Art | Resources
Mephisto Shoes
I’ve been wearing Mephisto sandals almost every day for I don’t know how long. At least 15 years. I just buy the same Helen sandals over and over. They are the only shoes I can walk any distance in and never have my feet hurt or get tired. Finally I found some information about the materials. They are handcrafted in France and Portugal. The leathers are highest quality and have “natural tanning.” The soles are natural rubber obtained from latex. I’ve never had any problems of toxic exposure from any pair of Mephitis shoes I’ve purchased.
Pack-It Cooler Bags
Here’s a bag that freezes overnight, then chills all day. “It’s the only bag that keeps food and drinks cool up to 10 hours – No ice packs needed.” These bags have a freezable gel right inside the sides of the bag, so foods are kept cold from all directions. I can see these bags being useful for shopping, travel, lunch, so you can really take your food with you.”Made from food-safe, nontoxic poly canvas and waterproof EVA. PVC-, BPA-, phthalate- and lead-free. What a great idea! Bags come in 12 sizes, including a grocery-size bag.
Midnight Laboratory
“Practical hand-felted home goods created through an almost alchemical synthesis of natural wool, natural dye plants and unique felting techniques.”Mostly trivets and bowls (to hold little things, not for food).
Traditional Foods Market
A collection of whole food supplements developed by Ramiel Nagel, author of three popular nutrition books that recommend whole foods for healing. “I found many of the foods I wanted to buy at the health food store did not reflect my own personal food values. I know that my family and yours needs food without additives, food that is pure, and food that comes from humanely raised pasture-fed animals. I want you to enjoy what you buy here, and I want what you buy here to make you healthier and to sustain you and your family…If we won’t eat it, we won’t sell it, no matter how profitable it could be.” Supplements include things like Organic True Whole Food Vitamin C made from certified organic acerola cherries from a biodynamic farmer, free-range pasture-fed organic colostrum, and free-range pasture-red whole bone calcium.
Holistic Dental Store
Tooth powder and mouthwash made with organic and wildcrafted herbs. Tested and approved by Remiel Nagel, author of Cure Tooth Decay.
Winterwoods Tea Company
“Farm to Tea Cup…Winterwoods Tea Company produces small batch artisan teas hand mixed in Spokane, Washington. We’re passionate about creating delicious gourmet teas using only the finest 100% organic and fair trade ingredients. We begin by sourcing our ingredients from high quality small, local farms and distributors, many of them from within the Northwest. As a mother-daughter based business we are able to hand mix each batch of tea in small batches to ensure top quality flavor and freshness.”
Skinsentials
Skin care products that are organic all the way down to the essential oils. They offer a scrub that you can customize to be sea salt or organic sugar, with your choice of oil and essential oils.
Plant Inspiration
Highly functional planters with a minimalist design that are deal for culinary herbs, succulents and houseplants. These space-saving planters can be hung, wall mounted, or arranged as seated decor. Handcrafted in powder-coated steel for indoor and outdoor use.
Is It Safe To Swim in Local Waters?
The results of a study done by the Izaak Walton League of America say we don’t have enough information to know—but it’s likely that they contain the same toxic chemicals we are exposed to every day in consumer products.
The vast majority of the nation’s streams and rivers are not effectively studied for water quality.
Though states are required to test the water quality of their streams and rivers under the Clean Water Act of 1972, IWLA says that “funds are limited and most waterways are not tested regularly or accurately.” In fact, only 2 percent are effectively tested for water quality. Adding to the concern is the fact that half have failed to meet state water quality standards, which means they are too dirty for swimming or fishing. The harsh reality is that for too long, Americans have been in the dark about the health of their local waters, many of which may harbor undetected pollution.
We can read about today’s air quality in the morning’s newspaper or watch it on the news, and look up realtime data online. But data about the health effects of local streams and reverses five to ten years old.
The report found
Just 2 percent of rivers and streams are effectively tested. In terms of the overall effectiveness of a state’s stream monitoring efforts, more than half of all states (26) received D or F grades.
and
Water that runs off our yards, roads, and farm fields carries a laundry list of pollutants into streams and rivers across the country: bacteria and pathogens; nutrient-rich fertilizers and pesticides; oil, antifreeze, and other chemicals; and heavy metals and acid drainage. This runoff is flowing untreated into the streams and rivers that are the lifeblood of an interconnected system of waterways nationwide. Neither the Clean Water Act nor most state laws effectively address this problem—or address it all.
ECOWATCH: 5 Reasons Why You Should Think Twice Before Jumping Into Your Local River
Phthalates from Plastic Pool Liners
I used to have a above-ground pool, with a soft vinyl liner. At the time I wondered if any toxic chemicals were being released from it. When I asked the manufacturer of the liner I was assured it was perfectly safe.
Today I came across a study about the migration of plasticizers used to make soft PVC (phthalates) into water.
It’s a study regarding pond liners, but that’s close enough to a pool liner.
These numbers show that the greatest migration of plasticizer occurs in the first five years. A pool liner that has been in use for more than 5 years would be much less toxic.
But here it is…evidence that vinyl pool liners and little plastic pools kids play in are releasing phthalates into the water, which in turn gets into our bodies via absorption through the skin.
