Healthy Home Hacks Podcast

Have you ever suffered through painful waxing, laborious lasering, or threading torture & injury to remove unwanted hair? If you have, stay tuned. You don’t want to miss today’s show. Our guest, Salome Sallehy, the founder and president of Sugar Sugar Wax reveals a safe, non-toxic, natural, and gentle way to get rid of unwanted hair that is over 3,000 years old. Salome finally found an alternative that not only gives a miraculous glow but is gentle on sensitive skin and the planet. Her secret sauce is all benefits, with no risk, no waste, and no nasty chemicals. It is so natural you could eat it.

Key Takeaways:

1. What sugar wax is and how it differs from other types of hair removal wax
2. Some of the health concerns with traditional methods of hair removal
3. The environmental impact of the most common hair removal methods compared to sugaring
4. Is laser hair removal a healthy option? 
   
5. The do's and don'ts when it comes to sugaring
6. Laser hair removal and the body burden connection
7. How our individual bodies/differences determine the best method of hair removal

Salome is offering our fabulous listeners 15% off any order with code: RON&LISA15. Head to https://www.sugarsugarwax.com/ to start shopping and sugaring safely…spring is right around the corner!

Our guests, Chris Briley and Emily Mottram, architects, and Certified Passive House Consultants, are the co-authors of Pretty Good House, A Guide to Creating Better Homes. They explain how ‘the United States has no governing body that regulates toxins in building products.’ According to them, ‘we are at the mercy of the free market to act as the guardians of our health when it comes to our built environment.’

Key Takeaways:

• Common toxic materials to avoid when renovating/building a home 
• Some of the best materials to use
• Trigger words that should automatically create suspicion when looking for products
• Why ventilation and air quality are so important
• The mistakes people make when it comes to ventilation systems
• Simple ways to can keep your indoor air healthy

Pretty Good House is a guide to help you think through the critical issues of weather protection, air leakage, insulation and comfort, and vapor control. The book offers a way to consider the home design and building to ensure that all the important questions are answered before breaking ground.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, you’re in the right place. Today, about 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep or wakefulness disorders which are associated with a growing number of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. But you may not be aware of an invisible culprit that could be greatly impacting your sleep quality and comfort that is linked to a number of health problems, including respiratory issues and allergies, which can cause discomfort and make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.

Our guest, Glory Dolphin Hammes, is an air quality nerd, a wife, a mom, a tree hugger, a sports enthusiast, and the CEO of IQAir North America. She’s an expert in environmental control, a Certified Indoor Environmentalist, and a licensed HVAC contractor and is here to shed light on how air quality impacts our sleep.

Key Takeaways:

•    Tangible steps you can take at home today to improve your air and sleep quality
•    How IQAir is working to solve the problem of air pollution (both indoor and outdoor) 
•    What are dust mites and how do they impact our health
•    How investing in the right air purifier can help
•    What makes the Atem X the best option for improving sleep quality
•    How particulate matter such as dust, smoke, and pollen contribute to indoor air pollution
•    Why ultrafine particles (UFPs) are considered among the most dangerous particle pollutants 
•    How over 90% of airborne particles in the air at any given time are ultrafine particles 
•    The difference between a HEPA filter and a HyperHEPA filter

If you’ve ever considered the many benefits of going vegan, you’re in the right place. Not only is eating a whole food, plant-based diet healthier for you, but it also doesn’t require your participation in the exploitation of the vulnerable. Someone who understands this and values not just human life, but ALL life, is our guest today.

In 2001, Kathy Stevens co-founded Catskill Animal Sanctuary, where her love of teaching and her love of animals merged. One of the world’s leading sanctuaries for farmed animals, Catskill has saved more than 5,000 non-human individuals through the direct rescue — and exponentially more through programming that encourages humans to adopt veganism. Kathy shares how:

• A vegan saves around 30 animal lives every month (Veestro)
• Veganism could save almost eight million human lives by 2050 (Oxford Martin School)
• Following a vegan lifestyle cuts 100% of bad cholesterol from a person’s diet (The Vegan Review)
• A plant-based diet reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 23% (Harvard)

Key Takeaways:

• What an "animal sanctuary" is and how is it different from an "animal shelter"
• What makes Catskill Animal Sanctuary unique among sanctuaries for farmed animals
• What vegan living means
• How veganism is the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact
• What Catskill's New Leaf program is and how you can participate

Learn more about Catskill Animal Sanctuary and its New Leaf Program. You can donate to support their ongoing efforts to bring awareness to end animal suffering and aid in the welfare of the beautiful rescued animals. All of the links will be in the show notes at RonandLisa.com/Podcast.

