The transition working from home was a steep learning curve. It’s hard to forget the tantrums at my office door when I had trouble communicating to my kids that daddy has to go to work. I did a terrible job at first, but I’m learning and trying to be more patient as a father through all of it. I still have to catch myself when I “run” to an important meeting. I try to remember to be on their wavelength, not mine (advice from Lettuce Grow founder, Jacob Pechenik).
Two things are certain, the lines between work and life have blurred. You have to take care of yourself and you need the tools to get the job done — whatever that job is for you. I research quite a bit about energy efficiency and time savings. I try to think of apparel I can keep as staples in my office for a quick Zoom rather than having to change five times per day. What are some healthy habits I can re-establish or tools that just work? Below are some of the solutions that have worked for me.
We experience power outages every year, especially in the winter time. A hail storm, often out of nowhere, can knock out the power leaving you stuck between a rock and a hard place — not knowing if the power will be back in 30 minutes or 24 hours. If you work from home an extended outage can leave you stranded at a coffee shop with weak internet signals.
“Winter is prime time for ice, snow, wind and freezing temperatures that can create hazardous conditions that lead to utility power failures,” said Randy Sandlin, senior vice president of global product management at Generac.
“Stay ahead of the weather by arranging backup power as a key component of your winter prep. From keeping medical devices, phones and basic necessities powered to backing up the whole home, there is a backup power solution for every need.”
You have a few options which may depend on whether you are a homeowner or you’re renting. The most complex and costly option is a home power backup solution that’s installed to switch over when the power in your home goes out. It’s likely once you install it you’ll keep it in the home since you’ve sized it appropriately for that location. This is an obvious choice if you’re not planning on moving anytime soon and budget is not a question.
The next best option is a portable generator. Indeed, you have to roll it outside of your garage and power it with fuel — but as long as you’re mindful about what you power (refrigerator, washing machine) and when, it will keep you afloat as long as you continue to refuel. This is a great solution for most homeowners, especially if you might be out of power for a few days.
One thing to consider is installing a transfer switch which would provide a more seamless way to power your home with the portable generator. Rather than running extension cords to appliances like your refrigerator, you can plug your generator into a transfer switch an electrician would install (likely next to current circuit breaker box in your garage) and you can select exactly what you would like to power without the hassle of extension cords running through your home.
Although you still need to roll out your generator to avoid the emission of carbon dioxide in your garage, it’s the best of both worlds because you can still take the generator with you if you move. This also makes working from home and powering what you need, much easier.
There are a number of considerations when you’re in the market for a generator, but most important is the power output. The GP18000EFI model provides a power output of around 18,000 watts (18 kW) given its name. You should determine whether this power capacity is sufficient for your intended use, whether it’s for backup power during outages or for specific applications. Generac has a sizing calculator for portable generators you can use.
In addition to the cost of the generator, keep in mind the transfer switch installation. The electrician cost can vary by availability and geography, but most of the quotes we received to install transfer switch was in the $1,400-$1,700 range.
As mentioned other variables to consider in addition to power output would include the fuel types, run time needed, noise level (depending on where you live), features, and maintenance. Equally important would be build quality and durability. A quick search on Home Depot’s website will yield a number of manufacturers. Compare warranty information and user reviews. Some of them make all types of appliances. Generac is a $4 billion company that’s been around for 64 years and their core business is powering the home. They also employ over 1,000 engineers which shows their commitment to innovation.
Lastly, we keep a power bank or station charged at all times. Our gas-powered tankless water heater does need to be plugged in as well. If we have a short outage and want to take a warm shower I can use the power station as temporary power. It’s a nice option to have on hand. There are a wide range of options from Generac or other manufactures and I’ve typically seen these in the $500 and up range. With the trends of power outages due to weather or rolling blackouts and the continued rise of working from home — this is something you want to prepare for.
After parenthood the sheer number of my massage appointments dipped like my 401k in a recession. However, the Theragun Pro, which is like the iPhone of massage guns — has helped me tremendously. It’s easy to operate and just works. Between working out and sitting at my desk, I often need a quick session to give me a boost. There’s even a soft attachment you can use around areas like your knee that won’t hurt your bone but makes a big difference around those areas.
