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Inside
Natural Life
Green Living
7 Ask Natural Life
Can high-tech gadgets make us ill?
10 The Spirit of Interior Design

How to green your home gracefully.
31 My Green Town
Solving global warming at the grassroots level.
34 Outstanding in His Field

Saskatchewan biotech activist wins alternative Nobel Prize.
40 The Media Beat

Natural Lifes editor shares her favorites.
Sustainable Housing
26 Using Sun & Earth to Stay Warm
A net-zero energy home in Quebec.
18 Clear the Air

Find, clean up and prevent mold in your home.
Renewable Energy
12 Rekindling an Old Flame
The safe and environmentally sound use of wood heat.
38 Let the Sun Shine In

Solar Decathlon showcases leading-edge solar houses.
Organic Gardening
28 Go Native
Gardening with native plants and wildflowers.
Well-Being
36 Natural Health News
Good news about organics and natural remedies.
Natural Parenting
32 The Natural Child
Environmental problems hurt kids the most.
Natural Life Interview

20 Natural Food Store Owner Don Smith
Good food and a recipe for environmental consciousness.
Natural Life
From the Editors Desk

Trying to Lighten Up
The global warming warnings are getting heavier by the moment now. In response, conscientious people like Natural Life readers (not to mention owners and staff!) are responding to the growing sense of urgency by lightening up our respective footprints. And much of the rest of the worlds population with the notable exception of North American political leaders seems likewise engaged, if polls are to be believed. A recent BBC poll of 22,000 people in 21 countries found that four out of five people are ready to make serious changes to their lifestyles to address climate change even in the United States and China, the worlds two biggest emitters of carbon dioxide. In the U.S., thats a sea change in public opinion and its backed up by a study conducted by Yale University, Gallup and the ClearVision Institute. In that poll, 62 percent of respondents said that they believe life on earth will continue without major disruptions only if society takes immediate and drastic action to reduce global warming. Then why is my biggest problem not lightening my footprint but my mood? I keep wondering if all the sacrifice individuals are making really matter if governments and industry dont stop dithering. And the greenwash gets me down. The other day a PR firm sent me a whole case full of water in plastic bottles sourced from a spring in Fijiaccompanied by a press release telling me how it is the first bottled water brand to go carbon negative! Then I read about how an eight-passenger SUV won the Green Car of the Year award at the Los Angeles Auto Show. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was quoted as drooling, Theyve proven that they can make beautiful cars, strong cars, keep the size, keep the safety, and all those kinds of things, and at the same time be more fuel efficient. Maybe his heart is in the right place. After all, it is Hollywood. And Hollywood, says American author, columnist and blogger Arianna Huffington, has gone from the capital of conspicuous consumption to the cutting edge of conspicuous conservation. So Im trying to keep my senses of humor and perspective. One of the ways Im doing that is by working on the launch of Life Medias third periodical Natural Child Magazine, which grew out of the Natural Child column that has been a feature of Natural Life for so many years. Starting my own family almost 36 years ago is what got me on this road to a greener, fairer world, after all. Maybe the natural children in my family and their peers will be able to solve the problems my generation has created. Another way that Im trying to stay hopeful for the future is by writing and reading. One of the writers whose books Ill be exploring more thoroughly this year is a Tibetan Buddhist nun named Pema Chodron. She is a teacher at Gampo Abbey in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery for Westerners. Her books have titles that are well suited to these times, including No Time to Lose, The Places that Scare You, When Things Fall Apart, and Start Where You Are. And what better place to begin than with a quote from the latter title: The best gift you can give yourself is to lighten up. Enjoy 2008 and keep a light heart to accompany your lightened footprint. Wendy Priesnitz, Editor
Read Editor Wendy Priesnitz's weblog at www.WendyPriesnitz.com/blog
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From our Readers

Inspiration and Domes
Please accept my check for another three year subscription. Your magazine never fails to inspire me and give me hope that there are hearts and minds out there working hard to better our lifestyle and caring for the planet. Could you please, at some point, run an article on monolithic homes? Ive also read a bit on the geodesic greenhouses and would like to learn more about them. Thanks again for your great work! Margo Westaway Sicamous, British Columbia Editor: Monolithic Domes is a Texas-based company that produces a patented type of dome structure. We dont publish articles publicizing specific companies or brands. But we think it is about time that we did an article
about domes again, so well get to work. Thanks for the suggestion.
Safe Wood Finishes

In your Toxic Toys article (November/December, 2007) you recommend linseed oil as a toy finish. Recommending linseed oil as a wooden toy finish is a very bad idea. Linseed oil commonly comes in two forms. Raw linseed oil is one and may make a poor toy finish. It takes months to dry and remains quite sticky too. But very dangerous is the more common Boiled Linseed Oil variety, which makes a good finish, dries pretty quickly and is not as sticky. But to work such magic bad things are involved. They usually involve the addition of heavy metal dryers. (Read very toxic.) Boiled linseed oil should never be used around children. I agree with the walnut oil suggestion and it forms part of my two-part finish on my toys with the other part being sunflower oil, both of which I buy at the grocery store. These are drying oils and will not turn rancid as wood finishes, while giving substantial moisture and soil resistance. They have been used as wood finishes for centuries. Beeswax is more troublesome but will also serve. Thanks for your work in helping parents choose safe toys. I hope you can pass this on to your readers. I hate to think of children put at risk. John Michael Linck Madison, Wisconsin Editors response: Our article mentioned linseed oil, rather than boiled linseed oil, as a finish for wooden toys, but we should also have taken the space to explain further. Linseed oil is produced from flax seed and provides deep protection against water and dirt, while allowing the wood to breathe naturally; it can be used as a pre-treatment for surfaces that are to be waxed. However, pure linseed oil leaves a somewhat sticky surface and dries slowly. When heated, it gets thicker and dries faster. That sort of linseed oil is sometimes available as a natural wood finish and will be labeled as polymerized or heated. However, most hardware store linseed oil products labeled as boiled linseed oil contain petroleum-based solvents and metallic
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As this reader suggests, its use is somewhat controversial among woodworkers. For instance, Bob Flexner, a contributing editor to Popular Woodworking magazine and the author of the book Understanding Wood Finishes (Rodale Press), feels that either finish should be safe for children to chew on, once it has fully cured for around 30 days. But to err on the side of care, it isnt necessary to use hardware store grade boiled linseed oil. The Canadian natural wood finish company Eco-House Inc. sells a variety of environmentally-sound, healthy finishes that include linseed oil. In the U.S., Tried and True produces a line of linseed oil-based organic finishes that are also safe for toys.
Hanging Out
Hi Natural Life! I had to laugh at your article about clotheslines in the November/December issue, because it made me remember the good old days when it was a challenge to figure out which was more solidly frozen my fingers or the sheets that Id just brought in off the rope line and pulleys during our frigid northern winter. I was pleased when my young family could finally afford a clothes dryer so
that I would have the luxury of warm hands and warmer bedding. I recall missing that incomparable windy scent that lingered on in the sheets and towels.... Now, weve come full circle. A number of years ago, I saw the environmental light and realized that the electrical energy used to dry clothes was a waste. So we erected a fancy new clothesline and bought a new supply of clothes pegs. And now, Im just as proud of that as I once was of our shiny new electric dryer. Even though Im 40 years older, somehow I dont mind the routine of hanging our clothes out to dry. Maybe thats because my husband now helps. Maybe its because our family (and thus our laundry load) is smaller. Maybe I understand a bit more about how the world works. Great cover, by the way! Mimi Kinnear, Edmonton, Alberta
Update:
The Project Laundry List website mentioned in the Letting It All Hang Out article in Natural Lifes November/ December 2007 issue has been changed. You can find information about their clothesline campaign at the website: www.laundrylist.org.
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Ask Natural Life

Answers to reader questions about sustainable, healthy living
Can Technology Make Us Ill?

Q: Im confused about the level of danger associated with cell phones, cordless phones, high tension wires, wireless Internet connections and all the other electronic stuff that people tell me isnt good for me. The other day, someone told me that I shouldnt have my electric clock radio beside the head of my bed! What do you think about all of this? Are these things harmful? A: There is no doubt that the level of low frequency radio waves is increasing in our environment and that, as a result, most of us are living in an electronic smog. And while youre thinking about sources, dont forget baby monitors, dimmer switches, computer monitors, fluorescent light bulbs, halogen lights, radios, microwave ovens, just plain electrical wiring.all things that researchers say can make some people ill with symptoms that can include nausea, headaches, asthma, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, tinnitus, brain fog, restless sleep and rashes. The illness is sometimes called electrohypersensitivity or EHS. And it may be just the tip of the iceberg, since new research indicates that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) may cause damage at the cellular level. There is much puzzling and sometimes conflicting research on this topic; there are studies that corporations can use to placate peoples fears, as well as studies that could turn us all into Luddites. For instance, one study on hands-free mobile phones (i.e. those with a wired ear attachment) funded by the U.K. government contradicts another study by the Consumers Association, which found that the hands-free style tripled the radiation going into the users brain; the government study found that hands-free cell phones cut radiation by up to 80 percent! As far back as the pre-Wi-Fi and cell phone 1950s, it was found that relocating asthmatics to areas of low electrical fields eliminated their symptoms. But it took until 1998 for an international panel of researchers meeting in Vienna, Austria including a professor from Queens University in Canada and a representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to agree that the biological effects from low-intensity exposures to electromagnetic fields (EMF) are well-established. In 2004, the European Unions EMF Reflex Research Project an in vitro
study was released, showing that EMF radiation can damage DNA in human cells. The report also cautioned about the health risks of exposure to cell phone antennas (referred to as base stations). In 2006, the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) released the Benevento Resolution, which emphasizes that the accumulated evidence points to adverse health effects from occupational and public exposures to electric, magnetic and EMF at current exposure levels. Signed by 31 leading scientists from around the world, this resolution calls for governments to adopt guidelines for public and occupational EMF exposure that reflect the Precautionary Principle. By 2007, with the increasing popularity of wireless Internet, the sense of urgency had become stronger. Last fall, the European Environment Agency (EEA) called for immediate action to reduce exposure to radiation from Wi-Fi, cell phones and their transmission towers. It suggested that delay could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by
Page 7
asbestos, smoking and leaded gasoline. The warning followed an international scientific review which concluded that safety limits set for EMF radiation are thousands of times too lenient. The review, produced by the international BioInitiative Working Group of leading scientists and public health and policy experts, said the explosion of new sources has created unprecedented levels of artificial electromagnetic fields that now cover all but remote areas of the habitable space on Earth, causing long-term and cumulative exposure to
cally charged, they will stick to the tissue of the lungs and respiratory tract when they are inhaled. The greater the electrical field, the greater the charge on the particles, which increases the speed at which they strike the tissue, causing them to deform and embed in the tissue more firmly. Once embedded in the tissue, they can cause infection and other health problems. Cell phone signals utilize pulsed electromagnetic fields, which can greatly exceed the strength of other EMF fields like those from television and radio sig-
Research indicates that caution should be the principle guiding our usage of cell phones, wireless Internet technology and other gadgets.
massively increased radiation that has no precedent in human history. A study published in the journal Atmospheric Environment in August of 2007 describes how electrical fields from computers, cell phones, Wi-Fi systems and everyday household devices can give people asthma, influenza and other respiratory diseases. A team of scientists at Imperial College Londons Centre for Environmental Policy found that electrical fields can charge minute particles in the air such as viruses, allergens, bacteria and other toxic particles. The problem is that the charged particles are less than 80 times the thickness of human hair, so they are small, light and always airborne, which means they are constantly being inhaled. Once the particles are electriPage 8
nals. For instance, scientists at the 1998 Vienna Resolution symposium noted that in one study undertaken in Salzburg, Austria, they were up to 100 times greater. Because of that and the fact that cell phones are used in closer proximity to the body there has been a lot of research conducted into their safety. And the result of much of that research isnt pretty, with a few studies linking cell phone usage and cancer. One study, published in 2006 in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, found a significant increase in the risk for malignant brain tumors for subjects with first use of both cellular and cordless phones at less than 20 years of age. Another study of 12,000 mobile NaturalLifeMagazine.com
phone users in Sweden and Norway found a statistically significant association between calling time/number of calls per day and the prevalence of warmth behind/around or on the ear, headaches and fatigue. The mobile phone users studied used their phone less than two minutes or two calls per day. The researchers also found dose/response relationships with concentration, memory loss, fatigue and headache for people who used the phones for over one hour per day total. A study by Drs. Alexander Borbely, Peter Achermann and colleagues at the Neuroscience Center in Zurich, Switzerland demonstrated that the type and strength of electromagnetic radiation produced by mobile phones can affect the brain. Twenty-four men in their early 20s were exposed to an intermittent mobile phone signal whilst asleep (ruling out any placebo effect) for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Every time the signal was first switched on, their electroencephalogram patterns (tracings of the brains electrical activity) changed, becoming up to 15 percent stronger in some frequency ranges. The level did not drop immediately when the signal was switched off but reduced gradually over the night, suggesting some adaptation mechanism. The impact of other sources of electromagnetic fields on human health hasnt been as well studied. Nevertheless, there is concern. Last year, the president of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario banned Wi-Fi on campus, likening it to second-hand smoke. And Torontos public health department has questioned plans to install a citywide wireless network. High voltage power lines have been around much longer than Wi-Fi, but are another controversial source of EMR. A study published in 1979 in the American Journal of Epidemiology by Nancy Wertheimer and Ed Leeper reported an increased incidence of childhood leukemia, lymphomas and nervous system tumors for children exposed to very high electromagnetic fields, which related to the distance they lived from power lines and the thickness and number of conductors distributing electricity. More recently, a large, publicly-funded study in the UK found that children under the age
of 15 living within 100 meters of high-voltage power lines have nearly twice the risk of developing leukemia. The Oxford Childhood Cancer Research Group study involved 33 years of data on 35,000 children diagnosed with cancer. Magda Havas, an environmental science professor at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, has worked with citizens concerned about high voltage transmission. In her research, she has found that symptoms of MS, diabetes and other illnesses improve when capacitators are used to filter the radiation from the wiring in their homes. Since 1995, Havas has been teaching a unique course on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields at Trents Centre for Health Studies. In spite of all this research and scholarly activity, some people insist that the science is uncertain, and many physicians say EHS is psychological. But we must remember that the dangers of tobacco usage and second-hand smoke, not to mention the problem of global warming, have their share of naysayers many who are funded by the industries whose profits are threatened by the truth. Meanwhile, we along with many scientists world-wide urge the Precautionary Principle: If there seems to be a possibility of harm, limit your exposure. That may mean something as simple as moving an electric clock a few feet away from your bedside table, or as complicated as rethinking your cell phone and wireless Internet usage or where you live. The German government is already advising its citizens to use wired Internet connections instead of Wi-Fi and landlines instead of mobile phones. In 2005, Canadas top public official, Dr. David Butler-Jones, advised Canadians to limit their and their childrens use of cell phones until science resolves uncertainties about long-term health effects. Also in 2005, the UKs National Radiation Protection Board issued a warning that no child under age eight should use a cell phone, citing the growing scientific evidence that exposure poses a health risk. - NL -
What to Do?
Keeping your homes relative
humidity above 20 to 30 percent will help keep the level of EMR fields relatively lower. Ensure that electrical equipment is properly grounded. Unplug equipment when not in use. Non-carpeted floors and the use of natural materials in your home will create lower electrical fields. Use a corded phone/land line for day-to-day needs. If you use a cell phone, use an earpiece/headset, the speaker phone setting or text messaging. Since a cell phone radiates even when in standby mode, either keep it turned off or away from your body. Use cable or fiber-optic Internet technology rather than wireless. Avoid living near cellular towers and high tension power lines.
Learn More
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment www.healthandenvironment.org Powerwatch - www.powerwatch.org.uk EMR Policy Institute - www.emrpolicy.org International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety www.icems.eu Swedish Association for the Electrosensitive - www.feb.se Electromagnetic Man Health and hazard in the electrical environment by Dr. Cyril Smith and Simon Best (St Martins Press, 1990) The Powerwatch Handbook by Alasdair Philips and Jean Philips (Piatkus Books, 2006) EMF Book: What You Should Know About Electromagnetic Fields, Electromagnetic Radiation & Your Health by Mark Pinsky (Grand Central Publishing, 1995) Cross Currents The Perils of Electropollution, the Promise of Electromedicine by Robert O. Becker (Tarcher, 1990) The Invisible Disease: The Dangers of Environmental Illnesses Caused by Electromagnetic Fields and Chemical Emissions by Gunni Nordstrom (O Books, 2004)
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The Spirit of Interior Design

