I'm in a bit of a rush this week. It's late Monday afternoon and I need to get this out before Faye blows into town tonight. Currently she's a tropical storm, but she about to leave the Keys and go out over open water, where she could become a hurricane. So if you email me in the next few days and don't hear back from me, the power or internet is down. Last year "Going Green at School" was so popular, that I'm running it again this year, with a few additions for 2008. And because of the hurricane, I've linked to the series I wrote a few years ago about preparing for natural "disasters." And, of course, everyone's favorite...the Green Living Q&A blog. Debra :-) HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #148 ~ 19 August 2008 * GOING GREEN AT SCHOOL If the links don't work on this newsletter, you can view it online at http://www.dld123.com/newsletter/newsletterupdateback.html Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues (tables of contents)
Read more about Really Green and order... Order both books and save $4.00 on shipping
GOING GREEN AT SCHOOL Here are some links I've gathered, from my websites and others, on topics related to back to school. GREEN SCHOOL RESOURCES ORGANIC SCHOOL LUNCH BOOK BAGS AND BACKPACKS
RECYCLED SCHOOL SUPPLIES * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AT HOME WITH DEBRA: How I am Preparing for Natural Phenomena Living here in Florida for the past six years, I've had the opportunity to see firsthand the devastation of hurricanes. A few years ago, I decided to research and be prepared for destructive natural phenomena. To me, preparing for such occurances has everything to do with protecting our health and the environment. In Part 1, I tell how I think about natural disasters in the context of all nature, and in Parts 2 and 3, I outline the practical things I am doing to protect my life, health, and valuable property, as well as ensure I will be able to rebuild my life and work should a destructive event occur in my area. Even if you don't have hurricanes, every region has some destructive force of nature, and it's best to be prepared Part 1 - Reconsidering "Disaster"... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG Here are the questions and new comments posted through last night. Remember, you are welcome to share your own comments and experience in response to any of these questions, and post questions of your own. To read and comment on more questions posted previously go to Green Living Q&A blog.
Healthy Air Filter for Holmes Window Fan I have a new dilemma :). Non-toxic ice chest Hi Debra, I have MCS. We live in Louisiana and we plan on going on a vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama or Orange Beach, Alabama in September. I don't know if I can handle just any kind of Ice chest. Could you recommend something that we could use that want outgas that we could put things in to keep cold, whether it be fruit or water? Ridding house of plug in air freshener odor I'm moving into the house of a friend. The house has hardwood floors and is basically chemical free. However, someone who just moved out used plug in air fresheners in her bedroom for over 2 years. The odor is permeating the house. Would cleaning the a/c ducts help? Does anyone have any other suggestions for removing the chemicals and the odor still in the air? Can it penetrate the wood floors and the walls? damp rid -- healthy or not? I live in the Gulf Coast area and use the Damp Rid product in all of my closets in my home. Is it safe and if not is there a natural mold inhibitor that I can put out in the containers to replace that product? Thanks Natural Choices Oxy products Debra, Are you familiar with "home safe products" by Natural Choices? They advertise their products are "proven to be safe for sufferers of allergies, asthma and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)." What do you think about their Oxy-boost oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate) and detergent (The ingredients for Oxy-prime powdered detergent are listed as sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, anionic and non-ionic surfactants.)? I need something with stronger cleaning power than soapnuts since we live and work on a farm. How do I eat a GMO-free diet? Hi Debra, Organic Soy-based Memory Foam Starting kittens off Green! Hello! Cleaning an ice machine I have a Kitchen Aid built in ice machine. Apparently, special ice machine cleaner is required to properly clean the machine. I was wondering if anyone had tried vinegar, baking soda, or something more natural to clean an ice maker. Unlisted ingredients in laundry detergents, scented oil air fresheners, etc I recently read an article that I believe the Washington Post ran concerning a study on products that frequently make people sick. I know I used to feel ill walking down a grocery store aisle where laundry products are stored - or when walking past a mobile home where laundry was being done with the