Fwd: FROM DEBRA: Wal-Mart Announces Green Product Ratings, more Q&A...

[Guest guest]

"We have to make consumption itself smarter and sustainable."

 

Ok, I can't help but laugh! LOL!

 

Cyndi

 

 

 

 

 

Debra Lynn Dadd <debra

cyndikrall

Tue, Jul 21, 2009 11:04 am

FROM DEBRA: Wal-Mart Announces Green Product Ratings, more Q & A...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings!

 

A major new development occurred in the world of green products this week: Wal-Mart announced that it is developing a new sustainability index by which it will rate products obtained from it's 100,000 worldwide suppliers. Read more about this below. Last week I wrote about rescuing a baby bird, and I got a number of emails about the correct things to do when you=2

0find a baby bird. I've written more about our experience in "A Bird in Hand" on my Rooted in Nature blog. Today I'm continuing my Green Living Q & A blog while I keep working on my new website. We're just working out the last design details and technical kinks, and then we can start moving all the data. When you see it, I'm sure you'll agree it was worth the wait. It will be so much easier to add lots of new information!

Debra :-)

HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #194 ~ 21 July 2009

* WAL-MART CREATING SUSTAINABILITY INDEX

* GREEN LIVING Q & A BLOG: new Q & As / new comments on previous Q & As

* CLASSIFIED ADS If the links don't work on this newsletter, you can view it online at http://www.dld123.com/newsletter/newsletterupdateback.html

Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues (tables of contents)/ A>

Search the Back Issues

Other newsletters by Debra

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WAL-MART CREATING SUSTAINABILITY INDEX This past week, Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer announced that they are developing a "sustainability index" to measure the environmental impacts of the products that they sell. Their 100,000 suppliers will now be required to provide data on the environmental impacts of their products, which will be condensed into a rating that will appear on the shelf next to the price information. The New York Times calls this "the green equivalent to nutrition labels." Michael T. Duke, Wal-Mart's president and chief executive, said, "We have to make consumption itself smarter and sustainable." What?!?!?!?! I think it's a great idea that Wal-Mart wants to sell greener products, but, to me, consumption and sustainability are polar opposites. One of the basic ideas of sustainability is to fulfill one's nee

ds to survive in a way that also sustains the surrounding environment. The definition of consumption is to consume--to destory or expend by use, to use up, or to spend wastefully. It is simply impossible to both sustain and consume. But, that aside, there's no harm done by knowing the environmental and social impacts of the products being sold at Wal-Mart.

Read more... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

GREEN LIVING Q & A BLOG Here are the questions and new comments posted through yesterday. Remember, you are welcome to share your own comments and experience in response to any of these questions, and post questions of your own. To read and comment on more questions posted previously go to Green Living Q & A blog. I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and personally with a paid telephone consultation.

 

 

* Fels Naptha Soap

* Inexpensive Water Filters

* Natural and Synthetic Latex Pillows

* Earth-Friendly Hand Sanitizer

* laundry soap for high-efficiency washing machines

* Facial Brown Sun Spots: Non-Toxic Natural Remedy?

* Tempur-Pedic

* Natural latex mattresses and latex allergies

* Reacting to organic cotton

* nontoxic baby cribs

* Car repair and paint

ing

* Green Fund Raising

* Where to find essential oils & how to make recipes with them

* getting pesticide out of clothing

* can visions cookware and pyrex shatter while cooking?

* Stainless steel ice-cube trays vs. Freezing in plastic

* Concrete Flooring

* B>Cleaning mold out of humidifier and keeping it out?

* Where to find the most Natural Vitamins

* Eliminating the smell of cat urine

* Thermolon nonstick cookware

* fragrance, chemical and botanical-free shampoo

* tarnished jewelry safe

* Flea control for dogs

* Food Steamer

* specific low voc paint

* Replace amalgam, possibly with gold

* Durisol - MCS friendly building material?