by Eileen Wosnack
Beds Go Green
inking into sumptuous clean bed linens with candles softly aglow is a luxury that we all enjoy. Going green in the bedroom is more than just a popular fad today and as most of those living the natural lifestyle have known for years, it just cannot get any better than that. The trouble is that the cost of an organic bed, complete with an organic latex rubber, organic wool and cotton mattress and Forest Stewardship Council certified wood foundations and frames is expensive, sometimes more than the average person can afford. There are many
options available now, but where does one start? Three of the most important areas of the bedroom are the bed, the surfaces (walls and floors) and the bedding. Starting with the bed, there are several price points to note when considering the lifetime investment of an organic bedroom. We sleep on our beds a third of our lives. That is one third of the time spent in renewal of energies that should be absolutely free from chemicals. If there is one investment to be made in the next renovation, though, this one is the least seen by
others and the least impressive; it is likely the most valuable to your overall health. Choose the absolute best mattress you can afford. Natural is good, however, organic is better. Several companies have begun to manufacture natural beds with lower levels of fire retardant chemicals and a new foam that does not off-gas as much as the old polyurethane foams did. Look for one without a Teflon finish to repel stains. If you are ready and able to take the plunge to invest in your sleep and your health, buy a totally organic sleep system. The rubber tree fluid used to create the latex, the wool and cotton used to wrap the mattress, and the FSC wood and adhesives are all put together using an old European technology to provide one of the gentlest, natural comfort levels in sleep that there is, all chemical-free. The second option to consider, if the price is not affordable for the investment in a totally organic sleep system, is to get
Sleep is a time to detoxify and regenerate. But pollutants commonly found in bedrooms, such as toxic chemicals, dust mites and low levels of mold in beds and bedding, affect our bodies ability to truly rest and heal during sleep. Common symptoms include chronic sinus problems, feeling stuffed up, sneezing and runny nose, sleeping poorly and/or waking up with fatigue, headaches, foggy thinking, joint pain and skin irritations.
The Alternate Press

Books and magazines about natural living since 1976
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rid of your conventional mattress at least and buy either an organic latex foam mattress or an inner spring mattress with organic upholstery coverings. Another choice is to buy a cotton mattress or futon made with organic materials. What you put on your bed is also important in the romantic bedroom setting. Invest in the best mattress cover and barrier cloth that you can afford to protect your mattress. There are several companies that bring in organic cotton bedding from India and one that contracts American farmers to grow organic cotton in the USA. The quality of the bedding is good, the cotton soft and, the best part of all, there are no chemicals used in the entire process from seed to sheet. Dont forget that your pillows and duvets should be of wool, feathers, down, cotton or silk. Wash natural bedding in soap, not detergent. Borax and washing soda may be added and a half cup of vinegar in the rinse water should aid in removing the residues of washing. If possible, hang the bedding out in the sunshine to air out and dry, or just to freshen it on a weekly basis. Turn your organic mattress end for end and flip it over every two months to provide even wear and to allow all sides to breathe. Here is one tip you will love: Do not make your bed in the morning! Instead, remove the duvet to allow the mattress to evaporate the moisture from your body that collected as you slept. Hang the blanket on a blanket holder or over the edge of the footboard or a chair, open the window a crack and leave the bed exposed for the day. Now that was easy! Sleep should be a wonderful, restful and relaxing experience, free from the onslaught of chemicals and other pollutants. Burning a beeswax candle before retiring will help purify the air and it doesnt hurt to create a little romance in the atmosphere either. [Be careful to place the candle in a safe place so it cant be knocked over and extinguish it fully before falling asleep.] Then sink down into the clean, organic bedding and dream your dreams in green. Eileen Wosnack is the principal designer of Spirit Interior Design in White Rock, British Columbia and founder of Eclectrix Organic Home, a sustain-
For about one third of our lives, our bodies are in direct contact with the materials we sleep in and on. And we inhale whatever is in those materials.
able organic interiors store. She is a member of the Canada Green Building Council and the Organic Trade Association. She is also an educator and speaker who is working on her first book Lakota
Wisdom. Her natural home design column is a regular feature in Natural Life Magazine. Contact her through her website www.spiritinteriors.com. - NL -
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Renewable Energy
Rekindling An Old Flame

