Introduction
This official Links page groups individual links by subject. However, stand-alone, uncategorized links also appear throughout my home page; thus, not every link at this site resides on this Official Links page. However, most do.
Links for my last and most important Key to Good Health, love, enjoy a dedicated page.
I have personally selected all links and consider each important, insofar as I have been able to acquaint myself with the company, organization, and/or products, services, or bodies of information each provides. I have paid a preliminary visit, at least, to each listed site and received a favorable overall impression, based upon compliance with a set of specific criteria. One essential criterion, for example, is sale of products that are actually labeled organic, and not merely "natural."
Please note, however, that unless otherwise indicated, I have not personally verified every single claim made by every single business and organization, whether in regard to its approach to customers and clients or to one or more of its products, services, or information offered, nor have I confirmed or concluded categorically that every product each sells or service each offers is the most natural and non-toxic available. Such a comprehensive large-scale task would be difficult for anyone.
Generally, however, companies and organizations listed here and on my home page are still among the best available for those interested in building and maintaining health.
LINKS
BUILDING THE NEW SOCIETY
Brotherhood of Man
"Advocating Economic & Personal Change"
Without such a transition, it will remain impossible for humankind to dramatically and permanently bring about health, or similarly solve any other human problem.)
GREENWASHING
Top Ten Greenwash Alerts
Good British eco website.
Greener Choices Eco Labels Center
Consumer Union's Green website analyzes product labels and what they really mean.
Whole Foods Markets
The best available, at least in the Northeastern U.S.
GLYCEMIC LOAD
The Official Website of the Glycemic Index and GI Database
Revised Int'l Table of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Values
EVOLUTION
The Weston A. Price Foundation
AIR
American Lung Association, State of the Air: 2008
Or simply enter your zip code, here:
Smoke
Medical Effects of Exposure to Smoke Particles
FOOD SUPPLY
Paleo Diet
Paleo Magazine
"Modern Day Primal Living"
Food Purity
The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It
"Quotation Pending."
The Hundred Year Lie - How Food and Medicine are Destroying Your Health
"Quotation Pending."
The Campaign - Do You Know What is in Your Food?
HealthyChild.org
"We are igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals."
EndocrineDisruption.com
"Quotation Pending"
The Endocrine Society
"Quotation Pending"
NEIGHBOR PROBLEMS
WEIGHT
Brotherhood of Man
"Advocating Economic & Personal Change"
WATER
Clean Water Network
"working to keep the promise of the Clean Water Act" - The Clean Water Network (CWN) is a coalition of more than 1,200 public interest organizations across the country, representing more than 5 million people, working together to strengthen and implement federal clean water and wetlands policy. It is the largest national coalition working to defend and strengthen the federal Clean Water Act.
(Note: sounds good!)
Natural Resources Defense Counsil
"The Earth's Best Defense"
(Note: a longstanding and respected organization, with many Internet resources.)
SLEEP
Organizations
National Sleep Foundation
"Waking America to the Importance of Sleep."
STRESS
Books
The Relaxation Response
"The classic work"
Music
Oriental Sunrise - New Music for Zen Meditation. Riley Lee, 1996
Articles & Documents
Television & Radio
Stress: Portrait of a Killer
A National Geographic Special featuring Stanford University's Robert Sapolsky.
Killer Stress: a National Geographic Special
Same special as above but with a slightly better introductory section.
ORGANIC & NATURAL LIFESTYLE
The Cure for All Diseases, by Hulda R. Clark
"Quote from Dr. Clark here"
Presents a truly a critical thesis: it is life in the modern world itself, that is utterly pernicious to health.
Organic Consumers Association (OCA)
"...the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers." "...been able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of consumers to pressure the USDA and organic companies to preserve strict organic standards."
Additional Note, 2017: the OCA site at one point seemed to imply, if not indicate, support for abortion. Such a posture is irrelevant to its mission, however, and I've emailed it several times for a clarification, receiving nothing back but steely and deafening silence. I've even received several telephone solicitations from the OCA, apprising the telephone solicitor each time of the problem, to no avail. No one ever gets back to me.
Thus, as of several years ago, I cannot and do not officially support this organization.
National Green Pages
"The nation's only directory of screened and approved green businesses"
(Note: appears to be a comprehensive and excellent green directory.)
