Keep It Simple's topics - tribe.net

I had loads of garlic and pesto last night!

2008-07-16T19:20:30Z

And some extensively weird dreams.

And the mosquitos didn't bite.

I guess I feel better today.

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Vitamin pills 'increase risk of early death'

2008-04-22T17:22:45Z

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/16/scivita116.xml

Thoughts?

posted in Keep It Simple - 5 replies

Tonight King Korn (documentery)

2008-04-16T05:44:26Z

Tuesday chanel 9 11 pm

http://www.kingcorn.net/

posted in Keep It Simple - 4 replies

FISH VS. MERCURY...

2008-04-02T20:00:29Z

CHECK THIS OUT...

http://www.fishscam.com/

NOW EAT YOUR TUNA WITH NOT REGRETS

posted in Keep It Simple - 2 replies

Corny topic

2008-03-14T06:30:06Z

http://www.kingcorn.net/

I gotta see this movie!

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

sore eyes problem tips

2008-02-25T06:31:05Z

I know it is not too much related with herbs but when you stay too much time in front of the computer monitor, your eyes get sore...to resolve this problem pad your eye lids with a little of tiger balm ( I prefer the ultra strength) to cool down and decrease the inflammation of the eyes...be carefull do nott touch the eye brows or your eyes will be cover with some tears...I hope you enjoy this tip

posted in Keep It Simple - 8 replies

vacations

2008-02-18T02:53:41Z

sometimes ya just gotta get out of town - even if you're on a budget. My two big recommendations are (this is the biggie) take your own food - pack a cooler if taking a road trip or make trail mix/sandwiches/whatever floats your boat otherwise. Even if ya just covers snacks and 1 or 2 meals for your day it can make a big $$ difference if you pack food from home. Second (for the more adventurous) unless you're determined to stay in the city center, check out local campgrounds - most have cabins for rent at about half the rack rate of neighboring hotels - or if ya don't mind a bit of company, check out hostels.

posted in Keep It Simple - 1 reply

DISHWASHER PROBLEM

2007-12-28T01:42:06Z

I have a really problem with Los Angeles hard water.My dishwasher don't rinse out well the best brand of detergent....can I turn on the rinse cycle again adding half an onze of the liquid rinse agent..Am i going to be more poisoned with the rinse agent than with the dishwasher detergent?...Please I need your help...

posted in Keep It Simple - 2 replies

ALOE VERA!!!

2007-11-27T00:43:17Z

http://www.newstarget.com/PhotoTour_Aloe_Vera_1.html

ENJOY!!!

posted in Keep It Simple - 6 replies

new fangled light bulb...or not

2007-11-20T01:34:41Z

There have been news reports lately about the mercury found in some of the energy saving bulbs. The questions posed is: does one choose energy efficiency or mercury contamination?

In basic, the light bulbs are "fine" when "intact" but you shouldn't just throw them away... you need to take them to a special recycling center.

Is the process to produce and dispose of these products, and the release of mercury created by those that don't dispose of propery (which will be a lot of people), worse than using the higher energy use bulbs?

What are your thoughts?

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm
"With the decline of mercury used in batteries, mercury-containing lamps (MCLs) and devices (MCDs) are quickly becoming the largest sources of mercury in Florida's municipal solid waste (MSW) stream. Mercury is used in many everyday products like fluorescent lamps, thermometers, thermostats, blood pressure manometers and pleasure boat bilge pump float switches. Some of these products have an environmental benefit. For example, fluorescent lamps use less energy than traditional incandescent lamps. ***** Unless they are recycled or otherwise disposed of properly, however, the mercury from these discarded products can contaminate the air, surface water and ground water.***** Mercury contamination in Florida is most evident from the fish consumption advisories due to high mercury levels in certain fish in a number of Florida lakes and in the Everglades. The Florida DEP has responded to this mercury contamination with research to better understand the problem and its causes and with environmental controls to reduce the potential for mercury to enter the environment.

***PDF about mercury in the bulbs and thermometers
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

posted in Keep It Simple - 2 replies

ABOUT FLAX SEED

2007-11-06T02:15:34Z

Can I chew ,eat and digest raw flax seed?

posted in Keep It Simple - 3 replies

iodine drops

2007-10-28T04:33:39Z

how many iodine tincture drops per gallon are necesary to desinfect raw vegetables and fruit ?
is there another way to avoid contamination with bugs in raw veggies and fruit?

posted in Keep It Simple - 10 replies

Comparison Pricing

2007-08-15T18:41:19Z

www.Frucall.com
www.MPire.com
www.Mytriggers.com
www.TheFind.com

Zeez sites are vedddy goood. Frucall alllows aryooo tou callll ze phone number und pooot in ze bar code at stores tou get ze comparisons by phone. 1-888-DO-FRUCALL.

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Week two- not buying anything new

2007-07-24T00:29:43Z

So far, so good. Only thing I have bought was food. I'll be purchasing a month trial gym membership but I consider that part of my health. Yes, I could excercise without but I kinda need the push right now.

posted in Keep It Simple - 10 replies

USPS tips und tricks

2007-07-20T03:46:29Z

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03234/213790.stm

Media mail fur ze media, peeps!

Und donut bee fooled, flat rate boxes und envelopes often end up costing more zen ze regular priority rate woulda beeeen...only use 'em fur ze bricks!

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Simple Dollars und Sense...a goodly site.

2007-07-17T03:41:21Z

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/best-of-the-simple-dollar/

posted in Keep It Simple - 3 replies

SORE MUSCLES

2007-07-16T02:03:47Z

CAN I USE PEPPERMINT OIL DILUITED IN OIL OF OLIVE TO HEAL SORE MUSCLES?

posted in Keep It Simple - 4 replies

another tribe recommendation

2007-06-27T21:09:46Z

I thought that many if not most of you would be interested in this tribe: http://simpleliving.tribe.net/

I have just become the moderator because the original moderator wanted to step back from it. Please come over and join if you are interested!

