EMF 101 + How I Protect Myself

We are electrical beings. It is undeniable that our cells use charge differentiation and electricity for a variety of different processes, such as to send signals through the nervous system that allow us to think and move. Acknowledging this was the first step for me in starting to consider the impact that all of the electronics that we use daily, constant wifi exposure, and proximity to cell towers might be having on my health.

This concept can get complex fast, so let’s keep it simple.

What is electromagnetic radiation (EMR)?

Also frequently referred to as EMF (electromagnetic field), EMR is the “low level” of radiation that is emitted by electrical equipment and electronic devices. Devices that transmit data generally emit more. It used to be thought that only high levels of ionizing radiation, like x-rays, caused damage, but we now see that long-term exposure to low levels of non-ionizing radiation can also be harmful. This is the type that we are currently exposed to day in and day out.

Why should I care about EMR?

EMR has a notable negative effect on our cells and biology by compromising mitochondrial function, damaging DNA, and interrupting voltage gated calcium channels. As a result, we see that consistent exposure to EMR is correlated with an increased risk of cancer as well as fertility issues. Other common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, sleep interference, brain fog, skin issues, heart palpitations, and general malaise. I recommend the book Radiation Nation as a great starting point to dive into these concepts more deeply, as well as for a collection of studies and references!

What are the sources of EMR?

Some of the top sources of EMR in the home include microwaves, cell phones, tablets and other wireless devices, wifi routers, laptops, Bluetooth headphones, smart home devices, and even baby monitors! Outside of the home the highest sources include cell towers, high tension power lines, and 5G cells.

How can I protect myself from EMR?

The most important thing to remember is that distance is your friend. Keep your devices away from you when you’re not using them. Know where the top emitting devices in your house are (smart meter, microwave, wifi router, etc) and minimize the amount of time you spend near them. I purchased a simple EMF meter on Amazon (I’d like to upgrade to this one) and used it to gauge the different devices in my house; my microwave was emitting high levels even when not in use, so we took it out altogether! If you have a smart meter, you might consider something like a faraday cage that blocks the emission of EMR. You can also find EMF blocking paint / fabric that can be used on the interior walls to help block transmission! Last but not least, wifi routers are a big source, so if you can hardwire your internet, that’s a great option.

Don’t forget to consider the area around your home as well; is there a cell tower nearby? Do you see 5G pillars around? What about high-tension power lines? These were break-it items for me in our recent house search. What about your neighbors? Do you live in an apartment complex? Could there be a wifi router on the other side of your bedroom wall, or perhaps one in every direction? The cumulative exposure can add up quickly in today’s world!

The reality is though, sometimes distance and avoidance are not feasible. Most of us work on computers and use cell phones, and using the internet is a way of life these days. I make a point to use air tube headphones or speaker when talking on a call, but I still need to be in proximity to my phone most of the time for my job.

This necessitates a transition from the concept of EMR avoidance to the one of transformation and coherence. Last year I started learning about products that can help to create a coherent field around the body to counteract the negative effect of EMR. While I still employ all of the avoidance strategies above whenever possible, I feel a lot better about using my phone and laptop for work every day knowing that there is something I can use to help mitigate my exposure!

One of these products is the Lifetune Device from Aires Tech. Before I go on, I don’t want to forget to mention that they are currently running a 20% off sale from May 24th-29th 2021!

I have been using Aires Tech products for over a year now, but their improved Lifetune line has been upgraded with 5G specifically in mind. The EMR Modulation Technology that they use is designed to reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation emitted by data-transmitting electronics, such as cell phone, cordless phones, wireless earpieces, wireless headsets, computers, laptops, monitors, smart TVs, baby monitors, Wi-Fi routers and more!

You can find all of the nitty gritty details on how it works under the Technology tab on their website. It’s pretty complex, but if I could sum it up into one sentence: it is an innovative technology that restructures and transforms electromagnetic field “haze” into a more biologically-compatible form. (Their own words.)

Aires Tech has spent over 20 million dollars on research and development, focusing primarily on creating products that WORK before bringing them to market. While financial investment alone is no indication of quality, they also back up their products with third party testing, peer reviewed scientific research, and multiple patents (11 existing and 14 on the way!).

So how do we know it works?

Unlike an EMF blocking device that can be assessed using an EMF meter, the EMF meter reading will not change in the presence of a Lifetune device. This is because the EMR is still present, but it is no longer able to interact with the body in the same way. As such, I am not able to objectively confirm that the device works as described, as the impact is all subjective (things like reduced anxiety, better sleep, less brain fog, etc). However, the extent that the company has gone to confirm their technology through validated scientific research and third party testing does give me a lot of confidence, as does the experience of others who I trust!

