Monthly Archives: December 2010
Lysol and Healthy Families?
| December 31, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Natural Health, Toxins |
So once again Annie over at PhD in Parenting is bring attention to hypocrisy. Earlier this month Lysol had a Twitter Party with the theme of “healthy babies.“ At the Twitter Party many people did post about the dangers of Lysol and it’s use around babies. Many of these comments where met with not so nice replies but some people were happy to hear about alternative ways to disinfect.
Lysol is still spreading this false idea that we need to kill every germ and spray everything with pesticides and toxic chemicals to be safe. One of their latest posts on their Facebook page shows this at work.
“According to the CDC, 1 in 5 Americans suffers from allergies and/or asthma. This adds up to an estimated annual cost of $7 billion in medications, physician services and missed days from school and work. How many days of school or work does your family miss each year due to allergies?”
This post makes it sound like Lysol can help reduce allergies and asthma yet neither are caused by germs. Many asthmatics are very sensitive to products like Lysol and a number of chemicals in Lysol have even been linked to respiratory problems. Most doctors advise people with asthma to skip on harsh cleaners like Lysol or to wear a mask when using it.
Women’s Voices for the Earth talk about asthma and a common ingredient in disinfectants-
“Ammonium quaternary compounds (“quats”) are found in household cleaning products like disinfectant sprays and toilet cleaners, and some have been identified as a known inducer of occupational asthma.”
Thankfully there are many safer ways to keep your family healthy both for the short term and long term. I have written about a few here. Good hand washing practices and teaching your children not to share food and drinks during cold and flu season, and to cover and sneeze in to their shoulder or shirt, can go a long way. Also boosting your immune systems with healthy foods, vitamin D from food sources and good old sunshine will help keep your family healthy. I will be covering more ways to stay well and what to do if you do get sick soon. So ditch the toxins and have a healthier and happier new year!
Photo credit: Valerie Everett
Have a Very Green New Year!
| December 30, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Green Holidays |
It’s hard to believe it’s almost a new year already! It’s time to look back at what happened this year and what we want to happen next year.
I’m very excited with how much the blog has been growing this year. Thank you to all my great readers, without you this blog would be pretty boring. Here are the most popular posts from this past year.
- Lead in Your Kid’s Juice Box?
- Cement Plants and Cancer
- No More Plastic Bags, Now What?
- Stop Wasting, While Out
- Greenwashing Earth Day- Sponsored by P&G
I would love to hear what you guys want to see more of this coming year. To let me know what you want to see fill out this survey. I can’t wait to learn what you guys think and work to make the blog even better!
Green Holiday Guide: Last Minute Gifts
| December 21, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Green Holidays |
It’s four days until Christmas, if you are still looking for gifts here are some quick ideas.
Baked goods are a great quick gift. This is also great for the people on your list who have everything. You can check out my recipes for some ideas.
My salt scrub is a quick and easy gift. Also Lisa over at Condo Blues has 30 great homemade gift ideas.
Even at the last minute you can make your Christmas a little bit greener by using tips like these.
Green Holiday Guide: Reuseit Giveaway
| December 20, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Giveaway, Green Holidays, Review |
Reuseit.com is the place to shop for all your reusable needs. They have water bottles, reusable bags, stainless steel containers, and more. They are a great place to shop for gifts and if you still need some you can get 2 day shipping for just $12.95 so it will get there before Christmas.
Here are some of my favorite items that would make great gifts.
These are some of the most affordable organic cloth napkins I have seen. They are made from organic cotton and hemp. They also use fair wages. These are a great hostess gift or to use yourself at Christmas dinner.
ReuseIt.com has a huge selection of reusable bags including these ChicoBags made from recycled plastic. These make great stocking stuffers or you can use them to wrap your gifts.
These reusable bottles from Earthlust are beautiful and safe. They are made from un-lined stainless steel and use non-toxic paints.
This double walled glass bottle comes with a stainless steel mesh filter making it great for tea lovers. It’s wide mouth makes it great for adding ice to your drinks in the summer and it will keep them cold for a long time. And for the cold winter months it will keep your hot drinks hot.
If stainless steel is more your style these insulated mugs from Klean Kanteen are for you. They will keep your drink hot for several hours and are safe for you and better for the plant.
This is just a small sampling of the things you will find at Reuseit.com. And because ReuseIt.com is so awesome and giving they are going to give one lucky reader a $100 gift certificate to the store!
1. Post your e-mail!!!!! Every time people forget, you can’t win if you don’t leave an e-mail address. (if you have a blogger account that has your e-mail that works as well, or if you fill it out in the info, just somewhere please!)
