This is a great subject for a group. Thanks Kimberly for starting it!
Namaste

This is awesome! I've been saving my wine corks and nutrigrain wrappers to send to them.
http://www.terracycle.net/

Here's where I got my replacable head toothbrush:
http://www.eco-dent.com/
Eco-DenT is the only Natural Products company to offer consumers the full range of Premium Natural Oral Care Products.

There's also- http://www.preserveproducts.com/ Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Those are the principles that have driven our company since 1996 and that motivate us to encourage more households to choose our 100% recycled and recyclable products over conventional products. Our plastic products are made from #5 polypropylene plastic collected from individuals via our Gimme 5 program and from companies like Stonyfield Farm®. We take this plastic, sort it, clean it, test it, recycle it, and turn it into new Preserve products.

Choosing Preserve Plastic (in the form of a toothbrush or razor, for example) means a sizeable reduction in greenhouse gases emitted, and significantly less water, energy, oil, natural gas and coal used in making plastic.

this is great! Thanks Kimberly for starting these wonderful groups :)

when we change ourselves for the better, we change the world too! Each of us creates a "ripple" effect ;-)

Sole... You can clean your teeth and use as a mouth wash, and it gives amazing results.

Sole is made from Himalayan rock salt and spring water. It is easy to make for yourself, you must first get a contained, the best ones are made of glass with a cork stopper, don't use anything with metal as salt and metal together create toxins.
Put in the salt, about a third of the container, cover in spring water to fill the container. It takes about 24 hours for the salt to disperse into the water, but you need to make sure that there is still salt left in the container, this indicates that the water has absorbed to it's capacity. This is them sole. There will be minerals left at the bottom of the container, they are harmless. Sole can be used for many things. If you put a few drops on your tooth brush instead of toothpaste and brush as usual, then use a teaspoon for a mouth wash for 2 mins to gain best effect. The sole will remineralise enamel and destroy decay and prevent any forming, it will also kill root infections. Sounds to good to be true but it does work. There is a book called Water and Salt the Essence of Life that contains many more of soles applications. Well worth investing in. Amazon sell it.

cool, I read about the book in something else you've written, I'll have to check it out. my dad has an infection in his gum, i think. i will have to have him try it. thanks

This is where I got my biodegradable garbage bags. There are different brands & I've seen mixed reviews, but I use these & they work great.
http://www.perfgogreen.com/

Right now I'm washing and reusing the baggies I have, but when those run out I plan on getting these: http://motherjones.greenhome.com/products/restaurant_supplies/food_storage/fod000001/

Ditch those plastic bags for ones made out of plants!

These biodegradable cellulose bags are sturdy and eco-friendly, so whether you are running a restaurant or household, these bags should do the trick!
Typical plastic bags are derived from petroleum and take well over a lifespan to decompose. So why not clear your conscience and the landfill with these cellulose bags? Cellulose is the primary component of the cell walls of plants - completely natural and nontoxic, can be composted, is 100% biodegradable -- and can also be recycled with other paper products.

SLS and PAB's are best to avoid, they are in a lot of products.

House cordless phones give off far more harmful waves than living next to a mobile phone tower.

The quality of the water you cook with and bathe or shower in is very important, not just the water that we drink.

There is a company in UK called Healthy House that sell a broad spectrum of things that make sense if you care about our planet.

Good info about the bags, thanks

this is great you guys! I have also been wondering about the bags...thank you so much!

And yes, K~ I recently realized, just b/c I company doesn't test on animals, doesn't mean the ingredients do not have animal by-products in them! Which means animals were killed/ or suffered in the process....does that not make any sense?!

I went to a spa (which was my favorite)...their products did not "test on animals" and it said "natural" on them, but they had disgusting stuff in them! I could not get the treatments I wanted to, b/c of the products they would be using on me.

You cannot trust the label or what someone says, you must read the ingredient list for your self!

The same applies to toilet tissue/roll. Best to buy organic, not the coloured stuff, that's not good at all.

If you use a micro wave you might like to look at this experiment:-

http://www.antoniariva.ch

Another good link.

http://educate-yourself.org

yeah that microwave is awful, i didn't check the link, but i am familiar with the terrible effects of it. I saw an experiment with a plant and they used microwave water to feed one and regular water for the other. the one with the microwave water died a few weeks later.....

you really shouldn't use it ever, especially not to cook food! i mostly use it to heat up coffee or leftovers, i know that is still bad, but it is a habit that needs to be broken. if you use it, make sure to always evacuate the area from its strong radiation.....

thanks for spreading the word ;-)

That is what the experiment shows, how a plant feed on microwaved water dies after a short time. It is fine on boiled water.