The Organic Pages Online
"Organic Trade Association (OTA) presents The Organic Pages Online to provide users with a quick, easy way to find certified organic products, producers, ingredients, supplies and services offered by OTA members, as well as items of interest to the entire organic community."
Life Without Plastic
They sell a variety of items made from natural materials.
SUGAR
Sugar, Sweet Suicide, Part I
Critical and eye-opening exposition by Health Educator Gary Null of the manifold and pernicious effects of sugar, though there is better exposition on this, at this point, which I'll list, soon. Moreover, I contacted Gary Null about the typographical errors on this web page, but received no response.
CHEMICALS ALL AROUND US
Organizations
HealthyChild.org
"We are igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals."
Articles & Documents
Biosolids concerns bubble to surface
"Neighbors say sewage sludge spread on fields may be making them sick"
COGNITIVE HEALTH
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Association
Short description here pending.
GREEN BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT SUPPLY
Green Depot
"Environmental living & building" - "Make 'green' building and living solutions accessible, affordable and gratifying"
Green Elements
"Healthy Design & Building Center"
(Note: Tri-state area residents can visit their store location in Boonton, N.J. or their website.)
Eco Safety Products
"We are a leading national wholesale Green Building Products distributor and manufacturer serving the green building supply, professional trade, and safety conscious organizations seeking high performance, safer solutions."
(Note: this company appears to sell to individual consumers, as well.)
LAWN, GARDEN, & PLANT
Organizations
HealthyChild.org
"We are igniting a movement that inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals."
O.M.R.I.
Organic Materials Review Institute
Articles & Documents
Beware the Phrase Organic-Based
(Note: this is the critical article suggested above, describing why lawn care products must not only be be organic, but OMRI Certified Organic.)
The Best Control 2
"Encyclopedia of Integrated Pest Management" - Free Guide to Safe Nontoxic Pest Control"
Biosolids concerns bubble to surface
"Neighbors say sewage sludge spread on fields may be making them sick"
Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Pest Control Products
Fire Belly Organic Lawn Care
"...every one of our products is completely safe to use..."
Planet Natural
"Earth-Friendly Products, for Home, Lawn, & Garden"
Safer Brand
"Kills on Contact - Confidently Organic"
INDOOR PEST-CONTROL
(Includes DIY Products)
Boric Acid
Guardian Of Eden Boric Acid
Sometimes out of stock of boric acid, but excellent informational page.
Home Harvest Garden Supply
See bottom of their web page for their boric acid product.
MOMS & KIDS
The National Children's Study "The National Children’s Study is a multi-year research study that will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The goal of the Study is to improve the health and well-being of children." "...the National Children’s Study will be one of the richest research efforts geared towards studying children’s health and development and will form the basis of child health guidance, interventions, and policy for generations to come."
Organically Hatched - bringing you the best organic baby products "We pride ourselves in bringing you the best of the best in organic baby products. As a new mom, it's been difficult finding the right products and with so many choices out there, sometimes a lot of research is required before you find the best product for your needs. By offering what we believe are the best organic baby products out there, we will hopefully eliminate the confusion and time required to search for quality baby products." "All of our organic baby products are unique and we feature the best natural organic baby skin care products. We also offer beautiful organic cotton baby clothes as well as BPA free bottles, dinnerware and pacifiers. Take time to view our selection and if there is anything we can help you find, please let us know."
The Smart Mama - Simple Steps to Non-Toxic Kids
NatureBaby & Family - natural choices for healthier living - for baby, moms, family & home "At NATUREBABY & FAMILY, we realize that the choices you make for your family can have a great impact on their health, now or in the future. This is especially true for those who are chemically-sensitive and chronically ill, as well as for expecting moms, nursing moms and babies. That is why NATUREBABY & FAMILY has carefully considered each and every non-toxic, organic and natural product we offer to be sure that it is the safest and healthiest product for your baby and family, as well as our environment. We've been your trusted source for organic, non-toxic and natural baby and home products for over 8 years." "Many people have the mistaken notion that if a product sells, it must be a safe product. Unfortunately, for the last 40 years or so, many products were invented quickly, and with a lack of thought, solely for the sake of convenience. Some of these products have the ability to affect us, and our planet, in a negative way." "As a licensed Esthetician since 1987, I was always disappointed by the toxic ingredients that
were in most skin care lines ... After developing chemical sensitivities and allergies, I knew I had to search for alternatives to the many harmful products I was using. After realizing there actually were safer substitutes for these products that work well, I decided to find a way to make others aware of the toxins in everyday products and offer them healthier choices." "It is impossible to avoid all toxins. However, until there are cures for the diseases of the world, especially those linked to environmental exposures (such as cancer), it makes sense to lessen the burden of toxicity in our bodies... Naturebaby & Family was conceived from this philosophy."
