Good alternatives for freezer bags?

Question from Anne Hi! Does anyone have suggestions for a good alternative for plastic freezer bags? I’ve tried using cellophane bags, but they tear easily. I also use glass containers in the freezer, but they take a lot of room. Would love a recommenation for a nontoxic freezer bag that is durable. Debra’s Answer Readers? […]

• Q & A

February 16, 2007

Bromate-free flour?

Question from HAH Hello Debra, Bromate (Potassium Bromate) is calmly entering our FLOURS and bake goods! What is going on??? Where can we find ‘Organic Unbromated Flour’??? Thank you, HAH Debra’s Answer Actually, potassium bromate has been in flour and baked goods for a long time, and recently there has been LESS potassium bromate in […]

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Possible reaction to new carpeting

Question from Cat New carpets were just laid down in my friend’s workplace a month or two ago – I think they are made of nylon. A couple of weeks ago she started feeling ill – nausea, dizziness, sinus congestion, and severe lethargy. Her doctor told her it was a virus, or possibly irritation of […]

• Q & A

February 15, 2007

Muffin Pans

Question from Jennifer Lance The only nonstick cookware in my home are the muffin pans. I want to get rid of these pans, but my children love organic muffins with raspberries from the garden. The only alternative I have found are cast iron; however, the reviews of the Lodge cast iron muffin pans state the […]

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CorningWare Slow Cooker

Question from Lucy H Debra and/or Readers, I have a CorningWare Slow Cooker (model SC-60). This is the second slow cooker i have tried. The first had a plastic base that heated up and off-gassed terribly. This one is described as “cool touch” so I thought perhaps the base would not off-gas as much. But […]

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Copper and Soapstone Cookware

Question from Gina I am snowed in today and had the chance to look over your site more in-depth. Thanks for the section on how you live! I found it exciting and helpful to see that it can be done in a conventional house! I’m especially excited about the wool bedding and the copper cookware. […]

• Q & A

February 14, 2007

Lead in Bathtubs

Question from gayle We recently purchased an older home (built in the 1940’s) The bathtub seems to be enclosed by a “liner”. It looks/feels like some type of plastic. Since the original tub probably carries lead, does this “liner” make it safe?? How can we tell?? Thanks so much. Gayle Debra’s Answer A number of […]

• Q & A

February 12, 2007

Children’s Orchard

Question from jal333 Have you heard of Children’s Orchard stores? We pay cash or store value added credits for kids clothes, toys, furniture sizes 0 through 10. We encourage parents to recycle back with us. If clothes are worn we donate them or send them to recycling centers. We work diligently to give back to […]

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Healthy and sustainable re-upholstery

Question from kt Hi, Does anyone know of a source of upholsterers that work with natural or organic stuffing and fabric? I have several old pieces I’d like to get redone, but not with the toxic materials normally available. Thanks! kt Debra’s Answer I was going to suggest trying one of the custom furniture makers […]

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How to Clean or Refinish Bathtub? Old Stove?

Question from Mary I have been reading you for years (bought your book, and read Natural Home mag). I stumbled on your web site today while searching unsuccessfully for info on these questions. Perhaps you would find them interesting enough to answer? I have a wonderful old cast iron clawfoot tub bought from a salvage […]

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Naturally “Buttery” Olive Oil

Yesterday I found a wonderful olive oil that tastes very much like butter. This is the natural flavor of the oil–there are no flavorings added of any kind. I made my scrambled eggs with it this morning and they tasted even better than with butter! Though it’s not organically grown, I thought I’d let you […]

• Q & A

Hotplate? Electric stand-alone double burners

Question from Gina I’m seeking a brand that’s durable, energy-efficient, and stainless steel, or other material that won’t off-gas. My ancient big stove recently died, and I don’t need another big stove. Thanks for any thoughts. Debra’s Answer Reader! Any ideas!

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Eco-Friendly Chopsticks for Chinese New Year

Growing up the San Francisco Bay Area, which has a large Chinese community, I have always been very aware of the Chinese New Year in early spring. Based on an ancient agricultural calendar, the Chinese consider the year to begin when the first plants begin to sprout, rather than when the days begin to grow […]

• Q & A

February 8, 2007

Humidifier filter replacement

Question from Donnie I have a small Holmes cool mist humidifier, and it has worked well for me. Unfortunately, my husband used a toxic antibacterial product in it, without my knowledge, and it made me very sick. I want to replace the filter in the humidifier, to see if that will make it more tolerable. […]

• Q & A

February 7, 2007

Question about Surround Ewe wool sleep system

Question from Just Wondering I was wondering if anyone had any comments or experience with using the Surround Ewe wool sleep system. It is owned and operated by a woman who has Kerry Hills Farm and she sells wool pillows, mattresses, mattress toppers, etc. They are organic wool products and organic cotton coverings. I wondered […]

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Organic Cotton is NOT the Same as Organic Food

Question from Harmony With more and more organic cotton products now available at lower prices in mass market stores, there have been some questions about how organic these cotton products are. It’s easy to make the asuumption that organic cotton is held to the same standards as organic food, but it’s not. As a textile […]

• Q & A

February 5, 2007

Outgassing Chairs

Question from Karen Hi Debra, We recently bought 6 banana leaf dining chairs(I think from China) that are just beautiful. However, when they were brought into the house the odor was overwhelming. We now have had them in the garage for 10 days and there doesn’t seem to be much change. How long will it […]

• Q & A

soapstone cookware

Question from Arien Dear Debra, Thank you for sharing the amazing information on a variety of cookwares. After reading your My New Cookware section, I was very interested in the soapstone pots so I went on to greenfeet.com and bought two. However, I do have a simple question that I am sure you can answer […]

• Q & A

February 2, 2007

Finally a Safe Sippy Cup

Question from Jennifer Lance I am so excited to have found a non-leaching, safe sippy cup made by Klean Kanteen, the stainless steel alternative to plastic. Klean Kanteen makes the best stainless steel water bottles. They are odor free and do not taste like metal. We have tried other stainless steel bottles that smell horribly […]

• Q & A

Lady J. Fruit Sweetened Cookies

Question from yg A while ago I purchased Lady J Fruit sweetend cookies. They were excellent. Now I can not find them . Are they under another label ? Is there a place that I could order them through the mail? Debra’s Answer I don’t know these cookies and couldn’t find them online. Readers?

• Q & A