We all have a responsibility to care for the Earth, and the environment which sustains us. While we need to take many “big” steps, we can also take small ones to both care for our planet and improve our own immediate environment. Here are three small changes you can make for a more eco-friendly lifestyle at home.

Shelter A House Plant.

Besides their aesthetic value, houseplants can be good for your overall health. They naturally purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into their immediate environment. Studies by NASA have found that houseplants can remove about 87 percent of harmful air toxins within a 24-hour cycle. Cleaner indoor air can improve your mood, and their beauty can help reduce stress, turning your home into your own personal oasis.

With such a large variety of houseplant species to choose from, it can be difficult to pick the right one. The key to choosing the perfect houseplant is to take into consideration the conditions and level of care it needs. The ing Ming Aralia plant is a great start for beginners. These plans can thrive in both indirect light and bright light and require minimal maintenance as they can go for days without water. Indigenous to the Pacific Islands, their beauty lies in the green upper sides, and purple undersides of their leaves.

Despite being a great air purifier, the Ming Aralia was traditionally hailed for its medicinal components, as early research showed it helped reduce inflammatory, fungal, and bacteria-related illness.

Consider Using CBD Products.

Cannabidiol is fast becoming a natural remedy to help in the treatment of common illnesses. Popularly referred to as CBD, it is one of the active ingredients (cannabinoids) found in the industrial hemp plant. Whilst THC is another well-known cannabinoid and has a psychoactive effect (meaning it gives the user a “high,”) CBD has no psychoactive effect, making it the preferred option for individuals seeking relief from their discomfort.

Some common CBD products include CBD oil, CBD supplements, CBD edibles, and CBD tinctures and topicals. Of these, CBD oil is the most commonly used. It is made from CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant, then diluted with hemp seed or coconut oil. The wellness industry is fast embracing it and has found CBD oil is commonly used to help those with insomnia, as well as reduce anxiety and depression in people with an over-active mind, and alleviate discomfort NOTE: I have rubbed CBD oil on my hands to help reduce joint pain related to arthritis).

NOTE: Never ingest anything intended for health or wellness reasons without speaking to a medical professional or doctor first!

Opt for Natural Insect Repellent.

Most people use insect repellent to prevent bug bites and the infections that they transmit. However, most consumers are not aware of the chemicals used to make insect repellents. DEET, for instance, is an active ingredient found in a majority of synthetic insect repellents. But some studies show that DEET has a toxic effect on the body’s central nervous system, with the added side effect of causing a skin rash.

Stop The Bites insect repellent is a natural repellent for ticks with none of these downsides. Hailed as having the same efficacy as synthetic tick repellents, when properly applied, it can repel ticks and mosquitos for a period of up to one week. It can be applied as a spray on shrub and vegetation, as well as on swing sets and the patio.

Instead of DEET, it consists of active ingredients like lemongrass oil, geraniol, castor oil, cedarwood oil, corn oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate, plus water, soap, oleic acid and 1-monolaurin, a byproduct of coconut fat.

NOTE: Take special care not to apply it on or near food and vegetables, or food-bearing plants. Apply late in the day or early evening and not directly on bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Keep children and pets off lawns that have been treated until the product dries.

About Sponsored Posts: Occasionally, we run posts sponsored by companies that offer some interesting options. The post doesn’t imply endorsement of a particular product.  

The post 3 Natural Products to Add to Your Eco-Friendly Lifestyle appeared first on Big Green Purse.

I’ve found 7 plastic-free organic hand soaps for you that contain no toxic chemicals and come in paper packaging you can easily recycle. Why hand soaps? Because the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say washing our hands with soap and water works better than hand sanitizer for killing the germs that cause Coronavirus, the flu, and other illnesses, like diarrhea and the common cold.

Why plastic-free? Because plastic trash is out of control!

And why organic? Because as good as soap is for fighting germs, too many soaps contain harmful toxic chemicals or come packaged in throwaway plastic.  The soaps listed below contain healthy ingredients that work – and don’t come in plastic!

7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps

Dr. Bronner’s

Zum

Tom’s of Maine

O Naturals

Makes 3 Organics

Ma’na Organix

Patchouli Soap

Here Are 7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps That Fight Coronavirus and the Flu

Dr. Bronner’s – Made with vegan ingredients and castile soap, but no synthetic preservatives or foaming agents. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Available unscented, or in peppermint, lavender, almond, eucalyptus, hemp rose, hemp tea tree, and hemp citrus. Fair Trade certified and Non GMO verified, too!

Zum – Made with goat’s milk, essential oils, and fresh citrus herbs. Minimal paper packaging that can be recycled. Available in variety sampler pack as well as individually. Look for it online but in Whole Foods, natural foods stores, and food co-ops, too.

Tom’s of Maine – 5 oz. bars, available in 6-packs; available in lavender, orange blossom, coconut oil, and other plant-based compounds (NOTE: May also be available in store in CVS, various supermarkets, Whole Foods, Target, etc.)

O Naturals – 100% natural organic ingredients, vegan, and infused with essential oils. Available in oatmeal & coffee, agave nectar & soy milk, coconut & shea butter, jojoba & tea tree, and rosemary & peppermint. PETA certified.

Makes 3 Organics – Made in Santa Barbara, CA with USDA certified organic ingredients, including coconut oil and shea butter. Packaged plastic-free in a recyclable paper box. Also available in orange blossom.

Ma’na Organix – This hemp oil based soap is infused with eucalyptus that both cleans and leaves your hands smelling fresh. Ma’na is also sulfate- and paraben-free, cruelty-free and vegan. It’s packaged in a minimal recyclable cardboard wrap. Available in lavender, peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon vanilla cappuccino.

