Sunday, December 18, 2011
Need an unusual and green holiday gift idea? Consider giving organic or natural fiber sheets and blankets.
Need an unusual and green holiday gift idea? Consider giving organic or natural fiber sheets and blankets. We spend one third of our life sleeping, so go for the healthier option. Permanent press, easy care, no iron and cotton/polyester blends have usually been treated with formaldehyde, which has been linked to cancer, asthma and other ailments. Some sheets are labeled formaldehyde-free, but most do not indicate whether or not they contain formaldehyde. Conventional cotton is often bleached and treated with dyes and is one of the most heavily sprayed products, accounting for up to 25% of insecticides used worldwide. Organic cotton, linen, hemp or bamboo are all natural alternatives free of toxic chemicals, minimizing environmental …
Sunday, December 11, 2011
This year I have noticed a proliferation of mice in my house and even had a squirrel yesterday!
This year I have noticed a proliferation of mice in my house and even had a squirrel yesterday! A recent article in the Boston Globe entitled,“Where did all the acorns go?” by David Abel, maintains that acorns have all but disappeared this fall, a phenomenon that affects the ecosystem, devastating everything from chipmunks to owls, with mice, chipmunks and squirrels most affected. Typically, a mature oak tree will produce about 250 pounds of acorns, serving as seeds for saplings and food for rodents and other animals. The oaks this year have each produced less than half a pound of acorns. Whether this explains the increase of mice indoors or not, no one wants them in their homes. Rather than use a toxin to kill them and deal with their …
Sunday, November 27, 2011
In these tough economic times with so many Americans unemployed, consider buying “Made in America” products.
The holidays are fast approaching, and it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. In these tough economic times with so many Americans unemployed, consider buying “Made in America” products. American manufacturing companies have been especially affected by the economic downturn, and it’s important for each of us to do what we can to help turn this around. Most of our home goods, clothes, shoes, appliances, computers, trinkets, etc. are made in China and other Asian countries. We buy them because not only are they often the only option, but also they are cheaper. At what cost however? Lost jobs here in America? Products made in sweatshops using child labor and unfair labor practices? Poor quality? Listed below are several …
Sunday, November 20, 2011
An interesting new eco-friendly phenomenon is happening with wine by the glass. Restaurants are starting to serve wine on tap.
An interesting new eco-friendly phenomenon is happening with wine by the glass. Restaurants are starting to serve wine on tap. Wine-by-the-keg has been around for at least a decade in the U.S. and abroad (I actually bottled my own wine from a keg when I lived in France in 1982) and restaurants in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York and Detroit are doing it. With keg wine, wineries save money on production, packaging and shipping costs, by reducing the need for bottles, labels, corks, capsules, cardboard boxes, storage area, etc. These cost savings can be ultimately passed on to the consumer. Ecologically, the carbon footprint of the winery is greatly reduced. Keg wine provides ecological and cost savings for …
Sunday, November 6, 2011
If you think about the number of dishes we do per day, week, month, year, you realize just how much water is consumed. And most of us don’t do the dishes correctly.
It took my husband and me a long time to work out the “greener” way to do the dishes (old habits die hard). If you think about the number of dishes we do per day, week, month, year, you realize just how much water is consumed. And most of us don’t do the dishes correctly. Do you keep the water running as you rinse your dishes and load them into the dishwasher? You’ll save a lot of money and conserve water simply by turning off the water as you load. Do you rinse the dishes so thoroughly before putting them into the dishwasher that they are practically clean? (That’s what my husband does. I'm not complaining - at least he does the dishes!) The energy efficient dishwashers of today really don’t require much rinsing. They also use less …
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Anti-bacterial products are the craze these days. About 75% of liquid soaps and 30% of bar soaps contain an anti-bacterial agent, with triclosan the most common. Is anti-bacterial soap really better? Or necessary?
Anti-bacterial products are the craze these days. About 75 percent of liquid soaps and 30 percent of bar soaps contain an anti-bacterial agent, with triclosan the most common. More and more personal care and cleaning products contain anti-microbial agents. Is anti-bacterial soap really better? Or necessary? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, anti-bacterial soaps are not necessary for several reasons. The anti-bacterial components need to be left on for two minutes in order to work. Most people do not do this. Bacteria can possibly develop a resistance to the bacterial agents over time and those that survive the introduction of triclosan can mutate into a new strain that resists the antimicrobial effects. Their…
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Learn about how to engage in healthy, green living with minimal chemical exposure.
Everyone wants to give his or her baby the best possible start in life. To me, that means healthy, green living with minimal chemical exposure, fresh organic food and lots of love. Babies use approximately 6,000 diapers before toilet training. That’s a lot of disposable diapers in the landfill where they take 200-500 years to decompose. Hence the debate over disposable vs. cloth, which takes water, energy and chemicals to wash. Cloth diapers (and now bamboo) have been shown to have a lower environmental impact. With today’s busy families, however, many prefer the convenience of disposables. If so, use chlorine free (from Seventh Generation or Earth’s Best) or hybrid diapers, which have removable inserts that can safely biodegrade when …
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Columnist Betsy Wild writes about alternative uses for honey.
Honey is an excellent sugar substitute, but it is so much more! Doctors have been using honey for centuries, but with the introduction of antibiotics, its usage declined. Honey is a natural antiseptic and promotes healing of minor cuts, scrapes and skin wounds. Its natural sugar (fructose) absorbs the moisture in the wound and draws out the pus, making it hard for bacteria to grow. As it dries it forms a natural bandage. Propolis found in some honeys also kills bacteria. I applied it to my kids’ scrapes and cuts and it not only healed the wounds, but seemed to eliminate scarring as well. Honey’s antimicrobial benefits are effective for treating sore throats, colds and laryngitis. Mix it with hot lemon juice and water to coat your throat …