* Natural Pet Flea Control

* Asthma Attack from New Furniture

* mattress making me sick

* Urine Smell in Mattresses

* carpet off-gassing

* refurbishing a down comforter

* Books About Safe and Unsafe Food and Vitamins

* Fiberglass exterior doors

* Clothes Moths Infestation

* Chlorinating a pool with salt water

 

 

 

 

washing produce the correct way

Its very confuning on the issue of washing your produce the correct way, some say you should wash it whole and others say you should cut it up first. Can you please explain each one of the steps you should take after you buy produce. Which things should i use to clean them with? Also how much should i use? Thanks

 

Read the answer...

glass/ceramic cookware

I recently bought a Visions pot due to the health benefits and was very disappointed when I found out that it did not work on my glass electric stove top. It never occurred to me that the cookware may not work on some stove tops, but the owner's manual says that glass/ceramic cookware is not recommended. Therefore, what would be my next best alternative in terms of healthy cookware, or is there anything I can do to be able to use my Visions pot on my current stove top?

 

thanks

 

Read the answer...

Natural Scent for Laundry

Hi Debra.

 

I found your web-site recently when looking for natural alternatives for laundry. I began using ECOS natural laundry detergents and I love it. I stopped using the liquid fabric softener that I had been using. I love using as many natural products in my household as possible.

 

I do have a dilemma, however. I love scents! Nothing is better for me than when I step out of the shower onto my uber-soft natural bamboo bath mat and grab a fresh, clean fluffy towel and when I put it up to my face and breathe in - that it smells superb. I have been using organic essential oils on a pure organic cotton ball in my dryer - works fabulously BUT, my family's favorite scent combinations are lavender/jasmine; lavender/vanilla; sandalwood/vanilla. Most of these essential oils are VERY expensive, however...which brings me to my question.

 

For laundry scenting purposes would it be acceptable to use fragrance oils rather than the organic EO's or not? I have a sneaking suspicion that the reason we love the EO's I've been using are

due to their natural origin and the psychological and physiological benefits of those natural plant essences, but I wanted to hear your opinion.

 

Read the answer...

PAINTING OLD CABINETS

Hi Debra,

In an effort to cut costs while remodeling moms old kitchen I thought the cabinets could be painted and I could get new hardware. They are solid wood and not in bad shape with a stain on them. My contractor seems to think they will not stay painted or take the paint if a oil based paint is not used. I have talked to some of the people at AFM Safecoat and also Mystic Paints about primers etc and they seem to feel it would be ok with a water based paint. I even looked on DIY and they talk about oil based paint doing the best job.

 

Do you or any readers have experience with this type of project. I just don't feel like it is necessary to reface or get new cabinets when these are still good.

 

Thanks Bonnie Johnson

 

Read the answer...

Organic Dry Cleaner + Cleaning Down Comfort

ers

Iam wondering if anyone knows of a "true" Organic, non toxic dry cleaner. There are advertised dry cleaners that use a chemical called DF2000 that seems to be about as organic as gasoline, but is being touted as "SAFE". Compared to what it replaces I guess this might be true. I looked it up and DF2000 is described as a fluid PERC perchloroethylene and is a probable cancer causing chemical although it shows little immediate health risks. It is Manufactured by EXXon those stewards of the environment who dumped 30 million gallons of crude oil onto the Alaska shoreline. It seems as though the dry cleaners are banking big profits using the word "ORGANIC" for those of us who truly want to protect ourselves and the environment from toxic chemicals.

 

I want to clean my winter down comforters and they are too big and bulky to launder even at the laundromats BIG machines.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Read the answer...

Hexane in Earth's Best Baby Formula

This is my first post ever, anywhere. I love your site Debra, and I turn to it practically daily. THANK YOU. I wanted to try to give back a little as appreciation for all that I've learned. So here it is...

 

I've never been angrier. I tried very very hard to breastf

eed my son, but unfortunately I was not producing enough milk and had to supplement with formula, and eventually turn solely to formula by about three months. Since I could no longer provide my son with the best possible option, breast milk, I thought I was pretty thorough in my research on the best baby formula when I finally decided on Earth's Best Organic Infant Formula. BUT, I just learned that after a YEAR of feeding my son this, the company that develops the DHA and ARA (labeled Life's DHA) that's added to the formula uses hexane, a neurotoxin used to manufacture glue, in the process of adding DHA and ARA to the formula. Their defense? None is detected, most of it is thought to evaporate, although no test has been done to determine this for sure. Oh, and yeah, the amount used is below what the FDA allows.

