Author name: Mari

Oil products, Extra virgin olive, sunflower seed, rapeseed oil

Seed Oils: Why Most People Feel Better Reducing Them

Seed oils are one of the most debated topics in modern nutrition. Some people insist they’re harmless. Others report feeling noticeably better when they reduce them. For people living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, asthma, allergies, migraines, or other invisible illnesses, the question isn’t about trends — it’s about how food affects […]

Woman standing with her head down in embarrassment with people's fingers pointing at her as in shaming her.

MCS and the Fight for Basic Accommodation

Living with MCS isn’t just about symptoms—it’s about being believed. If you’ve ever heard “You don’t look sick” or “A little fragrance can’t hurt you,” this post explains why fragrance-free spaces are basic accommodation, not a preference.

Creamy sweet potato chocolate mousse served in small glass jars, topped with cacao powder and dark chocolate pieces, with a baked sweet potato and cacao in the background.

A Healthier Way to Enjoy Dessert: 5 Simple Chocolate Recipes

For a long time, dessert felt complicated for me. Not because I didn’t enjoy sweets—but because once I started reading ingredient labels, I noticed how many desserts are made with very long lists of additives that are there for color, texture, shelf life, or appearance rather than nourishment. Many packaged desserts contain combinations of: These

Top view of a white cup filled with yogurt and assorted berries on a pink background.

Why Homemade Yogurt Is Better

Living with MCS, fibro, migraines, IBS, or chronic inflammation means our bodies often react to things other people never notice. Food is one of the biggest hidden sources of irritation — not because the food itself is “bad,” but because of the extra ingredients, processing methods, and chemicals added along the way. Yogurt looks simple…

A Siamese cat using a toilet (The Cat Throne toilet seat attachment).

No More Cat Litter: Can Cats Really Be Toilet Trained?

If you love cats, but live with MCS, asthma, or allergies, you may be wondering if it’s possible to eliminate having to use cat littler. That was my question when I got my two kittens. I knew people claimed cats could be toilet trained, so I started looking for a good way to toilet-train my

Cat sitting inside a washing machine

Toxic Cleaners That Harm Pets & People With MCS or Asthma

If you live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), asthma, or chronic illness, you already know how even one “normal” cleaner can leave you dizzy, wheezing, or stuck in bed. But many don’t realize that most conventional household cleaners are also toxic to pets — especially cats. In this post, we break down which ingredients are

Close-up of a lavender oil bottle with dried flowers for aromatherapy. Perfect for wellness themes.

Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets and MCS Homes?

Essential oils are often marketed as safe, natural alternatives to chemical-based products. But when you’re living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or sharing your home with pets, not all “natural” options are as harmless as they seem. Some essential oils are toxic to animals, and others can trigger severe reactions in chemically sensitive people. Today,

a person's hand with a yellow rubber glove is holding a yellow cleaning sponge and cleaning the toilet seat and the toilet

How I Clean My Bathroom: MCS Survival Guide

If you have MCS (or you’re just extremely sensitive to smells), cleaning the bathroom can feel like a trap:Most “bathroom cleaners” smell strong… and strong smell can mean days of symptoms. This is how I clean my bathroom in a way that keeps things sanitary without turning my house into a chemical cloud. Quick note:

A woman packs a leopard print shoulder bag with personal care items on a wooden desk.

Your Body Odor Could Be Signaling You Need To Detox

Your armpits are part of your lymphatic system, which filters out waste. Suppressing sweat with aluminum doesn’t just stop odor—it blocks your body’s ability to detox. If you’re not sweating at all, that can be a sign of mineral deficiency or imbalance (even Mayo Clinic agrees).Your body was designed to sweat. Let it. Safe and

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7 Toxic Household Products That Could Harm Your Pet

If you’re using air fresheners, mothballs, or scented laundry products, you may be unknowingly putting your pets—and your family—at risk. These everyday items release toxic chemicals that affect: Pets are especially vulnerable because they breathe closer to the ground, groom themselves, and absorb toxins through their paws and fur. 🐜 Are Mothballs Toxic to Pets?

Inviting cozy reading setup with tea, poetry books, and fresh flowers on a table.

You’re Not Alone: New Books & Awareness Gear to Support Your Journey

Living with chronic illness can feel invisible. When you’re dealing with symptoms that don’t always show—migraines, fatigue, anxiety, sensory overload, depression, brain fog, or chronic pain—it’s easy to feel misunderstood, dismissed, or just plain exhausted. That’s why I created HealNoMeds: a space to share tools, encouragement, and awareness for people living with conditions like MCS,

Green tree-shaped air freshener hanging from car mirror, depicting 'Royal Pine' scent.

How to Keep Your Car Smelling Fresh Without Toxic Chemicals

When you think about “new car smell,” you might picture that iconic little tree air freshener hanging from the mirror. But what if I told you that most car air fresheners release hundreds of chemicals — some of which can disrupt your brain, hormones, and lungs? Studies, like those cited by the Environmental Working Group

a collage of tshirts and other merchandise showcasing designs like "Perfume give me migraines" and "MCS awareness"

How a Simple Shirt Can Make a Difference

One time, I was running errands while wearing my “Perfume Gives Me Migraines” tee. A woman behind me in line at the store gently asked, “Really? Is that true?”I explained how even small amounts of synthetic fragrance can trigger days of migraines and nausea for people with MCS or sensitivities. She looked down at her

A woman gazing at a cloudy city skyline through a large window, capturing urban life.

Are Your Low-E Windows Blocking More Than Just Heat?

How Low-E Glass Could Be Affecting People with MCS, Fatigue, or Chronic Illness We’re told to stay inside for safety. Keep cool in the summer, warm in the winter. Use energy-efficient windows to save on electricity. But what if this “efficiency” is stealing something vital from your body? If you live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Close-up of a healthcare professional with arms crossed wearing medical scrubs and stethoscope.

It’s Not “Just In Your Head” – How To Be Heard

For over a year, I kept telling my primary care doctor that fragrances and perfumes were making me extremely sick — migraines, nausea, brain fog, feeling like I was being poisoned.And for over a year, she kept telling me, “That’s not possible.”“It’s just in your head.”“You must be anxious.” Every time she dismissed me, it