For me personally, sleep is the number one indicator of feeling good and having a productive day. I’ve used many sleep hacks including cooling pads and supplements to help improve it. One thing I wish I did sooner was optimize my mattress for how I sleep. After testing for sleep apnea, the results showed that I get the best oxygen when I sleep on my side. My mattress at the time was very firm and did not provide the needed support for my shoulders and hips. Enter Saatva — they make everything from latex to memory foam and hybrid innerspring mattresses. They even make one for people with chronic back and joint issues called the RX model. But what if you don’t exclusively sleep on your side?
Their most popular mattress, which I use, is the Saatva Classic in the Luxury Firm comfort level. It’s supportive enough in the right places while still feeling responsive. The secret sauce is in the design. It has a 3-inch Euro pillow top above a layer of memory foam — all supported by coils that are firmer in the center third of the mattress where our body weight is concentrated. This mattress, in conjunction with their latex pillows, feels like I’m sleeping in a luxury hotel. I have a friend who has slept on the same exact mattress for over two years and said it’s the most comfortable mattress he’s ever slept on.
If you live near one of their viewing rooms I would recommend spending a couple of hours trying the different mattresses to truly get a feel for which would be the most comfortable for you. I find it difficult to make a big decision in one day or visit, so I went back twice to feel certain about which mattress would be the best option. Always de-risk your mattress decision. They offer a generous one year trial.
Since 2020 I’ve worked out in my garage and I often make a protein shake afterwards. I typically use my gigantic Vitamix which is a pain to clean. I was looking for something with equal blending power for my use case that was easy to clean. The issue with the wide base Vitamix is that you need a lot of ice or food in order to blend properly because the base is so big. BlendJets are too small and have too many components to wash (about six components). The Beastmode by Beast blender does not skimp on pack or punch with 1200 watts holding up to 1000 mL. You can fit plenty of ice, bananas, spinach or other fruits. Cleaning is a breeze because it only has two main components in terms of the jar and the blade which means it takes me under one minute to wash.
If you listen to my podcast you’ll hear me ask guests what their favorite purchase under $100 is that’s made an impact on them. While the 1000 watt version of the blender comes in at $148 on sale — this blender would be on my short list of tools that have made a significant impact on my well-being.
Quality sheets can help you sleep cool and often get softer the more you wash them. While linen has been all the rave, you cannot go wrong with 100% cotton sheets as a staple in your household. With bedsheets, you get what you pay for. What’s honorable about Boll & Branch outside of the high-end feel is that the founders, Scott & Missy Tannen, questioned every step in the manufacturing process from where the cotton is sourced to the wages workers are earning throughout the sourcing process of raw materials — all while extending the product line from bedding to furniture.
I try to make working from home as comfortable as possible which is why I have a pair of sneakers I only wear indoors to avoid walking on hardwood, barefoot. I mostly wear wool sweaters in my office and because of the thermoregulation — I never have to worry about overheating. One of my favorite hoodies called The Hoodie by PAKA, levels up my wool sweaters because it’s made from alpaca which is as soft as cashmere and lighter than wool.
PAKA was almost founded by chance when founder, Kris Cody, stumbled on a store that made hand-oven sweaters that a local weaver had made out of alpaca fur. When he returned home, the response he received from his friends about the sweater prompted the business idea.
The reason why The Hoodie is so soft is because Royal alpaca is typically 18-19 microns, compared to cashmere’s 19 microns. The lower the micron count (which is the measuring unit used to measure the diameter of wool fibers), the softer the fiber. Additionally, alpaca is hypoallergenic, meaning it doesn’t have that itchy grease (lanolin) in other wools.
In Everybody Writes, Ann Handley quotes writer, Jeff Goins:
“Habits practiced once a week aren’t habits at all. They’re obligations. And let’s not kid ourselves here, if you’re doing something once a week, it’s probably only a matter of time before you stop doing it altogether.”
Enter the Nama J2 juicer. I asked the wife of NBA Superstar, Stephen Curry, which juicer she uses. Ayesha proceeded to recommend the Nama J2 and I figured if it was good enough for the best basketball player on the planet and his family, it should work for me.
