When it comes to cleaning, I’ve noticed people tend to settle into two different camps. They love it or they hate it. They let it build up until they can’t stand it anymore (or they have guests over), OR they have a militant cleaning schedule and can’t do anything for the day until the cleaning is done. Learning how to clean your house with Norwex products brings a joy and simplicity to cleaning that I’ll talk about in this post. 🙂
Since we were both raised in a stricter cleaning environment, my husband and I tend to lean the other way- towards TIDY but “oh, there’s a pink mold ring in the toilet? Ok, I’ll get the toilet brush…” mentality.
We have always struggled with maintaining a cleaning schedule because with the little amount of downtime we have, we don’t want to spend it cleaning!
Until now. Cleaning is SO MUCH EASIER and FASTER and I love Norwex. 🙂
**GO STRAIGHT TO NORWEX CATALOG HERE**
Post updated November, 2022. Originally published March, 2017.
If you’ve been studying alternative or holistic cancer treatment for any length of time, you may have pondered how you would introduce it to a friend who hasn’t yet considered it or doesn’t know of it as an option for healing.
It can be a bit nerve-racking to think of offering such controversial “unsolicited advice.”
But when your friend or family member is diagnosed with cancer, you KNOW what they are going to be told by their oncologist, and you want them to know other options. I know for me- it feels like if I didn’t, I would be doing them a great injustice!
If you have been following my blog or simply have been researching on your own about the business-side of the pharmaceutical cancer industry for a while, then you would know that the conventional recommendations for cancer are pretty standard and (for the most part) really tough on the body. There is a time and a place for conventional care, but a dietary and lifestyle change as a first step is reasonable and important.
So how do you talk with them about dietary and lifestyle changes prior to beginning treatment? And how do you bring it up without getting push back or feeling like you’re overstepping boundaries?
Do you want me to just cut to the chase? Our tap water in the US is not safe to drink. We are going on 175 years, post-Industrial Revolution now, of dumping chemicals into our water supply – none of which belong in our bodies.
Nothing caused my husband and I to realize the importance of toxin-free water more than my cancer diagnosis in 2008. We started learning that practically EVERYTHING in our modern world can lead to an environment that encourages cancer growth including our chemical-laced public tap water.
In the U.S. and other developed countries clean water and proper sanitation has been essential to the decline in infectious disease incidence starting in the early 20th century. This has been significant in the overall decline of mortality, but with this addition of chemicals to our water supply to kill off pathogens has come a different problem – the cumulative effect of toxic chemicals in our drinking water and an increase in chronic disease.
Because of this (in addition to our diet, lifestyle choices and environmental factors,) chronic diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases like asthma, and other disorders have become prevalent and considered normal in our culture.
Chemicals from automobiles, lead, chromium, viruses, bacteria (including anthrax and salmonella,) and pharmaceutical residue dumped or urinated into the water supply are all easily detectable in our water supply (and our blood tests) in addition to the things that are intentionally ADDED to our water such as chlorine and fluoride.
This guide will help walk you through our own decision-making process for the right water filter for our family. I have had experience with all three units over the years, so I’ll share my honest opinion and decision making as we go.
| Filter | Removes Fluoride | Removes PFAS | Alkalizes Water | Installation | Price Range | Maintenance |
| Boroux | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | None (gravity) | $$ | Low |
| AquaTru | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes
❌ No |
Countertop plug-in or under counter | $$-$$$ | Moderate |
| Water4 Life Genesis Alkaline Ionizer | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not Verified | ✅ Yes | Countertop, gravity or under-sink options | $$$ | Low–Moderate |
My family’s journey into better health has been a long one, beginning with my cancer diagnosis in 2008 and our decision to address it using non-toxic methods. The need to find a better water filter became one of our first changes.
At the point of my diagnosis we were using a simple Brita hand-held filtering container. We learned that although it removed chlorine and odor, it did not remove many of the other more harmful substances like PFAS forever chemicals, pharmaceutical runoff, fluoride, or microplastics.
After much research and the persuasion of a few people we respected, we purchased an alkaline water ionizer. We loved and enjoyed the heavenly tasting water from this system for 7 years, but when it stopped working in 2016, we knew we needed to do some new research. Buying another alkaline ionizer would be expensive and there were many other options available. There were also some questions on how thorough the contaminant removal and filtering certifications were.
After much debate we now use Boroux gravity-fed water filters and this post discusses why we made that choice. 🙂
I also include the two other options we compared them against and why those may be a better option for you depending on your circumstances. There’s also some nuance with the relationship between the popular Berkey brand filters and Boroux filters, and I will discuss that as well.
