It seems as though I was happily buying fresh vibrant spinach, lettuce, kale, etc. at Union Square’s local farm stands, blinked, and now it’s Winter.

The growing season for the Northeast is over, but for proper daily nutrition we need to rely on produce that’s shipped and flown in from Florida, California, and beyond.

Sadly, not quite as fresh, and often over-packaged. I recently found broccoli crowns and mushrooms stuffed into Styrofoam containers, which I brought to the store manager’s attention and refused to buy. Yes, our dollars ultimately will have a voice. Hopefully this chain of stores will display these items as “bulk” purchases in the future.

All of that aside, here’s an amazing way to ensure that we’re obtaining an abundance of chlorophyll; antioxidants; phyto-chemicals; fiber; bioflavanoids; enzymes; a healthy blast of vitamins, minerals and Life-Force – All better than synthetic chemical vitamins pills that the body cannot recognize or properly absorb:

Sprout your own SuperFoods! It’s the biggest nutritional bang-for-the-buck, easy to learn and takes just pennies and a couple of minutes per day.

I maintain a constant supply of crunchy lentil sprouts, pea and mung bean sprouts to sprinkle on salads or “hide” in green blended smoothies; chick pea sprouts for home-made “Raw Food” Hummus (You’d never know the difference but its incredibly more nutritious than the traditional cooked version); wild rice or quinoa sprouts for a veggie pilaf and endless other yummy recipes. I even make vegan “sausages” with lentil sprouts and cremini mushrooms to create a meaty texture! Visit www.rawfooddvds.com to see delicious vegan recipes from my DVD, “Green Recipes for Health & Weight Loss”.

Please click the following link to see exactly how to do the entire Sprouting process for yourself with just a few easy steps.  Rather than offering a description, this way you’ll be able to see what everything is supposed to look like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKqQ5AUL-0c&feature=youtu.be

Why are Sprouts the best source of easily assimilated nutrition? Here’s just one example: Scientific studies have shown exponential increases in the amount of cancer-fighting compounds, vitamin C, calcium, minerals, etc. that are found in broccoli Sprouts rather than the mature broccoli plant stalks that we normally eat.

Germination begins when we soak the seeds in water to release their enzyme inhibitors and they “wake up”. As they grow, proteins break down into amino acids, carbohydrates become simple sugars, and fats become essential fatty acids. Good news for those who complain of flatulence after eating beans. These Sprouts are much easier for us to digest, especially when incorporated into a blended recipe.

Fortunately, many grocers carry broccoli, alfalfa, and other sprout mixes if you need a quick fix. Give them a quick rinse and they’re all good to go, although much more expensive than growing your own (All you really need is a colander or sterile jar).

And why deny yourself the joy of communing with Nature while creating your own living food?

Yes, our local growers have the Winter squashes; cabbage, kale; root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips and beets all season long. And nuts, beans, brown or wild rice, and whole grains are readily available. But please remember to include some fresh raw leafy GREENS and Sprouts on a daily basis for optimal nutrition.

You can find organic legumes and seeds that are suitable for Sprouting at local health food stores such as “The Health Nuts” or order on-line at www.Annwigmore.org, www.Sproutman.com, etc.

Boost your immune system with an ample supply of Sprouts every day and you’ll be energized and healthy all through the Winter flu season and beyond!

Bottlers start with tap water, boil it and collect the steam. The steam is condensed back into water.  What are left behind are heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury, along with trace minerals that must be disposed of.  Under-developed nations with contaminated or untreated drinking water often use distillation as a necessary method of water treatment. But here in the US, distillation is very undesirable for normal routine drinking.

Water becomes a vapor before some of the other ingredients. However, the boiling temperature of most synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine solutions is lower than the boiling point of water. Therefore, all these chemicals are vaporized along with the water. Distillation will not remove these harmful chemicals.  Check the label to see if other filtration methods were used before drinking distilled water.

Distillation strips water of natural trace elements that occur naturally in fresh water. When these elements are removed, the water becomes very acidic. Some authorities such as the  World Health Organization  have performed studies showing that long term consumption of distilled water is harmful to our health.  However, there are others who disagree. We suggest that you look into it yourself  before making a decision.  What is clear is that the environmental impact of distilling water is great.

