My simple home: how to detox your kitchen
So last week I introduced you to my latest project: setting up the cleanest, most economical, sustainable, toxin-free home I can. You can catch up here. My Simple Home is my latest campaign and I’m fired up to get people on board, to think about how to make simple, conscious decisions that can have big impact, and I’m doing a series that follows my own journey with my own apartment.
Image via vintage kitchen tumblr
First up I’m going to target my kitchen. My new kitchen is, well, pretty new. It was renovated nine years ago and I don’t want to do too much to mess with it. I don’t want to waste resources when it’s functioning pretty well. The idea of tossing stuff out that still works, even if it’s not the ideal choice….I find it abhorrent. The impact on the planet, our health and our conscience of tossing, faaaaaar outweighs any benefits gleaned from a cleaner, new option. That said, I have a few issues with my appliances and this whole process is about weighing up different factors: ethical, environmental, health and financial. There is no easy answer…it’s about being conscious and caring! So I invited building biologist Nicole Bijlsma in to give an overview of what’s at play. (PS Excuse the jump and Jo’s finger that
swiped across the screen at one point.)
I should point out, Nicole is based in Melbourne and can do a report on your home anywhere in Australia. Simply contact her here for more information. The salient points from our chat are these:
* Induction is OK.
I was very scared about this one. While induction cooktops are incredibly efficient and really responsive (a whole heap of chefs and foodies opt for them at home), they work using EMFs….which freak-me-the-fork-out. There was little chance I was going to rip the thing out. But how could I live with it if I knew it was impacting my health? Mercifully, Nicole set me straight…stand back from the stove when it’s on and I’m right as rain (it reduces the EMFs by about 90%).
Nicole also said: concerns about the electromagnetic field exposure from induction cooktops have been raised since 2002 (in Japan initially) and more recently, by their ability to affect cardiac pacemakers. This is because unlike your other household appliances, they use a higher frequency and the magnetic field exposure is significantly higher. Solution: stand at least 30 centimetres (an arm’s length) away from the cooker, in that way your exposure drops to background levels.
* European appliances are good.
This is because all their electrical guff is at the back, which will reduce your exposure to the magnetic field. However this can vary depending upon the model (not the brand). A cheap way to determine if a magnetic field is emanating from the appliance in question is to turn the appliance on and see if it interferes with the needle of a compass.
* Flashing digital stuff on the front of stoves and fridges etc is highly problematic.
Try to avoid them. If you already have them, stand back from them when cooking. Nicole adds: digital clocks are notorious for creating high level magnetic fields and consequently you should not stand directly in front of them for any length of period of time. For example, standing at the kitchen bench preparing food which is directly in front of the dishwasher will expose your reproductive organs to high fields. The World Health Organisation classified 50Hz magnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans in 2002.
* Ventilation is king.
* My slow cooker is great.
* Down-lighting: LEDs are best.
LEDs emit the lowest electromagnetic fields. Compact fluorescent lamps and halogen down lights can be an issue with people with Electrical Hypersensitivity.
* Nicole also shares tips on how to buy a water filter (and why you should).
Bear in mind flouride is terrible for anyone with thyroid issues. Nicole actually mentions the folk at Clarence Water Filters are great. Try their Under sink system to remove most of the fluoride without any waste water, or their Bench top unit to remove fluoride without waste water.
For more of Nicole’s tips on drinking water click here.
And here’s the EWG’s guide to selecting a water filter.
For some added value, I thought I’d throw in some extra tips pertaining to the kitchen. I’m collating these as I go, learning along the way. Please feel free to add anything you’ve learned from renovating or making healthy home changes…
1. Choose dishcloths over paper towels. Green Magazine has done the research. Dishcloths outlive their paper counterparts, so the impact of their production is less per use. Although dishcloths require regular washing, green laundry habits can minimise water and energy use. So to be a truly green cleaning machine, stick to re-usable cloths that come from the most sustainable sources or, best of all, make your own from old clothes and towels, and compost when you’ve finished with them.
For more kitchen tips from Nicole, check out this page on her site.
Nicole is also giving away three copies of her Healthy Homes Healthy Family book on my site today. If you’d like to get hold of a copy, simply add a comment below.
And if you’re in Sydney, why not go down to the Sydney Exhibition Centre this week (6 – 8 Feb) and check out the Australian International Furniture Fair, and Decoration + Design, two international furniture and furnishing trade fairs. Specifically the International Industry Seminar Series, covering a range of topics including sustainability and health. (The series is headlined this year by Abigail Ahern (UK) and Mark Woodman (USA), joined by Greg Natale, Amanda Talbot, and Melissa Wittig, whose seminar is very much focussed on health.)
For information, or to register to visit, go here.
Thanks you for, once again, doing all the hard work and research that now I don’t need to do myself!
Do u use a microwave much?
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February 6th, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Microwave – no. I used to, but have decided not to buy one.
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February 9th, 2013 at 7:59 am
Soap nuts can be used in the kitchen. I use them for washing up, in the dishwasher, for cleaning all my appliances and bench tops. I use them for every cleaning application in my home, even wash my hair with them. I prefer to simmer them and use the liquid.
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Thanks Sarah, I’ve just moved into a new place as well so this info is very handy!
Ali x
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Great article! Very interested in hearing more on the subject of flouride and its effects on the thyroid – especially as I have Hashimotos.
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February 6th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
Yeah, I use non-flouride toothpaste and am keen to eliminate it…have my suspicions about it re cause of my issues…
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February 8th, 2013 at 11:29 am
I also read mineral water is not great for thyroid,hav u heard anything about that?but thanks for the flueride info very interesting!!
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Lovely article – of particular interest to me is EMF’s and I will be looking to understand more about the research if you can recommend a good place to start?
I also detest the additives in water these days, as it seems the government is dictating what ‘supplements’ we need rather than just ensuring a clean sustainable water source.
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February 6th, 2013 at 9:56 pm
Nicole is your go-to on this….very sensible…read her book!
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February 8th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
There is considerable evidence about the adverse health effects associated with magnetic fields from 50Hz (high voltage power lines, meter box….) and radiofrequencies used in telecommunications. Consequently the World Health Organisation in 2002 classified magnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans and then in May 2011, classified radiofrequencies used in wifi, mobile phones etc as possibly carcinogenic to humans. I have devoted a chapter on EMFs in my book Healthy Home Healthy Family, how the Australian standards compare dismally with other countries and more importantly, the simple steps to reduce your family’s exposure.
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February 8th, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Don’t stop there Nicole, tell the truth. The World Health Organization has done a lot of research since 2002 which you seem to have ignored.