by Rolf Priesnitz
Wood heat can be environmentally responsible if you use high efficiency equipment and sensible burning practices
ew people would argue that there is nothing more relaxing on a chilly evening than gathering around a warm, cozy fire that radiates rich, soothing heat. But burning wood and releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere might not seem so relaxing at this time of heightened awareness of the dangers of climate change! However, if youre burning well seasoned wood in a new generation, high efficiency wood burning appliance, you shouldnt have to worry. Aside from that, if the destruction of forests contributes to global warming and if planting trees in your community is a good strategy to control greenhouse gas concentrations, then how can using wood for home heating be justified? Good question. And one answer comes from John Gulland, an independent Canadian wood heat consultant, researcher and author of a number of books on wood heat, including one written for the federal government that has sold over a million copies. He says that the answer lies in the natural cycle of growth, maturity, decay and re-growth of trees and forests. A healthy forest is not a museum, but a living community of plants and animals. When trees are used for energy, a part of the forests carbon bank is diverted from the natural decay and forest fire cycle into our homes to heat them. He says that heating with wood does not contribute to the greenhouse effect as does heating with one of the fossil fuels like oil and gas. When oil and gas are burned, carbon that has been buried within the earth for thousands of years is released in the form of carbon dioxide, a by-product of combustion. The result is an increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, which is the main cause of the greenhouse effect. Although carbon makes up about half the weight of firewood and is released as carbon dioxide when the wood is burned, it is part of a natural cycle. A tree absorbs carbon dioxide from the air as it grows and uses this carbon to build its structure. When the tree falls and decays in the forest, or is processed into firewood and burned, the carbon is released again to the atmosphere. This cycle can be repeated forever without a net increase in atmospheric carbon. Gulland also points out that a big advantage of wood over the fossil fuels is that its main environmental impact occurs at the point of use and is visible for all to see. In contrast, the real environmental impacts of oil and gas are hidden from view because they occur during extraction, refining and transportation of the fuels to market. In addition, wood is usually harvested lo-
cally, eliminating the energy miles contribution of the transportation of other fuels from across the country or around the world. Still, if you are using wood to heat your home, you should aim for no pollution, or at least as little as possible. Incompletely burned or smoldering wood produces smoke. That smoke is basically a cloud of unstable and smelly hydrocarbon molecules containing dozens of chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic. A very hot, turbulent fire, on the other hand, results in carbon dioxide, some carbon monoxide, some other gases, water vapor and some not completely oxidized hydrocarbon particulates. Older, inefficient woodstoves and fireplaces emit particulates at the rate of 40 to 60 grams per hour of operation. But the newer, more clean burning wood heating technologies are in the range of 2 to 5 grams per hour. Aside from polluting, a smoky fire wastes fuel and creates creosote in your chimney, which can lead to a fire. w
Firewood
Always burn dry, seasoned firewood, not wet or freshly cut wood. Wood only dries from the surface inward, so unsplit pieces dry very slowly. To properly season wood, split the logs as soon as possible and stack them in a dry spot for 6 to 18 months. Pile the wood loosely, allowing air to circulate through the split logs. Seasoned firewood has around 20 percent moisture content, is easier to light and will burn more efficiently. Green or wet wood releases less heat energy but more smoke from the fire because it must first evaporate the moisture before producing useful heat. Hardwoods such as oak, hickory and elm tend to produce a longer-lasting fire. Aspen builds a hot fire, which helps clean your chimney. One of the keys to ecologically sound wood burning is to ensure that the forest from which your wood is harvested maintains a stable level of variously aged trees and provides a good habitat for a diversity of other species, both plants and animals. So buy firewood that is harvested using sustainable forestry practices. If you are not lucky enough to own a woodlot, buy your firewood from the person who does; owners are less likely to damage their forests. At least ascertain that the wood you buy was not the result of clear-cutting.
Page 13
Woodstoves
If you have an old potbellied woodstove or ancient fireplace insert, put it in the care of a metal recycler so it can no longer be used. A new stove or fireplace that uses advanced technology will produce a more stable fire and cut the pollution rate by up to 90 percent when compared with older models, especially those sold before 1988. Because of the inefficiency and the lack of smoke control technology in these older hearth products, burning firewood in them produces significantly more smoke than is necessary. The best choice for a low-polluting wood burning appliance in one labeled by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) or another testing and certification body for safety. All wood stoves and fireplace inserts sold today in the U.S. are re-
For wood burning thats safe for the health of the environment and your family, use only a certified airtight woodburning appliance; install, operate and maintain it properly; have your chimney cleaned regularly; burn dry, seasoned wood; and avoid accidents while loading wood or opening your stove door.
quired to be certified to be low-emission according to EPA standards and the Canadian government recommends EPA certification too.
Pellet Stoves
One of cleanest-burning and most highly efficient choices is a pellet stove. Instead of logs, pellet stoves burn a renewable fuel made of recycled sawdust and other biomass wastes compressed into pellets and fed into the stove through a hopper. Some people feel that depending upon a manufactured product is problematic, as it was in 2005 when the stoves popularity led to a temporary shortage of pellets. There are, however, stoves that can burn corn kernels and hulled wheat, even cherry pits and other material. Their efficiency is based on controlling the fuel-to-air ratio within the stove, ensuring almost complete combustion of the fuel and generating minimal wood smoke. Because they pollute so little, pellet stoves do not require EPA certification; some manufacturers, however, voluntarily seek this certification. Unlike wood stoves and fireplaces, most pellet stoves need electricity to operate, but require less installation space than other types of stoves and can be easily vented through a wall, unlike log-burning stoves. Most pellet stoves produce a small fire that, concentrated in the center of the unit, burns hot. If you like the look of a fire, choose a unit with a good flame pattern and large viewing glass.
Size it Right
Wood stoves come in different sizes, so be sure you purchase the correct size for your application. Small stoves are suitable for heating a family room or a seasonal cottage. In larger homes with older central furnaces, you can use a small stove for zone heating a specific area of your home. This can reduce fuel consumption, conserve energy and save you dollars while maintaining comfort. Medium-sized stoves are suitable for heating small houses, medium-sized energy-efficient houses and cottages used in winter. Large stoves are suitable for larger, open plan houses or older, leakier houses in colder climate zones. Talk with experienced hearth product retailers who know the performance characteristics of the products they sell. Taking along a floor plan of your home will help you obtain the proper advice regarding sizing of your woodburning appliance.
Page 14
One drawback of pellet stoves is that theyre relatively complex in design. The various moving parts and motors require occasional maintenance. Its a good idea to select a model that gives you easy access to any parts that need care. A variety of styles are available in both freestanding stoves and fireplace inserts. Some manufacturers also make pellet-fueled furnaces and boilers that are designed to take the place of or supplement conventional heating systems.
Chimneys
No woodburning stove, fireplace or furnace can function properly without a good chimney. A good chimney means that fires will be easy to light, that the draft (the suction that keeps smoke from coming into the room) will build quickly, that smoke will not fill the room when you light a fire or open the door to tend to the fire and that no cold air will leak into the house. The right combination of chimney and stove or fireplace insert is important because heat in your chimney creates draft, which pulls in more combustion air, which makes the fire burn hotter (and lessens smoke), which delivers more heat to the chimney, which makes more draft. When planning your system, get some reliable advice so that the chimney is:
Masonry Heaters
While a masonry heater may look like a fireplace, it is actually a site-built or site-assembled solid-fuel heating device, consisting of a firebox, a large masonry mass and a maze of heat exchange channels. It is designed to be fed with wood in the morning and its hot, rapid fire can be left to burn on its own. The heat channels through a baffling system inside the stove and the masonry structure stores heat from the rapidly burning fire, then slowly releases the heat into your home for the next 18 to 24 hours. The rapid burn means high efficiency and no smoke from a smoldering fire. Thus, your house is kept warm but never overheated and air pollution is reduced dramatically. And as an added benefit, the heaters surface remains cool to the touch. Masonry stoves have been used to heat homes in Scandinavia for centuries, and are being rediscovered in other parts of the world. Because masonry stoves are handcrafted in place, many of them look like beautiful works of custom art. They are so efficient that they do not require EPA certification.
the correct type the correct size, which is usually the size of the
stoves outlet collar (too big is as bad as too small)
the proper height (often taller than minimum code

requirements)
the proper configuration (straight up, if possible, with

no horizontal runs or changes in direction)
properly located (through the interior of the house

where possible)
Fireplace Inserts
If you rely on your fireplace for added warmth on cold days or even just for some romance consider a fireplace insert. They are similar in function and performance to free-standing stoves, but are designed to be installed within the firebox of an existing fireplace. You can choose from EPA-certified inserts that burn wood, pellets or gas that provide the same safe efficiency as their stove counterparts. Some fireplace inserts include state-of-the-art features such as fans and thermostatic controls (depending on the fuel). An open fireplace consumes between 200 and 600 cubic feet per minute of room air. Modern, tightly built houses cannot tolerate that level of exhaust flow without becoming de-
properly installed following building code or

manufacturers instructions
properly insulated with a flue liner (to keep the

exhaust hot until its expelled outside
Page 15
Catalytic or Not?
Catalytic wood stoves and fireplace inserts have ceramic honeycombed chambers coated with a metal catalyst (usually platinum or palladium) through which smoky exhaust gases are passed. That increases the rate of combustion and produces a long, steady heat output, even when burning at lower temperatures for longer periods of time. The catalytic combustor burns away gases and particulates that would normally be emitted into the air. A lever-operated catalyst bypass damper opens for starting and loading, making their operation a bit more complicated that other stoves. The catalytic element degrades over time, must be maintained and eventually replaced. With non-catalytic wood stoves, combustion occurs in the firebox, aided by the use of firebox insulation, a baffle to divert gas flow and pre-heated combustion air introduced through small holes all around the upper part of the firebox. These stoves are generally less expensive than catalytic wood stoves, require less maintenance and in some models provide an opportunity for viewing the fire. Both options have their benefits and limitations, as well as legions of loyal users who swear that their favorite is better than the other.
tion boilers, including those popular in Europe have continuous burn, dual combustion chambers. They are designed to burn a load of wood in one continuous burn and transfer the heat to a water storage container where it is stored until the heat is needed. Boilers with a single combustion chamber, on the other hand, provide an on-demand burn. The extreme temperatures required for complete combustion are maintained by a thermal mass inside the boiler, removing the need for the water storage tank. An outdoor wood-fired furnace eliminates the problems associated with indoor burning. You dont have to bring firewood inside, and all burning takes place remotely, up to 500 feet away. Eliminating indoor burning can help alleviate respiratory and allergy problems that might be caused by exposure to moldy firewood and ashes. Because an outdoor furnace burns larger pieces of wood up to six feet in length and there is no splitting required, many of the time-consuming chores of tending a traditional wood stove are eliminated. But you do need to remember that unsplit wood will require a longer drying time. In the past, outdoor wood furnaces have had a reputation for being inefficient and highly polluting. But the
pressurized, resulting in a polluting fire and smoke venting into the room. Because they suck up so much room air, open fireplaces deliver between zero and 20 percent efficiency. Thats because your house furnace has to work harder to heat up the outside air that must come in to replace air exhausted by the fireplace. So the minimum required before lighting a fire in your existing fireplace is a set of ceramic glass doors that will prevent air leakage up the chimney and allow heat radiation into the room.
Learn More
Wood Heat Organization www.woodheat.org US Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/woodstoves Masonry Heater Association of North America www.mha-net.org National Fireplace Institute www.nficertified.org Pellet Fuels Institute www.pelletheat.org Outdoor Furnace Facts www.outdoorfurnacefacts.com The New Woodburners Handbook (Down-to-Earth Energy Book) A Guide to Safe, Healthy and Efficient Woodburning by Stephen Bushway (Storey Publishing, 1992) The Book of Masonry Stoves Rediscovering an Old Way of Warming by David Lyle (Chelsea Green, 1996) Natural Home Heating The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Options by Greg Pahl (Chelsea Green, 2003)
Wood Furnaces
If you are building a new home or are open to a major renovation project, you might want to consider a wood- or corn-burning furnace, especially an outdoor one. Outdoor furnaces (also referred to as outdoor boilers) are freestanding units that heat water by burning seasoned wood, wood pellets or corn. In cold climates, anti-freeze is added to the water. The hot water is circulated to and from your home through underground, insulated piping. Once inside your home, the heated water circulates through heat exchangers, radiant floor tubing or radiators and the air temperature is controlled with a thermostat. Systems are compatible with existing heating systems including forced air, radiant floor, radiant baseboard or other heating applications, including domestic hot water. Some wood furnaces are called wood gasification boilers. They provide complete combustion, thereby creating minimal emissions and less ash, and requiring less wood. Many gasificaPage 16
Health Effects
While preserving the health of our environment is crucial, the need to protect human health from wood smoke is just as important. Wood smoke is a complex mixture of substances. According to the International Conference on Residential Wood Combustion in 1986, the major emissions are carbon monoxide, organic gases containing carbon, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Wood smoke also contains organic compounds such as benzopyrenes, dibenzanthracenes and dibenzocarbazoles, and other toxic compounds such as aldehydes, phenols and cresols. The particulate component is made up of solid or liquid organic compounds, carbon char (soot) and inorganic ash. These particle are too small to be filtered by the nose and upper respiratory system, so they wind up in the lungs where they can cause a decrease in lung function and an increase in the severity of existing lung disease. The occurrence of respiratory illness in children has been shown to increase with increased exposure to wood smoke. Wood smoke can also aggravate asthma, emphysema, pneumonia and bronchitis, irritate the eyes and trigger headaches and allergies. Researchers working for the EPA have estimated that the lifetime cancer risk from wood stove emissions may be 12 times greater than the lifetime cancer risk from exposure to an equal amount of cigarette smoke. Eliminating these health exposures is a good reason to use only a certified airtight woodburning appliance; to install, operate and maintain it properly; to have your chimney cleaned regularly; to only burn dry, seasoned wood; and to avoid accidents while loading wood or opening your stove door.
EPA is now certifying some models, and these are said to be as clean as the most efficient woodstove when installed and used properly. Another advantage is that some insurance companies prefer outdoor wood burning furnaces over indoor wood stoves because they remove the fire hazard from the home. No matter what sort of woodburning appliance you choose for your home, its installation will affect its efficiency and, therefore, its pollution status. The EPA recommends that your wood stove or fireplace insert be professionally installed by a certified technician to insure its safety and proper performance. There must be proper clearances between the stove and venting system and combustible materials, proper protection of combustible floors and proper assembly of the appliance and chimney components. Errors in installation may not be visible, and problems may not be apparent for a considerable length of time and then only by a resulting house fire or severe pollution exposure. Here are some things to look for that could alert you to the fact that your stove is not burning hot enough. When wood burns at a high enough temperature, it should flame until only charcoal remains. If there are no flames, something is wrong. If there are firebricks, they should be tan in color, never black. Steel or cast iron parts in the firebox should be hot enough to turn light to dark brown, never black and shiny. With seasoned wood, correct air settings and proper loading arrangement, a new load of wood will ignite almost instantly. That is, the bottom pieces should be flaming by the time the door is closed. The exhaust coming from the top of the chimney should be perfectly clear or white with steam, not blue or gray. Some environmentalists will insist that burning wood for energy is fundamentally not green. But many people are reluctant to give up the charm of a woodburning fireplace or stove, or have little other choice as the primary method to heat their homes. If you follow the ideas and instructions in this article, you will greatly lessen the negative effect on the environment and on your familys health. - NL -
Page 17
Healthy Homes
Clear the Air

