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What "Gold Standard" Actually Means (to Me)

built with habit: the reality of trying to get it 'right'


When I left my corporate job to start builtwithhabit, I had no idea what sourcing a truly skin-safe activewear brand would actually take. A reflection on the messy middle, our brand ethos, and why getting it right is worth taking the time for.

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A Personal Note

closing one low-tox eye: travel, control and the cost of hyper-vigilance


Low-tox living can sharpen your awareness in powerful ways — but it can also narrow your world. A reflection on losing control while traveling, and why choosing adaptability over anxiety might be one of the most protective practices of all.

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The Bigger Picture

beyond protein: a case for fiber maxxing


While tracking protein has become mainstream in the nutrition space, fiber intake has quietly fallen behind — most Western diets fall well short of the recommended daily amount. A look at why fiber may be just as foundational as protein for long-term health.

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we need to talk about synthetic fragrances: the truth behind your favorite perfume!


Fragrance is everywhere — perfume, cologne, body sprays, candles, detergent, skincare and cleaning products. 'Fragrance' is a legal umbrella term that can mask a cocktail of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, many linked to hormone disruption and other health concerns.

informedchoiceslowtoxsustainability
Fermentation Fuel

a gut-healthy grocery list: an evidence-based guide to shopping for your microbiome


The bacteria, viruses and fungi that colonize our gastrointestinal tracts are intrinsically tied to mental health, immune function and chronic disease. A closer look at how to eat for a diverse, resilient microbiome — beyond just getting your macros in.

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when did everything become plastic: a short history of how material innovation reshaped everything


A dive into the historical evolution of plastics and how they took root in the 20th and 21st century. Understanding how the need for disposable, industrially-predictable materials arose — and how we lost sight of what natural fibers have to offer.

informedchoiceslowtoxsustainability
new years are cultural

the sacred start: reflections on new years and honoring the time thereafter!


Happy new year! Ishita unpacks why there's so much implicit pressure to reinvent yourself every January — especially with the rise of self-help culture — and how to embrace both the start of the year and the magical eleven months that follow.

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Tending to Your Inner Environment

you are what you eat: but also, so much more


Wellness is shaped by far more than what you eat or how you move — it's influenced by your relationships, your self-talk, your habits, and the inner world you're quietly cultivating every day. A reflection on how what we consume emotionally, mentally, and spiritually compounds over time.

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Lifting Supports Mental Health (in a Very Real Way)

things all women should be taught in school: lifting edition


Ishita dives into the well-documented, evidence-backed benefits of weightlifting for women — from disease management and bone density to joint stability, functional strength, and mental health. A case for teaching every woman to lift, early.

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