Water | Resources
Candtec Candle Systems
These 100% natural beeswax candles are truly unique! The candle itself is long and slender and comes in a coil. Before you burn it, you can pull as much as you want through the specially designed holder to make a candle of your desired length and burn time. Coiled candles come in sizes that will burn from 12 to 100 hours, and refill candles are available.
Chemicals — Good and Bad
Question from Annette Tweedel
Hi Debra,
I have a question. I thought all chemicals were bad for us and my husband says no, that there are some chemicals that are good for us. Which is it? And if there are some chemicals that are good for us, which are they? Thank you in advance for clearing the air for me.
Debra’s Answer
This is a very good question. There are so many words we use of which we don’t know the meanings, it’s good to clear this one up, since we use it here on this blog all the time.
The easiest definition of chemical for me comes from the definition of chemistry: “the study of matter and the changes that take place with that matter.” The study of matter. That’s anything and everything in the physical universe. Literally, everything is a chemical.
Rather than going into all the details of matter, I’m going to direct you to a wonderfully simple website called Chem4Kids, which explains chemistry in a way even I can understand.
In Nature, there is matter that is the very basic stuff of life that cannot be broken down any further and still be what it is. These are known as elements. They are listed on what is known as the Periodic Table. Some elements we all know include hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, sodium, aluminum, titanium, copper…36 in all. These are the basic building blocks of all matter and exist throughout Nature.
Nature takes these basic elements and combines them together to make all the matter in the universe. Water, for example, is two molecules of hydrogen with one molecule of oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen make a chemical reaction and stick together to make water. This is so fundamental to life that in our language, we even say people who like each other and form a unit together have “chemistry.”
Many centuries ago, people known as alchemists tried to change elemental metals into gold. Basic truths about the physical laws of life discovered by alchemists lead to the field of modern inorganic chemistry (the branch of chemistry having to do with all chemical compounds that are not made with carbon, carbon-based compounds are addressed in organic chemistry).
FDA tests lipsticks, finds lead in all
There has been an article going around about lead in lipstick. It’s true, there is, according to the FDA.
Here is the official FDA webpage on lead in lipsticks: Lipstick and Lead: Questions and Answers.
It lists all the lipsticks tested, and the amount of lead in them, along with more information about lead and lipstick. Though the FDA says it “does not believe that the lead content found in its lipstick analysises is a safety concern, it is widely recognized there is no safe level for lead.
Better to choose a natural lipstick or lipgloss, or, better yet, use none at all (my husband doesn’t like to kiss me when I wear lipstick, so that’s a great incentive not to wear it!).
EWG Rates Sunscreens for 2010
Environmental Working Group assessed 1,400 sunscreen products, including beach and sports lotions, sprays and creams, moisturizers, make-up and lip balms, and ended up warning consumers “not to depend on any sunscreen for primary protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection available.” more…
Here’s the full report, including the 39 sunscreen products they recommend: EWG’S 2010 Sunscreen Guide.
Since I live in sunny Florida, I did a study on sun protection a few years ago and came to the same conclusion: hats, clothing, and shade are your best protection. I personally don’t use sunscreen at all, nor do I wear sunglasses, which block light from the sun that is beneficial to your health.
Here’s my report on how to create your own safe sun strategy: Debra’s Guide to Natural Sun Protection.
For more information on sunlight and your health see the books at Debra’s Bookstore: Health: Sunlight.
CNN: Toxic Childhood
Last week, CNN aired a whole hour special called “Toxic Childhood,” which exposed toxic chemicals children are being exposed to and their health effects. Nothing new that I and others haven’t been writing about for years, my point here is only to give another example that the subject of toxic chemicals in consumer products is finally reaching the mainstream.
If you want to watch the show, it’s in bits and pieces at CNN: Toxic America. Click on the different subjects, and you will be able to see the video clip from the show for that subject.
Most of the show is about the dangers, the last segment has a few tips about how to protect your children. Insufficient, but that’s what this website is for…
The Candle Lady
100% beeswax candles in unusual styles–spiral and twisted tapers, solid pillars, and molded candles with beautiful intricate designs. Also bayberry wax tapers (read descriptions carefully as there are also some that are only bayberry scented).
Grapeseed oil
Question from niella
Hello Debra,
I wish to use Grapeseed oil as a heat protectant for my hair. Is there a particular brand I should use or will any brand do?
Thank you. 🙂
Debra’s Answer
Anything that comes in contact with your body ideally should be organically grown. Beyond that, I think any major natural brand would do for this purpose.
Vitamin K cream for undereyes
Question from niella
Hello Debra,
What are the best Vitamin K cream brands for sensitive eyes? Are there any organic products avaliable?
Thank you! 🙂
Debra’s Answer
Readers, what is your experience?
Eye cream for sensitive eyes
Question from niella
Hello Debra,
Which organic eye creams are best for sensitive eyes?
Thank you! 🙂
Debra’s Answer
Readers, what is your experience?
Hair, skin, nails supplements
Question from niella
Hello Debra,
Which brand of hair, skin and nails supplements are the best?? I was thinking on purchasing the GNC brand but I discovered those are synthetic. Then I stumbled upon the Bluebonnet ones. Have you (or anyone else) tried these? Do they work? I found some good reviews but not enough to convince me..
Thank you! 🙂
Debra’s Answer
My opinion, as stated before, is to take only supplements that are made from whole foods. Most supplements that are made for a specific purpose like improvement of hair, skin, or nails, are made from synthetic vitamins.
A whole food diet with whole food supplements will result in beautiful hair, skin, and nails.
