The United States Food & Drug Administration banned 19 antibacterial chemicals from hand soaps and body washes. By September 1, 2017, manufacturers need to reformulate their products or remove the products from the market. If you've been using an antibacterial soap, you may not be able to get it anymore. Don't despair! The reason for … Continue reading Has Your Favorite Soap Been Banned?
health
Peek Into My Pantry!
This rare glimpse into an actual Earthling habitat shows you what foods we keep on hand and how we organize them! Get all the details in my article at Kitchen Stewardship! Exclusively in The Earthling's Handbook, play "Find the differences between these two photos!" The one on the left was taken first, but then I … Continue reading Peek Into My Pantry!
Drowning in Veggies? 5 Steps for Using a CSA Farm Share
It’s dinnertime on a Wednesday, and you’ve just been handed 10 pounds of fresh, organic, locally-grown, assorted vegetables! You’re eager to get some of them onto your family’s plates tonight and make sure you use every bit as wisely as you can before next week—when another load of vegetables will arrive—and you never know what … Continue reading Drowning in Veggies? 5 Steps for Using a CSA Farm Share
Cleaning Products to Avoid if You Have Allergies
This is a guest post by Phoebe Parlade. Follow the link to her well-researched article about the harmful ingredients found in many off-the-shelf cleaning products and about alternative ways to clean that are better for the Earth's health as well as your own! Do you suffer from allergies? If so, you know how crucial … Continue reading Cleaning Products to Avoid if You Have Allergies
Kale Marinara Sauce
This is a very easy way to add nutrition to a convenient, inexpensive, real-food meal anyone can cook! Other dark-green leafy vegetables, such as Swiss chard, can be substituted for kale. To make 2 servings, you will need: a big handful of spaghetti noodles (For more protein, fiber, and B vitamins, use whole-wheat spaghetti. We … Continue reading Kale Marinara Sauce
Some Plants Are For Eating
Happy Earth Day! Before I get to my main topic, I've got some special offers to tell you about... First, instead of buying anything, check out the beautiful photographs in the Capture Conservation photo contest sponsored by the Student Conservation Association! UPDATE: The sale on PlanetBox stainless steel lunchboxes has ended, but check out our … Continue reading Some Plants Are For Eating
Seeking the Greatest Sliced Bread
Like many families, we don't bake our own bread. We make quick breads sometimes, like Raisin Bran Bread, but baking with yeast is not something that any of us finds soothing or fun or worth the time. We really appreciate the convenience of buying bread that's already neatly sliced and ready to use! The only … Continue reading Seeking the Greatest Sliced Bread
Coffee in Moderation: The 7-1-7 Plan
When I was in college, in each September's first meeting of my social organization, a few people would get up and make an earnest speech entitled, "Caffeine Is an Addictive, Psychoactive Drug" in which they tried to convince the new students to respect the power of caffeine by saving it for times when they really … Continue reading Coffee in Moderation: The 7-1-7 Plan
Coffee Hour at Midnight (how to host on short notice)
I've written before about hosting church coffee hour. The people in my church are willing to eat packaged coffee-cakes and things of that ilk, but most of them prefer healthier snacks, and so do I--our coffee hour begins just before noon, so my stomach is ready for lunch, not just simple carbs! I try hard … Continue reading Coffee Hour at Midnight (how to host on short notice)
Delicious Roasted Broccoli Leaves
The past few years have taught us what Earthlings really want to know, and we are pleased to be spreading the word that cauliflower leaves are edible! In that spirit, we'd like to tell you that broccoli leaves are edible, too, and explain a slightly easier method of preparation. Our local organic CSA farm has … Continue reading Delicious Roasted Broccoli Leaves
Why My Toddler Doesn’t Watch Sesame Street
I remember, when I was 3 or 4 years old, sitting in front of the television watching the test pattern waiting for my local public television station to begin its broadcast day. I liked the pretty colored stripes. Finally they would disappear, the station information would be displayed along with a drawing of a scissor-tailed … Continue reading Why My Toddler Doesn’t Watch Sesame Street
What Insurance Is For
Although I've managed to get 5 articles posted in the past 6 weeks, I'm actually not doing all that well, and I finally decided that I owe my readers an explanation. I was driving, with my whole family in the car, when our car was rear-ended on August 15. Nobody else was hurt. I didn't … Continue reading What Insurance Is For
Two Healthy Breakfasts for Late Summer
Tomato season is in full swing and apple season has begun here in Pennsylvania, so I'm alternating between these two delicious breakfasts! Both are quick to prepare, with minimal dirty dishes. They make good snacks, too. You get plenty of vitamins and fiber from the fruit, plus protein and fat to keep you feeling full. … Continue reading Two Healthy Breakfasts for Late Summer
Sckoon Menstrual Cup and Cloth Pad Review
WARNING: People who are offended by graphic discussion of menstruation should go read something else. I first tried a reusable menstrual cup in 1997 and reusable cloth menstrual pads in 2001. Over the years, I've tried a number of different brands, and I've written about why these alternatives are better than disposable pads and tampons … Continue reading Sckoon Menstrual Cup and Cloth Pad Review
All-Natural Vegetarian Non-Refrigerated Convenience Foods
This is not a sponsored post. This is a recommendation of products I tried and liked. Daniel and I try to make enough real, from-scratch, healthy food that I (working in an office) can take leftovers for my lunch every day and he (working at home) can get something ready to eat within a few … Continue reading All-Natural Vegetarian Non-Refrigerated Convenience Foods
Top 3 Veggie Burger Recipes
Daniel and I have tried dozens of varieties of veggie burgers in the past 15 years or so, since they started appearing in stores and restaurants. We gave up meat for Lent in 2002, and since then we've never gone back to eating as much meat as we used to eat. In particular, we really … Continue reading Top 3 Veggie Burger Recipes
DIY Deodorant: Pros and Cons
Last September, I reblogged The Zero-Waste Chef's post about how to make your own deodorant and hoped that having it on my own site would motivate me to try this handy do-it-yourself option. I actually did get around to it within a few weeks...creating deodorant that then became unusable for me for months. It wasn't … Continue reading DIY Deodorant: Pros and Cons
Miracle Salve GIVEAWAY!!
UPDATE: The winners have been announced (at the end of the article) but please read about this wonderful healing product and consider buying some for yourself. Miracle Salve, made by Kerry's Herbals, is a wonderful product that I've been using for a decade. I now have the opportunity to share it! Seven lucky readers will … Continue reading Miracle Salve GIVEAWAY!!
The Power of Purple Is Real!!!
I am putting this post in a variety of categories because it's kind of silly but I'm kind of serious, too. I would like to believe that in this very complicated world, my actions truly do make a difference, even in unexpected metaphysical ways. Purple is my favorite color. At this point in my life, … Continue reading The Power of Purple Is Real!!!
Get Up and Eat: 3 Years of Replenishment
Today is Ash Wednesday. Three years ago on Ash Wednesday, I wrote this article about the renewal we can experience during Lent. I had no idea what was coming my way! You may have heard of the idea of choosing one word as a theme for your year. You're supposed to place this word around … Continue reading Get Up and Eat: 3 Years of Replenishment
The Earthling's Handbook 