Greenfest 2012

Howard County’s Greenfest 2012 overflowed with wonderful people, tremendous services, and outstanding businesses and organizations. We’re grateful for all kinds of volunteers who shared owls, handed out trees, served the vendors, and even jump-started our dead battery!

One Greenfest table represented the Sandy Spring CSA–community supported agriculture.  Thank you to the volunteers from the CSA who sacrificed to share this treasure.  Now we get to enjoy the CSA harvests through October–each week proves to be a delicious adventure in eating!

Greenfest 2012 had around 2700 attendees.  We met many lovely people interested in going detergent-free this year.  We’re helping them with free in-home trials of the technology.  No chemicals.  No hot water. No germs.  Easy!  Even some local businesses are jumping aboard.  We’re especially excited about helping six assisted living facilities with detergent-free technology.  Let us know how we can help you and look for us at next year’s Greenfest.

Greenfest 2010

WOW!  We started this blog amidst health challenges and Greenfest 2009.  Now, we’re doing a bit better and thrilled to be a part of Howard County’s Greenfest 2010!  Greenfest 2010 will be bigger and better than ever!  Health and Environmental Answers will be sharing a new technology this year to help you solve the problems of “What’s Growing in Your House?”.  But, will we also have the cool safe bubbles laundry technology you saw last year for non-toxic savings without detergent?  Yep!  Do we still have the incredible power saving device that gives you more return on your money than a bank cd? Sure ’nuff! So, come see us on the second floor of the Galleria and sign up for your Greenfest Goodies!  Meanwhile, here’s the link to the schedule of events:  http://www.co.ho.md.us/OES/OESDocs/Activity%20schedule2010.pdf

Healthy Living 101

ANSWERS to winning with healthy living:

A= AIR What you breathe goes into your blood and then your brain.  So, it makes perfect sense to think about improving the air you breathe in your home.  Since Carol had environmental illness or chemical sensitivities, the air in our home became very important.  Unfortunately, we also had some allergies to pollens and molds, so opening the windows was not always possible.  We improved the air quality in our home by cleaning the  air ducts, choosing appropriate filters, and using various technologies to clean the indoor air.

N=NUTRITION The easiest way to think about nutrition is to try to eat the rainbow from many raw, wholefood sources; thus, avoid sugar, corn syrup, white flour, chemicals, & fried foods.  (Cooked food, microwaved food, and convenience foods lower the nutritional values of most foods.)  You may still choose to eat some cooked or baked foods, but remember to try to eat 5-7+ servings of fresh fruits and vegies throughout the day to help boost your nutrition.  When we give our bodies what they need, it’s easier to get well and stay well.  (Note:  Choose whole food supplements to obtain all the invisible “co-factors” of nutrients.)

S=SUNLIGHT Sunlight helps the body produce Vitamin D– a proven immune function booster. But, sunlight also helps the adrenals and other parts of the body.  People who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SADS) know the value of sunlight.  We were created to spend some time outdoors, so indulge naturally!  Just avoid becoming toast and read the list of chemicals included in your sunscreen;  what protects you from the sun, may be toxic to your body over the longterm.

W=WATER What’s in YOUR water?  If it’s chlorine or other nasties, you’ll need to think about ways to purify it–especially for drinking and food preparation. A study published in June 2008 from Taiwan cites several global studies and their own conclusions that birth defects may happen in areas where prenatal exposure to chlorinated water occurs. (See www.ehjournal.net/content/7/1/23.)  If it’s not good for  babies in the womb shouldn’t we all be careful?

E=EXERCISE Just do it!  Stairs, walk, rebound……what do you like to DO?  Your body has a lymphatic system that helps fight infection and disease, but no pump for it.  Your heart pumps your blood, but your movement–your exercise–pumps your lymph.  So, let’s move more and the lymph won’t limp!

R= REST & RECREATION The body heals & grows best while we sleep.  That means it’s wise to have a safe sleep environment–free of electromagnetic frequencies, toxins, and critters!  Getting enough sleep is paramount to a healthy body and a productive day;  most doctors suggest around 8 hours–more for children, teens, and pregnant or nursing moms.  Take time to rest during waking hours–even a “power nap” of 20-30 minutes can rejuvenate.  Then, remember to do something you enjoy daily.  Recreation  can be as simple as reading or gardening.  Why not try something new?

S=SPIRITUAL We were created  to be in relationship with the One Who Loves Us Most and Knows Us Best.  Many will promote religions, but He Who Never Fails promotes relationships–with us.  He LOVES us more than we can comprehend and He understands what is going on in our bodies more than any doctor.  Take time to seek His TRUTH.  God’s phone number=Jeremiah 33:3.  HE Answers!

Poison Carpenter Ants & Sweet Ants with Homemade Bait!

Although we love ants, we don’t love them in our kitchen!  Warm weather tends to woo these non-poisonous  workers out.  Unfortunately, that also often means ant invaders indoors–no matter where you live!  An entomologist can tell you what meal each kind of ant would order at an ant restaurant.     All we can tell you is that we researched the topic of natural ant bait and homemade ant poison years ago for sweet ants and discovered one that really works!  Perhaps one day we’ll experiment with different recipes for ant bait or homemade ant poison?  For now, we use this classic recipe we’ve adjusted for optimal results.   You will see two versions of the recipe–one for the little sweet ants and a more potent ant poison for the larger carpenter ants.  We assume the ant bait would work for any ant that is willing to load up on the sweet toxic liquid.

