n this week’s episode of The Healthy Home Show, I explored the often-overlooked world of medicinal mushrooms with special guest Darryn de La Soul, founder of Margate Mushrooms. Whilst a slight departure from the usual focus on healthy homes and environmental toxins, this episode ties deeply into the nourishment pillar of healthy and sustainable living.

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode – Spotify

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode – Apple

Darryn shares her pandemic-born journey into mushroom cultivation and the profound health benefits of fungi, particularly lion’s mane, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms. What began as a side hustle quickly turned into a thriving community interest company (CIC) that not only supplies local restaurants and residents, but also supports a food bank and promotes food security.

I have really enjoyed using the Lion’s Mane supplements particularly and wanted to share the delight of mushrooms with you. Maybe they can help you take your health to the next level!

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Key Takeaways from the Interview

1. All Mushrooms Are Medicinal

• Darryn emphasizes that even common supermarket mushrooms like white buttons and chestnuts contain medicinal compounds, especially beta-glucans, which support immune function.

2. Lion’s Mane for Brain Health

• Known for its neuroregenerative properties, lion’s mane supports cognitive function and focus. It’s increasingly used by individuals with ADHD and brain fog.

• Emerging research suggests that lion’s mane may stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), which is essential for brain cell maintenance and regeneration.

3. Shiitake for Immunity and Gut Health

• Shiitake contains lentinan, a compound shown to boost immunity and potentially aid in cancer treatment.

• It’s also about 35% fiber, making it an excellent prebiotic for gut microbiome health.

4. Know Your Beta-Glucans

• Not all mushroom products are created equal. The most beneficial beta-glucans are 1,3/1,6 structures, unique to fungi.

• Many commercial products bulk out their powders with grain-based substrates like sorghum, reducing efficacy.

5. Double Extraction > Tincture

• Darryn explains that most people misuse the term “tincture.” Her lion’s mane extract is a broad-spectrum double extraction, using both alcohol and hot water to capture the full spectrum of active compounds.

6. Mushrooms vs. Modern Food Systems

• Due to widespread fungicide use, the vital amino acid ergothioneine—essential for human health—is largely absent from modern diets. The only reliable source left? Mushrooms.

• A 2021 study suggests ergothioneine may reduce the risk of chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases.

7. Food Security and Local Farming

• With food supply chains increasingly fragile, localised, fast-growing produce like mushrooms could become a key player in resilient food systems.

• Mushrooms take only 7–14 days from colonisation to harvest, making them a rapid and efficient food source.

Useful Info

• £42,000 was raised through crowdfunding to start Margate Mushrooms in shipping containers.

• Lion’s mane is now being explored in clinical trials for cognitive decline, with early results showing improvement in memory and focus.

• 75% of some commercial mushroom powders may actually be sorghum or other filler substrates.

• Studies show that eating just 250g of mushrooms a week can significantly reduce risk of memory problems later in life.

Where to Find Margate Mushrooms

• Online shop: Broad-spectrum extracts, capsules, and powders available nationwide.

• Instagram: @margatemushrooms_

• The Margate Mushrooms Website

If you enjoyed hearing Darryn’s insights on the medicinal properties of Mushrooms and the importance of Food Security…. You can learn more and dive into all 12 main concepts that create a Healthy Home and Lifestyle on my website – www.charlielemmer.com

Please leave a review for the show, if you are so inclined. It really helps me understand where to guide the content next or you can just give a rating. And, if you prefer to watch your content on Youtube, we have that covered too!

Be WELL

Charlie x

P.S If you are reading this Newsletter and haven’t yet subscribed. Here’s the link so you don’t miss future editions… It’s free ! So don’t miss out on information that could keep you and your family in the best health.

Charlie’s Healthy Homes Newsletter

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In the latest episode of The Healthy Home Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with New York based Marci Kenon —food justice advocate, toxins educator, and former personal trainer—about the alarming rise of toxins in our food, homes, and bodies. Marci’s journey from the music industry to personal training to full-time activism is as compelling as it is inspiring.

Our conversation took a deep dive into the hidden dangers of food additives, the broken U.S. regulatory system, and how lifestyle shifts—especially in nutrition—can transform health.

Listen to the Full Podcast – Spotify

Listen to the Full Podcast – Apple

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. The GRAS Loophole is Poisoning Us

Marci opened my eyes to the shocking reality of the “Generally Recognised as Safe” (GRAS) loophole in the U.S. Over 10,000 additives have entered our food supply through this unregulated path, and according to Dr. Will Bulsiewicz (author of Fiber Fueled), 99% of them have never been studied for human health impacts.

