Question from LM

I was going to start making my own salad dressing to be more healthy and use less artificial ingredients. However I read homemade dressings can lead to botulism? I am confused on what is safe to mix and for how long- I really don’t know anything about botulism. Why is it that store bought dressings if homemade are not safe? Are dressing mixes such as good seasonings or hidden valley safe? How long do dressings (homemade, store bought, and seasoning mix ones) last safely?

Debra’s Answer

I say, great idea to make your own salad dressings! In fact, check out my salad dressing recipes at Sweet Savvy: Condiments: Salad Dressing.

Now, about botulism, it would be highly unlikely that any salad dressing that contained an acid–such as lemon or vinegar–would cause botulism, because the acid prevents the growth of bacteria. There have been cases of unrefrigerated garlic-infused oil causing botulism, but in this case, the oil did not contain an acid.

Another problem can be mayonnaise-based dressings if they are not refrigerated. This happens when something like potato salad with mayonnaise is taken on a picnic and left out in the sun, or a mayo-based dressing is carried to lunch and left unrefrigerated.

There is no problem with making your own homemade salad dressing if you store it in the refrigerator. Personally, I make my salad dressing fresh for each salad. It only takes a few minutes and that eliminates any storage problems.

I love making salad dressing because there are so many flavors to use to make salad vegetables interesting and tasty.

So go ahead and make salad dressing with confidence!

Add Comment

Question from Lindsey

There is a new plastic Tritan copolyester. Companies such as nalgene are now using this plastic instead to make water bottles. What is your opinion on this plastic? Do you think it is only a matter of time before we learn of downsides of this plastic as well and I should avoid jumping on the band wagon? For example, I am sure nonstick pans for awhile were once thought to be safe and now we know that they are not.

Debra’s Answer

I can’t tell you if it’s only a matter of time before we find out something toxic about this new plastic. Considering the past performance of other plastics, there is some chance that this one may be found to have some toxic component, too.

It is being touted for it’s durability, and that it doesn’t contain bisphenol-a, but it’s still a petrochemical product made from nonrenewable crude oil and it won’t biodegrade.

It’s currently being used for water bottles and for the container of the new model Vita-Mix. Glass would still be a better material for these uses.

If you want to be cautious, I’d say wait and see.

Add Comment

Question from STEPHANIE MILLS

Dear Debra,

We would like to know if you or readers could suggest the best air filters for a person with mcs. We live in northern California on an almond ranch which is sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, etc…Since I take care of my 90 year old father moving is not an option. We now have a Living Air ozone purifier, an Oreck professional air purifier, a uv light in the air conditioning unit, and a heavy duty Aprilaire filtering system in the return air duct. However, during the times they spray, and harvest time I still get sick. We would like any suggestions for better filters. And I really appreciate the comments that I have received in the past. They were very helpful. Thank you, Stephanie

hi…do you kinow a good auto air filter. thanks svw

Debra’s Answer

My recommendations are at Debra’s List: Air Filters.

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from LW

After using Pacific Organic Chicken Broth I started to have a reaction to the broth. Included in the ingredients are Natural Flavors, which the company described in response to my e mail, as Plant Extracts. Due to “proprietary reasons” they would not explain what ingredients they are. Instead they asked me to give a list of things I am sensitive to and they would check if it was in the broth.

Is there an easier way to find out all the ingredients? It may be something new that I am not aware of that has caused a problem.

Their website lists all things that are NOT in the broth but does not disclose what IS in it.

Here is the website.

www.pacificfoods.com/products-broths.php

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Unfortunately, the way the food labeling laws are written, flavors can be bundled together and all that needs to be specified is “natural” or “artificial.”

There’s nothing toxic in this broth, but obviously it contains something you are individually sensitive to.

I suggest making your own broth. In the wintertime, I make chicken broth every week.

Here’s how I do it.

1. Roast a whole chicken. Just take out any innards that may be in the cavity, wash it, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. I also sprinkle with crushed celery seeds, but this is optional. I roast it at 375 degrees until I can wiggle the legs easily. Also, if you poke it with a knife, the juice should run clear.

2. I let the bird cool and remove all the meat. Then I put all the bones and crispy skin into a big soup pot with 3 or 4 carrots, 3 or 4 ribs of celery (with tops), and 3 medium onions. You don’t need to clean them or remove skins, just chop roughly into big pieces. Cover with water and bring to a boil, then simmer for about an hour. Let it sit on the stove til cool. Strain and put it in the refrigerator.