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Counterfeit Chic

2007-06-20T17:19:51Z

http://www.counterfeitchic.com/designs_designers/

posted in Keep It Simple - 1 reply

ARTHRITIS

2007-06-20T06:07:47Z

I DON'T WANT TO SELL NOTHING BUT CHECK THIS WEBSITE http://new-chapter.com/
I TRIED AND I LIKE THEIR PRODUCTS BUT IF YOUR INTELLIGENT YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE PRODUCTS:
Zyflamend
In a study, researchers added Zyflamend to a culture of human prostate cancer cells. After 72 hours, the Zyflamend-treated cultures had a 78 percent reduction in the number of cancer cells, compared with untreated cultures. Researchers believe that Zyflamend encouraged apoptosis, or programmed cell death; apparently doubling the activity of a specific protein involved in apoptosis. And even among the remaining cancer cells, reproduction was significantly repressed.

So, what exactly does Zyflamend contain that has this profound effect on cancer cells? The formula is made up of several herbs used for centuries as anti-inflammatories. They include:
Holy basil (contains ursolic acid; a COX-2 inhibitor)
Turmeric (contains curcumin; a COX-2 inhibitor)
Ginger (inhibits both COX-2 and 5-LO, another enzyme cancer cells need to flourish)
Green tea (polyphenols reduce COX-2)
Rosemary (also contains ursolic acid)
Hu zhang (contains reservatrol; a COX-2 inhibiter)
Chinese goldthread and barberry (both contain berberine; a COX-2 inhibitor)
Oregano (contains more than 30 known anti-inflammatory compounds)
Scutellaria (contains a phytonutrients complex; a COX-2 inhibitor)

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Week one- not buying anything new

2007-06-15T21:00:42Z

Ok- so this is the first week of the month of not buying anything new.

I forgot to ask who all was doing this with me.

There are two things on my list of ok purchases. One is a new computer but we are having a friend build it and have planned on it for a whiel. The other is a necklace that I am have Faern make for me.

Other than that- nothing new except neccesities for me this month.

Anyone else....

posted in Keep It Simple - 9 replies

Practical? Cost efffectivivngs?

2007-06-14T03:41:55Z

http://www.strangenewproducts.com/2007/04/hamster-shredder.html

Hamster-fluffers veal appreciate zeez 2-in-1 giftie zat protects one's identity whilst saving monies on hamster pooping papers und recyclings tou boot!

posted in Keep It Simple - 1 reply

needy family needs household items

2007-06-14T02:22:16Z

http://people.tribe.net/tattooed_kitty/blog/8ae93916-8db5-4cbd-99e2-20f851bcdd7d

posted in Keep It Simple - 4 replies

Don't buy anything new for a year.

2007-06-13T17:56:11Z

Haha! Did you say "seriously??"

I have been reading articles lately about people who have plenty of "things" and have decided to forgo purchasing anything but essentials for one year.

The real question is... how much new stuff do we really NEED?

Think about your closet... do you have enough clothes? Do you find yourself purchasing new clothes just because they are on sale or fun or "cute"?

Do you really need more kitchen items?

Do you really NEED to purchase that book or movie?

http://savannahnow.com/node/208312

------------------------------------------

Here is what I propose.... (for those who want to participate)

ONE MONTH OF NO PURCHASES

Take this week to make a list of anything other than essentials that you REALLY need to purchase this month.

Don't purchase anything else. No clothing, no jewelry, no "oh this would look fun on the kitchen table" etc.

You might call me a pansy for only doing this for one month but that's fine with me. I want to start simple and be honest.

I'll link to the other articles I have seen tomorrow.

This will start next monday and we will check in with each other every week to see how it goes.

posted in Keep It Simple - 25 replies

Skin myths

2007-06-02T20:06:38Z

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/skintype/564/skin-care-mythsbusted
Skin Type Solutions
Provided by
www.skintypesolutions.com
Skin Care Myths - Busted!
Posted by Leslie Baumann, M.D.

No element of skin care evokes more questions and claims than anti-aging products. When I'm in a department store or watching TV, I seem to encounter these two myths everywhere I look:

Myth #1: Losing collagen? Put it back with this cream!

It makes sense, right: If collagen loss causes skin sagging and wrinkles, then replenishing collagen should stop aging in its tracks. But it's not so simple.

There's absolutely no scientific evidence that collagen, elastin, or hyaluronic acid - the three main components of your dermis - can penetrate the epidermis. Even "nanotechnology" has not been proven to be able to get these substances into the skin.

The molecules are simply too large. (Quick science lesson: The epidermis is your topmost layer of skin. The dermis, the next layer of skin, is where wrinkle-causing changes take place.) Be wary of creams and lotions that claim to topically replace collagen, elastin, or hyaluronic acid.

Myth #2: If you're going to splurge, splurge on a great night cream.

There's certainly no harm in using a pricey night cream, but I urge my patients to realize that they're often really paying for beautiful packaging, yummy smells, and that daily feeling of pampering.

And there's nothing wrong with that! When it comes to clinical benefits, though, there's no reason to believe that you have to pay big bucks for effective ingredients. In fact, consider the other side: Large cosmetics companies (the ones you can find at your local drugstore) actually have a larger budget for research and development than smaller operations.

Contrary to many products' claims, there is also no evidence that your skin goes through special rejuvenating processes at night that it doesn't go through during the day.

If you're going to spend a chunk of money on any one thing, *******antioxidant serums are the place to splurge.***** The best ones have been packaged properly - which is an expensive process. Look for ones in an amber or aluminum tube (or jar) with a small mouth that does not allow air in. Look for ingredients such as Vitamin C and ferulic acid.