“In October 2005, WHO convened a Task Group of scientific experts to assess any risks to health that might exist from exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields in the frequency range >0 to 100,000 Hz (100 kHz). While IARC examined the evidence regarding cancer in 2002, this Task Group reviewed evidence for a number of health effects, and updated the evidence regarding cancer. The conclusions and recommendations of the Task Group are presented in a WHO Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monograph (WHO, 2007).
Following a standard health risk assessment process, the Task Group concluded that there are no substantive health issues related to ELF electric fields at levels generally encountered by members of the public.”
Taken from the World Health Organization’s own website, the rest of their research is here: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs322/en/index.html
Let me repeat the important bit. THERE ARE NO SUBSTANTIATIVE HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO ELF ELECTRIC FIELDS AT LEVELS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
I think you are scaring people with families unnecessarily, and that is a very mean thing to do.
February 8th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
I am well aware of the monograph, and if you read my comments, you would notice that I am referring to extra low frequency magnetic fields, not electric fields. Since that time (ie 2007), Sweden, Canada and Spain have acknowledged Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity as a functional disorder acknowledging adverse health effects in susceptible individuals arising from exposure to electric, magnetic and radiofrequency fields.
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Read the report, Nicole. It refers to “extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF.)”
And I’m curious – if you were “well aware” of the conclusion of the WHO research, why did you bring it up first and lie about it? Surely you would have been wary that people would have read your comment and thought – hang on, the World Health Organisation has identified a potential carcinogen in 2002 and done nothing about it for over ten years? No investigation, no research? Isn’t that a bit weird?
For the record I actually agree with most of what you’ve been saying, I’m just really disappointed you felt the need to lie about this particular part of it.
Also, while Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity is a real condition, it has not been scientifically linked to electromagnetic fields from appliances and household items. The WHO has said the following: “Electromagnetic hypersensitivity has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to EMF exposure. Further, EHS is not a medical diagnosis, nor is it clear that it represents a single medical problem.” It is not widely accepted, as you claim.
February 14th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Hi Cindy,
You’re getting a copy of Nicole’s book. Please email jo@sarahwilson.com.au with your details to claim your prize!
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Hello! This article is perfect timing for our renovations and we would love a copy of the book!!
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February 14th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Hy Lynn,
You’re getting a copy of Nicole’s book. Please email jo@sarahwilson.com.au with your details to claim your prize!
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This is going to be a fantastic series – bringing awareness to the small ‘hidden’ stuff around our homes that accumulate to one big toxic mess is so important, I can’t wait to learn about the simple changes I can make.
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I couldn’t believe what I read about the digital clocks! Can’t believe the amount of things going on in our own homes which are impacting our health.
Would love to win a copy of Nicole’s book!
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February 9th, 2013 at 2:24 am
Me too! I am also concerned about how many people (including me) sleep with digital clocks right near their heads for long periods of time!
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So great to point out the issue with the digital clocks and panels on appliances like the dishwasher & oven. It will remind me not to stand too close for too long when I am preparing food & cooking in the kitchen! Very concerning, but good to know simply stepping back can reduce the problem! Thanks Sarah!
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February 6th, 2013 at 9:58 pm
pleasure!
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February 14th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Hi Jill, You’re getting a copy of Nicole’s book. Please email jo@sarahwilson.com.au with your details to claim your prize!
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Great post Sarah! Having been a student and moving between share houses and my parents place for what seems like forever, I’ve avoided having to buy appliances and other big house items. Will be moving out on my own soon so looking forward to more posts like these!
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I was really excited to hear that my council are looking at allowing food waste to go in the green waste bin. We don’t have a garden and so don’t compost, but I hate throwing out food and this sounds like a great option. Anyone heard of this happening elsewhere?
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February 6th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Yes, the Clarence Valley council in Northern NSW started doing it last year.
Red bin (rubbish) and yellow recycling bins are now collected fortnightly, and green waste is weekly and you can throw all food scraps in (meat, dairy etc). I was reading about how they basically ‘cook’ all the organic stuff at the new waste centre (I’ll try and find a link)
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February 6th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
THis makes me VERY happy. Was MCing an event today where we discussed this very issue.
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February 8th, 2013 at 11:27 am
Here’s a link for anyone interested: http://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/metro/page.asp?p=DOC-KEZ-71-04-15
There was some resistance from people in the area, but the council phased it in and promoted it pretty well. We were given mini bins, to put on the kitchen bench for food scraps, and now have massive 360L yellow recycling bins.
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February 8th, 2013 at 11:30 am
Very interesting post Sarah, and great to see my home town area of the Clarence Valley get mentioned TWICE via this article for their rubbish collection initiatives and water filter supplier – Clarence Water Filters (Yamba). Meg – For more info on our area’s waste collection service try:
http://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/metro/page.asp?p=DOC-HPY-28-41-84
Looking forward to the IQS website, I’ve just signed up for it… am currently at Week 3 of my own IQS journey.
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As always, thank you for your tips and references to build understanding. I’m encouraged to identify simple changes I can make to help balance my own autoimmune issues.
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thank you for a great post! I am super keen to hear more of this series!
I have been turning my phone to ‘airplane’ mode overnight so I dont have it tranmitting (or whatever it does) over night, next to my head. I think this is a good thing and it appears to make me calmer.
I have yet to start turning my Wireless off overnight – is this super important for reducing EMF?
I also heard that having your computer plugged into the internet is better than relying on wireless. do you know if that is true?
Wow, so many things that we just dont know about! So looking forward to hearing more!
x
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February 6th, 2013 at 10:08 pm
YES, turn wireless off whenever you can!
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February 6th, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Yes Erin, definitely turn off your wireless at night, or better still, plug your computer directly into the cable and keep the wireless off all the time, especially if you have children. Also a good idea to sleep as far away as you can from your smartmeter (if you have one) or meter box in general. We hired a meter from ARPANSA (fairly inexpensive) as recommended on one of Sarah’s older blog posts, and it revealed the following nasties (to name a few): baby monitor, my daughter’s Hello Kitty clock radio (huge output), and the wireless.
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February 8th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Hard wired or cabled internet is recommended. Many schools in the UK and Europe are now removing their wifi from schools due to concerns about its impact on children. If you insist on using wireless, power down the wireless router to the lowest setting (refer to the manufacturers instructions) and turn it off when it is not in use.
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Really enjoyed this article – very pleased to know most of my appliances are ok! Although very interested in the Fluoride:Thyroid issue – would love to learn more about this as I have had a hypoactive thyroid for some time now.
Thanks for an interesting read! x
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I can’t wait for this campaign to hit full swing like IQS!
I’m really looking forward to what we can do to our homes to make them cleaner, healthier environments.
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I guess I am feeling thankful for my outdated appliances (no lights!) and that the one light bulb in our kitchen is a LED. We do not have a microwave either.