This is one of the habits we established that has paid dividends for the entire family. The kids love helping because putting fruits and vegetables into the chamber is fun for them. They also enjoy opening the juice spout to allow the juice to flow into the pitcher, and they think it’s cool to watch the pulp come out the other end. For the most part, the juicer is very kid friendly during operation because when you pop open the lid the motor automatically turns off.
There are a few things to point out compared to the experience of my old Breville juicer. Because it’s a slow juicer, I can multi-task as fruits are being juiced. So I can wash and cut celery as I go rather than having to prep everything ahead of time.
One of the best investments was a book titled The Complete Juicing Recipe Book by Stephanie Leach. It’s a no non-sense recipe book and I let the family select 2 recipes every week. One of the current favorites is pineapple greens which include pineapple, cucumber, ginger, kale, and spinach. What’s also fantastic about this book is that the author organizes the recipes by the nutritional benefits.
Kristina Carillo-Bucaram, a raw vegan educator, also known as Fully Raw Kristina — had a great YouTube video on tips for batch juicing to help save time and money. I credit this video helping to establish my juicing habit because I will juice 1-2x per week and vacuum seal the juice into 32 oz mason jars which has helped provide enough juice for the week while keeping it as fresh as can be. I prefer the wide mouth jars because they are easier to hand-wash.
Is it easy to wash? Yes and while it only takes about 5 minutes to wash all the components, I do recommend hand drying it afterwards to avoid water stains. It will help with the longevity of making the chamber and pitcher look crystal clear.
Lastly, I am trying to limit my caffeine intake. My new routing has been drinking a glass of water, then a juice, and then a triple espresso. I try not to drink coffee first because it will dehydrate you. I’ve also found that a green juice is like sustained rocket fuel and I don’t feel like I need as much coffee.
I try to cook a meal that may have leftovers at least twice per week. Beyond that I’m living at the sink washing dishes. I’m not a great cook but I like to switch between using my dutch oven and Crock-Pot. I’ve been using a set of knives from Schmidt Bros. and I never realized you can get a great set of knives without breaking the bank. Years ago I purchased a Japanese petty knife that I accidentally broke and settled on using subpar knives. Having the correct knives to cut through pineapples, breads, or meats has made all the difference.
Founds, Jared and Jordan Schmidt are actually brothers who launched the brand in 2010 with the purpose of making beautiful, design-forward products that conscious consumers could afford.
The other habit that has made the most significant impact on my life is cold water immersion. In addition to the faster recovery and reduced inflammation it had a noticeable impact on my mental health. I felt more resilient and managing stress became easier. I also noticed that my sleep patters were improving because I’d wake up less throughout the night. I often track my sleep with an Oura ring or on through Eight Sleep app.
What I like about experimenting with cold water is that you can just take a shower and experience benefits. I call it the Trojan horse of cold plunging because it’s practically free. However, if it’s something you’re interested in exploring further you can invest in an ice bath. I’m part of a DIY Facebook group for people who build their own cold plunges and I could never see myself doing that because there are many high quality options on the market that are made to last — versus trying to rig something together.
One of the options being the Ice Barrel 300. The company who is recognized for the standing ice barrel recently launched a wider, more sit-down friendly version. It’s a quality, insulated build that works great. They offer these giant ice trays called Ice Blocks to help put large ice cubs into the tub to cool it down.
What I like about the unit only being 61 lbs (when not filled) is that one person can move it. Some of the other tubs on the market are incredibly heavy and require two people to move them. This unit is also coined as “chiller ready” which means you can plug a chiller to the inlet port at the top of the barrel and then just set the temperature. They don’t recommend specific chillers on their website but with some research you can find viable options.
If you’re going to invest in a cold plunge the $1,200 price tag isn’t cheap but it’s not in the $5k tier. I like the flexibility of being able to add a chiller later or purchase one from Ice Barrel when they launch one in the future. I found the ice trays easy to use but personally I would opt to upgrade the barrel with a chiller so it’s one less thing to worry about.
Spending more time at home was a forcing function of using our pool for exercise. Anyone who doesn’t outsource their pool maintenance can appreciate the effort it takes to ensure everything from the right pH range to the cleanliness is on point. The return on investment was clear — investing in a robotic pool cleaner paid dividends from both a time and money savings perspective — and the Polaris ALPHA iQ+ is the Tesla of robotic pool cleaners.