There are several different products available. The Lifetune Personal has an effective range of 50 square feet; I keep this in my wallet. The Lifetune Device has an effective range of 5 square feet; I keep this on my phone. They also offer the Lifetune Room, which covers 500 square feet, as well as the Lifetune Pet!

In my opinion, this approach to EMR mitigation is much more practical because it essentially creates a coherent zone that moves with you, rather than having to constantly consider if you are “shielded” from EMR exposure in your everyday life. As I mentioned above, all products are currently on sale for 20% off through May 29th, 2021.

A few closing thoughts:

I’m not an expert on this topic, and am still actively learning as I go. This whole topic was super overwhelming to me when I first started learning about it, and I had to bite it off in chunks. If I knew then what I know now, I would have started with a Lifetune Device on my phone and a Lifetune Personal in my office. I truly believe that these devices make a difference in EMR exposure, and in a culture where we are bombarded 24/7/365, a small investment like this is 100% worth it to me. Beyond that, being mindful of maintaining distance is really the best thing you can do!

Last but not least, this post was sponsored by Aires Tech, the maker of the Lifetune line. They sent me a few different products to try out, and upon discovering how much I liked them and looking into their technology and research, I agreed to help them spread the word! Thank you for reading!

My Mold Detox Protocol

Having been through home mold remediation twice (for that story, see this blog post), it came as no surprise to me that I had mold toxicity in my body that needed cleaning up as well. This was a process that I worked on from August 2019 through March 2021, but I made more progress in the final 4 months than in the rest of the time combined. I had a few different mycotoxins that varied throughout this time, but Ochratoxin A was the primary one that I was tracking, and that I was having difficulty bringing down to the goal of < 7.5.

My Mold Detox Protocol

Infrared sauna 3+ times per week was a key part. Sweating helps to excrete toxins from the body.

Here are my numbers:

August 2019: Ochratoxin A = 18

February 2020: Ochratoxin A = 14

May 2020: Ochratoxin A = 13 (this was after taking Rx cholestyramine as a binder…virtually no progress)

November 2020: Ochratoxin A = 33 (discouraged to see this more than double!!)

March 2021: Ochratoxin A = <7.5 (hooray!)

All of these numbers are reported from The Great Plains Laboratory MycoTOX Profile and were collected after a week-long preparation of consuming 350-500mg glutathione daily and without taking any binders. The purpose of this prep is to help mobilize the mycotoxins out of the tissues so that they are excreted in the urine (the test is a urine collection test). There are differing opinions on this “provoking” strategy, but it is what I have found to be best in my own personal experience and with my clients. This test is not available through most normal docs, but I do run it for my clients. It is around $350.

In addition to tracking my progress using the Great Plains profile, I also tracked it using the Complement C4a lab test, which my naturopath uses to track mold. It did correlate with my MycoTOX results. This lab is available at a normal lab draw and is generally covered by insurance for around $10-$25, depending on your plan.

Here are the lifestyle things that I did to support detox:

• Sauna / sweating at least 3 days per week (I invested in a Therasage portable home sauna), wholedailylife for 10% off)

• Daily movement (walking, lifting, etc)

• Hydration, including electrolytes (I use Seeking Health or Cure (code: wholedailylife) and have heard great things about LMNT)

• Rebounding daily (I use a Bellicon rebounder now, but anything with bounce will do!)

• Dry brushing (linked in the Body section here)

• Coffee enemas 3 days per week (supplies are in the Wellness section here)

• Castor packs most nights (supplies are in the Wellness section here)

• Daily BM’s

• Hyperbaric oxygen chamber for 1 hour twice per month

• Neti pot daily

My Mold Detox Protocol

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was a new addition in the last few months. It helps to saturate the tissues with oxygen to combat pathogens and support detox.

Here are the different supplements that I used:

I have many of these products linked in my Fullscript account under my Mold Favorites list! You can sign up for a free Fullscript account here to see them. I will not be providing specific dosages because they were tailored to me specifically. I recommend that you work with a qualified practitioner to find your optimal dosages if needed!

