Welcome! Here’s a list of my favourite products which contribute to my healthy lifestyle as a Spoonie Warrior.
My current home care favourites
This spring, I’m all about the deep cleans, decluttering and giving away what I no longer need. I am obsessing over my upcoming balcony gardens (my plans are already drawn!) and rearranging my house plants with a peculiar but very honed-in sense of purpose. More importantly, I am focusing on providing my body with clean air and water – something I consume every single day and which overtime has a tremendous impact on my overall health. Here are some of my favourite products that I recommend for a clean, healthy home as someone living with chronic autoimmune conditions.
- Blueair Blue 411 air purifier. The amount of particles and VOCs circulate in greater quantities in the winter months, especially because we stay indoors more and windows are closed. Studies have shown that our homes can actually contain more pathogens and pollutants than the outside. And in spring, bring on the the seasonal allergies! So why not help out your immune system (and symptoms) by cleaning the air you breathe at home? I love this particular Blueair filter because it is small, has a nice design, it’s quiet, an affordable price and very efficient at eliminating so many pollutants and particles such as pollen, fire smoke and pet dander.
- Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System. Just like clean air, clean water is very important for overall health. Most places in North America have fairly good public water available (tap water), however increasingly these water treatment plants aren’t able to keep up with (or aren’t capable of) filtering so many modern day contaminants, such as birth control, arsenic, anti-depressants, antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, pesticides and agricultural runoff, PCBs, and lead, as just a few examples. The Frizzlife filter is suitable for an apartment or condo dwelling and fits conveniently under the sink at a reasonable price. If you want to bring out the big guns for a large home, consider the Whole Master Whole House Filter system.
- Dyson V10 Allergy Cordless Vacuum. This vacuum was a life-saver for me! After years of brooming it in my apartments, I got so fed up knowing that my floors and furniture were never actually totally clean. Dust, pollen, pet hair and other particles sneakily stuck around. Within just a few uses of my Dyson stick vacuum, the difference in the cleanliness of my home, and even the quality of the air I breathed, was so noticeable! Yes it’s a pretty penny, but trust me it’s worth the expense, plus there’s a lifetime warranty.
For a more complete list of household products, please check out my Home Care page.
My current body care favourites
It’s time to go from winter skin to spring skin. Here are some products that I am welcoming back to my skin and hair routines as I prep for that warmer, sunnier weather. Bring on the adventures!
- Australian Gold Botanical 50 SPF tinted. This silky-smooth sunscreen comes in 3 different tints and is my favourite for all day wear in the sun, wether it’s out on a terrace or out for a run. I love its texture, it doesn’t smear and does well alongside makeup applications. My only point of contention is that it has lightly stained my bright white t-shirts, so I use Australian Gold’s non-tinted sunscreen for everywhere below the neck.
- Thayers Rose & Witch Hazel Facial toner. Witch hazel and rose are some of my favourite ingredients to use on the skin when it comes to its astringent, cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps with bruises, sunburns, irritation or redness, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and sebum overproduction. Plus, the natural rose scent from this natural toner is such a lovely way to end the day.
- Annemarie Borlind Aqua Nature Light. I am prone to dryer skin and am reaching an age where I want to take better care of my skin and reduce negative environmental impacts and minimize the first signs of of aging. I love the Aqua Nature skincare line by Annemarie Borlind, and in particular the Light gel cream for those hot summer days, when I am playing sports or working out at the gym. Its texture is between a gel and a cream to moisturize but not create a thick mask that will just melt off as soon as you start to sweat (…gross). Plus, it contains botanical hyaluronic acid from Chinese tremella mushroom to create that hydrated, plump, youthful skin from your youth.
For a more complete list of body care products, please check out my Body Care page.
My current health care favourites
This winter body was akin to a potato, and I am so ready to shed the extra pounds, get my body moving and flowing, and acquire extra energy so that I can sustain the many plans that I have for these warmer months.
- Flora’s Flor Essence Herbal Tea Blend. This is a long-time favourite of mine come Spring. It is a gentle herbal formula to cleanse many systems in the body. Keyword being gentle, and that’s why I love it, because it supports so many pathways without being too aggressive and lead to adverse detox symptoms. Spring is the perfect time to use it, after our bodies have been through a season of being more sedentary, eating heavier foods and sleeping more (generally speaking).
- Squeeze Exercise bands. Exercise bands are so versatile: they are easy to use, carry around, and there are so many ways to use them. I might use them while I am working at my desk all day, or bring them to the gym for a light workout, and I also bring them on my travels (they are so light and easy to pack in a suitcase). Exercise bands assist in keeping good form, staying in shape and encourage movement by virtue of being fun and easy to use.
- Garden of Life’s Dr. Formulated Once Daily Women’s. Normally I recommend that everyone take a probiotic if they don’t regularly consume fermented foods (such as kimchi or yoghurt) or beverages (such as kombucha or kefir). Viral pathogens like to spread when the seasons change, and seasonal allergies will rear their ugly head soon enough. It’s good practice to support your immune system by ensuring a healthy and diverse microbiome. Because after all, over 70% of your immune system is found in the gut!
For a more complete list of health care products, please check out my Health Care page.