Distillation requires five gallons of tap water to generate one gallon of purified water. It also requires huge amounts of energy, supplied by the burning of fossil fuels.

Most of the one gallon and five gallon choices of bottled water on the market use distillation as a component of their purification process. Since pure spring water is so much harder to get to and there’s less of it, that water is saved for the premium, single serving size containers. Read the label!

To give you an idea of what typical distilled drinking water has to go through, the Arrowhead website explains the process.

Tap water is brought into their facilities by stainless steel pipe. They pass it through a carbon filter to remove chlorine and other organic chemicals. An ion exchange process is used to soften the water. Then it is distilled by boiling and condensing the vapor, and then it passes through a micron filter and ultraviolet light to disinfect it. The water is treated with ozone to disinfect it again, and finally it is poured into plastic bottles. Millions of bottles are then shipped, trucked, and railed all over the US and the rest of the planet.

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The beauty is you can filter your own tap water. You don’t have to boil it or buy a Reverse Osmosis filter. You don’t have to contribute to the plastic contamination of our oceans and lands. We are very lucky in the US that we have an unlimited supply of decent drinking water coming out of our taps. Take advantage of it. Filter it if you must, but don’t buy plastic bottles of water!  Their water isn’t any better for you than your water and the impact is too great.

To me, this is the quintessential “Thanksgiving” dish. I find it satisfies a patriotic distant connection to our country’s pioneers, as I imagine the residents of New Amsterdam (before it was New York) relishing the bounty of their New World.

I’ve daydreamed and developed this version of Squash Soup over many crisp autumn seasons. Its spicy aroma of pumpkin pie will fill the air but won’t fill you up on an overloaded calorie count. And the dairy-free substitution of Coconut Milk instead of traditional cream and butter supplies an extra “Thanksgiving” for the Planet as well.

Ingredients:

1 medium Butternut or Acorn Squash
1 Yam (Sweet Potato)
1 Onion, chopped (3/4 C.)
1 C. Cauliflower florets
1/2 C. diced Apple
1 head Garlic, drizzled with Olive Oil
1 C. “Silk” Vanilla Coconut Milk
1 T. Curry Powder
1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice (or Cinnamon & Nutmeg)
1/8 tsp. Cardamom powder
1/2 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper
Water
A few sprigs fresh Cilantro or Parsley as garnish
(Serves 6-8)

1. Cut Squash in half lengthwise and place cut side up on baking sheet along with the Yam and Garlic.
2. Bake 30 to 45 minutes until fork tender at 375 degrees.
3. Meanwhile, gently simmer the Onion, Cauliflower and Apple in large stockpot with 1/2 inch Water until tender.
4. Scoop flesh from baked Squash (avoid seeds), smash Yam, and add to pot with other veggies.
5. Squeeze in 3-5 roasted Garlic cloves from their skins and add Coconut Milk and Spices.
6. Use an Immersion Blender and puree to desired consistency, adding extra Coconut Milk or Water as you go.
7. Check and adjust Seasonings and Spices to taste. Re-heat, serve and enjoy!

1)    Butternut or Acorn Squash Soup (Recipe posted on website)

2)   Cabbage Soup (can include Potato, White Beans or Chick Peas, and Tomatoes)

3)   Cole Slaw with Cabbage, Carrot, Apple, and Onion

4)    Beet, Pear, Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad on bed of Leafy Greens

5)    Kale Stew (with Tomatoes, Northern Beans or Chick Peas, Onions, Olive Oil

6)    Raw Kale Salad (with Avocado, Red Pepper, Lemon Juice & Red Onion)

7)    Parsnip, Rutabaga, Turnip, Carrot & Sweet Potato Puree

8)    Mashed or Roasted Potatoes /Sweet Potatoes (Yams)

9)    Steamed Vegetable Medley: Cauliflower, Broccoli, Yellow or Green Beans, Carrots

10)  Rockin’ Ratatouille (Recipe posted on website) eggplant, zucchini, yellow crooked-neck squash, onion, bell pepper, tomatoes

A wide variety of toxic chemicals make their way into makeup and hair and nail products. Their effects on health are largely unknown. Even buying “natural” products doesn’t guarantee your safety – the “natural” label is an advertising slogan, rather than a certification. The FDA has its hands full with tracking down e.coli in beef products and lead in vitamins, with little time left over to keep women from coating their bodies in carcinogens.