Here are some reasons why organic cotton production is important to the long-term health of the planet.

Cotton uses approximately 25% of the world's insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants.).

Fifty-five million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2003 (4.3 pounds/ acre), ranking cotton third behind corn and soybeans in total amount of pesticides sprayed. (USDA)

Over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton in 2000 (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans. (USDA)

The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin). (EPA)

Cotton pesticides can be extremely hazardous, particularly when poverty prevents users from taking necessary precautions.
At just eight years old, Modachirou Inoussa already helped his parents in the cotton fields, and 29 July 2000 started as a day like many others. Modachirou had worked hard and ran back to the house feeling thirsty. Finding no drink, he set off to search for his parents. On his way, Modachirou found an empty container, and scooped up some water to drink from a ditch. That evening he did not return home. A village search found his body next to the empty Callisulfan bottle innocently used to quench his thirst(More about this at http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Issue/pn52/pn52p12.htm

I get toilet paper and paper towels made from 100% recycled paper. They cost a litttle more but not too much.

Something I haven't researched, but have been thinking about lately, is tampons, pads, and liners. Does anybody know of any that are eco-friendly?

About the microwave, I don't argue that it is bad, but in the follow up of the experiment they admitt the water was boiled in a plastic cup(plastic, also bad). So leaching plastic could play a part. Also it was not a double blind experiment, so she knew which was which when watering them. Also she was wanting the microwaved ones to do poorly, so it is possible that her thoughts toward each plant had an effect as well. Again, not arguing that the microwave is bad, just saying there is more to be considered with that experiment.

I have posted on my blog about the microwave experiment, worth taking a look.

In the UK there is a make of tampons etc called Nutri care that I good.

The cotton industry is terrible. Hemp is a much better product needs no chemicals to grow it. If you look back in history it was all about power and wealth why cotton did so well and hemp production was squashed.

I think lots of very nasty illnesses are caused by using non organic cotton in areas of the body were the skin is very sensitive.

I am also very interested in water, http://www.ionizers.org/melody.html are a very good water filter.

If you want to see the microwaved water experiment done on plants in soil check out http://www.execonn.com/sf/

I really believe the microwave is bad. Whether it is the acceleration of the heat process, the radiation, or the plastic used in it. It just doesn't seem like it would be good to use. (In a natural and pure kinda way)

here is what Dr. Andrew Weil says about microwaves.....

"While microwave ovens are a great convenience, you do have to be aware of potential dangers. Don't heat foods in plastic containers or covered by plastic wrap: microwaving can drive plastic molecules into your food.

I advise using only glass or ceramic containers in them and only waxed paper or a paper towel to cover foods that you are heating. I don't cook anything in the microwave. Instead, I use it only for defrosting or rapid reheating of leftovers."

thanks for the info on the tampons! : ^ )

which one did you try? there are a few different kinds.....some of them are harsher than others ( like the peppermint as opposed to the lavender) , depending on what you were using before, your skin may not be used to it.....like if you were using a really creamy cleanser, the doctors bronners is very deep cleaning and you may feel liked it is drying, it is good to follow with a moisturizer....

Re: Bobbi's question: "Something I haven't researched, but have been thinking about lately, is tampons, pads, and liners. Does anybody know of any that are eco-friendly? "

I've seen / heard a couple of women being enthusiastic abot the divacup (or similar product) though that was right at the beginning of their using it, and I don't know if they continued to be satisfied.

My ex-girlfriend used to use natural sponges (which she cut herself to the right size) [NOT plastic sponges] instead of paper-product tampons. She probably carried one spare, but that isn't really necessary. Every time she went to the loo, she'd take it out, rinse it clean, squeeze it out, and pop it back in. In between her menses, she'd keep it in a cup of salted water (to keep it from smelling bad, and as a natural disinfectant).
It's the tampon equivalent of rechargeable batteries. Totally ecological and NO waste - not even ecologically sound waste - except after several hundred uses, they might wear down. No chemicals that attack your vaginal flora...

