Handshake with nature - where wellness meets design blog by Mache
the wellness onion journal

peel back the layers of healthy + sustainable living
All Conscious Shopping Design Guides Partnerships Plastic-free Self Care Sustainability Well at Home Well at Work
Wood, Cork, Foam, Oh My! How to Select the Best Yoga Block for Your Yoga Practice

Wood, Cork, Foam, Oh My! How to Select the Best Yoga Block for Your Yoga Practice

Today, we’re diving into one of those yoga accessories that often gets overlooked or misunderstood — the humble yoga block. If you’ve ever wandered into a yoga studio, seen those little rectangular blocks on the shelves, and thought, “Hmm, what on earth do I do with those?” — you’re not alone. Yoga blocks often get pigeonholed as “beginner props”... but that could not be further from the truth. 

— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Guides Plastic-free Self Care
Yoga Studio Design Tips to Reflect Your Values + Attract Students

Yoga Studio Design Tips to Reflect Your Values + Attract Students

When designing a yoga studio or wellness space, it’s essential to align your interiors with the principles you’re promoting: health, balance, and sustainability. Let’s dive into some specific tips to create a yoga studio that resonates with your values and draws in new members like bees to lavender.

— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Design Guides Plastic-free Sustainability Well at Work
From Waste to Wellness: See How Brands are Transforming Ocean Plastics

From Waste to Wellness: See How Brands are Transforming Ocean Plastics

10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean and one of the biggest offenders is "wellness products". In light of this ever-expanding issue, some forward-thinking brands are taking the initiative to keep humans–and the planet–protected from plastics. While ocean-polluting plastics are still a menace, read up on how some brands are turning plastic waste into wellness essentials.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Plastic-free Sustainability
Beyond "Plastic-free July": 5 Ways to Embrace a Non-toxic Home Year Round

Beyond "Plastic-free July": 5 Ways to Embrace a Non-toxic Home Year Round

Ready to design yourself a plastic-free home? As a wellness design professional, I’m here to help you transform your living spaces into havens of natural beauty and sustainability. This article outlines the first five areas I suggest you start to detox your interiors from off-gassing chemicals and cultivate healthy indoor air quality at home.
— Brienne Derosier
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Guides Plastic-free Sustainability Well at Home
Green Living: The Role of Algae in Creating Biodegradable Home + Sporting Goods

Green Living: The Role of Algae in Creating Biodegradable Home + Sporting Goods

Environmental consciousness has made its way to the forefront of global discussions, which has led to the increasingly focus on sustainable goods and everyday products. Algae is emerging as a promising new eco-friendly, biodegradable material and this article explores the fascinating journey of algae from ponds to products, highlighting its role in promoting green living.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Design Plastic-free Sustainability Well at Home
Understanding "Sick Building Syndrome": Causes + Prevention Tips for Healthy Indoor Air

Understanding "Sick Building Syndrome": Causes + Prevention Tips for Healthy Indoor Air

Sick Building Syndrome serves as a stark reminder that our human well-being is intricately linked to the indoor environments we design and build. By implementing these tips and fostering awareness about indoor air quality, we can ensure our homes and workplaces promote health and vitality, not discomfort and disease.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Design Guides Plastic-free Self Care Sustainability Well at Home Well at Work
Lower the Environmental Impact of Holiday Shopping with these 5 Sustainable Shopping Strategies

Enjoy Guilt-free Gift Giving with 5 Sustainable Shopping Strategies

Sustainable shopping isn't just about buying eco-friendly products; it's a holistic approach that encompasses how we choose, use, and dispose of gifts and decorations. By adopting sustainable shopping strategies, we can enjoy the spirit of the season while also caring for our planet. In this article, we'll explore five transformative strategies to make your holiday shopping both joyful and environmentally conscious.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Guides Plastic-free Sustainability
Eco-friendly Day of the Dead Decorations: Celebrate Sustainably

Eco-friendly Day of the Dead Decorations: Celebrate Sustainably

For those looking to embrace the Day of the Dead while also being eco-conscious, it's essential to understand the cultural significance of the celebration. By doing so, we can ensure that our eco-friendly adaptations are respectful and in line with the tradition's core values. This article delves deep into the cultural and historical aspects of the Day of the Dead, offering sustainable alternatives to classic favorites.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Design Guides Plastic-free Sustainability
Healthy Holiday Gift Guide: Align your Shopping List with your Holistic Values

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide: Align your Shopping List with your Holistic Values

As we step into the holiday season, a time synonymous with gifting and indulgence, it is an exceptional time to take a brief moment to align your shopping choices with the "Wellness Onion" principles. In doing so, you may notice a significant up-tick in your holiday spirit as you contribute directly, and meaningfully, towards healthier living and a greener planet.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Conscious Shopping Guides Partnerships Plastic-free Sustainability
Exposing the Hidden Toxins in Luxury Interiors

Exposing the Hidden Toxins in Luxury Interiors

In recent years, a spotlight on sustainable living has illuminated the hidden corners of the luxury interiors market, revealing a landscape that, while seemingly opulent, often harbors a toxic secret. In this article, we take a closer look at five materials, commonly found in luxury interiors, uncovering their hidden toxins, and offering sustainable alternatives for a home that is both luxurious and non-toxic.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Design Guides Plastic-free Sustainability
5 Healthwashing Scams the Wellness Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

5 Healthwashing Scams the Wellness Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

So, what exactly is "Healthwashing"? Healthwashing is a deceptive marketing practice wherein products are dressed up as health-conscious or eco-friendly, while in reality, they may be harmful to both our well-being and the environment. In this article, we'll delve deeper into the top five healthwashing scams to avoid in your self-care spaces and healthy lifestyle, and we'll shed light on the implications of falling for these misleading claims.

— Team Mache
Tagged: Design Guides Plastic-free Sustainability
What is a V.O.C.? Identify Off-gassing Plastics in Your Home+ Know Why They are Harmful to your Health

What are VOCs? Understand Off-gassing Plastics + Why They are Harmful to your Health

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are harmful airborne chemicals that released into the air through a process called off-gassing. In this article, we explore what exactly VOCs are, we call out the most common off-gassing plastics found in our daily lives, and we explore why these sneaky and prevalent chemicals pose a threat to our health.
— Team Mache
Tagged: Design Guides Plastic-free Sustainability