I had a great trip to California--I learned a lot that I will be sharing with you over the next few issues. Today I'm going to focus on my visit to Natural Products Expo West and what I learned there about the natural products industry. In coming issues I'll tell you about my visit to Mary Cordaro's Bau-biologie house, my stroll through San Francisco's organic food extravaganza, what I learned about cooling my house naturally and more. And Larry is hard at work on our green bathroom remodel, so that will be coming up too... Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #41 ~ 4 April 2006
* AT HOME WITH DEBRA: My Visit to Natural Products Expo West Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues
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AT HOME WITH DEBRA: My Visit to Natural Products Expo West On March 23, I had the honor of speaking at the Natural Products Expo West, the yearly convention attended by natural product manufacturers, retailers, and publications to find out what's new and happening. I led a panel discussion called "Toxic Exposure: Keys to a Safe Home." At the last minute, my panelists changed, and they turned out to be eco-minded Hollywood stars Ed Begley Jr and Daryl Hannah, and the President of the Environmental Media Association Debbie Levin. The following day I cruised around the Expo, looking for new products. Read about My Visit to Natural Products Expo West...
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SPRING CLEANING It's that time of year again--when warmer days entice us to open windows and clean away all the dust and grime of winter. Here are some links to cleaning resources on my websites: * Spring Cleaning -- The Natural Way is a short article that describes the steps of this springtime ritual * At Home With Debra: How I Clean My House tells the products and methods I personally use * Debra's List Cleaning Page contains links to nontoxic, natural and earthwise cleaning products, including some new ones from Natural Products Expo West * Debra's Bookstore Cleaning Page has books on making your own cleaning products. Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe & Health Non-Toxic Cleaning gives an insider's view of cleaning products from one of the first natural cleaning product companies. Learn the details of what's really in cleaning products and how to choose the safest brands.
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ALERT! States May Lose Food Safety Laws On March 8, the House of Representatives passed a controversial "national food uniformity" labeling law that would take away the power of local and state governments to require food safety food labels on foods or beverages that are likely to cause cancer, birth defects, allergic reactions, or mercury poisoning. This bill would also prevent citizens in local municipalities and states from passing laws requiring that genetically engineered foods and ingredients such as Monsanto's recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) be labeled. The Senate will soon be voting on this bill which would eliminate over 200 state food safety and labeling laws. What you can do to protect food safety laws...
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MORE ON LESS-TOXIC HOTEL ROOMS When I went to speak at the Natural Products Expo West, they booked a room for me at the local Hyatt hotel. I was pleased to find that the entire Hyatt chain has initiatives for environmental action, which includes the use of "environmentally sensitive cleaning products"! In fact, my room did not smell of toxic cleaners, and I was so relieved that on the way home I booked a room in a Hyatt myself, which was similarly comfortable. More about Hyatt hotels... Several readers also sent comments about hotel rooms, which I have compiled. If you want to contribute your experiences with good hotel rooms, please do. Read reader comments on hotel rooms...
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MONEY-SAVING TIPS: Natural Fiber Clothing at a Discount My husband Larry just lost about thirty pounds over the last six months, so before our trip to California we needed to buy him some new clothes. So we headed to our nearby discount outlet stores to go shopping. At Ross Dress for Less we found cotton shirts and pants at a fraction of department store prices. Though they weren't organically grown, they were "recycled" in a sense, for clothing in these stores have been discarded from the normal channels of commerce and are on their way to the landfill. When we first moved from California to Florida, I had to purchase an entire new wardrobe, since the weather is so much warmer here. At TJ Maxx, I was able to find beautiful linen blouses for $10-$20 apiece. I used to think such stores would be filled with cheap polyester clothing. But I've found a lot of great bargains made from natural fibers.
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WISDOM OF LIFE Did you know that Daylight Saving Time helps save energy? Read more about the pros and cons of changing our clocks in my essay Daylight Saving Time. With Easter less than two weeks away, it's time to start thinking about coloring eggs. Why not try natural dyes this year? Read more about this tradition and how to use natural foodstuffs for color in Easter Eggs. The other night my husband found a wonderful documentary on PBS about a nun who is advocating preserving traditional cheesemaking to preserve micro-organism biodiversity. Read more about why this is important at The Cheese Nun.
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SWEET SAVVY: Here are the new recipes I added to my Sweet Savvy natural sweetener recipe database. * Light and puffy Grand Marnier Souffle (made with fruit-sweetened orange marmalade) and Chocolate Souffle (made with xylitol) * Lemon Bars (made with vegetable glycerin) * Cheese Blintzes, a yummy treat for Easter brunch (which you can make with almost any sweetener) * Debra's Chocolate Cloud (a very low-carb dessert made with stevia)
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Q & A: Sealing Toxic Particleboard Furniture I have a crazy situation. I put a $500.00 deposit down on some furniture I love, but found out it's wood veneer over fiber-board. I've been agonizing for a week whether to have it delivered or if I should lose my deposit, or at least some of it. My chiropractor muscle-tested me weak on formaldahyde, so it wouldn't be a great thing, but it was on sale for a really good price, it looks great, it's what I need, but I don't want to get sick and I don't want to feel hypocritical. I found this stuff called Safe Coat which is supposed to stop most of the out-gassing but my friend says it will just slow it. Do you have any advice?
P. N.
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Q & A: Green Bathtubs I am looking for an airjet tub that would be safe. One company [name deleted] said that their urethane tubs are the only green product around. My HVAC guy says that 100% acrylic tubs are inert. However, as far as I can see, the acrylic tubs have a fiberglass and resin shell which is where the problem mostly lies. Any info? Also, do you know how to construct a tiled bathtub where the bathtub itself is made of tile?
C. H.
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Q & A: "Natural" Ingredients That Aren't Really Natural Can you tell me about Sodium Laureth Sulfate? I know labels often say it is "derived from coconut"ębut is it really a natural ingredient? J. P.
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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, including 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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CLASSIFIED ADS OFFSET YOUR CAR'S CARBON EMISSIONS. Our clean energy projects produce offsets that reduce the carbon dioxide emissions to the air--a key cause of global warming. You can help fight climate change by purchasing offsets for your car. Our offsets are very affordable: from $21.95 to $74.95. www.DriveGreener.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 info@gobeyondorganic.com CANTEEN FOR KIDS TO CARRY CLEAN WATER. Reusable, lightweight, stainless steel water bottle that does not leach toxins into its contents like plastic water bottles do. Compact size fits most lunchboxes and is easy for kids to handle. Bottle your own home-filtered water and keep plastic bottles out of landfills. Kid's Klean Kanteen. www.greenfeet.com DEBRA'S GUIDE TO CHOOSING A NATURAL BED. Ebook by Debra Lynn Dadd covers the types of natural beds that are available, all about the materials, natural bedding, the history of natural beds, and a description of the author's own natural bed. Order now. DOES YOUR BODY CRAVE SALT? GIVE IT WHAT 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 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
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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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email:
debra@dld123.com
web:
http://dld123.com
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