2. Go to Reuseit.com and tell me what you would buy, this is the mandatory entry.
3. Enter by December 23rd at 11:59 p.m.
Extra Entries (post separate comment for each):
1. Blog about the giveaway, post link.
2. Post on Twitter, post link.
3. Add me on Twitter @retrohousewife5, leave username in comment.
4. Follow me, let me know which way you are following. (Google, NetworkedBlog, E-mail, other)
5. Add my button to your site. (the button and code are on the right side of the page) Be sure to leave a link for where you put the button.
6. Subscribe to the Retro Housewife Goes Green newsletter.
6. Like Retro Housewife Goes Green on Facebook.
7. Like Reuseit on Facebook.
Remember post a separate comment for each of the above ways to enter! They will only count if they are separate.
*This giveaway is sponsored by Reuseit.com. The prizes comes from them. I was not paid for this post, however I was given an item to review. I am also an affiliate and blog ambassador for Reuseit.com, I make a small percent of items bought from them from links on my page. This does not effect my views and these are my honest views on the products/store.
Green Holiday Guide: Soap For Goodness Sake Giveaway
| December 19, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Giveaway, Green Holidays, Review |
Soap For Goodness Sake is home based business in Oklahoma. It was started by a husband and wife that strive to offer wonderful products that are also safe.
“I began making soaps and other cosmetics back in 2001. Along the way, I came across data about the amount of toxins that are in ingredients in personal care products. With so many people around me that have been diagnosed with illnesses, I delved into reading as much as I could about toxins and started making my handmade goods as toxic free as possible. I thought others may be interested in my products, and well, here we are offering them to you.”- Kathy, owner
One of their popular products is their shea butter, which comes in plastic-free packaging. It’s a wonderful product and the packaging makes it even better. Their soaps are also great and gentler on you and the planet. This is a store you want to be sure to check out.
For the holiday season Soap For Goodness Sake is offering 3 bars of their peppermint soap to one lucky reader.
1. Post your e-mail!!!!! Every time people forget, you can’t win if you don’t leave an e-mail address. (if you have a blogger account that has your e-mail that works as well, or if you fill it out in the info, just somewhere please!)
2. Go to Soap For Goodness Sake and tell me what your favorite item, this is the mandatory entry.
3. Enter by December 23rd at 11:59 p.m.
Extra Entries (post separate comment for each):
1. Blog about the giveaway, post link.
2. Post on Twitter, post link.
3. Add me on Twitter @retrohousewife5, leave username in comment.
4. Follow me, let me know which way you are following. (Google, NetworkedBlog, E-mail, other)
5. Add my button to your site. (the button and code are on the right side of the page) Be sure to leave a link for where you put the button.
6. Subscribe to the Retro Housewife Goes Green newsletter.
6. Like Retro Housewife Goes Green on Facebook.
7. Like Soap For Goodness Sake on Facebook.
Remember post a separate comment for each of the above ways to enter! They will only count if they are separate.
*This giveaway is sponsored by Soap For Goodness Sake. The prizes comes from them. I was not paid for this post, however I was given an item to review. This does not effect my views and these are my honest views on the products/store.
Green Holiday Guide: Artterro Giveaway
| December 19, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Giveaway, Green Holidays, Review |
The owners of Artterro were tired of boring craft kits that made cookie cutter crafts that just end up in the trash. They decided to make craft kits with high quality items. These kits also use sustainable materials.
Artterro cares about the planet and people. They reduce packaging, use recycled and natural products, even their displays are made from bamboo. They also have their products packaged and mailed from Goodwill Industries. They are even on the look out for organic and fair trade materials. Here are some of the things you can make with their kits.
Artterro is offering a gift set of three kits for one lucky reader.
1. Post your e-mail!!!!! Every time people forget, you can’t win if you don’t leave an e-mail address. (if you have a blogger account that has your e-mail that works as well, or if you fill it out in the info, just somewhere please!)
2. Go to Artterro and tell me what your favorite kit is, this is the mandatory entry.
3. Enter by December 23rd at 11:59 p.m.
Extra Entries (post separate comment for each):
1. Blog about the giveaway, post link.
2. Post on Twitter, post link.
3. Add me on Twitter @retrohousewife5, leave username in comment.
4. Follow me, let me know which way you are following. (Google, NetworkedBlog, E-mail, other)
5. Add my button to your site. (the button and code are on the right side of the page) Be sure to leave a link for where you put the button.
6. Subscribe to the Retro Housewife Goes Green newsletter.
6. Like Retro Housewife Goes Green on Facebook.
7. Like Artterro on Facebook.
Remember post a separate comment for each of the above ways to enter! They will only count if they are separate.
