Question from SVE

Debra, I’ve made a major breakthrough in regard to my diet which consists of all (except one) organic, simple foods.

I’ve had food allergies (30 + years) and am presently on a five-day rotation diet. Problems for me cropped up consistently on two of the five days. I’m not allergic to any of my foods so this was a mystery. I searched the internet and found “Food Combining” as illustrated in this chart: at www.alderbrooke.com/chart.php

I began combining foods as shown on this chart and it definitely works for me. I’m still eating my same foods, but I’ve changed my meals to following basic recommendations for food combining.

One example: I was eating fruit along with meat for two of my five breakfasts. Six to eight hours later, I would experience very uncomfortable digestive symptoms (for two plus hours!).

I was desperate to find out why this was happening, searched and finally found within several food combining websites that fruit is easily digested, but meat is not. When the fruit sits waiting for the meat to get digested, it “ferments!” Alcohol is one of the possible substances that can form in a person’s digestive system in a case like this. If the fruit had been eaten alone, there would not have been a problem. I’m now eating my fruit meals alone!

Have you, Debra, or has anyone else found food combining to be of help?

Debra’s Answer

I tried food combining many years ago, and while I no longer adhere to it strictly, I tend to eat meals of vegetables and protein, and eat fruit separately as a snack.

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Question from vertigo1972

Hi Debra, I am having a difficulty with prefinished white hardwood oak floors I had installed in Dec. 2009. I ripped out old hardwood floors that had pesticide on them and replaced them with this new floor. I am chemically sensitive and but i never had problems with the other white hardwood floors in other parts of my home. I am not sure if its the finish on the floor or the wood itself. I was thinking of sanding the prefinished wood and then coating it with a voc free hard seal. Has anyone else had this problem? The new floor is from a different manaufacturer and they use aluminum oxide as the prefinish. Do you think sanding the floor will help?

Thanks

John

Debra’s Answer

The first thing I would do is apply heat. Close up the room and turn on the heat. At the end of the day, open the windows and let it air out. Keep doing this until there is no more odor. It’s probably the finish that is not fully cured.

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Question from vlavianos

Hi. I made liquid soap with grated castile soap, water, glycerin and honey in the blender. The soap has solidified and I don’t know if I can re-liquify it or if it’s garbage. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

It’s been my experience than any soap will “melt” when exposed to water. I would add more water and let it sit in the sun to get warm.

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Question from Jasmine

Debra,

So glad to have found you!

Am trying to choose a new non-toxic, comfortable and supportive mattress. I have an RX for flame retardant free, but even with an RX it is difficult to find. After several months of research, and getting nowhere, am finally down to two alternatives. The first is:

1) An organic innerspring mattress that uses hydrated silica, baking soda and cellulose as a flame barrier. In searching the web, have found a few negatives but since I am not a chemist can’t really figure it out….any thoughts as to the toxicity of having this in your mattress?

2) A latex mattress covered with a cotton/wool cover. But after reading this:

strobel.com/wool_burns.htm

Debra’s Answer

The first thing to know is that “flame retardant” refers to a wide variety of materials. The reason you are having difficulty finding one without flame retardants is that it is required by federal law that all mattresses pass a flammability test. The law does not specify what is to be used to make the mattress pass the test.

In the past, only toxic chemicals were used, thus the need to get a prescription to get a mattress without toxic flame retardants. Today, since more is known about the toxicity of flame retardants, there are other options available that are not toxic, and these can be had without a prescription.

Now I’ll answer your specific questions.

1) Hydrated silica, baking soda, and cellulose are all nontoxic. Silica is sand, it’s the stuff used to make glass. Baking soda is a natural mineral. Cellulose is just plant material. We eat cellulose all the time, whenever we eat vegetables and fruits.

2) Many mattresses are sold with a layer of wool as a fire retardant barrier. Since all mattresses sold must pass the flammability test, I am assuming that those mattresses pass or they wouldn’t be sold. Ask them for a copy of their flammabity test if you have any doubt.

Now, about that link, note that the photos show a single strand of wool burning. A single strand with a lot of air around it. Fire requires air to burn. I learned that building fires in my wood stove. A single match burns fine, but pile up pieces of wood with no air between them and they won’t burn. So I’m not surprised that a single strand of wool yarn would burn like a candle wick. But in a mattress it is a layer of wool–complete different conditions. As to your being leery, I don’t quite understand. You got a prescription for a mattress to NOT be flame proof, so why are you concerned about how effective wool is as fire retardant? I sleep on a wool mattress. I have for years. I am not at all concerned about it being flameproof. I don’t smoke in bed.

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Question from Anlina

I need to replace my flat roof. Does anyone know what type will outgas the least?

My options include spray-foam polyurea, torch-down modified bitumen, peel-and-stick modified bitumen, rolled asphalt, EPDM rubber, (ethylene propylene diene monomer), PVC, built-up roof, or two layer peel & stick system where the top sheet is granule surfaced.

Then there are the underlayments, adhesives, etc. which I’d appreciate suggestions on as well.

I’m in southern California.

Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

I could analyze each of these, but I’d rather hear about first-hand experiences. Readers, have you installed any of these on your flat roofs?

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Question from LINDAANN

Hi Debra

I was wondering if you could suggest a natural or organic grass seed for my lawn. I have been doing research and can not find anything that is chemical free, the closest thing i have found is a product sold at Whole Foods called Pearl’s Premium. I have two large sections that need some grass. I also have small children that roll around in the grass. Any suggestions would be great. We do not use any chemical in or around our house. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Here are two links to sites that sell organic grass seed: Gardens Alive! and Wildflower Farm.

And here’s a link to a site with a lot of tips on how to maintain a healthy lawn without toxic chemicals: http://www.richsoil.com/lawn-care.jsp.

I just need to take this opportunity to mention lawn can also be planted with flowers for cutting or a kitchen garden with vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

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Question from vlavianos

I am looking for a natural or organic bar soap that is super moisturizing. I have tried Dr. Bronners, Kiss My Face olive oil soap, shea butter soap, “unscented” Dove, all without success. They seem fine in the shower, but when I dry off I can see the crocodile skin on my legs, and my arms and torso get itchy. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from JAD

Universay of Michigan has released a study on eating Tart Cherries to help reduce inflamation.

www.choosecherries.com/health/hearthealth.aspx

My husband and I have been eating 20 cherries a day and found it does help. Some of my friends tried and didn’t think it helped until after they stopped eating them. I have talked to my Dr and he agrees that it can help. I have heard of Sports Drs that recommend Tart Cherry Juice. Cherries are on the dirty dozen list and I buy Orgainic. I have a buying group of friends which brings the price down. Bulk buying is cheaper than buying the small packages in the store and much better for the environment. Just keep extra cherries in the refrigerator or freezer.

They are great in muffins, cookies, salads, berry crisps, in granola and just by themselves as a treat. For those that eat chocolate, eat them together for a great treat.

Debra’s Answer

In the past I have eaten cherries for pain relief and it really worked for me!

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Question from msclark

Does anyone know of an organic sleep positioner for babies?

Debra’s Answer

I couldn’t find any. Readers?

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Question from ellenelle

Does anyone know of a source for wooden Venetian blinds with a non-toxic finish?

Thanks,

Ellen

Debra’s Answer

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