Want more help? Talk to your dermatologist about a prescription retinoid (although they are not appropriate if you're pregnant) - that's the only thing proven to diminish existing lines, and it can also help prevent new ones from forming. And yes, it is best to use retinol and retinoids at night, as they're deactivated by the sun.

Wishing you great skin!

posted in Keep It Simple - 3 replies

Simply saying hello...

2007-05-26T22:14:49Z

Hi there, I just joined this tribe and I'm doing some catch-up reading. I tend to be a little shy in tribes, so I thought I'd say hello so you'd not let me get away with lurking silently for too long.

: ) Wonderful tribe! Thanks for the great information so far!

posted in Keep It Simple - 3 replies

WHITE YARROW WEBSITE

2007-05-24T05:09:53Z

How can I use white yarrow medicinally? Is there any second side effects?Some warnings? A good website?
THANKS TO EVERYONE =)

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Keep it Simple... Best advice?

2007-05-18T18:33:09Z

I thought I would ask people what their best advice was for simplying their lives.

Mine is to de-clutter, to get rid of all the stuff that chokes the lives out of us. It simplifies your life in so many ways...

Having less stuff means your living space is less cluttered. It is a more peaceful place. It is easier to find the things you need. There is less hassle cleaning when you don't have to first deal with the clutter, or labouriously dust and mop around it.

When you learn to live with less you take care with each item. The things you have are more important to you, suit your needs better (through more thoughtful selection). You have less things, but in general you have more useful things

There is less stress with less. Beyond the calming effect of less clutter in your surroundings and better organization, there are also less money problems. You don't feel guilty about wasting money on something you really didn't need. You suddenly realize you can live on less so you can stop clocking over-time to make ends meet, or you can actually chose a job you'll love that you didn't before think you could afford to do. You can create more time with your family and friends, and for your hobbies. The rat race is only neccessary because we have convinced ourselves that we need all this "stuff." And that's all it is, STUFF.

So what is your best advice for keeping it simple?

posted in Keep It Simple - 6 replies

"Animal, Vegtable, Miracle" eat from where you live

2007-05-18T18:31:03Z

http://www.kingsolver.com/home/index.asp

"This is the story of a year in which we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew . . . and of how our family was changed by our first year of deliberately eating food produced from the same place where we worked, went to school, loved our neighbors, drank the water, and breathed the air."

posted in Keep It Simple - 1 reply

Carpets and Kawasaki disease

2007-05-18T04:32:16Z

http://www.clean-and-tidy.com/disease.htm

When I was a little girl, I had cracked skin on the soles of my feet. Cracked to the point where you could see the meat and there would sometimes be blood in my socks. I'd walk to school in pain, but after a couple hours of sweating, the skin would soften to the point it stopped hurting. The whole process would start again the next day.

Mom took me to a bunch of doctors, who would give her creams. The only thing the creams did was make me cream phobic. The last guy who saw me was a podiatrist she was seeing. She happened to mention it during an appointment and he looked at my feet. He said he didn't know either but she might try gettting rid of the carpets. They didn't do this for awhile, but when it came time to buy a new carpet, they decided to go without carpets for a few weeks to see if anythign happened. Voila. End of problem for little Margaret.

After that people thought it was weird when I insisted on not living with carpets. Then I saw that kids were getting Kawasaki disease, possibly from carpets, so I like to make mention of it when I can. I didn't live with carpets again until I moved to LA. I always wear socks or shoes on carpets. But I twisted my ankle so I was forced to crawl around for a few wees in our apt. My hands started cracking just like my feet did when I was little.

posted in Keep It Simple - 11 replies

Deoderant

2007-05-18T04:18:01Z

I was at the store this morning because I needed deoderant. I went to reach for my regular popular brand and remembered what I am trying to do in my life. The only natrual option was Toms of Maine so I grabbed that one. Eventually I will look into a made-at-home solution ... but for now Toms will do just fine.

This link talks about things found in natural deoderants like potassium and ammonium alum.
http://www.beautybroker.net/natural_deodorants.htm

This link talks about things found in store-bought deoderants and give the following natural remede:
-Shower regularly, of course, and be sure to wash underarms.
-Try washing with baking soda under your arms when in the shower if you're really smelly.
-Try using lemon or lime juice under your arms, obviously not right after shaving.
-Wear fabrics that breathe.
-Caffeine helps produce B.O. so you may want to cut back on your intake if you're smelly.
-Use a mixture of equals parts baking soda and non-GMO cornstarch or just baking soda and dab under arms as a deodorant. You can add a drop of your favorite essential oil to customize it.
-Use alcohol to clean the smelly bacteria from armpits (but be sure this isn't right after shaving!).
-Get a safe deodorant without harmful chemicals and find one that works well for you.
http://www.deliciousorganics.com/Controversies/antiperspirant.htm

GREAT information from TheGreenGuide.com:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=43&sec=3

posted in Keep It Simple - 21 replies

Toxins in the Kitchen

2007-05-10T17:27:06Z

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/3391/toxins-in-the-kitchen

Toxins in the Kitchen
Posted by Dr. Maoshing Ni
on Fri, May 04, 2007, 5:14 pm PDT Post a Comment View all 130 Comments »
Eating for longevity begins in the kitchen. You may be eating only organic, antioxidant-rich foods, but if you cooked your food on the toxic surface of your stovetop in a carcinogenic no-stick pan, you just might be doing more harm than good. Find out how to make over your kitchen for health and long life!

Cut the Grease Without the Toxins
When you are facing a stovetop with a buildup of baked-on grease, don’t turn to commercial oven and stovetop cleaners - that is like cleaning with poison.