Patchouli Soap – In case you’re wondering, patchouli is a fast-growing shrub related to mint and lavender with an “earthy, sensuous” scent. Additional ingredients in this soap include olive, coconut, avocado and castor oil, cocoa butter and cocoa powder, water, and sodium hydroxide.

When Should You Wash Your Hands During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may have been touched by other people, like door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping cars, or electronic cashier registers and screens

Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, because that’s how germs enter our bodies

Before, during and after preparing food, and before eating food

After going to the bathroom

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After shopping and packing and unpacking groceries

After opening mail

Remember to lather and scrub for 20 seconds. The CDC recommends people no longer shake hands with each other. If you somehow do shake hands with someone, wash your hands afterwards and before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

NOTE: We may earn a small commission if you purchase a product through our link. It’s teeny tiny, so not enough to affect how we think, but helpful enough to keep us going. Thanks!

The post 7 Plastic-Free Organic Hand Soaps That Fight Coronavirus and the Flu appeared first on Big Green Purse.

What are the best non-toxic hand sanitizers that kill Coronavirus?

We’ve done the research,* consulted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and reviewed data from non-profit science-based groups, and used that knowledge to find six of the best non-toxic hand sanitizers you can buy that will get the job done. They are:

6 BEST NON-TOXIC HAND SANITIZERS

(available as sprays or gels and in large sizes to reduce plastic trash)

Hot Shot’s Secret Hand Sanitizer Gel  Buy one large gallon jug then decant into smaller reusable bottles to reduce plastic trash

Forward Science Hand Sanitizer  – A 6-pack of 16oz. bottles to reduce plastic trash is still better than a whole bunch of throwaway 2 or 3 oz bottles.

Pipette Hand Sanitizer  – 32oz jug can still be used to re-fill reusable bottles and reduce plastic trash.

Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray  – If you need small spray bottles for your purse, briefcase or backpack, these work and are non-toxic.

The Naked Bee Gel – This non-toxic hand sanitizer also contains aloe vera gel and witch hazel. The 8 oz. size might be perfect for your workplace or a car trip.

North Star Organics Advanced Organic Hand Sanitizer Gel – 8 oz. – This product  can be used for babies and children as long as you rub it into their skin until it is completely dry.

What Makes These Hand Sanitizers Better Than Others? Safe Ingredients That Work!

The key ingredient to look for in a hand sanitizer is ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol.

What Ingredients Should You AVOID in Hand Sanitizer? Methanol, and These Others

What if you’re in a store or elsewhere online and see a hand sanitizer that looks appealing or cheap but is not listed above? Before you buy, make sure the sanitizer you’re considering does NOT contain the following ingredients:

METHANOL, also known as Methyl Alcohol or Wood Alcohol:  Methanol is toxic; it is completely different from the ethanol listed above. It is made primarily from natural gas or coal. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned people against using as many as 130 brands of hand sanitizer because they contain methanol.

Methanol is dangerous for several reasons. It is highly flammable. It is extremely toxic to humans if it is ingested or if vapors are inhaled Ingestion of as little as one to four ounces can cause irreversible injury to the nervous system, blindness, or even death. Symptoms of acute methanol exposure may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, difficult breathing, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.**

In addition to methanol, avoid the following ingredients:

Triclosan (an antibacterial agent that may lead to antibiotic resistance, and is toxic to fish and frogs when it washes into our lakes, rivers and streams)

Synthetic Fragrance (causes allergic reactions like sneezing, headaches, and other flu-like symptoms)

Parabens and Phthalates (linked to hormone disruption)

Most dyes and synthetic colors

You can get more Information on Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers That Kill Coronavirus from the National Institutes of Health, linked below. ***

Here are more details on the sanitizers we recommend.

Hot Shot’s Secret Hand Sanitizer Gel – Hot Shot’s gel contains four simple and safe ingredients:

80% alcohol, which kills germs and viruses; glycerin (a hand softener); hydrogen peroxide (an additional germ killer); and purified water. Another benefit of this product is that it reduces plastic trash. Buy a one gallon dispenser with a pump, then easily fill up smaller reusable 2oz bottles for backpacks and purses.

Forward Science Hand Sanitizer Spray – Though not quite as low-waste as a one-gallon jug,

Forward Science is sold as a 6-pack of 16oz. spray bottles that still reduce plastic trash. Does not contain dye, triclosan, parabens, or phthalates; made in the USA.

Pipette Hand Sanitizer Gel – Ethyl alcohol, plus moisturizing glycerin and sugarcane-derived squalane, and water. Fragrance-free. Comes in 32oz jug to reduce plastic waste; EWG verified. Buy the large jug and refill smaller reusable containers to limit plastic waste.

Everyone Hand Sanitizer – In addition to meeting the CDC recommendations for hand sanitizing, Everyone Hand Sanitizer also contains vegetable glycerin to keep hands soft, and is available in a variety of plant-based scents (my favorite is lavender).

North Star Organics – This formulation includes aloe, Vitamin E and 65% alcohol; free of dyes, silicones, parabens, SLS, and synthetic fragrances. The 8 oz pump dispenser could be the right size for your workplace, classroom, or reception area or bathroom.

The Naked Bee –  Ingredients include natural honey, aloe vera gel, witch hazel, sea weed extract, green ea extracts and essential oils. No parabens, dyes, phthalates or other nasty ingredients.

In Addition to Avoiding Toxic Ingredients, Beware The Following Misleading Claims and Packaging When Buying Hand Sanitizers

“FDA-approved” – No hand sanitizers have been approved by the FDA. If you see a product being marketed as FDA-Approved, skip it.

“Chemical-Free” – Nothing on Earth is chemical-free. Everything is made up of chemical compounds. Some of those chemicals are safe; others can make us sick. Either way, you and every product you buy consist of chemicals. Don’t let the words “chemical-free” affect your choice.

