Eating lower on the food chain means moving down a few links and becoming more of an herbivore, less of a carnivore.
Generally, the smallest species are at the bottom of the food chain, while larger …

Dear Annie,
I am experimenting with aromatherapy and feel it is important to use pure essential oils. How do I tell if an oil is pure?
–Sally M., IL
Dear Sally,
It is good that you are paying attention …

Dear Annie,
I’d rather not wash all of our sweaters and comforters, but they have a stale smell. What do you suggest?–Sally, WI
Dear Sally,
There is nothing like a good shake, sun, and lots of fresh air …

I received an email from a man who said his favorite waxes were beeswax, palm wax, soy wax, and gel wax. I went back and forth with him a bit, challenging him about the safety …

Biocides such as fungicides, are included in paint as a preservative and to kill mold, and in wood stains to kill insects.
Milk paint and whitewash have a high alkaline content which makes them naturally …

Dear Annie,
It seems I have grain moths (meal moths). I found them the day I decided to have oat meal. No thanks. I threw it out, but still see one or two moths flying …

Dear Annie,
I frequently forget to soak beans overnight. I’ve heard that there is a quick-soak method. Do you know what it is? After reading that there is a toxic plastic (bisphenol A, or BPA) in …

Particleboard and other composit wood products are almost always made with formaldehyde and the chemical never outgasses fully because formaldehyde is structurally part of the final “wood” product.
Common reactions to short-term exposure to formaldehyde …

Jojoba wax is a natural liquid wax that never goes rancid. The wax comes from the jojoba tree (pictured), and it is antiseptic, a good lubricant, and an excellent substitute for the old formulas that …

If you have seen a Shoppers’ Guide to Pesticides, or heard about Skin Deep, the cosmetic database that reveals the toxics in your lipstick or shampoo, then you have heard about the work of the …