Mothering - inspiring natural families since 1976
Fat Brain Toys
"As you peruse Fat Brain Toys, you may find something missing. In fact, if you're accustomed to the toy selection found at most stores, you may find lots of items missing. Missing are the licensed, violent, cheaply made toys that end up in the trash can shortly after being played with by your child. But what you will find instead are THOUSANDS of quality, open-ended toys, games, and gifts that entertain AND educate.
For the past seven years, we've been carefully choosing the best toys from around the world in addition to aquiring [sic] the single largest selection of American-made toys found anywhere."
(Note: Old-fashioned toys that are well-built, non-toxic, and wholesome. Very highly recommended.)
COSMETICS
Aubrey Organics
"100% Natural Products Since 1967 ... Our mission is to provide all-natural, safe and effective personal care and lifestyle products to the consumer. We offer a true and authentic alternative to many of the mass produced synthetic products on the market today. We craft only the highest quality all-natural products without compromise as to ingredients, packaging or cost ... There is nothing to be found in an Aubrey Organics product that does not come from nature ... We...mix our products the old-fashioned way, by hand (as you might in your kitchen). Every product is handcrafted in small batches of 50 gallons or less for greater quality control ... A dedicated animal rights activist, [Aubrey Hampton] is strongly committed to operating a cruelty-free company. This commitment led to his being named “Activist of the Year” in 1990 by the Culture and Animals Foundation."
One of the very few cosmetic companies I recommend, as there are very few whose products contain nothing but 100% right-from-nature ingredients. Prior to my own shift to Dr. Bronner's liquid soap as my shampoo, and simple coconut oil as my conditioner, I used Aubrey products. I still recommend them. You'll find they are expensive, as you'd expect them to be, given the absolute premier-quality that they are.
MATTRESSES & BEDDING
Pure-Rest Organics / Eco-Baby Organics
"I am a mom of 4 and know what it is to worry about the slew of chemicals, all the deception by companies trying to make a buck, and if your child or yourself will be one of the 30% to get cancer because of all this chemical intake."
Woman-owned company obsessively concerned with purity in their products. Shop here first!
a happy planet
"Since 1996 A Happy Planet has been proud to bring you quality merchandise, made with respect to humanity and the earth. We provide sensible, durable products created only by those manufacturers who are committed to using organic and natural materials."
San Francisco Manufacturer and retailer of organic mattresses. Strong emphasis on organic and chemical free. Co-owner: Kevin.
HEALTH PORTALS & DIRECTORIES
Dr. Lam
"The Authority on Natural Healing"
(Note: this site is absolutely fabulous!)
RESIDENCE & HOME
EcoNest
"For most of us, our home is our center. It should be a sanctuary that nurtures body, mind and spirit. Sadly, standard homes today are built with little regard for our health or the environment. There are better ways to build; a home can be the focal point for health and sustainability.
The EcoNest is our simple solution. Health, ecology and sustainability begin at home in an EcoNest. These elegant, hand-crafted homes utilize natural building techniques including: timber framing, clay/straw walls, earth plastering and natural, non-toxic finishes throughout."
Insofar, however, as one still desires or requires a form of indoor dwelling, structures such as those built by EcoNest are best, as they are built non-toxic, non-chemical, and thus non-harmful from the ground up. Living enveloped in such a structure with natural, Earthen materials all around us puts us in direct and joyous contact with our planet, as well.
Additionally, in terms of maximizing the healthfulness of your present dwelling, I highly recommend the EcoNest article Tips For a Healthy Home. In fact, the entire EcoNest website is a powerful de facto library of information on healthy vs. unhealthy living space.
HAND WASHING
ScrubClub.org
Note: A creatively-done handwashing advocacy site for kids.
