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Essential tips to ensure your indoor environment is ready to support your wellness.
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Perfecting scrambled eggs is a delicate art. One misstep can result in dry, lackluster eggs or a texture so runny it’s cringeworthy. Yet, when executed flawlessly, scrambled eggs can elevate your cooking prowess to near-professional levels, earning oohs and ahhs from your dining mates.
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What you eat and drink can be the potential cause of autoimmunity, or the most nourishing influence in terms of helping to prevent or reverse autoimmunity. But what principles should you keep in mind when you eat for the long term? There are four main areas to address via nutritional modulation when you have an autoimmune disease: nutritional gaps, poor digestion, toxic backlog, and blood sugar spikes. Let’s dig into the importance of each:
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Despite what the dairy ads of yesteryear would lead you to believe, there are plenty of ways to build strong bones beyond drinking milk. Staying on top of your vitamin D levels and prioritizing strength training are two great places to start. And new research suggests that monitoring your exposure to certain chemicals—namely, PFAS—can also go a long way in keeping your bones healthy and strong.
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Is anyone else’s skin already dryer, tighter, and rosier with winter weather setting in? I always knew humidifier sales skyrocketed in dry winter months, but I assumed these devices were solely for clogged sinuses and respiratory issues. That is, until last winter when I discovered just how drastically my apartment’s dry air had been impacting my skin.
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We all have someone in our life who swears by a Dyson product to support a healthier lifestyle, whether it’s a powerful cordless vacuum for a cleaner home or the Dyson Airwrap for healthier hair. In my friend group, I’m that person. I have a few different Dyson products scattered around my home—and I could personally vouch for every single one.
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When you think of adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, your mind likely goes to composting, reusable bags, and package-free cosmetics—but what about your toilet paper?
Research estimates the average American flushes just over 57 pounds of toilet paper every single year (and a majority of that paper is made from virgin pulp sourced from Canada).
What’s more, toilet paper is one of the biggest contributors to PFAs in our waterways. And if these toxic “forever chemicals” weren’t worrisome enough, many brands uses brightening agents and detergents to get that signature cloudlike look and feel. Not exactly something I want to be wiping around my nether regions.
So when Who Gives A Crap offered to send over a selection of its sustainable paper products (think: plush bamboo toilet paper and absorbant paper towels), I decided it was time to get to the bottom of the debate.
Could an eco-friendly toilet paper deliver the same plush feeling as regular rolls—or was my bum destined to a lifetime of thin, scratchy sheets in the name of sustainability.
My first introduction to Who Gives A Crap came at a friend’s house a few years ago. A sustainability advocate with an environmental science degree, she’d been sold on the brand’s efforts to reduce toilet paper waste by opting for recycled or renewable resources.
I remember clocking the vibrant packaging—which stood out even then—and noting the sheets felt pretty solid for a recycled toilet paper. But what really stood out to me was the brand’s mission.
Who Gives A Crap started in 2012 when the cofounders learned that nearly 40% of the global population didn’t have access to a toilet. The trio decided to launch their own toilet paper company that offered more sustainable products and donated 50% of profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in developing countries.
While I’d like to pretend that I signed up for a subscription right then and there, toilet paper was my roommate’s responsibility at the time.
So when the brand recently appeared in my inbox and offered to send over a small supply, I jumped on the opportunity.
My requirements for toilet paper have changed dramatically over the years. As a child, I loved the plush, pillow-like toilet paper that puts your pipes through hell and back. When I moved to New York, I got my first taste of old sewer systems and realized that I either needed to give up my plush TP or put a plumber on speed-dial.
This changed the way I looked at toilet paper; I needed something soft-yet-absorbant, so I wouldn’t waste a quarter of the roll trying to wipe up.
As I started to lean into eco-friendly products in my home, I also began to move towards recycled toilet paper options.
My final requirement: I never wanted to flush my money (literally) by purchasing the most luxurious option I prefered the mid-tier price point—not too cheap, but not too pricey.
Paper Towels
About: 2-ply, 170 sheets
Similar to the toilet paper, these paper towels are made from bamboo combined with bagasse, a sugarcane byproduct that’s considered waste. Instead of burning or burying the bagasse, the brand gives it a second life in these paper towels.
I was a little thrown by the size of these paper towels. They’re shorter than your typical paper towel, which allows for more efficient shipping.
Despite the downsized display, I found these paper towels delivered on all of my needs. They picked up spills, removed streaks from my mirrors, and let my countertops sparkling. Even though they were double-length, I did feel they went about as fast as a regular roll of paper towels—perhaps due to the smaller size.
However I didn’t feel bad about using these paper towels, like I have with ones in the past.
I’ve only used Who Gives A Crap products for about a month, but I firmly believe they’re worth it.
Not only do you get a sustainable material that actually feels good on your bum, but the brand’s active efforts to give back globally make this certified B corp a company that I want to support. Once my rolls run out, I even plan to sign up for my own subscriptions.
If you’re asking from a cost POV, you might be surprised to hear that my answer is actually the same.
