We often picture dust and fumes when we think of indoor air pollution because they’re either visible or have a strong odor.  But what about the invisible, odorless gas called radon that’s naturally occurring in the ground beneath many of our homes?  According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US today.  In fact, only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.  

It's been estimated that 2 to 5 times more pollutants can be found in indoor air than outdoor air. Two of the contributing factors are: 1.) items found in our homes (like dust, scented products, chemicals, mold) and 2.) lack of adequate ventilation to bring in fresh, outdoor air.  

We know that improving indoor air quality is important for the health of our families, but some of the more complex fixes can be pricey.  Well, fear not – below are ten actions you can take now that will help clean up your air and won’t break the bank.

Photo creds to Chandra at MOM TRIBE LIFE for all the awesome photos used in this post.

Part of a balanced life for me is finding time to escape from the hectic daily routine and RECHARGE.  So for 24 hours this past weekend I relished in some me-time, and it was wonderful. I had the pleasure of attending my first MOM TRIBE LIFE retreat in the mountains of New Hampshire.

Being a working parent is no joke.  When I first went back to work after having my son, the struggle to manage it all definitely hit me hard.  There was stress at work, stress at home, minimal sleep, and so much to do!  I barely made my way through that first year, and I knew something needed to change.  I needed to find calm in my life as a working mom.

We live in a world where chemicals are present in almost every product we use.  They’ve been put there to serve a purpose, but at what cost?  Are the benefits really worth the risks to our health and the well-being of the environment?  This post highlights five common types of harmful chemicals that can be found in everyday household products.  I’ll discuss where they can be found and why they’re unhealthy for us and the environment.   

Renovations are an exciting time.  They are full of hope, anticipation and dreams of beautiful new spaces.  But they are also annoyingly messy and stressful!  Dust and fumes are two major health issues with any renovation project.  Toxin filled dust is created during demolition, drywall installation, sanding, and many other renovation activities.  Toxic fumes will abound from building materials, fixtures and finishes (unless you follow the healthy building material guidelines).  Protect yourself and your family from the hazards of construction by following these key tips to maintaining a healthy living space during your renovation.