I Can Breathe! Masks
A great selection of face masks developed and made by a woman with an adult onset lung disorder, to take control of her environment. Various masks have different purposes, including an organic cotton comfort mask that reduces exposure to particles like dust and pollen, a silk comfort mask also for particles, and a honeycomb activated carbon filter that reduces exposures to smog, smoke, ozone, diesel exhaust, fragrances, and particles (ideal for travel to strange polluted places…”effective for poor air quality infoors or on airplanes.”). And more! The website gives many reasons why YOU might want to use a face mask to protect your lungs and health.
Bare Honey
Raw “treatment-free honey…fresh from the hive,” produced without chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics, GMOs, or any other treatments. Further, their equipment has never been exposed to any chemicals or pesticides whatsoever. “We have chosen to join a community of beekeepers that are breeding stronger bees rather than medicating weak ones. We are following a path of sustainable honey production. Working with the natural rhythm of our bees’ life cycle, we are able to produce a honey far healthier than the supermarket alternative. Our honey is completely free from the dangerous chemical and antibiotic residues used by most beekeepers today.” They have many honey products to choose from, from 2-ounce mini honey bears to an adopt-a-hive program. Honeys in glass jars are straight from the hive, fortified with pollen, or flavored with chilis, lavender flowers, and other good things.
Vita Futura
An impressive selection of PVC-free shower curtains made from nontoxic PEVA plastic with more than two dozen different colorful designs! They also carry organic cotton towels.
Baltimore Soaps and More
Truly unscented soaps, butters, scrubs, and balms, handmade by a woman who understands the meaning of the word. “I developed MCS in 2005 and now make unscented natural soaps from scratch. I don’t use any dyes or anything artificial. Body butters, lip balms, and bath teas too – all made without added fragrances in my scent free, smoke free, pesticide free home. Please warn MCS folks not to purchase handmade soaps from soapmakers who use essential oils or fragrance oils because their hands, molds, storage areas, packaging, etc. will all be fragrance contaminated. Although I add a variety of botanicals for beauty, variety, and skin loving properties, the lye process zaps 99% of the scent of anything I add (I note exceptions in my write-ups) and so most smell simply like a fresh bar of soap. I can no longer work outside of the home due to my MCS and so purchasing my soaps helps support my family.”
Natural Earth Paint
Eco-friendly paint kits using pure nontoxic earth pigments for adult artists and children. “Millions of years in the making,” these naturally-colored clays are collected from the ground, dried, crushed and sifted into pure pigment. The standard water-soluble children’s kit includes six natural earth colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and brown), biodegradable mixing cups, complete directions, and nature-based activity ideas. Their oil painting kit–for artists of all ages who want to eliminate unnecessary toxics from their painting practice–includes the same six colors plus a 4 oz. bottle of refined walnut oil for mixing. Individual pigments (including white, black, and violet) also available for purchase. “This beautiful paint has greater UV resistance, longevity, purity, and luminosity than synthetic paints, and it yields a rich, unique luster on the canvas. Enjoy the satisfaction of painting with actual Earth while avoiding any harm to yourself, your child, or the environment.”
USAlpaca Company
Pachmana Alpaca Pillows are bed and nursing pillows made of 100% US organic cotton with 100% US natural alpaca fill, an organic, luxurious replacement for pillows usually made of toxic styrene. “Pillows are the worst offenders in the bedding industry because we breathe in their toxic out-gassing every night for hours. The Pachmana pillow allows your body to rest at night, because it has no toxins to fight off. It is as peaceful as the animals it comes from…I was so alarmed at the recent reports on toxins in nursing pillows and pillows in general that I designed a new company where we are using only 100% US organic cotton and only all-natural alpaca fill.” Alpaca fiber has a semi-hollow core, deterring dust mites, the leading cause of asthma and allergies in the bedroom. This porous alpaca fiber creates an extra insulation value for a constant balance of temperature when we are in contact with it. Unlike wool, alpaca does not contain lanolin, it is hypoallergenic and does not itch or prick like wool. Because alpaca is naturally fire resistant, no toxic chemicals are used. Lifetime guarantee. Buy this pillow once and you can send your pillow back at any time to have it adjusted, refreshed or get a brand new cover for only $25. They also sell organic cotton sheets and alpaca blankets made especially for them by Pendelton.
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Listen to my interview with USAlpaca Company Founder and Owner Robbin Martinelli. |
Young Living Essential Oils
“According to historical account from fifteenth century France, there was a band of thieves who anointed themselves with various aromatics such a cinnamon and clove, prior to robbing the homes of plague victims. The thieves never became ill and once captured were forced to relinquish their secret formula.” Today Young Living has created a whole line of household cleaners and personal care products that utilizes therapeutic grade essential oils to provide an effective natural disinfectant without the negative, harmful side effects of synthetic chemicals. It destroys not only harmful bacteria, but also viruses and other microbes, and is so safe for us to use that a warning label is not required. The line includes original Thieves essential oil, household cleaner, foaming hand soap, toothpaste and mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and lozenges. Young Living grows most of their plant ingredients on their own organic farms and makes a practice of sustaining the supply of the wildcrafted ingredients from which their products are made.
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Listen to my interview with Young Living Essential Oils distributor Jackie McLaughlin. |
HoneyBeGood Quilting and Supply
Quilting supplies—organic, fairtrade, and sustainable fabrics and thread, recycled batting and felt, and other supplies. Lots of colorful organic fabrics with interesting designs, batting and pillow inserts, long staple cotton thread in colors, patterns to make crafts…a great selection! “Karen is a long-time quilter with a passion for returning the art of quilting to a simpler, purer form, away from the harmful effects of conventional cotton to human and environment alike; away from the frenzy for mass-produced fabric that simply isn’t sustainable.”
Glass Dharma
“The Original Glass Straw.” You’ll never buy another plastic straw again. These beautiful glass straws come with a life-time guarantee against breakage- if they do break, they will be replaced for free. The straws come in four different diameters and various lengths…you can even order a custom straw for your favorite glass. They also have straws with various colored glass dots, for identification and to keep them from rolling off the counter. And they supply right-sized cleaning brushes and hemp soft sleeves, so you can carry your glass straw wherever you go. I have a set and I love them!
weangreen
I’m always looking for glass food containers, and these are my current favorites. Cute, practical, and stackable, these tempered glass food containers have the purity of glass touching the food, and the practicality of a secure silicone lid that snaps on tight (and doesn’t rust like metal lids). Lids come in blueberry, raspberry, carrot, and pea, in sizes from 4 ounce to 16 ounce.
