It's a beautiful morning in San Francisco today, and I've just had a better night's sleep. I've been staying in a rented apartment since mid-March and sleeping on the synthetic mattress that came with the apartment. I finally decided enough was enough and got a 3-inch thick wool mattress topper with organic cotton cover, similar to the one I have on my bed at home. What a difference! Though I have a wool mattress topper at home, it's always been on top of a wool mattress. I didn't realize how much of an improvement it would make on top of a synthetic mattress! If you can't afford a natural mattress, let me recommend that you start with the wool topper. It is well worth it. To save shipping, I got mine at A Happy Planet here in San Francisco. But there are many suppliers listed on the Bed page of Debra's List. This morning I am excited to announce to you a new set of audio CDs called "The People's Guide to Health, Happiness and Longevity", which is being released today! This 12 CD set contains interviews with experts on all different aspects of natural health--including me!--with lots of great tips you can use every day to improve the wellbeing of yourself and your family. When you purchase this CD set, you get about a dozen free bonus gifts, including my special report "How Toxic Chemicals Make You Fat". Click here for more info... Coming up on June 18th--my birthday!--I'll be doing a free live 80-minute webinar with the producer of "The People's Guide," international health and fitness expert Craig Pepin-Donat. So be sure to sign up for this (you get two free gifts for attending). Click here to register... Debra :-) HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #137 ~ 3 June 2008 * GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG: new Q&As / new comments on previous Q&As If the links don't work on this newsletter, you can view it online at http://www.dld123.com/newsletter/newsletterupdateback.html Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues (tables of contents) Home Safe Home is simply the best book for learning about the hazardous health effects and safe alternatives for more than 100 common household products. Virtually every item in your home may contain toxic ingredients that can harm your health--from rashes to cancer. But you can protect yourself and your family from everyday toxics and harmful household products if you know how to identify toxics and what the safe alternatives are. Product entries tell what toxic chemicals are found in specific products and safe solutions you can buy or make at home. Contains a whole chapter that explains toxic exposures and how they affect you individually.
Read more about Home Safe Home and order... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG Here are the questions and new comments posted through this morning. Remember, you are welcome to share your own comments and experience in response to any of these questions, and post questions of your own. To read and comment on more questions posted previously go to Green Living Q&A blog.
* Natural and Synthetic Latex Pillows
MCS and Diabetes After many years of MCS, I discovered a new twist that everyone with Chemical Sensitivities should look into. The Endocrinologist discovered that I had Insulin Resistance (some would say Pre-Diabetes or early diabetes.) metal containers for natural cleaners Hi Debra - I'm normally really good at researching this stuff myself but I can't seem to find any info on this, so I hope you can help me. I'm like many other people trying to get rid of plastic, including now the the plastic spray bottles I use to make my own natural/organic cleaners. Since I've already broken glass bottles twice, I'm looking at both stainless steel and aluminum trigger spray bottles as an alternative. Here's what I can't find out: is H2O2 safe in these metals, or does it react? I also have the same question about essential oils. Everything I read about both of these says to use plastic or glass, but DOESN'T say NOT to use metal. Thanks so much for any help you can give me. "oil pulling" health treatment Can anyone comment on oil pulling? water filter questions I plan to purchase a water filter (the type you attach to your kitchen sink). I read your previous answers to water filter q and a questions. You mention finding out whether your community has chloramines or chlorine and fluoride. What type of official in the city would you recommend speaking to about that? Stinky Washer in Apartment Hi, I've gotten good answers here before. I seem to be much more MCS this last six months or year than before although I always was. In any case, I am having problems with the washing machines and dryers in my apartment building. Although I can tolerate walking into the room when its full of fabric softener disgusting smells, I cannot stand having that crap on my clothes. I stopped using the dryers because they vent on the same system, and it seems almost impossible to find a time when someone isn't using bounce or won't come along while your clothes are drying and use bounce, and that "poisons" all six dryers. I began to air dry my