It’s widely known that yellow foods and ingredients are good for decreasing inflammation and turmeric is one of those magic elements. Turmeric is an Indian spice that gives curry its distinct taste and vibrant yellow color due to the curcumin compound found within. Used medicinally for centuries, turmeric is also comprised of loads of antioxidants, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Does this sound like you? After reading up on how harmful most conventional cleaning products are and learning about #TossTheToxins, you’ve decided to give them up and switch to safer options (like Branch Basics, naturally). You know what to get rid of, what to replace it with, and you’re jazzed to start creating a healthier […]
We get so many questions about which “green” mattresses are truly non-toxic and wanted to share what we (the founders + our team) use in our own homes, and why choosing a safer mattress is so important. Given that we spend at least one-third of our lives in bed, your mattress is probably the most […]
The prospect of home renovation is intimidating in and of itself, but when you are committed to using the healthiest building materials available, it takes the intimidation factor to a new level. I know because we recently completed a renovation on our new home—and even as a healthy home advocate I had my work cut […]
If you aim to eat a diet rich in nutrient-dense whole foods, then you probably take extra steps to avoid ingredients like food dyes, MSG, artificial flavors and preservatives. However, the term “natural flavor” found on a wide variety of organic, gluten-free, and all-natural packaged foods, typically doesn’t sound the alarm for most health-conscious consumers. […]
Is your first go-to when you get a headache taking Aleve, Advil, or some other pain medication? Did you know that a headache is our body’s way of telling us something is not right? A headache is not a medication deficiency. Taking a pill will only address the symptoms not the cause. Usually there is […]
For the past two decades, doctors have been telling us to lather up with sunscreen to protect our skin and prevent skin cancer. In the past five years, however, studies are showing that we may need to forgo the sunscreen so we can get enough Vitamin D. Confused about what to do? Read on to […]
According to EWG, people come into contact with over 500 synthetic chemicals daily in their homes! Commercial personal care products and cleaning products typically contain Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), which wreak havoc on our hormones. Yes, what you wash your clothes in, clean your kitchen with, and put on your skin all contribute to hormone […]
We have many people come to us for advice on how to choose the best products for a healthy home and body. This includes cleaning products, natural foods, baby products, personal care products, gardening products, water filters, air purifiers, building materials, etc. And we love to arm readers with the information they need to make […]
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’re not big on “sanitizer” or “disinfectant” cleaning products. We consider these words red flags on labels as they typically indicate the product contains an EPA-registered pesticide, which is designed to kill, and has been shown to encourage the proliferation of superbugs. Given this new […]
We get a surprising number of inquiries on how to choose a quality, non-toxic cutting board and keep it clean and sanitized without harmful chemicals. And considering we all use cutting boards to prepare food every single day, this is an important issue to address when creating a healthy home. Choosing The Best Cutting Board […]
Now that you have a great quality wooden or bamboo cutting board (see our previous article here), we want to teach you how to clean, sanitize, and care for your new cutting board. Keep in mind, wood and bamboo cutting boards do require a bit more maintenance and hand-washing than plastic, but when properly cared […]
If you clicked to read the article, bravo! because the topic of whether to use a microwave oven is a highly controversial and loaded one. On the one hand, nearly every home in America (90% according to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]has one.) They’re super convenient, we’re told they’re safe, and […]
Nearly everyone has experienced the plight of mold and mildew build-up on tile grout. It’s particularly common in showers and tubs where the combination of soap scum and moist warm air create the perfect breeding ground. And nearly everyone follows the “standard procedure” for removal: spray the area with a harsh bleach-based solution, wait several […]