Question from Ruth

I have read that enamel covered iron is the healthiest cookware. What about old fashioned cast iron? I was told as a child that iron skillets added iron to the food and that was a good thing. Is there anything harmful about cooking in iron skillets?

Debra’s Answer

I know of no reason not to use cast iron skillets. I think they are a good choice, made of a natural, simple material.

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Question from JC

Prang Soy Crayons are listed under your Debra’s List column and I noticed on the web that they are no longer making these crayons. Do you know if sales were just low or was something harmful for children or did Crayola give them trouble? I am still interested in locating some but want to know the reason they discontinued manufacturing them? Thanks you, JC

Debra’s Answer

Hmmmm. I’m a bit puzzled by this because I just two weeks ago taped a television show that showed these, among other back-to-school items, and the producer had no problem finding them at a local store.

If they discontinued manufacturing. It could be many reasons that have to do with resource availability, consumer demand, company finances, or any number of other problems besides toxicity or competition.

I didn’t see the note about discontinuing manufacture on the website I linked to on Debra’s List. If you saw that on another website, and want to know more about this, I suggest you call the manufacturer.

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Question from Dawn

We just bought a new innerspring mattress with a thick and plush pillow top. It is very comfortable but we have discovered that the pillow top is very hot to sleep on. It does not dissipate body heat at all. I have been looking at wool mattress pads/toppers and I’m wondering if they are truly cool to sleep on in the hot summer months. I found one through Debra’s list at Dax stores that is a washable wool fleece mattress pad that is reasonable priced. Does anyone have any experience with fleece mattress pads or know of any other option that would help make our new mattress cooler to sleep on?

Debra’s Answer

I live in Florida, where it is very hot. During the summer, we have to sleep with the air conditioner on because it is generally over 80 degrees outside and humid. But we set the air conditioner at 78 degrees, so it’s still pretty warm.

365 days a year we sleep on a wool mattress with a wool mattress pad and cotton flannel sheets. And we are very comfortable and cool because these natural materials absorb perspiration and then allow it to evaporate.

The mattress pad we bought many years ago is wool fleece attached to a woven wool backing. We have washed and aired it out many times in over twenty years. I don’t know where to get such a pad currently.

Readers, what is your experience?

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Question from KLP

We are looking for dye-free medicines for both adults and children. We would also prefer that they have no artificial sweetners or chemical preservatives. All we have been able to find so far are: dye-free Tylenol, dye-free Motrin and dye-free Benedryl. Do you know of any others or, better yet, a company that specializes in dye-free OTC medicines? Thank you so much for all of your valuable advice. I read your newsletters religiously.

Kelly

Debra’s Answer

Well, personally I wouldn’t take these drugs with or without dyes. But if you are going to take them, it’s better that they be dye-free. I have no idea where to get these dye-free drugs.

There are what special pharmacies that make up prescriptions without dyes, etc. I remember once a doctor gave me such a prescription and sent me to a local pharmacy that did that. But I don’t remember what they are called. They are probably online somewhere.

My best recommendation to you is to find some natural remedies, such as herbs or homeopathics, to handle the symptoms you need to relieve with these drugs. Or, better yet, find out and handle their root cause and build health in your body.

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Question from Terri

Your recipe for the crumb coffee cake sounds wonderful! I just thought some may want to try the addition of 1 c. of berries, layered before the crumbs or just mixed in the batter. I think blueberries or marionberries would be especially good.

Debra’s Answer

That sounds great to me!

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Question from Sami

We want to buy kitchen cabinets and are confuuuuused. We saw Kraftmaid cabinets.

The cheaper one we liked the most actually was Praline color but we were told it was not solid wood but plywood.

The more expensive is Solid Wood. I actually prefered the cheaper plywood.

Then one can get Lacquered solid wood cabinets.

Which type would you recommend?

Is it true that it is easier to maintain the lacquered wood than the solid wood?

hi, I have been trying to have my cabinets made of al wood but am finding it too expensive – there are some boards that say they are very low in formaldehyde emmissions level EO substrate (if you know what that means) that it is tested to US EPA’s ETV test method for measuring emissions of VOCs and aldehydes and complies to the total VOC limit specified by Green star of <0.5 mg/m3 within 7 days of unpacking. What do you think or can you suggest a board to use for the insides of the kitchen cabinets.

thanks

Jacinta

Debra’s Answer

This IS a confusing subject. I know, because I’ve just been looking for kitchen cabinets too.

There seem to be three kinds of cabinets.

The cheapest ones are made of particleboard. These you want to avoid as they outgass considerable amounts of formaldehyde. Be sure to ask what the cabinets are made from, don’t just look. Often they are veneered to look like wood.

Then there are cabinets made from plywood. These are less toxic and may be acceptable.

I just found some cabinets here locally that were being advertised as “solid wood”. In fact, they were plywood with solid wood doors.

There ARE actual solid wood cabinets. They are very expensive. See search results on Debra’s List for “cabinets”,

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Question from G

I am a new rose gardener. I want to use the best natural fertilizers to make my new rose friends happy. Any suggestions?

I’d also like to know how to get the fertilizer into the ground. A neighbor suggested making holes near the roses with a stake, then putting the fertilizer into the holes, so it would get to the roots. Any recommendations on this? I want to make sure not to damage the roots.

Best,

G

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from svw

Hi…We are wondering where to buy an inflatable airbed, all the ones we have seen are so toxic and strong smelling we are unable to tolerate them. The kind we are looking for are the collapsible airbeds that use the pumps. Thanks svw

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Mary

Debra, I realized that I also need to ask about sheetrock. Is there anything I should be aware of in that area?

thanks again ! 🙂

Debra’s Answer

There’s nothing in sheetrock you need to be concerned about. We just use standard sheetrock from any home improvement store.

There is a small amount of chemicals in the mud used on the tape to seal the seams. I know there are some less toxic brands available, but we have never used them because the amount of chemical is so small. Still, some people who are very sensitive prefer the other. If you want to go with the standard mud for convenience, you can minimize exposure to whatever chemicals that may be present with ventilation and by using heat to dry it quickly.

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Question from JC

I made the mistake of thinking there would be a safe sealer for granite countertops and now I have to find one! Do you know what I can use because my understanding (now, after it’s too late) is that granite has to be sealed yearly and I cannot find a safe sealer.

Please help!

Jan/NM

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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