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- Non-Toxic Dad News: February 26, 2026
Non-Toxic Dad News: February 26, 2026
Warren Phillips
February 26, 2026
Hello Non-Toxic Friends!
As spring settles in, so do longer days, warmer air, and, unfortunately, seasonal allergies for many families. Sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and fatigue can quickly turn a beautiful season into a frustrating one when your body feels constantly under attack. This week, we’re focusing on practical, non-toxic ways to support your immune system and respiratory health naturally, without relying on harsh chemicals or quick-fix symptom suppressors. From simple herbal strategies to cleaner indoor air and gentle daily habits, we’re sharing tools that help your body stay resilient through allergy season. Because feeling clear-headed, energized, and present with your family should be part of spring, too.
What’s Happening
We’re officially in seed-starting mode over here.
Aspen and I kicked off our garden season at the beginning of February by planting our first round of seeds. Tomatoes are in, along with several pepper varieties, lettuce, basil, and a handful of hardy herbs like thyme. Starting early gives us a strong head start on summer harvests, especially since we grow a large portion of our own fruits and vegetables each year. There is something grounding about pressing tiny seeds into soil while there is still snow on the ground outside. |  |
We’ll do a second, much bigger planting in March, adding the rest of our fruits and vegetables into the rotation. Nearly everything we grow starts from seed, aside from the crops we direct sow into the ground once the soil warms. It takes more planning, but it gives us control over varieties, soil quality, and timing. That level of intention matters when you care about how your food is grown.
We also built a simple homemade greenhouse this year to extend our season on both ends. It allows us to harvest earlier in the spring and stretch production deeper into fall and even winter. Some crops, like Swiss chard, can survive surprisingly well through the cold months when protected. Watching fresh greens thrive while everything else looks dormant outside is a reminder that food security can start right in your backyard.
The bedding company that I love, Aizome, is launching non-toxic towels!
Stinky towels are not just gross, they are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Most conventional towels are bleached, synthetically dyed, and treated with chemical finishes that sit against your skin every day.
AIZOME is launching a non-toxic alternative through a crowdfunded first production run.
• Reduces up to 99% of bacteria and fungi
• 100% organic, unbleached cotton
• Bioactive plant dyes, not synthetic colors
• No toxic finishes
Backing the campaign secures your towel from the first batch and helps bring a truly non-toxic textile to market.
Did you know? Stinging Nettle for Allergies
Stinging nettle has a long history of use as a natural antihistamine, and one of the most effective ways to use it during spring allergy season is as a strong overnight infusion. Instead of a quick 5-minute tea, try a nettle infusion by steeping dried nettle leaf in a French press for 8 hours, ideally setting it up before bed and straining it in the morning. This long steep extracts more of the plant’s minerals and bioactive compounds, including quercetin and other flavonoids that help stabilize mast cells and reduce histamine release. Many people notice fewer sneezing fits, less nasal congestion, and clearer eyes when they drink nettle infusion consistently through peak pollen months.
Pairing nettle with raw local honey may offer additional support. While honey is not a cure, small amounts of local pollen in raw honey may help the body gradually adapt to environmental allergens in your area. The key is consistency and quality, choosing truly raw, unfiltered honey sourced locally. Combined with a mineral-rich nettle infusion, this simple nightly routine can become a powerful, non-toxic strategy for navigating spring allergies more comfortably.
Blog Spotlights
A Non-Toxic Strategy for Surviving Spring Allergies
Spring has a way of pulling you outside. The light shifts. The trees bud. Lawnmowers come back to life. Windows crack open. And almost overnight, the air fills with pollen.
The Tinfoil Router Myth: What Actually Reduces EMF Exposure
Every few months, the same advice makes the rounds online: wrap your Wi-Fi router in aluminum foil to block EMFs. The logic sounds simple. Aluminum foil reflects radio frequency (RF) radiation. Wi-Fi emits RF radiation. Therefore, foil equals protection. Problem solved.