Find, Clean Up and Prevent Mold in Your Home
by Virginia Salares Mold growing inside your home can pose a health risk for occupants. But it can be controlled and prevented.
old of any kind growing inside your home can pose a serious health risk, especially if anyone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies. But as long as you know where to look, what to look for and how to prevent or clean up mold in your home you should be able to keep any potential mold problems under control, and therefore keep your family happy and healthy.
Step One: Find out if you have a mold problem
Mold tends to grow almost anywhere there is excess moisture. This includes kitchens and bathrooms where there are plumbing leaks, wet or cold basements, wet windowsills or anywhere water is coming in through the floor, walls or roof. Kitchens and bathrooms will not have mold unless there are unattended leaks or other moisture problems. What causes mold to grow? For mold to grow, there doesnt need to be visible running Molds are microscopic fungi that are able to grow and reprowater. Dampness alone can provide enough moisture for mold duce rapidly. They are a necessary part of our environment, to grow. Daily activities like bathing, washing clothes and cookbreaking down waste and producing antibiotics. A problem ocing, as well as pets and too many plants, are sources of moisture. curs when mold grows where we dont want it to, such as inside Also, during colder weather, moisture can form on cold surour homes. Once inside, mold can cause problems ranging from faces, such as window panes or walls that are lacking sufficient damage to materials, to allergic reactions and respiratory disinsulation. eases. Visible signs of mold are discoloration or spotting. If you So what can you do to keep mold out of your home? suspect a stain to be mold, try dabbing it with a drop of housePage 18 NaturalLifeMagazine.com
hold bleach; if it loses its color, it may be mold. Also, a lingering musty smell tells you there is mold. Even if you dont see mold or notice a smell, wet spots, dampness or evidence of a leak should tell you that mold either already exists or is on its way. Most peoples gut reaction when they suspect they may have a mold problem is that they want the house tested for mold. Test results will not help, so save your money and use it to either clean up the problem or have a professional do it for you. Its also important to remember that mold is just one possible irritant that can lead to allergies or respiratory difficulties. Many other activities, such as smoking, storing toxic chemicals or harsh cleaners indoors, using an unvented heater or fireplace, burning candles/incense or using plug-in air fresheners can be an irritant for some people. So if someone in your family is having trouble breathing, make sure to look at other potential causes as well.
Step Three: Prevent mold from forming

Of course, the best way to deal with a mold problem is to prevent it from growing inside your home in the first place. To start, find and fix any leaks that could be allowing water to seep into your home from the outside. Clean and replace your furnace filters regularly. Clean and vacuum your home on a regular basis, preferably with a central vacuum that vents outdoors or one that has a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. Get rid of excess clutter, because mold not only grows on stored materials that absorb and retain moisture, but clutter also reduces air circulation. Also, keep all areas of the house heated. Think of the ways you can keep your home dry. Hang wet laundry outside to dry when the weather permits, not inside. Use your bathroom and kitchen fans. From spring to fall, a dehumidifier in the basement is a must to control dampness in most northern climates. In the winter, when you see condensation on windows, this tells you that there may be too much moisture in your home. For people living in rented apartments or houses, the responsibility for cleaning up mold can fall with either the tenant, the landlord or both. If you find mold, tell your landlord or superintendent about it, and get their permission before trying to clean even a small area. If the mold comes back after repeated cleaning, work with your landlord to identify and fix the problem at the source.
Step Two: Clean up the problem

Dealing with mold requires a combination of strategies ventilation, keeping surfaces warm and reducing moisture. If your house has a small patch of mold (no larger than about a square meter), you can clean it yourself using a simple solution of water and unscented detergent, household rubber gloves and a disposable mask for protection. If the mold patch covers an area between one and three square meters (say, about the size of a four-by-eight sheet of plywood), you may be able to clean it up yourself. But you need heavier duty respiratory protection and the work area may need special preparation. It is helpful to consult with a professional first to find out how the mold got there. Being exposed to any amount of mold larger than three square meters for any amount of time is not a good idea. If your home has an extensive or recurring mold problem, seek professional help. If you do clean up the mold yourself, using bleach is not recommended. Although a tiny amount of bleach can be used to test for mold, it will not cure the mold problem and breathing its fumes can be harmful to those living in your home and to the environment.
Clear the air!

By following these simple steps, you should be able to keep your home mold-free and your family safe and sound all year-round. Virginia Salares is a senior researcher and indoor air quality expert with the research division of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. - NL -
Learn More
CMHC www.cmhc.ca (search mold) 1-800-668-2642
Page 19
Natural Life Interview
Natural Life Editor Wendy Priesnitz talks to
Award-winning natural food retailer Don Smith

on Smith (pictured above with his wife and partner Claire,) is co-owner of Foodsmiths, a natural food store in Perth, Ontario that carries products in every category found in a typical supermarket. It is, at over 6,500 square feet, one of the larger natural food retailers in the province. It has won a number of awards for its retailing expertise and environmental impact, including the 2004 Canadian Health Food Store Association (CHFA) Award for the Best Natural Food Store in Canada. In September, 2007, Don won the CHFA People of Excellence Award for his environmental consciousness.
NL: Foodsmiths opened, I believe, in 1976 the same year that Natural Life magazine was launched. I guess we were both part of the back-to-the-land movement and a home-based one at that! Didnt Foodsmiths start out in your house? Can you describe those early years for our readers? Don: They were humble beginnings in an old log house without electricity or running water. There was an enclosed back porch that was perfect for storing food in the winter since it was uninsulated and therefore cold in the winter. But the dried dates had to be kept by the wood stove to be warm enough to separate a small portion from the bulk block. Our customers were friends and neighbors that we had previously collaborated with to rent a truck twice a year to go to Toronto or Montreal to purchase bulk foods together to save money and to buy natural and organic foods that simply were not available in the area. We were surprised by how many people made the effort to patronize such an undeveloped business. It really gave us a sense of the popularity and need for the products. NL: Why did you get into the natural foods business? Did you have a plan for a different career path when you were a teenager?
allow better accessibility by more people. NL: How did the business get from those early days to its current level of size and success? I know that youve had a few moves and redesigns over the years. Don: Four moves and expansions later, we are in our current location with each move allowing for more floor space, better parking and better visibility. Financially, it was a struggle to attain adequate financing and we had to call upon relatives for funds and mortgage our home in order raise enough equity to
Foodsmiths is an environmentally aware, 6,500 square foot natural food store in rural Ontario. It has grown considerably from its 1976 origins in the enclosed back-porch of co-founders Don and Claire Smiths old log house.
convince the bank to lend us the money to expand. However, we had a very supportive bank manager who went to bat in order to convince the bank that we were a good bet. We couldnt have done without this consistent relationship with our account manager. There were times, particularly in the early 80s when borrowing rates soared above 20 percent, when we thought we wouldnt make it. We learned how to be extremely frugal and efficient when those times were so tough.
Don: I knew I had an entrepreneurial spirit from my childhood paper route days but really became interested in food, particularly natural foods, when we moved to Vancouver in the early 70s with a household full of alternative foods eaters. That led into being involved in setting up the East End Food Co-op, which concentrated on natural and organic foods. We then moved back east to Ottawa, looking to open a business related to natural foods, herbs and/or supplements. In the meantime, we were lured by the attraction of country living and ended up in the Perth area about an hour from Ottawa and opened up a store, although it wasnt a true retail store as I alluded to in the previous question. Six months later we decided to move the business to Perth and open a proper retail storefront, mainly to
NL: How does a large natural food store thrive in a small rural town? Ive seen smaller stores go out of business in areas with a larger market. Page 21
Don: I cant say that I know the answer to thriving in a small town myself and I am truly amazed by our size relative to our size of market. From what I know, were the largest natural food store per capita in Canada. I think this is mostly attributable to having a store culture that listens to, and is open to, suggestions and change when it is best for the overall good of the customer base. It entails being open-minded while not having a dictatorial attitude of what you think is right for your customers. For example, at one time we were steadfast in not carrying products that contained white sugar, and after we began to raise children, our attitude towards controlling others habits had to shift kids do that to you. We felt that we could better educate a larger customer base to make informed choices to manage their sugar intake rather than not provide some of the products they were looking for. We wanted to be a store that felt welcoming and comfortable to anyone, not only to the dedicated natural and health food customer. For a long time, we couldnt source organic produce very easily so we sold very little organic compared to conventional produce. There has been a shift in our store towards organic over the years but I will personally buy local, in-season, beautiful, fresh, conventionally-grown broccoli over California-shipped broccoli at $5.99 when theres a choice and most of our customers feel the same way. I see it as a more realistic and relaxed rural attitude. We have also been able to encourage local producers to shift towards organic by not shutting them out in the first place. Also, were very proactive when it comes to ideas that we think will improve efficiency and make sense. We embrace technology when it makes a lot of sense. NL: So how would you describe your philosophy of retailing? And has it changed over the years? Don: I have certainly learned more about retailing over the years but I cant say that my philosophy has changed. Some of my basic retailing premises are: Listen to and try to anticipate what your customers are saying about what goods and services they are looking for. At the same time, look at the market and determine whether those needs are being fulfilled and/or whether you can do it better than anyone else in your market area or not. At the same time listen to your staff and what they are telling you are your customers needs, especially if they are closer to the front lines than you are. Treat your staff as you would like to be treated and it will not only pay off but it will be a better place for everyone to work. Constantly reinforce with your staff that they should be focused on one priority, and that is to fulfill customers needs and that is best done in a compassionate and understanding manner. Try to predict trends and stay on top of them if not ahead of them. Page 22
Todays talk of turning off lights when not in us
required seems almost foreign to me becaus
intrinsically. But weve grown into a wasteful, m
of energy and consumer goods in general. Im than when you found it. If we all used this rule
campers credo that states always leave your
we wouldnt have the environmental mess tha
Always be on the look-out for better ideas and try to constantly improve your customers experience. NL: If you havent changed your philosophy much, the natural food industry certainly has changed over the years. How do you view that? Are these changes positive or negative? Don: As usual, there are good things and bad things happening in our industry. But on the whole, the change is positive. Independent retailers are still thriving in our industry and will likely continue to, but its becoming a tougher and more competitive retail market out there. There are some very big players paying attention to the growth in the market and wanting a bigger piece of the pie, if not all the pie. And they have the resources to capture some of that market with better efficiencies. But they also have a disadvantage in that it is intrinsically more difficult to create that bond, or close relationship with the customer, because huge companies and close relationships are a dichotomy. When it comes to health, nothing will ever substitute for the close relationship that is required when dealing with ones personal health issues. As well, food can be very personal and part of a dynamic lifestyle and there will always be room for the retailer who captures that personal and exciting approach to food. The health food retailer who continues to be stuck in the past, who doesnt update or keep the store tidy and clean, will be a thing of the past in the very near future. Although prices are becoming more competitive, price is still not the number one reason that most consumers prefer one store over another. More importantly, it is customer service...how customers are treated and served by staff, as well as selection and cleanliness that are most important to todays consumer. NL: Clearly, reducing the stores environmental footprint is an important part of your philosophy. What is behind that? Don: I have always been thrifty in my personal life and do not like to see waste. This contributes to financial efficiencies, of course, and has a by-product of having less environmental impact. Todays talk of turning off lights when not in use or turning down heat sources when not required seems almost foreign to me because its so logical, people should be doing it intrinsically. But weve grown into a wasteful, more affluent society with inexpensive sources of energy and consumer goods in general. In other words, we can afford to be wasteful but its starting to catch up with us on an environmental level. Im an avid camper and I like to use the campers credo that states: Always leave your route and campsite as good as or better than when you found it. If we all used this rule as much as we could in our everyday lives we wouldnt have the environmental mess that we have today. I have always looked at ways in which our business could do a little better on the environmental front hoping that any idea would translate into savings. Generally, Page 23
se or turning down heat sources when not e its so logical, people should be doing it
more affluent society with inexpensive sources
m an avid camper and I like to use the as much as we could in our everyday lives
r route and campsite as good as or better
at we have today.
weve been able to accomplish this goal but if not, we have at least raised environmental awareness in our community, which can then snowball into actions by others as well. On a personal note, I ride my bike 10km to work almost every day in the better weather. But I do this for several reasons and admit that my primary reason is not to lessen my environmental footprint, though that is a great benefit. It is because it is so enjoyable it clears the head and the fresh air is exhilarating and Im sure there are health benefits galore. NL: Could you describe some of the initiatives the store has taken to reduce energy consumption and preserve the environment?
Don: A good example of this snowball effect in our town was the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) program initiated by Foodsmiths. A group of concerned citizens took the idea and convinced the largest retailers in town to begin a BYOB program in order to decrease the use of throw-away plastic bags in Perth. Its been a runaway success. Just having the solar panels on our roof has spawned several inquiries with people giving this much more consideration than they had previously. Being in such a public location and position has responsibilities and benefits. Why not use the spotlight to make the most of it? Our most popular environmental initiatives include: Charging 10 cents for new plastic bags with the proceeds (beyond the cost of the bag) going to local charities.
How Foodsmiths lessens its environmental footprint

