Nite, nite, Don't let the dust mites bite.

If you google toxic mattress and read some of the articles you wont buy another conventional mattress again. You will find there are more chemicals in a conventional mattress than in a barrel of oil. Since the mid- to late '60s, most mattresses have been made of polyurethane foam, a petroleum-based material that emits volatile organic compounds that can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. Formaldehyde, which is used to make one of the adhesives that hold mattresses together, has been linked to asthma, allergies, and lung, nose, and throat cancers. A memory-foam model was found to emit 61 chemicals, including the carcinogens benzene and naphthalene.
We spend a third of our lives in the bed. That means I have been in my bed for 15 years. Recently, we splurged on an organic mattress. It is certified organic and made of natural latex. After being presented with the price, the salesman must have seen my eyes bulge out of my head, because he threw in 2 organic pillows at no charge. When shopping for an organic bed, its best to choose a natural latex mattress because it is anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, dust-mite proof, and relieves pressure points. Be sure the latex is at least 97% natural and not a 60/40 blend of natural and petrochemical-based materials.
A natural latex mattress provides your neck, shoulders, hips and knees with superior support because you sleep in the mattress rather than on top of it. In an organic bed you wont toss and turn as much and you will sleep more peacefully. Wool and latex have the added benefit of being resistant to dust-mites, which are highly allergenic and can factor in up to 80 percent of allergic reactions. Plan on spending double what a traditional mattress cost. It may seem like a lot, but we are spending a third of our life in it. Sometimes we forget that we deserve the best. Sweet Dreams! Cant afford an organic bed right now? check out this link: http://www.thecleanbedroom.com/10_steps_to_an_organic_bedroom.htm

Here is a link to a buying guide for organic bedding:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/buying-guide/mattresses

Organic vs. Natural

I stumbled across some information on organic labeling while I was investigating my last post. I was surprised that food labeling was very misleading. Below are examples of labels that are both meaningful and meaningless. I copied and pasted this information and put a link below for more information on labels.


MEANINGFUL

“100% Organic.” No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law. Also, production processes must meet federal organic standards and must have been independently verified by accredited inspectors.

“Organic.” At least 95 percent of ingredients are organically produced. The remainder can be non organic or synthetic ingredients. One exception: Organic labels on seafood are meaningless because the U.S. Department of Agriculture has no standards to back them up.

“Made with Organic Ingredients.” At least 70 percent of ingredients are organic. The remaining 30 percent must come from the USDA’s approved list.


MEANINGLESS (this is pitiful)

“Free-range” or “free-roaming.” Stamped on eggs, chicken, and other meat, this label suggests that an animal has spent a good portion of its life outdoors. But U.S. government standards are weak. The rule for the label’s use on poultry products, for example, is merely that outdoor access be made available for “an undetermined period each day.” In other words, if a coop door was open for just 5 minutes a day, regardless of whether the chickens went outside, the animals’ meat and eggs could legally be labeled “free-range.”

“Natural” or “All Natural.” This label does not mean organic. The reason is that no standard definition for this term exists except when it’s applied to meat and poultry products, which the USDA defines as not containing any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. And the claim is not verified. The producer or manufacturer alone decides whether to use it.

http://www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/eco-home.cfm?redirect=1

9 is Fine!

I was elated to find out that the sticky residue from the fruit stickers are food grade, yet the actual sticker itself is harmful if ingested... Have you ever wondered what those numbers on the fruit sticker means? It is a great way to know if you are purchasing generically modified fruit versus organically grown fruit. Here is how it works:
For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8. For example:

A conventionally grown banana would be-4011

An organic banana would be-94011

A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be-84011

Eating organically tastes better, so look for the number 9 and you'll be fine!

Painting Green for Spring

Once, after I purchased my first condo, I had a painting party. Painting is not so bad. Its the prepping and priming of the walls that will take you for a loop. There were about 6 of us and I had the windows closed (huge mistake). We were stumbling around singing and laughing, painting each other and the walls! Since then , I make sure there is plenty of ventilation and pour a bottle of beer into a bowl to absorb the odor. Now, of course, there is "green paint". Because of its low V.O.C. (volatile organic compound) rating, I can have more painting parties with less of a headache (literally). V.O.C.'s release harmful vapors and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and can cause headaches and dizziness, can potentially exacerbate asthma and other health conditions, and can even cause kidney and liver damage if exposure is extremely high, according to health experts. Some small manufactures like Yolo Colorhouse in Portland, Ore., and Mythic Paint, a Mississippi-based company, sell only low- or zero-V.O.C. paints. For those of you who have decided to use only low- or no-V.O.C. paints, Green Seal, a nonprofit environmental organization certifies products as eco-friendly. They also conduct performance tests that evaluate coverage and how the paint holds up. The group’s Web site, greenseal.org, lists 21 brands that have passed its environmental safety and performance tests.
Also, below are some websites of eco-friendly paint companies that I took a peek at, too!
http://www.yolocolorhouse.com/about_faq.php
This company has 4 foot swatches to help with your color desision process. I just took a bunch of them and taped them to my walls, making my paint job a breeze!
http://www.realmilkpaint.com/
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm