Gear review: Wellness

As temperatures cool, it’s a nice time to slow down and amp up your immune system and overall wellness. Here are several products I’ve been enjoying.

Giant Mouse Chef Knife

Health starts with eating, and this knife effortlessly slices and dices everything from meat to vegetables and cheese. Giant Mouse is a Danish-American brand with a focus on refined yet simple Danish designs and quality manufacturing, which in this case, occurs in Maniago, Italy. This knife’s handle is beautifully and ergonomically designed. 

My husband often balks when I mention getting a new gadget for the kitchen, saying we have enough. But when he tried this knife, he was seriously elated. Apparently, it has to do with technical materials like a satin-finished Nitro-B steel blade, which ensures “excellent durability and edge retention.” Not only do we love how the knife, with its 8.37-inch blade, performs, but we also really enjoy its natural elegance. This knife is part of the GM Kitchen Knife Set. $175, Giantmouse.com

Grayl Ti Titanium Ultrapress filter and purifier

Clean water is also essential for health, and I raved about Grayl’s larger, 24-ounce water purifier. Both remove at least 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts, while also absorbing microplastics, VOCs, pesticides, heavy metals, and chemicals. It’s the world’s first titanium filter bottle, which means it’s light (14.1 ounces) and durable. Not only does it filter nasties in 10 seconds after filling the cup with dirty water and solidly pushing down, but it also allows for adding electrolytes or other drink mixes; with its one-way valve, contaminated water never enters the press. Other bonuses: It fits in a car drink holder, and it includes topo-map art and a mesh bag. I brought my big one to a tropical island last year and depended upon it, as it has been independently tested by certified laboratories to meet or exceed standards. Cartridges last 300 presses or three years. You can also cook with the outer tin cup; just place it over a stove and use the butterfly handles to grab it using a tool. This item has been tested safe on all seven continents, so it’s my go-to for travel. $199.95 (sale, $179.95), non-titanium, $74.95, Grayl.com

UYN T-Shirt Kymra, tight shorts Kyrmra; Alacrify shoe; Runner’s one short socks

We all know exercise is key to health, and UYN focuses on healthy fabrics. It uses organic-based fibers, rather than those derived from fossil fuels. With the softness and light weight of the T-shirt and Kyrma running shorts, it’s hard to believe they’re made from wood pulp, which is actually quick drying. Meanwhile, castor oil seeds reduce bacteria and odor. The shirt also includes Flexicorn from corn, making it highly elastic and resistant to UV rays. Designed for runners, the fabric keeps skin cool on warm days. It’s highly flexible even though it has a tight, athletic fit. The shorts are amazing in terms of how they snugly fit and flatter your bottom, and like the shirt, they don’t restrict movement in any way.

The Alacrify shoe has a Freebound heel, which lightly compresses the heel vertically and horizontally. It’s meant to provide balance with every step and assist with sudden changes in direction while running, but for my narrow heel, it’s a dream. Even though the toe box is wide, it still fits my narrow foot well and fits wider feet. The midsole contains a ridged, but comfortable platform that provides energy return while running. Diagonal lacing distributes pressure, and the mesh on top ensures breathability. Sure, it takes a little longer to get on with the back and front sleeve, but this (literally) rockin’ shoe provides stability and spring. Pair it with the Runner’s One short socks. They don’t have traditional cuffs, so there’s no blood flow restriction, yet the socks don’t slump down. They provide ventilation and a shock shield on the Achilles tendon, as well as anti-impactor technology in the front. All come in men’s and women’s, and UYN manufactures sustainably. Shirt, $79, shorts, $69, shoes, $179, socks, $22, Uynsports.com

Aurora Nutrascience Liposomal Glutathione

Detoxing is important to health too, and Aurora Nutrascience provides cutting-edge liposomal technology from in-house experts — some of the top doctorates and technicians in the industry — so that your body really absorbs the 750 mg of L-Glutathione and added vitamin C. The company also follows stringent quality controls in its labs. In addition to detoxing, glutathione supports immune function and cellular repair. I mean, doctors literally deliver glutathione through IVs to support health, which tells you it’s pretty important. The single-serve packets allow me to easily take them daily between meals when I’m on the go; I just carry one in my purse. Using this has given me a little bit more clarity and energy. Megapack (32 packets) $49.99, ($44.99 sale or save by subscribing), buy at Vidalifescience.com and learn more at Auroranutrascience.com.

PlantFusion Complete Protein; Mushrooms and Protein Powder; Complete Plant Collagen Builder

Starting the day with protein makes all the difference. PlantFusion was founded on creating simple, clean protein shakes without soy, gluten, dairy, fillers, and over-processed ingredients like whey protein. It features 100% plant-based, non-GMO, nutritious, and delicious products. The vegan protein powder comes in various flavors, and the sugar-free creamy vanilla bean contains 21 grams of protein and a complete list of amino acids. It’s also easy on my digestion, which is not always the case with protein powders.

Within the Mushrooms and Protein Powder, mushrooms (2,000 mg) don’t affect the great taste — just the wellness factor, which includes stress reduction, greater immunity, muscle repair, and focus. Adaptogens, like green tea, turmeric, ginkgo biloba, and others, also support wellness.

What sets Complete Plant Collagen Builder apart from others is the essential amino acid building blocks for healthy skin and joints, the plant-based ingredients to protect skin, hair, and joint collagen, and science-backed ingredients like white tea extract. Like all PlantFusion products, it’s made of clean ingredients with no sugar and plenty of protein. Protein, $41.47; mushrooms, $39.97 or $44.97, (save by subscribing), Plantfusion.com

Pharmstrong Daytime CBD Gummies, Brain Boost Functional mushrooms; HD2000 Gel Roller Pure Hemp and Aloe, BALANCE Hormone Health

I take one or two daytime CBD gummies to calm myself when I’m stressed; each contains 25 mg of full-spectrum CBD (meaning it has a trace of THC but nowhere near enough to feel it), L-theanine for further calming, and vitamin C. They do contain 2 grams of sugar, and, though they taste great, I’d rather avoid the sugar.

For focus, the functional mushrooms really do provide a bit of a brain boost, reducing brain fog. They include lion’s mane, ashwagandha, L-theanine, Panax Ginseng, and reishi (and have no CBD). The gel pain-relief roller is effective for sore knees, back, and other muscle aches I return home with. I appreciate its roller application, because when I’m in pain, I want to apply CBD as easily as possible, but its 3 fluid ounces are a bit pricey. Its icy/hot aloe-CBD mix dries quickly and soothes pain. Another CBD-free product aims to balance hormones with several supplements, including chasteberry, magnesium, turmeric, omega-3, ashwagandha root, and more. CBD gummies, $44.95; mushrooms, $54.95; roller, $134.95, hormone, $54.95 (save by subscribing), Pharmstrong.com (Note: There is a store in Breckenridge.)

cbdMD Broad Spectrum CBD PM Sleep Gels + Melatonin; Broad Spectrum CBG + CBD Oil Tincture

I rely on these sleep gels after I’ve been working into the night or just when I feel wound up, and they work great (sometimes I take two). These THC-free soft gels provide 3 mg of melatonin, 50 mg of CBD, 5 mg of CBG, and 10 mg of CBN, the latter of which supports relaxation and deep sleep. The tincture calms me down a bit and helps a bit with pain, with its 33.3 mg of CBD and CBG. CBG which contains anti-inflammatory properties, has no THC, and doesn’t make you sleepy, so I can take it any time of the day. Sleep gels, $44.99, tincture, $88.99 (save by subscribing), Cbdmd.com

Ultrahuman Home

Ultrahuman Home provides constant data on your home’s health in terms of air quality, particulate matter, temperature, noise, humidity, and type of light exposure, including UV. It tells you how much carbon dioxide, VOCs, and more that you have; I checked it at my parents’ house, and after my dad started his car — even with the garage door open and the house door closed — the reading went into the unhealthy zone, so I opened a bunch of windows. It tells you what optimum humidity is, which is good for mold prevention in humid areas and, well, maybe something we don’t want to see up here. The loudness and temperature don’t seem as important, because to me, I know my comfort levels. It works with a free app. I did have a little trouble re-synching it to my house, but it ultimately worked. Comes with various adapters and a USB-C to C cable, and it’s a compact box measuring 4.7 inches. $549, Ultrahuman.com

Newmedical Technologies, Inc. Silagen Gel for scars

This Silagen gel is so effective in fading scars that it’s only sold to licensed medical professionals, at least if you want assurance of authenticity. A few different versions are available; I’ve been using the one that also provides zinc oxide for UV protection during the summer, and though I haven’t used it for the recommended multiple months on old scars, it has prevented scarring from a dog scratch within a month. A little goes a long way. It’s all made with as many organic plant extracts as possible and is gluten-free and vegan; they call it the only comprehensive, physically exclusive scar management system. Silagen.com