Happy Valentine's Day! I know it's one day early, but I wanted to send you my love and good wishes. Today take a look at a new way to get solar energy that is affordable, new green product website links on Debra's List, and more questions and answers, of course, from the Green Living Q&A blog. And remember, TONIGHT is my FREE teleseminar sponsored by Seaside Naturals. For more information, visit their website at http://www.seasidenaturals.com/teleconference.html. Space is limited to 99 callers, so call in early. Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #71 ~ 13 February 2007 * AFFORDABLE SOLAR ENERGY 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 Issue (tables of contents) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AFFORDABLE SOLAR ENERGY What an idea! This changes everything about solar energy. Instead of investing tens of thousands of dollars for a solar panel installation, now you can have solar energy for the mere investment of what it costs for you to pay your local utility company every month. Citizenre REnU rents solar systems--all you pay for is the energy you use. The company makes their own solar panels at significant savings, sends an engineer to design a system for you that will meet 100% of your energy needs, then installs and even maintains the system for you. When you agree to the installation, you pay a $500 interest-bearing refundable deposit and they start the process. In addition, they will lock in your electricity rate for up to 25 years at the same rate you paid last year to your utility, which will allow you to save money on electricity year after year. As energy costs keep rising, this savings could be huge! First installations will be in late 2007. Today, you can sign up to be put on a list. When the company actually has solar panels in their hands in your area, they will set up an appointment for an engineer to come to your home and design your system. At that time, the $500 deposit will be required to begin installation. Sign up now and you will be higher on the list for installation when it begins. I would sign up for this immediately if I had enough sun on my property for solar. We're saving energy by shading our home with lots of trees, so that doesn't work for solar panels. But if you have the sun, Citizenre REnU can provide the solar panels for the same price you are paying for nonrenewable polluting energy. Can't beat that! Read more about how you can afford solar energy... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DEBRA'S LIST Here are some websites I recently added to Debra's List. PVC - The Poison Plastic is a very informative site about the dangers of polyvinyl chloride plastic--"one of the most hazardous consumer products ever created" and the safer alternatives. Resources include a list of products containing PVC that might be in your home, info on plant-based plastic alternatives, and an entertaining 3-minute educational video "Sam Suds and the Case of PVC, the Poison Plastic." Brilliant Earth sells engagement rings and wedding bands in classic styles, made with certified conflict-free diamonds and sapphires, and precious metals from renewed sources derived from recycled jewelry or industrial products. And three more websites that make handmade soaps... Evan's Garden makes luxurious bar soaps made with organically grown vegetable oils, organic grains, pure plant essential oils, and mineral pigments, in a variety of fragrances. Collection includes a shampoo bar, a tea tree oil first aid bar, two unscented bars, and a bar with healing honey. Organic Soap and Spa has "the largest selection of organic soaps available online or in any retail outlet." They make many different varieties of bar soap from natural and organic ingredients. The soaps range from plain to fanciful, scented and unscented. You can even create your own soap by choosing your own ingredients for a custom blend. Prarie Meadow Soap is 100% natural, "whole" pure vegetable soap containg all the moisturizing glycerin and other elements present from the soapmaking process. Scented varieties are infused with pure aromatherapy essential oils. Organic herbs from their own garden. Selection includes half-a-dozen types of fragrance-free soaps, aromatherapy soaps, deodorant soaps, shampoo bars, and more. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG Here are the questions and new comments posted through yesterday. 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.
* Finally a Safe Sippy Cup has comments comparing reusable stainless steel and aluminum cups. All this applies to reuseable water bottles, too. * Are these products really natural? has good tips for finding and choosing bodycare products. * It Pays to Shop Around for Organic Food tells how to get money-saving coupons for organic food. * Less Toxic Wood Finish You Can Buy At a Local Store Naturally "Buttery" Olive Oil
DEBRA LYNN DADD How to Clean or Refinish Bathtub? Old Stove? I have been reading you for years (bought your book, and read Natural Home mag). I stumbled on your web site today while searching unsuccessfully for info on these questions. Perhaps you would find them interesting enough to answer? MARY Lead in Bathtubs We recently purchased an older home (built in the 1940's) The bathtub seems to be enclosed by a "liner". It looks/feels like some type of plastic. Since the original tub probably carries lead, does this "liner" make it safe?? How can we tell?? GAYLE Hotplate? Electric stand-alone double burners I'm seeking a brand that's durable, energy-efficient, and stainless steel, or other material that won't off-gas. My ancient big stove recently died, and I don't need another big stove. GINA Children's Orchard Have you heard of Children's Orchard stores? We pay cash or store value added credits for kids clothes, toys, furniture sizes 0 through 10. We encourage parents to recycle back with us. If clothes are worn we donate them or send them to recycling centers. We work diligently to give back to the community, work with not for profits, elementary schools, PTA's, OB/GYNs. We are not 100% green, but doing whatever we can. It's amazing the wonderful items we have that people bring to us for resale. JAL333 Healthy and sustainable re-upholstery Hi, KT Eco-Friendly Chopsticks for Chinese New Year
DEBRA LYNN DADD Method Cleaning at Target stores Debra, JN Humidifier filter replacement I have a small Holmes cool mist humidifier, and it has worked well for me. Unfortunately, my husband used a toxic antibacterial product in it, without my knowledge, and it made me very sick. I want to replace the filter in the humidifier, to see if that will make it more tolerable. However, all of the Holmes replacement filters now contain Microban, which I can not tolerate. That chemical gives me a migraine and makes my lungs hurt, and causes shortness of breath, among other nasty symptoms. Does anyone know of a source for replacement filters, without Microban, that can be used in Holmes humidifiers? I tried to go with using the humidifier, and my humidity dropped down the 8%. DONNIE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CLASSIFIED ADS
IN SEARCH OF AFFORDABLE NATURAL/ORGANIC HOME FURNISHINGS? Since 1981, US handcrafted mattresses, pillows, bedding, fine furnishings and more. Custom work, wholesale/retail. Barter deals accepted! 877-426-3623, sales@whitelotus.net, www.whitelotus.net FRESH ORGANIC FLOWERS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY. You can still order for Valentine's Day delivery until 12 noon EST / 3 pm PST. Dutch tulips, blue iris, the world's tallest roses, and more. www.organicbouquet.com LOTSA BAMBOO. Entire line of Bambu organically grown bamboo products--cutting boards, dinnerware, bowls, utensils, baskets, knives, trays, and more. www.greenfeet.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 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) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Debra's List ~ 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural & earthwise products
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: debra@dld123.com web: http://dld123.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |