Water | Resources
Light of Day Organics
Award-winning teas and tisanes made with handpicked organic and biodynamic teas grown right here in Michigan USA, blended with home-grown flowers, herbs and fruit. ” Everything we sell is certified Organic and many offerings are also certified Demeter Biodynamic®, are Michigan-grown, and anything outsourced by partner farms is also certified organic and purchased using fair trade standards to support and honor the intense human effort that is required for tea harvest and production. 60% of all ingredients are grown right here. Our blending and packaging is done by hand right here in our farm’s commercial kitchen.”
Made Simple Skincare
Organic skin and oral care, created in small batches, bottled in glass. “Nothing but pure, active ingredients…raw, vegan, non-GMO…Made Simple Skin Care was founded with the idea that taking care of yourself is tantamount to taking care of others and the planet we all inhabit. That means starting from the soil to the seed to the plant and to you. What if high quality, natural skin products were not only luxurious in form and formula, but sustainable in principle? “We believe that if you take care of nature it will, take care of you.”
Greenways Organic
Insect repellants made from organic ingredients for body and garden. “Our USDA certified bottling facility ensures the formula remains in an unadulterated state, eliminating the need for additives that may lessen effectiveness and ensuring it remains a truly 100% organic product….Made from a DEET-free, non-toxic blend of organicplant-based essential oils, including citronella, lemongrass and cedar oil that are known for their natural bug repelling properties and safe use.
Cleo & Coco
Detox deodorant and detox dust made of activated charcoal and bentonite clay “to remove bacteria and toxins and absorb wetness. Due to the detox benefits of these all-natural healthy ingredients, as well as due to eliminating antiperspirants and synthetic deodorants from your daily routine, after using your Detox Deodorant a few days, you will notice that you are naturally not as wet or have any BO, even on days when you forget to put on your Cleo&Coco DetoxDeo! This means that you have successfully detoxed your underarms…We use only organic activated charcoal from coconuts.” These products are scented with essential oils from vanilla, lavender and orange peel.
H is for Love
There is a lot to read on this website about the purity of the plant ingredients and the very basic formulas that prove “nature is enough.” As an example I will just tell you about the Root & Berry Lip Glace, which I am going to try. There seem to be descriptions on one page and ordering on another, so if you want to buy and don’t see a shopping cart, go to “shop.” But this lip glace has “been formulated to nourish lips in much the same way the H IS FOR LOVE skincare line does. I chose to leave out pigments that weren’t specifically there to enhance the nourishing qualities of the gloss, and instead included roots, berries, and flowers that would color the oils naturally.” That is so in agreement with my own thinking. And then she went on to say how she was addicted to her department store lipstick. It was the same brand I was addicted to for the same reason. It took me so long to give it up because of the color and the feel. And then she made this glace and gave it up. “No more poison gloss for me!” she said. “H is for love is about sharing nature’s most wonderful gifts. Each ingredient is pure, every product made by hand to optimize quality and efficacy. Cruelty-free and almost entirely organic and wild-sourced, only natural preservation methods are employed. Designed with purpose and care, each element has already withstood the ultimate test: time.”
Inspirational Story: Wheelys Cafe
I saw this on a news feed while waiting in an office the other day and couldn’t resist telling you about it.
This business is a human-powered bicycle-cart cafe that sells organic coffee.
What a great idea!
And it’s catching on.
“Wheelys is a chain of organic bicycle cafés, enabling people (ALL people) to start their own businesses. Since launching in 2014, Wheelys has exploded over the world and currently operates cafés in more than 45 countries.”
What other creative ideas for toxic free living will appear next? What can you think of?
Haynes Fresh IQ
Question from Phil
Hi Debra,
I’ve noticed that Hanes underwear and socks all say FreshIQ on the packaging. It turns out that this a chemical applied to the fabric. I’m not sure what the chemical is, or if it’s even safe?
Debra’s Answer
I called Hanes and their customer service told me “there are no harmful chemicals, it’s just a mist that washes out after a few washings.”
So absolutely no information was forthcoming about what exactly this is, but according to Hanes it’s not even there any more after a few washings.
