Healthy Homes of Rochester

Going green is a way of life for many of us now. With that in mind, we do all sorts of things to recycle and use organic items instead of harsh chemicals and much more.
Has anyone ever considered using a rain barrel to collect rain water to reuse?
I have purchased a great rain barrel that I placed at the back of my house, behind the garage. This is just another idea to help save our planet and save money at the same time. The rain water can be reused anytime to water the lawn, or water outdoor and indoor plants. The rain water can be used to wash off decks and patios, also patio furniture. The rain water can be used to even wash your dog. Whatever you can imagine a use for, go for it. I think it is a great idea to have one of these items. And just think, it is reducing your water bill without even trying.

The rain barrel is made out of a lightweight poly. It holds 55 gallons of rainwater. It has a hose connection and two spigots. Very handy item.

You can order one below if you would like to use the same type of rain barrel that I use.

That is just another great product recommendation by the Fixie Chick
Thank you.

This is a great, inexpensive book that helps show our children how to recycle while they are young. Get them going on recycling as soon as possible and they will reap the rewards of helping to save our planet.
I purchased this book for my four year old son. He is now five years old. My son recycles everything in site. If he sees someone who does not recycle an item and just throws it away, he will get upset and demand that that person changes his or her ways. My son will school an untrained individual on the rules of recycling and demand change.
It is comical to watch, but, at the same time serious business. He has learned a valuable skill around the home which he will carry through life.
Use the link below to get your child a great, easy to read book on recycling and do the world some good.

Another great product recommended by the Fixie Chick
Thanks for reading.

I searched for a while for a portable radio for an emergency if the power went out to have around our home. I found a few options available. Then I came across an emergency radio which is powered by solar or by a crank. Yes, you read that right! I was very excited when this item arrived. It works great. I love how the emergency radio can run on solar power or by cranking it. I use it outside on my patio when I want to relax in the sun. It is nice that I am also living a greener life by not using batteries or electricity. This item is a hit with me.
It is just another idea to save our planet and save money.
Below is the link the same type of emergency radio that I have. Hope this makes your searching easier.

Another great product suggestion by the Fixie Chick
Thank you for reading.

Most of us over the years have acquired nonstick cookware to use because they are great. They do not allow any burned or dried food to stick. The cookware cleans right up. However, we have learned that the nonstick surface is toxic. In most recent years there has been testing done to show that the chemicals in the nonstick surface is toxic. The cookware has a brand called Teflon.

When Teflon® pans become sufficiently heated, the nonstick coating begins to decompose, releasing one or more of a dozen different toxins. This is not only true of Teflon® pans, but of all brands of nonstick cookware

As Teflon® pans become hotter, the chemicals released become more toxic. This outgassing is sufficiently toxic to kill pet birds and is responsible for “polymer fume flu” in humans, sometimes called “Teflon® flu.” Among the symptoms of Teflon® flu are headache, nausea, fever, backache and malaise. Symptoms subside within a few days, but there may be even greater risks to using Teflon® pans.

A nonstick pan left empty to preheat can easily reach 700°F (371°C) within a few minutes. At 680°F (360°C), Teflon® pans begin releasing tiny particles of perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA) or C-8. PFOA is used in the manufacture of Teflon® pans and other non-stick cookware.

PFOA does not break down in the body or in the environment, and has led to cancer and birth defects in lab animals. It may also be linked to two documented cases of human birth defects seen in DuPont plant workers who handled chemicals used in the production of Teflon® pans. In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared PFOA a likely carcinogen. DuPont has agreed to phase out PFOA by the year 2015. While cooking a steak doesn’t require temperatures higher than 500°F (260°C), should Teflon® pans be forgotten on the stove in the face of a distraction or emergency elsewhere in the house, high temperatures could release even more noxious chemicals known to be harmful to humans, animals and the environment.

Studies indicate 95% of all Americans, including children, have small but detectable amounts of PFOA in the bloodstream.

Studies regarding the safety of Teflon® pans and other non-stick cookware continues. The EPA deems PFOA products safe for use pending more studies. DuPont admits Teflon® pans can release toxic PFOA fumes, but insists this only occurs if the pans are overheated, which it characterizes as abusive use of the cookware. DuPont’s stance is that by the time Teflon® pans release toxic PFOA fumes, food would already be burnt and inedible.