Water is a precious resource and many people don’t have enough of it. Most households in the U.S. waste a huge amount of water each year. If you’ve considered increasing your curb appeal with a drought-tolerant yard, you’ve come to the right place.

It’s time to say sayonara to water-guzzling lawns and join the likes of other happy people who have cut their water bills by up to 50 percent. Not only are drought-tolerant landscapes beautiful, but they’re also earth-friendly and sustainable and can increase property value significantly.

Our guest, Rama Nayeri, discovered her passion for working outdoors with plants and earned her landscape architecture degree from Cal Poly Pomona. Today, Rama is active in the green community and deeply committed to promoting drought-tolerant landscape design within Southern California.

Key Takeaways:

1. Should we trash our lawns and if so, what are the best replacements?
2. How the Covid pandemic has affected the landscape industry.
3. Sustainable practices and features that can be incorporated into gardens.
4. What native plants are and how to incorporate them into a garden with existing plants.
5. Homeowners can take advantage of municipal program incentives concerning turf removal and sustainability.
6. Tips for someone looking to transform their garden on a shoestring budget.
7. The process of working with a landscape designer/contractor.
8. What a homeowner should do before meeting with a designer/contractor.

To learn more about Rama’s work and services, visit https://creationslandscapedesigns.com/. She provides initial consultations, full landscape design, and small-space patio design. Her landscape design offerings service Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Diego County. Find all of the show notes at https://RonandLisa.com/Podcast.

It’s cold and flu season and if you’re experiencing dreaded symptoms, you’ve come to the right place. While flu viruses are detected year-round in the US, they’re most common during the fall and winter with influenza activity peaking between December and February. 

You may have asked yourself if the cold and flu be avoided. And if you suffer from either, can the duration and severity be reduced? Our guest today, Dr. Ken Redcross, is the author of “Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor,” and founder of a unique concierge service providing patient-first treatment through Strategic Health Services. His patient portfolio includes executives, athletes, and entertainers, as well as individuals from all walks and stages of life.

Key Takeaways:

• Why it’s essential to eat a healthy diet, especially this time of year.
• Healthier options to include in your diet.
• How lack of sleep affects our immune system and our ability to fend off a cold or the flu.
• Why you should be proactive when it comes to the flu.
• Some of the “closer to the earth” remedies Dr. Redcross prefers to give his patients and even his own family.
• What’s most appealing about homeopathic medicines.
• Redcross’ favorites homeopathic remedies for the cold and flu.
• The issue concerning medications for children and why it’s essential to be mindful when administering medicines to younger family members.

To learn more about Dr. Redcross’ work and services, visit Dr. Ken Redcross, and to learn more about Boiron, visit BoironUSA. We’ll have all the links in the show notes at RonandLisa.com/Podcast.

According to CDC Cancer, one in every two men and one in every three women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetime.

Our guest today helps others understand that the majority of cancers are not genetic but rather, caused by lifestyle and environment. Dr. Blythe Metz-Mändmets is a metaphysician, thought leader, speaker, and holistic healing coach who specializes in helping people realize their self-healing design. She created Corporate Vitality Programs to up-level the mental, emotional, and physical health of workforces while maximizing corporate productivity, creativity, and innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• The biggest problem in traditional medicine today
• How people can shift to personal responsibility
• What the Oxygen Factor is
• What people can do to have a 100+ year life of health and vitality

Blythe is gifting our listeners with a free Oxygenation Session & Vitality Masterclass: The 7 Protocols For Vitality & Longevity on December 3, 2022.

Welcome back to part 2 with Karen Cusmano, SVP, Head of Sustainability and ESG at Veris Residential, Inc; a forward-thinking, socially responsible REIT that provides a sustainable multifamily living experience for residents. If you missed the last episode #69, be sure to check it out as we covered How to Rent an Environmentally Friendly Apartment.

Today, we’re diving deeper into green living to shed light on what a green lease lifestyle looks like at a sustainable property. In this episode, we’re talking about ways that renters take advantage of eco-friendly amenities once they’ve signed a green lease.

Key Takeaways:

• The type of eco-friendly amenities found at Veris Residential properties
• What a Walker’s Paradise means for residents
• The non-glamourous, yet impactful aspects of sustainable living features
• Biodiversity at Veris Residential including green roofs, hydroponic tower gardens, and beekeeping
• The social factors: fundraising, tree planting, and community events at Veris Residential

Remember, ‘Sustainability is a lens through which we view every decision, every action, every day.’

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, more than two-thirds of Americans experience some climate anxiety. The built environment is responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, and about 20% of US greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, cooling, and powering households. The good news? Environmentally friendly apartments actually exist. Think of it as the convergence where sexy meets sustainability by offering residences that value the property, the people, and the planet. Some even offer something called a green lease.

