This week has been about bringing a new order to my home after traveling for almost five months. It's fun to "move back in" to my house as if I am moving in for the first time. I'm just looking at everything with new eyes, discarding things to be recycled at a garage sale or thrift store, rearranging things, making each room function better... Another bumper crop of comments! This week there were 127 comments on my Green Living Q&A blog. I receive praises for this blog every day in my email...all thanks to your participation and sharing of great information. Debra :-) UPDATE ON ARMOUR THYROID... Last week I mentioned that Armour Thyroid is currently in back order on some strengths due to a process change in manufacturing and said I was having trouble getting mine from my local pharmacy. I told you that if your pharmacy tells you they do not have your dose in stock, and cannot get them because they are on back order, you should tell your pharmacy to call their wholesaler and ask for a "drop ship order". Well, I did this and it worked! I did have to follow up with my pharmacist and they had to call several times, and it took a week, but I got my prescription filled. At least for the next 25 days. I posted my findings about a similar product "raw thyroid" at Q&A: natural thyroid medication. HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #147 ~ 11 August 2008 * EATING LOCAL 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)
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EATING LOCAL There is always the idea of something and then the practicality of doing it. I've known to eat locally for many years, and it was fairly easy to do so when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. But here in Florida it is much more difficult. So I was very interested to find the book Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally . It kept me company through many restaurant meals in San Francisco (some local, some not) and on every page, I wanted to be right there with them on their adventure of successfully finding and deliciously preparing local foods. This book is very easy to read. You'll learn a lot about the practicalities of eating local, interspersed with much useful background information about the issue...all in the context of one couple's personal experience of eating within a 100-mile range of their home. Another family chronicles their "100-foot diet" on their Path to Freedom website. They have been growing an abundance of food in their Pasadena. California backyard since 1999 and their website is full of information on how you can do this too. Take a look at the video of their garden on their home page. And remember, the Local Harvest website (which has been on Debra's List for a while) is a great source for finding local growers you can purchase from directly in your area. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING The Path to Freedom website also has a ton of information about self-sufficiency (yes, you can be self-sufficient in the suburbs). Here is one of their articles: Path to Freedom: Living Without Air Conditioning. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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 thyroid medication has 13 new comments (I think this is a record!) * Flea control for dogs has lot of new comments * No VOC Paint has a lot of new comments * Aluminum Cookware and Alzheimer's Disease
Lead-free water faucets Are the new BRONZE drinking and hot water faucets safe as far as toxicity from lead is concerned? I'm remodeling my kitchen and want to purchase safe faucets. water filter housing
Simmons mattress - SIMGARD We're shopping for a Queen size chemical-free mattress. We are a bit dismayed by the expense of them, but moreso because we don't live near any chemical-free mattress or futon producer to actually try-before-you buy! I see that Simmons mattresses are produced with "SIMGARD", a kevlar-based material as the fire retardant. Do you have any opinions or feedback on Simgard mattresses? Do they still contain other unhealthy fire retardants? Many many thanks for guidance. Rosacea acne Debra, My teen age son just found out he had a acne skin problem called rosacea. I kind of quessed he had it. Do you or any one have any experience with this? Doctor told me no cure and i do not want any harsh chemicals on his body. Thanks deborah from tennessee. Food Steamers Are stainless steel food steamer inserts safe? I assume there wouldn't be any nickel, aluminum, etc. Can anyone recommend a pot insert for steaming? Feminine Hygiene Product Information I have a strange request and since you of all people are very knowledgeable on the subject, I thought I would go straight to the source. Armstrong Solarian Removal (contains asbestos) We are planning to remove Armstrong Solarian that was installed in 1980 in our kitchen and dining room. It has been tested and contains asbestos. We purchased it from a store that is no longer in business and supposedly in 1980 asbestos in linoleum was already banned but it was still sold to us. Is Kids Line brand crib bedding reputable? We are expecting twins and have recently purchased Kids Line bedding, made in China. The company claims to be organic, which is why we purchased the set. bubble bath recipe? My little guys love to take bubble baths but I'm guessing that using most of the over the counter ones are about the same as steeping your kids in chemicals ;-). Do you have any good home made bubble bath recipes? phosphates Hi Debra, Potential hazards of using 150 year old oak reclaimed wood floor The interior design is specifying us to use reclaimed 150 year old french wood floors in our home. Stainsafe on Sofa Debra, Pillows covering treated fire retardant? Hello, handling of higroscopic materials like salt, baking soda Hi, Bread Machine Hi Debra, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CLASSIFIED ADS to place a classified ad in this newsletter... FIRECRYSTALS® IMPROVES AIR QUALITY COMPARED TO BURNING WOOD IN FIREPLACES AND FIRE PITS. FireCrystals® are a glass replacement for gas logs or wood in natural gas fireplaces and fire pits. FireCrystals® improves air quality because they are heated, they do not burn or release soot or ash to the environment. www.firecrystals.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
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 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) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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