Germs are in the air again: Indicators show that the winter wave of flu and COVID is finally under way. Are you on the verge of getting sick? Am I? My 5-year-old does feel a little warm to me; his sister seems okay. Maybe I should take their temperature? Maybe I should not. Here’s my resolution for the year ahead: I will not take their temperature. No parent should be taking temperatures. Because doing so is next to useless. Home thermometers are trash. The thermometer I have is the kind you point at someone’s head. Clearly it’s a scam. At…
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There’s no shortage of nutritional advice out there, and many experts tell us entire food groups are bad. Vegans advise against animal products, while carnivore followers warn against grains and legumes. Yet, leafy greens seem to be universally praised. When it comes to greens, the more you eat, the better off you are, right? Not necessarily. Compounds called oxalates in leafy greens and other foods might make us think twice about how much we eat. What Are Oxalates? Oxalates (oxalic acid) are natural compounds found in many plant foods but are also produced as a waste product by the human…
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You probably remember when you took your last shower, but if I ask you to examine your routine more closely, you might discover some blank spots. Which hand do you use to pick up the shampoo bottle? Which armpit do you soap up first? Bathing, brushing your teeth, driving to work, making coffee—these are all core habits. In 1890, the psychologist William James observed that living creatures are nothing if not “bundles of habits.” Habits, according to James’s worldview, are a bargain with the devil. They make life easier by automating behaviors you perform regularly. (I would rather attend to…
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I’ve mentioned before how I stopped tooth decay and helped remineralize teeth. For healthy tooth enamel, it’s important to focus on good nutrition and have a great oral care routine. If you’re dealing with sensitive teeth, this homemade remineralizing toothpaste helps reverse and prevent demineralization! When I was actively working on my cavities I used a two-part approach. First, I addressed my mineral levels through what I ate and drank. I also used a natural remineralizing toothpaste for enamel repair. I’ve since noticed a huge improvement in tooth sensitivity and no new caries! A Remineralizing Toothpaste There’s a lot of…
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In the summer of 2018, 59-year-old David Gould went for his annual checkup, expecting to hear the usual: Everything looks fine. Instead, he was told that he was newly—and oddly—anemic. Two months later, Gould began to experience a strange cascade of symptoms. His ankles swelled to the width of his calves. The right side of his face became so bloated that he could not open his eye. He developed a full-body rash, joint pain, fever, and drenching night sweats. His anemia worsened, and he was requiring frequent blood transfusions. Gould’s physicians were baffled; he was scared. “I started to get…
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Our family has drank this golden milk recipe for years and it’s a favorite of ours. I love curling up with a good book and a hot drink and golden milk is a great hygge option. Its earthy, golden spice is a powerful Ayurvedic medicine used for centuries. Naturally gluten-free, golden milk is a tasty way to get the health benefits of turmeric! Turmeric Golden Milk You’ve probably encountered turmeric in Indian or Asian dishes. It’s easily recognized by its bright yellow (and I mean very bright yellow!) color. Called haldi doodh in India, traditional turmeric tea is simply made…
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In an increasingly toxic world, more people are looking for natural remedies and simple ways to detox. If you’ve spent any time reading articles online or keeping up with social media, you may have come across something called an armpit detox. Baking soda is a common ingredient in these recipes, but does it really do what people claim? What Is an Armpit Detox? An armpit detox is like a face mask for the armpits. It’s a paste applied to the underarm area to remove toxins, chemical buildup, and odor-causing bacteria. You apply it wet and allow it to dry for…
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Oven cleaning stinks, quite literally! It’s time consuming and commercial oven cleaners are toxic. I also don’t feel like scrubbing stubborn spots and buildup for ages with wimpy cleaners. When I switched from conventional cleaners to natural ones figuring out how to clean the oven was at the top of my list. I don’t have a self-cleaning oven (which may be a good thing) so I had to find an easy, non-toxic cleaning method. Here’s how to clean your oven from top to bottom with DIY cleaners. Plus cleaning tips for those who want something even faster and easier! How…
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I have a history with Caesar salad dressing. Many years ago, before I liked salads (yes, I know!) I thought I didn’t like creamy Caesar dressing. It turns out I just needed to give it a chance! I’ve since come up with this homemade classic Caesar salad dressing and it’s seriously good! A while ago I was at a meeting at a nice restaurant and the hosts served Caesar salad. I didn’t want to seem rude, so I ate it… and loved it! I’ve been semi-obsessed ever since. The crunchy romaine lettuce, creamy dressing, and parmesan cheese make for some…
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For centuries, eggnog has been a part of America’s Christmas festivities. George Washington was rumored to have his own recipe, and the concoction was the catalyst of a riot at West Point in the wee hours of Christmas morning 1826. Today, the grocery chain Kroger sells nearly 3 million gallons of the drink each year. But for a drink with so much tradition, eggnog has long divided Christmas tables. When BuzzFeed ran an article in 2016 titled “Eggnog Is Delicious and If You Disagree You’re Wrong,” it was paired with a missive the same day calling the drink “Absolute Garbage.”…