Products Packaged to Appear as Drinks, Candy, Liquor Bottles, or Cocktails – Hand sanitizer should never be consumed. Keep all sanitizers out of the reach of children.

DON’T DRINK HAND SANITIZER!

You can’t prevent Coronavirus by drinking anything, especially hand sanitizer.

DO USE SOAP AND WATER

Hand sanitizer is very handy to have when you’re not at home. But when you are home, use soap and water primarily. Suds up your hands for 20 seconds then rinse with warm water. Easy peasy.

AND REMEMBER: BUY THE LARGEST DISPENSER OF HAND SANITIZER YOU CAN FIND TO MEET YOUR NEEDS

Empty plastic bottles of hand sanitizer are starting to litter streets and end up in lakes, rivers and streams. You can minimize how much plastic you use and throwaway by buying the largest dispenser of hand sanitizer you can and refill smaller bottles for your purse or your kids’ backpack.

Don’t Miss: Why I Ditched Plastic Water Bottles And You Should, Too! 

Last by not least, here’s a hand graphic from North Star Organics that shows the best way to apply sanitizer so it gets to every part of your hand.

*We base our recommendations on the scientific analyses done by the non-profit research group Environmental Working Group and the green and non-toxic standards set by Made Safe, as well as our own long-standing experience reviewing scientific data on various chemical ingredients.  We also reviewed the:

National Institutes of Health analysis of alcohol-based products being used in hand sanitizers.

Here are the toxic hand sanitizers containing methanol that the FDA wants you to avoid.

** Get more information about methanol from the Methanol Institute.

NOTE: We may earn a teeny tiny commission if you purchase products using our link. It is not enough to sway our opinion, but over time, the commissions help support our effort to continue to bring you the expert help you need to lead the greener life you want. (I knew you’d understand!)

The post 6 Best Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizers That Kill Coronavirus appeared first on Big Green Purse.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS POST ABOUT REUSABLE COTTON FACE MASKS!

√ Links to 5 reusable cotton face masks you’ll love that will last a long time.

√ Short reminder about why it’s important to wear a mask.

√ Update on how much plastic pollution throwaway masks create.

The coronavirus pandemic isn’t going away any time soon. That probably means you’ll need more and better face masks that won’t create plastic trash and can last you through the end of 2020 and potentially way into 2021. Of the many brands and varieties available, we knew you’d most be on the look-out for reusable cotton face masks that you could wear comfortably and securely and that are plastic-free.

Here are five of the best options we’ve found, plus filters you can get for them.  (NOTE: Some products are linked to sites we have affiliate relationships with, so we might earn a few pennies if you make a purchase. Thanks!)

USA Reusable Cotton Face Masks – 100% Cotton with Filter Pocket, Ear Loops and Nose Wire Bridge for closer fit. Made in the USA. (I haven’t tried this one, but it got lots of 5 star ratings on Amazon!)

Avocado Organic Cotton Face Masks – These 100% organic certified face masks are made with two layers of organic cotton canvas, a pocket so you can insert a filter (not included), and simple tie straps.

Triple Layered 100% Cotton Face Mask with Filter Pocket – This made-in-the-USA mask comes with a flexible nose clip for a better fit and adjustable ear loops. Does not come with filters, but you can buy some separately and insert them in the mask pocket.

 Cotton Face Mask with Replaceable Filters – This mask uses activated carbon PM 2.5 filters for extra-effective particle capture. Adjustable ear loops make for a closer fit.

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Cotton Reusable Face Masks With Filters – Here’s another option for a face mask that comes with adjustable straps, a nose bridge, and activated carbon filters for extra protections.

Activated Carbon Filter Inserts for Reusable Face Masks – If you only wear your mask a little while each day (which is what I do), these filters will last a long time. If you wear your mask a lot, the manufacturer recommends changing the filter every three days.

By the way, if you don’t have a “professional” filter, you can make one out of a coffee filter.

Here’s a short refresher course from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on why face masks are essential.

Centers for Disease Control: Wear a Mask!

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Studies and evidence on infection control report that these droplets usually travel around 6 feet (about two arms lengths). So, stay 6 feet away from anyone who you are not certain is not infected. (If you’ve quarantined with someone for two weeks and neither of you has gotten sick, you’re probably fine. If you’re getting together with friends or family to hang out, you should all wear masks and still stay 6 feet apart.)

Also, wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.

This is another important point: Cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus by people who may have it but not know it. If you have it but don’t have any symptoms, you could still spread it just by talking, coughing, sneezing, and even singing. Wear a face mask to keep your viral germs to yourself!

NOTE: The CDC says that children younger than 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing or is incapacitated should not wear a mask.

I personally expect to wear a face mask for years to come. In addition to protecting against COVID-19, my mask could also help protect me from the flu and the common cold. I never wore a mask before, but from here on out, I’m going to wear it all the time when I’m out shopping, on the subway or bus, or at a public event.

Single-Use Throwaway Masks Pollute the Seas and Could Kill Wildlife. Plus, They Create Ugly Litter.

Throwaway plastic-based masks, along with single-use plastic gloves and wipes, are quickly becoming a significant source of pollution. Environmental group OceansAsia’s recent survey of the waters around HongKong found dozens of masks washed up on shore and floating in the water.*

Opération Mer Propre (clean seas), a French nonprofit, worries that there may soon be more masks than jellyfish in the Mediterranean.* Even in my neighborhood outside Washington, D.C., every day I find throwaway masks on the ground, where they can get washed into the storm drain and end up in the Chesapeake Bay and, eventually, the Atlantic Ocean.

Most single-use masks are made from polypropylene, a plastic that does not break down. It’s already estimated that over eight million tons of plastic enter our oceans. Some of that breaks down into micro plastic. Animals eat some of it, dying in the process.

Some people are adding to the problem by just tossing their mask out the window or to the ground, where it becomes ugly litter that no one wants to pick up.

Reusable face masks last many times over. And even if they’re thrown out as litter, cotton masks will biodegrade into harmless fibers.

What To Look For In a Reusable Cotton Face Mask

There are many masks on the market. CDC recommends we wear cloth masks like the ones featured in this post to help prevent all of us from spreading the disease.

CDC does NOT recommend an “N-95” mask regularly. N-95s are what doctors and first-line responders need to protect themselves when they help people who are sick with COVID-19. Some of us with compromised immune systems and respiratory diseases might need them, too. Or if you’re getting on an airplane or otherwise will be in an enclosed space in close proximity to other people, an N-95 could be your best option, because the N-95 prevents almost all particles from coming through your mask, where you might inhale them.

However, on the whole, the CDC says if we all wear tight-fitting, multi-layered cloth masks, we’ll go a long way to protecting ourselves and each other. Here’s me in one of my masks!

Reusable Cloth – You might be able to wear a paper mask a few times, but ultimately, it will end up in the trash. Get a cloth mask you can wash and reuse frequently.

Two Layers of Fabric – Choose (or make) a mask that has at least two separate layers of cloth. When you hold your mask up to  the light, the cloth needs to be woven so tightly that you can’t see through it.

Filter Pocket – In addition to two layers of fabric, you’ll get extra protection from having a filter between the layers. Before I had an actual mask, I rolled up a cotton bandana and put a folded coffee filter between the layers. That worked really well and provided extra protection! The mask I now use most often has a pocket in the middle that I can slip a filter into. I have bought some charcoal filters that will trap really very tiny particles.

NOTE: You may have heard about using a vacuum HEPA filter for your face mask. Make sure the filter is NOT made of fiberglass, as minuscule particles of glass may break off and be accidentally inhaled. A coffee filter folded in half adds more protection. This Merv 13 Material is not fiberglass and is designed to stop tiny airborne particles, increasing your masks’ effectiveness.

Proper Fit – The mask should cover both your nose and your mouth snugly without slipping down. It should either have ear loops to hold it on properly, or two sets of ties, one to tie the top sides of the mask around the back of your head, and one set to tie the bottom sides. It should extend an inch or so beyond your nose and mouth and fit snugly under your chin. I got one mask that looked pretty nice but kept slipping down off my nose. That forced me to keep adjusting it, which wasn’t particularly safe. I had to stop using it. I personally prefer the adjustable ear loops because I can tighten them around my face better.

Enough Masks – I have three masks I rotate among: one to wash, one to wear, and one as a back-up. Some moms had told me that they have gotten seven masks for their kids, one for every day of the week. You decide how much you need.

We are not recommending masks made from recycled plastic because plastic-based fabric can shed micro-plastic when it wears out or is washed. There are so many cotton masks to choose from, there’s no need to use recycled plastic fabric.

If you want to make your own mask, here are some sew and no-sew DIY instructions.

How to Wear Your Reusable Cotton Face Mask Correctly

• Wash your hands before putting on your mask
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
• Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face; use adjustable ear loops to pull the mask tight.
• Make sure you can breathe easily

And to reiterate, make sure your mask covers your nose as well as your mouth for the max protection the mask offers.

**SOURCES**

Coronavirus face masks ‘could have a devastating effect on the environment’

More masks than jellyfish in the sea!

The post 5 Plastic-Free Reusable Cotton Face Masks To Outlast Coronavirus appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Do you love the idea of a diamond engagement ring but cringe at how most diamonds are mined? We’ve partnered with Clean Origin to introduce you to “lab-grown diamonds,” diamonds that are just as beautiful as mined diamonds but much better for people and the planet. Read on to learn more about these beautiful gemstones and why they’re such a good match for your values as well as your special day.

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds both visually and chemically. In fact, the only way to differentiate between lab-grown and mined diamonds is through the microscopic laser inscription on the bottom of the stone (mined diamonds have these, as well). Jewelry experts can’t tell them apart without it, and neither can consumers!

The labs where the diamonds are made use advanced technology to mimic the natural processes that cause diamonds to form from carbon underground. So, they are not cubic zirconias or other “fake” diamonds.The main difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds is the time they took to form and where they come from.

Why Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Better Than Mined Diamonds?

Diamonds are notorious for being mined by underpaid, overworked men, women and children who are subject to dangerous working conditions. Mined diamonds result in one injury for every 1,000 workers annually, reports Clean Origin. “Blood” or “conflict” diamonds may also be used to fuel civil wars and purchase weapons.

Diamond mines take a terrible environmental toll, as well.

Says Clean Origin, “for every carat of diamond that is mined, nearly 100 sq ft of land is disturbed, while almost 6000 pounds of mineral waste are created.”

How Do You Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond?

You choose a lab-grown diamond the same way you’d buy any diamond: according to budget, design and aesthetics, and ring size.

As far as budget is concerned, Clean Origin recommends you get a good idea of what your budget is, or could be if you wanted to save for your purchase. Keep in mind that, due to the shorter supply chain and lack of mining, lab-grown diamonds can be “anywhere from 20-30% less expensive than mined diamonds,” the company says.

“Don’t make the mistake of going over the budget,” the company recommends. “It’s easy to convince yourself to spring for the giant sparkler” but instead, aim to get a great deal on a gorgeous ring.”

Of course, purchase a beautiful ring you’ll love wearing. Lab-grown diamonds come in the sizes and shapes you’d expect to find in settings featuring mined diamonds, including round, cushion, heart, oval, emerald, pear, princess, radiant, and marquise,

Last but not least, make sure it fits! If it’s a surprise, to determine your partner’s ring size you might have to do a little sleuthing and be a little sneaky. One of the most common ways to learn your partner’s ring size is to discretely measure their ring finger with a piece of string. However, if you aren’t able to do that, simply check out your partner’s current ring collection.

If your partner wears rings, pick out a ring that they have comfortably worn on their ring finger and take it into a jeweler to have it measured. If you’re unable to get it out of the house without suspicion, mark where it falls on one of your fingers and show that to the experts.

One Other Benefit With Clean Origin: Recycled Precious Metals

In addition to producing ethical, eco lab-grown diamonds, Clean Origin sets them in gold and platinum that have been recycled. Why?

“Similar to diamond mines, gold mines have their own dark secrets, environmental impact, and unethical practices,” declares the company. “At Clean Origin, we are doing everything we can to stay away from supporting these types of activities.”

“All of our precious metal is certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council to be recycled. This ensures that the quality behind our metal is just as high as what would be originally sourced from the earth — just without the negative impact.”

With lab-grown diamonds, you can celebrate your engagement (or any special event) with the beautiful ring you want that’s also produced in the way that stays true to your values.Take a look at Clean Origin’s virtual showroom today.

FAQ’s (answers provided by Clean Origin)

Are there any stores where people can go to try on Clean Origin diamonds, or does it all have to happen online?
All shopping takes place online, which has been especially helpful for couples during COVID!

What if someone orders a diamond ring from you, it arrives, and they don’t like it?
We have an extremely generous 100-day return policy.

How long does it take from ordering to receiving the order?
All of our rings are made to order, so from placing your order to receiving it at your front door, it usually averages about 10 days. However, with COVID, we are adding some cushion to that promise and looking at closer to a month.

How long will a Clean Origin diamond last?
Lab-grown diamonds are exactly the same as mined diamonds. “Our Diamonds Are Forever”.

Can people buy Clean Origin diamonds separate from a setting if they want to come up with their own design?
Yes! Any diamond can be purchased on its own.

The post Lab-Grown Diamonds Help You Buy An Engagement Ring That Matches Your Values appeared first on Big Green Purse.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you spend much time outdoors, you’re probably going to get bitten by a tick. And that means you could contract Lyme disease.

Climate change is partly to blame. Warming global temperatures are helping boost tick populations in two ways: they’re giving ticks more time to complete their life cycle, and they’re making  it easier for these pests to survive in more northerly latitudes that used to be too cold for them.

But development and sprawl are factors, too.  As development shrinks forests and wetlands, deer, foxes, and other animals that carry ticks move into suburban and even urban neighborhoods. The ticks may rub off onto bushes or fall into the grass, where pets can easily pick them up, or you’ll get them when you’re gardening or having a barbecue.

More Lyme Disease

More ticks everywhere only means one thing: More Lyme disease.

According to researchers from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in Toronto, Canada, Lyme disease incidence increased about 80% in the United States between 1993 and 2007.  And it’s still going strong.

The symptoms of this wretched affliction can be miserable: fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash that often creates a distinctive “bull’s eye” circle around the place where you were bitten.

If you don’t treat the disease, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. And once it gets hold of you, it can last for years. Immediate treatment, usually with antibiotics, is absolutely critical.

Just as important, though, is to protect yourself against getting a tick bite in the first place.

How to Prevent a Tick Bite

1) Take precautions year-round, but especially April – September, when ticks are most active.

2) Stay on paths and avoid high grass. It’s easy for ticks to attach themselves to your clothes or skin if you’re walking through woods, a meadow, a forest, or even a tall lawn that hasn’t been mowed for a while. Stay on a clear path where you won’t brush up against foliage that could be bearing ticks. Walk in the center of trails.

3) When hiking through woods or tall grass, wear protective clothing. That includes long pants that fit close to your ankles, socks, boots or shoes that enclose your entire foot, long-sleeved shirts, and a hat.

4) Garden carefully. When gardening in your yard or mowing your lawn, wear long pants, socks, and shoes rather than shorts and sandals. Don a long-sleeve shirt and a hat, too. Remember, ticks can brush off deer and other wildlife and end up in the low branches of a tree, where they can drop onto you if you happen to be walking below.

5) Apply tick repellent insecticides sparingly. I prefer to wear protective clothes and spray the clothing than to spray my skin directly.

6) Look for ticks when you finish your hike or come in from outdoors. Brush off your clothes, shake out your hair, and examine your exposed skin and your scalp closely. A tick is very very tiny so take your time as you look yourself over. Parents should take extra care with their children, looking under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair.

7) Examine your pets. Keep your cats and dogs up-to-date on their flea and tick regimen. Pets can get Lyme disease, too. They can also transport ticks into your home, where they could bite you. The best strategy is to keep ticks out of the house and off your body and that of your pet. Before you bring your pet inside, comb its fur with a fine comb to reveal any ticks that could be clinging to it. Otherwise, it’s easy for the pet to transfer the tick to you.

Meet My Tick Bite

Last May, after a weekend spent gardening in my backyard, I woke up to discover this big red welt on my lower abdomen.

As soon as I saw it, I thought “tick bite,” though I don’t remember seeing a tick, and there was no tick apparent.

I immediately went to the doctor, and his reaction was the same as mine. He took one look and decided to put me on antibiotics right away so I wouldn’t get Lyme disease. 

It took almost two weeks for the welt to go away. I finished the antibiotic treatment and have no Lyme disease symptoms. But this spring and summer, I’ll be much more careful about dressing to protect myself against getting bitten again.

The post Why You Are Probably Going to Get Bitten by a Tick This Summer (Unless You Follow My Advice) appeared first on Big Green Purse.