• Zeolite (binder)

• NAC (detox support)

• Glutathione (detox support)

• Milk thistle (detox support)

• Olive leaf extract

• Chlorella (binder)

• Quinton Isotonic (PM) + Quinton Hypertonic (AM)

• Mixed binders (Such as Detox Formula or Ultra Binder from Quicksilver)

• Cellcore products: (these are only available with a practitioner access code; email me at wholedailylife at gmail dot com if you’d like access!)

  • Drainage / lymphatic support: KL Support, Lymphactiv

  • Binders: VRadChem, Carboxy, HMET

  • General: MitoATP, CT Minerals, Hydroxygen, Tudca, CT Spore

In particular, I made a point to take a detox supporting supplement (like glutathione or NAC) followed by a binder about an hour later. I did this twice daily. The purpose of this is to stimulate the release of mycotoxins from the tissues and then bind up those mycotoxins to get them out of the body.

A note on diet:

Many people recommend a particular diet during mold detox, including minimizing fruit, aged cheese, mushrooms, and added sugar. While I did minimize my processed food consumption, I did not avoid fruit, cheese, mushrooms, or raw honey. There are a few foods I did intentionally include:

• Wild organic frozen blueberries

• Fresh cilantro

• Green tea (matcha, specifically); I use both Pique and Encha brands

• Pau’d’Arco, Chamomile, and Holy Basil tea as desired (Traditional Medicinals brand)

• Pomegranate juice

Coincidentally, I was also undergoing a dietary shift starting in January 2021, at the same time as the last phase of my mold detox protocol. This included increasing my consumption of fruits, including organ meats and oysters weekly, adding raw dairy back into my diet, and increasing my calories overall. I believe that these changes helped fuel my body through the detoxification process.

Some of your FAQ’s:

What were my symptoms?

Thankfully I haven’t ever had any major mold symptoms, other than a flare up of my Hashimoto’s antibodies and some brain fog (which could also be related to the Hashi flare). However, knowing that I had a history of mold exposure growing up, I wanted to evaluate my mycotoxin load anyway. Once I saw the numbers, detox was non-negotiable because mycotoxins in the body can lead to significant long term health concerns. Other common symptoms of mold exposure include:

1. Fatigue and Weakness

2. Unexplained Muscle Cramping, Aches and Pains in the Joints, Persistent Nerve Pain

3. Numbness and Tingling

4. Eye Problems like Red Eyes or Light Sensitivity

5. Asthma and Sinus Problems like Cough or Shortness of Breath

6. Tremors and Vertigo

7. Digestive Issues like Change in Appetite, Diarrhea, Nausea, Abdominal Pain

8. Metallic Taste in the Mouth

9. Temperature Regulation or Night Sweats

10. Excessive Thirst and Increased Urination

    (source)

Why did your numbers go up at one point?

I see two possibilities. One was that I had an acute exposure. While this isn’t super likely because I was spending most of my time at home, it’s still possible. The other, and probably more likely, possibility is that my body was more actively moving mycotoxins out of my tissues at this point. Since the MycoTOX test is a urine test, it only analyzes metabolites that have been excreted. If the toxins are stuck in the tissues and aren’t moved out of the body, they don’t show up on the test. I think it’s possible that all of the detox and groundwork that I had done the year prior was finally allowing toxins to more effectively detox out.

What do you think made the biggest difference in the last 3 months?

I made three big changes:

1. Added in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. HBOT is time spent in a pressurized chamber while breathing in pure oxygen. This process helps to drive oxygen deep into the tissues where it can target things that don’t belong there. I first heard about it in context of wound healing, and then learned about all of the other benefits, including detox support. I did this twice per month starting in January.

2. Got very strategic about the timing of my supplements. Previously I wasn’t very concerned about taking a detox support supplements (glutathione, NAC, etc) followed by a binder about an hour later, but this simple shift in intentionality seems to have made an impact! I had all of my supplements lined up on the counter every day and used timers and checklists as reminders when needed.

3. CellCore. I truly think that this one made a huge difference. I had been using a few of their products before and had seen great results on their parasite protocol earlier in the year. After seeing my numbers jump up in November 2020, I decided to implement the CellCore mold protocol with my own additions and adaptations. In particular, I believe that the Carboxy and CT Spore were integral in binding up the mycotoxins and the Lymphactiv and the KL Support were crucial in helping my body process them out!

This was obviously quite a comprehensive protocol that evolved over time. I used some of these things consistently and some of them intermittently, but everything here has a purpose!

I hope this is helpful, and happy detoxing!