Many of these additives are banned in the UK and EU, where safety regulations require proof before products go to market—unlike in the U.S., where companies can self-affirm safety without FDA review. You can read more about the Gras Loophole here on the EWG website.

2. Hyperpalatable, Ultra-Processed Foods are Hijacking Our Taste Buds

We spoke about how food scientists (not chefs) design ultra-processed foods to override natural hunger cues and drive repeat consumption. Some U.S. communities, especially in places like Mississippi, now consume up to 100% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods.

Marci broke down how this disproportionately affects Black communities (approx. 70%) and younger people (up to 80%). It’s not just bad for waistlines—it’s a public health crisis.

3. Obesity and Toxins: A Hidden Connection

This part really resonated with me. We discussed how toxins are stored in fat to protect our vital organs. Unless we reduce the toxic load in our bodies and environments, weight loss becomes incredibly difficult. I’ve seen this firsthand in my own health journey—when I focused on detoxing my home and diet, the weight started to shift.

4. Mould Exposure: A Silent Epidemic

Marci shared her personal struggle with mould toxicity, which led to eczema, fatigue, respiratory issues, and even questions around her mother’s cognitive health. Mould, she explained, can mimic dementia in the brain—and it’s more common than we think, especially in cities with aging infrastructure and poor remediation laws.

5. Food Injustice is Systemic—and Global

Marci made a powerful point: food giants reformulate their products to comply with EU regulations, removing harmful additives for international markets—yet continue to sell the original toxic versions in the U.S. and often in underserved communities. “We’re lab rats,” she said bluntly—and it’s hard to argue otherwise.

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The Facts Speak for Themselves

• 10,000+ food additives in the U.S. market, many banned elsewhere.

• 60–100% of U.S. daily calories now come from ultra-processed foods.

• The FDA is underfunded, and food companies often pay into the very system that’s meant to regulate them.

• Newborns have been found to carry 200+ chemicals in their umbilical cords.

What You Can Do Today

Marci’s Top 3 Recommendations:

1. Eat More Whole, Plant-Based Foods – Organic if you can. Frozen is often more nutrient-rich than fresh due to transport delays.

2. Eliminate or Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods and Sugar – These are designed to be addictive and nutrient-deficient.

3. Hydrate Properly – Drink half your body weight in ounces of clean, filtered water daily. Avoid plastic bottles, especially in heat.

Other Practical Tips:

• Scan labels with apps like Trash Panda and Yuka.

• Ditch plug-in air fresheners and artificial fragrances.

• Avoid Bluetooth earbuds, especially in saunas—EMF radiation is real.

The Toxins Everywhere Summit

Marci’s next major project is the Toxins Everywhere Summit, launching this autumn. I’m honoured to be one of the 19+ expert speakers alongside pioneers like Dr. Robert Lustig, Darin Olien and Vani Hari (aka The Food Babe).

This 5-day virtual event will cover everything from mould and EMFs to food policy and the GRAS loophole. After the summit, Marci will be launching a 5-week bootcamp to help people take real, lasting action.

👉 Sign up on Marci’s website to stay in the loop or find her on Linkedin. Register for the Toxins Everywhere Summit below:

The Toxins Everywhere Summit

Marci’s Website

Marci on Linkedin

If you enjoyed hearing Marci’s insights on Food Justice Activism and want to learn more; You can dive into all 12 main concepts that create a Healthy Home and Lifestyle on my website – www.charlielemmer.com

Please leave a review for the show, if you are so inclined. It really helps me understand where to guide the content next or you can just give a rating. And, if you prefer to watch your content on Youtube, we have that covered too!

Be WELL

Charlie x

P.S If you are reading this Newsletter and haven’t yet subscribed. Here’s the link so you don’t miss future editions… It’s free ! So don’t miss out on information that could keep you and your family in the best health.

Charlie’s Healthy Homes Newsletter

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In this edition we discuss:

• Its NOT Just About Where your Food Comes From

• France bans (most) Forever Chemicals

• Rising Toxicity and the Threat to Capitalism

• The Healthy Home Show Podcast

• Upcoming Events

• Discount Codes

It’s been such a crazy last few months, that I totally missed getting the March Newsletter out so I am making up for that with a bit of an extended newsletter for this April edition.