Our guest, Karen Cusmano from Veris Residential, a forward-thinking, socially responsible REIT that provides a sustainable multifamily living experience, sheds light on what’s trending in healthy multifamily living, and how to find a sustainable apartment. She explains how Veris Residential has implemented changes to reduce climate impact and increase awareness of these issues by offering communities that deliver an unrivaled lifestyle experience, boasting amenities that support well-being.

Key Takeaways:

• The first step for a renter who is looking for a sustainable multifamily home
• How consumers can dig deeper into a company’s sustainability performance
• What a WELL Health-Safety rating is and the Veris Residential properties that have earned it
• What a green lease means
• The third-party green certifications that Veris Residential properties have earned

From energy efficiency, conservation and sustainability, be sure to stay tuned for the next episode because we are diving into eco-friendly amenities, A Walkers Paradise, biodiversity, green roofs and so much more. We’ll have all the links in the show notes at RonandLisa.com/Podcast. 

What is tech addiction really costing you and your family? Today, 75 percent of us feel addicted to our phones and we spend over 3 hours per day on these devices, on average. American kids are spending a staggering 6-9 hours per day on the Internet. The conveniences of technology are taking a toll on adults and children, from decreased productivity and increased stress to anxiety and poor sleep quality.

Our guest, Taíno Bendz, the founder of Phone Free Day (October 6th) is here to shed light on coexisting with your digital devices. Taíno reveals what digital wellness and tech-life balance looks like and how we can achieve them.

Key Takeaways:

• The impact of technology on our daily lives
• How just turning off email notifications can lower your heart rate and stress
• Why you need a structure to stay accountable
• The biggest problem with social media
• How a healthy home looks in terms of how we use digital technology
• How social media has changed the way we connect with each other

You can take the Smartphone addiction test to discover how attached you are to your phone. The link is in the show notes at RonandLisa.com/Podcast.

If you’ve never heard of the ancient ritual of smudging, or space clearing, hold onto your sage bundles and stay with us…you’re going to love today’s show!

Our guest today, Rachel Larraine Crawford, is a Mystic, a Reiki Master, a Tarot Reader, a Feng Shui practitioner, an Energy Healer, and an award-winning Holistic Interior Designer.

Rachel the "Home Whisperer” is the founder of Tiger Veil, host of the ‘Bewitching the Home’ podcast, and founder of the DESIGN COVEN mentorship for future Interior designers. Rachel develops harmonious spaces with deep healing work to create energetically aligned indoor scapes through Holistic Interior Design.

Key Takeaways:

• Rachel shares the types of ceremonies she offers for new homes and buildings and why embedding crystals in the structure’s foundation is important
• Why new homes/businesses should consider holistic design services
• Actions anyone can take today to help cleanse and elevate the energy in their homes such as smudging and energy clearing
• How health plays a part in a home’s design
• Rachel’s mentorship design program and services

What is lack of sleep really costing you? Your time, joy, productivity, or health? And, what's the price of all of this insomnia on Americans? It turns out, that billions of dollars are spent every year in the United States alone.

While sleep is vital, essential, and healing, it remains a struggle for most people and even children today; especially with back-to-school schedule changes. Are you one of the 50 to 70 million Americans who suffer from chronic sleep disorders or one in every 25 Americans who rely on prescription sleep medication? If so, this episode is for you.

While numerous remedies exist to improve our sleeping patterns and help us get some well-needed shuteye, the side effects can be dangerous.

Our guest today, Dr. Payam Hakimi, is here to shed light on this very topic. Dr. Hakimi is a board-certified family physician and the medical director of Body of Harmony in Beverly Hills, Calif. & Miami, Fl. Dr. Hakimi reveals some all-natural solutions that won’t have you feeling drowsy from drug side effects the next day.

Key Takeaways:

• Why sleep is so important, especially when kids return to school and experience disruptions in their schedules
• What parents can do
• What we know about using melatonin for sleep issues and common misconceptions about it
• Some possible drawbacks of melatonin
• Why are supplements like melatonin in gummy form problematic?
• What are the main advantages of homeopathy for sleep disruption?
• How do homeopathic sleep medicines, SleepCalm, and SleepCalm for Kids work?

Friends, get ready to dream the impossible dream, rest that racing mind, and stop counting sheep once and for all. To learn more about natural sleep remedies from Boiron, the world’s leader in homeopathic medicine, visit BoironUSA.

One of the questions we get asked often is, ‘how do I test my home for mold affordably?’ People come to us after being quoted thousands of dollars for a professional inspection, but most people don’t want to start throwing money in the air; especially if they’re not 100 percent sure if they even have mold.