*This giveaway is sponsored by Artterro. The prizes comes from them. I was not paid for this post, however I was given an item to review. This does not effect my views and these are my honest views on the products/store.
Green Holiday Guide: Homemade Salt scrub
| December 18, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under DIY, Green Holidays |
This is a quick and easy gift you can make with things you likely already have.
What you need:
Sea salt
Essential oils
Olive oil
Clean jar(s)
Directions:
Mix 1 cup of sea salt, 1 cup of olive oil and several drops of the essential oil(s) of your choice. Put in a jar, tie a pretty ribbon around it with a tag saying what it is and to shake well before use.
You can also add a cute wash cloth or if you crochet you can make the cute scrubber above. To find how to make the scrubber click here.
Green Holiday Guide: Wild Dill Giveaway
| December 18, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Giveaway, Green Holidays, Review |
Wild Dill is a great online store full of eco-friendly items for your kids. You will find natural, fair trade, organic, and recycled products.
1. Post your e-mail!!!!! Every time people forget, you can’t win if you don’t leave an e-mail address. (if you have a blogger account that has your e-mail that works as well, or if you fill it out in the info, just somewhere please!)
2. Go to Wild Dill and tell me what you would buy, this is the mandatory entry.
3. Enter by December 23rd at 11:59 p.m.
Extra Entries (post separate comment for each):
1. Blog about the giveaway, post link.
2. Post on Twitter, post link.
3. Add me on Twitter @retrohousewife5, leave username in comment.
4. Follow me, let me know which way you are following. (Google, NetworkedBlog, E-mail, other)
5. Add my button to your site. (the button and code are on the right side of the page) Be sure to leave a link for where you put the button.
6. Subscribe to the Retro Housewife Goes Green newsletter.
6. Like Retro Housewife Goes Green on Facebook.
7. Like Wild Dill on Facebook.
Remember post a separate comment for each of the above ways to enter! They will only count if they are separate.
*This giveaway is sponsored by Wild Dill. The prizes comes from them. I was not paid for this post, however I was given an item to review. I’m also an affiliate for Wild Dill and earn a small percent if you order there after clicking a link on my site. This does not effect my views and these are my honest views on the products/store.
Green Holiday Guide: EcoMom Giveaway
| December 16, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Giveaway, Green Holidays, Review |
EcoMom has something for everyone, from baby items to gifts for dad. EcoMom is committed to the health of families. They partner with groups like Healthy Child Healthy World and EcoMom Alliance. The products they sell reflect their passion for families and the planet. Here are some samples of of the great products you will find at EcoMom.
EcoMom has been kind enough to offer a $15 gift certificate to one lucky reader! Look below for how to win.
And now for the rules-
1. Post your e-mail!!!!! Every time people forget, you can’t win if you don’t leave an e-mail address. (if you have a blogger account that has your e-mail that works as well, or if you fill it out in the info, just somewhere please!)
2. Go to EcoMom and tell me what you would buy, this is the mandatory entry.
3. Enter by December 23rd at 11:59 p.m.
It’s open to anyone in the US or Canada. You can’t win this giveaway if you have won a giveaway from EcoMom in the last 45 days.
Extra Entries (post separate comment for each):
1. Blog about the giveaway, post link.
2. Post on Twitter, post link.
3. Add me on Twitter @retrohousewife5, leave username in comment.
4. Follow me, let me know which way you are following. (Google, NetworkedBlog, E-mail, other)
5. Add my button to your site. (the button and code are on the right side of the page) Be sure to leave a link for where you put the button.
6. Subscribe to the Retro Housewife Goes Green newsletter.
6. Like Retro Housewife Goes Green on Facebook.
7. Like EcoMom on Facebook.
8. Follow @EcoMom on Twitter.
Remember post a separate comment for each of the above ways to enter! They will only count if they are separate.
*This giveaway is sponsored by EcoMom. The prizes comes from them. I was not paid for this post, however I was given an item to review. These are my honest views on the product.
Green Holiday Guide: Gifts for Book Lovers
| December 16, 2010 | Posted by Lisa Sharp under Giveaway, Green Holidays, Review |
Here is a list of some of my favorite green books.
Practically Green
Do It Gorgeously
Eco Dog 
Smart Mama’s Green Guide
Green My Parents
While this book
*I have been given review copies of Stay, Practically Green, Do It Yourself Gorgeously, and Smart Mama’s Green Guide. I was not paid to post this or any other post. These are my honest thoughts and views. I’m also an affiliate for Amazon.com and earn a small amount if you buy from them from my page. However this doesn’t effect my views.
