like the traditional high-heat saunas found in most gyms and spas.
This brand is by far the best sauna around! Low cost saunas often come with many downsides that can exacerbate health concerns and offset the benefits of using a sauna. When shopping, you want to ensure you get a (true) low EMF sauna, and that the wood, adhesives, and all other parts used are low in formaldehyde & other VOCs. These saunas offer models with both near and far infrared lights, though with other brands you may need to choose between near and far (each wavelength has different health benefits). Finally, ensure the brand you purchase from offers a lifetime warranty, and is from a company that has been around for a while (and will be… you can’t activate a warranty if a company is no longer in business). I have a “Sanctuary” model sauna in my home. This sauna is full-spectrum, meaning it has far, mid, and near infrared wavelengths, giving you the all the benefits of the full light spectrum.
DISINFECTANT SPRAY (no more bleach!):
1) FORCE OF NATURE (approved for killing COVID-19!)
This amazing product uses electrical charges to convert water, salt, and vinegar to hypochlorous acid, which is chemically similar to bleach but isn’t toxic. Force of Nature is on the EPA’s list of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19). I can’t recommend this product more highly! Stop using toxic disinfectant sprays and bleach all around the home… This can be used on hard, non-porous surfaces just like you’d use other typical Clorox / anti-bacterial sprays.
WATER FILTERS:
1) PURE EFFECT (undercounter filter)
This is the my recommendation for a filter that is installed under your counter (it will have a small faucet that is installed on your kitchen counter, and the rest is installed underneath by your sink). It makes water on demand (no need to refill containers). For most homeowners, I recommend the filter unit “Ultra UC Disinfect (Undercounter)”, but your needs may be different (especially if you have well water). They have filters available for well water, whole house units, filters that go on your shower head, and more.
These units clean water as well as your typical reverse osmosis (RO) systems do, but without removing the beneficial minerals like RO systems will (removing these good minerals is what makes the pH so acidic on RO systems) and without the excessive water waste created by reverse osmosis systems.
It’s a good idea to test your water with Tap Score before purchasing any water filter, to ensure you identify specific areas of concern in your water and filter them out with the right system.
2) BERKEY (countertop)
This is a great countertop filter! I recommend the Big Berkey for most household usage. Countertop filters are ideal for renters because they don’t require installation and can move with you to the next home. You manually fill these up; they aren’t connected to plumbing. Berkey filters don’t strip the beneficial minerals (like reverse osmosis systems) but they do remove most toxins of concern. If you have fluoride in your water (most do, but you can test for this also), you can purchase additional fluoride filters.
It’s a good idea to test your water with Tap Score before purchasing any water filter, to ensure you identify specific areas of concern in your water and filter them out with the right system.
WATER TESTING:
1) TAP SCORE
While your local water quality report along with EWG’s Tap Water Database is a good start, I always recommended you test your water to ensure you identify specific areas of concern in your individual water. Tap Score provides information about your contaminants and where they fall in ranges directly related to health effects (in contrast to the EPA’s “acceptable levels of toxicity”).
GARDENING:
1) TOWER GARDENS
Tired of going to the grocery store just to have your vegetables and herbs go bad? Have picky eaters and want to get them more excited about foods? Grow your own vegetables! These towers are the most unbelievably easy way to garden. A true game-changer!
MOLD CLEANERS / LAUNDRY ADDITIVES:
1) MICRO BALANCE PRODUCTS
I am obsessed with the EC3 Laundry Additive! Not only does it use essential oils to keep my laundry smelling great (without artificial fragrances and pthalates), it also helps to prevent mold build up inside my wet, dark (read: mold-growth heaven) washing machine’s parts. No more musty smells and odors since I started using it. They also state that it rinses mold spores and bacteria off of laundry too.
MISCELLANEOUS:
1) CAST IRON COOKWARE:
Field Company
These pans are definitely pricier, but the smooth finish forged on the inside makes them virtually non-stick, which is quite difficult with cast iron pans. They should last you a lifetime.
Lodge
Lodge pans are much more affordable and very easy to find, but won’t work well for non-stick items like eggs, pancakes, fish, etc.
2) STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE:
Many good companies exist with stainless steel cookware. An internal aluminum core is ok (it does conduct heat evenly) as long as you ensure the stainless steel is on the interior part of the cooking surface (the part in contact with food). Read manufacturer’s info carefully! My favorite brands: Le Creuset, All Clad, and Calphalon
3) GLASS COOKWARE: Pyrex
I like Pyrex, and some newer models even have silicone lids instead of plastic.