-Tracey

How I Got Through Mold Remediation, For The Second Time

I have now been through mold remediation twice in my life, and hope to never have to do so again. The first time was when I was in middle school. My family moved out of our house and lived in an apartment for almost a year while the remediation crew tore out our floors and dealt with the mold that was underneath our entire house. Thankfully, the second round was much less of a headache!

A Brief Backstory

My husband and I bought our first home in Tempe, AZ in early 2019. (April 1, to be exact!) We had a thorough inspection and everything looked good, so after a fresh coat of paint, we moved in at the beginning of May, right before our 2 week trip abroad (find all the details on that here and here). Not long after we got back from our trip, I had my quarterly labs drawn and my Hashimoto’s was flared up a little bit. I wasn’t too worried, since international travel can do that. I utilized my usual tools (diet and lifestyle) and re-ran labs 3 months later…only to find them even less favorable.

What made us suspect mold?

Between those two sets of labs (June and September) I had done some additional testing for heavy metals (which were negative) and candida, which was a very low positive and easily treated. I knew my levels of EBV and CMV were under control, two viruses that had been previous triggers of mine, so I turned to mold, as it was one of the things that I had never really tested for. It had always been on my radar since I had a known exposure in childhood, but I just never really got around to testing it before, since I was seeing progress by addressing other things.

Testing for Mold

I first tested myself using the MycoTOX test from Great Plains Laboratory ($300). This looks for mycotoxins excreted through the urine, which are metabolites created by fungi. These mycotoxins are associated with all kinds of chronic health issues, including autoimmunity, cancer, brain fog, chronic fatigue, liver damage, and more. My test came back positive for three different mycotoxins, and was further confirmed through an elevated Complement C4a blood test.

After that I ordered an ERMI test online ($250). This is a dust collection test that you can do yourself and send in for analysis. I now know that the best way to conduct this test is to do a thorough cleaning of the entire house, including vacuuming and mopping, and then minimal cleaning (only essential tasks like sweeping, wiping kitchen counters, and bathrooms) for 4 weeks. At that point, collect the dust sample from “general” surfaces. This means shelves, table tops, etc, but not the top corner of the bookshelf behind the books. It is also not recommended to sample air vents or obvious sources of mold, as these will skew the sample. I didn’t know these “best practices,” but collected and submitted my sample anyway, and the test came back at 21 (optimal <0, >15 is recommended to move out).

At that point, we knew we needed to hire a professional inspector to help us locate the mold and give us recommendations on how to remediate it. The ERMI test showed the presence of mold, but gave us no indication of where or how prevalent it was. We looked into two companies, Yes We Inspect out of CA and Environmental Analytics out of Tucson. Both companies regularly work for clients with chronic health issues, including CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome) and MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity), so I knew they would do a thorough job and be mindful of the chemicals used throughout the process.

We got a quote from each, and ended up going with Michael Schrantz from Environmental Analytics. He gave us the instructions on how to prep the house for another ERMI test, just in case we wanted to do another one while he was there, and we scheduled an inspection date for about a month out.

Professional Mold Inspection

When Mike arrived in early December we did a thorough review of the house history and then walked through every room. He noticed some water staining under our kitchen sink and by the fireplace, so those were our two leads, and then we talked through the different options for testing. We decided to collect two additional ERMI dust samples, one in the front of the house (kitchen, living room, dining room) and one in the back of the house (bedrooms, office). We knew based on my initial test that one or both would be positive, but this would give us a better idea of what areas were actually being affected. We also decided to do two cavity samples, one in each of the water stained areas, which meant putting a small hole in the wall to sample the air in the cavity behind. In addition to these 4 samples, we also collected three control samples (one outside ERMI and two outside “cavity” samples). This is important, because in any environment there will be some natural mold present. The whole process took a couple of hours, we paid our bill ($2,350), and that was it!

Our results came back within one week:

• ERMI from the back of the house: negative

• ERMI from the front of the house: positive for presence of mycotoxins

• Cavity sample from under sink: positive for mold contamination

• Cavity sample from by the fireplace: possibly positive, but confounded by debris

Mike sent a full report over to us and then we all got on a call to discuss the plan moving forward. His recommendation was to hire a remediation company to remove the mold from under the sink. He also recommended opening up the area by the fireplace for a visual inspection and subsequent cleaning, if needed. He gave us recommendations for two different remediation companies, Advanced Drying and Artistic Restoration, both out of Tucson. We set up appointments with both of them to have them come look at the space and give us a quote, and ended up going with Dustin of Advanced Drying. We also knew that we would need to hire someone to do reconstruction work, as the remediation would require the removal of all of the cabinetry under our kitchen sink and all of the drywall behind, and got in touch with a general contractor who came by to give us a quote on that as well.

