Super Search
This is a powerful custom search engine that will allow you to search my entire site, or just a specific section.
Page 12 of 20
Toxic Chemicals and Autistic Children
Today my guest is Kim Spencer, Co-Founder and Vice President of Public Relations at The Thinking Moms’ Revolution. We’ll be talking about how mercury in vaccines and other toxic chemicals can contribute to autism and what she did to reverse his autism. Kim is a graduate of The University of Georgia and worked in Television, Telecommunications and Public Relations before her first child was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 1/2. After researching his condition, she discovered his autism symptoms stemmed from autoimmune issues exacerbated by his childhood vaccines. Through treatment for vaccine injury, mercury toxicity and PANDAS, his condition has dramatically improved and he is fully included in 8th grade. Since his diagnosis, Kim has been an advocate and activist in the autism community. She has spoken at the CDC, appeared in many media stories, worked as a patient coordinator and autism advocate at her son’s pediatrician’s office. The Thinking Moms’ Revolution began when a group of twenty-three moms (and one awesome dad) from around the world got together online to figure out how to help their children with developmental disabilities. Suspecting that some of the main causes might be overused medicines, vaccinations, environmental toxins, and processed foods, they began a mission to help reverse the effects. And now they are a thriving organization offering much-needed information to parents. http://thinkingmomsrevolution.com
February 26, 2015
DIY Natural Bedding
Question from cheseldm Hi Debra, I found this company on line and thought you and your readers would be interested. I am not connected with this company. Just interested in creating a non-toxic home. www.diynaturalbedding.com P.S. Thank you for your wonderful website. It has greatly help me and my husband. Debra’s Answer Oh this is […]
February 10, 2015
Fumes from Maytag Gas Range
Question from sttlove I purchased a new Maytag gas range, but have been unable to use the oven because the fumes make my eyes burn and give me a headache. I called the company and they said it is a coating and it needs to burn off, but it still hasn’t. I suspect that it […]
Make-It-Yourself With GOTS Certified Organic Fibers
My guest today is Stephanie Abgrall, founder of the Only Organic Fabric Shop website. Based in the Brittany region of France, they sell only full GOTS certified organic fabrics where the yarns, spinning, weaving, washing, dyeing are all GOTS certified. And they ship worldwide. We’ll be talking about the GOTS certification for organic fabrics and the certified fabrics that are available for your fabric needs. Stephanie is a 47-year-old mother of three, who studied in a French Business School and worked for 15 years as an executive in different companies, then decided to create her own business. She wanted this business to be close to my beliefs, so of courseit had to be organic-related and crafts-related. In 2009 she founded Biotissus, which is the mother business of Only Organic Fabric Shop, It is dedicated to GOTS certified organic fabrics and sells to individuals as well as to large fashion companies in France. In late 2014, they decided to expand their business and dedicate a website to their english/american speaking customers, and developped the Only Organic Fabric Shop website. They also are developing the first GOTS certified sewing workshop in France for their professional customers. www.only-organic-fabric-shop.com
January 22, 2015
Wool as flame retardant
Question from TA Debra, I’ve read some claims that wool burns at a lower temperature (600 degrees F, as I recall) than the extremely hot temperatures involved in the open flame test that mattresses must pass. So the claim is that the wool isn’t an adequate flame retardant and thus other things are being mixed […]
January 12, 2015
Natural Alternatives to Sleeping Pills
My guest today is Pamela Seefeld, R.Ph, a registered pharmacist who prefers to dispense medicinal plants and other natural substances instead of prescription drugs. Today we’ll be talking about insomnia and natural things you can do at home to get enough sleep. According to National Geographic, less than one-third of our population in the USA get enough sleep. Since sleep affects our mental state, the aging process, our immune system, and our body’s ability do detox toxic chemicals, it’s very important to get enough sleep. Pamela will tell us about phases of sleep, sleep hygiene, dangers of using prescription hypnotic drugs and how they lead to psychiatric problems, plus natural substances to help you sleep that target similar areas of the brain without the side effects. . Pamela is a 1990 graduate of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, where she studied Pharmacognosy (the study of medicinal plants). She has worked as an integrative pharmacist teaching physicians, pharmacists and the general public about the proper use of botanicals. She is also a grant reviewer for NIH in Washington D.C. and the owner of Botanical Resource and Botanical Resource Med Spa in Clearwater, Florida. www.botanicalresource.com
The MP3 of this interview has been lost, but will be placed here if we can find a copy.