Some of you may know that I recommended Berkey water filters for years — and for good reason. They are identical to all of the qualities of the Boroux filters I spoke about above. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) slapped a “stop production order” on Berkey for claims made about its ability to filter microorganisms. In order to do so, they would have to be classified as a “pesticide” and they did not have this type of certification. This put many Berkey distributors out of business and made it very difficult to find replacement filters. Today they are no longer in production and any Berkey black filters still for sale are inventory produced prior to the EPA stop-sale ban.
The family who owns BerkeyFilters.com, (who I purchased my Berkey filters from,) decided to pivot and launched Boroux independently from Berkey. This means they now have full control over the design, manufacturing, and testing of their filters. I love this company because they have sought out ongoing testing and have received multiple certifications that Berkey never underwent. They are essentially a better, more transparent Berkey filter. Same filter technology (carbon/coconut shell), but they aren’t making claims without backing it up with testing and certification.
Boroux filters are fully compatible with old Berkey systems, so if you already have a Berkey unit, you can use Boroux filters perfectly (we do.)
The Boroux water filter system is a non-electric, portable, gravity-fed water filtering system that filters 99%+ of contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, environmental pollutants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals from our water supply.
We have used Boroux/Berkey black gravity-fed filters since 2016 and have found this system to be the easiest, most thorough, and most cost-effective solution to filtering our family’s water.
As I mentioned above, very little compares to the filtering capabilities of the Boroux water filter system. You can read the third-party reports of their filtering capabilities to get started on your research below. Just reading them again makes me so thankful it is what we filter our water through everyday. They are also one of the most highly and thoroughly certified water filters you can buy. Boroux filters are tested by ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratories and adhere to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401. Here’s a quick rundown of what it removes and percentages:
| Contaminant Category | Examples | Reduction Rate |
| Heavy Metals | Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Chromium, Uranium, Cesium | Up to 99.36% |
| Pharmaceuticals | Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Meprobamate, Trimethoprim, Atenolol, Estrone, Trichloroacetic Acid | Up to 99.5% |
| Pesticides & Herbicides | Atrazine, Alachlor, Carbofuran, Metolachlor, Glyphosate, Methoxychlor, Linuron, Endrin | Up to 99.95% |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | Chloroform, Carbon Tetrachloride, Ethylbenzene, Chlorobenzene, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform | Up to 99.97% |
| Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) | Trihalomethanes (THMs), Haloacetonitriles, Haloketones, Bromochloroacetonitrile | Up to 99.68% |
| PFAS (Forever Chemicals) | PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFBS, PFDA | Up to 99.6% |
| Microplastics | BPA, Nonylphenol | Up to 98.9% |
| Fluoride (with added fluoride filter) | Fluoride | Up to 99.9% |
| Chlorine & Chloramine | Chlorine, Chloramine | Up to 99% |
| Particulates (Class I) | Sediment, Rust, Sand | Up to
98.9% |
Compared to other options for filtering water, you cannot beat the Boroux on price.
A stainless steel Boroux system has no mechanical parts and will last a lifetime with a ~$300 investment + filters every few years (if you need fluoride filters they will need to be replaced more frequently but we will get to that below.)
Each black Boroux foundation filter only needs to be replaced every 12-months (or technically every 6,000 gallons.) Each Boroux liter of water costs an average $0.02 per gallon. Compare this to $0.20 per gallon in a Brita filter and up to $2.00 per gallon for bottled water!
Over the course of 3 years, the Boroux filter system will only cost you your initial ~$300 while other water systems you have to keep buying filters. For a Brita filter this adds up to around ~$500 for three years (and counting!) Bottled water will cost you hundred per month for a family.
| Option | Cost per Gallon | Daily Cost
(1 person) |
| Boroux | $0.023 | $0.02 |
| Brita | $0.20 | $0.20 |
| Bottled | $1.00–$2.00 | $1.00–$2.00+ |
Compared to ~$3,500 alkaline or hydrogen water systems, $8,000+ all-house systems, and ~$350+ reverse osmosis systems that require twice yearly filter replacement and often professional installation, you cannot compete with the simple investment in a gravity-fed system.
You also don’t have to worry about anything breaking or how long your warranty lasts.
I mentioned this above, but each Boroux filter lasts 6,000 gallons. A set of 2 (which is typical use) is 12,000 gallons! Depending on how much water you or your family uses, these can last longer than 12 months, although they are warrantied for only a year and that is when the company recommends replacement. If filtering slows down, simply remove your filters and “prime” them by scrubbing them gently and running water through them again using the priming tool (“blue” or “tan”) – included with your filters.