Instead, try baking soda. Just sprinkle baking soda on your stovetop, let it sit for five minutes and then scour the surface with either steel wool or scrubber. For the stubborn spots that refuse to be removed, try spraying this mixture on: mix dishwashing liquid, borax, and warm water together; let it sit for 20 minutes, and then scour it.

Microwave: Nothing to Rave About
People in the U. S. think microwaves are an ingenious time-saving device and wonder how anyone ever lived without one. Think again!

Microwaves use super-fast particles to literally radiate the contents of water inside food and bring it to boil. Not only has microwave use been linked to causing infertility in men, but it also denatures many of the essential proteins in the food making them virtually indigestible.

If you must, use the low setting just to heat the foods. Or better yet, get a small toaster oven or steam oven and warm your foods. Take your time and warm up your food in a safe and healthy way.

Poisonous Pots and Pans
Are your pots and pans poisoning you? If you are using copper or aluminum cookware, they might be. These metals interact with heat and food, and leach into your diet; gradually these will accumulate in your body, sometimes reaching the point of toxicity.

Toxic levels of aluminum have been linked to memory loss, headaches, indigestion, and brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. High levels of copper can debilitate the immune system and enable cancer cells to proliferate.

After scouring with abrasives, even stainless steel can release small amounts of toxic metals like chromium and nickel. Nonstick pans - although convenient in the kitchen - contain Teflon, a plastic that in recent years has been linked to immune disorders and possible cancer conditions.

My suggestion is to use cookware with porcelain enamel coating or made of glass, cast iron, or lead-free, terra-cotta clay.

Bad News About Canned Goods
In today’s industrialized world, it is more important than ever to search out fresh food, as much for the health benefits of locally grown produce as for the health dangers presented by the alternative.

Canned foods, though easier to use than cooking from scratch, are a threat to your health. The substance bisphenol A, used to line food cans, is classified as an endocrine disruptor, a compound that can act like a hormone when it enters the human system.

Scientists have discovered that exposure to these chemicals can contribute to prostate cancer, breast cancer, cystic ovaries, and endometriosis.

I hope you receive the longevity rewards that come from making over your kitchen! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

—Dr. Mao

posted in Keep It Simple - 1 reply

Mental Health

2007-05-10T00:44:31Z

What do you do that makes you happy?

Do you realize how important happy activities are for your health?

posted in Keep It Simple - 19 replies

Goals this week....

2007-05-09T21:12:04Z

1) Drink twice as much water as I usually do.

2) Start changing menus to a summer menu (more fresh and lighter foods)

3) Go for a walk every night with Icky after work.

So far, so good. Thank god it got cooler last night when the sun went down. It was a pleasant walk.

posted in Keep It Simple - 12 replies

Weekend Homework: Balance

2007-05-07T16:15:55Z

See how comfortably you can stand on one leg and for how long. Try moving your arms around or even bending over... how far can you push it... how good is your balance?

This is not a contest but please answer these questions after:

1) Were you suprised at how easy/hard it was?

2) Did you try and move around while on one leg?

3) How did it feel?

4) How big of a difference was it when you switched legs?

posted in Keep It Simple - 2 replies

what's your definition of "simple"?

2007-05-07T16:03:17Z

So what is *your* definition of "simple"? Personally one of the things I am striving for is for my life to be simpler in the sense of fewer things for me to keep track of, fewer "errands" or "chores", that kind of thing. So in some cases I may spend more money in order to not have to do something, or to do it less often, or whatever.

For example, I take the shirts I wear to work (mostly knit polo shirts) to the dry cleaner. They don't actually require dry cleaning on the label, and I could choose to throw them in the laundry. But I am one of those people who has a tendency to spill things on myself, and I find that my dry cleaner lady (who is amazing!) can do a much better job. So therefore my shirts last a lot longer and I don't have to go out and buy new ones as often. So I am spending $30-$40 a week so that I don't have to buy a $95 shirt very often. *And* I don't have to go shopping, which I hate.

In many ways this is less simple, using dry cleaning instead of a washing machine, but it works to actually simplify *my* life, so it's the tradeoff I make.

Another thing I try to do is minimize the amount of paper that comes into my house. Luckily our apartment complex has a trash can right next to the mailboxes that is just for paper. So all the junk mail goes in there right away and it doesn't end up cluttering my place. (Unfortunately I still have piles of papers, but I am working on them.)

posted in Keep It Simple - 10 replies

odor neutralizer

2007-05-07T00:17:21Z

My dog are peeing all around my carpet....Do you know a cheaper alternative odor eliminator or neutralizer against the smell of dog urine from the carpet..

posted in Keep It Simple - 4 replies

Wow, cool (this Tribe, that is)!

2007-05-06T14:07:53Z

This morning I started reading all of the threads from the beginning of this Tribe (I joined weeks ago, but I'm lazy!), and you guys are just chock-full of great info. I'll try to keep up from now on, so I can contribute without dragging every old thread back to the top <lol>.

Anyhow, I just wanted to say thanks for the great ideas so far. I'm grateful for this Tribe today : ).

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Get rich....own LESS!

2007-05-03T20:33:45Z

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/yourlife/30547

"So keep it simple, my friends -- the burl-wood dashboard and plush leather seats of a Bentley may feel great, but opening up your mutual fund statement and seeing how much you have to cushion you and your family against life's uncertainties feels even better. Besides, peace of mind gets you down the road farther and in greater comfort.