It was such fun speaking at the Ideal Home Show that I got distracted lol! It was fantastic meeting lots of other wonderful designers and presenters. Thanks to all those who turned up and who chatted with me after my talks: it’s always great to meet other Healthy Home enthusiasts!

It’s Not Just About Where Your Food come from — It’s How It’s Packaged Too

So, let’s get stuck into what’s been dominating my thoughts this month!

As much as I try and promote a predominantly plant-based diet. I recognise that there are some of us for whom a vegan diet doesn’t work well for, myself included.

But, if you’re a meat eater, it’s no longer enough to simply think about where your meat is sourced from. We also have to consider how it’s transported and packaged. In the past few weeks, a concerning report came out about Whole Foods, revealing that a large number of microplastics had been found in their steak. It transpired that the contamination hadn’t come from the cow’s environment, but rather from the plastic used during the transportation and packaging process.

This is something we often overlook — assuming that if the animal was raised responsibly, that’s the end of the story. But the journey from abattoir to shelf matters just as much. It’s why I love supporting my local butcher on Northdown Road in Margate. They use only unbleached paper to wrap their meat. The animal doesn’t come into contact with plastic at any point. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference.

France bans (most) forever chemicals

On a more hopeful note, France just introduced a ban on a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which is a fantastic and much-needed step forward. The regulation comes into effect in 2026, and while it’s not perfect (they missed an opportunity to ban certain types of cookware after lobbying pressure), it’s a real sign of progress and a reminder of what’s possible when public health is put first.

In contrast, I also came across disturbing images recently of cows labelled as “grass-fed” being force-fed grass in confined, unnatural environments. This is a far cry from the image most of us have in mind of cows freely roaming in open green pastures. Labelling is one thing, but real transparency is something else entirely.

And let’s not forget – plastic packaging isn’t just a meat issue. It’s everywhere. I saw bananas individually wrapped in plastic the other day. Bananas! Already wrapped by nature in a perfectly good peel. It’s just one example of the needless plastic waste we encounter daily. It’s why I always encourage people to buy their fruit and vegetables loose whenever possible. It’s also why I support organic veg box schemes like Riverford Organics, which do a brilliant job of delivering high-quality produce with minimal plastic.

When it comes to storing food at home, the same rules apply — choose glass over plastic wherever you can. There’s growing concern over how much plastic we’re unknowingly consuming. Some studies suggest we’re ingesting the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic every week, and that number is only rising.

And it’s not just in our food. A study from as long ago as 2008 highlighted the impact of plastic in clothing on fertility. Researchers found that when they put polyester synthetic pants on dogs, their fertility rates dropped dramatically. There seems to be a worrying link between the huge drops in fertility we have seen over the last decade and when women started to live in yoga pants all day.

Rising Toxicity and the threat to Capitalism

In fact, I watched a video recently featuring an investor named Jeremy Grantham who shared a startling projection with the interviewer Nate Hagens : If we continue on our current toxic path, we may lose the ability to conceive naturally at all by 2050, due to a combination of falling testosterone levels and increasing exposure to harmful environmental chemicals.

He was drawing a distinct link between toxins and the fall of capitalism which was a bit of an eye-opener and the first time I have ever heard someone extend our toxicity crisis to our financial system….’The Toxicity crisis could cause the next economic crash’ .. he concludes.

All of this is a powerful reminder that our choices matter — from the food we buy and how it’s packaged, to the materials we wear and use in our homes. We are surrounded by synthetic materials and chemical exposure on a daily basis, often without realising it. But there are steps we can take, and awareness is the first one.

If you’re looking for some guidance on the changes you can make to minimise your exposure to these toxins on your home and lifestyle, Get in Touch!

Send me a message here Charlie Lemmer – WELL AP Faculty BA (Hons) or email me at hello@charlielemmer.com

Or

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The Healthy Home Show Podcast

Season 2 of The Healthy Home Podcast is almost drawing to a close but you can still get access to all the episodes we recorded with leading experts in Wellness Design, Healthy Homes and Sustainability last year.

Here are a selection of the Key Takeaways from a few of the Season 1 episodes but please go to the Apple or Spotify links of the show and you’ll find the entire catalogue.

Previously on The Healthy Home Show ….