What To Do When You’re Stuck With Treated Carpet
Question from Beth
Hi Debra,
I refer often to your book and website and am eager for your tips on an issue keeping me up at night!
We have two small children and are currently stuck in a house where one floor has newish (2009 install) Berber carpet that has been treated for stain/water resistance.
I don’t let the kids walk barefoot in one room, and have covered the floors in the others with small area rugs, but cleaning these regularly is impractical. We’re not in a position to replace with wood or other.
I’d be so grateful for any ideas to keep them safer.
Do we know how long carpets treated for stain/water resistance can continue to “rub off” on skin? I’m guessing it’s likely the life of the product.
Thank you!!
Debra’s Answer
Yes, for the life of the product.
Foil will block any chemical fumes. While you can’t lay foil on a carpet and walk on it, there are products available that is foil sandwiched between two layers of nontoxic polyethylene plastic.
Reflectix is the brand I have experience with. It’s made for insulation, but you could lay this over your carpet and it would 100% block any fumes. Then you could lay sheets or other fabric over the top to improve appearance.
Not the most beautiful solution, I know, but it will block any outgassing.
That said, a carpet from 2009 may have little outgassing. You may want to make pads of reflective for them to play on rather than doing the whole room. I would minimize skin contact.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Tattoos
A comprehensive discussion of toxic ingredients found in tattoo inks was recently published in GreenMedInfo.
It’s very technical, written in scientific language and well-documented, but full of information on the possible health effects of injecting colored inks into your skin.
Henna tattoos were not mentioned as a safer alternative method for body art.
GREENMEDINFO: Toxic Chemicals Found in Tattoos: Links to Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases
Pesticide Exposure at the Pumpkin Patch?
Question from Jo
Hi Debra,
Can I get your advice on this? You’re the only one on the web, that I actually feel that is so knowledgeable and honest!!
So daughter just turned 4 years old, and her teacher has planned a trip to the farm that has a pumpkin patch and petting zoo. I called the farm and they use an IPM program, but say they will use pesticide spray when needed. So they aren’t fully organic, but they call themselves sustainable.
I worry that my daughter can touch the pumpkins or anything with residue and they will be eating lunch there, so that’s hand to mouth.
Would you recommend me sending her or maybe keeping her home. I’ve had 2 aunts pass away from childhood leukemia, and I know there’s a link with pesticide.
I worry so much, but I really don’t want to bother the teacher. I’ve already haggled her about shutting their ionic (Plasma) air conditioner off and just running the air conditioner without using the ionic function. (She’s probably so annoyed with me by now) hahaha
Any assistance would be WARMLY appreciated! 🙂
Debra’s Answer
You actually don’t need to worry about this. One exposure to pesticides doesn’t make that much of a difference. Since they are IPM they may not even have sprayed. Let her go and have fun.
There was actually a study that showed if children ate 100% organic for only three days, all the pesticide residues were gone from their bodies. The problem is eating non-organic food every day. Then your child’s body is full of pesticides on an ongoing basis. But it takes only three days to clear.
I eat almost 100% organic at home, but I also travel and then I eat as much organic as I can, but 100% is difficult. I’m about to drive cross country for 9 days from Florida to California and I’m already scoping out restaurants that serve organic food and places where I can buy organic food enroute. We’re going to bring some food with us too.
While certainly there are what are called “acute” exposures that could kill you immediately (this is why we have poison control centers), but for what are called “cumulative” exposures, such as pesticide residues, it’s what you do most of the time that counts. Feed your daughter organic at home and what pesticide residues she may encounter elsewhere will leave her body quickly.
All that said, please don’t misunderstand me. Pesticides ARE toxic. Don’t spray your daughter with pesticides thinking they are safe. But occasional RESIDUES…I’m of the opinion that pleasure in life contributes to health and sometimes we need to weigh the benefit with the risk.
I’ve been to pumpkin farms and I haven’t experienced them to be a place I need to avoid.
I’m flying on an airplane this week. That’s a lot more toxic. And at the other end I’ll eat in an organic restaurant.