Here are some of the most common chemical offenders:

Phthalates – a class of preservatives that are widely used in makeup and other cosmetics, phthalates contain endocrine disruptors that may cause reproductive and neurological damage.

Parabens – a common ingredient in aerosol products, there is concern that parabens may lead to higher rates of breast cancer.

Lead and heavy metals – present in small amounts in several brands of lipstick, the buildup of lead can cause neurological impairments. Children are especially vulnerable.

Dioxin – a by-product of paper bleaching, residues are present in most conventionally produced tampons and feminine sanitary products. Dioxin, one of the main ingredients in Agent Orange, has been linked to increased levels of cancer and birth defects. (It’s also a major environmental pollutant: industrial and agricultural pollution has led to dangerously high levels in places like the Mississippi River.)

Formaldehyde, acetone, toluene – found in nail polish, as well as the chemicals used in Japanese/Brazilian hair straightening treatments, these chemicals are organic solvents that can cause neurological damage. Ever wondered why nail salons smell so terrible? These chemicals are part of the reason.

It’s one thing to deal with the fact that your nail polish is overpriced and probably won’t work miracles, it’s another thing to confront the possibility that it’s causing nervous system damage and harming the environment. But what is to be done? You could always stop using all cosmetics and beauty products, but for most women, that’s not realistic. Fortunately, there are alternatives.

1. Read the ingredients label. Refuse to buy products that contain hazardous chemicals. Be an educated consumer; not all chemicals are bad, not all “natural” products are natural. Some substances, however, should definitely be avoided. Safecosmetics.org has a handy list of chemicals that you might want to be wary of.
2. Buy ethically produced cosmetics. (But always check the label to ensure that you’re getting what you think you’re getting!) Some good places to start: Burt’s Bees, The Body Shop, Kiehl’s, and Lush. Etsy is also a great place to find small cosmetics companies who prioritize sustainable production over profit.
3. Make your own. Organic toiletries can be expensive, but DIY products often work just as well (and are super cheap to make!). Try making your own beeswax lip balm, coconut oil hair treatment or shea butter body moisturizer.
4. Avoid particularly nasty chemicals and processes. Is having stick-straight hair really worth inhaling formaldehyde fumes for hours?

If you’re interested in learning more, these websites are a good place to start:

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

The Environmental Working Group

The Breast Cancer Fund

Cell phones, though, are just the tip of the iceberg. According to the EPA, Americans own 3 billion televisions, computers, monitors, MP3 players, and other electronic equipment. Each year, hundreds of millions of these electronics are removed from use, with an astounding two-thirds of those still in working condition.

While the average household spends over $1,000 annually  on the purchase of the newest, sleekest, smartest electronics, thousands of tons of valuable or useful materials, including glass, plastics, and metals such as gold, are being wasted. About 44% of the electronic products that enter the municipal solid waste stream are disposed of, mostly in landfills. Because disposal of items like computers and televisions has been largely unregulated until recently—even today, most states don’t mandate electronics’ disposal (New York State is an exception) —many hazardous materials used in electronics, including heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, have created serious environmental problems. It is estimated that about 40% of the lead in landfills and the majority of mercury in solid waste streams is from consumer electronics.

There is some good news. Over the past decade, the total volume of unwanted consumer electronics collected for recycling has grown. Unfortunately, the trend to recycle has not been able to keep pace with the increasing number of electronics entering the waste stream. The amount of post-consumer electronics destined to be recycled in the country has held steady at about 11%.

The remaining percentages of obsolete consumer electronics sit in storage, languishing in drawers, closets, and the corners of dusty basements.  While “out of sight, out of mind” might work in the short term, it is not a very good solution to the problem of electronic waste. Luckily, if you are one of those people holding on to old and unwanted electronics, there are many local options for recycling or donating these items.

If your unwanted electronics are still in good, working order consider donating to a local non-profit. Many would be happy to give a new home to your old computer, monitor, printer, scanner, or other office equipment.