This refreshes flow and maintains performance. Clean the stainless steel chambers with water and vinegar monthly (1 to 3 ratio vinegar to water,) and scrub the filters every 6 months or so.
We aren’t perfect on this maintenance routine, but it’s worth it to protect our investment!
I will be honest here. I loved the taste of my alkaline water ionizer. Boroux does not win in this category because the pH of the water is not altered (it will stay the pH of your tap water,) and it’s not ionized. But the water still tastes so clean and fresh! People come over to our house and comment all the time on how great our water tastes.
This makes me more attuned to the horrible, chlorine-taste of water whenever I’m out at a restaurant or someone else’s house (even if they have a Brita or another kind of filter!) I can especially taste the plastic leaching in certain bottled waters!
Different kitchen setups will create different strategies for refilling your Boroux system, but I found the best thing is to keep it close to your sink so you can refill it with your extendable water sprayer in your kitchen. I can extend mine up to the top of the unit and let it sit there until the water is at the top. We do this every night as we’ve found that is a good rhythm to making sure we have clean, filtered water for the entire next day!
Another option is to fill a large Vitamix or blender container or another water pitcher with water and make as many refill trips as needed to refill your Boroux system.
That pretty much says it all. For the first 7 years after my cancer diagnosis we had an alkaline water system because someone told us that it would help us with fighting cancer and my acidic internal environment by alkalizing it.
This system required special installation and if the power was out, we couldn’t use our machine and didn’t have clean water.
The same goes with a reverse osmosis system, many of which also require fancy installation to a degree and wastes ~2 gallons of water per 1 gallon of filtered water it makes.
We are grateful for the simplicity and steady-nature of the gravity-fed, non-electric Boroux system.
And I am especially grateful for the amount of plastic bottles the Boroux system helps reduce, especially since latest reports are that only 9% of our plastic actually gets recycled (with the rest going to landfills.) 2025 preliminary reports are showing that number closer to 5%.
Even though updated science is consistently showing that internally consumed fluoride today has no benefit in overall dental health, 70% of municipal water plants in the US still add fluoride to their water supply.
Not only does evidence show that internally ingested fluoride does little to help teeth, it is an extremely toxic substance linked to many health issues including endocrine disorders, allergies and cancer. (Source)
Most developed countries including Japan and 97% of Europe do not fluoridate their water. It is an outdated practice based on outdated science and needs to be addressed.
You can check your area’s fluoride status HERE. If it shows that fluoride is added to your water, you will definitely want to consider adding a Boroux fluoride filter to your system when you purchase it. These simply attach in the bottom container to the top black filters in the above Boroux container and need to be replaced every 1,000 gallons. I found my county’s fluoride additive percentage to be above even government recommendations. 🙁
The only modern studies to show benefits from fluoride have always been in topical fluoride used as a treatment in dental offices and perhaps some evidence that topical fluoride toothpaste has helped.
This is such an added perk with the Boroux! If you prefer a matte black or matte white finish instead of the standard stainless steel, you can add it for an additional $20! They are beautiful units!
So, not everything’s perfect and this wouldn’t be a realistic or honest portrayal of my experience with the Boroux system if I didn’t have a few opinionated cons. Here are a few things that were I wish were a bit different (but honestly just reflect on my lazy tendencies…😉
Boroux Official Guidance on Storage:
You can purchase a complete 3-gallon Boroux Water Filter system starting at around ~$350. Shipping is FREE. 🙂 If you are just looking for replacement filters for your existing Berkey unit click HERE.
For our family of 8, we go through a day’s worth of water (~6 gallons) using an old Berkey 6-gallon model in about a day. The 3-gallon Boroux model would need to be refilled twice a day for us.
***Make sure to add on your fluoride filters if needed!
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The AquaTru is a plug-in, reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration system that removes 82+ contaminants, including lead, fluoride, PFAS, chlorine, and microplastics, using a four-stage purification process. Its countertop model offers a clean, efficient alternative to under-sink RO units – without requiring a plumber or permanent installation.
This is a great choice for those who prefer easy installation with the added instant fluoride removal and purification of RO technology. Under sink options are also available but require a plumbing expert for installation.