Should have added (before you start destroying loads of sponges) that - since the sponges (unlike tampons) don't swell up when they absorb blood, you cut them to a larger size (they squeeze DOWN to fit, instead of swelling)

And while I'm on the subject of intimate throw-away vs. recyclable...
If you've got children small enough to need nappies (diapers in the USA), do NOT fall for the sales pitch about disposables being SO mjuch easier. In fact, this has become such widespread pseudo-fact that it's hard to find cloth nappies anymore (at least in some countries).
A friend of mine travelled in Spain with her 10-month-old daughter.
"If I'd gone for disposables, our luggage would've been about doubled in bulk... And then you've got to look for them, and pay for them, and look for a place to throw them away... I've brought 3 cloth nappies. When each one gets dirty, I wash it out, and in this climate it dries in no time [they travelled in Summer]. If we're hitching, I just hang it out the car window and it dries even faster!"
I WILL point out that she used (at home in Ireland as well) paper-based (but without chemicals) nappy-liners - use once and throw away (stops the cloth nappy from getting too dirty). These are sold in boxes of fifty or a hundred, very cheap and compact compared to the plastic-welded-to-paper monstrosities everybody seems to think are necessary. The cloth ones need a separate plastic outer liner, that is even easier to wash and dry (in a pinch you can tear up a supermarket plastic bag) to keep clothing dry.
And in warm weather... let the little darlin' go about without. It's easier to wipe up / mop up than to deal with nappies - disposable or cloth - and it's much healthier for the child (less heat rash, less irritation...)
Cloth nappies - AND babies - RULE!!!

I have just waded through 4 pages(!!!) of comments to see if anybody has talked about hair conditioner yet.
Forget the Loreal (et al) ads: all commercial conditioners damage your hair. but what if you want soft, manageable hair?
Use ordinary vinegar. It's cheaper (MUCH!), less damaging to the environment once it's washed down the drain, works just as well - or better -, keeps the danger of head lice to a minimum (without being poisonous - this is VERY important for use on children), AND is a LOT healthier for your hair. not to mention - in case you DO have children - that it can be safely left in your bathroom without worrying about the children poisoning themselves on it.
I use apple cider vinegar, chain supermarket brand, for reasons of economy. But - of course - if you can afford it, organic would be the best.

You want to avoid products that contain SLS if you can, it's in a lot of so called green products. You should investigate Borax.

A school teacher friend told me years ago about Quassia wood chips for getting rid of head lice, if you have kids you will know how often the kids pick them up.

I have seen many complicated ways of using the chips on the net, but all I used to do was bring to the boil a hand full, about half a mug, with 2 pints of water, it does not matter the exact amounts. Simmer for 10 minutes, leave to cool and after washing with a good chemical free shampoo use the mixture, after sieving it, as the final rinse. Repeat for five days to cover the cycle of the lice, but there is no need to shampoo again unless the hair is dirty.

It worked for me and my kids.

The liquid tastes really bad so if you have a nail biter dip their fingers in the liquid and they won't bite their nails. That's after you have had a long hard think as to why they are biting them in the first place.

If you buy with the leaping bunny logo...not only it is natural, but no animals were harmed, or by products, tested on animals. It really states that the company has made a honest long term stance, not just words.

If you buy with the leaping bunny logo...not only it is natural, but no animals were harmed, or by products, tested on animals. It really states that the company has made a honest long term stance, not just words.

If you buy with the leaping bunny logo...not only it is natural, but no animals were harmed, or by products, tested on animals. It really states that the company has made a honest long term stance, not just words.

Wow, thank you all for such great info.I need to come back and check them out in one by one.
Does anyone know about safe utensil. Sometimes I wonder whether would glass or poreclain, baking tin, containers contain lead that might leak or some how get into us.
I have an article on life hazard tires - wonder whether does it fit into this forum. Think I will post it on the blog soon so all could see.

Dear Precious Lotus,
You ask: "Does anyone know about safe utensils?"
You may know this already, but many people don't, so I'll add it here:
DON'T use aluminium! Especially not for cooking, but also not for eating.
It increases the dangers of Alzheimer's disease. My mother has this. Unfortunately (having spent much of her life in Hong Kong) she has an electric Chinese rice-cooker - and they dont seem to MAKE them without aluminium inner pots. (If anybody knows of a brand that DOES make them in stainless steel, PLEASE tell me!)
Whenever I cook rice for her, I do so on the stove with a stainless steel pot. But others who care for her find it easier to use the electric rice cooker, and trivialise the dangers of the aluminium (convenience is more important than health!) I have toyed with the idea of just throwing this cooker out... and may do so. But then, somebody would probably just buy her a replacement.

While on the subject of aluminium, this is present - in the form of alum - in MOST commercial deoderants. Now deoderants are used on body parts where the blood vessels are close to the surface (helping you to sweat more efficiently) and the alum makes its way in the other direction into your bloodstream. I used to be in love with my deo-crystal, because it wasn't perfumed and it was VERY efficient. But since I realised that this was almost pure alum crystal, I've stopped using it. Most healthy, natural deoderants are too expensive (and often perfumed), so I just shower more often... or smell!
Does anyone know of a cheap, safe, UNPERFUMED deoderant? (I find the smell of fresh sweat attractive - much more so than lilacs or honeysuckle. But stale sweat can be a real turn-off!)