You might think asbestos was banned. Not so. It was briefly up for a ban in 1991, but that was quickly overturned, and asbestos can still be used in many products today. As long as products contain only 1 percent or less asbestos, they’re perfectly legal.

Asbestos Causes Cancer

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer, says the Mayo Clinic, for which there is no cure for many people. Since the primary risk factor is from asbestos exposure, the most effective way to prevent this disease is to reduce your exposure whenever possible.

Asbestos Pollutes the Planet

Asbestos exposure isn’t just a worry for our health, either. It can work its way back into the environment, contaminating soil, air and water. Mesothelioma.Net points out that asbestos is still widely used in traditional power plants that burn fossil fuels. The asbestos may be found in plant insulation to prevent heat from escaping as well as to prevent fires. Workers may also use fireproof gear containing asbestos.

Asbestos may be used in coal mines, too, and in the gear miners use to stay safe. When not properly contained, asbestos can contaminate the air, soil, and water around mines, refineries, and power plants. “Residents may end up with asbestos in the air they breathe and the water they drink, putting them at risk for mesothelioma and other illnesses,” says Mesothelioma.net.

Asbestos is not only a risk when inhaled, but also when ingested.

The following chart shows the 9 most likely sources of asbestos exposure in your home. As the chart notes, though new asbestos use for home construction ended by 1980, many old homes still contain asbestos-laden insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and other materials.

Review the chart, take note of when your home was built, and get professional help from a contractor certified in safe asbestos abatement if your home was built before 1980 and you undertake home renovations.

Don’t DIY where asbestos is concerned!

What Else Can You Do to Avoid Asbestos Exposure?

In addition to renovating your home safely, you can protect yourself and your family by buying asbestos-free products.

Not only will this keep your family and the environment safe from exposure, but it’ll also show companies still using asbestos that you’ve had enough, says the Alliance.

Here are a few products that may still contain asbestos.

Textiles

Flame resistance is one of asbestos’ most useful qualities. For many years it was considered a miracle material for its ability to quench flames. In fact, the very name comes from the Greek word, asvestos, which means unquenchable or inextinguishable.

Asbestos was used frequently in fabrics designed to be flame resistant, like fire blankets, stunt man suits, and even curtains. Fabric usage was one of the most dangerous, because when these products came into contact with flames, the dangerous fibers would be released into the air.

How to Stay Safe

Using repurposed products like fire blankets and stunt man suits could seriously impact your health. So, if you’re looking for rustic accents to your bedroom or living room, stay away from vintage military or fireman clothes that may contain asbestos fibers.

Also, be careful when handling any family relics like old jackets or work clothes. Buying vintage is a great way to make your wardrobe eco friendly, but avoid old gear that could have been worn by firemen or repair men unsuspectingly working on contaminated sites.

Back to School Supplies

Reports of asbestos in Playskool crayons surfaced early in August, 2018, after the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) analyzed 27 back-to-school products. Playskool is sold primarily at Dollar Tree, but also through Amazon, eBay and DollarDays.com.

Even though the amounts found were very small, PIRG noted that children often chew on crayons or sharpen them, increasing chances that kids could end up swallowing or inhaling tiny but dangerous crayon shavings.

How to Stay Safe

Use colored pencils, beeswax crayons, and water-based markers from non toxic certified suppliers.

Don’t Miss Our Green Back-to-School Shopping Tips That Will Also Save You Money!

Kids Makeup

Earlier this year, a consumer watchdog group found asbestos in the products of Claire’s, a children’s makeup store. Claire’s has since said it’s removed the dangerous items from its stores and the remaining products are asbestos-free. But still…

How to Stay Safe

Skip the kids’ stuff and go with safe, plant-based, organic regular make up. For decorations, use face masks rather than painting right on kids’ skin, or easy peel-off stickers. Avoid face glitter (which kids could inhale or get in their eyes).

We pulled together 6 Non-Toxic Ways to Paint Your Face right here.

IMPORTANT!!

A proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) opens the doors for increased asbestos production. This rule details how companies can present cases for asbestos use to the EPA, which would evaluate these appeals on a case-by-case basis.

That means that companies could resume using asbestos and potentially put consumers’ live at risk.

What you can do:

Share this post widely on your social media and with your friends and family.

 Contact the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance to learn more and find out what you can do to protect you and your loved ones from asbestos.

The post 9 Sneaky Ways You May End Up a Victim of Asbestos Exposure appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Have you been buying “earth friendly” “biodegradable” baby wipes because you think they’re better for your baby and the environment?

Though some wipes may live up to their claims, those made by Earth’s Best and The Honest Co. don’t appear to be among them.

That’s why the law firm of Gutride Safier is investigating allegations that both companies falsely claim that the pre-moistened wipes they manufacture are “earth friendly” or “biodegradable” when in fact, they contain some plastic or other material that makes them  incapable of biodegrading in the environment— definitely NOT “earth friendly!”

If you have purchased  baby wipes sold by Earth’s Best and/or The Honest Co., please read this entire post and consider contacting Gutride Safier, as you may qualify to be a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit.

Disclosure: Gutride Safier has retained Big Green Purse to help inform consumers about this issue and let consumers know where to get more information. As always, our editorial opinions remain our own.

“Greenwashing” To Sell Baby Wipes

Many parents worry about the health and environmental impact of the use and disposal of baby wipes. Though disposable wipes can be very convenient, questions have been raised about the chemicals used to keep them moist and fragrant.

In addition, though some of the wipes are being marketed as “earth friendly” or “biodegradable,” it appears that the wipes under investigation are not made from earth friendly, biodegradable materials.

The wipes manufactured by Earth’s Best are made with polyester, a plastic composed of various chemical compounds typically derived from petroleum.

