The benefits of using a sauna have been well documented over the years. They include improved circulation and cardiovascular health, stress reduction, enhanced recovery and detoxification, greater immune function, and deeper sleep. Infrared rays can also penetrate deeper into tissues, possibly helping to soothe muscles and joints.
Enter the SaunaPod Infrared sauna from Vital+. Known for their cold plunge and steam sauna, their infrared sauna continues with the theme of portability. It’s portable enough to fit in an apartment or corner of a room, and only takes about 15-20 minutes to setup.
The infrared panels are 660 nanometers which is powerful enough to potentially penetrate the skin and stimulate cell repair. The temperature can get up to 150 degress Farenheit. I typically turn up the heat and wait about 10 minutes for the unit to warm then. I’ll be inside for about 10 minutes, then take a quick water break, and then go back in for another 5-10 minutes. By the time I’m in there a second time I am already sweating.
The benefits of a sauna aside, I’ve found the SaunaPod to be great for my mental health. I leave my phone outside with relaxing music on and I am lone with my thoughts when I am inside. It’s like a form of meditation for me.
The SaunaPod is also very light and portable. While it takes 5 minutes to breakdown, you can actually shift it from room to room with ease. So whether you need it in your office one day and in the garage the next, it works on a standard electrical outlet so you can use it anywhere. Vital+ has nailed a portable sauana solution that’s an accessbile price point compared to the traditional saunas that are very expensive and immobile.
Kül Spring
The Kül Spark is the Swiss army knife of water filters. It provides sparking water, ambient or room temperature water, hot water perfect for coffee or tea, and cold water.
The unit can be connected to the plumbing under the sink and there’s an option for a separate water tank that you can refill. While it does take up some counter space (13.6″ W x 16.5″ H x 20.5″ D), I found that it replaced my electric kettle so I was able to save some counter space there.
The Kül unit filters and removes over 80 contaminants for clean and safe water. This is a great solution as people are becoming more aware of microplastics and the potential harms of drinking out of plastic bottles.
I’ve tested 2 other water filters. This is by far the best-tasting water I have ever had. The crispness of the cool water at 42°F is the perfect temperature that lasts an entire day in my stainless steel water bottle – and it cools me down after a long run in the heat. I also drink a glass of water during my morning routine and the ambient temperature is my personal preference to take with my vitamins.
There is a chamber behind the left panel that houses and connects the CO2 cylinder which is easy to install. The unit is as easy to setup as an iPhone which makes me feel that the company was intentional about making it seamless for the user out of the box.
The biggest hurdle for anyone might be the price point. The Spark unit retails for $1,495 and the Spring option (without sparkling water) at $1,095. If you invest in a water filter system you can easily expect to spend $250-$300. Throw in another $500-$700 for a sparkling water system. While it is a premium to get everything in one unit that works seamlessly – it has has been one of the greatest kitchen appliances I’ve ever used. It’s easy to calculate the return on investment for your health. Additionally, the one I’ve used that connects under the sink only filters the water and it’s one temperature (that feels like room temperature). Kül Spark is the most dynamic water purifier and hydration solution that meets the needs of the entire family.
Wool is natural and resists mold and mildew. It’s hypoallergenic, which makes it a great option for bedding. One of the most important benefits from a user perspective is that it’s temperature-regulating regulating so it can be used year-round.
Somona Wool Company has committed to sourcing wool ethically. Amy Chesnut founded the company after experimenting with Pozzi Wool which is known for establishing standards by Joe Pozza for animal welfare, land stewardship, and responsible wool harvesting from family farms.
Their Wool Comforter has been a staple for a natural bedding solution. Many blankets on the market contain polyester, a synthetic fiber, which can release microplastics. Their Wool Pillow is a complementary solution that is available in multiple sizes and densities to support all sleep styles. Making the change to wool has been a conscious commitment to a more natural sleep setup. The change to a material that is temperature-regulating has already made a significant difference from over-heating at night.