 

I also learned that most baby formula manufacturers use the same process. The only brand apparently that doesn't is Baby's Only, who only makes a Toddler formula. The guilt I felt not being able to breastfeed was bad enough for me, and now, having learned that the brand I trusted used chemicals in their production of formula has left me beside myself with feelings of anger, guilt and worry about how harmful this has been to my son when all along I thought I was giving him the next best thing to breast milk. Oh, and Earth's Best uses BPA in their lid to boot.

 

Read the answer...

Are earrings safe?

Hi,

 

Stainless steel cookware isn't safe; nickel makes me feel stressed and makes my eyes feel stressed. Is there nickel in earrings? Are metal/silver earrings safe? How about gold earrings? And how about gold earrings that are silver? I am thinking about stop wearing earrings and let the holes heal.

 

Is pearcing ear lobes a good or bad idea in terms of health?

 

Thanks

 

Read the answer...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CLASSIFIED ADS to place a classified ad in this newsletter...

HEALTHIEST COOKWARE. Xtrema pots and pans are 100% ceramic, through and through--made only from natural minerals and water. No metal. Lead-free high-tech ceramic glaze is easy to clean and does not20leach lead or other toxic metals. Holds heat extremely well, so saves energy. Attractive design lets you take the cookware straight to the table. www.ceramcor.com INDULGE YOURSELF IN NATURE! Very special, truly natural, handcrafted formulations including Evan's renowned skincare (all types including anti-aging), dental, deodorant, hair care, make-up, body & bath, aromatherapy perfumery, pregnant/nursing mother, baby, pet, salves, cleanses, healing oils and household cleaning products. No yucky petrochemicals, pesticides or other nasties. You will love the quality and results! Toll-free 866-987-8008 www.evansgarden.com REUSABLE BAGS. Eliminate disposable plastic bags and bottles from your life. Bags of all shapes and sizes are made from cotton, organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials. Shopping bags, tote bags, and everything you need to pack a lunch. Reusable produce bags really keep organic food fresh. Reusable aluminum drink bottles. www.ReusableBags.com

 

SOAPSTONE COOKWARE IS NATURALLY NONSTICK. Natural stone cookware is beautiful, warms food quickly over low heat, is bacteria-resistant and naturally non-stick, and is so durable it can be handed down for several generations. Food tastes better cooked in soapstone. www.greenfeet.com FIX WHOLE, ORGANIC FOODS FAST IN A VITAMIX. Whole food vegetable and fruit juices, creamy soups, frozen treats, whole grain breads, fresh nut butters and more are yours in minutes, made from your own organic ingredients. www.vitamix.com GIVE YOUR BODY THE NATURAL SALT IT NEEDS. Revive your energy with natural living salt. Contains 84 minerals essential to human life. Hand-mined to retain original primordial vibration pattern. Delicious taste makes food "come alive". A life-giving, natural, whole food. Email info for free sample. www.himalayanlivingsalt.com SUSTAINABILY-HARVESTED WILD SALMON and other wild fish from the pristine waters of Alaska. Flash frozen, smoked, sausage and burgers, cans and pouches, salmon caviar. www.vitalchoice.com CALL FOR A HEALTHY BED CONSULTATION. 100% wool-filled and wool-encased mattress of heirloom quality, placed on a slatted wood frame for optimal airflow. Our wool fill comes from the EcoDomestic Wool Project and Woolgatherer Carding Mill in Montague, California, home of our production company. Available in U.S. and Canada. www.shepherdsdream.com SOLUTIONS FOR FLUORIDE HAZARD! Custom made water filters. Removes fluoride, arsenic, chlorine and chloramines without taking out the good minerals that make water wholesome. Whole house systems, under the counter systems, and 100% chlorine- free pool and spa system. Medical grade alkaline water unit. Natural Plus Plus LLC 727-447-2344 www.gobeyondorganic.com

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

email: debra

web: http://dld123.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please forward this newsletter to your friends

 

 

 

This email was sent to cyndikrall by debra.

Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnâ„¢ | Privacy Policy.

 

 

 

 

DLD Communications | 411 Cleveland Street #263 | Clearwater | FL | 33755

 

An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps!