THE HEALTHY HOLIDAYS HANDBOOK
FREE! QUICK TIPS FOR HEALTHY & INEXPENSIVE
HOLIDAYS & GIFT GIVING
AVAILABLE NOW ! Read Sample Ideas In This Little Brochure. Then Look For The Healthy Holidays Handbook, at Libraries Around Rhode Island. You can also find it on our website at www.toxicsinfo.org/thoughts.htm - one to read at your computer, & one to download.
COME TO OUR GIFT IDEAS PARTY,
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2008
12 TO 3 P.M., AT THE ROCHAMBEAU LIBRARY,
708 HOPE STREET, PROVIDENCE, RI
NOTE: For The Sake Of Our Friends (Especially Those With Asthma) Who Are Affected By Fragrance Chemicals, Please Don’t Apply Fragranced Personal Care Products Before Coming To The Party!
Contact Us For Further Information or to RSVP:
TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP)
LIBERTY GOODWIN, DIRECTOR
P.O. Box 40572, Providence, RI 02940
TEL. 401-351-9193, E-MAIL: TIP@TOXICSINFO.ORG
WEBSITE: WWW.TOXICSINFO.ORG
(Lighting the Way to Less Toxic Living)
WHAT’S A HEALTHY HOLIDAY?
A healthy holiday is one that enhances not just health, but quality of life and the environment on which we all depend for sustenance. It’s one in which you’re not rushing around, harried and anxious from the overload of chores and the many decisions to make, on entertaining, family visits, gift giving. This year, give self & loved ones the gift of a more relaxed holiday, one in which you have the satisfaction of doing things in a responsible, earth and people-friendly way.
GENERAL GIFT-GIVING STRATEGY
People are besieged with piles of THINGS at holidays, and many homes become junk heaps of seldom-used items. Better gifts are action gifts, service gifts, practical gifts, attractive gifts that don’t take much space. Better gifts are fitted to the life-style and needs of the giftee, preferably eco-friendly, and helping them toward a healthier modus vivendi. Some concern is appropriate, too, for the reduction in sheer trash from wrapping paper and boxes used for a brief moment of glory. Good gifts can be inexpensive too!
HEALTHY HOSPITALITY
If you are entertaining: Clean your home with natural, non-toxic cleaners. Use less-toxic cookware and tableware: stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron or glass, instead of aluminum or non-stick pans, plastic dishes and drinkware. Avoid “air fresheners”, which only cover odors with artificial scents laced with toxic chemicals that offend or even sicken many people. Serve healthy natural food, and emphasize creative cooking and seasoning rather than fatty foods and sweets. This will leave them happier than excesses that lead to indigestion.
SOME GOOD GIFT IDEAS
1. Think of giving a non-material gift, such as a boat ride or a theatre ticket. Give a membership in an organization or donation to a cause in which the giftee is interested. How about some time at a gym, a bowling alley, a course at a local college or a dance class? Another often-appreciated gift is a restaurant or event discount book. All these are environmentally friendly – no piles of wrapping needed!
2. Think of giving services that you can either do for them yourself or pay someone else to do. – we have several times given in-laws an evening of babysitting as a gift. One of our sons greatly enjoyed a neck massage purchased for him while visiting Newport. Choose services your giftee can really use. If you are very dedicated, you could go in and give a thorough house cleaning (using natural cleaners)!
3. Think of giving books or magazine subscriptions, which can educate on health or environmental concerns, be entertaining or informative on subjects of interest. Think humor - we have found that funny publications please almost any gift recipient - and laughs are healthy! Find great books on TIP’s website at the online store: www.toxicsinfo.org/tipstore.htm.
4. Still puzzled about what to get? God bless gift certificates! These can be very appropriate and healthy, from mostly non-toxic and natural type retailers. Besides local sources, there are many catalogues and online stores selling natural products, who’ll provide a certificate. They’ll also do the wrapping and shipping for you. A better selection of less-toxic gifts is available thus, and it saves you hours of tromping through stores and crowds. Also, your loved one gets to choose a gift they really like!
5. Think room-freshening plants such as those in the book, “How to Grow Fresh Air” (buy from TIP). Think chlorine & chemical-removing faucet or shower filters, electronic air cleaners such as a Sani-Mate air-freshening plug-in.
6. Think of gifts of healthy housewares, such as Corning Ware, glass and ceramic casseroles, stainless steel or cast iron cookware. Storage units and racks (of wood or metal, not plastic) can be useful in crowded quarters.
WHAT TO AVOID?
DON’T BUY: Any gift that will pollute the environment or expose the recipient to unhealthy chemicals. Examples:
**Fragranced items – such as cosmetics, candles and “air fresheners” (these are called “indoor air pollutants” by EPA).
**Toxic art materials, petroleum-based permanent markers.
**Teflon-coated cookware, the fumes from which when overheated are toxic enough to kill birds.
**Plastic items, especially toys, with the recycling numbers 3, 6 or 7 in the little triangle on the bottom. These contain toxic chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol-A.
DON’T BUY: Gifts that will give a one-time pleased reaction then never get used or played with more than once or twice.
DON’T BUY : Gifts that will encourage unhealthy habits, like sitting all day in front of the TV or computer playing games, or overeating piles of fatty and sweet foods.
DO FIND GIFT IDEAS IN THE HEALTHY HOLIDAYS HANDBOOK! DO BENEFIT TIP BY ORDERING YOUR GIFTS AT: www.alonovo.com/community/affiliate/98 OR BUY THEM FROM: www.igive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=38382&m=0
CALL 401-351-9193 OR E-MAIL: TIP@TOXICSINFO.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.