My husband just called me outside, excited that some flower seeds we had just planted on Saturday are already sprouting! It's so much fun to have a garden and watch living plants grow. This is one of those days where there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that former Vice President Al Gore wants us to take a good hard look at the scientific data regarding global warming so we can understand there is a crisis and environmental groups are questioning the safety of the rapid expansion of the use of nanotechnology (if you're wondering what that is, see below...). The good news is there are things we can do to reverse global warming, we can choose products that don't use nanotechnology, bamboo bed sheets are on sale at Target, there's more on affordable dishware and green detergent, and you can come take a stroll through my organic kitchen garden...and more...
Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #45 ~ 30 May 2006
* AT HOME WITH DEBRA: My Kitchen Garden
Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues
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AT HOME WITH DEBRA: My Kitchen Garden A kitchen garden is a small. managable plot of land in which one grows herbs and produce for the kitchen. Organic gardening can be a daunting subject to learn, but we're having great success with some very simple methods. Take a stroll through my kitchen garden (with photos)...
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AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: It's Time to Do Something About Global Warming
Former Vice President Al Gore says that it's time for us to pay attention and make the changes necessary to avert global warming. If we don't, he warns, we could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced. "An Inconvenient Truth" is a new book and a new documentary film about Mr. Gore's crusade to educate us all about the science of global warming and what we can do to stop it. I haven't seen the film yet (it hasn't arrived here in Florida), but I did pick up a copy of the book the other day (it was just released last week). It is very easy to read, with large print, graphs, and photos, the story told by Mr. Gore himself in a very personal way. At the end there is a great list of all the things we can do to reverse global warming (or take a look at the "Take Action" section of the website). One step is to become "carbon neutral"--reduce or eliminate our personal carbon dioxide emissions. A way to do that is to purchase green energy certificates, which offsets your carbon dioxide production with clean renewable energy. I've been doing this for over a year, and encourage you to do it, too. Order the book An Inconvenient Truth... Learn about the film and what you can do to "Take Action"... Purchase green energy certificates on Debra's List...
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NANOTECHNOLOGY: ANOTHER REASON TO NOT WEAR SUNSCREEN Nanotechnologies make use of extremely small particles of matter. A "nano" is a billionth, so a nanometer is a billionth of a meter. A human hair, for example, is 80,000 nanometers in diameter. Nano-particles are being used now in all kinds of products, including body care products. Specifically in sunscreens, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are being "nano-ized" to extremely small particles that can pass through the skin more easily than the larger particles used in sunscreens in the past. A couple of weeks ago eight environmental groups--including Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace--filed a petition with the FDA asking them specifically to strengthen its regulation of sunscreens that contain nono-sized particles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The petition states that particles of that size pose health and environmental risks, including possible inflammatory and immune responses in the human body. read more about nanotechnologies...
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BAMBOO BED SHEETS ON SALE AT TARGET Thanks to a reader, I can pass along to you that Target, yes, Target the megaretailer, has bed sheets made from 60% bamboo and 40% cotton! They are silky smooth, easy care, pretty solid colors (and a print online), and come in a matching drawstring bag with minimal packaging. They had them at my local SuperTarget, but if you don't have a Target nearby or your local store is sold out, you can also order them online for a limited time. They are on Clearance, so these are probably the last of them. Go to www.target.com and enter "bamboo sheet" in the search box. Then click on "13 matches for bamboo sheet". If you miss these sheets at Target, you can also purchase them online at www.amazon.com
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MONEY-SAVING TIPS: More on Affordable Green Laundry Detergent and More Inexpensive Dishware In the last issue I ran an email from a reader who was looking for affordable eco-friendly laundry detergent. I received a number of suggestions from other readers in response. Read more about affordable green laundry detergent... I also came across another website with inexpensive clear glass dishware: CB2, a new Crate & Barrel spinoff for the younger set. Their "time dinnerware" is simple, dishwasher safe, won a Japanese design award, and the pieces range from $1.95 to $3.95.
