conditioner (speaking for myself): A few years ago, I was introduced to a Swiss-made line of skincare products that use *no* petroleum derived products. Their primary reason for this was that x% (don't remember their stats) of what we put on our skin can be absorbed into our bodies. This is why we have some meds in patches now. The prices were entirely out of my budget, but the info stuck with me. A few months ago, I found a couple of lines of more affordable products that basically offer the same ingredients (all vegetarian) & are available at vitamin stores, drugstores and Sprouts. I haven't been able to bring myself to quit shampoo b/c I have *really* oily hair. But I decided the conditioner, that is also loaded with gobs of petro-chemicals, isn't as necessary as I thought. I can tell a slightly negative difference, but not one worth fussing about. re: Cheryl's rainwater hairwashing: We have a new 2nd favorite show - The Goode Family. The family struggles with applying eco-friendly principles in a suburb & its funny. Don't remember whether its in the intro or the actual episode, but the dad is showering in a wooden stall with water from his rainbarrel & its right out front for God and everybody to watch. I've been wondering about Green Works. ~ freshair

you're welcome! There is also the Environmental Working Group's report, very thorough: EWG REPORT

We are average I would say - recycling, lights off, CFLs etc. I have friends thought that put me to shame. More than a few of our friends don't use toilet paper. They use family cloth, which is cut up squares of flannel that they wash. I can't bring myself to do that. Lots of friends also use washable sanitary napkins and I personally love my menstrual cup (did I share too much? lol). Bumble I agree that these small things we do in our homes really make a negligible difference in the broad scope. However, it does keep our environment top of mind and that in and of itself is a reason to keep doing it.

check out some threads here about cleaning butcher block--apparently wood is naturally antimicrobial, and studies have shown that wooden cutting boards used for meat, and cleaned with just soap and water, have less bad bacteria than plastic over time. Of course I want to believe this because I am simply not a clean freak :) However, I do strongly believe that in general we are too worried about germs--there is a lot of good bacteria out there that we need, along with the bad. I think as long as you are a reasonably clean person and wash your hands (NOT with antibacterial soap, which kills all the good bacteria too--the good germs that kill the tiny amounts of bad germs from things like mail) and your counters regularly, you're fine. The more small amounts of germs your body encounters, the stronger your immune system and the more able it is to ward off big bugs. Unless, of course, there is someone in your house who is immuno-suppressed, which is an entirely different scenario. Good luck. I empathize with projects shrinking as costs skyrocket...just got another impossible bid from a GC this morning! Oh well...