I'm pleased to report that my new Green Living Q&A blog is going very well! It's a lot easier for me to answer more questions with this format. In this issue, we have 24 Q&A's! Next week I will be in San Francsico all week for the West Coast Green green building conference. I'll be speaking on the afternoon of "Homeowner's Day" Saturday, September 30, at 4pm, if you are in the area and want to come by and say hello (view the full schedule). There are going to be some great speakers that I've mentioned in this newsletter, including architect and author of Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House Carol Venolia, Natural Home magazine editor Robin Griggs Lawrence, and Bau-Biologist Mary Cordaro, creator of The Mary Cordaro Collection of natural beds. I will also be staying in one of San Francisco's best green hotels. So I'll tell you all about my trip in the next issue... Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #53 ~ 19 September 2006
* AT HOME WITH DEBRA: When Smoke Got in Our Eyes
Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues
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AT HOME WITH DEBRA: When Smoke Got in Our Eyes Last week I had a disaster in my kitchen. I had left something simmering on the stove, expecting my husband Larry to watch it, and when I came home, the kitchen was full of smoke! So we had to learn fast how to clean up smoke odors. Find out what we did that was effective. Removing Smoke From Our House...
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DEBRA'S LIST: New links to great green products Here are just some of the links I added to Debra's List in the last two weeks. Bed, Bath & Beyond now carries untreated cotton, organic cotton (percale and flannel--in solid colors), and bamboo twill sheet sets online and in stores. Prices are very reasonable for these bed linens. If you are planning a trip, check out this comprehensive list of natural food stores at atural Food Store Locations for Travelers "Why eat poorly when you can eat the best?" they ask. Natural food store locations are listed alphabetically by state and then by city, which can be viewed either as a text list or by maps. Two new excellent additions to the food page...Vital Choice Seafood sells sustainabily-harvested wild salmon and other wild fish from the pristine waters of Alaska, available flash frozen, smoked, made into sausage and burgers, in cans and pouches...and Alaskan salmon caviar. U.S. Wellness Meats carries grass-fed beef (steaks, ground, roasts, brisket, ribs jerky, franks, sausage, bacon, and pemmican), free-range chicken and turkey, natural certified humane pork, grass-fed lamb, gourmet rabbit, and raw, organic, grass-fed butter and Amish-made cheeses. If you are considering buying a new car, check out Greenercars.com. They score and rank all cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs on the market according to environmental friendliness. See a free preview of the top-rated vehicles by class, plus overall best and worst vehicles, or purchase instant access to the list. Tomorrow's World has been added in a number of categories: babies & kids, body care, beds...Since 1991, they have been promoting sustainability and natural resources, organic and chemical-free ingredients, and fairtrade cooperatives. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has free information on the best energy-efficient products related to buttoning up your house, windows, heating systems. cooling systems, water heating, food storage, cooking, dishwashing, laundry, lighting and more.
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GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG Thanks to everyone who has been posting to the new blog! Especially to those of you who have been sharing your knowledge and experience through the comments. Please continue! Just go directly to Green Living Q&A blog and take a look, or scroll through the questions below that I have added since the last issue. Today we have 24 Q&A's!
Non-Toxic Mascara Recommendation? hello,
Trash vs. sewer/septic, which disposal is better for environment? I feel like I'm asking a very trivial question, but I try to be mindful of the environment in all my choices. Whenever I do something like blow my nose or pick up a dead bug off the floor, I always wonder if it is better for the environment to use a tissue and put it in the trash (and eventually the landfill) or to use a bit of toilet paper and flush it, sending it through the sewer or septic system. Does anyone know? Stabilized Cellulose Insulation Hi there,
Dishwashing soap On your website under the section "At Home With Debra . . . How I Really Live" you say that you use an unscented liquid soap that you got as a bonus to clean your dishes and countertops. I'm wondering if you've run out of that original supply and if so, what do you use now? Mold Problems With Front-Loading Clothes Washers Dear Debra:
Latex Foam Sealant I am a project management consultant, and have been using "Latex Foam Sealants" for specific applications for the past 2 years, for its many advantages over standard foam products.
Anodized cookware Is anodized cookware safe? I own all stainless steel cookware but occasionally would like to use a non-stick pan and I've been wondering about anodized aluminum. I also own a stainless steel pressure cooker and have been thinking about getting a larger anodized one but I'm not sure if they are safe.