While the 48-count shipment may seem like a lofty investment up front at $68, the rolls last longer than supermarket brands because they’re double-length. This means the cost-per-sheet is sometimes even lower than what you’ll find on other name brand options.
And while I don’t personally handle my own septic system, I do think it’s worth noting the brand tests all products for disintegration and flush-ability (which could save you even more money in the long run).
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Braelyn Wood
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”Sustainable bedding includes a wide variety of products that aim to cause less harm to the environment, both people and planet, during the production, consumption, and afterlife of the product,” explains Alannah Hardcastle, social impact manager at Random Acts of Green, a women-led social enterprise based in Ontario, Canada.
Luísa Borges, a Hamburg, Germany-based marine biologist and author of How To Do More for the Environment With a Little Help From Science, says sustainable bedding is generally made from plant-based fabrics with minimal or no harmful chemicals, pesticides, or synthetic dyes. This ensures the products are fully biodegradable.
“[Sustainable bedding] production adheres to ethical standards, including fair wages and ethical labor practices throughout the supply chain,” she adds.
Per Borges, sustainable bedding manufacturers often use renewable energy sources or energy-efficient production processes, which lowers each company’s carbon footprint.
These brands tend to choose eco-friendly packing materials and transportation methods to further limit environmental impact.
“Notably, sustainable bedding is designed with durability in mind, extending its life span and minimizing the need for frequent replacements, which, in turn, reduces waste,” Borges adds.
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Brittany Natale
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Each one will go a long way in making your home a safe haven.
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Kristina Marusic
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The same chemicals and contaminants lurking in your tap water are flowing through your bathroom sink (i.e. nitrates, chlorine, arsenic, lead, mercury, and flouride2)—and they’re not doing your skin any favors. One study showed that participants absorbed more toxins from a 10-minute shower3 than drinking a liter of the same water.
It’s a pretty safe bet you have hard water, considering approximately 85% of the country does. Unfortunately, the heavy metals found in hard water can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, leading to redness, irritation, and inflammation4, and even a higher risk of atopic dermatitis5.
After installing my Jolie shower filter, my once dull and brittle hair was so soft and shiny that friends and family members began asking what I had changed. And my skin saw improvements, too. It no longer felt tight or dry after showers—but that tightness would come creeping back each night when I washed my face in the sink.
When I realized my sink water was holding my skin back from the full benefits of filtered water, I started getting in the shower solely to wash my face. Not wanting to take multiple showers each day, I turned to the Filterbaby, a clinically-tested water filter designed to instantly remove chlorine and contaminants.
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Carleigh Ferrante
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PlushBeds is a sustainable mattress company based in the United States. The brand makes mattresses, mattress toppers, sheet sets, comforters, and more sleep-related products. Each of its beds, including the Luxury Bliss, is made to order in the company’s certified organic manufacturing facility in California. Every product goes through a comprehensive 95-point inspection before shipping out.
Regarding the delivery process, similar to other mattresses, the Luxury Bliss comes shrink-wrapped and compressed in a large cardboard box. Depending on the size, the mattress has up to six heavy-duty linen side handles that allow you to move it around more easily. Although the handles help, the mattress itself is pretty heavy, so you may want to have someone with you to assist during setup.
The brand offers a 100-night trial period and a lifetime warranty if you do decide to keep it. Also, good news for those looking to save a few bucks—PlushBeds ships mattresses out for free throughout the contiguous United States via FedEx. If you want someone from the company to come and set it up for you, or take away your old bed, there is an additional fee. This service is helpful if you live alone or would rather not go through the headache of having to install a new bed yourself.
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Brittany Natale
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Speaking of set-up, let’s break down everything you need to know about how to install the Jolie Filtered Showerhead. First things first: I’m no plumber (shocking, I know). Fear of installation led me to call in for backup (from a friend who also is not a plumber)—but truly, I could have done this completely on my own.
To install the Jolie, you’ll simply need to unscrew your existing showerhead (put it in a safe place if you’re a renter!) and follow the brand’s instructions carefully. The only tools you’ll need are the wrench and plumbing tape, which are neatly provided in the box.
The entire installation process took less than 10 minutes, and the most difficult part was getting the showerhead screwed on tightly enough to eliminate drippage. This is where the plumbing tape and the wrench come into play. Hint: You’ll use more plumbing tape than you might initially think.
Once you get the Jolie screwed on securely, you’re home free. That is, of course, until you need to swap out the filter in three months. Pro tip: Sign up for the subscription to receive the filters every 90 days (you’ll save money on the initial purchase this way, too).
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Carleigh Ferrante
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When a mold colony develops, it reproduces by releasing microscopic particles called spores into the surrounding area. Think of them like the fluffy white seeds of a dandelion. Thanks to their small size, these spores can zip all over the place, including in our homes.
Like seeds, mold spores are non-living particles and will remain unalive until they land on a surface with the right components for growth. Most species of mold only need two key elements to begin growing: food and moisture. A key detail to remember is that if these two things are present for 24–48 hours, some species of mold can begin to grow. That’s why time is of the essence when it comes to mold prevention.