Buying Local
Use/sell locally made products and produce in order to support other local businesses Cater to local businesses and consumers, specializing in local, seasonal goods for office parties and meetings Produce fresh meals in-house to provide consumers with a healthy, fresh local choice Exterior lighting, air conditioning/heating and in-house electronics are set on timers to maximize efficiency.
Pollution Prevention
Offer employees a safe place to lock up bicycles and showering facilities to encourage walking/roller blading/biking to work Create policy to ensure that cars and delivery trucks are not left idling and post signs to that effect in our parking area Sell reusable bags and offer incentive for customers to use any reusable bag: Charge 10 cents for a new plastic bag with proceeds going to charity Pay customers to bring back their vitamin bottles for recycling Donate all unsaleable but useable food to the local Food Bank
Waste Reduction
Continually source packaging with lower environmental impact; reuse packaging for mail order customers Compost unsold fruits, vegetables and grains Use recycled paper in the office and reuse paper whenever possible Reduce margins, font sizes and line spacing and use double-sided printing to reduce the amount of paper used Purchase recycled or remanufactured products such as paper, toner and ink cartridges. Implement a waste reduction program Properly dispose of hazardous waste
Social and Environmental Responsibility

Sell and provide shade-grown fair trade coffee instead of commercial coffee Offer products that are not tested on animals and that are biodegradable Buy environmentally friendly products
Energy Conservation
Install energy-efficient lighting Reduce thermostat settings when closed Avoid over-lighting areas Hot water heating is supplemented by solar panels on roof
Water Conservation
Repair leaking pipes, hoses, fittings and faucets immediately Install water saving devices and timers on taps, showers and toilets Use environmentally friendly landscaping avoid over-watering, water early in the morning
Turn off equipment, including computers and lights, when not in use Conduct routine maintenance on refrigeration, heating and ventilation equipment Page 24
BYOB reusable bag program whereby we give a customer a five cent token for every plastic carry out bag they save us and they in turn put the token in a choice of donation boxes to be distributed to the charities of the month. A vitamin bottle recycling program where we give customers a 50 cent coupon for their old empty vitamin bottles towards their next supplement purchase. Unsaleable but usable food goes to the Local Food Bank rather than in the garbage. We have replaced and are working towards replacing every incandescent light bulb with a high-efficiency fluorescent or CFL bulb. Solar heat supplements our hot water needs. NL: You were involved with founding something called the Health First Network what is it, why did it start and how does it work?
Don: From day one our store has always made local products a priority, when feasible. Supporting local initiatives generally makes sense no matter how you look at it. That being said, organic food needs to be supported for all the obvious reasons. But it doesnt make environmental sense to transport organic lettuce from California if it is produced much more locally. The environmental footprint that the transportation of that head of lettuce creates is much greater than the pollution generated by producing the head of lettuce non-organically. There are many local farms migrating to organic growing practices and well have the best of both worlds eventually. We certainly offer more, in-season, organi-
Don: It started with a group of 22 stores, including Foodsmiths, that initiated a private label supplement program in conjunction with a supplement manufacturer. When the manufacturer decided to end the program, the stores involved felt that the program worked so well, and that it had so much more potential, we would continue it independent of the manufacturer. The group of stores, called United Health Merchants at the time, decided to expand our mandate to include buying and marketing efficiencies. Staff was then hired to solicit more member stores and expand the services provided. It has evolved since then to become much more significant and sophisticated, and the group changed its name to Health First Network. As Chairman of the Board at the time, I had to step in to take charge of CEO duties when the network was experiencing rocky times about three years ago. But it is now stronger than ever with a new CEO at the helm and growing faster than ever with services provided to members and efficiencies for our preferred vendors becoming more and more a reality, fulfilling the vision of those 22 founders many years ago. Amongst the direct buying and marketing services, the Network gives a united and more substantial voice within our industry and has the potential to compete with chain stores and conglomerates. As well, it offers a forum to enable retailers to better network and share ideas and experiences. I speak from experience when I say the networking in the group is invaluable. NL: How does the store address the local/slow food movement and how does it reconcile it with the possibly contradictory organic food movement?
It doesnt make environmental sense to transport organic lettuce from California if it is produced much more locally. The environmental footprint that the transportation of that head of lettuce creates is much greater than the pollution generated by producing the head of lettuce nonorganically. There are many local farms migrating to organic growing practices and well have the best of both worlds eventually.
cally grown produce than ever before. We have been able to develop relationships with local growers to publicize why we and our customers should support them. In some cases they have switched to growing organically and its been positive for all parties concerned. NL: Thirty-one years is awhile to be in business. Is retirement on your radar yet? Do you have a succession plan? Don: I truly have enjoyed having this business and feel very appreciative and lucky, so I havent been in any rush to get out of it. Weve inherently made it stimulating and challenging and thats another reason why I think weve continued to enjoy it. That being said, there will come a time when we will want to move on and let someone else take the business to new levels. But I cant answer when that day will come. Our three children are adults now with their own lives, making their own way and they have no interest in taking over the business. And frankly, I couldnt be happier for them. Theyre not living in our shadow and they have every reason to be proud of themselves just as my wife Claire, and I, are from having accomplished what we have. - NL -
Learn More
www.foodsmiths.ca
Page 25
Sustainable Housing
Using the Sun and the Earth to Stay Warm

This Quebec house is designed to produce as much energy from solar and geothermal as it consumes.
coTerra, a new 1,500 square-foot home in Eastman Quebec, not only produces as much energy as it consumes in a year (a net-zero energy home), but also features a healthy indoor environment, low environmental impact, significant resource conservation and affordability. Factory pre-engineered modular sections were used to optimize construction quality and reduce construction as well as environmental impact at the site. The R-2000 house, by builder-developer Les industries Ste-Anne de la Rochelle, Inc. (Alouette Homes), was chosen as one of the winners in Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporations Equilibrium project. Formerly known as the Net-Zero Energy Healthy Housing program, the initiative brings the private and public sectors together to develop homes, and eventually Page 26
communities, that address occupant health and comfort, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, resource conservation, reduced environmental impact and affordability. Houses built with the assistance of the program are monitored to assess their performance, and are open to the public for tours. The total annual energy requirement for the home is predicted to be equal to the on-site annual production from renewable energy sources: active and passive solar space and water heat, a geothermal heat pump and photovoltaic electrical panels. That energy requirement is predicted to be only 17 percent of that for the average Canadian home. coTerra includes a living room, dining room, kitchen and two-piece bath with laundry on the main floor, and two bed-
bedrooms, an office and four-piece bath on the second floor. The second floor is constructed with movable interior walls in order to accommodate the occupants changing needs. The well-insulated building envelope significantly reduces space heating requirements and the house is oriented to maximize solar gain. Special attention has been given to daylighting, with large south-facing windows and open spaces that increase light penetration to the main floor. Roof overhangs are used to prevent overheating from solar gain. Energy-efficient, tripleglazed, low-e, argon-filled windows contribute to the reduction in heat loss. Thermal mass materials, which store heat and moderate interior heat fluctuations, include the concrete floor and half wall in the family room, and concrete slab and walls in the basement. Drain water that would otherwise escape from the house is captured with a heat recovery exchanger. coTerra utilizes a building integrated photovoltaic system combined with a heat recovery system. A three kW Uni-So-
lar PV array, composed of 21 PV film sheets laminated to a standing-seam metal roof, is connected to a DC/AC inverter. The inverter connects through the electricity meter to the grid. Solar heat generated at the roof-top system is captured and then distributed in the home, assisting with space heating, domestic water heating and clothes drying. Removing this excess heat from the vicinity of the array also improves its efficiency. To further reduce energy costs, a three-ton, two-stage geothermal heat pump provides space and water heating. On the 2.7-acre forested lot, a system of streams and stormwater management ponds provide erosion control. A rain barrel system captures roof run-off for garden watering. The airtight construction, combined with a heat recovery ventilator, is also a key health feature of the home. In addition, the pre-engineered modular construction allows many interior finishes to be factory-applied, which decreased toxic fumes on the worksite and greatly improves indoor air quality. - NL -
coTerra uses both passive and active solar technologies, as well as waste water heat recovery, thermal mass and a geothermal heat pump.
Heat recovered from the space under photovoltaic roofing supplies dryer, domestic hot water and basement floor space Photovoltaic film laminated to steel roofing
coTerra
Where: Eastman, Quebec What: new 1,517 sq-ft, two-story factory pre-engineered rural home Who: Built by Alouette Homes, St-Alphonse-de-Granby, Quebec When: construction completed November, 2007 Contact: Bradley Berneche www.alouettehomes.com
Triple pane argon windows
Air supply to each room
Waste-water heat recovery exchanger Concrete materials provide thermal storage Under-floor air circulation Heat recovery ventilator Summer flow Geothermal well Winter flow NaturalLifeMagazine.com Page 27
Organic Gardening
Go Native!
Native plant gardening is a landscape trend that has taken hold, whether youre one of the new generation of environmentally aware gardeners, or an established green thumb who is looking for something new, a wildflower garden is a low maintenance (eventually), attractive and decidedly green style of gardening.
by Wendy Priesnitz
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or northern hemisphere gardeners, this is the time of year when we begin to think about what we want to do differently for the next planting season. And for increasing numbers of people, that means converting their mixed borders or even their whole yard into a wildflower garden. However, that might not be as easy as you think. Many gardeners believe you can simply scatter some seeds and wind up with a self-sowing meadow. In truth, starting a wildflower garden is often more work than putting in a perennial border and it is not necessarily self-perpetuating. Aside from what may be negative opinions of neighbors or municipal officials, many gardeners experience frustration growing wildflowers because they have unrealistic expectations. The beauty of a wildflower display is seasonal. These plants are exquisite during the blooming season, but may look a little ragged once they have gone to seed. Also, wildflower gardens (perhaps better thought of as meadows) are not for everyone. If your idea of a perfect landscape is one that is predictably clipped and manicured, then wildflower plantings will probably not suit you. If, on the other hand, you find great delight in a glorious display of natures most beautiful flowers, and understand that you are participating in the inevitable cycle of the seasons, then wildflowers are for you. You must also be patient. Many wildflowers are biennials and perennials, and will not bloom during the first year they are planted. So unless you are prepared for a drab display this summer, youll need to include some annuals which can be both native species and quick-blooming naturalized ones. If you allow the annuals to form seed heads before mowing, in mild climates many will reseed to bloom during the second year, along with flowers from the biennials and perennials. Choose a site with full to partial sun. Its important to properly prepare the soil. Remove all existing vegetation. If youre planting a small area, this can easily be done by hand. For larger areas, mow as low as your lawn mower will allow. Water the area well and then cover securely with clear plastic sheeting, leaving it to bake in the sun for up to two months. Future maintenance will be easier if you rid the area of as many weed seeds as possible before planting. Then till the soil to a depth of three inches. Packaged seed mixes will tell you how large an area they cover. You can plan for four pounds of seed per acre or four ounces per 2,500 square feet. Broadcast evenly throughout the area to be planted. Most wildflower seeds are very small. Mixing some sand in with the seed mixture will make it easier to spread evenly. Rake lightly again after spreading the seed. If you had the foresight to prepare your wildflower beds last fall, or are replenishing an existing wildflower garden, you can
Native Plants and Climate Change