But how do you know if a DIY mold kit is reliable, accurate, and going to give you accurate results from a certified lab?

Our guest today, Jason Earle, came to the realization that his moldy childhood home was the underlying cause of his extreme allergies and asthma which led him into the healthy home business in 2002, leaving behind a successful career on Wall Street. Today, Jason is the Founder & CEO of GOT MOLD? and the CEO of the mold inspection company, 1-800-GOT-MOLD?

With GOT MOLD?’s home test kits, you receive a report that includes the types of molds detected and in what quantity, as well as a practical and easily understood interpretation of the lab results all in a matter of a few days. Your report will include the types of molds detected, what quantity, as well as a practical and easily understood interpretation of the lab results. Choose from a 1-, 2- or 3-room mold kit.

Key Takeaways:

• Why is mold such a problem today?
• The difference is between having mold and having a mold problem.
• What to look for if you know you have mold
• Is there a safe level of mold?
• What is the current mold legislation?
• The best way to kill mold.
• The most common symptoms associated with mold toxicity?

Use code RonadLisa10 for 10% off any order!

Because the average person takes between 17,000 and 23,000 breaths of air each day and spends 90 percent of their time indoors, it’s essential to know what the heck you and your loved ones are breathing in daily. You and your family (even your pets) could be breathing in high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like cancer-causing xylene, benzene, and formaldehyde as well as asthma irritants, dangerous fumes like radon, smog, and smoke, phthalates, plasticizers, phenols, flame retardants, carbon monoxide, asbestos, lead or mold spores.

In this episode, our guest, Tim Swackhammer, the Founder, and CEO of Mold Medics and Mold Medics Franchising, is clearing the air. Tim explains how to know if you have mold growing in your home, what black mold is, the difference between mold remediation and mold removal, if you should perform your own mold remediation, tips to prevent mold growth, what radon is and how it gets into our homes, how to know if you have elevated levels of radon in your home, radon exposure symptoms and he clarifies what radon mitigation is.

You’ve probably heard the saying, energy flows where attention goes. If you find yourself feeling stuck in life, and are seeking a deeper connection, ascension tools, natural healing, and chakra balancing, you’ve come to the right place. In this episode, we unpack these topics and share how and why you can cleanse your space to create more Zen in your life.

Author and expert in the fields of plant and vibrational medicine, Adora Winquist, is a visionary in the nascent arena of Quantum Alchemy. She intertwines divine knowledge, essential oils, and energy medicine. Adora founded and built the essential oil brand ADORAtherapy, from the ground up to a globally recognized and award-winning leader in the field of aromatherapy. She is the co-author of, Detox Nourish Activate: Plant & Vibrational Medicine for Energy, Mood, and Love, a revolutionary guide to healing at the DNA level for self-mastery, and is the founder of the Soul Institute for Quantum Living.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why it's important to be intentionally aware of your surroundings
2. How our everyday activities and spaces affect us
3. How can we can cleanse from internal energy, space energy, and digital energy
4. Why a digital cleanse is needed today and who should do one
5. The importance and ways to Zen out and cleanse our space
6. The power of crystals and when and how we should be using them
7. The proper way to smudge and why this ancient form of energy clearing is so essential
8. The powerful nature that essential oils hold and when, where, and how to incorporate them into our lives
9. The healing power of music, frequency, and vibration

Our very own FDA doesn’t require cosmetic products and ingredients to have FDA approval before they go into the market. So, if you thought that the products you purchase – and often pay premium dollars for – are vetted by the government for safety before they hit your favorite drug store, department store, or online shop – think again. Most skin care products DO contain ingredients that are known carcinogens. And, it’s not just chemicals in cosmetics; it’s allergens, too.

Hold on to your toxic tubes because, in this episode, we're showing you how to Ensure the Safety of the Beauty Brands you buy. Our guest today, Dr. Liia Ramachandra, has over 30 years of pharmaceutical medicine development experience and is the founder and CEO of EpiLynx by Dr. Liia. EpiLynx was born from her struggle with a gluten allergy, psoriasis, and arthritis and realized that she wasn't alone. Not being able to find skincare products that could guarantee to be allergen and gluten-free, she decided to create her own line of vegan, gluten-free, allergen-free, and clean skincare products to help patients and people struggling with autoimmune diseases and allergies.