I’d normally scrub the pool with an extended pole brush twice per week for about two hours. As the lactic acid in my arms and shoulders built up, my strength and pressure I could apply would weaken. Brushing and cleaning the pool is a serious workout.
While saving 8 hours of brutal pool brushing is great the Polaris ALPHA iQ+ actually does a better job because of the built-in brush wheels which move faster than the drive wheels. I can literally set the unit to run twice per week and pull it out of the pool after it climbs up the wall. It’s easy enough for my family to run the unit even with the dedicated app when I’m traveling. I also found myself not having to vacuum the pool nearly as much because the Polaris would capture fine grains of sand.
Additionally, robotic pool cleaners utilize less energy to operate because they run independently of the pool filtration system (meaning you do not need to run the pool pump which is the second highest energy user in a home). Instead they can be plugged into a GFCI outlet which costs pennies compared to running the pool pump to power a suction or pressure pool cleaner.
When it comes to shaving products I’m often skeptical — maybe it’s because the emotional abuse of paying what felt like $20 per blade from Mach3 years ago. One of the benefits of working from home is not having to shave as often, but you also don’t want to look like your hygiene is out of control. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality build and shaving experience from Manscape’s face shaver coined The Handyman. The design resembles an elegant smartphone and the size makes portability an ease. It’s been convenient to use this as an alternative to using a blade and it’s been such a time saver between meetings.
Manscaped offers two other products that deserve an honorable mention. I’ve had zero luck finding a nose and ear hair trimmer that actually does the job. Their Weed Wacker 2.0 has worked fantastically and it’s easy to clean. Their Lawn Mower 5.0 works equally well as a body hair trimmer and I was thankful not to get cut looking like I got out of an Edward Scissorhands movie after using it.
Most guys don’t want to spend the time testing multiple shavers from different companies. You’re golden if you can find one brand you trust. If you have shaving or hair trimming needs Manscaped is definitely worth exploring.
One of the life-altering tools in my office are my Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones. There are a number of features I look for in headphones I need to use for a majority of the work day. Because my children have been home schooling the noise level in my home compares to that of a jet engine. Therefore, being able to separate dialogue in the background is invaluable — not only for my meetings but for my mental clarity. It’s difficult for me to concentrate in a meeting when I can clearly hear a conversation around me. The noise cancellation has made my home office experience function much better.
Personally, I prefer to limit the number of things I have to charge in my office. I often plug the headphones into my computer or docking station (via 2.5mm or 3.5mm jacks that come with the unit) which is convenient so you don’t have to charge them. I do use them via Bluetooth if I’m watching a movie on my MacBook or when I’m traveling. Sennheiser claims the Momentum 4s can last for up to 60 hours on a single charge. Some of that endurance is achieved with power-saving features as the headphones will enter sleep mode after going unused for 15 minutes.
Comfort is essential and my ears fit comfortably under the muffs. I’ve tried other headphones that press on my ears and I found them difficult to wear for long periods of time. Lastly, the call quality is crystal clear. When I’m not on Zoom calls I like to listen to music on YouTube so being able to swap between applications and still have superior sound quality has been fantastic.
When you work from home — creating a dilleniatieon between home and work can become difficult. The lines can blur and for me, working out helps separate the two. I also need a mental break so I’m not at my desk for 8 hours straight.
Since we’ve introduced our children to yoga, it was interesting (and concerning) to learn about what materials most yoga mats are sourced from. Most low cost mats come at a price because PVC is the most widely used material in almost all conventional yoga mats and it’s known as a human carcinogen — a proven cancer-causing agent when exposed through inhalation and skin contact.
We stumbled on Scoria who not only make the most beautifully designed mats, but they’re non-toxic and made from natural tree rubber. You don’t miss out on function because they can be used for any kind of practice including hot yoga. If you’re like me and prefer a thicker mat to provide additional knee support, they have an extra thick, 6mm option.
The inspiration of Scoria came from the founder, Yara Kamal, after she lost her sense of creativity due to the fear of judgment. Scoria became a way to reconnect with her imagination through the eco-conscious yoga mat that would hopefully encourage others through brand messaging and artwork to spark their inner-child — or who we are at the core.
