Cash Hygiene in India: Fungal Contamination, BPA Receipts & What to Do Instead
I used to hand over cash at the kirana store without thinking twice. Temple visits. Buying fruits. Parking tickets. Chai breaks.That crumpled ₹10, ₹20 and ₹50 note would just… travel through my hands all day long. Until I saw a lab test on Instagram! In a December 2025 Instagram reel, microbiologist Dr. Shweta (MBBS, MD) […]
Why I’m Skipping Infrared Saunas (Even Though Everyone’s Obsessed)
My friend called me last week. She’s renovating her house and wants to put in a sauna. “What do you think, should I get an infrared sauna? Everyone says it’s better for detox.” I said “Nooo, get a regular sauna! And call me over :)” She was taken aback and we discussed it back and […]
When Your Teen’s Phone Becomes Their Prison: What Jonathan Haidt Got Right About Childhood
I was at a resort restaurant during school winter break, watching a family of four at the next table. Parents on opposite ends. Two teenagers between them. All four looking at their screens. Forty-five minutes. Maybe three words exchanged. They ate while scrolling, then left. Together but… not really. I see this everywhere now—airports, cafes, […]
How to Apply the Placebo Effect at Every Age: From My 5-Year-Old Nephew to Myself at 42
After I shared the milkshake study last week, the questions started rolling in. “Okay but HOW do I actually use this with my teenager?” “What do I say to my parents without sounding like I’m lecturing them?” “Will this matter for my 3-year-old?” I really think the placebo effect is so powerful with so much […]
The Milkshake Study That Changed How I Thought About Food
I thought I had all the knowledge on eating healthy. Wholefoods only, guilt-free nourishment. Count macros, avoid indulgence. Then I heard Dr. Alia Crum from Stanford on the Mel Robbins podcast and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I dove into her research papers, read everything I could find, and honestly? My entire relationship with food […]
The Hidden Toxins in Your Fragrance: How Synthetic Scents Linked to Breast Cancer Are Hiding in Your Home
Last week, a friend asked me: “Is this fragrance-breast cancer link actually true?” “Yes,” I said. “The research is real.” His response surprised me (yes, he is male): “Even I don’t want to use fragrance then. What are the options?” This affects everyone, it’s not only a women’s health concern. And most people have no […]
How to Biohack Your Weekly Massage for Maximum Health Benefits (The Indian Way)
Here’s something most people don’t realize: your weekly massage could be doing so much more than just relaxing you. Growing up, to emphasise sunlight, I remember my grandfather talking about how even Mahatma Gandhi would get an oil massage outdoors to get his morning sun. Our ancestors knew that oil massage in sunlight isnt just […]
The Golden Spice Pharmacy: 10 Ancient Indian Home Remedies for Modern Immunity
Your grandmother’s kitchen was a pharmacy. She just didn’t call it that. After years of experimenting with natural living, I’ve learned you don’t need to overhaul your entire pantry or hunt for exotic ingredients. The most powerful Ayurvedic home remedies are the spices and herbs you probably use daily. Here’s my go-to natural medicine cabinet […]
The Ancient Practice of Lighting Flames That Science Finally Understands
Our ancestors lit a diya every single evening. Small clay lamp. Ghee. Cotton wick. Never missed a day. I used to think it was just religious ritual. Something old people do, not relevant with today’s automatic lights. Then I started doing Tratak in yoga and read the research on fire meditation. Turns out, they knew […]
Your Scented Candles Are Poisoning You—Here’s Some Better Options
I was obsessed with candles. Bath & Body Works every month. Every room smelled different. I would change the candles with the seasons and festivals. Then I got pregnant and read the ingredients. What’s Actually Inside That Pretty Jar Most candles are made from paraffin wax—a petroleum byproduct. When you light it, you’re releasing benzene, […]
