Question from Sally Reinburg

We have heard that there is an off gas to this, we want to use it for a large greenhouse-passive solar heat system for a new home. What do you know??

Debra’s Answer

My understanding about polycarbonate is that it leaches bisphenol-A into food or water with which it has contact. I haven’t heard that there are problems with it outgassing.

The rule of thumb is: the harder the plastic, the less it outgasses into the air. So logic would say that it would outgas very little. However, if it is in the sun, the warmth of the sun would cause it to outgas. But the result of that would be it would then be outgassed and would no longer outgas,

Readers, anyone with experience with a polycarbonate greenhouse?

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Question from Susan

The only treatment I know of for hemorrhoids is Preparation H and other brands that have mimicked the Preparation H ingredients. EWG gives these products a level 6 on the danger scale and they are full of parabens. Does anyone have any suggestions for a healthier treatment for hemorrhoids?

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from queen of fun

Can anyone comment on oil pulling?

www.oilpulling.com

I don’t know if you are familiar with oiling pulling, but in short a person swishes oil around their mouth on an empty stomach. It is suppose to remove toxins from your body, whiten your teeth and help with all around health. I have been searching forever and my question is: Can I still take my normal routine of supplements each day? I also take thyroid medication, will oil pulling effect my medicine uptake? Like I said I’ve searched and have been unable to find my answer. Any input would be welcome.

Since I’ve been oilpulling for about 2 months, I feel better and my teeth have whitened and they feel super clean. I’ve had no negative affects.

Debra’s Answer

Never heard of it, but sounds intriguing. Don’t see any reason not to try it. Can’t hurt and might help.

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from BRJ

Hello Debra,

I was wondering if you or your readers knew a good way to remove mold from a garden lawn suitable for someone with mcs? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from CP

I apologize in advance for so so many questions. I know people lived without plastic for many years, but now after relying on plastic for so many years it is quite and adjustment, but one that I think is well worth it!

Right now I use mainly Tupperware and was searching online for glass containers to store food in and carry my water. Unfortunately, all the glass containers and corningware type containers I have seen sold seem to have plastic lids. Wouldn’t after multiple uses the lid’s plastic chemicals leach into the food, especially since I wash my dishes in the dishwasher and wash all the dishes together?

I read that you said you carry your water in a glass container. What type of glass container do you use? The closest I have found uses a rubber to close the lid lid (like an oldfashioned milk jug). And since I don’t want to use rubber, I am at lost for what bottle to look for. I know sigg is popular, but I would rather not use aluminum, since I drink so much water a throughout work day.

Also, how do you keep food moist without using plastic saran wrap to cover items? Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

At the moment, I am reusing some glass marinara sauce jars with metal lids.

At home, I have those French glass jars with the clamp-on glass lid (photo and order from The Container Store

). They have a rubber gasket that I believe is natural rubber, because they break down and have to be replaced every few years. I’ve had these jars for years in all sizes and use them on shelves and in the refrigerator. I also have some glass jars in several sizes with metal screw-on lids that I got at Target. I can’t find them easily on their website, but I have purchased them in both Florida and San Francisco, so I believe they are standard in all Target stores.

For storing water in the fridge and carrying water, I reuse glass juice bottles with metal lids. They are heavy glass. If you are concerned about them breaking, tie some padding around them, like a folded cotton dishtowel, or even a potholder. If you are crafty, you could make a padded carrier (and if any of you want to start your own business making these, I’ll put them on my website).

How do I keep my food moist without using plastic wrap? Hmmmm, well, I just put it in a covered container in the refrigerator. We all need more covered containers, like covered baking dishes, you can use the cover instead of plastic wrap.

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Question from MG

I need to purchase a very light weight blanket for my bedroom, since I live in Florida, and would like to find one that dries quickly in my dryer. I don’t have the ability to dry it outdoors and the cotton blankets take too long in the dryer.

Thank you,

Debra’s Answer

I’m not sure what kind of cotton blankets you have that take too long to dry in the dryer, but my recommendation would be a little cotton flannel blanket.

My husband and I live in Florida too, and we just sleep under cotton flannel sheets. That way we don’t need a sheet AND a blanket.

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Question from Wendy

Hi,

I was trying to figure out a way to NATURALLY and NON-TOXICALLY disinfect my toothbrush. I’ve seen things out in the market $$ that steam or use UV rays to kill the bacteria. However, I’m uncertain as to how ‘natural’ they may be, or if there’s any possibility of unwanted chemicals or side effects from those methods?

I’ve heard of hydrogen peroxide with water in a cup. I have also tried a few drops of Agrisept with water to swish my toothbrush. I’m just unsure regarding cross contamination in using the same cup of water for several days? Or which method is the best?

I want the healthiest most natural way to go about this. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks kindly.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not familiar with all the toothbrush disinfectant machines, but UV rays and steam will kill the bacteria without any side effects I know of. In hospitals, they sterilize the instruments used during surgery in an autoclave, which basically is a chamber for using pressurized steam.

I would suggest that you can just use boiling water, because boiling water is the standard method for killing bacteria in questionable water supplies. Just pour boiling water over the brush, or “cook” it in a pot of boiling water. For the purpose of killing bacteria for drinking water, the instructions are to bring the water to a rolling boil and then letting it boil for one minute. This is sufficient to eliminate harmful bacteria.

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Since we’re discussing sugars and sweets on this blog, and one of the issues is how they affect blood sugar, just wanted to pass along this new study about how coffee affects blood sugar.

If you drink a cup of coffee before you eat sugar or other carbs, or with the sugar or other carbs, the caffiene in the coffee will make your body resistant to insulin, which in turn makes our blood-sugar levels go higher. 250 percent higher. So much for dessert and coffee…

Read all about the study at Coffee before breakfast cereal boosts blood sugar.