I do have to admit though, how overwhelming this all is, I think another reader mentioned it once too, how past generations did not consider their living environs quite as carefully? And therefore were more inclined to spend time out of doors/going about their lives.
Is that a luxury these days?
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Ohhh, I have the same kettle! Never heard a whistle make such a funny sound
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February 6th, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Most ridiculous whistle. My parents had it in their garage…had replaced it…so I took it.
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Interesting tips. I haven’t done much research on water but I wonder if for people without thyroid issues whether the benefits of fluoride outweigh the negatives. Teeth are important too!
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Thanks for that blog post. Will have to learn more about this topic.
I am all for removing chemicals out of our house, started with cleaning and beauty products. EMF is another big issue.
Cheers
A
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I just bought Nicole’s book when I was at The Gawler Foundation. I can’t wait to read it and implement what I have learned.
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A water filter is my last big purchase we need for our house as aside from water tanks. Sarah could you do a post on water filters this tell us which one you have or would recommend? I get overwhelmed with the choices and need an affordable one for the family so maybe a high, med and low price range recommendation.
Love your work. Thanks for sharing
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I’m looking forward to more on this series!
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My husband and I moved into our new house about 9 months ago, and I never thought about the EMF exposure from the induction cooktop! I agree with the reusable dishcloth thing – those “Chux” style cloths are horrible, and now you can get disposable wet cloths for cleaning up spills!? What a crazy market that is. Also, did Nicole mention anything about Microwaves? Mine is at my face height, so that worries the bejesus out of me!
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This is so exciting Sarah, I can’t wait to read about all the research you do to make your home safer, thank you. I’m always trying to improve things in our home too, but it can be overwhelming sometimes.
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this post is awesome, i am bookmarking it for when i buy my first home.
but more importantly, sarah, where did you get your adorable shorts?
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Thanks Sarah, I’d never even thought about standing in front of the dishwasher before. I’m really looking forward to your new simple home project and making improvements to my own along wtih you. Great idea to compost your dishcloths too. I’d love to win a copy of Healthy Homes Healthy Family!
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Great tips
I’d love a copy of the book … I just checked and the local library doesnt have it
Right now I’m very thankful that most of my appliances are really really old and don’t have digital clocks etc on them.
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I am so glad that you have started these topics. I did IQS 15 months ago and for me it kick started thinking about all these topics to do with house, beauty products etc – it’s become a whole life revolution. Luckily I was very healthy to start with so I am not trying to reverse anything, just put things in place for the healthiest future possible.
For me the house topic is timely, I am expecting my first baby any time soon and want to put as many things in place to make sure the world that they will be exposed to is as safe and well considered as possible. I am also after some info regarding the best water filter as there is a lot of info out there and hard to know…the Clarence website is a good start. I would love to read more from Nicole, it is great that someone has put it all together in one book.
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I found the following article about induction hobs quite informative. I would definitely stay away from them.
http://www.spaceclearing.com/blog/2012/11/21/induction-hobs-what-the-sales-people-dont-tell-you/
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This is such an important and timely blog. Thanks Sarah. My electrician husband, badly, needs re-educating about emf. Nicole’s book would really help to set him straight.
He sleeps in front of a clock radio. Bathed in it’s hideous green glow.
I have never felt comfortable with that even before I knew about emf. It truly is Kryptonite!
Why are a lot of men so bloke-ily stubborn!!!
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February 6th, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Nothing to do with being stubborn I’m afraid. Of all the things to worry about in the world, it perhaps doesn’t rate that highly. Death by digital radio is hardly a concern for most men I’d say
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February 8th, 2013 at 11:27 pm
Actually my bloke is more onto this than me- he doesn’t have a mobile phone, we don’t have a clock radio, he’s very sceptical and I reckon would have been great in the 1800′s on a small mixed farm!
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Great timing girls. We just had a quote done on a new kitchen for our house. A lot of food for thought there – I think I might get them to come back now that I’m a bit wiser! I might even save a bit of money!!
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Thanks for the very handy info.
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I bought 2 copies of Nicole’s book 2yrs ago (1 for friend), & still refer to it esp the plastics chapter. Good on u both for sharing your research.
Re water filters: I think I want a reverse-osmosis water filter cos i read that it puts the alkaline minerals back in after taking everything out. But yes, wld have to research the benefits & alt sources of fluorine for teeth. Chlorine is not great for friendly gut flora.
Wld like to know about the emf of fridges that back onto the kids bedroom- do walls act as a barrier? Shd I put something between? Just read in the book that metal beds can generate an electric field if w’in 2m of an emf field. Yikes.
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As per item #1, re washing dishes, general household cleaning chores – I’ve been using old face washers and rags (old singlets and socks are great) for my cleaning, like my Nanna used to do. They’re great! They can be washed over and over. Give them a try!
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Wow, this was enlightening! My girlfriend suffered from Chronic Fatigue for most of her childhood/teenage-hood, and was no sooner over that than she was diagnosed with Graves Disease. We’ve been spending the last year looking at how we can change our lifestyle and diet to help her auto-immune issues, but we had no idea about fluoride! Will be doing more research on that one.
I also had never made the connection between induction cooktops and EMF! Makes me think about what else is harming us that we have no idea about!
Looking forward to reading more in this series (and I might have to get a copy of that book, too!).
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Thank you for all of this information. I have lupus, fibro, Cfs, and sjogrens so my health is a major issue for me and I try to do everything I can to limit my exposure to harmful toxins. I am very electrically sensitive, something that many people seem to think is crazy. The biggest problem for me is that I rent, so I’m very limited with what I can change. We just found what we thought was the perfect house, ticked most of my many boxes for a minimal harm environment, but just discovered the landlord will be refurbishing the kitchen after we move in by relaminating all of the cupboards and surfaces. Nice of him I suppose, but now I’ll have to live with the glues and laminate toxins and off gassing. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by my inability to make my living environment what I want and need it to be. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to afford my own home and can make the changes I need to. Problem is I’m not getting any healthier in the meantime
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February 8th, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Hi Karen. Here are my tips for people with electrical sensitivity:
1. If he renovates the kitchen, organise a company to heat the new kitchen by placing industrial heaters in it to speed up the rate at which the VOCs from the glues, sealants and new building materials will out gas; we call this Bake Out. Then, after 3 days, get them to ventilate the room to enable the VOCs to escape. This will save months and in some cases years of out gassing. Obviously you should move out during this process.
2. I am sure you are already reducing your exposure to all EMFs where you can (especially get rid of the WiFi). That includes electric fields, magnetic fields and radiofrequencies. There is a chapter on this in my book.