Appliances are one of the top places for microbial growth because they often contain the components needed for a spore to transition into a living colony. Take a laundry machine, for example. Its soap scum, organic matter from clothing, and mineral buildup offer excellent sources of food. The majority of appliances also collect moisture. The rubber gaskets and small crevices in appliances like coffee makers, for instance, can trap moisture during and after use. To make matters more toxic, bacteria grow in similar conditions to mold and can often be found growing right alongside colonies. Essentially, these machines can quickly become a microbial growth haven.
Once this happens, every time you turn the machine on, you’re blasting all sorts of particles onto clothes, food, and beverage items, as well as throughout your home. That is not a recipe for making your body happy.
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Michael Rubino
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Michael Rubino, “The Mold Medic,” is an international authority on mold remediation and the author of The Mold Medic: An Expert’s Guide on Mold Removal.
As President of HomeCleanse, Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure. He works closely with the company’s advisory team, which includes global well-being trailblazers Deepak Chopra’s The Chopra Foundation and Gwyneth Paltrow, to achieve the company’s mission to improve the quality of life for 100 million people each year by 2030. Rubino is also the founder of Change the Air Foundation, a nonprofit committed to empowering the world to achieve better health by establishing safer and healthier indoor environments.
Through collaboration with over 100 doctors globally, Rubino strives to not only raise awareness globally but also provide solutions to correctly identify and remove the pollutants causing this worldwide health crisis. Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure and has helped heal over 1,000 families so far—including celebrities and athletes. He is a council-certified Mold Remediation Supervisor by ACACa nd IICRC and is a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association.
Connect with Michael Rubino on Facebook @HomeCleanseCo, Instagram @TheMichaelRubino and TikTok @HomeCleanse, and visit www.homecleanse.com.
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Michael Rubino
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In addition, cutting creates deep grooves in the plastic where bacteria can linger, which makes used plastic cutting boards very difficult to fully disinfect in a dishwasher. You really need to be using a brush to get into those grooves. So if you do use a plastic board, opt to give it a good scrub yourself instead of placing it in the dishwasher.
In one older study5 out of the University of Wisconsin, researchers placed several bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella, on both used and new wood and plastic cutting boards. The wood cutting boards consistently outperformed the plastic boards in terms of bacterial safety. Moral of the story? Wooden cutting boards may turn out to be more sanitary than plastic, and prove better for your hormonal health (provided they don’t use plastic-containing glues to stick the wooden pieces together).
Some plastic cutting boards are also coated with antibacterial substances to prevent bacteria from growing, but this only trades in bacteria growth for other chemicals, often endocrine disrupters. A very common antibacterial chemical used for such purposes is Microban, which contains the antibacterial ingredient triclosan6. The FDA does not recognize triclosan as safe due to its hormone-disrupting properties6. While triclosan has been phased out of handwash and sanitizers7, it still lurks in other everyday products—including cutting boards.
Some people also use strong chemicals, such as bleach diluted with water, to clean plastic cutting boards. That creates the fearful possibility of contaminating your food with such chemicals. If you’ve ever put tomato or turmeric-rich foods into a plastic container, you’ll see that it turns red or yellow. This is because the ingredients have seeped into the matrix of the plastic. Harsh cleaning agents could also be seeping into your board, potentially contaminating the food you cut on it.
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Vivian Chen, MD
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Consider the cause of your sinus problems
If allergies are the cause of your sinus problems, a vaporizer may be a smarter pick than a humidifier. While humidifiers can relieve sinus-related symptoms of allergies, they can also encourage the growth of mold and dust mites in your home, which could exacerbate your allergies.
Warm vs. cool mist
One 2017 study involving patients under mechanical ventilation found that warm, moist air was beneficial for loosening mucus1. However, if you’re not directly inhaling the air from the device (such as with a vaporizer), the temperature of the particles might not make a huge difference in how you experience the benefits.
Safety first
Every product on our list has an auto-shutoff feature, which should be non-negotiable when shopping for home devices like this. And, if you have children and pets in your space, it’s worthwhile to consider a table-top friendly humidifier that you know will be safely out of their reach.
Cleaning-friendliness
Again, your humidifier needs to be cleaned regularly. Some products on our list get higher praise than others for easy cleaning, so if you’re someone who groans over washing dishes, you’ll want to pick a product that’s as low maintenance as possible.
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Jamey Powell
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Dr. Chen is a medical doctor with 15 years of clinical experience. She is board certified in the UK in both internal medicine and family practice, and now lives in California with her family.
Her world turned upside down when her daughter was hospitalized soon after being born with symptoms no doctor could figure out. Through doing her own research, she was able to help her daughter recover. She also realized that the many years of chronic fatigue, acne, and brain fog she had was due to environmental toxicity. This opened the world of root causes she had never considered before as a conventional medical doctor.
When she moved to San Francisco, she decided to make it her mission to help people reduce their toxin load because she believes environmental toxins to be one important root cause not enough doctors are talking about.
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Vivian Chen, MD
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