Outside of a quality pair of headphones, one of the best inventions and investments for remote work I’ve found is an all-in-one speakerphone and USB hub called Logi Dock by Logitech. It’s revolutionary because it serves as a high quality conference call speaker, traditional docking station that helps to minimize clutter, speaker for music, and functions with virtual meeting software like Microsoft Teams to easily mute yourself toggle video on and off.
Imagine this: you can get a decent USB hub for $200. A lower end conference call puck from Jabra will run you $120. It’s currently on sale for $350 (normally $400) and it will declutter your office while making virtual meetings more seamless. The sum is greater than its parts and this futuristic invention should be shipped with every work laptop. Most companies offer an annual office stipend which is worth exploring.
When you work from home you naturally use more water and energy while using appliances more often. Cutting down on paper plates forces me to wash more dishes. Sometimes, I need to use the same knives or bowls in the afternoon that I used in the morning, so I’ve found myself needing them available more often. One thing I learned growing up in the restaurant business is that the purpose of the dishwasher is to eliminate germs at a high heat.
When we bought our home and installed a new dishwasher the only feature I thought about was how loud it was. The modern dishwasher typically ranges between 45-50 decibels.
I recently went to a new car wash and it felt like a completely different experience in terms of the water pressure, the brushes, and how they were soaping the car. This is exactly how our new smart dishwasher from LG feels because of a number of features including QuadWash Pro which has high-pressure jets that have 38% more cleaning power than the average dishwasher.
After dinner and putting the kids to bed, I am guilty of leaving a few dishes in the sink. I don’t mind because I’ll catch up on ESPN while washing them in the morning. Then I use my favorite feature of this dishwasher which is the 1-hour wash and dry. That way when we’re making lunch all the dishes are available if we need them.
The Steam Cycle option on the machine helps to reduce bacteria on dishes by 99.99% which gives us peace of mind about germs. It’s actually certified by the National Sanitation Found (which I didn’t know was a thing!).
It checks all the boxes and more in terms of what we expected for a quality dishwasher. You can customize the inside to fit certain dishes and the LED lighting built inside is a nice touch and makes it easy on the eyes. They even have an app available (ThinIQ) which allows you to remotely turn on your dishwasher. I have yet to try this but it’s next on my list — after I do the dishes of course!
Between potty training the kids and not wanting to take frequent showers — there had to be a better way. I was intimated at first because I felt like I needed a computer science degree to operate the bidet at my friend’s house. I’d seen them at Costco but they were only available on seats in weird shapes. Last thing I wanted to return at Costco was a toilet seat.
Tushy, the company known for its clever marketing, has developed a bidet which is equally effective. You don’t need to be an engineer to install it and it just works. We keep their Classic version upstairs and the Spa version that includes warm water downstairs (for guests, of course).
I’ll spare you the details and the butt jokes — however, it’s been a great solution to keep our kids clean and it’s reduced our need for toilet paper. One of the misconceptions my wife had was that she thought it was toilet water being used. It’s actually the same water you use to brush your teeth. The return on investment is clear and my only regret is that I wish we had one sooner.
Every year I purchase a weekly planner and honestly I only get through a few pages. Out of guilt, the cycle continues. I’ve tried digital apps and fancy notebooks that are leather-bound but I fall into the same habits.
I noticed the one thing that has stuck (pun intended) are Post-It Notes. When I came across a product called Analog it was like an enhanced Post-It Note because I could improve the organization, progress, and prioritization all-in-one. What I’ve also learned from my to-do list failures is that if it’s out of sight it’s out of mind. The wood card holder, which is minimalistic, props up my to-do list so it’s always in view.
It just works. Unlike the gimmicky journals, I find myself gravitating to use it first thing in the morning as part of my routine. It’s a forcing function of thought because I’m not blindly starting my day without identifying what’s truly important.
It reminds me of having a personal trainer which can be a bit of an investment for some. There’s a great app called Future that provides a virtual personal trainer that helps keep you accountable because not only do they tailor your workouts — they’re check-in to make sure you did them. When I was using it it was around $150 per month. I have a friend currently using it and he’s consistently worked out for the last 6 months because of Future. Should you invest in your health? Of course — but if you agree with that then it’s worth the investment if you’re actually using it.
