How often do you think about cleaning your home’s walls and ceilings? Perhaps never?! Yet, cleaning them can make a big difference in your home’s air quality as porous drywall attracts a good bit of dust, mold, pollens, viruses, bacteria, VOCs (especially fragrance chemicals), and other pollutants. Better air means better health and improved immunity […]
If you’re like most people, you probably see common house dust as more of a nuisance than a threat. But the very familiar practice of “routine dusting”, properly done, can actually transform your life! Why Should We Care About Dust? Dust particles in the air are not only a vehicle for the spread of airborne […]
This time of crisis has shone a bright light on our need, more than ever, to address the air quality in our homes and businesses. Indoor air quality impacts our health in more ways than we realize, and focusing on better air quality will mean better health for the entire household. The EPA estimates indoor […]
It looks like face masks are here to stay until coronavirus gets under control. While their use/overuse is controversial in terms of effectiveness and we do not recommend wearing them for extended periods of time in most circumstances, we know they are sometimes necessary and often required during this time. Given that many states, counties, […]
Eating our favorite foods can be comforting during stressful times and a New York Times article titled “Stress Baking More Than Usual?” reflects what grocery store owners are reporting – increased sales of baking supplies, beer, chocolate, and wine! This is no surprise as difficult times can be a recipe for stress based eating that […]
The topic of dietary fats and oils is one of the most controversial and puzzling topics in the field of nutrition. It seems every expert has a different opinion on how much fat we should be eating, how fat impacts our health, and which foods are the healthiest source of fats. However, while everyone has […]
If a world crisis can teach us anything it’s how to be a bit more resourceful. For example, most of us have been in the decades-long habit of running to the store for supplements, herbs, medicine, etc. when we begin feeling unwell. However, in the coronavirus era we must stay home if we feel sick […]
We’re all at different stages in our journey to create healthier homes. Some of us are just starting out by completing our challenge to #TossTheToxins, like harmful cleaning and personal care products, and others are at the point where we’re ready to start replacing old furniture with non-toxic or less toxic brands. This is a […]
Creating a Healthy Home and completing #TossTheToxins is a process. We have found that removing harmful pesticides, cleaning products, synthetic fragrances, and personal care products is a great start and creates a dramatic improvement in your home’s air quality. From there, as we are able, we recommend getting rid of plastics – BPA / Phthalates, […]
Staying healthy amidst a pandemic is what’s on everybody’s mind right now. However…between learning to work from home, homeschool, socialize virtually, keep our houses germ-free, and stay abreast of the news it’s easy to neglect our regular self-care regimes. Yet, making the time to care for yourself is critical during these times of stress and […]
These days we are all very motivated to keep our homes as healthy as possible. Stores have sold out of hand sanitizer, cleaning products, and disinfectants; people are washing their clothes as soon as they get home from public places, and good old fashioned hand washing has become all the rage. And we support smart […]
Creating a healthy home starts with safe cleaning. With all of the products, buzzwords and claims out there it can be hard to know where to start, especially now when harsh chemicals seem like the only answer. We hope this article sheds light on how you can use Branch Basics to remove germs and keep […]
Pesticides are one of the most harmful toxins lurking in most homes, garages, and garden sheds. According to a recent UN report over 200,000 people die each year from pesticide exposure, while millions more are unknowingly sickened by these insidious toxins which are linked to everything from cancer and Parkinson’s to depression, developmental disorders and […]
If you’re expecting a baby (especially your first baby), you’ve probably thought a lot about their nursery. You’ve chosen a room, picked a theme, and started browsing baby stores for the perfect crib, rocker, bedding, changing table, and paint color. As you shop, you’ve probably noticed label claims like “organic,” “green-guard certified,” “BPA and phthalate-free,” […]
Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter produced by the human body and is also a naturally occurring component of many healthy whole foods. It occurs in protein-containing foods such as cheese, milk, mushrooms, meat, and fish as well as some fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The glutamate from whole foods is slowly assimilated and broken down so […]
So you have completed the removal of all pesticides, harmful cleaning, and laundry products from your home. You have dramatically improved your home’s air quality! You are off to a good start in creating your healthy home!!! Now it is time to take on another critical category–synthetic fragrance. When we see this single word fragrance […]
Nontoxic Air Fresheners It is estimated that 75% of US households use some type of air freshener. Air Fresheners are among the most toxic products found in our homes. They are a primary source of 100’s of harmful volatile organic compounds VOCs and some of these create what are called secondary reaction products if there […]
It’s that time of year again. A time for peace and joy, gift-giving and feasting, winter sports and cozy fires. And while it’s not uncommon to come down with a virus this time of year, it’s not inevitable either. In fact, we have a good bit of control over how our bodies resist cold and […]
With the gift-giving season upon us, we all love to fill our homes with the lovely scents and aromas of Christmas. The inviting warm glow of candlelight sets the mood for the season’s celebration. For many of us scented candles are a favorite go-to gift, so it is important to make sure that the candles […]
Eating healthy, delicious meals shouldn’t feel overwhelming, especially around the holidays! Whether you are hosting family and friends this year or bringing a dish to share, these simple sides are sure to be crowd-pleasers. Make sure to use all organic ingredients! EASY CRANBERRY RECIPE What You’ll Need: 2 packages 10 ounce frozen cranberries or fresh […]
The ill effects of plastic on humans (cancer, birth defects, and hormonal imbalances) have largely been swept under the proverbial plastic industry rug. Sure, we all heard about the dangers of BPA a few years back, but once BPA-free products started hitting the shelves, many people were falsely comforted and forgot about avoiding plastics. And […]