3. Evidence from the Scandinavian countries is showing that people who are susceptible to Electrical Sensitivity have a higher level of heavy metals in their bodies and act as antennas to EMFs. Heavy metals in the body may arise from dental amalgams, high fish consumption, titanium implants (teeth, orthopedic surgery…), soil contamination from living near specific industry’s and so on and so forth. A hair mineral analysis and blood test is worth testing for this. If you have amalgams, a good alternative dentist who uses a rubber dam, charcoal capsules, homeopathics and oxygen during the extraction is vital (though some clients can temporary get worse from mercury exposure during extraction).
3. I also suggest you see a good naturopath and/or doctor who has trained with ACNEM for treatment.
All the best, Nicole.
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Wow Sarah!
Such an interesting post and video, as always- an eye opener and great food-for-thought.
Thanks
My hubby has just replaced all the down lights to LED’s, we have NEVER had a microwave and not a flashy digital thing in sight!! Good to know our intuition on NOT exposing ourselves or our little boys to ‘homely toxicity’ was right, would LOVE to read more about it in Nicole’s book!!
Cassie x
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Wow – this is all so interesting. I am always looking for ways to minimise my own carbon footprint and impact on the environment, but have given little thought to the personal impacts of appliances etc on me! I recently threw out my clock radio (for other reasons) and have not got around to replacing it. At first it was disconcerting waking up at night and not knowing what the time was, but now I am used to it, and probably sleeping better at night for it as well!! I certainly won’t be replacing it anytime soon.
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Very interesting! I didn’t know that about the oven lights and emf. I won’t be letting my kids stand there to watch anymore. Thank you!
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Great article. Would love to win the book for my Mum. We recently got rid of her cordless house phone and bought a good old plug-in phone-with-cord so she no longer sleeps with the cordless phone station emitting next to her every night. Hoping her terrible sleep may start improving
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Some great information there Sarah. Great tip about dish cloths vs paper towel. Good quality cotton and microfibre cloths last a long time. As a professional cleaner, my cloths get thrashed. Most of them are still going strong after 400-odd washes. Think of the amount of paper towel that would be used over that period.
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Hi Sarah, love your work! I’m looking to replace my scratched Teflon coated Ikea pots and pans – do you have any suggestions for good, healthy brands/stockists?
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Great post and video Sarah! And a great reminder for me to clean out the exhaust and grill above my stove!!
Love your work – keep it up!! x
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Great information!
Im a little worried as im buying a place now that has only one prep area, right above the dishwasher!
I might look into a way of switiching it off when im working away? i think trying to stand 30cm away while i chop will be pretty impossible. What about standing on the side of the dishwasher? i have the option of standing on the front, side or back while prepping, as its like a small island (of excatly 60cm with the dishwasher inside it). Any ideas?
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Hmm, all really interesting and thought provoking. I have always lived in old run down places and I think the only piece of new furniture I have ever bought are a matress 15 years ago and an oven 3 years ago…and aesthetically I am getting sick of it- In my head I know it’s the ‘right thing to do’ but I am 40 now and feel like I have never had ‘nice things’ or ‘new things’ or ‘things that match’. In the coming year or two we- partner, 2 children and I will probably be moving into my chidhood home…but I am stuck because I am keen to do a big reno- but also want it to be simple. There’s some ugly stuff and poor design there…but it still works- so I feel abit stuck! I wonder what Nicole has to say about ‘good paint’ and wood stoves (on a farm using own wood supply). thanks for this, I’ll be following keenly
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February 8th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Hi Tanya. I have devoted an entire chapter on how to renovate and build a home in the second edition of my book Healthy Home Healthy Family (2012).
Here are some tips:
When renovating an old home, check first for lead paint (go to a paint supplier or hardware store for lead paint checkers). If it is present in the walls, DONOT sand it back especially if you have children. Lead is incredibly toxic and will affect their learning and behaviour. Refer to the Six Step Guide to Painting your Home by the government on how to remove it safely: http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/pubs/leadpaint.pdf. Others things to check are asbestos if it was built between 1945 and the early 1980s. In addition lead solder on metal water pipes etc…
Many paint manufacturers are now producing low or no VOC paints which is great. In addition the lead content has gone from 50% (up to the late 1960s) to 0.1% which is even better! However the low VOC generally only relates to the base coat before you add the colour. I have a list of good brands of paints on my website worth investigating: http://www.buildingbiology.com.au/index.php/Biology/Links.html
Wood stoves can release noxious gases in the indoor air mass so make sure you have very good ventilation if you don’t have any other alternatives for cooking.
Good luck!
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February 8th, 2013 at 11:38 pm
That’s so helpful, I really appreciate your reply. the house is the house I grew up in- came home from hospital when I was born (mum and dad had just moved in, my Pop built it), and left when I was 18 and moving to Melbourne to go to uni. It was built in 1971. Mum and dad have put down some pretty ‘high pollished’ cork boards (!) in the past couple of years. Anyway, it will be good to have a look at your book for more info, thanks.
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Oh boy. I have induction and flashing lights on my oven and cooktop and feel like I spend all day standing in front of it sometimes. I need longer arms!
Also my partner said its hard to switch off wireless without having to reset everything in the morning, like phones, pcs etc. He works from home. I need to get my hands on this book so I can convince him of how important this stuff is.
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Another hint, to determine if your microwave is leaking radiation, put your mobile phone inside, close the door and ring your number. If it rings, then your microwave is leaking. Time to ditch.
Thanks for the post, looking forward to reading more.
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Thanks for this post Sarah!
I’m not sure if anyone has already mentioned this in the multiple comments, however I wear a Tesla Pendant to prevent damage to my system from EMF.
You can get them for your whole home, phone etc.
I can only speak from my experience, I’m still not sure if it works however when I first held the pendant in my hand and wore it I could feel energy coursing through my body. Maybe it would be a worthwhile investment to minimise the effect of EMF on our bodies?
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February 8th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Be careful about spending money on devices that promise to reduce your exposure to electromagnetic fields. Most of the devices we test do not reduce the exposure to any of the fields (electric, magnetic or radiofrequencies) and give the consumer a false sense of security. Devices that create a distance between you and the source of the EMF (such as an airtube ear piece), will work based on the inverse square law (as you double the distance away from the source, you will reduce your exposure by 75%). Regards, Nicole.
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February 8th, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Hi Nicole,
I have been really interested in EMF’s since commencing in my current role where on my desk alone i have 3 computers, a combined radio/telephone system, a landline and a VHF radio. Multiply that by three for the three desks in our office and then WSD Screens x 6 and then 12 computer monitor screens for CCTV. EEEk!!! I came from working on the water on boats in the gorgeous fresh air and sunshine so this clearly is a total shock for my system. Should i just pack up my madonna headset and go home or is there any hope when working somewhere like this? Im concerned about my reproductive organs mostly.I’ve read the WHO info however its based on ‘normal’ exposure to appliances.Any recommended reading or advice?