Same goes for your to-do list. Invest in something you’ll actually use because over time it will pay dividends.
My arsenal of self-care includes a sauna that was developed as an affordable solution for at-home use. I initially learned about the portable sauna tent, Sweat Tent, from David Maus Jr who is the MKBHD of biohacking. Just as I gravitate to Marques Brownlee to learn about new tech, I’m eager to see what David thinks about everything from cold plunges to sleep trackers.
The Sweat Tent is incredibly easy to setup and gets more hot than most infrared saunas (up to 200 °F). I also don’t have the room in my home for an infrared sauna so it’s actually more convenient.
One of my biggest concerns with infrared saunas are the EMF radiation — which I don’t have to worry about with this tent because the heat is produced by wood you put into the stainless steel stove they provide. From a budget perspective it’s about half the cost of the average infrared sauna at $1499.
What compelled me to try it is a practice where you rotate between the hot sauna and the cold plunge, famously coined the Nordic Cycle, which is popular amongst those looking to improve their metabolism and improving blood circulation. Like anything, you should always consult your doctor before cold plunging or sauna usage. Nonetheless, it’s been amazing to rotate between the cold plunge and the sauna to experience the benefits.
There’s been a virality of the Sweat Tent where people are posting images of their tents in inclement weather with their friends. Here in the Pacific Northwest the winters get frigid with snow and the tent can be left outside. I often use the tent with a neighbor which brings a community aspect to using it. Sweat Tent says you can fit up to 3 people in the tent at the same time. If you’re exploring saunas this is an interesting solution to consider.
By now you understand that having power backup is essential, not only for unforeseen power outages but in case there are inclement weather conditions. Our gas powered, tankless water heater must also be plugged in but it only requires a 230 volt outlet which means that most power stations would do the job.
I keep the Delta 2 Max by EcoFlow powered up and tucked away in my office. You can technically power anything in your home including appliances up to max of 3400 watts — which means you can even run your washing machine if need be. EcoFlow offers optional solar panels to charge the station which can be a great solution for camping or extended outages.
They tout that it is the industry’s lightest 2400W LFP solar generator, but it is important to keep in mind it is about 50 lbs in weight which means I’m the one who will be moving it around the home if need be. The size and handles do make it manageable to move.
Besides the sheer power of this machine, what impressed me most is how easy it is to use. Once you charge it the unit becomes plug and play. The flexibility of connecting it a transfer switch is also a nice touch for flexibility, but I primarily use it for short outages here after the hail often knocks out the power. If you work from home and want backup power that’s easy and quick a power station like this is a no-brainer.
Over the last few years I’ve seen my colleagues work from their garages in the heat, some with a portable air conditioner. When I needed to cool down my office I wanted something that didn’t resemble one of those ugly boxes sticking out of an apartment building.
The Windmill air conditioner was designed and developed with modern architecture in mind. Some may view it as a better mouse trap, others as the mother of necessity. By now, you know I can barely install a bidet. I was able to install the Windmill easily because they provide the installation kit pre-assembled in the box.
What also drew me to Windmill is that the refrigerant they use is eco-friendly. Aesthetically, it matches the minimalistic design in my office, and I like the fact that I can control the unit via my iPhone app.
Fascia blasting is a term often associated with a practice that involves using a tool called a “fascia blaster” to massage and manipulate the fascia, a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs in the human body. The fascia blaster is typically a handheld device with various-sized nubs or prongs that are used to apply pressure to the skin and underlying fascia. The technique is promoted as a means to release adhesions and tension within the fascia.
Proponents of fascia blasting claim that it can offer several potential benefits, including pain relief, improved flexibility, scar tissue reduction, and enhanced muscle performance. Although it’s essential to note that the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited — it’s been interesting to see some of these benefits in a short period of time.
Ashley Black gained prominence through social media and her book, “The Cellulite Myth: It’s Not Fat, It’s Fascia,” where she promoted her approach to fascia therapy as a way to reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve overall health. Her methods have garnered a following, with many individuals using the FasciaBlaster and following her techniques for self-massage and fascia release.
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