Water | Resources
Dave’s Garden – The Garden Watchdog
Only one aspect of this immense website is a list of over 3500 garden supply vendors, plus comments from satisfied (and dissatisfied customers). It's easy to search to find anything you many need in the gardening world. Also has gardening forums, seed/plant trading, background resources, and much more. NOTE: This is not a dedicated organic site, but contains much that is organic. Also has "The Plants Database," the largest. most useful, most comprehensive plant database in the world with over 60,000 entries, 37,000 images and 17,000 comments. These are real photos and growing tips of real plants taken by real people in real gardens, contributed by thousands of gardeners worldwide. Quite a useful site for gardeners.
Birch Hill Happenings
A complete selection of unscented, natural, plant-based personal care products–lotions, creams, shampoos, oils, the extremely-difficult-to-find unscented talcum powder, and more. These can be scented to your taste with natural essential oils (they allow space in the bottle for easy mixing) or left unscented. Available in 2-ounce, 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 16-ounce and 32-ounce sizes, so you can both sample and save.
Looking For Lightweight Cookware
Question from dvrosie
Hi, I want to get all new cookware, and want HEALTHY no chemicals but also not too heavy, for instance cast iron or Creuset is too heavy for me. I looked at Mercola’s Healthy Chef but that might be too heavy too and I can’t try it out in a store. The research says that Anolon is a good product and that the coating is non toxic but then I saw another entry I think you said you stay away from all coatings! I will destroy the bottom of aluminum pans or stainless steel i just know it. What can you please recommend I want to buy this SOON.
Thank you! Rosie
Debra’s Answer
Dr. Mercola’s Healthy Chef is the same as Xtrema Cookware that I’ve written about many times on this blog. I use it myself every day. They now have a wonderful big wok skillet too and tea potles that you can boil water in. I love this cookware and don’t find it too heavy. It’s not like cast iron.
There is an advantage to heavy cookware in that it holds the heat more evenly and stays put better on the stove. I think Xtrema is “just right.”
Jaffe Bros.
A long-time supplier of organically grown, untreated, dried fruits, nuts, dates, seeds, grains, and other organic staples, they carry organic agave, organic honey, and organic maple syrup.
Need help with Nontoxic School Cleaning Products and more
Question from jiwaskow
My daughter’s preschool agreed to use nontoxic cleaners, hand soap, hand sanitizer, art supplies. Now I need to find affordable, SCENT-FREE, nontoxic products in bulk. Anyone already take this on and have suggestions? If this works, I plan to take to other schools. I know there are companies marketing to schools as nontoxic, but they are not always scent-free or affordable so I’m seeking suggestions. Also – the school says they must use bleach b/c of Health Dept. Is this true (we’re in CO and I have three messages into our health dept, no answer still). Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
Here’s a report: Breathing Easier School Districts Make the Switch to Certified Green Cleaning Products
Another Reason to Not Wear Synthetic Fibers
We’re all well aware of plastic pollution from plastic bags and bottles and other big items. But did you know that microscopic bits of plastic are also polluting the world’s oceans and ending up in the fish we eat?
According to a study published this month in the American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science & Technology, bits of polyester and acrylic smaller than the head of a pin are likely rinsing off garments during the wash cycle of washing machines and ending up on shorelines. Researchers say this debris contains potentially harmful ingredients that fish can ingest and then transfer to people who eat them.
More than 1,900 fibers can rinse off a single garment.
USA Today: Washing machines cause microplastic pollution
The solution, of course, is to wear and wash organic cotton, linen, silk, wool and hemp. These fibers are biodegradable and break down in the environment, rather than accumulating in living organisms. See Debra’s List: Textiles.
Rawganique
Luxury goes organic with these bedding items made with cotton, wool, French linen, and hemp. Futons and mattresses, mattress covers, top quality organic bed linens, comforters and duvet covers, pillows, blankets–all made from organic materials. Also mattress covers and organic wool moisture pad protector. Many items are exclusive to this site. “Our hemp products are, of course, sustainably made with no sweatshop, child, or underwaged labor involved at any step of the cultivation or manufacturing process — this is something which we have taken pride in from the very beginning.”
Need help finding a laundry detergent that works
Question from joyinjesus
Please help!
I have multiple chemical sensitivites and allergies and very sensitive skin. I have found things to wash my clothes in as I don’t usually get my clothes dirty, but I am looking for something to wash my husbands clothes with. He is a great man, but almost every shirt has food, coffee, grease spatters, or something else on it. The natural products I use are not getting these stains out.
Does anyone know of a good chemical and fragrance free laundry detergent that will get these stains out without multiple washings and scrubbings?
I appreciate any help I can get!
Debbie in NM
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any experience with this?
Non-toxic Floor Mat
Question from Susan-az
I have a large piece of exercise equipment which stands on a porcelain tile floor. I need to find a non-toxic floor mat to go underneath it in order to keep it from sliding. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
Would a small cotton area rug work?
Sympatico Clothing
Sustainable clothing crafted for women seeking simple elegance and comfort in their apparel. “Made of eco-friendly hemp and Tencel (lyocell), styles incorporate classic lines while celebrating the female form in all its diversity. Designed and hand-crafted in America.”