Loving the new house info Sarah, you have certainly opened my eyes up to some fabulous ideas, websites and info over the years! Thanks a million x
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Thanks for yet another very informative post – I had no idea! really looking forward to your future posts
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Great post, thanks for the info. All this is going through my head with my little 18month old spending a lot of time with me in the kitchen too! Would love get a copy of the book!
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Hi Sarah,
I’m currently living in a house that has a lot of lighting and dimmer switches. I’m curious- does the EMF only effect you when you have the lights on, or are they still buzzing around you even if you don’t switch them on? Same with dimmer switches, there are several in my bedroom near where I sleep which I don’t use, but are they still effecting me even when not in use?
Btw congrats on success of I Quit Sugar!
Laura
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February 8th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Its great to see such interest on this topic. Dimmer switches create a high electric field which can be an issue for people with electrical sensitivity. Apart from sunlight, the incandescent light bulb is the healthiest of all the lighting, however as this is being phased out (another green washing idea gone wrong), LED is your next best option. I have a table of the various types of lighting and their health effects in my book – Healthy Home Healthy Family (2nd edition, 2012). Cheers, Nicole.
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February 8th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Thanks so much for your response Nicole! Have just placed an order for your book!
Laura
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Brilliant timing. I’m about to start renovations on an old house and I cannot get enough info into me about this topic. Thanks for sharing!
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Love this post Sarah! I knit my own dishcloths from 4 Ply cotton and would never go back to even bought cloths. I change them every couple of days then chuck em in the wash each week – easy least. I haven’t knitted for about 20 years as I always thought of it as too granny. But it’s so satisfying to make something yourself which is useful as well as helpin the planet a bit. Lovin the simple life
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February 7th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Oops that didnt make sense at all did it
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February 8th, 2013 at 7:14 pm
Me too! They’re very quick to knit up and are great for testing out new knitting patterns and practising skills like increasing and decreasing. Plus you can knit them in colours to match your kitchen (if you’re a dag like me)!
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February 8th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
Yes I’m a dag too – I colour match
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Hey Sarah,
omg this is so refreshing. Its great to see you’re mapping your philosophies across the entire realm of your life. And, I love riding your coat tails and reading your research, Thankyou. This is a topic I’ve been concerned about for a while.
Hayley
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This is great thanks sarah! For years my mum has told me to stand away from the microwave so i have & I’d love to hear more about the effects of that like a lot of others, but wow I had no idea about magnetic fields & digital clocks!…& fluoride..!!this is great I will b informing all around me of these new facts!!!
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I’ve been thinking of doing this in my kitchen for the last few weeks – what great timing – given me the push to get in the kitchen and clean it up and out!! Would love a copy of the book to help me on my way!!
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Great article Sarah,
I love that you are using what you already have in your kitchen but you’re making changes that are simple but sustainably effective.
At Biome we have just about everything you need to effectively change your environment to a healthy, sustainable and Earth freindly way.
As you mentioned dish cloths, we have 100% organic cotton cloths that are extra soft and the loops offer added texture for scrubbing. Absorbent and durable. http://goo.gl/4WZpU
Anyone interested making their own cleaning products will love our Come Clean Natural Cleaning set that has a juicer built into the bottle so you can juice lemons directly into the spray bottle. It comes with a informative recipe booklet to get you started making small batches of cleaning sprays.
http://goo.gl/ieUlk
We also have non-teflon induction heat non stick cookware that comes in bright colours and is lightweight an non-toxic. http://goo.gl/72CmG
I really just want to let people know that we are a one stop shop for everything you need to help them detoxify their homes and work places. I hope you don’t mind a bit of advertising on your comments
I love your work Sarah.
Many thanks,
Shionagh
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Thank you, some great information there. The book looks good too.
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Thankyou so much sarah for the wealth of information you give us all. I have a son with chronic health issues and eczema we cannot seem to control despite endless medical advice and costs, diets and supplements over 18 years. Time to look much much much more closely at our home environment and read Nicole’s work. Thankyou for getting me fired up. Glenda
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February 8th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
For eczema, get a KDF water filter for the bath and shower as chlorine is a strong skin irritant (it can make a marked difference in some people with skin sensitivities). Also avoid fragrances in any products. I have a list of ingredients to avoid in products for people with skin issues and children with allergies, in my book. Cheers, Nicole.
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Thanks for the tip on the water filters. I did a bit of looking around for water filter to remove fluoride (as well as the rest of the yucky stuff) but the ones I found used double the amount of water – for every litre it cleaned it wasted a litre getting rid of the fluoride etc. Obviously not an option to be so wasteful of water or money so I didn’t get it. This one sounds much better!
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Thanks Sarah for all this excellent info – I am really passionate about creating a chemical/toxic-free home also and am really excited this is what you are focusing on right now and sharing with us all!!
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Very interesting about EMFs and induction cooktops, thanks for the video and article.
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One question – are all induction cooktops the same? I currently have a very old electricity burner but it does not work very well when cooking foods. I only have electricity – no gas available so induction seemed like a good option.
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Hi Sarah, great article – thanks. Our environment is such an important part of our health. Can I suggest that you check out Chemical Free Kids by Dr Sarah Lantz (see http://nontoxsoapbox.com/). She is an Australian researcher who looks at the toxicity of every day household products and the real effects that they have. I have been to a talk of hers and it was great, she is really down to earth and practices what she preaches. Not trying to get in a plug here, I have no association whatsoever, but for those interested in de-toxing their house this is really useful info. Cheers!
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Thanks Sarah and Nicole for a fantastic interview! Definately lots of helpful tips at hand
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Hi Sarah, We hired a meter to measure EMR and microwaves in our home as my mum is very sensitive. The biggest culprit in our house was a cordless phone – the EMR was extremely high in our bedroom, which was 3m from the phone base. The EMR also had to pass through 3 well insulated walls to get from the base to the bedroom. Imagine the radiation in people with cordless phones next to their beds…..Needless to say we have now converted back to the old-fashioned corded phone.
We built this house last year and paid extra to get the internet cabled into all rooms so we didn’t have to go wireless. Lots of people laughed at our choice, but I know it was a good one. We also got a lead shield put in behind the meterbox to reduce radiation, and the meter we hired showed that EMR in that room was still quite low, even at night when we were using the most power.
I hope this helps.
Andrea
PS I am working my way through your cook book. I’ve been sugar-free for over a year, so have enjoyed seeing some new recipes. I’m enjoying a meal-in-a-biscuit cracker as I type.