At that point, the holidays hit, and we decided to wait a few weeks to get going, but when things settled down mid-January, we scheduled the remediation to start the first week of February.

Empty kitchen, ready for remediation to start the next morning!

Step 1: Remediation + Confirmation Testing

I don’t want to get too detailed here, because it would take forever, but I’ll hit the highlights. In preparation for remediation, we moved everything out of our kitchen and living room that we could. This meant removing the dishwasher, fridge, emptying all cabinets, etc. We set up our temporary “living room” in one of the spare bedrooms, and a mini “kitchen” (aka dishwashing station and mini pantry) in the second bathroom. (For more severe or widespread cases, it is generally recommended to move out of the house, but we felt confident in our ability to stay isolated in the back half of the house that had a negative ERMI sample.)

When the crew arrived, they set up containments around the kitchen and the living room (thick plastic sheets secured to the walls, floor, and ceiling with tape and staples) to establish an air-tight work area. They also set up large air scrubbers in each containment and one out in the hallway. These ran for 7 days, the whole time that they were working (3.5 days) and until we got confirmation testing results that the mold was gone.

The process itself was pretty simple: they removed all materials that showed any sign of mold growth until they got clear margins by 18” in every direction, then manually scrubbed all of the surfaces that remained. In total, they found about 6-8 sq ft of affected area, all under the sink. They did 3 rounds of cleaning, each one day apart. During the first round, they made a point to establish negative pressure by venting the containment air outside the house, which helped protect against any contaminated air escaping into the rest of the home. Throughout the process, they also applied an antimicrobial paint and used a thyme essential oil based cleaning solution.

After the third round of cleaning, we had Mike come back to the house to collect another round of samples (one in each containment, one in the interior of the house, and control samples). This part is important, because you want to confirm that the mold is actually gone before putting the house back together again. We paid extra to rush the testing of these ($1,450 total, which included Mike’s inspection, sample collection and analysis, and the rush charges), because we were ready to turn the fans off and get our house back! Samples were collected on Saturday and by Monday we got word that we were good to go. The remediation crew came back to collect their equipment on Tuesday, we paid our bill to them ($5,900), and our house was ours again!

The aftermath of remediation. This was after the remediation crew was done and the confirmation samples had been collected. We were stuck at this point for a few days until the reconstruction crew came in.

Step 2: Reconstruction

The mold was gone, but so was half of our kitchen and living room, and until we could get those things rebuilt, we were still living out of half of our house. We had that local construction company come in and give us a bid on the cost of the possible work early on in the process, but they went MIA for a week. Just when we were about to hire someone else, they sent us a text that said they would be there the next morning at 7am. Once they started, the process took about 4 workdays. I was able to continue working out of the back of the house while they rebuilt our cabinets and patched up the walls and ceiling. In total, reconstruction was $3,400.

Brand new cabinet! Not quite the same design as before, but we were just glad to be able to use our kitchen again.

Step 3: Duct Cleaning

After the reconstruction was done, we were also advised to have our ducts and HVAC thoroughly cleaned. This makes sense, because if there is mold in the house, the HVAC system was likely picking it up and we wanted to make sure that there weren’t any lingering mold spores that would continue to be distributed throughout the house as we used the heat and AC. Everest Duct was highly recommended to us, but we ended up going with a local company, Wise Ventz, because they were half the cost and we didn’t have any known issues with the duct work. The crew came out and manually cleaned/vacuumed out all of our ducts and scrubbed our vents. Some companies will also apply an antimicrobial, but we chose not to do this since there was no evidence of mold in our duct system. The cost for this was around $500 and it took about 3 hours.

Step 4: Full House Cleaning

Last but certainly not least, we needed to thoroughly clean the entire house, with particular attention to the items that we we took out of the contaminated areas. Mike’s recommendation for this was to use a tiny amount of soap (I used 5 drops of Branch Basics concentrate) to 1 quart of water and wipe everything down with a damp microfiber cloth. For walls and ceiling we used a dry swiffer cloth with the same solution. The goal here is to remove any remaining spores and mycotoxins that were on our belongings. This step took some time, but we did it over the course of the weekend as we put things back in place.

