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Illustration of a countertop reverse osmosis water purifier on a kitchen counter filling a glass
Aug 31, 2026

Are Countertop Reverse Osmosis Machines Worth It?

Countertop reverse osmosis machines use the same membrane technology as under-sink systems, with no plumbing required — a real option for renters. Here's how they differ, what they remove, and who they make sense for.

Cato B. Hagen
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Illustration of a countertop electric water distiller with a collection jug on a kitchen counter
Aug 31, 2026

Home Water Distillers: What They Remove, and What They Miss

Home water distillers combine boiling and vapor-only collection into one process, removing fluoride, heavy metals, and pathogens more completely than most single-technology filters. Here's the one real gap they have, and what to check before buying one.

Cato B. Hagen
13 0
Illustration of a stacked ceramic gravity water filter on a kitchen counter with a glass being filled
Aug 31, 2026

Do Ceramic Gravity Water Filters (Like Berkey) Work?

Ceramic gravity filters like Berkey work by gravity alone, no power required — a real off-grid option. But the most popular brand's marketing claims and its lack of third-party certification are two different questions worth untangling.

Cato B. Hagen
13 0
Illustration of a person installing an under-sink reverse osmosis water filter system with membrane housings visible
Aug 31, 2026

Is Reverse Osmosis Worth It? What It Removes, Wastes, and Misses

Reverse osmosis removes fluoride, arsenic, nitrate, and PFAS that carbon filters can't touch — but it wastes several gallons of water per gallon produced and strips out beneficial minerals too. Here's what it removes, wastes, and misses.

Cato B. Hagen
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Illustration of bare feet standing in dew-covered grass at sunrise, with a steaming mug of coffee nearby
Aug 24, 2026

Does Grounding Work? What the Research on Earthing Shows

Earthing has real peer-reviewed research behind it — reduced inflammation, better sleep, faster wound healing — but the field is still small. Here's what the evidence shows, and how to test it on yourself for free.

Cato B. Hagen
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Illustration of two hands cupping crumbly garden soil with visible earthworms, a trowel and seedling nearby
Aug 24, 2026

Why Soil Quality Matters More Than the Organic Label

Organic certification governs which inputs a farm uses, not whether its soil is alive. Here's what living soil and mycorrhizal networks do for nutrition, and how to shop and grow for it.

Cato B. Hagen
7 0