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Wow, I’m a little…ok a lot freaked out right now, as a result of reading this, then all about emf on Nicole’s pages I downloaded an emf app for my iPhone and tested the house it’s generally between 20-30(uT) just walking around but went crazy near the fridge, cordless phone and (this is the scary bit) my children’s metal beds! I’ll have to get this book now and do a full measure and detox, I have major immune and health issues it’s the last thing I want for my children. Thanks for enlightening (and horrifying) me.
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20uT (which measures magnetic fields) is incredibly high for a home. I do not usually get these readings unless I am right up against the meter box and as such I wouldn’t rely on the EMF app to give you accurate readings. However it does highlight the hotspots for magnetic fields which, as you rightly pointed out, the cordless phone (it will also emit radiofrequencies which you need a different meter to test), back of the fridge, back of the oven etc and any other appliance that draws alot of current.
As for metal beds, they wont be a problem unless they are locate in close proximity to a source of electric field, in which case they will magnify it.
Best tip: check where you spend time (bed, favourite couch, kitchen, desk, kids play area…), and make sure you are located at a distance to all sources of electromagnetic fields.
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February 8th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Thank you, I did think it seemed excessively high. I will be looking into getting a thorough house test done by you one day soon (I’ll start saving for it now) as I am suffering aspergillosis in addition to allergies, asthma, auto immune stuff, migraines…at the moment so there is something not right in either me or my home:)
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February 8th, 2013 at 10:21 pm
No problem, I can refer you on to a building biologist in your area when you are ready to get your home audited.
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but with the wireless thing, cordless phone etc- we avoid all that, but when we connect to the internet, our neighbours wireless internet always comes up…does that mean we are still in the ‘field’ of it’ if that makes sense- like, we don’t have a choice because other of the towers or whatever are around us??
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February 8th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
That is a good question, I am interested to see the answer to this!
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February 8th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
The strength of the field (radiofrequencies used in telecommunications) drops off with distance. As such, you may pick up a signal from your neighbour’s home, however the strength of the field is likely to be low; as such the high frequency meter we use to measure its strength may not register a reading. It is very important, if you choose to use wifi, that you turn them off (wireless router…) when they are not in use and keep them away from areas where you spend time (bed, desk, favourite couch and so on). Cordless phones are a particular problem as many of the DECT phones emit a field all the time several meters from the base station (a common cause of insomnia if kids are sleeping nearby). If you are electrically sensitive, you are likely to react to even low fields and as such may need to buy your neighbour a hard wired/cabled modem if it is in close proximity to your own home (such as an apartment, homes that are attached…).
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February 8th, 2013 at 11:44 pm
I am in a rural area and we don’t get hard wired or cabled internet options- no ADSL only wireless (via mobile network) or satellite – both are really expensive. Ours is wireless as in that’s how we recieve it, it plugs into a usb in the computer, but the usb stick is attached to an ariel that is on our roof. You have to be sitting at the computer to use the internet, someone can’t be on a laptop somewhere else and use it, only one device can use the internet at a time. Thanks for that info. We don’t have a cordless phone- we used to and it broke and I haven’t replaced it- I do miss it though- am trying to not be such a multi tasked!
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What a great article, thank you Sarah and Nicole, and what great timing!
After all the rain in Brisbane i am attacking the house this weekend.
I have also looked at your website Nicole and the natural mould remedies will be on hand and no paper towel. I have just bought a new oven with digital display so I am glad to read your information about that and certainly feel more informed now when I have to purchase new appliances, cheers Anne
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Hi Sarah, this topic is super timely as I am soon to build our own little home in Broome, never ever thought that would happen being a single parttime working mum. Although I am on a very tight budget, I do want it to become as sustainable as possible and now have some negotiation space with the builders. So thank you for all your wonderful tips! As Syndey is to far from here (5 hours of flying one way – not green) I keep my fingers crossed for the HHH book and will keep following this blog with interest. Green regards, Astrid
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This is so interesting, a great eye opener. We use our own rainwater but it runs through very old copper pipes, which can’t be good for us….would a filter help at all, and which one?
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This is a subject that my husband is passionate about. We have been using fluoride free toothpaste for a number of years now and we were very upset when Qld introduced fluoride into the drinking water. I’m very keen to get my hands on this book. Our concerns came about not because of thyroid issues but because both our children were born with Autism.
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February 8th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Hi Glenda. I have three young children myself so I hear your concern! I have conducted lectures to parents associated with the Biomedical Autism group and give lectures to doctors on how we can create healthy homes for our children.
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I would love more information on paints, water filters, EMFs and cable versus wireless. And flouride. Loving these posts – thanks, Sarah.
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Love the article but it makes me more scared – i dont think i can get my husband to stop sleeping next to his phone or that he would consider turning the wireless off at night. Dont know why men are less sensitive to these things.
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Something that I’m really surprised hasn’t been mentioned here is earthing, as this is extremely relevant to this subject. When we are barefoot on the earth (ie soil, sand, grass), we have a direct connection to the electrical circuitry of the earth’s core, and there is a dramatic, measurable change in the electrical charge of the body. Electrons freely flow from the earth to the body, and the electron supply neutralises free radicals in the body. The correction of what is essentially an electron deficiency in our bodies results in a dramatic reduction in inflammation, which has a major flow on effect in every system of the body. By living in insulated houses, walking on insulated roads, and now with the added assault of electrical gizmos, we have effectively disconnected ourselves from the healing power of the earth. This has had a devastating effect on our health, and most people have no idea that it’s even a cause!
Well, it would be great if we could all walk around barefoot on the grass while working, but that’s not possible – for most of us anyway. Happily, there are products available to provide the earthing to your bare skin to give you an earthing connection – sheets, pads etc. I deliberated for many months over whether to plunge in. In the end I bought the half sheet, which goes on the bed so you can sleep grounded. So you don’t even need to do anything different as you sleep every night anyway – yay!!
The day I picked up my sheet I was involved in a car/bus accident – I was on the bus and and the impact was significant. I had no evident injuries from the crash, so didn’t need medical attention immediately. However, the next morning I felt the stirrings of whiplash. I’d had this about 25 years ago and recognised the signs. Instead of dreading what was to come, I was really grateful that I had the sheet and was anticipating it would all be OK.
I put the sheet on my bed the first night and after about 20 minutes I felt tingling throughout my body, and had the most refreshing wonderful sleep I’d had in years. This was significant as I have had trouble with sleeping for years – snoring, waking up etc (sleep apnoea) – always woke up feeling like a train wreck. That first morning was AMAZING!!! I was refreshed, energetic and for the first time in yonks I didn’t snooze on the bus to work.