• Katie Brumley , Organise to Thrive, Decluttering for a Healthier Home & Mind – Read the Key Takeaways

• Lars Tewes , Clean Living, Creating a Healthy Home Microbiome – Read the Key Takeaways

• Katherine Russell , Director of John Lewis BTR, Building Wellness into Rental Living –Read the Key Takeaways

• Jemima Hartshorn , Founder – Mums For Lungs Campaign, The Fight For Cleaner Air – Read the Key Takeaways

• Claire Davis and James Davis of The Midlife Mentors , Strategies for Midlife Mastery – Read the Key Takeaways

• Emma Hames, Director & Producer of the Documentary – Toxsick

• Frven LIM, Author of ‘Happier Architects’

My upcoming guests include:

• Marci Kenon, Toxins Educator Extraordinaire

• Joost Vogelaar , Aquatru Water Filters

Follow the Podcast on – Apple Podcasts

Follow here if you prefer – Spotify

Events

It’s not just the weather that is hotting but the events calendar too! Here is a quick rundown of the main events coming up over the next few months if you’re into Health, Interior Design and Non-Toxic Living!

Watercooler

This event focuses on Wellbeing and Health within the Workplace and runs on 7-8 May. I won’t be speaking at the event so I will be available for plenty of coffees! Let me know if you’re thinking of attending and lets connect!

Get Tickets

Clerkenwell Design Week

One of my favourite events of the year! It has such a fun line-up of free talks and workshops to attend and is a great opportunity to rub shoulders with other designers. The dates are 20th, 21st and 22nd May.… hope to see you there!

Get Tickets and See the Programme

UKREiiF

It’s a bit of a calendar clash for me as this event runs at the same time as Clerkenwell Design Week BUT if you’re more interested in the future of our housing and hearing from the developers and architects rather than designers, this is the event for you.

Get Tickets

The Journal of Biophilic Design

I had the honour of contributing to the 13th edition of the wonderful publication The Journal of Biophilic Design the other month. I am hoping the discount code still works for this month but its such a beautiful magazine, it’s really worth checking out!

For the CHILDHOOD issue I wrote a section entitled “Ensuring a Healthy Home Environment for Children to Thrive”

Check out the Journal here

10% discount code for 2025: 10SUBS

U.S. Toxins Summit

The date for the Toxins Summit has now been pushed back to September. I’m super excited to be taking part in this summit alongside toxin experts and legends such as Darin Olien and Robert Lustig . Learn how to Optimise your Health and Minimise your Exposure to Toxins that are everywhere in our Homes and Environment in this upcoming Summit with Marci Kenon . Stay Tuned for the event details which I we will be released shortly and tune in to my podcast episode with Marci NEXT WEEK that will be discussing the highlights of the summit , amongst other toxic topics!

Discount Codes

Everybody loves a bargain! here are some current discount codes for some of my favourite products that I use everyday to optimise my home and health..

Evolve Beauty– Beauty gifts are probably THE most popular gift at any time of year. I have mentioned how much I love EVOLVE, so many times, not just for the quality for their products but also for the thought that goes into their packaging and minimising waste as much as possible.

Go to their website

At the checkout use the code – THEHEALTHYHOMETEAM

Clean Living – if you listened to my recent podcast interview with Lars Tewes from Clean Living, you would no doubt be convinced by the wonders of Probiotic Cleaners and how they need only clean better but are so much better for our health and the environment. Its the future of cleaning so get your discount by booking through this link …

Go to their website – Clean Living

or by using the following code at Checkout

CHARLIELEMMERNEW5

EMF Protection UK – If you have followed my podcast or newsletter for a while, you will know I talk a lot about the concern that I feel we should all have around the increasing levels of technology in our day to day lives. BUT, its unlikely that anyone is dumping their mobile phone or laptop anytime soon. Therefore, its super important that we protect ourselves from the excessive radiation from wifi and other technology as much as possible.

Go to their Website

You can get a 10% DISCOUNT with the code – CHARLIE10

……………………………..

As we embark on this journey together, let’s embrace 2025 as the year we reclaim our health, reconnect with nature, and redesign our spaces to truly support the lives we want to live.

Here’s to a year filled with vibrant health, inspired living, and gorgeous, green spaces!

Thanks so much for your support in subscribing to this Newsletter. I wanted to celebrate reaching 500 subscribers in some social media posts last month but as we sailed passed that landmark already, I’ll celebrate it here! Thank you for subscribing!

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I want to make sure that I am covering topics that are of interest to you. So, if there is anything particular you would like to get more information on or any specific guest you would like to learn from on The Healthy Home Show, let me know via email at hello@charlielemmer.com.

Be WELL

Charlie x

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