by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Updated November 25, 2020 to include Practical Nontoxic Living podcast episode 18: Essential Features of a Healing Space. Originally published on February 14, 2019.

It feels like there's a tremendous collective craving for more true connections, kindness, and sincere love. Especially love for oneself.

I don't know if my stage in life makes me more observant of this, if it's my particular lens and/or my surroundings (NYC), or if it's a new...

I'm so excited to share this podcast with you!

While sick (probably from the novel coronavirus), I wondered: 

With my value system of practical nontoxic living, what is the appropriate perspective given our novel coronavirus?

I wondered this for my family and I as much as for you.

More specifically, I was trying to understand:

Are toxic cleaning products worthwhile now because of the novel coronavirus?

Homebound with family members on wireless devices, are our EMF exposures...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Even after studying and teaching nontoxic living for over a decade, I'm more energized than ever: The evidence for precautionary measures continues to strengthen, and the public is more curious than ever.

I just returned from spending a week in Los Angeles. My trip to LA originated from a personal reason, but I extended my visit to make room for various work events.

Detox Market

Soon after arriving in LA, I headed over to the retail...

by Sophia Ruan Gushee

Podcast composer: Chris Robertson

Dr. Esther Sternberg served for 26 years in the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program as Senior Scientist and Section Chief of Neuroendocrine Immunology and Behavior at the National Institute of Mental Health.

She has too many other impressive accomplishments to list here. But, currently, she holds the Inaugural Andrew Weil Chair for Research in Integrative Medicine and is Research Director for the...

How does the energy in your home make you feel?

Most of us overlook the energy of our home but many others have believed in its importance for centuries. For example, Feng shui, used for 3,500+ years, is a philosophy that aims to harmonize the energy of a place. It incorporates many considerations—like astronomy, where sunlight enters the room, and which materials can reflect or absorb this sunshine.

While I was skeptical of Feng shui for decades, I have noticed...

Ayurveda, also known as Ayurvedic medicine, is a 7,000 year old Hindu system of medicine native to India. Familiar aspects of Ayurveda include meditation, yoga and the alkaline diet. This holistic perspective on wellbeing can support health, pain, energy, beauty, and more.

Juhi Center in Manhattan provides "a personalized treatment protocol that includes diagnosis, therapy, education and empowerment, creating a virtuous cycle of healing," according to its website. Clients range from...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

In February, we are pursuing a heart meditation. We will touch upon factors to help support the heart physically. But we will focus more on nourishing what the heart represents: love.

This article is intended to set the stage for upcoming content in February as we take the month to delve deeper into how to cultivate feel-good emotions.

How Healthy are our Hearts?

Our hearts need more attention for effective care.

Physically

Heart disease...

In February, we're tending to our hearts and working on cultivating love and good feelings. Included in February's strategy is creating more mindful boundaries from technology, especially in the evening.

It helps if you can replace old habits with enjoyable (and healthy) new ones. So part of our objective in February is to suggest healthy and healing replacement habits and rituals.

This gift guide is here to help! The product selections below offer lovely and practical ideas for...

by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Breathing techniques are powerful tools to influence our mind, body, energy, emotions, moods, and detoxification.

And I love how accessible they are to diverse demographics: from children to the elderly, among all geographies, for any budget, from a still moment while waiting in line at a store to an hour-long class in a gorgeous yoga studio, from a stressful moment in an intense meeting to a relaxing evening at home. Breathing...