Clean Up! - A Kid's Guide to Handwashing Good morning! I know you don't' know me personally, but my name is Sarah and I am an after school counselor for some Kindergarten students out in Colorado. They have been using your webpage, http://keystogoodhealth.org/links.html , for their project and brought to my attention how helpful it has been for them! (They are learning how to wash their hands!) As a thank you, one of my students, Michelle, wanted to suggest another resource: "Clean Up! - A Kid's Guide to Handwashing" http://www.commercialofficecleaning.com/kids-handwashing-guide.html She was wondering if you could add this to your page? I researched the article and it is very resourceful which is why I decided to write to you on Michelle's behalf. We would like to thank you again for the wonderful resources and hope that you add our newly discovered resource to your page! If you do decide to add it, please let me know, as I would love to show her the suggestion up! Have a wonderful day! Sarah Cromwell
EXERCISE MARKET & GROCERY Whole Foods Market There are many instances and examples of this orientation; one concerns plants. Do you wish to bring plants and flowers into your home or garden but ensure that they've not been sprayed or otherwise treated with synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or other toxic materials? Do you wish to ensure that when your child learns the texture, feel, and smell of a particular leaf, stem, stalk, or flower by touching it with their hand, there is no toxic residue of any kind, in any amount, that will adhere to their skin, perhaps to end up in their mouth, nose, or eyes? Save Whole Foods Markets, I know of no retailer of plants or flowers whose products are untreated (yet healthy and vibrant). Note: WFM does not treat their plants, nor even apply cosmetic chemicals such as leaf shine. However, WFM employees acknowledge that the plants are not organically grown, and they don't know if they were treated by their growers prior to shipping to Whole Foods. They likely were. Whole Foods Market has stores in Montclair, West Orange, Paramus, and Ridgewood. Their newest local store, and one of their largest nationwide, is the new Paramus store. It is absolutely fabulous and I highly recommend a visit. NOTE, July 01, 2013: my attitude has changed a bit concerning Whole Foods Market. While still the best market overall to secure the widest range of organic and other healthy foods and items for living, WFM has slowly come to sell a rather large army of garbage, too, including pizza, all manner of sugary pastries, cookies, and baked goods, and now even such foods as cheese-laden pastas and hot dogs and hamburgers, though freshly-prepared. Regarding the latter, for example, a pure and trans-fat-free WFM burger or dog is still far healthier than just about anyone else's, yet still consists of (non-organic?) red meat and a roll, which is a refined grain product. Update, September 2017: WFM Market has experienced a steep decline in the healthfulness of its foods. I routinely find undesirable, if not downright unacceptable, ingredients in its foods. For example, "distilled monoglycerides," which I understand to be a back-door form of the dreaded Trans-Fat. Additionally, I've found contaminants any number of times in WFM prepared foods, such as shrimp shells in the Jambalaya and wax paper in the meatloaf. My Mother, for one, stopped trusting Whole Foods Market prepared food some time ago.
sarah@afterskoolkids.org
"We go to extraordinary lengths to satisfy and delight our customers."
NOISE
Eliminating Objectionable Noise
Preserving Your Hearing
National Hearing Conservation Association
International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise
Center for Hearing and Communication
(formerly the League for the Hard of Hearing)
Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers
Preserving & Promoting "Natural Silence" and its Benefits
The Looming Death of Natural Silence (Article)
the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society
The Merton Institute For Contemplative Living
Harms of Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment
NOISE: Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide. The Anti-Noise, Anti-Leafblower Handbook.
This book includes my illuminating essay "Leafblower as Assault Weapon" that reveals the true character of the so-called "leaf" blower, and likely confirms your suspicion regarding just how extremely dangerous this cannon masquerading as lawn equipment can be.
ELECTRICAL POLLUTION
Articles & Documents
Health Effects of Electrical Pollution
EMF Meters & Shielding
Recommended is the AlphaLab Tri-Field meter, as it easily measures each of the three relevant kinds of fields, and is relatively low-priced for such a comprehensive device.
RELAXATION
The World Wide Online Meditation Center
PROTECT THE EARTH
EarthDay.gov - U.S. Government Portal
Natural Resources Defense Counsel
"The Earth's Best Defense"
(Note: a longstanding and respected organization, with many Internet resources.)
Sierra Club
"The Club is America's oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Inspired by nature, we are 1.3 million of your friends and neighbors, working together to protect our communities and the planet."
(Note: awesome!
The Walden Woods Project
- KEYS TO GOOD HEALTH -