AquaTru’s 4-stage RO system removes the most common and dangerous tap water contaminants, including:
| Contaminant Category | Examples | Removal Rate |
| Heavy Metals | Lead, Chromium-6, Copper, Cadmium | 97%–99.1% |
| Fluoride | Fluoride | Up to 93.5% |
| Chlorine/Chloramine | Chlorine, Chloramine | 96.6%–97.2% |
| PFAS | PFOA, PFOS | 97.5%+ |
| Pharmaceuticals | BPA, Naproxen, Meprobamate | Up to 99% |
| VOCs | Chloroform, Toluene | Up to 97% |
| Nitrates/Nitrites | Nitrates, Nitrites | Up to 86.7% |
It is NSF-certified to Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 – even more than the Boroux above.
A big perk of the Aquatru is not having to fuss with adding additional fluoride filters. Reverse osmosis machines naturally do that. With Boroux and alkaline water machines you will need to purchase additional filters and install them.
One of the things I love most is that AquaTru sits right on your countertop and doesn’t require installation. You just fill the tap water tank, press a button, and it filters your water into a separate tank, ready to pour. It plugs into a standard outlet and fits in most kitchen spaces. It’s plug and go! It wins the “ease of set-up” award over Boroux.
AquaTru uses three compact filters that snap in and out – no tools needed.
The machine will let you know when it’s time or you can set a calendar alert. Compared to other RO systems that require 2–4 filter changes a year, AquaTru is refreshingly low maintenance.”
For a marginal additional fee you can grab the alkaline water unit in both of the countertop sizes that AquaTru offers.
Shop the AquaTru Countertop RO system. Check for sales HERE.
***AquaTru also has under counter options and alkaline options that I have NOT tried on their website.
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The Water4Life Genesis is a high-end, electric alkaline water ionizer that connects directly to your kitchen faucet and produces both alkaline and acidic water through a process called electrolysis. The Genesis uses advanced filtration combined with powerful ionization to adjust the pH of your water, remove contaminants, and produce antioxidant-rich alkaline water for drinking, cooking, and wellness.
We used a Genesis-style ionizer as our family’s main water system for over seven years — especially during the early years of my healing journey — and I have a lot to say about the pros, the cons, and the ideal use cases for a system like this.
The primary benefit of an alkaline ionizer like the Genesis is that it doesn’t just filter water – it transforms it. Using electrolysis, the machine separates water into acidic and alkaline streams, and you can choose the pH level you want. This gives you control over water pH, ranging from about 3.0 (acidic) to 10.5+ (alkaline) depending on your local tap water.
The alkaline water produced contains molecular hydrogen, which is a powerful antioxidant and may support cellular health, hydration, and detoxification. The acidic water can be used for cleaning, skin care, and disinfecting.
Before ionization, the Genesis runs your water through a high-quality internal filter. This reduces:
While it doesn’t filter as thoroughly as a reverse osmosis or gravity-fed system like Boroux, it does improve taste and removes the basics. Many families choose to pre-filter their water (especially for fluoride or heavy metals) using a whole house or under-the-sink filtering system.
Once installed, the Genesis makes it easy to get alkaline water on demand. You simply press a button on the touchscreen panel to select your desired pH level, and water flows immediately. A genteel voice chimes in “Alkaline water in 1st step” and you can adjust the level for your needs.
There’s no waiting like with gravity systems, and no refilling of tanks. This is great for large families, high water usage, or people who want alkaline water throughout the day for tea, smoothies, and meals.
Genesis ionizers are designed and made in Korea to last. The internal plates (which perform the electrolysis) are solid titanium coated with platinum, and they’re self-cleaning to avoid mineral buildup.
They also come with a 5-year warranty and 60-day money back guarantee.
While I always recommend listening to your body, many people (myself included) report improved hydration, digestion, and energy levels when drinking alkaline water consistently. It’s hard to tell with me because so much of my diet and lifestyle changed during that cancer healing season all at once, but I felt amazing drinking this water and making my daily smoothies and tea with it!
Even the acidic water output is useful! We’ve used it for:
The Genesis is designed to sit next to your sink and looks sleek and high-tech with its touchscreen controls. While it does take up counter space, I’ve found that guests are always curious — it becomes a conversation starter, just like our Boroux system.
Installation is relatively simple for anyone comfortable with a few tools or can be done by a handyman in under an hour.
One major bonus: no more plastic water bottles! The Genesis provides a steady flow of purified, ionized water without needing to buy and dispose of bottled alkaline water — which is expensive, wasteful, and often not even truly ionized.
If your family drinks a lot of water, you’ll love the fact that the Genesis provides unlimited water on tap.
