After the big tornado here in the Florida was in the news this week, I received some emails from readers asking if we were OK. We're fine. The storm just missed us. We got some heavy rain and wind, but no damage at all. Today we have some interesting and unusual items...a laundry soap that is as natural as you can get, the inside info on organic cotton, more sources of bamboo clothing and fabrics, resources and tips for finding a holistic dentist, and more. And we've got more questions and answers, of course, from the Green Living Q&A blog. I also want to let you know that you can speak with me in person FREE and listen to me live during a teleseminar on Tuesday, February 13, sponsored by Seaside Naturals. For more information, visit their website at http://www.seasidenaturals.com/teleconference.html. Space is limited to 99 callers, so call in early. Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #70 ~ 6 February 2007 * SOAPNUTS 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 Issue (tables of contents) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SOAPNUTS I almost couldn't believe these when I saw them--completely unprocessed nuts that release natural soap when the shell comes in contact with water. They are grown in Nepal and India and used by people all over the world. This wasn't an entirely foreign concept to me because where I grew up in Northern California we had the soaproot plant, whose roots contained a soapy substance we could wash our hands with. I ordered some to try them out. You just drop a few nuts in a small cotton bag and place it in the washer with your items to be washed. Everything came out clean and soft. No fragrance, no residues. After several loads of wash (I got three loads from mine), you can just toss the remaining shells in the compost pile. Not the chepest laundry soap, but not expensive either--about $1.00 a load. You can order Soapnuts from Bella Dogga. They sell them to launder the organic dog beds they make, but as I found, they work just fine for human laundry too. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DEBRA'S LIST Here are some websites I added to Debra's List this week. The Art and Creative Materials Institute is the leading authority on the safety of art and creative materials. They have evaluated and certified over 60,000 art and creative material formulations for children and adults (since 1940!) and have an online database of those they have found to be nontoxic. Two websites carry textiles made from bamboo. Shirts of Bamboo carries lots of shirts in many different colors and styles made from a blend of bamboo and organic cotton and bath towels and robes made of the same fibers. The Bamboo Fabric Store has a variety of bamboo fabrics sold by the yard. Choose from various weaves made from 100% bamboo, bamboo/organic cotton blend, or a bamboo/cotton/recycled polyester blend. Super Salve Natural Body Care Products sells balms, salves, lotions, creams, facial care, and prenatal and baby products are made using only 100% natural ingredients "to heal and rejuvenate the skin and help keep it looking and feeling beautiful". No synthetic fragrances are used in any of their products. Affordable Internet Services Online powers their office and data center with 120 real solar panels, not green energy certificates. Very affordable prices, too. Local Harvest: Organic Restaurants offers a comprehensive list of restaurants across America that cook with organic food , searchable by state or zip code. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG Here are the questions and new comments posted through yesterday. 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.
* Deodorant for Teenage Son? has lots of suggestions for natural deodorants * Teflon on George Forman Grills? has more ways to fry eggs without a nonstick pan * Fragrance-free hairspray Organic Cotton is NOT the Same as Organic Food With more and more organic cotton products now available at lower prices in mass market stores, there have been some questions about how organic these cotton products are. It's easy to make the assumption that organic cotton is held to the same standards as organic food, but it's not. As a textile designer working with organic cotton I want to tell you about the current state of organic cotton standards in the industry. HARMONY Outgassing Chairs Hi Debra, KAREN Finally a Safe Sippy Cup I am so excited to have found a non-leaching, safe sippy cup made by Klean Kanteen, the stainless steel alternative to plastic. soapstone cookware Dear Debra, ARIEN Resources for Finding a Holistic Dentist If you are looking for a holistic dentist, you can contact the following associations to find a holistic/biological dentist in your area... Moss removal? Can you suggest a safe-for-the-environment product or method to remove moss from a rooftop? Thanks. JEANNE Stains on sink Does anyone have a trick for getting a porcelain sink white? DENISE ARIAS Make your own cardboard far infrared sauna I want a sauna. Those poplar and glass far infrared units are ideal but at $2,800---yikes. So how to sweat and get far infrared? LINDA TERZICH what are some natural emulsifiers for cleaning products Hello, MARTINA Cookie sheets I was inspired by your recent question regarding waffle irons. What about cookie sheets. All the ones that I can find are always non-stick. Is that what you should be avoiding? Where can you find a safe kind? FRANCESCA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CLASSIFIED ADS LAST MINUTE VALENTINE GIFT--FRESH ORGANIC FLOWERS. Dutch tulips, blue iris, the world's tallest roses, and more. www.organicbouquet.com WE'VE GOT GREEN GIFTS FOR YOUR VALENTINE. Gifts for home, body, kitchen, and bedroom--each tested, used, and loved by staff. www.greenfeet.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 DEBRA'S GUIDE TO CHOOSING NATURAL SUN PROTECTION. Instant download e-book by Debra Lynn Dadd tells how you can enjoy the health benefits of sunshine in balance with natural methods of protection when necessary. Order now. DEBRA'S GUIDE TO CHOOSING A NATURAL BED. Instant download e-book by Debra Lynn Dadd covers the types of natural mattresses that are available, all about the materials, natural bedding, the history of natural beds. Order now.
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|  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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and personally with a