The Honest wipes are made from rayon. Although rayon is derived from cellulose (i.e., plant) fiber, allegedly neither polyester nor rayon are “biodegradable” because “they do not completely decompose into elements found in nature in a reasonably short time” after they’re thrown away.

If a product doesn’t biodegrade in a reasonable period of time once it’s thrown away, the Federal Trade Commission does not consider it biodegradable. 

Independent Testing Supports “Greenwashing” Concerns

An independent lab analyzed the fibers in samples of both Earth’s Best Baby Wipes and Honest Wipes. Here are the results of the analyses:

Earth’s Best Baby Wipes (Made by the The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.)

• The wipes’ substrate is composed of 62.8% polyester, as well as .7% rayon. (Substrate is the foundation material used to make the wipes.) Polyester is a synthetic polymer that is essentially plastic. Neither polyester nor rayon are “biodegradable” because they do not completely decompose into elements found in nature in a reasonably short time after customary disposal.

Honest Wipes (Made by The Honest Co.)

• The wipes’ substrate is 100% rayon, which is not biodegradable as explained above.

Honest Co. has added a disclaimer to its packaging noting that the wipes will “biodegrade & compost in municipal/industrial facilities.”

What this actually means is that you cannot throw your wipes in your own compost pile because they will not degrade there. Furthermore, if you do not have access to municipal composting, you will still have to throw the wipes in the trash, where they will not biodegrade.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides have specifically advised marketers “not to make an unqualified degradable claim” like this one “unless they can prove that the entire product or package will completely break down and return to nature within one year after customary disposal.”

Since customary disposal for something like wipes is the trash, they don’t appear to meet the FTC’s green guidelines.

What Can You Do?

If you purchased baby wipes from The Honest Co. or Earth’s Best, you may qualify to participate in a class action lawsuit. You can visit Gutride Safier’s website to fill out a confidential online form that asks for your name, contact information, and occupation so you can obtain more information.

Filling out the form is free and does not obligate you to take any next steps. It merely indicates that you are as concerned about the greenwashing claims of the named companies as other consumers are. An attorney from Gutride Safier will get in touch with you. There is no cost to you.

Why Does A Class Action Suit Make A Difference?

A class action is a type of lawsuit in which one or more people sue on behalf of a larger group of people, referred to as “the class.” A class action saves courts time and allows a single judge to hear all the concerns at the same time, and to resolve claims for all similarly affected people. If the court agrees to certify the complaints as a class action, all class members will benefit from any judgments or settlements in their favor.

Class action lawsuits can be highly effective at getting offending companies to change their greenwashing practices. Often, a court order requires the defendant to stop the offending practice. The defendant may have to end a false advertising campaign, and could be ordered to change product labels to stop using certain misleading words or to include warnings or better disclosures to ensure the public will not be tricked again. Other times, the defendant may be ordered to provide a refund to class members. The attorneys at Gutride Safier will answer any questions you may have about false advertising claims and class actions.

Start Here

If you purchased baby wipes from Earth’s Best or The Honest Co. because you believed they were biodegradable or earth friendly, and are dismayed to learn that they may be falsely advertised, take action by contacting Gutride Safier attorneys.

You will be legally represented at no cost to you, and if the lawsuit succeeds, you will play an important role in holding companies accountable for the green claims they make.

Click here to complete the form.

What If You Need to Use Baby Wipes?

With my two babies, I used plain old washcloths.

I kept clean cloths in one leak-proof container (either a Ziplock plastic bag or a rinsed out plastic tub), and used cloths in another similar container.

If I did not anticipate being near water, I’d wet the clean wipes in advance. If I was changing my babies at home or in a restroom with a changing table, I simply moistened the cloths from the faucet, cleaned up the baby, and stowed the dirty cloths when I was done (rinsing them out in the toilet first if they were poopy).

These days, you can buy flannel and cotton baby wipes like these, or you can make your own by cutting soft flannel into 8×8 squares.

Moisten them with warm water from the sink or from a water bottle. I personally always applied a little protective ointment on my babies when I changed them, so don’t think the oils and fragrances in most wipes are really necessary.

Information about Gutride Safier

For more than a decade, Gutride Safier LLP has been a national leader in advancing the rights of individuals against powerful companies and government. Gutride Safier’s attorneys have successfully litigated class actions to achieve nationwide settlements involving dozens of products and industries and are currently litigating many others. Hundreds of millions of dollars in settlement benefits have been made available to consumers and small businesses in cases alleging consumer fraud, false advertising, and racketeering. Gutride Safier’s work can be viewed here.

The post Stop Greenwashing “Earth Friendly” “Biodegradable” Baby Wipes appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Want to kill mosquitoes before they bite you to death and make the kids miserable? So did Brandi Stupica.

The Michigan mom of two hated worrying about her kids getting mosquito bites that could lead to something more serious, like dengue fever or even the Zika virus.

But she also hated using toxic chemical-based mosquito repellent because, well, hey, she’s a mom. And what mom doesn’t identify with Mother Earth?

One day, Brandi’s husband came across a bacteria that could be sprinkled on standing water to kill mosquito larva, plus black flies and gnats.

FREE NATURAL MOSQUITO KILLER GIVEAWAY!!
DETAILS BELOW

Brandi had a brainstorm.

Why not create a way to lure mosquitoes around the house into a trap where they’d be exposed to the bacteria – and DIE?

Brown Bread Mozzie, the natural mosquito killer, was born.

Here’s How Brown Bread Mozzie Natural Mosquito Killer Works

It’s Non-Toxic (to People) Bacteria

It’s a Trap, Not a Repellent

The Bacteria

The secret to this natural mosquito killer is in the bacteria that the company uses to lure and then kill mosquitoes. The bacteria is called Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis – Bti for short.

BTI contains spores that produce toxins that specifically target the larvae of the mosquito, plus pesky black flies and fungus gnats.