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DEBRA'S LIST: New links Here are just some of the links I recently added to Debra's List. Earth Creations Clothing makes natural fiber clothing for men and women dyed with red clay mud (and other colors using low-impact dyes). These beautiful earth tones are completely natural... Flopping Fish Productions make beautiful switch plates from copper or stainless steel. Graceful designs inspired by nature and classic forms are hand etched into the metal... Anew International sells a natural nail care kit that protects nails from chipping and peeling and heals cracked cuticles while giving your nails a long-lasting natural shine... Importica sells paper gift wrap handmade from mulberry tree bark in Thailand. The bark is harvested once a year, stimulating tree growth in the process. See their website for photos and description of the papermaking process...
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DEBRA'S BOOKSTORE: Organic gardening I amended the garden section in Debra's Bookstore with three of my favorite organic gardening books. Trowel & Error: Over 700 Shortcuts, Tips & Remedies for the Gardener is filled with the kind of gardening tips that only come from a lifetime of experience. Simple to read, with watercolor illustrations on every page, this book is both a wonderful introduction to organic gardening for a new gardener and has something new for experienced gardeners as well. Good Bugs for Your Garden is one of my favorite garden books because it shows that not all bugs are bad! From this book I learned to recognize which insects in my garden are beneficial and how to encourage them. Square Foot Gardening is a method of gardening that cultivates one square foot at a time. This book is extremely popular among organic gardeners because it's so easy and it works. When I started my first organic garden, a veteran gardener handed me this book to get me started. This method makes a food production garden of any size easy to design and maintain.
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Q & A: Fragrance-free hairspray?
Dear Readers, I received an email from a woman with MCS who needs to use hairspray and her favorite brand she has been using has been discontinued. I myself don't use hairspray, so I have no personal experience. If you use unscented hairspray, please email me and tell me what you recommend, and I'll post the responses in the next issue. Thank you!
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Q & A: Method cleaning products? IÕm wondering if you have done any research into MethodÕs line of cleaning products? www.methodhome.com I saw a link to your website while reading a Yoga Journal article and thought I would ask. I have been using these products for over a year because I hate the chemical cleaners that choke you when cleaning and I find this brand to be very effective, inexpensive, and much more pleasant to use. They claim to be naturally derived and biodegradable. They use essential oils in the products and all of the containers are made with 1 or 2 plastic bottles, so they are readily recyclable in most areas. S. Z.
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Q & A: Pesticide residues in fabrics I have all three of your books, and thoroughly enjoy your newsletters! Thank you for all you do, and for sharing it all with us out here! I am very committed to a healthy environment--organic beds, bedding, carpet, foods--just about everything. I spend a lot of money for it. However, for my clothing, I do purchase natural fiber cotton, linen, and silk clothing, but I don't buy it organically. And there is my dilemma. I am aware of all the pesticide use on growing cotton, but does that residue REALLY end up transferring to our bodies when we wear it as clothing? Has any conclusive study or proof of this been made? I understand the need to pre-wash new clothing of the residues from sizing and any other "new" fabric treatments before wearing (I wash my clothes with Whole Foods brand laundry detergent along with baking soda, and use vinegar in the rinse cycle), and appreciated your advice on avoiding non-wrinkle, stain-resistant clothing (which I now do--thanks!), but haven't completely resolved this organic cotton clothing issue. I ordered some swatches of organic fabrics to purchase to sew (I used to sew all my clothes) and may consider that. The prices of the fabric are very reasonable. But then I just wonder: is it really a valid concern????
P. G.
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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 BABY, OH BABY! Save 20% on all organic cotton & bamboo baby clothes. Discount Code: HHHBABYÊ- Expires June 30th. www.PeacefulValleyGreetings.com
EVERYDAY LOW PRICES ON HEMP CLOTHING AND MORE. Hundreds of items, including handbags, jewelry, bath, twine, and food products. DURABLE HEMP HAMMOCK. Made from one of the strongest fibers on earth, this comfortable 13-foot hammock will last through many lazy summer days. www.greenfeet.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. 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 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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