The Big Picture

From the first day of remediation to putting things back in place, the process took us about 3.5 weeks. We had heard it could take up to 6, and at one point were optimistic that it might be done in 2, but we landed right in the middle at 3.5. Including the ERMI test that I did, Mike’s 2 rounds of testing, the remediation, the reconstruction, and the duct cleaning, the total cost was just shy of $14,000. Moral of the story: pay attention to leaks!! This all originated with a dishwasher leak that occurred while the previous owners lived here.

Insurance

Insurance did not cover any of the cost, which meant that this was entirely out of pocket. Typically insurance will only cover mold remediation if it is related to a covered item that breaks and causes a leak while the current policy is in effect. Since the damage occurred before we bought the house, it didn’t qualify. Lesson learned….next time we buy a house we’ll be hiring a professional mold inspector to come through before we finalize the offer. Mold is more common than you think!

My Detox Protocol

Getting the mold out of the house was one thing, but getting it out of my body was another. If you want all of the details on THAT part of the process, head on over to this post!

A Few FAQ’s

1. Could we have done it ourselves? Honestly, no. We didn’t have the skills to remove the cabinet, know how to support the granite countertop, or want to be around the mold. I have heard of some people who do this on their own, but we didn’t want to risk something going wrong or having a health flare up.

2. How do we know it wont come back? Believe me, it’s been on my mind, especially because this originated from a dishwasher leak and that isn’t something that is easy to check for. When we reinstalled everything, we ran the dishwasher a couple of times and then checked behind it for any leaks, but other than that, it just comes down to paying attention. I have heard a great suggestion of putting plastic tubs under the sinks in the house to catch any leaks, and I do think that is a great suggestion since those are common culprits.

3. Did your husband have any symptoms? Nope! Remember, this whole process started because my Hashimoto’s flared up. He had no symptoms at all, and I do think that a majority of people could have lived in this situation and not ever even know it. However, I do believe that mycotoxins are a hidden source of malaise in many people, and my symptoms gave us the opportunity to catch this early on and fix the problem before it led to more chronic/severe issues down the line.

Whew, what a process! Definitely not something that we were planning to deal with in the first 9 months of home ownership, but here we are. I hope this post is helpful to someone else out there who is going through the same thing!

Until next time,

Tracey

The 2019 Whole Daily Life Holiday Gift Guide

I’ve always wanted to put together one of these gift guides, but have never really had the time to do it!

I’ll cut strait to the good stuff. These are some of my most loved products of 2019 that I think almost anyone would enjoy!

For the health conscious:

-Infrared Jade and Tourmaline Heating Pad- Avoids the concern of EMF emitted by traditional heating pads, with the bonus of more penetrating heat and the generation of negative ions. I like to use this with my castor packs!

-Berkey Water Purification System- Access to truly clean water can be a major health upgrade, and our Berkey has been one of our best investments! Be sure to get the fluoride filters too!

-Clearly Filtered Water Purification Pitcher- Sometimes the jump to a Berkey can be a big one, and Clearly Filtered offers equally superior quality of filtration with a more approachable price point. Save 10% on your first purchase with code wholedailylife through 12/15!

-Sun Genomics Customized Probiotics (based on a stool test!)- This is the first company that I have come across that is using stool testing to create custom formulated probiotics based on what YOUR body needs. Use code wholedailylife for $25 off anytime, but through the end of November, save 50% with the code BF50!!

-Beekeepers Naturals Propolis throat spray- This is a convenient (and delicious) way to support overall wellness this season! Propolis is a natural antibacterial and antiviral, and it tastes great! 30% off site-wide on Black Friday, no code needed, otherwise wholedailylife15 gets you 15% off anytime.

-Deep Nutrition- One of the most influential nutrition books I have read recently. It’s packed with information and not for the faint of heart, but it will change the way you think about food forever!

-Go Pure Pod Portable Water Purifier- This is a carbon based water purifier in a compact little capsule. It lasts 6 months and is a perfect way to ensure clean water while traveling. I also keep one in my water bottle year round because it keeps the bottle from getting funky between washes!

-Gua Sha Stone- Gua Sha is an amazing technique to help tone the skin and move lymph in the face. It’s a great evening routine and feels amazing! This is the stone that I use.

-Defender Shield Laptop Pad- We are just starting to learn about how detrimental EMF exposure can be to our health, and we live in a world where it is constant! I make a point to place my laptop on an EMF blocking pad to prevent exposure as much as possible.

-Oral IV Hydration Shots- These little 2oz shots are 100% structured water that helps your body absorb the water you drink more efficiently. It’s my favorite travel hack, and a must for IV’s and blood draws!

