The EssentiaList

By Cat, Sept 14, 2019

For almost a year, we have not been able to recycle our used glass. But that’s about to change.  On Saturday, September 28, 10 AM to 6 PM, we can bring our glass (cleaned and sorted by color) to Flathead Recon on Columbia Falls. Recommended donations are between 20 and 25 cents per pound; 20% of the donations will be donated to Flathead Recon, and 80% to a nonprofit – Powdered Soul – that “creates volunteering and entrepreneurship opportunities for kids during the summer to help them pay for their winter sports activities.” (1) Read on for my notes. (more…)

Plastic water bottles (PETE)

By Catherine Haug, March 2019 (photo, right, from Wikimeda Commons)

Plastic water bottles are one of the biggest contributors to environmental and ocean pollution. If you use plastic water bottles, consider the negative environmental impact they have, and then invest in a water filter for your kitchen/bath sink. Costs too much, you say? Check out the Drinking Water Base blog’s article and Water Calculator that compares bottled water cost and environmental impact, with that of a water filter. (2)

But there are lots of other options to avoid use of plastics, too. The following suggestions are from Dr. Mercola (1) on “Living without Plastic,” with notes by Catherine in blue text:

• [Get a water filter for your kitchen sink];
• Use reusable cloth shopping bags for groceries;
• Avoid processed foods (which are stored in plastic bags with chemicals). Instead, buy:
  • fresh produce, and [use cloth or other recyclable bags] instead of  plastic bags;
  • meats [wrapped in butcher paper instead of styrofoam and plastic].
• Buy foods in bulk when you can;
• Store foods in glass containers or mason jars rather than plastic containers and plastic freezer bags;
• Take your own leftovers container to restaurants;
• For coffee to go: bring your own mug;
• For water to go: bring [filtered] drinking water from home in glass water bottles instead of buying bottled water;
• [If you love soda pop, buy brands bottled in Mexico in glass bottles];
• Request no plastic wrap on your newspaper and dry cleaning;
• Avoid disposable utensils and straws;
• Consider switching to bamboo toothbrushes and brushing your teeth with coconut oil and baking soda to avoid plastic toothpaste tubes;
• [Buy cleaning products (dish or laundry soaps, etc.) that come in glass containers or paper boxes];
• Opt for non-disposable:
  • Razors;
  • Washable feminine hygiene products for women;
  • [Washable, cotton “adult diapers” for men/women]
  • Cloth diapers;
  • Handkerchiefs instead of paper tissues;
  • [Cloth, preferably cotton] rags in lieu of paper towels; and
  • Infant toys made of wood [or cloth] rather than plastic.

Read on for other things you can do to avoid plastics. (more…)

By Catherine Haug, October 15, 2017

The “Dear Annie” column in today’s Daily Inter Lake newspaper featured a letter from ‘Alone’ who asks, “How do you decide on an executor, a durable power of attorney, and a medical power of attorney if you have no family or healthy young-enough friends?”

This got my attention because I’ve often asked myself that same question. I too have no blood family and few healthy young-enough friends. Even if you do have family, you never know if one of them will pass on before you do. Fortunately, I have a good attorney whom I trust, to help me. But if you don’t, Annie provided excellent advice. (more…)

Frankenfood

by Catherine Haug, October 31, 2012

(Frankenfood image, right, used with permission from the Organic Consumers Association)

Check out this short, clever video featuring Danny DeVito and other familiar actors, about California’s Prop 37, which would mandate labeling of GMO foods in California. While we cannot vote for it here, if this measure is passed in California, we all should benefit from the labeling.

If the video doesn’t display below, you can view it at Right to Know Halloween Video.