How Open Windows Affect Indoor Air
For a long time, smoke point has been treated as the primary criterion for choosing a frying oil, with the assumption that a higher smoke point automatically means a safer, healthier fat. That idea sounds logical on the surface, but newer research is challenging it in a meaningful way. Smoke point only tells part of the story because it measures when an oil visibly starts to smoke, not what is happening at a chemical level as heat breaks it down.
The Truth About Bras and Toxins
We talk a lot about food, water, and air in the non-toxic living world. But there’s another category that often gets overlooked: what sits directly on your skin for 8 to 14 hours a day. Clothing isn’t just fabric. It’s prolonged exposure. And when it comes to bras in particular, two concerns warrant closer examination: restricted lymphatic flow and chemical contamination in modern textiles.
Non-Toxic Tip of the Week
Spring Allergy Support Checklist
✔️ 🍵 Brew a Nettle Infusion
Steep dried nettle leaf for 8 hours in a French press to create a mineral-rich, natural antihistamine tea.
✔️ 🍯 Use Raw Local Honey
Take a small daily spoonful to gently expose your body to local pollen and support immune adaptation.
✔️ 🌬️ Run an Air Purifier (Like AirDoctor)
Use a high-quality HEPA purifier in bedrooms and main living areas to reduce pollen, dust, and mold spores.
✔️ 🚫🌸 Eliminate Synthetic Fragrances
Remove scented candles, plug-ins, sprays, and fragranced cleaners that can irritate sensitive airways.
✔️ 🛠️🌀 Upgrade Your HVAC Filter
Follow a DIY filter guide to install high-quality filters and change them regularly during allergy season.
✔️ 🚿🧴 Rinse Off After Being Outdoors
Shower and change clothes after yard work or walks to wash away pollen before it spreads indoors.
✔️ 🪟🌤️ Keep Windows Closed on High-Pollen Days
Ventilate early in the morning or after rain when pollen counts are lower.
✔️ 🛏️🧼 Wash Bedding Weekly in Hot Water
Removes pollen, dust mites, and allergens that build up on pillows and sheets.
✔️ 🫁💧 Stay Well Hydrated
Proper hydration helps thin mucus and supports natural sinus drainage.
✔️ 🧂👃 Use a Saline Nasal Rinse
A gentle saline spray or rinse helps flush allergens from nasal passages naturally.
✔️ 🌱🥦 Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Prioritize vitamin C-rich foods, clean proteins, healthy fats, and leafy greens to support immune balance.
✔️ 🐶🧽 Wipe Down Pets After Outdoor Time
Pets carry pollen on their fur, a quick wipe helps keep allergens out of your home.
My Go-To Products for Spring Allergies
Non-Toxic Recipe of the Week
Lemon Chicken Soup for Allergy Season
When spring arrives, many families welcome longer days and warmer weather, but seasonal allergies, fluctuating temperatures, and lingering winter fatigue can make this time of year feel draining. Nourishing, homemade soups are one of the simplest ways to support immune health, digestion, and overall resilience during seasonal transitions. A bright, lemon-forward chicken soup offers comfort while delivering hydration, protein, and soothing warmth for irritated sinuses and throats. This recipe brings together clean ingredients and traditional preparation methods to create a meal that supports the body without relying on processed shortcuts.
Lemon chicken soup has long been valued in Mediterranean and traditional cuisines for its ability to feel both light and deeply satisfying. The combination of mineral-rich broth, quality protein, gentle carbohydrates, and fresh citrus creates a balanced meal that supports energy and recovery. Unlike heavy cream-based soups, this version stays dairy-free while still achieving a rich, silky texture through a simple kitchen technique. It is ideal for busy weeks, meal prep, or anytime you want a nourishing bowl of comfort that aligns with a non-toxic lifestyle.
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In Closing,
Spring has a way of testing our systems, but it also gives us the opportunity to reset and support our bodies in simple, intentional ways. Small shifts inside the home and on your plate can make a noticeable difference in how you move through allergy season. Focus on reducing the toxic load, supporting your immune system naturally, and creating a clean indoor environment your family can thrive in. Clear air, nourishing food, and consistent habits go a long way.
Warren (Non-Toxic Dad)