Natural Family News

A recent study shows that it’s better to lean back than to sit up straight. Apparently, it puts less stress on the back. However, that doesn’t mean that you can slouch— that’s even worse than sitting up straight. I guess this will change the whole field of ergonomics. New chairs will have to be created. Of course, then you’ll end up with neck strain from pushing your neck forward while you’re leaning back. Maybe we should all save ourselves a lot of trouble and not spend so much time sitting.

Those of you who know me or regularly read this blog, must know how this pains me. I have to (gasp) write something positive about Wal-Mart. I’d love it if Wal-Mart on a regular basis used its immense size and purchasing powers to encourage environmental friendliness, ethical business habits and global peace and harmony, but— alas— that is unlikely to happen.

However, recently they have decided to throw their weight behind the elimination of certain harmful chemicals. Suppliers will receive carrots for meeting Wal-Mart’s goal of reducing the chemicals propoxur, permethrin andnonyl phenol ethoxylates and a stick if they fail to fall in step. Eventually, the plan is to add other chemicals to its “Preferred Chemical Principles” list. So, thumbs-up to Wal-Mart for using its powers for good in this arena.

I don’t know if this is really news, but this Google video about the flu vaccine is hysterical! The next time someone asks you when you’re getting your flu vaccine, just send them this video.

In general, I’m not always a big fan of the U.N., but their environmental group has recently joined Kenyan Nobel prize winner Wangari Maathai urging the planting of 1 billion new trees and encouraing people to make sure that their plantings survive. Certainly, planting trees seems like an incredibly common sense way to fight excess carbon dioxide in the air. If you’d like to pledge your support, you can visit the official website.

I know we’ve been pretty short on posting recently. I hope to change that in the next few weeks. One reason is that we’ve been working on a new project. So, head on over and check out our new Natural Product Review blog. Let us know what you think. If you have a product you want to see reviewed, be sure to let us know.