frangrances from detergents and etc being exhausted to the outside - my mom gets extremely ill from the electrical scented oil air fresheners ---- Food Dehydrator Hi Debra, I just love your site. I have been looking into buying a dehydrator and I realized that the Excalibur the one we are thinking about is made of polycarbonate material. So would that make this a bad choice, the whole thing is made of this. Thanks, Marsha Safe Dry Erase Markers for School My daughter is highly chemical sensitive and cannot be around even low odor dry erase markers. (at least none that I've found locally) I need to find some that will work because her classroom has NO CHALKBOARD! Any suggestions for markers with no odor? (PS, we tried the wipe off crayons and they don't er...wipe off) Thanks so much!!! School started today, so any replies will be much appreciated. safe bug bomb ? I had some old pasta in my "pantry" and discovered they 'released' these bugs. I threw out all the pasta and emptied my pantry and checked all the boxes for signs of infestation. I found an old box of bread crumbs with holes in it and threw it out as well. I put everything back after I wiped boxes, cans & shelves with soapy water. Chlorine-Free Pool I'm trying to obtain a non toxic, chlorine-free pool... I now use very little chlorine, borates,and acid for PH adjustment.. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CLASSIFIED ADS to place a classified ad in this newsletter... FIRECRYSTALS® IMPROVES AIR QUALITY COMPARED TO BURNING WOOD IN FIREPLACES AND FIRE PITS. FireCrystals® are a glass replacement for gas logs or wood in natural gas fireplaces and fire pits. FireCrystals® improves air quality because they are heated, they do not burn or release soot or ash to the environment. www.firecrystals.com REUSABLE BAGS. Eliminate disposable plastic bags and bottles from your life. Bags of all shapes and sizes are made from cotton, organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials. Shopping bags, tote bags, and everything you need to pack a lunch. Reusable produce bags really keep organic food fresh. Reusable aluminum drink bottles. www.ReusableBags.com
SOAPSTONE COOKWARE IS NATURALLY NONSTICK. Natural stone cookware is beautiful, warms food quickly over low heat, is bacteria-resistant and naturally non-stick, and is so durable it can be handed down for several generations. Food tastes better cooked in soapstone. www.greenfeet.com FIX WHOLE, ORGANIC FOODS FAST IN A VITAMIX. Whole food vegetable and fruit juices, creamy soups, frozen treats, whole grain breads, fresh nut butters and more are yours in minutes, made from your own organic ingredients. www.vitamix.com GIVE YOUR BODY THE NATURAL SALT IT NEEDS. Revive your energy with natural living salt. Contains 84 minerals essential to human life. Hand-mined to retain original primordial vibration pattern. Delicious taste makes food "come alive". A life-giving, natural, whole food. Email info@himalayanlivingsalt.com for free sample. www.himalayanlivingsalt.com SUSTAINABILY-HARVESTED WILD SALMON and other wild fish from the pristine waters of Alaska. Flash frozen, smoked, sausage and burgers, cans and pouches, salmon caviar. www.vitalchoice.com CALL FOR A HEALTHY BED CONSULTATION. 100% wool-filled and wool-encased mattress of heirloom quality, placed on a slatted wood frame for optimal airflow. Our wool fill comes from the EcoDomestic Wool Project and Woolgatherer Carding Mill in Montague, California, home of our production company. Available in U.S. and Canada. www.shepherdsdream.com SOLUTIONS FOR FLUORIDE HAZARD! Custom made water filters. Removes fluoride, arsenic, chlorine and chloramines without taking out the good minerals that make water wholesome. Whole house systems, under the counter systems, and 100% chlorine-free pool and spa system. Medical grade alkaline water unit. Natural Plus Plus LLC 727-447-2344 www.gobeyondorganic.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
|  The new, revised, edition of Home Safe Home is now available in bookstores nationwide. Home Safe Home tells what toxic chemicals are generally found in specific household products of all types, and safe solutions you can buy or make at home. It's different from other books on toxic chemicals because the focus really is what you can do to protect yourself and your family and create a healthy home. I bring over twenty years of research and personal real-life experience to this book. * 10 Simple, Inexpensive Things You Can Do To Reduce Household Toxics * How Toxic is Your Home? Quiz (excerpt from the book) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Debra's List ~ 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural & earthwise products
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: debra@dld123.com web: http://dld123.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Buy Home Safe Home and Really Green Together and Save $4.00 
I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and personally with a