Start now. Get those unnecessary monthly costs out of your life and replace them with monthly savings in broadly based funds. I promise you'll be grateful. And if you still want a Bentley, you can always go to the hobby shop and buy a model of one."

posted in Keep It Simple - 7 replies

Name irresponsible companies

2007-05-03T20:16:45Z

My husband worked for Co Op America in Washington DC when we lived there (http://www.coopamerica.org/), and they support ecologically responsible businesses. It's a really good resource to have.
Some companies that I know that suck are:
NIKE
GAP (old Navy, too)
Uh, I'm having trouble here.....
some more?

posted in Keep It Simple - 17 replies

Balance

2007-05-03T16:20:11Z

http://people.tribe.net/maude-dib/blog/167c1a37-7683-4f78-b785-5f944cc81e6b

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Admissions.....

2007-05-01T18:32:03Z

I buy waterbottles in single serving containers.
I USED to use a stir stick everyday when I got my coffee.
I USED to get coffee almost everyday in a single use container.
I LOVE ziplock bags for food.
I LOVE the scary cleaning power of Fantastic.
I often drive my car 5 blocks to the grocery store...even just to get a bottle of wine... because it's quick.
I leave too many lights on in the house.

posted in Keep It Simple - 13 replies

Homework: What's in your medicine cabinet??

2007-05-01T17:04:23Z

Have you REALLY taken a look at your medicine collection lately?

1) How many things are out of date?

2) How many things accomplish the similar goals? (i.e. 10 different cold medicines)

3) How many things you bought only because you needed them once?

4) Do you have hydrogen peroxide? (that is the simplest thing to help topical cuts etc but not often used)

5) Do you have a hot water bottle? (it's the best thing for headaches and aches and pains)

posted in Keep It Simple - 32 replies

Cofffffeeeeeeeine Habits

2007-04-30T00:35:33Z

I have ze reuseable mug I bought from Julia Buttfly.

I donut ooze it. Ever. Cuz ze lid sucks asssss und leaks. Cheap Crapppp. But ze cup itself eez ze lovely shade ov metallllic greeen. Eevin though it too, hath leaked from ze start.

Tou bad it eez so pour-ly made.

Buttt I doooooo reuse mein coffeee cup sleeves und tops--doth zat mitigate damages?

posted in Keep It Simple - 19 replies

Lunch containers

2007-04-28T05:58:01Z

There is a cafeteria across the street that I go to once or twice a week. They have really good, fresh, reasonbly price, food. It's a buffet so you walk in, get your container, and walk along filling it with yummy things.

I like to give them money because they offer healthy, yummy, real food, options for lunch.

However, I am now looking at an empty styrophoam container and a plastic fork.

I can't bring my own container because there scale is set to weigh the food minus the weight of that specific container.

I have decided that I am going to wash it out in the kitchen and keep the container at my desk to re-use next time I go there.

*sigh*

I know, if I made all my own food I wouldn't have to worry about this but I am being realistic and doing the best I can at the moment.

posted in Keep It Simple - 2 replies

Non-Toxic Household Cleaning

2007-04-28T05:50:14Z

check out watch I found:

Chemical cleaners do much to undermine our health and environment. Many of you have written to me asking about alternatives to home chemical cleaners. Here are some of my favorite non-toxic alternatives. Please try them and encourage your family and friends to do the same.
Window Cleaner
Ingredients: vinegar, newspaper, spray bottle
In a spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar and one liter of water. Spray on your windows and use the newspaper to clean.
Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner
Ingredients: borax powder, baking soda
Mix 1/4 cup of borax powder with 1/4 cup baking soda. Add just enough water to make a paste. Use this for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Alternatively, add less water for scouring.
Floor Cleaner
Ingredients: white vinegar, baking soda, borax powder
Mix together baking soda and a bit or borax powder and add to your mop water.
The borax will keep away many insects, except ants. The white vinegar can be used for rinsing to add a natural shine and keep away ants.
Disinfectant
Ingredients: citricidal or tea tree oil, water
Add 20 drops of citricidal or up to 50 drops of tea tree oil to a bucket of water. Stir well. Use this for wiping floors, counters, sinks, bathroom tiles, shower stalls, and toilet seats. If you would like to discourage mold from growing in your showers stalls, add 5 drop of citricidal to a spray bottle filled with water and spray on your tiles.
Note: Citricidal and tea tree oil can be found at your local health food store. Borax powder can be found in some drug stores, grocery stores, or craft stores. Citricidal, tea tree oil, and borax powder should not be ingested by adults, children or pets.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT =)

posted in Keep It Simple - 12 replies

another tribe recommendation

2007-04-28T02:07:06Z

You all might also be interested in this tribe: http://simpleliving.tribe.net/

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Speaking of Herbal Medicine

2007-04-28T00:38:40Z

I just got this from my friend on MySpace. Our rights to use and to administer Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Massage and even Reiki are in danger with the simple change of the word Modality to Medicine. The government wants to completely regulate it and as someone who does healing work and also utilizes alternative medicine I am concerned about how this will affect my work. Anyhoo here is the bulletin I got.

here is the link to post comments.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/comments/THANKS.cfm?EC_DOCUMENT_ID=1451&COMMENTER_ID=203838&SUBTYP=SUBMIT&AGENCY=FDA

Unbelievable and Outrageous!!! - Alternative Health Care at Risk: Submit Your Comments to FDA by Monday, April 30th!

Well..... I just went at lunch to bring a lady I know who owns a herb shop the printed out email because I didn't know her address and she said the FDA just sent her a letter telling her she can't make colloidal silver anymore. She was taking her equipment down today. She said they said she was playing doctor. I feel so sorry for her. She gave the stuff away - it wasn't like she was making money off of it. She gave me some of the last that she had.

It's really scary what BIG BROTHER can do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I get this newsletter directly from New Orleans Healing Arts. It is not a forward.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: NOLA Healing Arts [mailto:nolahealingarts2@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 10:26 AM
To: nolahealingarts2@gmail.com
Subject: Alternative Health Care at Risk: Submit Your Comments to FDA by Monday, April 30th!

