Ask Annie

Playdates with Pumpkins: Annie’s Fave 13

Dear Annie, I am new mom and never learned the fun ways that my mother used pumpkins with us when we were kids, and I am looking for ideas. Can you help? --Dana, MA Dear Dana, You are in for a tr…

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Salvation Sealant for Formaldehyde? Ask Annie

Dear Annie, After reading about how the formaldehyde in the FEMA trailers for Hurricane Katrina survivors, I've been concerned about formaldehyde in my home. While I don't live in a trailer, there i…

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Deck Washing? Ask Annie

Dear Annie, I need to wash my deck and wonder what you suggest. All of the recommendations online are to use bleach. --Len, PA Dear Len, I am glad that you asked. I did a little bit of searching …

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Dear Annie, I am a Realtor and I really want to sell eco-friendly and non-toxic homes, or at least be up on the issues so I can steer families clear of unsafe homes and help them find healthy ones. Ho…

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Do Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity? Ask Annie

Dear Annie, I seem to be able to attribute some behavior problems my daughter has to when she eats food (such as at birthday parties) that contain food colors. What do you know about food dyes and …

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The Gas Odor Smell? Ask Annie

Dear Annie, I heard that because gas is odorless a scented toxic chemical is put into it to alert people to the danger of a gas leak. Is this true and what is the chemical? --David, TX Hi David. Ye…

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Dry Shampoo Formula? Ask Annie

Dear Annie, I have a sick dog and he is a breed that is prone to greasy hair. Given that he is sick and he hates baths I don't want to submit him to one. Do you have a dry shampoo formula that I can …

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DIY Cell Renewal Herbal Cream: Ask Annie

Dear Annie, I spent a lot of time in a sailboat this summer and my skin seems to have aged a lot from both sun and wind exposure. What DIY formula do you suggest that is really natural and pure to he…

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What To Do With Toxic Products? Ask Annie

Hello, Annie! I have a fair amount of things back from before I became more interested in what goes into the things I use. For instance, Old Spice Shower Gel or deodorant spray. They are packed full o…

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Rust on Metal Table: Ask Annie

Hi Annie! Do you have any tips for removing rust from a metal table? --Julianne, NY Dear Julianne, Nice to hear from you! The old folk formulas rave about cream of tartar as the best choice to r…

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