Water | Swimming Pools
Breathe Sleepwear
Surround yourself with linen while you sleep with linen sleepwear for women and men made by a small clothing design studio in the USA. “Artfully designed, impeccably crafted linen sleepwear….not mass produced, but made one at a time for each customer…carefully created from the initial design, pattern making, through the meticulous construction process, using only exceptional quality linens and other natural materials…not meant to be seasonal or trendy & my customers understand that they are making an investment. My hope is that these garments will become a staple in your wardrobe for years to come. I believe you will love your Breathe Clothing.”
Kinderfeet
A wooden push “balance bike” to ease the transition to pedal-powered bicycle at a toddler’s comfort level. Designed by a Dutch father as a gift to his son, “Our balance bikes are made from sustainable birch wood, from a replenishable source. The airless tires are completely biodegradable. We use minimal packaging material made from recycled paper and water based-ink. The chalkboard finish paint is water-based and the lacquer is non-toxic.” Also push bikes made from bamboo wood.
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.