Hi Jimm,

Thank you for taking the time to reply - I really appreciate it.

I know what you mean by people choosing convenience over health. They want so much short cut to save time and yet waste all their time on unimportant things and events and TV.

My daughter couldn't understand why I would take the trouble to hang all the clothes on the line when there is the convenient of dryer. And not that we are so short of cash to pay for energy.

I have not use aluminum for long time now and I have a good rice cooker I could recommend you. I use vacuum thermos cooker which is made of stainless steel and it does not need any energy at all except for the initial short boiling time. What you do is after washing the rice boil it and let it be at boiling for a couple of minutes, then you transfer the pot into the bigger pot, cover it and in about half an hour the rice is cooked.

I use it for soup as well. There are lots you could do with it. You can check it out the web. I am using the Shuttle chef brand - it's been very good.
Another idea is to check out the latest rice cooker, think there might be stainless steel inner pot by now.

You were asking about deodorant - well I don't use any at all - don't see the need to. However, my student recently present me one which is Aluminum Chlorohydrate free, Paraben free and Fragrance free. It says naturally fresh deodorant crystal marketed by TCCD International.

Hmm, wonder why she present me one. lol.

p.s. thank you for the info. on deodorant - it would be useful to make my kids aware of this.

Dr Hulda Clarke has some very interesting books. I believe the best cookware is enamel.

I recently came across a kitchen ware demo and was told that they used titanium instead of telfon. And was told of all the good qualities you can imagine that is opposite to using telfon. I am tempted to buy them but maybe is good to let the deal go until I do more research on it.

I wonder do any of you have any feedback on that.

Thanks and with appreciation.

clclay: Perhaps enamel is the best material for cooking... as long as it isn't damaged. But - in order to get the enamel to stick to the metal base - they use a very toxic substance, so that if you have a cracked or chipped enamel pot, it shouldn't really be used.

As enamel pots tend to chip when they're dropped on the floor, and I'm quite a clumsy person, enamel isn't the best material for me. I'll stick to ceramics and stainless steel...

http://www.uk.freecycle.org/ interesting site

Jimmy~ I think 'Tom's of Maine' brand is great. I believe they are natural fragrance from lavender and calendula oil. I first found out about them from their toothpaste (which is great btw). Don't use Crest / Colgate / or any of the mass brands, they have so much bad stuff in them! so do the mouthwashes...

Kimberly~ I recently found out about a great nail polish line, which is vegan and free of bad chemicals http://www.sparitual.com/nail_lacquers/

Oh and about hair conditioner. Apple Cider vinegar helps with shine, but in order to detangle (especially for us with curly hair) you need something to condition You are absolutely right about commercial conditioners. The average mass produced ones have cheap/ bad indgrd. and are from a cruel company.

for everyday conditioner- I like / recommend Burts Bees, most of their products are vegan some have milk / honey/ beeswax.

for a deep conditioner ( once a week- once a month)- coconut oil is amazing as well as grape seed oil and just plain ol' olive oil works great too.

This is where I've gotten my shampoo and bodywash for the past few years. In my few years of searching this has been the best and cheapest I've found. Not only do they give you a list of all ingredients, they explain what those ingredients actually are. Also their perspective on SLS. www.commonsensefarm.com

Also, a while back when I looked up parabens I found this, "Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers." That was enough for me to order the paraben free lotion base. It's cool, you just add any scent you want and distilled water for your own desired thickness. www.naturesbouquet.com/body_lotion_hand_lotion.htm

Green Tip
Make a conscious effort at the store to buy products in glass containers instead of plastic.

Learn more about plastics in our oceans at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/oceanissues/plastics_albatross/?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Learn+more+about+plastics+in+our+oceans&utm_content=bwiddoss%40hotmail.com&utm_campaign=2009_7%3A+Monthly+Newsletter

I was thinking about the tip I posted about buying glass instead of plastic, and I'm really not sure which is better because with glass it is much heavier and therefore takes more energy to distribute. I guess even better would be containers made of recycled plastic. That way no more plastic is actually being made.

Feng Shui says that the microwave is potentially the most dangerous of all household appliances. They have been found to emit low frequency radiation far in excess of that known to cause lymphatic cancer in children and are also thought to corrupt the molecular structure of food.

Also, microwave ovens can damage your health if they leak. You should have them checked annually as you would any other household fixtures.

They are not well regarded in Feng Shui.

i'm not sure how i first was introduced to this blog, probably through Mypeace. i absolutely love her visual essays! this one's about dyeing your hair
http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=941
they're all great, check them out!