Dear Debra, I wrote this newsletter almost two weeks ago and then left for a week's vacation--a road trip up the East Coast. The first morning away we woke up to the news the Katrina had slammed into the Gulf Coast, causing a disaster of major proportions--including damaging the oil rigs and refineries that provide 45 percent of our oil. Gas prices jumped and the tv news talked of long lines at the gas stations and shortages. And we were hundreds of miles from home. We continued our journey because it was also a business trip, and fortunately were able to purchase enough gas to get home, but it cost more than $100 more than we had planned to spend. Before I left, I had already written my "At Home" article about how I save energy (a premonition, perhaps?). When we returned last night, I added an "About" article to my website with tips on how you can increase the fuel efficiency of your car and save gasoline and money. The availablity and cost of energy for everything will continue to be an issue in the months ahead for all of us. I'll have more on this in future issues of this newsletter, along with all the usual features. Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT ~ 6 September 2005
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AT HOME WITH DEBRA: How I Save Energy One of the benefits of writing this "At Home With Debra" series is that I get to take a good look at exactly what I am doing in all these different areas of my life. It's a good thing to do periodically, because at any given time each of us take the actions we do based on our awareness of what we could do at the time, and our willingness and motivation to actually do it. Looking at my energy usage this past week was an eye-opener! Obviously my awareness has extended beyond my actions. Which is good, but now I have more to improve. Read about what I'm doing (and am going to do) to save energy...
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DEBRA'S LIST: new website links Here are just a few of the website links I added to Debra's List in the last two weeks. The Mary Cordaro Collection of beds and bedding was created, of course, by Mary Cordaro herself, after 15 years as a healthy home consultant and Certified Bau-Biologist. Meets "Bau- Biologie criteria for truly healthy products." Recommended by one of my readers with MCS, Real Purity makes full line of all-natural hair, skin, body care, and cosmetic products. Formulated and produced by a woman with an extensive background as a nurse, healer, holistic and herbal practitioner, all formulas are derived from certified organic and wild crafted herbs with safe organic earth ingredients. Another website with skincare products pure enough for those with MCS is Elysian Dream. Their handmade collection includes solid and liquid castile soaps made with organic olive oil. Many are fragrance-free. The same woman makes a full line of all- natural cleaning products, available both fregrance-free or scented with organic essential oils and sells them on her Vanessa's Gift website. Only Natural Pet Store is a complete natural resource for dogs and cats.
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DEBRA'S BOOKSTORE: What I'm Watching
This is a interesting film. After her parents install vinyl siding on their house, a woman sets out on a quest to find out the truth about the manufacture and health effects of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It's a thought-provoking look at a single chemical that gives us a glimpse of the entire chemical industry and its effects on health and the environment, presented as first-rate entertainment. Order Blue Vinyl DVD through Debra's Bookstore...
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SWEET SAVVY: New Recipes Here are the new recipes made with natural sweeteners that I've recently added to the Sweet Savvy recipe database:
Try some of my treats made without refined white sugar.
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Q & A: Looking For an Effective Dishwasher Detergent Dear Debra ~ We switched to a "healthier" automatic dishwasher detergent a couple of years ago, and have tried at least 4 different brands. We are quite dissatisfied with their performance. Our dishes have a white film on them; the stainless does too. I'm about to switch back to Cascade. Any ideas? C. L. T. READERS--I can't speak from personal experience on this because I don't have an automatic dishwasher--my husband does the dishes (and I cook, so it's fair...). So if you have found a dishwasher detergent that you like, please send me an email with the name and website URL, and I will post it in the next issue. Thanks!
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Q & A: Water-based Deck Finish Dear Debra ~ What do you recommend for a water-based deck finish?
P.S.
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Q & A: Where Can I Find a Gaussmeter? Dear Debra ~ I have recently stumbled upon your website and find it very informative. It is good to know that there are people like yourself who have made a conscious life change and choose to live toxin free, while trying to safe the environment. As a result of all the "nay sayers," it's not easy being different. Question: Where can I find a gaussmeter and is the Dr. Gausss the best type to use to check for EMF in my bedroom? Thanks for your reply. J.
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Q & A: Stainless Steel Cleaner Dear Debra ~ How can I clean stainless steel without toxic chemcials?
P.S.
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If you have a question of general interest, I am happy to answer free it in this newsletter and post it on my website for others to benefit from. If you have a question you would like to submit, please send me an email to debra@dld123.com with your question. It may take two to four weeks or longer for your question to appear in the newsletter. Usually I send an immediate quick answer to email questions, but then give a more detailed answer in the newsletter. All of the questions and answers, include those in the current issue, can be accessed through the Q&A index page at http://dld123.com/q&a/index.php. I also am available to answer your questions immediately and personally with a paid telephone consultation.
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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)
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Debra's List
~
100s of links
to 1000s of nontoxic, natural & earthwise
products
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