Question from Jenny

First off, I wanted to say how much I admire your writing and research. I refer to it often as I am a certified Bau Biologist and active in the green and sustainable community in Baltimore.

I came across a product and I was wondering whether you had ever heard of it. It is a commercial sugar cane syrup made in the U.S. The glycemic count is supposed to be lower than conventional sugar and/or corn syrup.

Here is the link http://www.sugar-shots.com/products.html. I was looking for a product to substitute in sno cones as they are very popular here. I also knew that at certain times of the year Coke uses sugar cane syrup as a substitute. Some people watch for these special bottles as the flavor is supposed to be better. I thought this might be a good solution.

Thanks for your thoughts and consideration.

Debra’s Answer

Sugar Shots are simply sugar mixed with water to make what is known in culinary circles as “simple syrup.” You can save a lot of money by making this yourself (see my directions at

Simple Syrup).

It is no different from eating refined white sugar. They do have an “organic” sugar shot that may be made from whole evaporated cane juice. I didn’t check on this. But still, again, you can make it yourself at a lower cost.

You can also make simple syrup from honey or any other sweetener.

I put fresh fruit juice on my snow cones.

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Question from Denise Brill

What is the best (safest) method for preventing algae growth in children’s wading pools at home? I’d prefer not to have to drain the pool after each use since it’s an 8 foot diameter pool that holds over 400 gallons of water and is a pain to drain and refill.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any ideas?

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Question from Janet and Tim Kroeker

Dear Debra,

A year and a half ago I wrote to you asking about installing a hardwood floor on a low budget. We had a source for some local burr oak or ash wood that had been thoughtfully harvested, milled and dried locally that we would have had to sand and finish it and put up with some off-gasing even if we went with a low VOC, (would that also mean slow drying) finish.

The other alternative was to go with a mass produced, commercial prefinished, and well protected (they said up to 8-9 layers) hardwood with little off-gasing–but who knows were it came from and the harvesting conditions. The latter choice would have been less expensive, have less off gasing and because we are presently living in the house we wouldn’t have to put up with a drying time.

I asked your opinion and you replied:

Well, I wanted to let you know we did go with the local choice and we are very satisfied we made that decision. We went with a local ash wood. Our friend Steve harvested and milled the boards while our other friend John kiln dried the wood and then took it to a finishing mill in Winnipeg (about an hour drive) where it was planed and tongue and grooved.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from bev Rockey

I would like to have someone come and clean my home using safe products. I have searched the phone book but no luck. Do you know or anyone ? I live in Ohio close to Columbus east suburbs .

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Question from Kat

Hi, I had been tempted to get some of the clear cookware, but now I’ve heard some complaints about the “glass” cookware exploding?

And that was the reason why the Visions cookware was originally discontinued?

I also heard that Pyrex bowls were originally made of borosilicate glass, which is very resistant to thermal shock (which is what can cause the glass to shatter), but are currently, made of soda-lime glass, which is not as resistant.

What I don’t understand is the inconsistency…Why are some people able to cook with on a stovetop just fine without anything breaking or shattering… while others have it explode? Based off what I read, it seems to be more than just a “thermal shock” issue, but I can’t tell.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know where you got the idea that Pyrex or Visions can shatter while cooking. Some websites say “Glass cookware that is allowed to boil dry is likely to shatter” and I had this experience once. When I was a teen, my parents had a Pyrex pot in which my mother boiled water for coffee. One day I put it on and didn’t watch it and when it boiled dry, it did shatter. However, this does not occur during normal cooking.

Visions pots are so heavy that I can’t imagine that they would shatter under any circumstances.

Regarding the inconsistency, I don’t know what references you are looking at, but I would say that if there were problems with shattering, it had to do with the differences in how the pots were used rather than the pots themselves.

Used according to manufacturer’s instructions, I don’t see any problem with the safety of these pots and they are very nontoxic.

Question from Karen

Hello, my name is Karen. My husband and I own a roofing company in Tampa, Florida. I am interested in learning more about solar tile roofs. I had heard of a community in Arizona that had solar tile roofs. I would be excited to provide solar tile products and installation, if it were to be approved in Florida. Any information you have would be appreciated.

Thank you

Debra’s Answer

My husband and I thought this was a good idea too and looked into it. There are a number of different manufacturers making them now. For those of you that are not familiar with solar roof tiles, they fit in with your roof tiles instead of being large panels that sit on top, so you can have solar energy that is almost invisible (photo)

Here are some links to get started with. And I hope you do this as Florida is a prime area for solar energy and it’s not being utilized. So lead the way!

Premier Power

PowerLight

Sharp

Sunslates

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Question from Kat

I liked having a non-slip bath mat in the bathtub so when my toddler moves around in the bathtub, he is less likely to slip and bonk his head. But now that I’ve been reading about plastics, I am horrified at the thought of taking a warm bath with the plastic or rubber non-slip mats that are out there.

Does anyone know where I could get a a non-slip bath mat for the bathtub that isn’t plastic and AFFORDABLE?

I saw a teak one that was really expensive, but it also said it was treated to be waterproof. One has to wonder what it was treated with and if THAT stuff is safe to take many long baths with…

sigh..

Debra’s Answer

Readers, your suggestions?

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Question from CVD

Dear Debra,

What do you know about the Finally Free Permanent Hair Removal System? It uses radio frequency waves to kill the hair at the roots. Do you think it would be a safe way to get rid of unwanted facial hair?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know anything about this particular product, but..readers, how do you (women) safely remove unwanted facial hair? The best method I’ve found is the Finishing Touch Personal Hair Remover. Yes, it’s one of those cheap infomercial gadgets, but it really does work very well! And it is inexpensive, easy to use, nontoxic, painless, and hair actually grows back lighter and softer.

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Question from Janel Tenerelli

Hi Again,

Thank you for your answer and other readers responses about affordable laundry detergent! I came across a new detergent and would like your input here…Arm & Hammer Essentials Detergent. The ingredients listed on the bottle are:

You can purchase this detergent at any grocery store and it is just as affordable as any other detergent on the shelves. My question is just how safe is it? Since I wrote to you the first time, I have been purchasing 7th Generation, Ecover and Charlie’s Soap. Would you know if this Arm & Hammer detergent is just as safe to use as one of the ones I now use…it certainly would be easier on my pocket!

Thank you for such a great website and newsletter!

Debra’s Answer

While searching for their website (apparently this product doesn’t have a website yet…) I found ARM & HAMMER ESSENTIALS described as “a concentrated liquid laundry detergent formulated with plant-based soaps and containing no dyes, phosphates or bleaches.”

She then gave Seventh Generation’s ingredient list for comparison:

Coconut-based surfactants, Non-animal derived enzymes, Natural water softener and alkalinity builder (borax), agent to wash away soils (sodium gluconate), Viscosity control agent (table salt), Natural fragrance (citrus oil), Preservative (less than 0.05%), Water.

They look pretty similar to me. I would classify this new Arm & Hammer Essentials Laundry Detergent as “natural”, but for the moment I’d watch out for the fragrance (since I haven’t actually used this product myself. Maybe one of you will write in and let the rest of us know about the scent issue.

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Question from Marilyn

Dear Debra, Are there any toxic factors or warnings of any kindwith baking soda? Thank you,

Debra’s Answer

As far as I know, baking soda is completely safe to use.

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