For electronics that no longer function or are otherwise not suitable for reuse, the best option is to drop the items off for recycling. Though such items are not currently regulated as hazardous waste, the recently passed New York State Electronics Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act will ban the disposal of electronics by individuals and households by 2015. City agencies, schools, business, and non-profits are already required to recycle their unwanted electronics. E-recycling events are held throughout the year in the city. Visit the NYCWasteLess EVENTS CALENDAR to find upcoming e-recycling events in your community.

Additionally, many major electronics retailers, including Best Buy, Staples, and Target, offer in-store recycling drop-off options for old cell phones, computers, monitors, televisions, and other entertainment equipment. The City of New York website maintains an informative list of retail electronics recycling drop-off or manufacturer mail-in options that you can find by clicking on this NYC.Gov link.

For cell phones, in particular, there are many excellent recycling/reuse resources. Before donating your old cell phone, be sure to terminate your service contract for the phone, clear any personal data from the phone, and remove the SIM card.

The Verizon Wireless Hopeline Program will refurbish donated cell phones to benefit local survivors of domestic violence;

The Wireless Foundation’s Call to Protect initiative provides domestic violence victims with refurbished cell phones preprogrammed with emergency numbers;

By dropping off your old cell phone, charger, and accessories at an AT&T Wireless store you can help support Cell Phones for Soldiers, a program that distributes phone cards to American troops overseas.

-Filomena Riganti

Glowing, radiant, and vital health is one of the high levels of well being. This kind of health was the goal of many of the world’s traditional healthcare systems. Wellness comes about by applying universal principles of balance and harmony to the different aspects of our lives, including diet, relationships, environment, activities, healing, thinking and above all our understanding. Known by different names this way of dynamic living is today entitled “macrobiotics”  or  “the macrobiotic way”. These  ”Elements of Health” are essential parts of a healthy lifestyle.

Green City Challenge contributor John Kosinski, allowed us to reprint the following article from his website www.macrobiotic.com.

My consultations, seminars and classes focus on two basic arenas; how to apply the “Elements of Health” to recover from illness, and promote and maintain a more vital state of well being , and how to understand the underlying principles of balance to live a full and dynamic life. I believe the philosophy of balance as applied to the “Elements of Health” is the gateway to a satisfying and fulfilling life.

Food
All animals are designed to eat particular foods that create optimum health and well being. When it comes to the human animal, this fact has been forgotten. In my consultations and seminars, I teach people how to eat according to the human design and the seven practices of natural eating The seven practices of natural eating have been followed by the majority of cultures throughout the world.

When paying heed to the human design and the seven practices of natural eating, a person’s diet consists of primarily whole natural foods such as grains, soups, vegetables, beans, sea vegetables, fish, fruit, nuts, seeds, mild natural sweeteners and seasonings, and non- aromatic beverages. This kind of diet is known as the macrobiotic way of eating.

Environment
Traditional people around the world were aware of the environment’s impact on health and well being. Most of the past concerns, cold, heat, dampness and other factors, have to a large extent been alleviated. The impact of environmental pollution on human health is the number one concern for those alive today.

Three important areas are addressed in the teaching of this element

• How to minimize and protect your self from air, and water pollution.
• The importance of having contact with nature within and outside of your home.
• How to protect oneself from negative effects of electronic machines and appliances in the home and office.

Activities
Today, there doesn’t seem to be enough time to do all the things that we think we need to, want to, or should do. Obviously, some things are more important to do than others, but how do we choose. In teaching people about the elements of health, I often point out that by making healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle, a person’s ability to judge and prioritize what is really important improves. Areas that are addressed in personalized health consultations, classes and seminars include:

• Exercise: Under this element, the importance of the different types of exercise is explained. Eastern therapeutic exercises; Yoga, Chi Kung and Do-in are taught to improve vitality and aid in healing
• Work and Play: Fulfilling work and enriching recreational activities that promote growth and development are essential for a full and rich life.
• Rest and Rejuvenation: Rest and sleep are essential in order to preserve and build up one’s vitality. Students and clients are taught how to understand and/ or become aware on each person’s differing needs. Without this knowledge, people often burn the candle at both ends; leading to burn-out and sickness.

Through classes and workshop, these vital aspects of life are explored. Practical suggestions in how to handle and minimize stress at home and in the workplace are explained. The role of continuing education and the development of artistic skills will be discussed.