One of the biggest downsides of ionizers like Genesis is that they do not remove fluoride. If you live in an area with fluoridated water (you can check your ZIP code here), I highly recommend using a pre-filtration system that removes fluoride — such as an AquaTru RO system or fluoride-specific gravity filters like Boroux.
Once fluoride is removed, your Genesis can still ionize the water beautifully.
You can find the Genesis through Water4LifeUSA.com, and it’s often bundled with extra filters, pH drops, or pre-filtration add-ons. They also have good customer support and payment plans available.
Make sure to measure your faucet setup and consider whether you’ll want a pre-filter system to get the most benefit out of your Genesis.
This is my super honest, experiential review of Freely Funded: The Debt-Free Healing Strategy. These have to be some of the best fundraising ideas for cancer treatment. Not often do I get to be a part of the inner workings of such a great project as this, but my husband Kevin and I got to be around from the start. And you know I love stories, so let me tell you how. 🙂
We chose to be a part of this project because over the past 10 years since my cancer diagnosis I have met many MANY people whose #1 obstacle to healing was their ability to pay for the treatment they wanted. The need for this program is IMMENSE!
In this review, I will talk about the origins or Freely Funded, my thoughts as I watched and completed each module, and the pros and cons of purchasing a course like this.
If I can do it, there is definitely potential for anyone starting your own container garden!
You see, when I originally wrote this post I lived in a 1,000 square foot apartment in Atlanta. You wouldn’t think I would have much potential for gardening, but one look at this picture and you can see my mini-vegetable jungle in full bloom!
Several years ago I began my gardening adventures with a single plant. A tomato plant. At least that’s what I thought until it began to grow cucumbers. True story.
For the first THREE weeks I thought maybe tomatoes were elongated and green in their infancy. Nope, only if they are cucumbers! 😂
Searching for online alternative cancer support? I’ve learned that it’s pretty normal to feel alone when you choose to treat your cancer naturally. It comes with the territory. 🙂
You eventually get used to it- feeling a bit like an outcast amongst even your closest loved ones. But it’s our doctors and medical team that can be the most discouraging since our choice is one that goes against mainstream belief about cancer treatment. A community of cancer “thrivers” who are coming from a similar place as you are would be amazing, right? Thankfully nowadays this is totally a reality.
So, Chris Wark’s Square One Healing Cancer Coaching Program is BEAUTIFUL. Inspiring, incredibly well put together, covers everything you need to know about choosing a natural healing path or support for cancer. FULL OF HOPE.
The nutritional, spiritual, practical. EVERYTHING.
At times I found myself emotional when watching it. I am SO GRATEFUL for it! I wish it would have existed when I began my path to heal naturally from cancer in 2008. It would have saved both my husband and I so much doubt about our given path (and not to mention the research time and overwhelm!)
I can’t imagine anyone who couldn’t benefit from SOMETHING in it.
The unique thing about Chris’s program is that it is experienced coaching from a SURVIVOR, someone who has lived the anti-cancer lifestyle for over 13 years. Chris beat his Stage III colon cancer without chemo or radiation in 2004.
To give you an idea of what is in the program, here is a:
Module 1: First Things First
Module 2: Why You Have Cancer & How to Eliminate the Causes
Module 3: Implementing the Anti-Cancer Diet
Module 4: The Anti-Cancer Diet Part 2
Module 5: How to Detoxify Your Body & Environment
Module 6: How to Eliminate Stress & Heal Your Heart
Module 7: Spiritual Healing
Module 8: How Exercise & Rest Activate Healing
Module 9: Cancer Healing Herbs, Teas & Supplements
Module 10: Testing & How to Monitoring Your Progress
You can check out the TRAILER to get an idea of what to expect and why Chris created the program. 🙂
I am so happy to be able to share this program with all of you! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.
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See more posts on anti-cancer lifestyle and diet and alternative cancer treatments HERE.
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***This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclaimer for more details.
My friend and fellow holistic cancer survivor, Chris Wark has created what I wish I would have had after my diagnosis, a FREE guide giving you the MOST IMPORTANT questions to ask your oncologist:
It’s unsettling to know that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will get a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. That’s CRAZY when you think about it. For me I think about my two sisters and me. ONE of the three of us got cancer. I’m so grateful that me getting cancer (and healing it naturally) prompted them to drastically change their diet and lifestyle.
I hear from people often who feel they are in a salad rut or a smoothie rut with their anti-cancer diet. They want to try new things, but it’s just hard to get their minds wrapped around what exactly they should buy. Here is a fantastic resource for those of you who can identify with this. Check out my Free Anti-Cancer Printable Grocery List!