Key Takeaways:

1. Ingredients you MUST avoid when shopping for cosmetics
2. Some of the negative effects the harmful chemicals in cosmetics can have on our health
3. Why products labeled “clean” may not actually be clean
4. What beauty brands should be doing to reduce the harmful effects of their products
5. Tools and apps to help determine whether a product is clean and safe
6. Safe skincare swaps to replace the harmful ones

A previous sufferer of cystic acne, our guest, Amber Rose Johnson, The Skin Whisperer, shares the importance of taking a holistic and all-encompassing approach to skincare that looks at every factor of life that can affect the skin including diet, current beauty products, allergies, sensitivities, and lifestyle. Today, the founder of The Facial Lounge, Amber is an expert esthetician whose 25-plus years of in-depth industry experience are behind every innovative, organic treatment including her signature vegan custom facial.

Amber shares the importance of nutrition for good skin, the best foods to nourish the skin (and the big no-no’s to avoid), tips for everyday skincare, the difference between exfoliating and stripping the skin, the best drugstore products to fit any budget, how some treatments can be too much of a good thing, why quality ingredients are essential and how our gut is affected by the products we put on our skin. Plus, she reveals why cold is great for your skin and her magical wands that can help with lymphatic drainage and puffiness.

You can visit The Facial Lounge in Corona del Mar, California, or shop their online store.

Question: are you one of the 93% of people experiencing chronic sinus infections that have been attributed to mold? Or, are you part of the 25% of the population that has a genetic predisposition that makes you more susceptible to mold illness? Maybe your asthma attacks are being triggered by mold or other allergens like 40% of people. In any case, mold in your home is a serious issue and can be deadly. Sometimes you can see mold, and sometimes you can’t. Even mold that isn’t visible can remain hidden behind walls, in the ceiling, and under the carpet for years.

Our guest, Mark Levy, founder and president of The Mold Guy, Inc. is here to shed light on this dark, damp subject. Before you reach for a bottle of bleach, listen to this full episode to learn the proper way to handle mold. Mark is dedicated to performing mold inspections specifically for hypersensitive individuals with complex health issues like CIRS, Lyme, Autoimmune Issues, and more. Mark answers questions like, will mold make me sick?" and "do I need to leave my home right now?" Mark explains how the stress and uncertainty that comes along with a mold problem are very real and as big of an issue as the mold itself. He and his team of Certified Mold Inspectors and Certified Microbial investigators have performed over 7000 mold inspections and are passionate about helping clients have happy homes so they can breathe easier. Mark leaves listeners with tips such as testing for bacteria, the need for environmental testing to complement medical labs, the 3 sample types that are critical to evaluate the health of your home, and the truth about fogging.

Bad air, toxic household products, and everyday materials that we take for granted could be making us and our loved ones sick. And they are. Approximately 25 million Americans have asthma today; that’s about 1 in 13 Americans.

Studies reveal the average pillow contains millions of fungal spores, with four to 16 different species per pillow tested. While that’s enough to make anyone’s skin crawl, our guest today is going to help us sleep more soundly and safely.

Robin Wilson is a U.S. lifestyle brand, author, designer, a two-time #1 Amazon bestselling author, and was named to the Inc. magazine Female Founders 100 List in 2020. Robin has created a protocol for wellness with protective coverings and cotton textiles in bed and bath. Her life mission is to help the 60 million Americans who suffer from allergies or asthma via her Clean Design protocol to educate consumers about hypoallergenic, sustainable, and eco-friendly lifestyle options.

Robin shares The Rule of 3's when it comes to our bedroom, what a CLEAN DESIGN HOME® sleep experience means, whether the type of pillow you sleep on matters depending on what type of sleeper you are (back, side, stomach) and what makes her packaging eco-conscious. Robin leaves listeners with simple steps to sleep better and breathe easier.

You can find Robin’s Clean Home Design line now in Macy's at 168 stores and online. 

Today, 97 percent of Americans own a cellphone of some kind; an increase of over 50 percent in the past decade. An average cell phone user today interacts with their phone more than 2,000 times every day. But is all of this smart technology improving our quality of life or harming our health? Our guest today, founder, CEO, and president of AiresTech, Dimitry Serov, is here to tell us.

Dimitry explains the effect of EMFs on our health and the environment. He reveals the importance of science-backed products that offer sound research when it comes to protection from electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices. Like noise-canceling headphones, Dimitry shares how the Aires Tech EMR Modulation Technology works with our own biological EMR to neutralize the physiological impact of radiation emitting from data-transmitting electronics such as cell phones, cordless phones, wireless earpieces, wireless headsets, computers, laptops, monitors, smart TVs, baby monitors, Wi-Fi routers & more. Dimitry identifies which groups of people are the most vulnerable and leaves listeners with the hot spots found in our homes and other techniques to reduce one’s exposure to dangerous radiofrequency radiation.