Bti has no toxicity to people and is approved for use for pest control in organic farming operations, reports EPA.

It’s a Trap, Not a Repellent

Brown Bread Mozzie, which is British and Australian slang for dead mosquito – comes in a kit of four containers, a scoop, and enough granules of Mozzie to keep your yard of an acre or less mosquito-free for a year.

You use the Bti in the four buckets, not on your skin. You don’t spray it on your clothes, or fog your yard, the way other mosquito control chemicals are applied.

To get started, first, get rid of all the places in your yard where mosquitoes like to breed, like stagnant ponds, kiddie pools that aren’t covered, drainage ditches, bird baths that aren’t cleaned frequently, kids’ toys like pails, and even old tires.

Then, set out the Brown Bread Mozzie buckets to lure mosquitoes to lay their eggs in the water you’ve put in each one.

Use fresh water from your hose, but what’s better is stagnant water you might empty out of a pond or birdbath. (Brandi says, “The nastier and more stagnant the water, the more mosquitoes love it!”)

Sprinkle a scoop of granules into the bucket, then fill the bucket half way with water.

Place the buckets on the edges of the property no more than 300 feet from the next closest bucket. You can also put them on top of a wall, hang them on a tree, or set them on a stump.

Use all four buckets.

If there’s any standing water you can’t or don’t want to eliminate, you can add a scoop of Bti granules there, as well.

That’s All There Is To It!

Your Brown Bread Mozzie kit includes enough granules so you can repeat monthly for 12 months.

When your supply of Mozzie granules or “bits” is gone, just order a new bag. You can reuse the buckets over and over again

Inexpensive, and Worth It!

A Brown Bread Mozzie kit costs $99; a replacement bag of Bti bits costs only $20. You could easily spend $20 on a summer’s worth of mosquito repellent, and spraying your entire yard with a mosquito insecticide would cost more than $99, so this is a good deal for your pocketbook as well as your skin.

GIVEAWAY + FREE SHIPPING

To Enter Giveaway, Leave A Comment Below

⇓⇓⇓

Brandi and her Brown Bread Mozzie Company have a special offer for the Big Green Purse community: free shipping when you order the $99 kit (which includes the 4 buckets, a year’s supply of  Bti granules, and the scoop).

But more, Brandi will give away one free kit to a lucky Big Green Purse visitor. All you have to do is leave a comment below. Tell us what you’re doing to control mosquitoes at your house, or why you know natural mosquito control is better than using insecticides or just why you love summer.

The winner will be picked from a random drawing on Friday, July 14.

The post This Natural Mosquito Killer Won’t Hurt You, Kids, Bees or Birds appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Green consumers have scored a major victory! CVS Health, the store where you probably buy many cosmetics and personal care products, has promised to make those products safer by removing chemicals in their products that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and hormone disruption.

Those chemicals include parabens, phthalates and formaldehyde.

Nearly 600 beauty and personal care products will become safer to use, including the CVS Health store brand, Beauty 360, Essence of Beauty, and Blade product lines. The Promise Organic line of store brand products already does not contain any of these toxic chemicals.

Why Did CVS Health Commit to Safer, Healthier Products?

The company wanted to “provide customers with the safe, efficacious products that they are looking for,” said Cia Tucci, Vice President of Store Brands and Quality Assurance at CVS Health.

“We listened when customers voiced their desire for products that provide the benefits they need with fewer ingredients of concern.”  

“Customer feedback has driven this move to eliminate parabens, phthalates and the most prevalent formaldehyde donors.”

Does It Matter? Yes!!

CVS Caremark Corporation is one of the largest drugstore chains in the U.S. It has over 7,300 stores and 2011 U.S. retail sales of almost $60 million, the 7th highest nationally.

The non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Health Families’ “Mind the Store” campaign, which Big Green Purse and many other consumer groups endorsed, put pressure on CVS Health to clean up its act.

Safer Chemicals has applauded CVS for its decision to clean up its products but says there is still more work to be done.

CVS Health can use its leverage to work with their suppliers to reduce, eliminate or safely substitute over a hundred questionable chemicals.

Consumers should also continue to carefully read labels and buy products that are free of chemicals that have been linked to health problems.

Get Help Here: The Best 11 Non-Toxic Ways to Get Healthy Skin

CVS Health won’t have its safer products fully available until the end of 2019. Until then, avoid products that contain the following:

√ Parabens

√ Phthalates

√ Formaldehyde

√ Triclosan

Parabens – Parabens are commonly found in cosmetics, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, hair styling gel and lotion and deodorant. Studies show parabens mimic estrogen and inhibit testosterone, potentially disrupting hormonal balance in both women and men.

Phthalates – These compounds are often found in fragrances and aerosols like air fresheners, as well as in plastics, solvents and even children’s toys. Of the variety of health impacts linked to exposure to phthalates, damage to male reproductive organs is among the gravest concerns.

Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is a “volatile organic chemical,” which means that it will “off-gas” or emit its components into the air you breathe over time. It’s found in antiseptics, cosmetics, nail polish, dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, shoe polish, carpet cleaners, glue, adhesive, paint, and more. It’s also used as a preservative in foods, like some cheeses, dried food, and fish.

Triclosan – Triclosan is actually a pesticide that may be included in toothpaste; it’s also the ingredient formulated into many antibacterial products, like hand wash, body wash and many cleaning compounds.

Increasing members of the medical community oppose using triclosan because they worry that it is actually encouraging the growth of drug-resistant bacteria.

By the way, washing your hands with hot soapy water seems to be just as effective as anti-bacterial soaps for getting rid of germs.

The post Green Consumers Score Big Victory: CVS Health Commits to Safer Beauty Products appeared first on Big Green Purse.