Over the next couple of days the pain increased in my neck and back. Then I read that the more skin you have exposed to the earthing sheet the better the result. So I turned the sheet around so it was full length on the bed to maximise my exposure. Since then the pain has steadily decreased, and within a couple of days, the pain was all but gone. I am absolutely sure this has everything to do with the earthing sheet as I know from past experience whiplash doesn’t just vanish like that.
My sleep has continued to be amazing, and I’m so excited about what’s to come. I can’t recommend this highly enough, and I think it’s an important addition to everyone’s life.
You don’t have to buy the products though. You have the grass and sand out there to go barefoot on if you’re able to do so. I just find the products are more convenient for me.
Here are some great sites to visit:
http://www.earthingoz.com.au/
http://www.barefoothealing.com.au/
http://www.earthinginstitute.net/
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February 8th, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Stay tuned on this…I’m just trying it out!
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February 8th, 2013 at 10:13 pm
Yay!! I’ll love to hear your feedback Sarah!
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February 8th, 2013 at 10:28 pm
We are getting great results from our clients who use earthing mats (though there are some minor exceptions if the building wiring is not balanced). The earthing mats primarily reduce one’s body voltage which can increase when exposed to a high electric field (they wont reduce the magnetic field or the electromagnetic energy from radiofrequencies used in WiFi). I have suggested Sarah obtain this for her home as the electric fields from living in an old building that has been rewired are often high.
Interestingly, Anand who runs the http://www.earthingoz.com.au website is studying the nationally accredited course in Building Biology at my college – Australian College of Environmental Studies (www.aces.edu.au) – he completed the Electrobiology subject yesterday!
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February 14th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Hi Nicole – I’ve just finished reading the Earthing book by Clint Ober et al. In the book it’s claimed the earthing mats do give protection against EMFs. Are you sure this is incorrect? Now I’m confused!!
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Hi Sarah. I am totally on board with your home detox program. Having recently done a unit at uni about sustainability I have been doing my best to head down this path, so much so that it was the theme for all of my Christmas gifts last year!
Unfortunately having a new kitchen also means keeping it clean so I thought I’d let you in on my latest finds which of course are in keeping with your sustainable, eco-friendly mentality.
If you haven’t already discovered it, I highly recommend Enjo cloths. I was introduced mid last year and haven’t looked back. I have next to no chemicals in my house anymore and the cloths also make cleaning ridiculously quick so you have more time left to decorate your new space (and no, I’m not an Enjo consultant). Also, where I do need cleaning products, I’ve recently started using Murchison-Hume products. They are a local company with the environment in mind. Their dishwashing liquid actually helps clean the waste water, and it doesn’t dry out your hands like the regular stuff.
Hope this is of some use to you and others alike.
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Thanks so much for this post today Sarah, I truly appreciate it! I have just moved into my own studio and have a VERY tiny kitchen without an oven. I’ve been in a bit of a split mind about whether or not to even bother buying a mini-oven, and you know what- I think I’m just going to make do with what I have: a cooktop & a brilliant multi-cooker that I use for just about everything! I have a juicer & high speed blender too, so I’ve found that I’m starting to eat a much more raw plant based diet than when I had access to an oven and all the wonderful creations that could come out of it!
I’m really looking forward to following this journey of yours- all the best with it.
Cindel x
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So glad to see this post – a lot of my suspicion about EMFs has come from intuition/my general suspicion of over reliance on undertested new tech etc so far. I am happy to see WHO shares my suspicions, and that there are resources for me to turn to, so i can arm myself with evidence against my own doubts (and those of others, who seem to think my preference for the oven over the microwave is akin to mental illness!!).
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I had no idea about the digital clocks! Thanks ladies
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Great info. Nicole is awesome! I love her cleaning product brand ‘Abode’, from all the things I’ve tried it is the best on the market.
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Being a renter, I thought there was nothing I could to appliance wise to be healthier, so it was great to read these tips. Definitely something I will be putting into practice
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Wow, that was really interesting especially as we are looking to do a small reno in our kitchen, would love to win a copy of the book (if I’m not too late to enter)
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thanks Sarah! i’ so excited about this whole series of posts… one room at a time!
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Still on the cleaning theme, I know I’m not the only one but I use bicarb soda, white vinegar and methylated spirits for all my cleaning. These three things work for everything around the home, either alone or in combination with one another.
I use the metho for windows and mirrors. Not sure about its environmental credentials but I know the vinegar and bicarb are great. I feel really good about the fact that no nasties are entering the environment via our waste water plus the lack of horrible fumes and residue on the shower and bath makes me feel more comfortable about the environment in our house.
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[...] possible’. Incase you missed it you can catch her introductory post here and then find out how to detox your kitchen. I am really looking forward to following this series of posts and am sure they will be just as [...]
Thank your sharing your wisdom. I have recently been looking into two issues that you mentioned in the video to make my home more healthy for my family. My biggest concern has been EMFs and in particular WiFi. We have a concentration of electrical devices in one area of the house – our TV backs onto the computer/printer/phone set up which is stored in a cabinet in the kids play area. I have had an indoor plant next the cabinet ever since we moved into our house three years ago, but it started looking very sick and ended up being moved outside. I went to the nursery to ensure I got a super hardy plant that could withstand that particular spot, but that plant too started getting sick and loosing it’s leaves. Again, after moving it outside, I noticed it started recovering. So, the penny has finally dropped as to why the plants in that particular spot are not doing so well (sorry plants!) I recently bough a salt lamp to put in the play area and am considering buying some for the bedrooms (more for their air cleaning properties). I read that because they produce negative ions, the lamps help combat the EMFs. Can you share any info on this Nicole?
I have also been looking into the water issue as I have had a basic bench top carbon filter on my bench top for years. Last year I spent the money and upgraded it to a similar unit that included a flouride filter attachment that claimed to filter out about 95% of Flouride. I got this from my health food store. I have since discovered that such filters would only filter about 50% of the fluoride at best and that reverse osmosis is the only way to ensure all flouride is eliminated. My concern with reverse osmosis is that all minerals are also eliminated during filtration. A naturopath did advise me that simply adding good quality sea salt to my drinking water would be sufficient. I’m not sure who to believe anymore so any further information on this would be greatly appreciated. I don’t mind spending the money to keep my family healthy, but I just want to make sure I’m getting the correct information and hence making well informed decisions. I’ll definitely be checking out your website Nicole. Thanks again.
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February 11th, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Hi Nina. Whilst I love my salt lamps, the evidence indicates that they do very little when it comes to improving indoor air quality. Their ability to produce enough negative ions in the air is negligible (unless the salt lamp is enormous!) and is counteracted by the number of electronic appliances and synthetic fibres you have in the room. For indoor air quality, several factors play a role: type of building materials and furnishings, passive ventilation, chemicals, particulates and the list goes on. In contrast, plants such as the peace lily, amongst many others listed in my book – Healthy Home Healthy Family – are the lungs of the planet and, whilst you need a few of them, they will have more of a positive impact on the indoor air quality than most salt lamps.