Body Care
It is important to take care of the body on the inside and out. Teachings regarding the care of the body as part of “The Elements” include from basic fundamentals such as the importance of keeping the body clean to the use of cotton clothing near the skin, and the daily body scrub. As with the other elements, the rhyme and reason behind daily health practices are important to know.

Mind and Attitude
Every choice that affects our lives is made by our minds. An age old Chinese saying in the martial arts states where the mind leads the body follows. A clear orientation in life, which includes an understanding of balance, and the role it plays in all of our lives is necessary in order to have vibrant health. The traditional understanding of a balance of opposite qualities and forces in life is a fundamental macrobiotic teaching that spans many cultures. Bringing balance to our lives requires a reflection on the principles of change, and is a basic part of my classes and seminars.

Since an awareness or focus in the right direction brings it to our attention, I often talk about the importance of the development of character traits such as patience, self –discipline and compassion as being essential to the development of health and the healing process.

Since modern people deal with more emotional and psychological stresses than people living in traditional cultures, it is also important to learn both the effects and practical solutions to counter the negative effects of daily stresses.

The Way of Eating
How we eat food is very important in assuring that we are getting the most from natural, macrobiotic foods. In this element, I teach people about the importance of chewing , regular meals, eating in moderation and offering grace. In studying and of course practicing these things, you will find that you can get much more energy from the same foods. In teaching about the how of eating , my hope is that the art of eating can again be rediscovered and valued in our fast food culture.

Natural Healing
The macrobiotic approach to natural healing is unique in bringing a sensibility to divergent views of healing and the body from the east and west, and the traditional and modern. In essence, the macrobiotic approach is a practical philosophy that can open you up to the simplicity of health through adopting the elements of health as our way of life.

-John Kozinski

The Starting Line and opening ceremony was held at La Plaza Cultural Community Garden in the East Village. Ten teams lined up with their bicycles at the Starting Line and were given a giant jigsaw puzzle piece, the back of which had a clue to the destination of their first challenge. At each destination the teams would face another green challenge and earn another puzzle piece and another clue along with it.

After earning all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, the challengers raced to the Finish Line at Solar One, an interactive renewable energy outreach and education center on the East River.

While the Challengers were busy pedaling all over lower Manhattan, an eco-fair at Solar One kept spectators busy. Healthy refreshments and exhibit booths featuring hands-on demonstrations of green products, information about environmental issues and locally grown food created a festive and informative atmosphere for spectators and passers-by alike. The finish line was not only the final destination but a celebration of all that is green. Amid applause and congratulations on all sides, the three winning teams were crowned as the Green City Challenge’s first champions.

Spectators, Challengers and volunteers alike had a great time getting to know each other and learning more about the several green businesses and non-profit organizations that participated in the event. Take a look at more pictures and get to know the very first Green City Challengers on our Challenger’s Page.

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Green City Challenge would like to thank our Platinum Leaf sponsor the Xerox Corporation; our Gold Leaf Sponsor, Viridian Energy; and our Silver Leaf sponsors TekServe, and NYSERDA.

Thank you to all our vendors:

• Chelsea Whole Foods
• Clean Air NY
• Ecofriendly Printer
• Greenpeace
• Green Mountain Energy
• NYC Dept. of Sanitation
• NYSERDA
• Pantheon Wellness
• Riverkeeper
• United For Action
• Viridian Energy
• Vokashi

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Thank you to Nicola Armster who created the GCC 2010 awards, and Brooklyn Mammal who made the jigsaw puzzles.

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Thank you to all our in-kind donors:

• AuH2O Recycled Clothing Store
• Earthbound Farms Earthlust
• Ecofriendly Printer
• NYC Dept. of Transportation
  
• NYSERDA
• Recycle A Bicycle
• Riverkeeper
• Sky in the Pie Productions
• Small Planet Foods
• Travel Chocolate

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Thank you to all the companies and non-profit organizations that hosted the starting line, the finish line or one of the challenges:

• Green Map
• La Plaza Cultural Community Garden
• Integral Yoga Foods
• Lululemon
• Lower East Side Ecology Center
• Solar One
• Sustainable – NYC
• Tompkins Square Greenmarket
• Quixotic Energy Systems

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Last but not least, we wish to thank all our volunteers. Without their dedication, creativity and greatness of spirit, this event would not have been possible.