Climate change experts are telling us that global warming will result in the disappearance of many of our local and regional plant icons, along with the related tourism, products and ecological communities that depend on them. For instance, maple/beech/birch and spruce/fir forest types are very likely to be completely displaced by more southern forest types by the end of the 21st century in New England and eastern Canada. And a study at the University of Virginia suggests that in 25 to 35 years, Minnesotas climate will be similar to todays climate in Kansas, which is drier and warmer than Minnesotas. Minnesotas climate could even become more like current-day Oklahoma, a scenario that would seriously threaten the future of native prairie plants and grasses. Traditionally, plant conservation strategy has been involved with protecting and managing land. But now, some of the ecosystems that have been protected, such as bogs and northern forests, could be eliminated and new invasive species could take hold as the climate becomes more favorable to them. University of Virginia researcher Julie Etterson says that native plants face two problems that affect their long-term survival. One is the fast rate of climate change and the other is that the habitat of native plants is often fragmented to isolated islands between farms and cities, making it difficult for plants to slowly migrate to areas with more favorable conditions. This means plants will have to rely more on their evolutionary response to changing conditions. And some wont likely adapt quickly enough. Climate change is a complex and serious plant conservation issue with a profound impact on plants and ecosystems, says Gwen Stauffer, Executive Director of the New England Wild Flower Society, Americas oldest plant conservation organization. Experts around the world are taking notice and planning for the future. The Millennium Seed Bank project, initiated by the Royal Botanic Garden in Kew, in the U.K., is, for instance, collecting and banking seed for ten percent of the native flora in order to create an insurance policy against ecological loss or damage.
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sow your seed very early in the spring when the ground is just starting to thaw. If live in an area with no snow on the ground or if youre planting later in the spring, you will need to water during the germination period, unless you live in an area where rainfall is over three inches a month. A light mulching with straw, peat or compost will help retain moisture and keep the birds from eating the seeds. Evaluate your planting at the end of the first growing season. In bare areas or places where perennials did not establish well, over-seed with the original mix, or a different one if your expectations were not met. If you had more weeds than wildflowers, start over by eliminating all vegetation and weed seed. Mow or cut back the entire area to a height of about four inches every fall after flowering is over. Clippings can be left as a mulch or removed according to individual preference. Some clippings should be left to help desired species reseed. Clipping
seed heads before they mature helps control species that are becoming too aggressive. By the third year, your meadow should begin to take on a mature look and the perennials should be well established. To continue to receive good color from annual wildflowers, it may be necessary to re-seed every year. Weeds and other unwanted species will always be part of a planted wildflower garden, as nature tries her best to follow natural succession. Of course, the definition of the word weed is up for debate, but invasive species should be dealt with quickly and mercilessly. Wildflowers grow densely and weeding should be required less and less as the garden fills in. As you weed, sow seeds of the original mix or annuals in the spaces left bare. Building a garden that works with Nature, not against it, will be a rewarding project that will not only be beautiful to look at but give you the satisfaction that you are preserving our native plants at a time when theyre stressed by development, invasive competitors and climate change. - NL -
Learn More Invasive Species

Wildflower gardens are made of native species that have established themselves without assistance from humans. A non-native plant (sometimes known as an exotic species), on the other hand, has been introduced by human activity, either intentionally or by accident. Then there are invasive species, which are non-native plants capable of moving aggressively into a habitat and monopolizing resources; in some cases, they are so prolific that they create a biodiversity destroying monoculture. Some of these over-achieving plants contribute to the decline of endangered and threatened native species. Additionally, some studies that the fruit produced by invasive plants are, in effect, the junk food of the plant world and as such may not be as nutritious to local wildlife, perhaps contributing to their decline. Different species will be invasive in different areas. But many of our popular garden plants fit the category, including Norway Maple, Burning Bush, Purple Loosestrife (pictured here), Japanese Honeysuckle and Multiflora Rose. Since gardeners botanic gardens and home growers alike are responsible for about 60 percent of invasive species, environmentally aware gardeners should plant native species only. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center native plants database www.wildflower.org New England Wildflower Society www.newenglandWILD.org The Wildflower Society UK www.thewildflowersociety.com North American Native Plant Society www.nanps.org Plant Conservation Alliance www.plantconservation.org Growing & Propagating Wildflowers (The New England Wild Flower Society) by William Cullina (Houghton Mifflin, 2000) A Gardeners Encyclopedia of Wildflowers: An Organic Guide to Choosing and Growing over 150 Beautiful Wildflowers by C. Colston Burrell (Rodale Books, 1997) Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants by C. Colston Burrell (Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2006) Grow Wild! Native Plant Gardening in Canada by Lorraine Johnson (Random House of Canada, 1998) Natural Landscaping: Designing with Native Plant Communities by John Diekelmann and Robert M. Schuster (University of Wisconsin Press, 2003) Newcombs Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb (Little, Brown and Company, 1989) Wildflower Field Guide series by Roger Tory Peterson (Houghton Mifflin, various dates)
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My Green Town
Whats your community doing to go green?
Tiny Green Powerhouse
taining ecosystems and encroach upon Nature, while meeting the hierarchy of present and future human needs fairly and efficiently. Those objectives are leading efforts to make the Town office and Council paperless, and to encourage staff and Council members to carpool to meetings and functions. There is an anti-idling policy for Town vehicles, LED Christmas light and composting programs. Wolfville was an early adopter of The Natural Step community planning process and is a member of Partners for Climate Protection, a network of 151 Canadian municipal governments that have committed to reducing greenhouse gases and acting on climate change. Acadia University also plays an important role in Wolfvilles greening. The five-year-old Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, located on the university grounds, is a unique place to study or just enjoy the native flora of the Acadian Forest Region, and is heavily involved in na-
he postcard pretty town of Wolfville (population 3,600) is situated in the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia, overlooking the Minas Basin, which has some of the highest tides in the world. Its population doubles eight months of the year, due to Acadia Universitys student population. Still, thats small for the size of the leadership role the town has taken on the environmental front. Mayor Bob Stead calls it sticking our necks away out. Wolfville led the way on the non-smoking issue, becoming the first municipality in Nova Scotia to ban smoking in public buildings and workplaces. That was in 2002, and the policy has since gone province-wide. Now, a bylaw has just been passed by Council to ban smoking in vehicles when someone under the age of 18 is present. But that is just a small part of Wolfvilles sustainability initiative. Earlier last year, it was declared the First Fair Trade Town in Canada. It has also been concerned about, and working toward the elimination of, the use of non-essential pesticides since 1999 and manages its own recreation grounds and street-side weed control virtually without pesticides. Recently, its Pesticide Management Task Force recommended that Council move toward eliminating
the use of cosmetic pesticides altogether. The Town has recently created a pioneering conservation easement to protect 245 hectares of town-owned watershed land in its natural state in perpetuity. The area, with old-growth forest, wetlands, centuries-old hemlocks and deep ravines, is home to rare orchids and various types of other plants, as well as owls, eagles, rabbits, The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens in coyotes and even the occaWolfville Nova Scotia is just one of many sional bear. green features of this small town. In 2005, Wolfville established a Sustainable Community Planning Task Force. tive plant conservation projects. Also The Task Force is a citizen advisory located at the university is the Arthur group comprised of representatives from Irving Academy for the Environment, a Town Council, Town staff, Public Advicenter of scholarship on environmental sory Committees, business, youth, Acaissues. Its Campus Sustainability Assessdia University, the Centre for Rural ment Framework aims to place Acadia at Sustainability, the provincial governthe forefront of environmental stewardment and the community at large. It has ship. - NL set out four sustainability objectives that guide its decisions. They involve reducing and eliminating dependence on fossil Tell us what your community is doing to fuels, extracted underground metals and make itself more eco-friendly. Send an minerals; on chemicals and unnatural email to the editorial department at edisubstances that can accumulate in Nator@NaturalLifeMagazine.com or use one of the mailing addresses on page 2. ture; and on activities that harm life-susNaturalLifeMagazine.com Page 31
Natural Parenting
The Natural Child

by Wendy Priesnitz
News, views, tips and ideas for families living greener, healthier lifestyles
children, anticipate the impact on their health and advocate for strategies that will lessen those effects. The group says that direct health impacts from global warming include injury and death from more frequent extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and tornados. For children, this can mean post-traumatic stress, loss of caregivers, disrupted education and displacement. Increased climate-sensitive infectious diseases, air pollution-related illness and heat-related illness and fatalities also are expected. Disruptions in the availability of food and water and the displacement of coastal populations can cause malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies and waterborne illness. This is a call for us to look at how climate change may be impacted by what we do as an organization, what we do in our personal business and what we do in our home life, said Helen J. Binns, MD, MPH,
Global Warming Hurts Kids Most

hildren may be especially vulnerable to the effects of global warming and steps should be taken to safeguard their health as temperatures rise, according to a new report. Noting that children are often most vulnerable to adverse health effects from any kind of environmental hazard because they are not fully developed physically and psychologically, the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) is calling upon governments and physicians to recognize the impact global warming has on childrens health and develop strategies to protect them from potential harm. A new AAP technical report and policy statement, Global Climate Change and Childrens Health, outlines the specific ways that global climate change impacts child health, and calls on pediatricians to understand the threats to
FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Environmental Health. The statement encourages pediatricians to be role models for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by making small changes such as switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, reducing thermostat settings in the winter and increasing settings in the summer and using cars less. Pediatricians should make sure their patients understand the air quality index, pollen counts and UV measures used in most metropolitan areas. These conversations can be opportunities to introduce the broader issue of climate change and the importance of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The report was presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics in San Francisco in late October.
Growing Up Too Soon
irls get their first periods today, on average, a few months earlier than did girls 40 years ago, but they develop their breasts one to two years earlier. To learn more about the trend, the Breast Cancer Fund commissioned ecologist, author and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber to write The Falling Age of Puberty the first comprehensive review of the literature on the timing of puberty to help understand this phenomenon so we can
RAISING OUR CHILDREN, RAISING OURSELVES

by Naomi Aldort
Transforming parent-child relationships from reaction and struggle to freedom, power and joy
Naomi Aldort takes the struggle out of parenting. Wendy Priesnitz, Editor Life Learning magazine Aldort operates on the radical premise that neither child nor parent must dominate. Lots of help for those who want to give up scolding, threatening and punishing. Peggy OMara, Editor and Publisher, Mothering magazine
available at www.NaomiAldort.com and in fine book stores
protect our daughters health. Steingraber is an internationally recognized expert on the environmental links to cancer and reproductive health. Her full report is available for free at the Br e a s t Ca n c e r F u n d s w e b s ite www.breastcancerfund.org. Early puberty poses several risks for girls. It raises the risk for breast cancer and is associated with many high-risk behaviors in later adolescence. The evidence suggests that childrens hormonal systems are being altered by
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various stimuli, such as chemicals in the environment, which shorten gestation time, lower birth weight and increase risks for obesity and insulin disregulation all of which, in turn, may increase the risk for early puberty. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are one culprit. By disregulating the endocrine system, they can make the body more or less sensitive to its own hormonal signals. Studies from the U.S. document cases of breast development in children accidentally exposed to estrogen creams used by their mothers, as well as to ointments, hair tonics or ingested pharmaceuticals. Hormonally active agents are found in many other consumer products, as well as in pesticides, packaging and building materials. Natural and synthetic hormones are also used as growth promoters by farmers. In the U.S., bovine growth hormone has been used to increase milk production since 1993, although it is not approved in Canada or the E.U. A recent California study found that
girls born to mothers who smoked a pack or more of cigarettes daily during pregnancy experienced significantly earlier menarche than unexposed girls. Steingraber notes that much basic science, epidemiology, chemical testing, tracking and biomonitoring remains to be done. However, she says, there is sufficient evidence for the contribution of body mass to pubertal timing in girls to support efforts that combat childhood obesity. And, she notes, any campaign to address this problem should begin with the promotion of breastfeeding because breast milk safeguards against obesity. Her other suggested strategies include eliminating exposure to tobacco smoke, chemical solvents, air pollution, mercury contamination and endocrine-disruptive chemicals. She advocates supporting organic agriculture and right-to-know laws about toxic exposures. She says, Early puberty in girls...is a multi-causal threat...that ultimately requires a comprehensive, integrated, unified response. - NL -
Answering all your questions about child-led, home-based education
School Free
The Home Schooling Handbook by Wendy Priesnitz
Editor of Natural Life a bestseller since 1987 $16.95 plus shipping
(plus GST in Canada)
The Alternate Press (800) 215-9574 (416) 260-0303
www.lifemedia.ca/altpress
Life Learning Magazine