In relation to water filters that remove fluoride, you are correct in that Reverse Osmosis systems (in addition to distilled filters and alumina cartridges) are the most effective way to remove fluoride, however there are concerns about it leaving ‘dead and acidic water’. Firstly, all water in nature from our oceans to our rivers are slightly acidic because water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to form carboxylic acid. By the time the water goes through your stomach (acidic pH) and then the small intestines (alkaline environment), its biochemistry has changed. Consumption of acidic water, does not necessarily equate to acidic blood (which many naturopaths wrongly assume). I was a naturopath for 15 years before I became a building biologist and lectured at university in nutrition for several years. The benefit of RO is that it effectively removes all the nasty hazards such as heavy metals like lead and copper, petrochemicals, pesticides and so on leaving virtually nothing behind. I believe these benefits outweight the negative. You should not be relying on your drinking water for nutrients – a good diet should address this. So I feel there is a place for RO system.
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February 11th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Nina I forgot to mention that salt lamps will not do anything to address electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. The only way to address this, is to create distance between you and the source of EMFs.
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What a fantastic article, and i can’t wait to read the book and one day get my house checked out by a professional. I didn’t get to read all the comments, but is blutooth also a problem, eg in the car? Nice work ladies!
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Sarah do you worry about the effects on your teeth of using a non fluoride toothpaste?
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Interesting discussion, It got me thinking about our kitchen and how safe/healthy it could be. I am curious, will the information in the book translate well to our appliances, etc. in the US? I’m not lucky enough to live in Australia, but hope to take advantage of the tips and make smarter kitchen choices all the same.
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Like Australia, the US also follow the ICNIRP guidelines when it comes to EMF exposure, so YES the information in Healthy Home Healthy Family relates to most western countries (I’ve sold my book to many countries). Much of the research I used in my book comes from the US: US EPA, Environmental Working Group…
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Thanks for your article and for introducing Nicole to us! I have been interested in learning about how to make my home toxic free since my mum died from cancer over 15 years ago. Her death made me question how a seemingly healthy person living a healthy lifestyle (non smoker, light drinker, lived on a farm so ate mostly home grown organic food, drank rain water, very fit from plenty of physical arm work etc) could get sick and die at such a young age.
I have learned in this time that there is so much more to being healthy than what you put in your mouth. Your environment is super important too. Mum used way too many chemicals to clean her home and spent way too many hours bent over her old wringer washing machine washing dads sometimes chemical laden farm clothes. And I hate to think what we breathed in with that beautiful fresh farm air, when the boomsprays were working or a plane passed nearby spraying the neighbouring farm.
I sometimes feel overwhelmed with all that there is to consider: water, food, air, state of mind, particularly with things that are almost impossible to avoid in a modern life (wifi, mobile towers etc), and my journey has been a slow one across 16 years. I just wanted to say to any of your readers who are just beginning their “clean home, clean body” journey, to take one step at a time. It’s worth it.
I also wanted to say that I just read a terrific book by Alejandro Junger called Clean. Have you read it Sarah? If not I guarantee you will love it. I feel empowered that I can do something to help rid my body from those toxins we can’t avoid.
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Hi there,
this is the second comment i have left in the hope that someone will contact me.
I downloaded the I quit sugar cookbook from your site on my ipad but didn’t see the notification on downloading until i had troubles and went searching for a way to remedy the problem.
Can someone PLEASE email me to advise how i can get the ebook on my ipad now that i have downloaded and paid for it?
Sorry to have to convey my frustration. I am really looking forward to being able to use my cookbook.
Thank you,
Adrienne Vaughan
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February 26th, 2013 at 7:41 am
Hi Adrienne, can you please email info@sarahwilson.com.au ? Our team respond at this address very quickly!!!
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February 26th, 2013 at 7:42 am
PS, we get a lot of comments each day and can’t attend to urgent admin issues via the blog. HOpe you understand xx
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March 2nd, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Hi Sarah…I know this isn’t the topic that I am replying to…but I need a little help. I have just been diagnosed with lupus and hashimotos. There is conflicting information everywhere. I am of the opinion that I would like to find someone to treat me in a more holisitc manner, but am unsure of the first step…who would I see first? What should their qualification be? I have looked into functional medicine, naturopathy…but what do I do first? Also, I live in a remote community in the NT and would obviously have to travel to see someone…Perth would be my choice, could you recommend anyone? I understand you are busy, and that you may not reply to this, but thought it would be worth a try! Thanks
Email is s.hendo4@bigpond.com
Cheers
Sarah
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March 2nd, 2013 at 11:54 pm
Also, what can I be doing right now?
March 3rd, 2013 at 7:51 am
Hi Sarah, it’s a tricky one…check out one of my first auto-immune posts to read about all this stuff. It’s not easy. Being in NT is no harder than being in Sydney…but read around therough my blog and the comments…I’m sure it will help. PS there’s a WA Thyroid group.
March 5th, 2013 at 8:55 am
Thanks for the feedback Sarah…I have been reading up on your past blog posts and they are a wealth of information.
Cheers
P.S. can you pls remove my comments from the field? I can’t find an alternate way to contact you.
Thanks.
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Hi Sarah – thanks again for such a great post – just wanted to ask a question in regards to the benchtop water filter that removes 90% fluoride – how do you go with this? Is it ok for your thyroid issues? (sorry that’s if you use this one!) I have been so happy to discover they finally are making a benchtop filter which removes fluoride and with your info & recommendation am looking into one instead of lugging around boxed spring water!! However I am super sensitive and just wanting any advice if you’ve been using it with no adverse side affects to the 10% fluoride that does get through?! Thanks Sarah – much appreciated!!
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Players are not averted from getting into fractal road directions. The problem in the fractals can be discussed, and participants will receive advantages according to their “reward level.” GG http://www.google.com
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I rarely comment, however i did some searching and
And, if you are writing on additional sites, I would like to follow everything new you have to post. Would you make a list of every one of all your shared sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
wound up here My simple home: how to detox your
kitchen | Sarah Wilson. And I do have a couple of questions for you if it’s allright. Is it just me or does it give the impression like some of these remarks come across like they are coming from brain dead visitors?
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April 25th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Well that’s a bit rude Celeste! Brain dead? Would you care to justify that remark?
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April 25th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
I think it’s a spam comment. If you click on ‘Celesta’ it links to a blog with no posts called ‘Tom’s blog’
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