Healthy and Green Living » Bed & Bath

Sensuous, Sensible, Sustainable Sheets

Melissa Breyer — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:00:15 +0000

I'll take cotton sheets over their synthetic sisters in a heartbeat—but the thought of all those pesticides used on cotton crops has been elbowing me in the psyche lately. Looking for organic cotton bedding, I found these instead and couldn't believe my skin when I first slipped into a set of such soothing, eco-friendly sheets. So soft, so supple, so sustainable.

Vinyl Shower Curtains are Oh, So Toxic

Andrew Peterson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:00:41 +0000

I will never forget the scene in the movie “Psycho” when a woman is showering in her motel room and Norman Bates sneaks in, rips open the shower curtain and stabs the woman to death–the scene was and is pure terror. I hate to admit this but every now and again when I am [...]

Green Girl Fluffs Out Bedding

Lily Berthold-Bond — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:30:26 +0000

What do I remember about shopping for college? Well, there were a lot of stores, and a lot of bags, and a lot of things I thought I needed but didn�t really need, and a lot of things I needed but didn�t think I needed. And then there was bedding. Now, when [...]

Beautiful Bamboo Bounty

Melissa Breyer — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:00:21 +0000

What was used for the filament in Thomas Edison's first light bulb? It is the same material used to build homes for 1 billion people across the world and is also used for everything from fishing traps to fences, papermaking to food. Here's a hint: It is the supple darling of eco-friendly decor. If you guessed bamboo�bingo! Read on for more about this engrossing grass and see some of our favorite bamboo gifts including towels, sheets, kitchenware and even a bicycle.

Alarm Clocks: Easy Greening

Melissa Breyer — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 06:13:11 +0000

Cultures across the globe believe that waking up suddenly is actually dangerous for the soul. Somehow, that really resonates. At the very least, the heart-rattling bell or shrill startling beep beep beep of a standard alarm clock is just a crummy way to start the day. Scientists don�t study safety hazards for the soul, but studies have found that gradual awakening increases sleep quality. Read about alternative alarm clocks here and discover how to wake up on time gracefully.

Green Dorm Room: Easy Greening

Annie B. Bond — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:18:02 +0000

One last loving thing we can do as parents is to send our children off to college with the makings of a green dorm room, replete with natural air freshener (as an alluring substitute if the roommate wants to use a plug-in), natural fiber bedding (it is cheap at Target), and a myriad of other examples of choosing the most eco-friendly (and human-friendly) furnishings.

Harness the Power of Color in Your Bathroom

Annie B. Bond — Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:47:05 +0000

Color affects us physically, psychologically, and emotionally, and bathtubs are a traditional place to soak in water that has been tinted to attain a desired mood or spirit purpose. But using color--that potent tool for healing, self-transformation, and growth--shouldn�t just be for bathers.

How To Feng Shui Your Bedroom

Annie B. Bond — Sun, 12 Oct 2003 05:49:26 +0000

Your bedroom is your ultimate inner sanctum where you are at your most vulnerable while you sleep and recharge your chi. From a yin/yang perspective, this is a more yin, quiet and peaceful environment; you need to feel protected and do not want distracting and powerful chi to disturb you. At the same time, there needs to be a good circulation of chi and plenty of fresh air available to recharge you.

Why Linen is The Best Dish Towel

Annie B. Bond — Thu, 01 May 2003 13:15:42 +0000

Flax linen is one of the world�s oldest natural fibers, made from the stalk of the flax plant. It comes to life with use, with being washed and hung to dry in the fresh air and sun. It also sheds dirt very well and easily. And it is the strongest of the vegetable fibers; up to two to three times stronger than cotton. It is even stronger when wet, yet it softens on repeated washings. A lint-free fabric, it is also perfect for drying glass.

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall? Feng Shui How-To

Annie B. Bond — Mon, 28 Oct 2002 07:49:39 +0000

Mirrors are often used in Feng Shui for a variety of reasons.

They can expand a narrow hallway or draw sunlight into a dark room. The author finds mirrors to be spectacular for long alley kitchens and spaces that need to draw in natural sunlight.