Dear Debra, Only two more days til the Autumn Equinox--when the length of day and night are equal--but it already feels like autumn even here in Florida. Well, here that means it's 85 degrees during the day instead of 95 degrees, but there's a little breeze carrying falling leaves... Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT ~ 20 September 2005
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AT HOME WITH DEBRA: How I am Preparing for Natural Phenomena (Part 1) After witnessing the tragic devastation that resulted from hurricane Katrina, and the trials people are going through to recover their lives and property, I decided to tell you what I am doing personally to prepare for the occurance of destructive natural phenomena. To me, preparing for such occurances has everything to do with protecting our health and the environment. Every day, the news has been filled with loss of life, illnesses expected from polluted flood waters, and the environmental effects of re-routing those flood waters. And the enormous rebuilding of three states will have a tremendous impact on environmental resources. With some preparation, the hurricane would have occurred, but the devastation might not have been so great. Today, in Part 1, I'll tell you how I think about natural disasters in the context of all nature, and in the next issue, I'll 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. Read about how I am preparing for natural phenomena...
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TAKE ACTION NOW: Protect Organic Standards - Support Fluoride Moratorium Two important issues crossed my desk this week that need our support. Protect Organic Standards The Organic Trade Association and some major food processors are asking Congress to change the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) to allow some synthetic substances in products labeled "organic" and weaken organic dairy standards. They are doing this quietly through and Organic Rider on a Senate Appropriations Bill. Please tell your Senators to vote NO, to maintain our current federal organic standards. The Center for Food Safety has made it easy to contact your Senators via phone or email. Go to http:// ga3.org/campaign/organic_standards to make your voice heard. Go now, as they may be voting today. Support Fluoride Moratorium Citing a series of new studies directly connecting fluoride to cancer, over 7000 environmental and public health professionals who work for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have called for a moratorium on drinking water fluoridation programs across the country. The group, made up predominantly of EPA scientists, has sent letters to key Congressional committees and the EPA Secretary, calling for the EPA to classify fluoride as a human carcinogen. The National Academy of Sciences has been instructed to review relevant studies and report to Congress and the EPA on the topic in early 2006. The group Protect Our Water Alliance is asking citizens to add their support to this action by signing a petition. For more information, read Why Fluoride Should Not Be In Our Water.
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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. GreenSage has a wide variety of energy efficient, non-toxic, recycled, reclaimed, naturally resourced and biodegradable items for your whole household, including interior decorating and building products. The founder started GreenSage after personal experience with MCS. Tall Grass Farm makes mohair and wool blankets from their own pampered goats. Babybearshop sells only two products--cheeky baby butter and mama belly oil--made with natural ingredients, "organic and fairly traded whenever possible." Seventh Generation is known for their nontoxic cleaning products (sold in most natural food stores) and their website has a free, 51- page Guide to a Toxin- Free Home, an easy-to-read introduction to toxic chemicals in the home (of course, my book Home Safe Home is on their list of recommended reading, "This book is great!").
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DEBRA'S BOOKSTORE: What I'm Reading
French Women Don't Get Fat: This book is more about how we eat, rather than what we eat. Gourmet author Mireille Guiliano, a French woman and herself, contrasts how Americans and the French think about food and have different styles of eating. With wit and style, she reveals the secrets of eating she learned as a young French woman, which have helped her keep her figure while still enjoying all the pleasures of the table. Order French Women Don't Get Fat through Debra's Bookstore...
Why David Hated Tuesdays: My friend Amilya Antonetti wrote this book after her son was made ill by exposure to toxic chemicals in her home (she also founded a company--Soapworks--that makes kid- safe cleaning products). Because Amilya brings her own perspective as a mom, this is a great book to give to a friend who is a mother as an introduction to the subject of household toxics. Every parent will relate to Ameliya's compelling story. Order Why David hated Tuesdays 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 my treats made without refined white sugar--they are delicious!
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HOW I SAVED $2000 IN ONE DAY BY RECYCLING My husband and I wanted to get an above-ground pool (more about that to come in another issue), but were hesitant to buy one with a new vinyl liner. So he looked in our little local classified ads paper and found one just the size we wanted for only $300 (retail price new $2000) He called and the woman said she had just broken the pump, so she would give it to us FREE if we wanted to come take it away! A broken pump is nothing to my fix-it husband, so we raced right over, dismanteled it, and brought it home. I'm watching him out the window right now, happily reconstructing it in our backyard. We saved $2000 and the vinyl liner is all outgassed too...
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Q & A: Effective Dishwasher Detergents In the last issue I ran this question: Dear Debra ~ I received many responses with brands people were happy with, plus a surprising response that may explain why this reader was so dissatisfied with all the brands she tried.
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Q & A: More on Wood Conditioner for Cutting Boards and Bowls In a previous issue, I answered a question about Wood Conditioner for Cutting Boards and Bowls. A wood turner who uses wood finishes every day on her beautiful wood salad bowls sent me series of emails with her comments and concerns. They are very interesting and include a recipe for making your own wood finish, and her own recommendation for a natural product that she loves. Read Clarissa's comments...(you'll need to scroll down the page to get to them)
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Q & A: Safe Silver Polish Dear Debra ~ Like an idiot - YES, an idiot - I used some commercial silver cleaner last week that has got my lungs in a horrible mess... This really confirms to me that this stuff is serious.... J. P.
K. S.
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Q & A: Microfibers, vinyl, and pet- friendly materials Dear Debra ~ All I hear anymore is how wonderful microfiber couches are. Can you please tell me if microfiber is toxic though? Is the actual fiber toxic or perhaps treated w/ toxic chemicals? I mean how else can it work so well?! I am also curious about whether leather alternatives would be toxic. I assume they are made out of some kind of plastic or vinyl and thus would be, but I would bet you would know more. I am a vegan and won't use animal products, but I need a really, really pet-friendly material for my furniture. I know LaZboy furniture offers a synthetic leather material but do not know what it is made of...
J. O.
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Q & A: Fels Naptha Soap Dear Debra ~
I've seen many recipes for cleaning items using Fels Naptha soap. Do you have any idea of whether this has toxic ingredients? Z. X.
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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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