Caution: Although these are natural formulas for killing sweet ants and carpenter ants with homemade poison, the bait is not safe  for pets or children.  Keep the ant bait out of reach of little ones and pets.  Do not ingest it or taste it! ( That should be obvious, right?)  Keep hands well washed after fixing it, too.

We currently put the ant poison in a small bottle cap or a jar lid that will never be used for food.  Place the ant bait in the area of one of the ant trails. (You may place the ant bait in more than one location, even outside your door if that is where they enter.) A worker ant who is “prospecting” for golden treats to eat or drink will taste your sweet poison and excitedly tell others.  Meanwhile, other prospecting ants will discover the sweet goldmine.  Eventually, the little sweet ant workers or larger carpenter ant workers gather around the lid filled with bait–a toxic sweet liquid–like thirsty cattle around a desert watering hole.  They sometimes stagger off, full of ant poison they have guzzled.  (Frequently this  happens after dark when no one is watching.)  If the ant bait is too potent, the ants will die in your house and not at their home!  We have often seen the ant poison work in one night–no ants in the morning and the “watering hole” is dry.  We have two recipes for ant bait below:

Ant Bait (for small ants)

1 cup boiling water

6-8 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons borax*

food coloring (so you can see the liquid level easier)

Mix it well so the sugar dissolves completely. Carefully pour into a small lid.  Do not spill.

Carpenter Ant Bait (for larger ants)

1 cup boiling water

6-8 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons borax*

food coloring (so you can see the liquid level)

Mix it well so the sugar dissolves completely. Carefully pour into a small lid.  Do not spill.

*Borax is found with laundry detergent in many grocery stores.  Borax has a variety of uses besides ant bait.

Both of these ant baits will store for months in a tightly closed jar, but may mold over time.  We tend to make a new batch every year.  We try to leave the ants alone outside to do their jobs;  we were told some ants even eat termite eggs!

Do Toxic Gases Contribute to SIDS?

“We, at No More SIDS, believe the root cause of SIDS [sudden infant death syndrome] is environmental poisoning to the infant.  This poisoning is the result of toxic gases caused by any three lethal nerve agents released by a common household fungus inhabiting the crib mattress…”  (http://www.nomoresids.com/know_science.html)  

This statement by the No More SIDS Foundation startles some who never heard this theory.  (Check out their site for the full scientific explanation.)  But, when you put the pieces together it makes perfect sense.  Face up sleeping for infants has been promoted for several years now to reduce the risk of SIDS and statistically SIDS cases have diminished.  No More SIDS states on their site: “Face up sleeping moves the baby’s airways away from those toxic gases which are heavier than air and present on the surface of the mattress..”  Although I’m not a scientist, I wonder what kind of toxic gases are on some mattresses?  Are the gases only from the mattress or could they also be from the linens on the mattress?

The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (Oct. 2008) published a study of 497 infants and concluded, “Fan use during sleep was associated with a 72% reduction in SIDS risk….The reduction in SIDS risk seemed more pronounced in adverse sleep environments.”  So, a fan must help move the toxic gases away from baby’s breathing space.  Why not just eliminate the toxic gases?  

The No More SIDS Foundation lists a number of factors they believe contribute to SIDS.  High on the list are “Chemicals in the babies environment (not including Fire Retardants).”  Whoa!  Who would knowingly put chemicals in an infant’s environment?  Infants are considered vulnerable.  Maybe we should ask what kind of chemicals is the No More SIDS Foundation talking about?  They state, “These chemicals include phosphorous laden cleaning agents, laundry detergents and fabric softeners, chemical sterilizers for pacifiers, chemical cleansers and perfumes in disposable diaper wipes, and alcohol based hand cleansers (for parents).”  The No More SIDS Foundation explains, “Too many free radicals introduced into the baby’s environment make the child that much more susceptible to SIDS by reducing the infants autoimmune system and suppressing the central nervous system to a reduced state even before the child is placed on a mattress.  This may be the single most important contributing factor besides face up sleeping.”

I’m not an expert with SIDS–our last “baby” is 16 now–but, IF I were newly married, expecting a baby, or a future grandparent, I certainly would want to know how to lower the risks of SIDS in every possible way.  Fortunately, The No More SIDS Foundation lists several ways to help prevent SIDS including:

•  wrapping your baby’s mattress in a gas-impermeable cover

•  using 100% cotton linens 

•  avoiding chemical toxins

•  washing your baby’s things in laundry soap–not laundry detergent.

Although No More SIDS recommends the use of gas-impermeable covers, many plastic covers would also be toxic.  You can check their website for  suggestions on organic cotton crib mattresses (instead of wrapping a mattress).   Obviously the precious life of babies warrants a closer look at ways to prevent SIDS. But, perhaps we’d all be healthier if we focused on 100% cotton while avoiding chemical toxins and laundry detergent?

Welcome to HE Answers’ Blog!

Our business mini-launch at the Howard County Greenfest April  4, 2009, introduced us to some lovely people!  Perhaps you’re one we met?  The Greenfest response nearly overwhelmed us, but rather than be drowned by the huge wave of interest, we’re trying to ride it to shore!  This new year catch the wave of health and environmental answers with us and let’s help each other!  Together we can make a difference for your family and the environment.