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by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

If you want to reduce toxic chemicals in your home, evaluate your furniture.  

Originally, furniture was made from 100% solid wood. Today's furniture, however, is made of various chemicals that exist as composite woods that are held together with adhesives and resins, plastic coverings, paints, synthetic fabrics, and chemical finishes (for resistance to flames, water, stains, and/or bacteria).

These...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Furniture would fall apart without the use of adhesives or another method that holds the parts together.

Imagine trying to sit on a chair that’s not secured by adhesives and screws.

Are you picturing yourself on the floor with chair pieces around you? Me too.

While important, adhesives are often made from hazardous chemicals. These chemicals enter our bodies as we inhale their fumes and absorb them through our skin.

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

PBDE flame retardants were phased out in 2004 and 2010, yet these chemicals are still around.

Scientific studies have found PBDEs in humans and the environment—over 8 years later.

They could still be in your home.

What are PBDEs?

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are chemical flame retardants.  They come in a variety of mixtures such as pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-pentaBDE), octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE), and...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

We use our kitchen dining table daily to gather for a quick breakfast, family meals, and (let’s be honest) to hold the mail pile.

It’s a centerpiece of the kitchen or dining room utilized by the entire family.

The type of dining table, and accompanying chairs, that are used are a main furniture pieces in our homes that can be harmful to health.

What Factors Are Important to Consider?

When choosing a nontoxic dining table...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

With chemicals that are banned or phased out, you expect them not to be a concern anymore, right?

The reality is: Chemicals, like PFCs, stick around for years, even decades—both in the environment and our bodies—which is ironic when you consider how PFCs are used.

What are PFCs and why are they still around?

PFCs, or perfluorochemicals, are a large group of chemicals that have many names. Two...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

When buying furniture the first consideration is usually about the look and feel of the furniture. Not about how it may be affecting health.

Furniture and other home furnishings often contain formaldehyde. In this article you will find:

• What is formaldehyde?
• Household items containing formaldehyde.
• Short-term effects of formaldehyde exposure.
• Can formaldehyde cause cancer?
• How to avoid formaldehyde exposure at home.
• Find more...

I couldn't be more thrilled to be part of Well+Good's recent talk about why home is becoming the hottest wellness destination.

With technology having us be more productive and busier than ever, I need my home to be where I can restore all parts of me.

"A healthy home does not harm my body, and it facilitates the restoration of my body, mind, soul, energy, and spirit."

—Sophia Gushee

Our indoor environment is more polluted than outdoors

Most people...

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

Did you recently buy new furniture, such as a bed frame, couch, desk or shelving unit? Do you feel tired, light headed, foggy, or crabby but don’t know why? Your new furniture may contribute to these symptoms from the toxic fumes that some furniture off-gasses. Purchasing non toxic household products and furniture is always something that we recommend. In addition, you can also look into quality non toxic carpet to...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

If you're in NYC and free on the evening of March 13, then please join the event below. It's a description from my Instagram account, which I've become more active on. Please Like and Comment the post below, and follow me on Instagram!

 

I’m so looking forward to my conversation with fellow Brown University alumni Max Goldberg (@livingmaxwell), founder of Organic Insider, and Pat Manocchia, founder of La Palestra. We’ll be talking...

by the editorial team

Supporting your child’s resilience has never been more important than now in our digital day and age.

The technology that allows your child to watch educational videos online is the same technology that can be used to access inappropriate adult content.

The social network that lets your child stay in touch with their friends can also facilitate cyberbullying and harassment.

As a parent, you have an opportunity to encourage digital resilience in your children...