Well and Warm in Bed
September 2009
Here in upstate New York, the air has a slight touch of fall, just enough to hint at the frigid winter months ahead and to put stacking firewood on my list of chores. As I found myself reaching for that sweater for the third time this week, I started thinking about some of the pleasures of winter: Steaming hot chai, reading on the couch in front of the woodstove with the dogs at my feet, and my pure wool comforter keeping me warm at night.
Home Office Haven
August 2009
Working out of a home office has been a godsend for me, especially when my daughter was growing up. I was here on snow days, when she was sick, and when she got off the bus. I’ve also been able to drop a commute, work in my PJs, and work in an indoor air quality haven—important for me because I am chemically sensitive, but something I wish was common for offices everywhere.
All About Bamboo
July 2009
What is it about bamboo? If you haven’t already, get a feel for the “hand” of bamboo fabric by reaching out and touching it. (You can feel bamboo towels at Bed Bath & Beyond and bamboo sheets at Target, bamboo is now that mainstream.) You’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven. It is soft, inviting, restful. Even the bamboo floor I had installed in one room feels soft against my bare feet, even though it is in fact a very hard wood. There seems to be a compelling energy about it that you feel when you touch it.
Naturally Pest Free Gardens
June 2009
They say that spring moves up the coast 15 miles a day. Sadly, this beautiful time of change is also heralded by the drift of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides from commercial and private spraying.
Pure Pet Care
May 2009
While brushing my dog Sammy today, I was mulling over the fact that I don’t brush either of my dogs enough, and I probably wouldn’t have been brushing Sammy if he wasn’t shedding so badly that black hair was lying in clumps all over the house every few days. But part way through being hard on myself I thought, but wait, I give them a life free of pesticides and other poisons, and the healthiest, most natural food available. That is a gift to them. What follows is what I do in this way.
Clean the Air with Spring Cleaning
April 2009
Spring cleaning goes above and beyond normal weekly or bi-weekly cleaning routines. While there are many tried-and-true techniques for top-to-bottom cleaning that have stood the test of time and come down through the ages, spring cleaning offers a great opportunity to consider implementing contemporary cleaning products and methods.
Greening for the Generations
March 2009
How family traditions help to foster a green lifestyle for our children and generations to come.
Home Safe Home: Ten Toxic Targets
February 2009
It can be overwhelming to detoxify your home, but if you have young children and are of childbearing age, it will most likely be an anxiety-provoking priority of yours. Where to start? What to do? What to believe? I recommend you pay attention to these Top Ten Toxic Targets in your home.
Easy Tips for Going Green
January 2009
Here are a few simple tips that anyone can implement to make their home greener and healthier in 2009!
10 Green Trends and Choices for 2009
December 2008
My friend and colleague Carl Frankel wrote a nice blog recently about the economic collapse, and he ends with, “Here's what I keep asking myself: would I exchange increased financial insecurity, and even some personal hardship, for a world rescued from eco-collapse? And of course the answer is, in a heartbeat, yes.” I spoke to him on the phone and he elaborated, saying
Green Pioneers: One Person CAN Make a Difference
November 2008
Some of the most powerful and impressive green movements were started by one individual with a visionary inspiration. Here we feature several pioneers of the green movement.
Natural Nails for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 2008
Plastics have snuck up on us in the most unexpected places, including our bodies. Who knew that the ingredient to make plastic soft , known as phthalates, are found in perfume oil solvents and the resulting fragrance, paper coatings, adhesives, printing inks, air fresheners, and nail polish? We might have thought to look at our plastic food packages, but air fresheners? Nail polish?
Ways to Enjoy the Abundant Harvest
September 2008
A simple September meal of farmers’ market fare including sweet and juicy heirloom tomatoes, grilled sweet corn and miraculous peaches is a highlight to savor through all the eating experiences of the year. There seems to be a joyful resonance in the sweetness that is transmitted to us, that we can taste. At the very least, our taste buds sing and we revel in the show-stopping flavors.
Five Steps to A Chemical Free School
August 2008
When we think about what it takes to raise a child to become a healthy adult, many things come to mind - including love, nourishment and a good education. However even the most loving parent might not think of establishing a sanctuary for their children to protect them from toxic chemicals that can interfere with the natural growth of their central nervous and endocrine systems, and other aspects of their body’s development.
Hosting a Green Summer Barbecue
July 2008
To me, eco-friendly to me is synonymous with people-friendly, so when I think of hosting a green barbeque the first thing I think of is providing a happy and healthy atmosphere. To me that means clean, fresh air, free from bugs; vibrant food; colorful flowers; pure, refreshing drinks; and the ability to adapt and adjust to the weather for everyone’s comfort.
Holiday Crisis Cleaning Tips
December 2007
The holidays tend to present more emergency cleaning challenges than other times of year. This month Annie shares her helpful green cleaning tips to ease your stress this holiday season!
Deter Those Dust Mites!
November 2007
You may be harboring some unknown and unwelcome guests in your home - DUST MITES! These spiderlike arachnids thrive on dust and play a strong role in the development of asthma and allergies.
Top Four Myths About Green Cleaning
October 2007
This consumer fact might ring a bell for you: A consistent finding in polls shows that people are very well intentioned towards their health and the environment but that they don’t know how to implement solutions to address their concerns in their everyday lives. Many consumers don’t understand that “green” living, in today’s terms, is as much about health as it is about the environment. There are several people who refuse to use green cleaners because they don’t smell strong enough to thoroughly clean a surface. You’d be amazed how often people make the judgment about “clean” related to the smell of commercial products.