If you choose to use Teflon® pans or other nonstick cookware, cook with low-to-medium heat and do not preheat the pans. I prefer using stainless steel pots and pans in my home. They look very luxurious and attractive somewhat like pieces of jewelry.

Here is a link to a set of cookware that I have in my home.

Thank you for reading another recommended product by the Fixie Chick.

I thought I would provide you a great service by recommending products that I use and have tested over time, and, provide a handy link where you can purchase the items if you wish.
I have purchased the compact fluorescent light bulbs you see at the link below and have had good luck with them. The price seems to be very comparable to other stores and even less expensive than some. The bonus is you don’t have to leave your home to get the compact fluorescent light bulbs.

These light bulbs come 4 in a pack, are rated at giving off 40 watts of light while only using the equivalent of 12 watts of energy. Over the lifetime of the bulbs, your estimated saving is $148.00
Now that is what I call saving money. Simply replace the standard incandescent bulbs with the compact fluorescent light bulbs and that is all. Just see the link below if you are in search of new light bulbs.

There is another green, energy saving product by the Fixie Chick
Enjoy

I purchased a couple of the Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles for my family for a couple of reasons. First is that we drink water quite a bit throughout the day and during exercising. Why not just have a refillable water bottle?
I feel that using the Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles is helping me do my part by going green in the small amount that I can contribute to our wonderful planet.
We are saving on all those plastic bottles from bottled water going into our landfills. You can easily order the Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles at the link below to save you time.

Just another Green Product suggestion by the Fixie Chick

I have converted to purchasing soy candles only for my home. I just feel that living healthier includes burning healthier candles. The soy candles do not give of the toxins that regular candles give off when burning. It allows me to keep the indoors of my home healthier and fresh. The soy candles are scented with various types of wonderful aromas or scents. 

Soy candles are a natural alternative to the regular scented candles.  The soy candles that I purchase are located at the link I have provided below.  In addition, the candles are very affordable.  That is something to get excited about.

Another great Product by the Fixie Chick

Here is a great product that I absolutely love. My solar watch. I purchase one for myself several months ago and one for my husband. Now, as you know I always love to save energy and save our planet whenever I can. So what another perfect way to do so with solar watches? They do not need to be charged or take batteries every year like all my previous watches did. They simply use the sun to charge them. They can run for hours without the sun once they are charged up. Therefore not needing the sun on them 24 hours per day.

This is a great example of a solar application that is extremely effective. There are so many choices on the website link below that you can get anything your heart desires in terms of solar watches. I just am showing you the type and style of solar watches that I chose for myself and my husband. These are not too expensive as compared to some.

Another way I feel good about contributing to saving our planet and using less energy.

I hope you have enjoyed my short review of these products.

Another product review by The Fixie Chick.

I wanted to write about Flash Memory Cards in this blog post because they have quickly become a way of life for us now.  I have several of these flash memory cards.  They store thousands of pictures of my family, friends and projcets around our home.  These flash memory cards are very small which means they take up almost no space at all.  In stead of printing out thousands of pictures, why not keep them stored on the flash memory cards.  They have become so affordable that you can just purchase a new one when the previous gets full of data.  They hold plenty of pictures and movies. 

This is a perfect way to help save our planet and save our trees by not using as much paper and film.  I have included a link below to one of the types of flash memory cards that I have and enjoy using.

Another great prduct tip from The Fixie Chick

Even if you don’t use hot water to wash your clothes, your water heater still gets plenty of use but there are a couple of easy ways you can reduce energy consumption here. First, lower the heaters thermostat down to say a 120 degrees or the “vacation” setting.  Then, wherever you have access, insulate the hot water pipes that are going to your faucets inside the house with foam pipe insulation.  The foam pipe insulation is very reasonably priced. The pipe insulation also adds comfort to you when you need hot water in your shower or faucet, it will be available quickly.

Now these things alone can reduce your energy bill as much as 5% or more.  To make your water heater a little more efficient, two or three times a year, drain a bucket full of water from the drain valve at the bottom of the heater. You will be removing all of the sediment and hard water deposits that build up in the bottom of the tank which reduce the water heater’s efficiency and capacity.

just another simple DIY tip on saving energy and money by The Fixie Chick