unschooling, natural parenting and more
Explore how children learn without traditional schooling Discover how to parent without struggle and coercion Be inspired by stories about self-directed learning Enjoy the life learning journey with your whole family
www.LifeLearningMagazine.com
Published by Life Media, which has brought you Natural Life since 1976.
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Good News
Percy Schmeiser: Outstanding in His Field
t would have been hard to miss the news last fall that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Al Gore jointly won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. But news about the so-called Alternative Nobel Prizes might have passed you by. And thats too bad, because those honored with Right Livelihood Awards in December in Stockholm have, while raising awareness of major world problems, also been quietly demonstrating positive solutions to them. The latest award, worth the equivalent of US$310,000, was shared by five people, including Canadians Percy and Louise Schmeiser. With their fight against Monsantos abusive marketing practices, the Schmeisers have given the world a wake-up call about the dangers to farmers and to biodiversity from the growing dominance and market aggression of companies engaged in the genetic engineering of crops. In 1998, the Saskatchewan farming couple received a letter from the American agribusiness giant Monsanto claiming that they had used Monsanto seeds without a license in planting their 1997 crop. However, the Schmeisers had never bought Monsanto seed nor intended to have it on their land. It turned out that some Monsanto Round-up Ready genetically modified canola seeds had blown over from the Schmeisers neighbor or from passing trucks. Thus, Page 34
genes that Monsanto claimed to own under Canadian patent law had ended up in the Schmeisers seeds. Monsanto threatened to sue the Schmeisers for infringement of patent, seeking damages totaling $400,000, including about $250,000 in legal fees, $105,000 in estimated profits from the Schmeisers 1998 crop, $13,500 ($15 an acre) for technology usage fees and $25,000 in punitive damages. At the same time, Monsanto offered to withdraw the legal challenge if the Schmeisers signed a contract to buy their seeds from Monsanto in the future and to pay the technology use fee. But the Schmeisers neither gave in nor did they accept this blackmailing attempt. They contested the case up to the Supreme Court of Canada, whose ruling supported Monsanto in their claim to own the gene. Thus the Schmeisers lost their breeding research, which they had built up for decades, and the varieties that they had painstakingly adapted to their local environment for years through cross-pollination, because they now contained the Monsanto-owned gene. However, the court also concluded that the Schmeisers should not have to pay anything to Monsanto because they had not in any way benefitted from having the seeds on their property. Now, in a new legal case, the Schmeisers are trying to turn the notion of benefit to farmers from Monsanto genes around, claiming that MonsantoNaturalLifeMagazine.com
owned genes are to be regarded as contamination. After the first court case, the Schmeisers shifted their agricultural business from canola to wheat, mustard, peas and oats in order to avoid future problems. But soon they found genetically modified Monsanto canola plants on their land again. They called the company and demanded that they be removed. Monsanto conducted tests and confirmed that these were their Monsanto Roundup Ready plants. Monsanto agreed to remove them if the Schmeisers signed a document with a non-disclosure statement and an assurance that they would never take Monsanto to court. The Schmeisers did not sign this statement and again demanded from Monsanto to take these plants off of their land. When Monsanto did not react, they paid some workers to remove the plants and sent Monsanto the bill of $600. When Monsanto did not pay, the Schmeisers sued them in a provincial court. In May 2007, a mediation attempt failed and a trial date was set for January 23, 2008. In its statement honoring the Schmeisers, the Right Livelihood Foundation noted that this was one of the first and most prominent cases involving a company claiming to own patents on life. It revealed how traditional seed economics and treatment is currently giving way to a dependency on only a few big multinational enterprises, such that in the end the whole food production chain could be dominated by a few giant food enterprises, relying on very few genetically engineered crops. This would drastically reduce the genetic diversity of staple crops and the economic autonomy of farmers, especially in developing countries. Monsantos treatment of the Schmeisers is their standard practice. According to a 2005 report by the Washington-based Center for Food Safety (CFS), as of 2005, Monsanto, with teams of full-time investigators out in the field, had filed lawsuits for patent violations (often, as with the Schmeisers, because of drifted seed) against 147 farmers and 39 small farming businesses in half the states of the U.S. Farmers have so far paid $15 million to Monsanto (mean payment about $400,000). The CFS re-
Right Livelihood Award Foundation
port concludes: No farmer is safe from the long reach of Monsanto. Farmers have been sued after their field was contaminated by pollen or seed from someone elses genetically engineered crop; when genetically engineered seed from a previous years crop has sprouted in fields planted with non-genetically engineered varieties the following year; and when they never signed Monsantos technology agreement but still planted the patented crop seed. In all these cases, because of the way patent law has been applied, farmers are technically liable. It does not seem to matter if the use was unwitting or a contract was never signed. Since his court case gained wide attention, Percy Schmeiser has become a dedicated activist, traveling the world with his message. He is also a member of the International Commission on the Future of Food and was a core member of the drafting of the Manifesto on the Future of Seed, which has had an impact worldwide. In his speeches, Schmeiser promotes 12 principles for food and agriculture in an age of biotechnology: 1. All humans have a right to food or to produce it. 2. Natural systems must be protected so that they can produce healthy food. 3. Humans have a right to safe and nutritious food. 4. No rules should prevent countries controlling food imports. 5. Everyone has a right to information about how their food is produced. 6. Regions should have the right to regulate for their own agriculture. 7. Local production and consumption should be encouraged. 8. Regional biodiversity must be protected. 9. Seeds are a common property resource. 10. No life form should be patented and terminator seeds should be globally banned. 11. Freedom to exchange seeds should be protected. 12. Farmers should have the right for their land to be free of genetic contamination. Also sharing the 2007 Right Livelihood Award were Christopher Weeramantry (Sri Lanka), a world-renowned legal scholar, best known for his landmark International Court opinion on
the threat and use of nuclear weapons; Dekha Ibrahim Abdi (Kenya), who has engaged in effective peace work and conflict resolution in many of the worlds most divided countries; and the company Grameen Shakti (Bangladesh), which has shown that solar energy applications can be scaled up massively and rapidly to provide an affordable and cli-
mate-friendly energy option for the rural poor. The Right Livelihood Awards were founded in 1980 by Jakob von Uexkull to honor and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today. It has, to date, presented Awards to 123 recipients from 56 countries. - NL -
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Wellness
Health Roundup
Whats new and interesting about food and wellness
Add a Little Meat and Dairy, Say Researchers
he discussion of foodprints that we chronicled in the Ask Natural Life column in September/October 2007 has been given a new spin. Researchers at Cornell University recently agreed with the earlier research that we presented, which found that a low-fat vegetarian diet is very efficient in terms of how much land is needed to support it. But, the researchers say, adding some dairy products and a limited amount of meat may actually increase this efficiency. Their study concluded that if everyone in New York state followed a low-fat vegetarian diet, the state could directly support almost 50 percent more people, or about 32 percent of its population, agriculturally. It is currently only able to support 22 percent of its population who eat a high-meat, high-dairy diet. The study, published in the journal Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, is the first to examine the land requirements of complete diets. The researchers compared 42 diets with the same number of calories and a core of grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products (using only foods that can be produced in New York state), but with varying amounts of meat (from none to 13.4 ounces daily) and fat (from 20 to 45 percent of calories) to determine each diets agricultural land footprint. They found that a person following a low-fat vegetarian diet will need less Page 36
than half (0.44) an acre per person per year to produce their food. A high-fat diet with a lot of meat, on the other hand, needs 2.11 acres. The reason a vegetarian diet is not necessarily the most efficient in terms of land use is that fruits, vegetables and grains must be grown on high-quality cropland. Meat and dairy products are supported by lower quality, but more widely available, land that can support pasture and hay. And in New York state, there is a lot of that sort of farmland. So while meat increases land-use requirements, diets including small amounts of meat can feed more people than some higher fat vegetarian diets.
of more than 57,000 subjects, who were followed for almost six years. Most of the studies, with participants mainly over age 65, were investigating the role of vitamin D in keeping bones strong and preventing fractures. In the nine trials that collected blood samples, participants who took supplements had an average 1.4- to 5.2-fold higher blood level of vitamin D than those who did not. Two other recently published papers have also shown Vitamin Ds apparent benefits: In one, young Finnish men who took the nutrient had half the number of respiratory infections compared with those not taking a supplement. And in a study of older people in the Netherlands, who were followed for eight years, researchers found that those with high vitamin D levels in their blood were less likely to end up in a nursing home and less likely to die early compared to those with low blood levels of vitamin D. Last June, the Canadian Cancer Society recommended that adults consider taking a vitamin D supplement of 1,000 IUs daily during fall and winter, while darker-skinned and older people should think about maintaining that daily intake year-round.
Clean But Wheezing
Sunshine Vitamin Continues to Shine
study last year found that taking the recommended daily dose of vitamin D (400 IU) significantly reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer. And now, research indicates that people who take vitamin D supplements have a lower risk of death from any cause. In an analysis of data pooled from 18 randomized controlled trials, researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the European Institute of Oncology found that subjects who took at least 500 IU of vitamin D each day had a seven per cent lower risk of death, on average, compared with control groups given a dummy pill. The 18 clinical trials involved a total NaturalLifeMagazine.com
new international study involving scientists from a number of European countries and Canada has found that the use of household cleaning sprays may be a cause of asthma in adults. Even using a spray just once a week may be enough to trigger the disease, the researchers suggest. The study, led by Dr. Jan-Paul Zock of the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona, Spain, recruited 3,500 people from 10 European countries. The researchers concluded that up to 15 percent or one in seven cases of adult asthma could be caused by household cleaning sprays. Even sporadic use of sprays resulted in a six percent increase in asthma. Not surprisingly, the risk increased with usage, and people who used them every other day or so increased their risk by a further 50 percent. The worst culprits were found to be cleaning sprays, air fresheners and furniture and glass cleaners. Cleaning prod-
ucts not applied in spray form were found not to be associated with asthma. Several studies have previously provided evidence for adverse respiratory health effects related to professional cleaning exposures. However, potential risks of nonprofessional uses in private homes had not been evaluated before this study was undertaken. The results were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
A Spoonful of Honey
honey-fed rats spent almost twice as much time in the open sections of an assessment maze, which the researchers say suggests that they were less anxious. They were also more likely to spend time in new sections of a Y-shaped maze, suggesting that they had better spatial memory. Diets sweetened with honey may be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and improving memory during ageing, Dr Starkey told New Scientist magazine. The researchers propose that honey may improve memory due to its known antioxidant properties, which help to prevent free radicals damaging cells in the body. The research was funded by Fonterra, a cooperative of 11,000 New Zealand dairy farmers that is interested in sweetening yogurt with honey.
Chill Out, Pay Attention