-Viva Oil CBD- CBD is all the rage these days, and my top recommended brands is Viva. If you want to learn more about CBD and the benefits that is can have on everything from sleep to anxiety, you can check out this post! Save 10% with code wholedailylife.

-Let’s Get Checked- This is more of a practical gift than a fun one, but knowing your thyroid numbers (especially if you have Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism) is important! This test covers all of the important markers and can be done from the comfort of your home! Save 20% with code WDL.

For the foodie:

-Hamama Greens Microgreens Kit- If you don’t have the time or space for a garden, these grow kits are an extremely easy and affordable way to increase the nutrient density in your diet! You seriously can’t mess them up, and the flavorful greens go with pretty much everything! Save 10% with code wholedailylife.

-Hot Logic Mini Portable Warmer- This handy appliance has been a lifesaver over my years of working in an office. Just plug it in, add your Pyrex dish of food, and your meal is hot in an hour! Even though I work from home now, I still use this daily as an easy alternative to a microwave.

-Pique Tea Matcha- It’s no secret that I LOVE my morning matcha, and Pique tea is by far my favorite. It’s organic, quadruple screened for toxins, and the flavor is top notch. Pique doesn’t do sales often, so follow the link and use code HOLIDAY10 to save 10%!

-Virginia Boys Kitchen Non-toxic Walnut Cutting Board- A piece that is equally beautiful and functional! (Don’t forget the seasoning oil!)

-Instant Pot- I’m actually considering getting a second one this year! My Instant Pot has been a lifesaver when it comes to efficiency cooking and meal prep. Spaghetti squash in 7 minutes? Yes please!

-Cuisinart Food Processor- Another kitchen tool that I use weekly at minimum, my food processor has been a hard working member of my kitchen for 8 years now. I use it for everything from slicing and chopping to blending and acai bowls.

-Silpat Nonstick Baking Mats- I grew up with these and have never stopped using them! A reusable alternative to parchment, they’re perfect for roasting veggies, baking potatoes, and of course, the usual holiday sweets and treats. (I use them out of the oven too, for things like freezing slices of banana or steamed veggies for smoothies!)

-Milk Frother- The perfect accompaniment to matcha, this handy tool would make a great stocking stuffer. I use mine daily!

-Organifi GOLD- Organifi products are PACKED with functional ingredients like herbs, spices, and medicinal mushrooms. I love them all, but the GOLD is my favorite. In short, it’s an amped up golden milk taht tastes delicious! Use code wholedailylife for 15% off anytime, but they’re doing 20% off on Black Friday and free shipping on Cyber Monday!

-Wild Zora AIP Holiday Sampler Box- I love Wild Zora products, not only for their quality and flavor, but also for what they are doing in the AIP community by making high quality convenience food (bars, soups, dehydrated meals) available on the go! This sampler box includes their 2 AIP compliant meals, bars, teas, AND some brand new soups that haven’t even been released yet! It’s a $70 value for $50, and is a great gift for adventurers and homebodies alike. For any other products, save 15% with the code wholedailylife15!

I hope you found this list helpful, and if there’s something that you’ve been loving lately too, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Until next time,

Tracey

22 Natural Cold and Flu Remedies: My Exact Protocols

I really hate that feeling of a cold coming on. I used to feel so helpless, like all I could do was let it run its course while I sniffled and sneezed my way through. Fortunately, I’ve learned a lot in recent years about how the immune system functions and what I can do to support it in situations like this, and I today I’m sharing all of my tips with you!

I’ve compiled a list of 22 natural remedies that I turn to when I’m fighting something off, along with notes on exactly how I use them. I don’t use all of these every time, but they have all served me well at one point or another!

Here are 22 natural remedies that I use to get well fast:

1. Get as much extra sleep as possible. Sleep is when your body can focus on healing!

2. Avoid strenuous exercise in favor of more restful movement such as walking (or more sleep!). If your body is already stressed from trying to fight off an illness, you don’t want to add to that strain with vigorous exercise.

3. Consume 1 tsp cod liver oil or 2 oz liver daily; the extra Vit A is supportive of immune health. (source) Similarly, add an extra dose of Vit D, as the two are synergistic! I take 20,000 IU Vit D.

4. Take extra Vit C (I usually use 2-3 gm of the Seeking Health liposomal form). I take 1000mg daily during flu season for prevention.

5. Use Beekeepers Naturals propolis spray 2-3 tomes daily. This is one of my favorites for on the go!

6. Elderberry Syrup (I take 2-4 tsp Nature’s Answer concentrate). Elderberry is well supported in the research as an antiviral, and is also rich in antioxidants!