Castlery’s reputation is making luxury affordable. Their co-founder once said that they are unwilling to sacrifice beautiful design or quality materials. The Jaron Leather Recliner is exactly that. The design has a modern look and it feels like you’re sitting on a cloud. The leather is very soft and both the headrest and leg rest recline with ease. What’s also a plus is that you can customize the recline on both of them separately.
The Jaron serves many purposes. It’s been perfect for a quick break, to read a book, or even to watch a movie because of the reclining ability and comfort. The quality of the leather is excellent and it feels like it will last for years to come. I’m usually not one to opt for leather because I feel like it’s going to stick to my thighs and it’s going to be rough, the Jaron delivers on the quality and comfort.
Castlery Fall Collection includes other sofas and recliners to choose from. The Reverie Recliner Sofa is designed to be soft and casual, and true to the brand it’s completely modular and can fit tight spaces.
The Reverie Recliner Sofa has a unique design that looks soft and cradles the body – from head support to full spinal alignment.
One of my favorite pieces is the Lira Dining Chair because it includes a backrest that reclines and moves with the user. Castlery’s brand promise is focused on solving real-life problems. You can see the intention and purpose with every piece of furniture.
What I appreciate about the Cotopaxi Allpa 26L Daypack is that it’s sleek enough for a business meeting and durable enough for a day out with the family. It fits my 16’’ Macbook Pro with room for another smaller computer or tablet. There’s generous room in the main compartment, the the front compartments are very spacious for large items that I need to access quickly. The side pockets can fit a 32 oz water bottle and when not in use they expand back. I’ve found them helpful to fit other items since they press closely to the bag. It’s been a versatile pack for a regular day and travel. They’ve truly nailed the perfect daypack, I find myself reaching for it wherever I go.
I love the Capa Hybrid Insulated Hooded Jacket so much that I got two of them. While I may not wear it in the dead of winter, I’ve been wearing across town because it’s been a terrific layer for a city like Portland, OR. It never feels like it’s overheating because it’s temperature regulating with the PromaLoft Gold P.U.R.E. insulation, and it has a sleek look, so I can wear it out to dinner or a show. Cotopaxi has rotated clolors throughout the year, it’s one piece I hope stays in the rotation so I can pick up a few more colors. This has become my favorite mid-layer piece, especially because of its packable design, which makes it easy to take on the go.
Bellroy is widely known for making quality accessories for tech gadgets, ranging from phone cases to laptop sleeves. What surprised me was their luggage line, specifically the Transit Carry-On Plus. Many brands see an opportunity to extend a product line to just increase revenue. Bellroy’s product design team was looking to solve a need while simplifying elements of the design.
“Nearly every single component we’ve engineered from the ground up,” they explained.
They wanted to make it light. Additionally, they re-designed the shell to make it less likely to crack – an issue they’ve noticed across the industry. Many of the components are replaceable, so the user can just order what they need online rather than send the luggage in for fixing. They’ve also had a focus on making the shell less noisy to use and roll
The Laptop Caddy by Belloroy (pictured below) has been a great solution when I want to go to a coffee shop and I just need my laptop, notebook, and a few accessories. I find it as an alternative to a backpack, and it comes with protection for my laptop. It’s made from a recycled Ripstop fabric, which feels soft and it’s water-resistant from the elements. There are also two sizes for 14’’ or 16’’ laptops.
Bellroy’s wallets with magnetic closures is a unique product. What I like about the Apex Note Sleeve, however, is that it is larger the Apex Slim Sleeve and you can fit bills without having to fold them – and it’s large enough for any currency. It’s extremely light, and there’s no need to break it in because of the way the leather is molded.
My favorite office chair I’ve ever used is from a company called Humanscale. They are known for making ergonomic products and their monitor arms are very popular. I always recommend that if anyone is investing in a premium office chair they should find a showroom and try it out. There is no substitute because our bodies are all different.
What I noticed about the Freedom Headrest chair is that it adjusts to your body weight and the chair’s components adapt to you. It’s almost hard to explain and you have to try it for yourself. The design has more lower back support than meets the eye, and more than most chairs I’ve personally sat in.