Add Comment

Question from Sharon

Question

What should we replace plastic and paper bags with for our doggie walks outdoors and our home indoor garbage cans?

Debra’s Answer

BioBags!

These bioplastic bags are made from corn and are completely biodegradable.

They have kitchen bags, lawn and leaf bags, pet poo bags, shopping bags and more. If you don’t find them at your local natural food store, you can order them online.

Add Comment

Question from Debbie

I wanted to check to see if you’re familiar with any plastic-ware, plastic glasses and paper/plastic plates, napkins & table cloths that are now on the market and are environmentally friendly products. We’ll be celebrating my daughter’s graduation and are looking for something that we can hopefully purchase at Target or Walmart for her party. It is casual (picnic in local park), so no glassware is allowed. I’ve already checked with Target and Walmart to no avail. Any ideas?

Debra’s Answer

There are biodegradable cups, bowls, and plates made from “bagasse”, which is sugar cane fiber that is a byproduct of the sugar refining process. Supplies are virtually unlimited, as a huge amount of sugar is processed internationally.

Flatware is made available made from potato starch and vegetable oil.

One place to find them is Full Circle Planet.

Add Comment

Question from Jane Carter

Hello!

I’d really value your input on a subject that is an increasing concern to me. One of my favorite sources for exercise wear has recently begun to feature yoga pants and other workout clothing with an “antimicrobial finish” to the fabric. Actually, the descriptions even sound as though this is a feature that is woven into the fabric.

I do not know what kinds of chemicals this process would involve butI certainly do not want to be wearing chemicals when we’re all concerned enough with avoiding breathing them and ingesting them!

What exactly are these finishes? It seems to me that just laundering workout clothes would be enough to avoid the necessity for using them in the first place.

Also, I plan to search for the name of the CEO of this company and write to them, telling them I would continue to use their exercise wear IF they dropped the chemical finishing!

Thanks, and thank you for your outstanding newsletter!

Debra’s Answer

Q&A: Antimicrobial Shoes for Children has some discussion of antimicrobials used in shoes, which may also apply to clothing.

It would be best if you can get that CEO to tell you exactly what the antimicrobial is, and then I can tell you about the toxicity.

Add Comment

Question from Sherri

Thanks so much for your website. You and your readers always have so many good ideas!

I live in the desert southwest and am designing my own strawbale house. The temps here sometimes rise above 115 and I need ideas to minimize cooling costs. My goal is to go completely off the grid, but AC is a major issue here.

I would like to know of anyone’s experiences with geothermal heating and cooling. Or any other air conditioner alternatives. I’ve done basic research but need to know how it works in real life, not just in the books. Thanks for your help!

Sherri in Pinal Co., AZ

Debra’s Answer

Well, here’s a start. Take a look at what green architect Carol Venolia told me about cooling my home in Florida without air conditioning…At Home With Debra: Connecting My Home to Nature

Add Comment

Question from wt

Hi,

I just discovered that in the midst of our home improvements, some bees have found a home through some holes in the walls into our attic. I see them flying in and out of the holes. (Yikes!) I’m assuming they have a hive forming in our attic.

What can we do to remove and inhibit them, in a non-toxic manner that will not be problematic for my MCS? I did a search, but couldn’t find anything specific regarding bees.

Additionally, I live in Southern CA, so if anybody knows a good integritous non-toxic pest company, I would also appreciate a referral.

Thank you very kindly.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from Jen

Hi again!

We are getting ready to move and are very strongly considering a neighborhood in denver called stapleton. This was formerly the denver airport. I have some concerns over whether this location could be a potential toxic nightmare! I have asked the people running it and they assure me that they have been extemely careful in cleaning it up and making sure no chemicals are left behind. But of course they would say that! How do I know for sure?? I have checked the scorecard website but unfortunately it pretty much encompasses all of denver county, which is a big place so it is really hard to tell whether stapleton is of the same level, better, or worse. The neighborhood has been named one of the top 10 greenest neighborhoods in america but I think that has more to do with being enviromentally conscious. While of course I support that, it is just as important to me to live in a safe, nontoxic environment.

Do you have any knowledge of airports turned neighborhoods, or similar things, or can you please point me in a direction to dig deeper?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Interesting. I’m currently living in San Francisco for a few months and here they are turning an old shipyard into a living community. And I’m sure we’ll see more of this.

I have no experience with this, but I believe these kinds of projects require toxic site cleanup. I’d try the EPA for more information.

Readers, any ideas on this?

Add Comment