7. Source Naturals Wellness Formula- this formula is AMAZING. I have gotten clearance from my ND to use this even in context of autoimmunity, but you’ll want to check with your practitioner as well! I take 6 caps 2-3 times daily when fighting something off.

8. Integrative Therapeutics V-Clear- a homeopathic antiviral, specifically for respiratory infections. However, I have found this to be helpful for any viral illness! I take it 2-3 times daily when sick.

9. Colloidal silver- I use this brand specifically, and take 1 tbsp three times daily when fighting something off. I will also add 1 tsp to my neti pot rinse (see #20)!

10. Castor oil packs (supplies here under wellness tab) / lymphatic massage / gentle rebounding- each of these helps move lymph in the body, which is beneficial because that supports our body’s efforts to clear out the infection. (Ever notice how your lymph nodes swell when you get sick? This is your body’s natural response!)

11. Vit C IV’s or immune IV’s- IV therapy has proven to be incredibly useful. They range in cost from $100-$150 each, but when I was using them regularly as part of another protocol, I noticed that I rarely got sick, and if I felt something coming on, an IV knocked it right out! They’re so effective because they bypass the digestive system and put the nutrients right into the bloodstream where they can be immediately distributed.

12. Embrace the fever if it is present. Fever is the body’s natural way of fighting off pathogens that cannot survive at a higher temperature. Once I stopped taking fever reducing medications and embraced the process, I started getting better in half the time! I bundle up and get under covers and try to sweat as much as possible. (While making a point to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration!)

13. Sauna / soaking in a hot bath- similar to a fever, heating up the body can help to kill off unwanted viruses and bacteria. (source) There is also a lot of research supporting the benefits for detoxification and longevity, which I won’t get into here.

14. Hydrate with electrolytes (or this one) and Oral IV. I aim for 3L fluids daily when sick.

15. Fresh ginger juice shots. These help to bind viral pathogens before they can attach to respiratory tract! (source) I will make them at home if I can, or purchase from a juice shop if needed.

16. Monolaurin- this is another antiviral supplement that has been helpful to me in my Epstein Barr journey. I take 1000mg twice daily.

17. Olive Leaf Extract + L-Lysine- more antivirals. I take 500mg of each daily.

18. Oregano essential oil (I only ingest doTERRA brand)- this works SO well for me! I take 1 drop in a gelcap with meals twice daily. I also usually add a drop of Thyme, Melaleuca/Tea Tree, and Lemon, and make sure that I’m eating it with fat, or adding an oil to the capsule to dilute.

19. Diffusing essential oils (Melaleuca, OnGuard, Eucalyptus)- as we breathe in the oils, not only do they help to fight pathogens present in our lungs, but they are also absorbed into our bodies where they can continue to work! I also find that using oils that help to open up my sinuses (like Peppermint, Eucalyptus, or Breathe) are very helpful.

20. Neti pot twice daily. I do this at the first sign of something being amiss, and I haven’t had a sinus infection since I started! It works by flushing out the sinuses to keep bacteria from building up and replicating there. I also like to add 1 tsp of colloidal silver to the mix for extra bug fighting capability.

21. Plenty of bone broth, soups/stews + strict avoidance of sugar and processed foods. Processed foods and sugar contribute to inflammation, which makes it harder for our bodies to fight off illness and infection. Focusing on nutrient dense foods that are easy to digest (such as soups/stews) give our bodies easy access to the nutrients that they need to heal! Bonus: the glycine (collagen) in the bone broth helps support a healthy gut lining, which keeps you healthier long-term!

22. Black Seed Oil- this oil has been shown provide anti-inflammatory support (source) that translate to a myriad of health benefits, including helping the body fight off illness! (It also helps to reduce Hashimoto’s antibodies! (source)) I take 1-2 tsp most days already, but will increase this in times of sickness! I like to take it with 1 tsp manuka honey for an extra boost!

I hope this has been a helpful resource! Is there anything else that you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

Tracey

PS. Truly understanding my Hashimoto’s has been key in being able to support my immune system in a way that doesn’t trigger an autoimmune flare. I put together a free PDF download of my The Top 5 Things I Did To Heal my Hashimoto’s Naturally. You can grab that free download here! I’ve also created a course all about the ins and outs of Hashimoto’s, how it works, and how to overcome it. If you want to learn more about that, head on over here to get all the details!