Apr 8 2008

Cleaning Your Air? Don't Forget Your Shower!

Many of us spend time removing toxins and pollution from our households through air filters, using better cleaners, dusting, etc. but then forget the shower curtain!
Many shower curtains are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)! PVC is dangerous to people and the environment at every stage of its life cycle. DEHP, an additive used to soften many vinyl products, is a phthalate. The toxins in PVC have been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and cancer.
 
Do yourself and your bathroom a favor and use a cloth shower liner! There are several options in the cloth department and the cloth honestly works just as well as a vinyl liner. We use a Hemp shower curtain liner in our house. Which of course can be purchased at the Blue Ridge Eco Shop. Hemp is a perfect fabric for the shower. It is anti-microbial and is naturally resistant to mildew and mold. It also is fast drying. So take the stink out of your bathroom and replace the vinyl liner.
Posted by Paige at 1:01 PM 0 comments
Apr 11 2008

Being Careful with Paints and Stains

We’ve all heard it before, yet some of us still throw caution to the wind: conventional paints contain harmful chemicals and toxins that are not only harmful while applying the paint, but also give off gases for years to come of harmful chemicals.

Conventional paints contain three chemicals we should worry about: VOCs, biocides and fungicides. These paints can include ingredients such as mercury, arsenic disulfide, phenol and formaldehyde. And these lead to health problems such has reproductive troubles, developmental damage, and respiratory issues.

We work so hard to rid our lives of toxins, only to breathe them in each day from our paints. The solution is very simple. Non-VOC paints are readily available (even at the Blue Ridge Eco Shop!) And you don’t lose anything other than the toxins by switching. You’ll be surprised to learn the quality, price and color choices are not compromised. Switching to non-VOC paints really is a not brainer!

Posted by Paige at 1:00 PM 0 comments
Apr 17 2008

Cville Earth Week 2008

I am taking a break today from the past "Healing You Home" theme to promote the 2008 Cville Earth Week and its events. I have been fortunate enough to be serving on the Steering/Planning Committee and am very excited to see all of the ideas coming to fruition.

If you haven’t heard already, THIS Saturday, April 19th is the kick off to the Cville Earth Week 2008. An all day event has been planned at the Charlottesville High School. Starting bright and early will be a 5k Tread Lightly Trail Run, followed by a 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Eco Fair. The Eco Fair will consist of 50+ environmentally minded organizations, food vendors and will have plenty of family activities throughout the day including live music and bands!

Part of the event includes an Earth Week Raffle. The raffle will be giving away numerous prizes such as:

-Pongo Kayak - Donated by Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
-Garden Gourmet Compost Bin - donated by the Blue RIdge Eco Shop
-Rain Barrel - donated by Rivanna Conservation Society
-(2) pairs of running shoes - donated by the Charlottesville Running Company
-Commuter Bike - Donated by Performance Bicycle
-Children’s Gift Basket - Donated by Finn and Thatcher
-(3) month passes to the Outdoor Adventure Social Club
-(1) years pass for the Charlottesville Transit System

Raffle tickets can be purchased until Friday evening at the Blue Ridge Eco Shop, at Friday’s After Five (this week only) and all day at the Eco-Fair. 100% of the proceeds go to Earth Week 2009. Tickets are (1) for $5 or (5) for $20.

If you want to learn more about Earth Week check out their website at www.earthweek.org.

Posted by Paige at 12:56 PM 0 comments
Apr 25 2008

Finding the Right Yoga Mat

Have you ever thought about what’s in your yoga mat? The mat that you work out on and breath in? Do you know? Many yoga mats are actually made of plastics, in particular PVC which is unhealthy to breath in and takes thousands of years to biodegrade when you are through with it.

When in the market for a yoga mat, look for natural latex, which comes from rubber trees, or jute yoga mats. Natural Latex has a better grip and has anti-bacterial properties, so you can stop using those harsh cleaners on your mat. Just wipe it down with warm, soapy water if you feel it is getting grimy. Natural Latex, is just that, natural. So when it comes time to replace it, it will decompose naturally rather than fill the landfill.

What’s in PVC? Most people are familiar with PVC in the form of pipes in our houses. But it is used everywhere, such as in some plastic wraps, children’s playground sets, car seats, some food storage containers and in plastic yoga mats. PVC contains DEHA and when inhaled, or when in contact with foods, it can leach . DEHA exposure is linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible human carcinogen, affecting the liver.

You’re doing something healthy for your body when practising yoga–stay healthy and steer clear of the PVC mats. Some yoga studios have even banned non-natural mats so you don’t have to inhale your neighbors unhealthy mare. encourage your yoga studio to go natural!

Natural Latex Yoga Mat

Posted by Paige at 12:55 PM 0 comments