*******************************PLEASE NOTE ***********************************

NOLA Healing Arts is an email list service utilized by a variety of

complementary/alternative healing arts advertisers. For more information about

our service, please contact us by replying to this email.

Thank you!

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

WHAT:

Comment on the latest FDA Guidance on the regulation of CAM

(Complementary and Alternative Medicine) Products and Their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration

WHO:

Your Input Is Needed Immediately

WHEN:

Public Comment Period Ends this Monday, April 30th!

WHY:

Protect Your Rights to Natural, Self-care including Vitamins, Herbs and Supplements

If you are a practitioner or like to receive any type of Complementary/Alternative healing art including Massage Therapy, Reiki, Herbology, etc please read the details below…

What is different about this guidance is that CAM's definition has been changed from Complementary and Alternative Modalities to MEDICINE!

This distinction will allow only licensed PHYSICIANS to carry out these procedures, including energy medicine and herbalism. Vitamins, minerals and herbs will become "untested drugs" and will be forbidden under this new guidance.

SPECIAL NOTE TO MASSAGE THERAPISTS:

Under the new guidance oils, lotions, creams and other products and devices used in your practice may be subject to FDA regulation.

HOW:

Easily click the following links to add your name and/or comments and forward this to your colleagues, clients and others interested in preserving their own right to natural health care.

The Natural Solutions Foundation has already prepared extensive comments on this matter.

www.HealthFreedomUSA.org

To read and add your name to those comments, click access comments.

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185

To comment directly to the FDA, click the following link. Be sure to reference docket number 2006D-0480: access comment form.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/comments/COMMENTSMain.CFM?EC_DOCUMENT_ID=1451&SUBTYP=CONTINUE&CID=&AGENCY=FDA

To read the actual draft guidance, click read document.

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/06d-0480-gld0001.pdf

To read the Federal Register notification about the call for comments, click read register.

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E7-3259.htm

***

Why Is This Guidance A Major Threat to Your Health and Health Freedom?

The FDA Guidance on the regulation of CAM practices and products is so dangerous to your health and health freedom that it has allowed the Natural Solutions Foundation to create a fire storm of protest and public outcry against its many dangers. Nearly every health freedom advocacy group has followed our example and taken up this issue and we are simply delighted!

Americans are outraged, as well they should be, since this document has been carefully worded to lay the groundwork for what could well be the final assault on non-pharmaceutical medicine in the United States and beyond. Remember, the US, Canada and Mexico have entered into an agreement called the "Trilateral Cooperation Charter"* which, as part of the extra-Constitutional "North American Union", merges the US FDA with its Mexican and Canadian equivalents. That means that what happens here happens in those countries as well. (Wave "good bye" to Mexican cancer and chelation clinics, by the way.) Other countries around the world follow in the FDA's footsteps as well, so the implications for the triumph of the "pharmaceutical model" (as it is euphemistically called) in this document are, quite literally, earth shaking.

Making It Medical

First, the term "CAM" has been redefined and is used in the Guidance to mean "Complementary and Alternative MEDICINE" rather than the more generic "Complementary and Alternative MODALITIES". The difference is significant because the redefinition of these practices and the products as MEDICINE may be interpreted to mean that only licensed physicians may carry out these practices. And licensed physicians carrying out such practices ( e.g., Reiki, massage, acupressure, biofeedback, nutritional therapy, detoxification, laying on of hands, sound healing, crystal therapy, color therapy, etc., etc.) may well be hauled before their State Medical Boards for practicing unapproved therapies, failing to follow the increasingly ubiquitous "Practice Guidelines" which detail which drug must be given for which disease, be paid less (or nothing at all for their services) by insurance companies AND, in Minnesota, have their names published on a State-run website as physicians practicing sub-standard medicine.

The products which support these practices, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, juices, berries, holy water, organic foods, nuts, grapes, coconut oil, or whatever, which are used to support the procedures and intended to bring about healthy states become, under this guidance, "CAM products". As CAM products, if they are being used with the intent to bring about health impacts or benefits, they are classified as untested drugs. In the US and elsewhere, untested drugs are illegal and people or organizations selling, recommending or making claims for them are committing a crime. THIS ALSO INCLUDES MASSAGE OIL WITH ARNICA OR OTHER ESSENTIAL OILS TO PROMOTE RELAXATION, CIRCULATION, HEALING, ETC.

the FDA "Guidance" makes heavy use of the phrase "CAM products" (e.g., supplements of all types, foods used with the intent of inducing health or correcting illness like juice, nuts, holy water, berries, organic food, raw milk, etc.)

It sounds logical and seems to make sense until you realize that there is no such category. The "Guidance" makes it clear that " CAM products" will be classified as untested drugs if the intent behind their use is to heal, cure, treat or mitigate illness or to create health.

The FDA now gives itself the right to determine WHY you used, bought, recommended, provided or produced this substance.

That means that any communication of the health impact or benefit for a food (or food component) turns the food or supplement into a drug. Selling, recommending or advising the use of that untested drug is illegal.

Thanks to FDA for creating the opportunity for a widespread and powerful public dialogue and debate about who owns your body and who gets to make your health decisions! Please make your voice heard.

Every electronic comment counts (written ones are not tabulated)! Reliably get yours submitted through the Natural Solution Foundation's website www.HealthFreedomUSA.org. Click the Take Action Now! Link on their homepage to make sure the FDA actually received your comments.

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185

Share this information widely, make sure everyone in your circle of contacts -- everyone!-- knows about this "Guideline" and takes action BEFORE the deadline. Right now, nearly 100,000 people have submitted their comments to the FDA saying that health and health freedom belong in their own hands and calling for public hearings on the mishandling of this issue by the FDA.

