Art | Resources
Rancho Gordo
“Glorious, old fashioned heirloom beans… unique flavors and textures that you don’t find with bland commodity beans..My first harvested heirloom bean was Rio Zape. They were pretty and easy to grow but I had no idea what to expect when I cooked them. They were similar to the pintos I liked but there was so much more going on. Hints of chocolate and coffee mixed with an earthy texture made my head spin.”
Chili Smith
A good selection of heirloom beans grown in California. “Beans are cleaned and polished before packing for highest gourmet quality.”
Divine Organics Pili Nut Butter
They were giving out free samples at my local community organic market and I couldn’t resist. And I’ve been eating it since. Here’s why. It tastes like chocolate. But there is no caffeine, just a bit of coconut sugar and a bit of Himalayan salt. I haven’t tried an actual pili nut yet, but I’m interested in the fact that they are a rich source of heart-healthy omegas, which play an important role in brain function, and they contain all 8 essential amino acids. This nut butter is a good introduction.
Natural Upholstery
“Healthy Upholstery—Without Chemicals.” Buy nontoxic upholstery foundation materials for your project here: premium wool batting, organic cotton batting, Oeko-Tex and GOLS certified organic latex foam, organic cotton ticking. In addition, they have lots of resources to help you with your project including a list of upholstery professionals and designers, makers and DIYers, instructions for your professional upholester, and a list of websites where you can buy organic uphostery fabrics. “My work at this moment is focused on creating positive change. For me this means building a resource for Makers to learn upholstery restoration using natural and organic materials. It means sharing stories, skills and imagination in an open source platform – where each of us builds upon the contributions of others to create something new and better. I can’t wait to see what you create! Large or small, impacting a single person or many. Hearing your stories and helping you transform your upholstery project into something that imparts a meaningful presence to your space is the best part of my work!”
Foam Order
This website is not 100% natural and toxic-free, but if you choose carefully you will find some acceptable products and materials that are difficult to locate elsewhere. First, they will make custom cushions for you for indoor and outdoor furniture, boats, RVs. or anything else. They have fire-retardant-free natural latex cut in blocks and all kinds of custom shapes. Also down filling for cushions.Certified organic natural 100% cotton down-proof ticking lining. Organic wool batting and felt (look under “industrial”). Organic cotton mattress covers. And more. Take a look at this site if you want to make something custom.
Fabric Worm
The largest selection of “purely organic fabric for quilting and craft projects” I’ve ever seen. Solid colors and many many patterns. Sold by the 1/2 yard and/or fat quarters for quilting. “We carry one of the largest selections of organic cotton fabric and imported fabrics on the world wide web. Whether you’re sewing for boys, girls, or yourself, you’ll find a beautiful curated selection of whimsical prints, as limitless as a child’s imagination.”
Harvest & Mill Organic Clothing
A very small selection of shirts for men “beyond made in the USA…We work exclusively with USDA organic cotton farms, American heritage mills, and local family owned factories. Our entire supply chain is in the USA….Ricketts Indigo grows organic indigo and dyes their textiles at their studio in Indiana…These tees are truly wearable art, dyed with traditional techniques and organic plants.” Also natural cotton shirts without dye.
My New Space Heater
Every winter the question of space heaters seems to come up.
Most heaters you will find on store shelves are made with plastic housings, which is the worst choice because heat will cause the plastic to outgas into the air.
I’ve written a number of posts in the past about space heaters. O&A: Portable Heaters With Metal Housings in particular outlines all the types of heaters to look for plus has links to other posts about heaters.
Today I want to tell you about a space heater of a different type that Larry purchased this year at Costco, and I like it so much I took it from him to put in my office (it’s in a building separate from the house where there is no central HVAC and the built-in heater is broken).
I LOVE this heater. There has never been an odor from the beginning.
Though the heating element is suspended in a hard plastic frame, it does not seem to outgas. The only part that heats up the the heating element and the large metal “dish” that focuses the heat in the direction right on you instead of heating the entire room.
PRESTO HeatDish
I can turn on this heater on a cold morning and in minutes my immediate workspace is warm.
For years I have used small ceramic heaters and more recently a utility heater with metal housing. Both of those have fans that make noise. This is absolutely silent except for a slight hum that is much less noticeable to me.
Here’s another interesting heater I just found on amazon while I was looking up the link for the Presto. The description says “Safe and oderless heat. Eco friendly, does not consume oxygen and does not dry the air.”
UFO Electric Mid-Wave Infrared Heater
It looks like a standard infrared heating element in an aluminum tube. It costs twice as much, but seems to be more portable and can be used indoors or out. This one can be mounted on a wall or stand and in various other ways as well.
Resources for Affordable Organic Fabrics & Upholstering Materials
You can make a cushion for a charming window seat like this using ORGANIC upholstery materials.
Question from Sabrina
Hi Debra,
First of all, thanks for all of your wonderful information and advice over the last…Gosh, I don’t know how many years! Eight? You’ve helped me make better choices for my family and kids, specifically. I am deeply grateful.
I am going to make a cushion for a window seat for my avid reader kiddo, and I wanted to pass along some info I found about some great materials.
First: certified GOLS organic latex foam and organic cotton muslin from naturalupholstery.com. It’s the best price I found for organic latex foam.
I also am getting organic wool batting from foamorder.com, but they don’t sell organic latex, only “all natural”, whatever that means.
I will be covering the cushion in organic cotton canvas from fabricworm.com . They have the best selection at the best prices of organic fabric, that I have found.
Hope this is interesting and helpful.
Thanks again! And Happy New Year!
Debra’s Answer
Thanks for these great resources! I’m sure others will be interested in them too.
UV system in air conditioner OK for MCS?
Hi Debra,
Anyone with mcs have a UV system for their air conditioner?
It is supposed to help prevent odors and mold, and my ac company is trying to persuade me to get it, but I know many years ago I read it is not good for an mcser.
A friend of mine had it and had to have it removed, but another mcser friend has one and is okay.
It is quite expensive and if I have to take it out, I will not get any of the money back. Thanks.
Debra’s Answer
UV lights produce varying amounts of ozone, but those intended for mold and germs produce very little. That may be what some very sensitive people are reacting to.
Readers, any experience with this?