Cleaning an Antique Wood Floor You have been a huge help to me before and I am hoping you have a solution for my latest conundrum.
Is This Wood Floor Renewal System Safe? Hello Debra:
Is Tin Bakeware Safe? I have two daughters who both recently got married and I have been trying to determine the safest type of bakeware for all of us to use. Of course I want to avoid non-stick coatings as well as aluminum. Stainless steel is available, but not a good conductor of heat and doesn't brown well for baking. Stainless steel that is sandwiched with aluminum also seems to be coated with an alloy of stainless plus aluminum. The silicone bakeware seems safe as far as we know so far? There is one company (Kaiser) that makes a line that is steel coated in tin---------What do you think about the safety of that? Do you know of any health concerns related to cooking in tin? I have really been struggling with this issue and would appreciate any insight you could share with me.
Unbleached Cotton & Boric Acid on Futons: Strong Odor: Is this toxic? hello,
Eating Off Paper Towels? Do you have any research on the safety of eating off paper towels??
Organic Manicure and Pedicure I got a number of requests for these recipes (offered on the post Nontoxic Nail Polish), so with Debra's kind permission I'm putting them here on the blog. Once you experience the nourishing quality of these treatments you will find it hard to go back to a salon with all of their harsh chemicals. Yours in good health and pampering - Mary Anne in Los Angeles
Ceiling fans I realize it's a bit late to be asking this, but if next summer is as hot as this one was, I want to have a ceiling fan. I thought about getting one and then thought maybe the motor would put out an odor. My portable fans don't have an odor, but with a ceiling fan, there would be no way of knowing, before installing it, whether or not there would be an odor from the motor, at which point it would be a little late to return it. Is this a realistic concern? Zeolite Breather Bags Where can i find these? In Annie Berthold-Bond's book, "Clean and Green" she lists G&W supply (odor fresh-zeolite). but they don't have a website or an 800 number. Do you know of a good reputable supplier for this product?
Cleaning Stovetop and Oven I was wondering, what is the best non-toxic way to clean stove top burners and ovens? Nontoxic Cleaning Gloves? Looking for some gloves that i can wear when house cleaning. i tried a pair of 100% latex gloves from the local linen n things (the long purple ones with cuffs). but the smell was horriffic! i've been airing it out outside for 2 weeks, and although the smell has gotten better, it still lingers.
Formaldehyde Hi Debra,
Earth-Friendly Hand Sanitizer Dear Debra,
Using plastic or melamine cups/plates Does anyone know if it is safe to use plastic or melamine cups/plates that get washed in the dishwasher? What about sippy cups? I worry that the heat from the dishwasher will cause toxins to leach into food/beverages. Thanks!
Allergy-free air fresheners and candles I was wondering if you could recommend a brand/type of indoor air freshener (the kind that you plug in) that can be safely used by people who have asthma or allergies? I currently use Glade and Air Wick Brand plug-ins but they bother my husband's sinuses. We have a cat and dog so need to have something that we can use inside to help with any pet odors that might occur.
Herbicide for Dandelions Do you know of a natural herbicide for Dandelions? Formaldehyde Absorbers Do you know of any product that absorbs formaldehyde? Something that does not just cover the smell. I would like anything, on or off the web.
Dry Clean 100% Cotton? I have purchased some 1005 cotton tab top curtains for my kitchen. Even though the fabric is cotton the label says to dry clean only. I don't want to dry clean these. I have a high efficiency washer and would prefer to wash them on the delicate or hand wash cycle in cold water. Do you think this would be advisable? Also would it be better to hang dry the curtains instead of using a dryer to prevent shrinkage. I really blows my mind that dry cleaning is recommended for 100% cotton fabric! The curtains are manufactured overseas does this play into why they have to be dry cleaned??
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CLASSIFIED ADS 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 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 SOAPSTONE COOKWARE IS NATURALLY NONSTICK. Natural stone cookware is beautiful, warms food quickly over low heat, is bacteria-resistant and naturally non-stick, and is so durable it can be handed down for several generations. Food tastes better cooked in soapstone. www.greenfeet.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)
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Debra's List
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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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I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and
personally with a