If you motivate 15 people to send their comments through the site (so we know they get to the FDA), we'll have nearly 1.5 million. If your doctor, nutritionist, acupuncturist, health food store owner, supplement manufacturer, and so on tells the people who come to them about this, they can swell those numbers considerably. (If you are a person with a practice or customers involved, you can, too.) In other words, it's really up to each of us to make sure the tipping point is reached before the April 30 deadline.

Experienced Washington hands tell us that there is a "tipping point" at which the FDA backs off on this kind of approach. We passed that tipping point when we roared out to Congress that taking away our supplements was NOT fine with the American people. They backed off and instead passed the 1994 Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA) by unanimous Congressional Consent!

With your comments, we can make our collective voices count to make sure that the health freedom tipping point is reached! Please speak up today – deadline for comments is this Monday, April 30 th!

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

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Forward this email to interested friends and colleagues. If you would like to

begin receiving notices from NOLA Healing Arts, send

NOLAHealingArts@gmail.com an email with "ADD to email list" in the

subject line along with the state(s) from which you are interested in

receiving notices.

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

NOLA Healing Arts is an email list service utilized

by complementary/healing arts advertisers. This service now

provides you with periodic notices about upcoming events

around the entire country. If you feel you have received this

email in error, please accept our apologies and send an

email with subject line "REMOVE from email list."

Our email list always remains confidential. If you would like more

information about reaching the community through advertising,

please drop us a note at NOLAHealingArts@gmail.com. Thank you

for supporting our expanding healing arts community!

posted in Keep It Simple - 3 replies

Clothing und Accessory Swapppings

2007-04-28T00:34:04Z

Mein favourite way tou unload/reload ze blingitttty bling blings!

Weee need tou plan one soooooon!

posted in Keep It Simple - 7 replies

Homework: Vitamins

2007-04-27T21:10:37Z

Do you have suppliments that you bought and only used for a week or so?

Do you have suppliments that are out of date?

Weekend Homework: Take 15-20 minutes and pull out those suppliments, dust them off, check the date, and put them back to use!

...report requested on Monday.

Those reporting will get a personal, special, photo link from yours truly.

posted in Keep It Simple - 12 replies

Prescription for Nutritional Healing

2007-04-27T16:37:24Z

http://www.amazon.com/Prescription-Nutritional-Healing-4th-Supplements/dp/1583332367/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6355897-0864009?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177443916&sr=8-1

I just bought this book today. I have a touch of laryngitis and wanted something natrual to help it. I read in the natural healing tribe that Osha helps simply by warming the throat so I went to get a tincture.

I also picked up an oil mis called Compoind Help. It's a mix of natural oils and herbs with antibacterial properties. I plan to use it on cuts and scrapes and when my eczema gets infected...or more so to keep it from getting infected.

Anyway... I told the woman I wanted to start replacing some things in my cabinet with natural remedies. Nothing major, I don't want to have to break out the chemical kit evertime I have a problem, but to have a small set of multi-use items that can do some of the simple duties of all those over the counter meds I have.

The people in the natrual healing tribe suggested some books. I ended up this this one.

It's much bigger than what I was looking for but super simple to look things up and it gives you options like teas, foods and drinks, tinctures, vitamins etc. It also hase a chart for most ailments that states what is essential, most helpful, and a bit helpful, to use.

posted in Keep It Simple - 5 replies

Vanity!

2007-04-26T22:05:23Z

Fine lines and wrinkles? Shampoop?

posted in Keep It Simple - 5 replies

Garden

2007-04-26T20:59:01Z

I had convinced the Co-op I live in to consider native plants when we re-do the commons areas. But now we have to do the roof instead, so it will be a few years before my evil plan can go into effect.

Plant copper pennies around plants that attact slugs and snails. They wont cross copper

Dr. Bronner's, dilute dilute dilute, is good for killing insects on plants.

Water early in the morning, not in the daytime.

posted in Keep It Simple - 2 replies

7 Ugly ingreedients in personal care products:

2007-04-26T17:47:16Z

http://www.thegreenguide.com/pdf-free/sevenugly.pdf

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

Better Basics for the Home

2007-04-26T17:00:33Z

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0609803255/deliciousorga-20?dev-t=mason-wrapper&camp=2025&link_code=xm2

"These days, more and more people are saying no to "better living through chemistry" and yes to a lifestyle that is less toxic and more environmentally friendly. This trend toward a more natural lifestyle has become something of a crusade for Annie Berthold-Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home. After developing hypersensitivity to even very low concentrations of chemicals, Berthold-Bond was forced to rid her life of as many toxins as possible. "It wasn't until I had to be away from chemicals that I began to realize how many we lived with. The extent of the contamination is startling--from hair spray and floor wax to dandelion killers and plastic shower curtains and other products that line our hardware stores and supermarket shelves."
This book represents the culmination of her search for a more sustainable lifestyle. Taking her cue from an earlier time, Berthold-Bond, former editor in chief of Green Alternatives for Health and Environment, offers more than 800 simple and practical alternatives to common household toxins, covering everything from skin care to gardening. And the good news is that adopting her suggestions and formulas isn't hard at all. "Mixing up face creams or wood stain isn't much different than cleaning the windows with vinegar, soap, and water instead of using Brand Name X, or making a cake with flour, eggs and milk instead of buying a mix," see asserts. "With a few simple staples we can clean our houses, wash our hair, rid the dog's bed of fleas, and do many other things as well." If you have your doubts, here is her formula for metal polish:

3 teaspoons salt, 1 tablespoon flour, and enough white distilled vinegar to make a paste. Scoop the paste onto a clean sponge, and polish the metal clean. Rinse with hot water and buff dry.

Sure, these days it's literally impossible to lead a life that is completely toxin-free. But you can significantly reduce your exposure, and picking up a copy Better Basics for the Home is a great way to get started."

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

thegreenguide.com from National Geographics

2007-04-26T16:58:25Z

http://www.thegreenguide.com/

As part of its ongoing mission to inspire people to care about the planet, National Geographic Society acquired the Green Guide in March 2007. Dubbed the “green living source for today’s conscious consumer”, The Green Guide is an invaluable resource for men and women, from young adults to grandparents, striving for a healthy and “greener” lifestyle. It is our collective vision that one day The Green Guide will be, for millions of consumers, the go-to source of information about practical everyday, environmentally responsible and health-minded product choices and actions. Our goal is to ensure that The Green Guide and www.thegreenguide.com serve as your most practical, reliable, and trustworthy content source for product choices and daily practices that are better for health and the environment.

With The Green Guide and thegreenguide.com, we are committed to providing information on a wide variety of environmental and health topics and to make them personally relevant. The editorial staff diligently seeks the facts and reports them, providing thorough and honest coverage of the issues and the solutions, and upholding the highest professional standards.

What makes The Green Guide unique?

Our web site: The dynamic database infrastructure allows the web site to expand in value as content is added. As an information clearinghouse that is centralized and easy to use, it provides tremendous added value to a subscription – a one-stop-information shop that is ready when you are.
Our print format: The Green Guide is published as an 12-page newsletter, available in print and downloadable PDF format. This makes it less expensive to produce and deliver than a magazine and quicker and easier to read.
Our editorial policy: In its reporting, The Green Guide maintains exemplary principles of fairness, objectivity, and responsible independent reporting.
Our health and environmental policy: We seek out the most environmentally responsible materials - paper, ink, etc - to produce The Green Guide, minimize our paper use in all other ways, return or recycle unusable electronic equipment, encourage our vendors to adhere to similar policies and in other ways seek to minimize our business's adverse impact on the environment and health of its workers.
Our extensive research services: The Green Guide and the web site take much of the work out of behaving responsibly. By doing the research for you – and going to more depth than other information sources – we remove one of the biggest obstacles to behavior change, not knowing what to do.
Our readership: Readers of The Green Guide and thegreenguide.com are change agents. They take what they learn from The Green Guide, a Product Report or Smart Shopper's Card and act on it.

Does The Green Guide endorse products?

The Green Guide's team of researchers/reporters carefully reviews the science, the manufacturer's detailed product information, their claims and third party certifications when developing the product recommendations and shopping suggestions you'll find in our Product Reports and Smart Shopper's Cards as well as many of our articles. These recommendations are not product approvals; we do not endorse products. Our aim is to inform and engage consumers to ask for and try those products in the marketplace that have been manufactured in such a way as to reduce the health and environmental impacts associated with one or more stages in their life cycle, from production through use and disposal. In this way, we hope to encourage more manufacturers to improve what they make and how they make it.

As The Green Guide does not have the capacity to test the performance of the products included in our shopping suggestions, we invite readers to compare how these products have worked for them relative to other conventional products in the category. These Reader Ratings help to round out the information about products that we can provide consumers.

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

This Week: a look at medicines

2007-04-26T16:44:39Z

I am looking into simplifying/naturalizing my medicine cabinet. I am thinking about categories of sickness and what best to keep in the house for them.

Help me out....

Categories:
1) Fever
2) Muscle Pain
3) Headache Pain
4) Cuts/scrapes
5) Congestion Sinus
6) Congestion Chest
7) Infection- Skin
8) Infection- Internal (tonsils, sinus, lungs, etc.)
9) Skin ailments like eczema (some of you might not have to deal with this)

Anything I am missing? Add a number to it and we can discuss natural/efficient remedies by refferencing the number of the ailment.

posted in Keep It Simple - 19 replies

No Impact Man

2007-04-26T15:47:14Z

www.noimpactman.com

"No Impact Man is my experiment with researching, developing and adopting a way of life for me and my little family—one wife, one toddler, one dog—to live in the heart of New York City while causing no net environmental impact."

posted in Keep It Simple - 3 replies

Dr Bronners

2007-04-26T15:17:29Z

Uh.

I feel al tingly n clean.

Of course I like the peppermint.

posted in Keep It Simple - 5 replies

Stir Sticks

2007-04-26T04:52:32Z

I have been reviewing my use and missuse of the world's resources. This has been re-inspired by the noimpactman.com project. I have been trying watch how much trash I produce and seeing how much of it is biodegradable.

The thing I noticed today was stir-sticks for coffee. I have switched to carrying around a coffee cup for refills at my favorite coffee shop. They are more than happy to ablige.

As I was putting in my cream and sugar I grabbed a stir stick to stir with and then throw it in the trash when I was done. There were about 30 sticks in the trash can.

It occured to me what it took to produce and transport that little stick that I used once to stir my coffee.

*sigh*

We are SO spoiled.

posted in Keep It Simple - 8 replies

HOMEMADE LEMON PEEL

2007-04-25T19:29:37Z

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOMEMADE LEMON PEEL SPICE?

DOES IT HAVE MEDICINAL USES?

posted in Keep It Simple - 0 replies

NEW HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE

2007-04-25T19:26:56Z

know that Dried sage powdered with a little salt is a great tooth powder but ...how do I make the blend?.how do I brush my teeth with this blend? Is'nt salt to strong for the teeth? Are there another alternatives powered dried herbs? Could you add any tips?
thanks

posted in Keep It Simple - 4 replies

Malaria vs Wormwood

2007-04-25T16:10:27Z

I know that wormwood is used against malaria.. How do I take it? Can I make a infusion with it? which part of the herb is used?

http://herbalistsmagic.tribe.net/thread/aebe0d13-9355-4b73-8860-6bb97bf74069

posted in Keep It Simple - 2 replies