Art | Resources
Luvnest
Herb blends for use in chick and chicken bedding to support health. “Our products use 100% USDA Certified Organic herbs, are preservative and additive free – and are completely natural and edible.”
Touch Of Eco
Useful and affordable products that run on solar power, such as individual lights, strings of lights, cell phone recharger, flashlights, and much more.
Northwest Wild Foods
A small, family-owned company that is dedicated to offering the “rare and natural wild flavors” of the Pacific Northwest. Both raw foods and prepared into various food products. “Our wild berries are hand-gathered in the lush woodlands of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains where our intrepid pickers often find themselves competing with Black bear, cougar and other native animals for the sweet, juicy berries. Perhaps our favorite wild berry is tiny Wild Mountain Blackberry that our family has been collecting for more than three generations….” Supplies are limited by necessity.
Project TENDR Takes on Risks of Neurotoxins
Project TENDR is a collaboration of leading scientists, health professionals and children’s and environmental advocates who came together in 2015 out of concern over the now substantial scientific evidence linking toxic environmental chemicals to neurodevelopment disorders.
These disorders include autism spectrum disorder, attention deficits, hyperactivity, intellectual disability and learning disorders.
In July, Project TENDR is releasing a scientific Consensus Statement as a national Call To Action to significantly reduce exposures to chemicals and pollutants that are contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders in America’s children.
The “prime examples” of neurotoxic chemicals listed in the Statement are
• Organophosphate (OP) pesticides
• PBDE flame retardants
• Combustion-related air pollutants, which generally include PAHs, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, and other air pollutants for which nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter are markers
• Lead
• Mercury
• PCBs
Check their Chemicals & Pollutants tab on the main menu for more information about how these chemicals can affect children’s development.
Everyday Toxic Chemicals That Interfere With Fertility
If you’re trying to get pregnant, here are two resources to read.
One from Rodale Wellness and one I wrote when I was invited to speak at a summit on infertility
RODALE WELLNESS: 9 Everyday Chemicals That Could Be Screwing with Your Fertility
DEBRA LYNN DADD: Protect Your Baby From Toxics Before Birth
How to find Mint-Free Toothpaste
Question from Rose
Hi Debra,
Can you recommend a toothpaste without mint, which is similar to Sensodyne in being: less abrasive/easy on sensitive teeth/ and generally helpful in preventing erosion?
I like Tom’s toothpaste, but the dental tech recommended Sensodyne.
I am allergic to processed Mint, alas.
I checked out Merz Apothecary here in Chicago, but all of the tooth pastes have mint.
Thank you.
Ciao’
Rose
Debra’s Answer
There are actually a number of toothpastes that don’t contain mint. They either have no flavoring, or flavors such as lemon or anise or simply the flavors of active ingredients.
See the Dental Care page of Debra’s List.
Readers, what mint-free toothpastes do you like?
Are Menstrual Cups Safe To Use?
Question from Leslie
Hi Debra,
Have you seen the study that claims the Diva Cup menstrual cup can cause endometriosis? I want to use one but obviously after reading that study I’m very conflicted. It claims that since the blood is not absorbed it can funnel back up to the ovaries and cling to them. If I understood correctly.
This is the report I read. http://assocpharmtox.org/pages/CupsIntro3.html
Thanks
Debra’s Answer
The study you read is ten years old.
There is more recent information.
Menstrual Cups and Endometriosis gives a good review of the dilemma. Basically, there is no longer a concern that menstrual cups are a cause of endometriosis. This website lists all the companies that now make menstrual cups, but they also have resources for cloth pads and organic pads and tampons. So it’s basically a good site for considering all your natural options.
The Endometriosis Foundation has no obvious warnings about not using menstrual cups that I could find on their website.
Menstrual cups are made from either rubber or medical-grade silicone. Both these materials are unlikely to cause harm for this use.
So if you want to use a menstrual cup, I see no reason not to.
Kalon Studios
Simple sustainable furniture made from domestic hardwoods, organic cotton and wool, latex from organic trees, and other natural and nontoxic materials. “Based in Los Angeles, California and in Germany, Kalon Studios is a design studio focused on contemporary form with a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle and unobtrusive beauty. Kalon Studios’ design focus is as much on quality of design as it is on material, method and process. All of our products are non-toxic, fully sustainable, and domestically produced respectively in the in the US and in Europe. Each piece is handcrafted to order by traditional furniture makers. The ancient Greek concept of ‘kalon’ meant beauty linked with moral worth and usefulness, a value we seek to express in our designs.” Oh,, I love this! “Materials + Methods” is the first item on the main menu.
JADETribe
Delightful 100% natural fiber bags, totes, weekender bags and more. “Captivated by the colors of the natural organic dyes coupled with their incredible weaving skills and the remarkable textiles these women were creating, Kimberly employed this village to create exclusive colors and patterns that became the foundation of the JADEtribe handbag collection. A little bit beach-y, a little bit bohemian jet set, and 100 percent natural and ethical, JADEtribe is the true embodiment of fashion with a conscience. Whether it’s the handbag repurposed from hand embroidered baby carrier cloths, or the hand braided jewelry that jingles, or the organically dyed and hand loomed traditional textiles, each element of JADEtribe carries in it a piece of Kimberly’s heart and a piece of the hearts of the women in South East Asia whose lives have been improved by making it.” Also ready-to-wear clothing.
Wild Hill Botanicals
A skincare line based on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. “Our connection to this landscape and our ongoing study of the amazing botanicals it has to offer has been the inspiration for our formulations. We believe that organic is just plain better. Organic ingredients have been shown to be higher in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Wild plants are known to contain many molecules not present in their domesticated cousins. This core value of bringing together organic and sustainably harvested wild ingredients serves not only your skin, but also the greater environment, which we take very much to heart. We focus on growing organic herbs on our farm in East Sooke, using the freshest organic oils and house made hydrosols to craft products that are amazing, completely natural and inspired by the landscape of this beautiful coast. We take pride at Wild Hill in creating each of our products in small batches by hand to ensure freshness and quality control. We think that skincare and bath rituals should be a gratifying and important part of self-care in everyone’s day. Love yourself, take some downtime from this hectic world, and absorb the power of nature.”
