7/29/10

If you (or a loved one) need just one more excuse to give up smoking, how about this: Tobacco farms grow some of the most heavily sprayed crops in the industry. A chemical cocktail of herbicides and pesticides are used to grow tobacco, which ends up in the soil and water supply over time. Giving up smoking is better for your health, your family and our planet.

7/28/10

If you've made the switch to a stainless steel reusable water bottle, keeping it clean and fresh can be a problem. After a few uses, simply wash it out with warm, soapy water; fill it up and shake it with the cap on to clean it really well. After drying it, the best place to store your bottle (if you're not using it right away) is in the freezer. Here, any residual moisture inside the bottle won't turn into a breeding ground for mold.

7/27/10

Recently there have been numerous recalls of children's costume jewelry for containing high levels of lead, small parts that could lead to choking or the presence of cadmium that could lead to toxic poisoning. The fact is that very cheap jewelry is going to be made with very cheap materials. Instead, let your kids play dress-up using unwanted jewelry you already have, or buy safe accessories made out of wood or vintage materials. Your kids will learn that jewelry is precious and not disposable. But most important, you'll protect their health.