December 3, 2014
CozyPure Latex and Wool Products
Question from SARA Debra, As you well know, I have a great amount of respect for your expertise and opinion. I am on the hunt for new bedding, including a latex mattress, organic cotton sheets, and wool topper & comforter. I have perused your list of recommended vendors, but I happened across a local company […]
November 24, 2014
Organic and Healthy
A well-chosen collection for a healthy bedroom, including Pacific Rim natural maple bedroom furniture; Pure-Rest latex and innerspring mattresses (made with natural latex, eco wool and organic cotton); Soaring Heart latex mattresses (made with organic latex, organic wool and organic cotton); Soaring Heart organic futons (various combinations of cotton, wool and latex); wood foundations and […]
Tags: Caters to MCS, Made in USA, Non Toxic, Oregon, Organic, Renewable
November 16, 2014
Organic and Healthy
Family-tested solid wood bedroom furniture, organic futons, and affordable chemical-free sofas made from sustainably harvested wood with a low VOC finish or unfinished. Selections include maple beds and casegoods (dressers, night stands, wardrobes, bookshelves, desks, etc.) from Pacific Rim; ash beds and casegoods from Bedworks of Maine; futon sofas combining Bedworks of Maine ash/maple frames […]
Tags: Caters to MCS, Made in USA, Non Toxic, Oregon, Organic, Renewable
Good Night Naturals
“Just about everything natural and organic you could want to transform your bed and bath into an oasis of health, vitality and beauty.” Chemical-free organic mattresses, eco-friendly adjustable bed frames, organic wool comforters, pillows, latex mattresses, latex toppers, organic cotton sheets and luxury linens. Beautiful, high quality pieces made of natural-color and dyed organic cotton, […]
Tags: Massachusetts, Non Toxic, Organic, Renewable
November 15, 2014
White Lotus Home
This is the site I recommend most for inexpensive natural fiber mattresses. “Handcrafted natural fiber mattresses, pillows, and accessories without toxic chemicals” since 1981. They make all-cotton mattresses without springs because “the use of steel in mattresses is responsible for enormous amounts of air and water pollution every year, not to mention the devastation that strip […]
Tags: Caters to MCS, Handmade, Made in USA, New Jersey, Non Toxic, Organic, Renewable, Renewable Energy
November 14, 2014
Improve Your Sleep Experience With Sustainable Bed Linens
My guest today is Randi Farina, the National Sales Director of Living Fresh Collection, a new direct selling organization that focuses on sustainable bed linens. We’ll be talking about how natural bed linens enhance your sleep experience and how the Living Fresh Collection fabrics are made in a sustainable way. In 2013, Randi joined Living Fresh Collection to launch a company that would not only provide linens made with Tencel+Plus™ Lyocell (fibers from the eucalyptus tree) to enhance one’s sleep, but an opportunity to empower women by giving them the tools to own and operate their own business. After receiving her Bachelor of Art at the State University of New York, Randi started her career in 1994 with The Pampered Chef. As her business grew, the importance of providing support and mentorship to women became apparent in the success of her own organization. Her values of teamwork, personal development and achievement followed her throughout her career as her work continued with the United States Olympic Committee. Working as a licensee of the USOC, she created the first national fundraiser for the Vancouver Games. The US Olympic Team Rings Wristbands wore worn by Olympic athletes as well as fans all over the country. In 2010 Randi returned her focus to working with women as an Associate Producer for Lifetime Television’s morning show. She thrived on creating direct brand messaging to consumers, while being able to motivate women to find the very delicate balancing act between work and home life. In 2011 and 2012, Randi traveled with the Show on 10 City tours throughout the country meeting thousands of women and providing brands products & support so they could achieve their work/life balance. Returning to the direct sales industry, Randi feels as if her career has come full circle. By being able to provide support to entrepreneurial women as they grow their own businesses. Randi has found her work/life balance. Randi resides in Boca Raton, Florida with her husband and four children. www.LivingFreshCollection.com
October 28, 2014
Organic Grace
Everything for your natural bed, including innerspring and latex mattresses, wood bed frames, mattress pads and toppers, sheets, duvet covers, pillows, blankets, comforters, dust mite barrier covers, and a knowledgeable staff to help you choose the bed that is “just right” for you. Buy six or more pieces at the same time and get 10% […]
Tags: California, Made in USA, non-toxic, Organic, Renewable
October 26, 2014
GOTS Certification for Organic Fabrics
Today my guest is Karlin Warner, the Textile Certification Specialist for OneCert, Inc., an organic certification company in Lincoln, Nebraska. We’ll be talking about the GOTS certification program for organic textiles, so we can all understand what the standard is and how it is certified when we see the certification seal on a label. Karlin received her B.S. in 2007 and M.S. in 2009 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Textile Science, with a minor in Chemistry. While working on her thesis project, testing an eco-friendly wrinkle resistant finish for silk, she found she had a fascination with the more sustainable side of the textile industry. Starting at OneCert while finishing her degree, 
Karlin has now worked to certify organic textiles for nearly six years. Her work at OneCert includes reviewing and inspecting applicants to the increasingly popular Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), as well as Textile Exchange’s Organic Content Standards (OCS). She likes to travel to work by bike, but also enjoys running, reading, travelling and spending time with her husband and two dogs. www.onecert.com.
October 15, 2014
IKEA and flame retardants
Question from Lisa I contacted IKEA about an article I read but I don’t fully know what to make of the response. I read an article about IKEA intending to phase out flame retardants by 2010. Did this happen? What were they replaced with? Do you have any furniture without polyurethane foam, if so what […]
October 7, 2014
The Healthy Home Project: Affordable Toxic Free Remodeling
Today my guest is Erin S. Ihde, MA, CCRP, founder of The Healthy Home Project. We’ll be talking about how she transformed a house project- by-project, using healthier, “green” materials, “all on a peanut-butter-and-jelly budget.” The Healthy Home Project blog follows the remodeling a 107-year old historic home in need of much TLC. Each posts features resources based upon a single theme, from healthier paints to safer disposal of household hazards. Resource links within the post are provided for more comprehensive information on each topic. Erin believes creating healthy spaces is one of the most important things we can do for the kids in our lives. She is a hospital-based project manager in environmental health, specializing in pediatric research and education. Erin has an MA in Environmental Education from New York University, where she received a fellowship from the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education, and a BA in English from the Honors Program at The College of New Jersey. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional through SoCRA. Most importantly, she is mom to two amazing kids. thehealthyhomeproject.org
August 19, 2014
Wellness Within Your Walls—Outgassing and Indoor Air Quality
My guest today is Jillian Pritchard Cooke, founder of Wellness Within Your Walls. We’ll be talking about how to connect the global family with healthy, eco-sensitive products, that result in beautiful, sustainable, non-toxic environments. WWYW® addresses the “Tight Box Syndrome”- which has become an issue with poorly ventilated buildings that have placed energy efficiency above health. These buildings can’t breathe and harmful toxins are trapped in the interior environment with no way of escaping the living environment. WWYW® strives to educate the builder, manufacturer, architect, designer and consumer on how to take control of reducing toxins in the interior environment and how to off-gas toxic chemicals from products responsibly (we’re going to talk about off-gassing in particular). Jillian is also the founder of DES-SYN, an interior design firm that was established in 1991. She is known as a premier eco-interior designer and creates interiors that are beautiful and healthy for the client and kind to the earth. With more than 30 years of experience in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta, she has become well known to many in in the residential, commercial and hospitality design industry. Jillian has authored numerous articles that specifically deal with reducing harmful toxins in the interior environment. She has been featured on CNN, Martha Stewart Radio and her design have been published by Veranda magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Professional Builder and Builder Magazines and numerous other publications nationally and globally. www.wellnesswithinyourwalls.com
August 14, 2014
What Organic Means — From the Experience of Being Organic Farmers
My guests today are Diana Kaye and James Hahn, husband and wife, and co-founders of their USDA certified organic business Terressentials. They own a small organic farm in lovely Middletown Valley, Maryland and have operated their organic herbal personal care products business there since 1996. We’ll be talking about what “organic” means, their experience as organic farmers and problems with the organic system. Terressentials was originally started in Virginia in 1992. It grew out of their search for chemical-free products after Diana’s personal experience with cancer and chemotherapy in 1988. Prior to Diana’s cancer, they were involved in commercial architecture in Washington DC. Diana and James are proud to be an authentic USDA certified organic and Fair Made USA business. They are obsessive organic researchers and artisan handcrafters of more than one hundred USDA certified organic gourmet personal care products that they offer through their two organic stores in Frederick County, Maryland, through a network of select retail partners across the US, and to customers around the world via their informative web site. www.debralynndadd.com/debras-list/terressentials
July 23, 2014
The World of Sustainable Furnishings
My guest today is Susan Inglis, Executive Director of Sustainable Furnishings Council. She has over twenty-five years experience working with artisans and in sustainable manufacture in the home furnishings, fashion, and gift industries. We’ll be talking about the Sustainable Furnishings Council and how they support reducing toxics in furniture. Susan has worked in twenty-seven countries on five continents providing services ranging from identifying procedures for insuring the sustainability of a natural resource base to market-led product development and how to access new markets effectively. Susan’s direction of the SFC has gained national attention and brought the organization widespread recognition as the primary source for verified sustainable home furnishings. Susan has spoken on behalf of SFC throughout the U.S. and abroad and has inspired many companies to adopt a sustainable platform for the future. She is the proud recipient of the 2009 WithIt WOW Award for Education. www.sustainablefurnishings.org
July 16, 2014
Persistant Bioaccumulative Toxicants
Toxicologist Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT, a regular guest who is helping us understand the toxicity of common chemicals we may be frequently exposed to. Dr. Gilbert is Director and Founder of the Institute of Neurotoxicology and author of A Small Dose of Toxicology- The Health Effects of Common Chemicals.
He received his Ph.D. in Toxicology in 1986 from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, is a Diplomat of American Board of Toxicology, and an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington. His research has focused on neurobehavioral effects of low-level exposure to lead and mercury on the developing nervous system. Dr. Gilbert has an extensive website about toxicology called Toxipedia, which includes a suite of sites that put scientific information in the context of history, society, and culture. www.toxipedia.org
June 26, 2014
Page 12 of 20