team of researchers from China and the University of Oregon have developed an approach for neuroscientists to study how meditation might provide improvements in a persons attention and response to stress. The study, done in China, randomly assigned college undergraduate students to 40-person experimental or control groups. The experimental group received five days of meditation training using a technique called integrative body-mind training (IBMT). The control group got five days of muscle relaxation training. Before and after training, both groups took tests involving attention and reaction to mental stress. According to findings released by the University of Oregon and published in
oney could be used to target agerelated problems including memory decline, according to research recently presented at the Association for the Study of Animal Behavior meeting at Newcastle University, UK. Studies conducted on mice at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand found that those on diets including honey had better spatial memory and were less anxious. Lynne Chepulis and Nicola Starkey raised rats on diets containing either ten percent honey, eight per cent sucrose or no sugar at all for 12 months. The
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the experimental group showed greater improvement in an attention test. Both groups initially showed elevated release of the stress hormone cortisol following a stressful math task but after training, the experimental group showed less cortisol release, indicating a greater improvement in stress regulation. The experimental group also showed lower levels of anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue. IBMT was developed in the 1990s. The technique avoids struggles to control thought, relying instead on a state of restful alertness, while receiving instructions from a coach, who provides breath adjustment guidance and mental imagery. IBMT has been found to improve emotional and cognitive performance, as well as social behavior, says lead author Yi-Yuan Tang, a professor in the Institute of Neuroinformatics and Laboratory for Body and Mind at Dalian University of Technology in China. Tang currently is a visiting scholar at the University of Oregon, where he is working with coauthor psychologist Michael Posner on a larger study using MRI. - NL -
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Renewable Energy
Let the Sun Shine In
ast October, the National Mall in Washington DC became a solar village. Teams from 20 universities in the U.S., Canada, Germany and Spain constructed 800-square-foot solar homes that they had designed and built on their respective campuses in order to compete in the U.S. Department of Energys Solar Decathlon. While on the Mall, the houses were open to the public for tours, acting as a sort of living laboratory where visitors could see renewable energy technologies in action. The Department of Energy hopes the competition will encourage young people to pursue careers in science and engineering, acquaint college students with solar power and energy efficiency and help move solar energy technologies to the marketplace faster. The students would then push the research and develJim Tetro, Solar Decathlon
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opment of energy efficiency and energy production technologies, by consulting with members of their local building community to create grassroots interest in these technologies. The annual 10-day 2007 Decathlon is made up of 10 contests to design, build and operate the most livable, energy-efficient, completely solar-powered house. Solar Decathlon houses must power all the energy needs of a typical household using only solar energy. The winning house blends aesthetics and modern conveniences with maximum energy production and optimal efficiency. Contests ranged from architecture and engineering, marketability and comfort to how well the homes perform tasks such as heating water and powering appliances and lights. Each team also had to provide enough solar electricity to power an electric car to get them around town NaturalLifeMagazine.com
Oak louvers on the Technishe Universitat Darmstadts solar powered home provide shading and privacy for visitors to the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
during the Decathlon. All homes were powered by off-the-shelf photovoltaic panels. Many used structural integrated panels, or SIPS, which are made of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two structural boards to form a panel that works well for roofs, walls and floors. The winner was a cutting-edge house by a team from Technische Universitt Darmstadt in Germany. This team won the Architecture, Lighting and Engineering contests. The Architecture Jury said the house pushed the envelope on all levels and is the type of house they came to the Decathlon hoping to see. The Lighting Jury loved the way this house glows at night. The Engineering Jury gave this team an innovation score that was as high as you could go, and said nobody did the
integration of the PV system any better. Darmstadt was one of seven teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Energy Balance contest. All week, long lines of people waited to get into this house. Second place went to the team from the University of Maryland. At the beginning of the week, people wondered if the Maryland team would have a home-field advantage because their campus is located so close to Washington, D.C. But as the week progressed, and Maryland won the Communications contest and was second in Architecture, Market Viability, and Lighting, it became clear that they didnt need any artificial home-field advantage. The Communications Jury praised their excellent website and house tour. The Architecture Jury said the house definitely belonged in the top tier. The Lighting and Market Viability juries also had high praise. They were one of seven teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Energy Balance contest. Third place was won by Santa Clara University, which built a sustainable solar house that is functional, elegant and innovative. The Communications Jury also lauded their friendly, enthusiastic house tour, which was informative, entertaining and very much on target for public audiences. They were one of five teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Hot Water contest and one of seven teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Energy Balance contest. True to the Decathlons green theme, all of the homes have a life after the Decathlon. The University of Colorados house has been sold to Xcel Energy, which, after the team expands the size of the house, will use it as a permanent facility for research, education and outreach. The Carnegie Mellon house will be permanently installed at the Powder Mill Nature Reserve, an outdoor educational center. Other teams plan to use their houses on campus to serve as educational tools for their architecture and engineering departments. The winning solar house has returned to Germany to be used as a solar power plant, as part of the universitys Solar Campus (Solare Lichtwiese) project, through which all buildings on campus will be equipped with building-integrated photovoltaics, feeding electricity
into the German power grid. Germany has a solar feed-in tariff that provides a guaranteed price for any solar power that is fed into the power grid. Because the feed-in tariff is high enough to more than cover the cost of the installation over the long term, the university is selling shares to the public to finance these photovoltaic systems. This yields a return for the investors, as the revenue from selling the power is split among them. The Solar Decathlon house will be the first piece in this ambitious project continuing to showcase the potential of building-integrated solar power generation. For more information about this and future years Decathlons, visit th e w eb s ite www.solardecathlon.org. - NL -
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A Window on Solar
ne of the newest solar technologies will fit on your window. Two U.S. companies Air Products and Konarka Technologies Inc. are conducting research and development on transparent, flexible solar modules for windows and other building integrated applications or what is called Transparent Building Integrated Photovoltaic Technology. Konarka is the developer of Power Plastic, a flexible material that converts light to energy and is lighter, lower in cost and more versatile than traditional silicon-based solar cells. It is made from conducting polymers and nano-engineered materials that can be coated or printed onto a surface in a process similar to how photographic film is made. Organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology is unique among solar energy alternatives in offering the potential for selecting materials for varying levels of transparency, capable of absorbing narrowly or broadly in one or more regions of the visible and near-infrared spectrum. The technology will be suitable for use in windows capable of controlling transparency for privacy, regulating the wavelength of light passing through for energy conservation and for aesthetics. Since the materials are capable of harvesting indoor as well as outdoor light, the solar modules can be integrated into building sensors, battery chargers, lighting and displays, and wireless security monitoring systems. - NL NaturalLifeMagazine.com
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Page 39
The Media Beat

Editor Wendy Priesnitz shares her favorite sources of green information and inspiration
materials library for the design community. It enables users to quickly find and research a growing range of materials for a variety of projects. Created by Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) graduates and awardwinning entrepreneurs Matt Grigsby and Joe Gebbia, Ecolect is meant to save designers time and money by answering three important questions: Where do I
Not Your Grandmothers Gardening Resource
f youre young, urban and hip, you probably dont relate to traditional gardening websites and advice books. At least Toronto-based graphic designer Gayla Sanders didnt. So in 2000, she launched the gardening website www.YouGrowGirl.com. Gaylas particular relationship with plants involves style, environmentalism, affordability, art and humor. The site has grown into a thriving online community that involves other like-minded gardeners and even some selfconfessed black thumbs. The projects aim has always been to promote exploration, excitement and a do-it-yourself approach to growing plants without the restrictions of traditional ideas about gardening. While Gayla and her content editor Beate Schwirtlich have never actually said, You must do things this way, organic growing and a motto of do no harm has always been the foundation of the site. Says Gayla, I strongly believe that most people take the plants around them and the food they eat for granted, and that if they are encouraged to see the wonder of plants and the relative ease with which they can be grown, it will foster a respect for nature that will extend beyond their backyards. YouGrowGirls creators are selftaught plant enthusiasts. Gayla grows everything from tomatoes to passion flowPage 40
ers on her urban rooftop patio. Beate grows organic vegetables, herbs and flowers on borrowed land. Neither consider themselves gardening experts. People think plants are difficult to take care of because they seem like such a mystery, Gayla says. Our goal is to provide information to people like us, who dont have a large budget or a lot of space. Thats why we use the slogan Secrets of the Plant Kingdom Revealed. In 2005, the website spawned a book with the same name You Grow Girl (2005, Simon & Schuster). Just as witty, wise, stylish and practical as the website, the book will fire the imagination of young aspiring gardeners. Along with all the ins-and-outs of soil, seeds, sowing and growing, You Grow Girl is chock full of fun and funky projects that make gardening more than just growing plants. Readers will learn to grow and bag their own tea, make hand salve and hair rinse out of plants from their garden, transform thrift-store finds into cool containers and even sew their own gardening apron.
Ecolect
he merging of the words ecology and intellect creates ecolect and thats the name of a unique and innovative new web-based resource for professionals in such fields as product design, architecture and graphic design. Ecolect www.ecolect.net is a free sustainable NaturalLifeMagazine.com
find sustainable materials, what makes them sustainable and who else is using them and how? Even for the non-professional, browsing the website is an educational and fascinating way to spend a few hours and learn about leading edge green materials and technologies. We saw a unique and unmet need in the marketplace, says Matt Grigsby, co-founder of Ecolect. From there, we set out to not only create the worlds first free and accessible sustainable materials library, but also build a tight-knit global community, where individuals from around the world can go to learn and connect around the issue of sustainable design. The good-looking Ecolect website (www.ecolect.net) features materials with sustainable attributes; content that stimulates discussion about what sustainability is and how it is defined; the ability to contribute user reviews and images of materials in use; news about whats happening in the green design community; case studies on successful sustainable design and a blog on how ecology affects the world. Now that sustainability is becoming important to more people, there is much work to be done defining its many levels and creating tools to help implement it in the way we manufacture and package products and design and create buildings and other infrastructure. This is one of the new resources popping up to help those committed to sustainability to fill this gap in this growing green movement. w
Conscientious Planet Protection

ost people are familiar with Quakers as living lives focused on simplicity, peace and equality. Theres no surprise that Quakers are also concerned for the environment. And integrating that concern with Friends other values is the aim of a spiritually-centered non-profit organization called Quaker Earthcare Witness (QEW). QEW encourages Friends and other like-minded groups and individuals to explore the spiritual roots of humanitys relationship to the earth and to seek a transformation in attitudes toward the Earth and all living beings. The group supports informed, spirit-led action on all environmental issues: pollution, toxic wastes, conservation, recycling, energy use, global warming, loss of species and habitats, loss of arable lands and population pressures. QEW staff and supporters lead workshops, give talks and staff an Earthcare
Center at Friends Gatherings and Yearly Meetings. It is also a major supporter of La Bella Farm, a sustainable agriculture project in Costa Rica, which involves caring for land that is threatened, while caring for people who have no land. It also sponsors annual exchange visits between Costa Rican and North American farmers. The beautifully illustrated QEW website at www.QuakerEarthcare.org contains an inspiring selection of articles on spirituality and earthcare, living in right relationship with all Creation (which includes simple living) and ecology and public policy. Their approach is positive and full of integrity, embodied in the sentence that heads up each page of the website: To our testimony of conscientious objection to war, let us add conscientious protection of our planet. If you prefer mail to the Internet, you can also contact Quaker Earthcare Witness at 173-B N. Prospect St., Burlington VT 05401-1607.
Consuming Organically
hen Im looking for in-depth information and strongly-held opinion about any policy issues pertaining to natural foods, globalization of food, the family farm or organics, my first stop is usually to consult the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) website www.organicconsumers.org. The OCA is a grassroots, online, non-profit, public interest organization campaigning for health, justice and sustainability. It deals with food safety,
industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, childrens health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other important topics. It claims to represent over 850,000 members, subscribers and volunteers, including several thousand businesses in the natural foods and organic marketplace. Formed in 1998 in the wake of the mass backlash by organic consumers against the U.S. Department of Agricultures controversial proposed national regulations for organic food, it has been able to mobilize thousands of consumers to pressure governments in favor of strict organic standards. In its public education, network building, as well as mobilization activities such as its Breaking the Chains campaign, OCA works with a broad range of public interest organizations to challenge industrial agriculture, corporate globalization and the WalMartization of the economy, and to inspire consumers to Buy Local, Organic and Fair Made. Through its jam-packed website, publications, research and campaigns, the OCA provides an important service. The website alone provides online discussion opportunities, articles, the latest news, action alerts and many more useful resources. - NL -
Page 41
The Green Marketplace

Resources for green, healthy living
Welcome to Natural Life Magazines Green Marketplace, a special advertising section providing access to a diverse selection of products and services from companies and organizations dedicated to healthy, sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible living.
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Page 42
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Inspiration and information about sustainable, healthy living in the back issues of Natural Life
January/February, 2007
Green your winter vacation, growing and using grapes, whats wrong with labeling children, interview with Tina Therrien - straw bale builder, are wine cartons green?, bird watchers track climate change, intestinal health zero-energy homes, socially responsible investing
May/June, 2006
Dangers of cosmetics, simple living, music as medicine, gardening in small spaces, have a clean and healthy home, interview with eco-architects, living in an eco-hood, sustainable seafood, sustainable construction
November/December, 2006
30th Anniversary Issue, Teaching and modeling sustainability, owner-built straw bale house, natural celebrations, Buy Nothing Christmas, interview with Natural Life founder and Publisher, asthma and environment
November/December, 2005
Understanding carbon offsets, growing plants at work and school, the new nomadics, worm composting, simplifying the holidays, organic wine and beer, eco-traveling through eastern Europe, co-housing, eco-wise housing
September/October, 2006
Raw foods, triple bottom line community, ethanol pros and cons, attracting pollinators to your garden, organic weed control resources, vertical gardens, eco-friendly musical instruments, healthy volunteering
September/October, 2005
Choosing a home water purification system, healthy fall garden maintenance, healthy and sustainable housing for cold climates, the nutritional value of seeds, simple living in Spain, progressive care and housing for the elderly
July/August, 2006
Fabric softener dangers, anxiety disorders caused by environment, antidepressant drugs and suicide, eating locally, companion planting, edible flowers, green roofs,
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Rekindling An Old Flame

the proper height (often taller than minimum code

the proper configuration (straight up, if possible, with

properly located (through the interior of the house

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Clear the Air

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Natural Life Interview

Natural Life Editor Wendy Priesnitz talks to

Award-winning natural food retailer Don Smith

Todays talk of turning off lights when not in us

required seems almost foreign to me becaus

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