clothes and I mainly used 3 small washers that are top loading, as the other washers are front loading and the soap and fabric softener trays get covered with gunk. But now even the top loaders tend to be used by people who pour in fabric softener, and both times I went down recently, I stuck my nose in and practically gagged, the washer smelled so full of fabric softener to me. Now I have nothing left to use. I have found myself getting a mildly unpleasant tingling and itching when I wear my clothes if I wash them down there. paper cups and plates I frequently use the Dixie brand "to-go" coffee mugs (our cafeteria provides these). I realize that these may not be the most environmentally sound mugs, but I do reuse the same one throughout the day. I have assumed because they are made for hot products that they are microwave safe, however, I am now concerned they are made with a plastic or bleach of some sort that is not safe. Soot from burning candles I just purchased a house and when I had the carpet cleaned the man told me that the lady who had the house before me must have burned a lot of candles. The carpet is a medium beige color and you can see where the soot from the candles framed the rooms against the walls in some of the rooms. He explained that the soot is sucked into the air conditioning unit since it is lighter than air and reenters the room via the ducks. I had the blower cleaned out and the air conditioning ducts in all the rooms cleaned out at a cost of $850.00. The cost of removing the soot lines against the walls would have been very expensive had the carpet man done it. He removed the stains in front of the sofa area with what he called an oxy type cleaner. What can I use to get these soot lines from the carpet? He also added that burning lead free candles are just as bad. Hemorrhoids The only treatment I know of for hemorrhoids is Preparation H and other brands that have mimicked the Preparation H ingredients. EWG gives these products a level 6 on the danger scale and they are full of parabens. Does anyone have any suggestions for a healthier treatment for hemorrhoids? polycarbonate roofing for a greenhouse We have heard that there is an off gas to this, we want to use it for a large greenhouse-passive solar heat system for a new home. What do you know?? unbleached paper goods Are brown paper goods, such as plates, parchment paper, napkins, etc automatically mean that they are not bleached and therefore safe to use? I realize all paper goods may not be the best for the environment, but in some situations, I find I need them. Or are there other (maybe different chemicals) I should be aware of when purchasing brown paper goods. Carcinogens in natural cleaning products? Debra, mineral makeups What do you think about mineral makeups? I have sensitive skin and rosacea and am looking for a good foundation that is not harmful to my body. Any suggestins? Perfume in wallpaper Hi there, non plastic food storage I apologize in advance for so so many questions. I know people lived without plastic for many years, but now after relying on plastic for so many years it is quite and adjustment, but one that I think is well worth it! random plastics Debra, removing mold from garden lawn? Hello Debra, Bed Blankets I need to purchase a very light weight blanket for my bedroom, since I live in Florida, and would like to find one that dries quickly in my dryer. I don't have the ability to dry it outdoors and the cotton blankets take too long in the dryer. How to Naturally Disinfect a Toothbrush? Hi, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CLASSIFIED ADS to place a classified ad in this newsletter... FREEDOM FROM ARTIFICIALITY! Natural Cosmetics, Hair & Body Care. Save 10% on your First Order, use Promo Code: NEW. www.NaturalJoyBeauty.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 REUSABLE BAGS. Eliminate disposable plastic bags and bottles from your life. Bags of all shapes and sizes are made from cotton, organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials. Shopping bags, tote bags, and everything you need to pack a lunch. Reusable produce bags really keep organic food fresh. Reusable aluminum drink bottles. www.ReusableBags.com FIX WHOLE, ORGANIC FOODS FAST IN A VITAMIX. Whole food vegetable and fruit juices, creamy soups, frozen treats, whole grain breads, fresh nut butters and more are yours in minutes, made from your own organic ingredients. www.vitamix.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 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 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
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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) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Debra's List ~ 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural & earthwise products
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: debra@dld123.com web: http://dld123.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Transform Your Home from Hazardous to Healthy 
I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and personally with a