Published May 14, 2019. Updated May 29, 2019

As a mother of three and a toxic exposures specialist, I have grappled with my sun exposure strategies. Knowing that there is no such thing as nontoxic sunscreen and that our bodies need sun exposure for vitamin D, I have wondered what is best for my children as I slather them with heavy sunscreen that is not natural.

With sunburns, skin care, and vitamin D deficiency (and related health issues) all on the rise, I summarized how I balance all this...

I wasn't going to write an article about voice. But I became inspired while watching the RBG documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In trying to explain her passion for the opera, she says:

The sound of the human voice is like an electrical current going through me

That got me curious, especially since I've been writing a lot about sounds, vibrations, and silence for April's ear meditation detox. And then I thought about one of the most important voices to us: the voice of our mother....

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

The first time I experienced chanting was circa 2002. In fact, it was in the location in the photograph above, which was taken in 2016. Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas.

Business school classmates and I attended a yoga retreat in the Bahamas for five days. We were all pretty new to yoga, and we didn't know much about what we enrolled in. The key points that sold us on the yoga retreat were that it was relatively inexpensive (and included...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

During this month's ear meditation, I must address the power of words. This post was originally published several years ago but was updated on April 30, 2019.

How do these words make you feel?

Observe how these words make you feel:

• I hear you
• I see you
• I love you
• You make me laugh
• You make me smile
• I really enjoyed meeting you
• It was so nice to hear from you
• Thank you
• You look beautiful
• You can be whatever you want to be
• You are...

Nontoxic cleaning for natural woods deserves a gentle approach because wood can be affected by acidity, too much dryness, and too much wetness.

The wood polish recipe below is my favorite way to clean wood tables and shelves!

Wood Polish

• 1/4 cup White Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 10 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 8oz Spray Bottle

Mix all together is a glass spray bottle, shake before each use.  This recipe can also be made with orange or lavender essential oil.

 

 

 

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Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel at the California Closets' beautiful store in Tribecca. Our topic: Spring Clean: Your Home-Body-Mind.

Highlights

Below are a few highlights in my mind:

1. You can fold your clothes, underwear, and socks so that when you open your drawers and open your closets, you see little "presents." Imagine how that might alter how you start your day or unwind as you get out of your day clothes for bedtime! Founder of Organize Decor, Samantha...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Advances in technology now allow scientists to measure sounds and examine reactions from our brains, nervous systems, biological electrical communications, and hormones. Technology has shed light on how sounds—from music to noise pollution to silence—can influence our stress, moods, heart rate, memories, immune response, and healing.

Sounds can be incorporated into your daily or evening routines to help you take care. Our brains,...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Many people ask me:

• What are the top non toxic cleaning products?
• What are the most effective green cleaning products?
• Which non toxic home cleaners do you use?
• Do you think green products work?
• What's your favorite green cleaner?

I spent many years researching―and too much time and money searching for―green cleaning products that work. In short: It's hard to generalize, and it's hard to know which cleaning products work and are truly safe.

Unknown...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Have you heard of the Environmental Health Trust (EHT)? If not, you should visit its website at www.ehtrust.org. It states:

Environmental Health Trust was created with the goal of promoting health and preventing disease one person, one community and one nation at a time.

EHT shares the vetted science on how human health may be impacted by the electromagnetic fields from our technology. It is a wealth of sobering and empowering science that is...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

We live in a noisy world. In cities, obvious sources come from honking drivers, and sirens from fire trucks and ambulances. We all hear noise from airplanes flying above, thunder and rain during a storm, barking dogs, and sometimes construction. Within households, loud sounds can come from appliances, babies, and children.

I'm grateful for having learned more about noise levels that can damage hearing. There are free apps that can measure sound so...