The Truth About Sunscreens

You know the drill: when the sun’s rays are fierce, duck and cover.

But sometimes, you’re going to be out there in it. EWG’s Sunscreen Guide to 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms and moisturizers tells you what you need to know to find safe and effective sunscreens. EWG’s exclusive scientific analysis helps you avoid red-flag ingredients like vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) and oxybenzone. EWG gives you straight talk about SPF.

Tired of the hype? So are we. The FDA should wrap up sunscreen regulations it started drafting in 1978. Americans have waited long enough.  Basic sunscreen ingredients disrupt the endocrine system, promote cancer, and other health hazards. Read more...

Vacation rentals: How to make your summer vacation rental feel like home - chicagotribune.com

Vacation rentals: How to make your summer vacation rental feel like home - chicagotribune.com

On Location: A Tiny Victorian Cottage

Home & Garden, NY Times

Published: June 23, 2010
A cottage in the Catskills that she renovated herself fulfills a dream for a woman who was once homeless. See photos

You know how I love a retreat!  Small is the new big.

Photos by Trevor Tondro for the New York Times

KNAU:The Latest Info on the Fires in Northern Arizona

KNAU: Infared Cameras Used to Map the Schultz Fire (2010-06-22)

Where Are The Red Hot Rate Specials?

The healthy vacation rental homes in Florida are either empty from the oil spill on the west coast or booked from the overflow to the east coast. Discounts don't solve either challenge.

Rental restrictions on vacation homes and holiday rentals in Sedona, AZ means the only deals you're likely to find require a 30 day stay. If you can afford to take a month off, you probably don't need a rate special!

My current favorite site for good prices on vacation rentals is FlipKey.com With airline prices rising, I'd grab the lowest rate. In these times, it may be more important to look for a home that isn't in foreclosure than it is to get a rate special.

The Chemical Cocktail: Causing Obesity in the US?

According an increasing number of researchers, including UC Irvine biologist Bruce Blumberg who coined the term "obesogens," identifiable industrial pollutants are contributing to the obesity epidemic. How much so is still unknown, but preliminary research is disturbing. Read more: http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/the_chemical_cocktail_making_americans_overweight/#ixzz0r3RNB3g7