I use a standing desk and toggle up and down throughout the day. This chair goes up to 53’’ which means you can use it for both a sitting and standing position if you choose. The optional footrest ring comes in handy when your desk is elevated to make it ergonomic for your legs. This may not be the perfect chair for everyone, but again, if you’re investing in a chair I would recommend this be on your short-list to try out.
Working from home, I am intentional about the air quality which is why I keep windows open for clean air flow and use an air purifier. Dyson has introduced a line of purifying fans and heaters called De-NOx.
NO2 is known as nitric dioxide, a gas molecule – found typically in combustion, most notably from cars. Even within your home, cooking with gas stoves can produce N02 as a byproduct from combustion. Some studies suggest things like asthma and excema can be exacerbated by pollution and NO2.
Dyson designed the De-NOx purifier filters to target NO2 molecules by using activated carbon filters that convert the NO2 into potassium nitrate and CO2 as a chemical bond onto the filter itself to capture up to 50% more NO2 and retain it in the filter. Ultimately, this is a great solution for modern living, especially for those living in cities.
The purifier also connects to the Dyson app which is helpful, especially if you use multiple Dyson products in your home.
Self-care is a foundation of working from home because you have to remember to take care of yourself. The lines between work and your personal life can get blurred, but you need to install habits that help compartmentalize work. Whether you meditate, workout, cold plunge, or even go for a walk – these are all activities that help separate the two. Red light therapy has become very popular, especially because there are now solutions that you can use from home rather than go into a commercial facility.
The benefits of red light range from improved skin and health appearance, improved energy levels, improved mood, and reduced inflammation and pain relief. Red light therapy has been shown to stimulate the mitochondria in our cells to produce more energy so our cells can function optimally.
What I like about the ULTRA360 is it’s incredibly portable at only 12 lbs. It’s lifespan is 50,000 hours and comes with a 3-year warranty. Hooga is figured out how to offer a leading red light therapy product that’s practical, affordable, and of the highest quality. While they do offer larger panels, this has been a staple in my evening routine because it’s very accessible.
Cozy Earth is well known for its bedding collection including the Bamboo Sheet Set and Bamboo Duvet Cover featuring chic prints.
They also have a broad set of clothing that are very comfortable for when working from home. What I also noticed is that their clothing doesn’t shrink much, although I typically wash in cold water. I’ve also felt like they last through many washes.
The StretchTech Quarter Zip is both practical and comfortable. It’s a zip up perfect for a Zoom meeting and you can wear it out if you’re running errands. I have another quarter zip that feels too formal if I go outside – so this has been a great option.
The Everywhere Pant could also be called the anytime pant – because they’re so comfortable you can wear them all day. I’ve found them more comfortable than a pair of jeans because they’re more breathable and flexible. They come in many colors and sizes, I find myself reaching for these pants more than any other – all week long.
While I work, my kids are also homeschooling a few rooms over. The best invention I’ve seen and experienced is called the ChompSaw by ChompShop. It went viral on Shark Tank because it’s a wonderful solution to nurture kids creativity with stuff you already have at home – cardboard boxes.
Think of ChompSaw as a kid-safe power tool used for cutting cardboard – bringing ideas to life and transforming ordinary cardboard into extraordinary projects. The beauty of the ChompSaw is that it’s kid-friendly and nearly impossible for kids to get hurt using it. You can take any cardboard box or Amazon box, and use it as material to cut and create with. Not only do our kids enjoy using it, but I do as well because it gives me the ability to do something creative with them.
They also offer resources and accessories to get you started, like the Inventor’s Workbook, which is a hand-on guide that is filled with engineering principles, design techniques, and interactive challenges to help develop and bring their STEM skills to life.
There’s a reason Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner invested $250,000 for a stake in ChompShop. I wish this were available when I was growing up, but it’s fantastic that I can now experience it with my children, nurturing their imagination.