Green City Challenge is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of how to live a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. We promote other non-profit social and environmental organizations who are also bringing green to the mainstream – or bringing the mainstream to green! The Green City Challenge is run solely by volunteers without grants or government assistance. We rely only upon your donations to achieve our goals.

The Green City Challenge is the only one of its kind. Stay tuned to watch us grow! If you couldn’t get into last year’s race, make sure you try again this year! Follow us on Facebook, Meet Up group and Twitter and sign up for our newsletter here.

Plastic is virtually non-degradable in the oceans, due to sea’s low temperature and light and is therefore a very pervasive and persistent pollutant. Most of us are aware of the impacts plastic can have in turtles and sea-birds but what is not so widespread is the fact that plastic just fragments into tiny bits (“microplastics”) and in some parts of the world can be a few times more abundant than plankton.

An emerging recognition is that the microplastics may be entering the food-chain (small crustaceans, shellfish, fish and… consequently humans!)^{(2, 3)} due to its size and abundance, as particle feeders do not distinguish them. Microspheres of plastic represent therefore a direct input and contributor to the oceanic “plastic soup”. This is truly unnecessary, as there are alternatives to the use of this compound (e.g. sugar, clay, etc) that though may not be as cheap (and may damage the plastic’s industry business) are undoubtedly less risky to natural ecosystems and our own health.

A petition has been set up to press identified branding companiesto ban plastic beads from their products:

http://www.change.org/petitions/cosmetic-manufacturers-stop-contributing-to-marine-plastic-pollution-with-your-exfoliating-scrubs

In a city where a large percentage of the population needs dry-clean-only suits for their professional lives, relying on dry cleaners—and all their negative side-effects—is unavoidable. However, thanks to David Kistner and Chris Skelley, using a professional cleaning service no longer means having to infest our homes and the environment with dangerous compounds. Out of concern for the health of their families and the environment, David and Chris founded Green Apple Cleaners: a completely organic, chemical-free professional cleaners imbued with the same sense of environmental responsibility and health awareness that New Yorkers value so highly.

So what sets Green Apple Cleaners apart from their competitors, organic and non-organic alike? The crucial difference lies in the cleaning methods and substances used. According to an EPA report, at least 85% of dry cleaners use a chemical called perchloroethylene—or “perc”—as their primary cleaning solvent. Negative health effects of perc can range from dizziness and

headaches, to memory loss, to liver and kidney damage depending on exposure, and it has been known to cause cancer in mammals. Perc can also contribute to the photochemical smog that is a permanent characteristic of our city. Perc stays on your clothes after dry cleaning and can be released into your home, where it can stay as long as a week. And it’s not just the clothes that get a taste of these chemicals. Perc can cause harm both to the people working with it on a daily basis and the people living around dry cleaners, where the chemical is regularly released into the air.

There are several “organic” alternatives to using perc that offer no better solutions. One alternative used by natural or organic cleaners is hydrocarbon solvents which are petroleum based, which means they emit volatile organic compounds. Another up-and-coming “green” alternative is known as GreenEarth and is composed of a volatile silicon compound known as methyl siloxane. The EPA is still evaluating the safety of this compound, which can cause uterine tumors in rats at high concentrations.
Green Apple Cleaners is the first dry cleaner in the tri-state area to use a truly organic method known as CO2 dry cleaning, which uses liquid carbon dioxide to gently and organically clean clothes. While David and Chris did not discover this organic and safe alternative to harmful dry cleaning chemicals, they are the first and only organic dry cleaner in New York City that employs this method.  Green Apple Cleaners’ revolutionary technique doesn’t sacrifice the quality of their cleaning methods, guaranteeing clean clothes that smell fresh and chemical-free. This makes Green Apple Cleaners among the safest and most effective options for dry cleaning.

Green Apple Cleaners is committed to setting an example of safety and environmental responsibility. They are bringing a much needed green revolution to an industry that is outdated and brings chemical danger much too close to home. The next time you visit an organic dry cleaner, be sure to get the facts about the methods they are using. When it comes to the health of you and your family, make sure your clothes and your home are truly clean.

-Bekah Holloway