Interview With EcoMist’s Ted Fagan
I got the great opportunity to do an interview with the creator of Canada’s EcoMist household cleaning products Ted Fagan. Ted Fagan is a passionate environmentalist that used the power of natural products to create a line of extremely safe and effective household cleaners. It was an honor to do an interview with Ted and I hope you enjoy.
EcoMist Questions
Where did the name Eco Mist Solutions come from?
The name Eco Mist Solutions was decided on after researching thousands of other names. All the ingredients are ecologically safe, ere go “Eco” and the word “Mist” was used because our primary focus was for industry to use them from a spray bottle. We felt the “Solutions” also worked on several different levels – both as a cleaning “solution” and an environmental/health “solution”. It actually was my wife that came up with the name Eco Mist Solutions and our tagline “Clean With Nature”. She reminds me everyday!
What is your educational background in and was it difficult to come up with the various cleaner formulations?
My educational background is not based in chemistry. I studied Colloidal chemistry long after leaving the school system. Colloidal chemistry helped me to create products that worked without harm. It took years of research, determination and passion to develop cleaning solutions that could be used in all industries. I had no experience in the cleaning industry so I spent two years listening and working with professional cleaners. Based on my experiences, I mixed and matched combinations of agricultural ingredients in Colloidal solutions to formulate Eco Mist Solutions products. Challenging is an understatement.
What are some of the main reasons for choosing Colloidal Science for Eco Mist Solutions products and where did you first find out about this technique for making cleaners?
I decided on the science of colloidal chemistry as opposed to enzyme-based science because enzymes have a tendency to mutate. Meaning they begin efficient and end up becoming non-efficient. Colloidal-based products always work the same because they don’t depend on living organisms to do the work.
Eco Mist has such a wide variety of cleaners, but out of all of them, do you happen to have a favourite cleaner and why?
While I’m very proud of all of our products, I think our Degreaser is my favorite product because it is widely used in all industries, and ours has such amazing degreasing properties. I receive lots of compliments from people who have tried it.
Do you plan on expanding to retails store beyond Canada?
We’re involved in retail negotiations in many countries.
I read an article about how you drank your own product to show just how natural the ingredients were in it. That’s pretty amazing that you were able to drink a household cleaner. How did it taste?
I’ve drank, shaved, washed and brushed my teeth with Eco Mist products. Trust me the degreaser doesn’t taste that great.
Was there a reason behind choosing Home Depot as the prime retailer for your products?
I chose Home Depot first because they “got it”. They understood what I was trying to achieve. They tested thousands of other so-called green products. Their Canadian President is a true environmentalist who cares about the environment and her customers. She doesn’t just speak “green,” she acts on it. For me, Home Depot was and is the perfect partner.
Do you feel that Eco Mist Solutions has had a major impact? Are there any inspiring stories that consumers have sent to you about your products making a positive impact on their lives?
Our company is still too new to have had any major impact but we’re up and coming. After launching in Home Depot, I’ve had hundreds of great emails from consumers thanking me who have tried our products and were very pleased – and sometimes amazed – with them. I’ve attached a recent testimonial.
Personal Questions
Where did you draw your environmental views from that helped you create Eco Mist Solutions products?
I’ve always wanted to make a positive difference in this world. It’s upsetting to me to hear environmentalists and governments speak about recycling, energy, emissions and everything else we can do to reduce our environmental impact when there is millions and millions of toxic wastes entering our waterways each day from cleaning products being used in our homes and work place. In addition, the toxins and chemical residues pose serious problems to our short and long-term health. For me, addressing these types of issues this was a good starting place to make a difference.
What are some things that you do in your daily life (on top of using Eco Mist Solutions) to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
In my home I use low energy light bulbs. I turn them off when they’re not needed. We compost, recycle and reuse. I now drive a Hybrid vehicle and try and just reduce the amount of consumerism in general. Most of my days are spent researching and developing new cleaning solutions or travelling to meet owners or buyers interested in what we have to offer.
Do you have any children and were they are source of creating safe and natural products like you have?
I have three children and they are very proud of what I’m doing. My agenda is to create a healthier environment for all humans, animals and the planet.
Do you have any additional comments to share with my readers?
In summary I’m passionate about what I do and I’m proud of what I’ve created for the world.
Neti Pot Nasal Irrigation
Millions of Americans suffer daily from sinus problems that can be attributed to extremely high pollen counts or environmental factors like pollution. Regardless of what’s causing so many people to feel miserable all day, there is a more natural solution to solving your issues besides taking another pill or dangerous spray solutions. Nasal irrigation systems like a neti pot have become an increasing popular practice for helping people relieve sinus related issues.
The netipot is just one of many nasal irrigation methods that have been used in Asia for centuries to help cleanse out our sinus cavities. The word neti pot actually comes from a traditional Indian medical term called jala neti which means nasal cleansing. Nasal cleansing is usually mentioned with yoga and can be performed immediately after cleaning your sinus passages.
How does it work?
A neti pot often looks like a small tea pot that can be made from a variety of materials including ceramic, stainless steel, copper and plastic. It works by using a simple saline solution to flush out mucus and debris in the nasal passages. Also, sinus problems can cause our nose hair (cilia) to work less effectively. By cleaning out excess mucus and debris, our cilia can work more effectively at filtering allergens, bacteria and other irritants.
Clinical testing has shown that nasal irrigation techniques like neti pots have shown to have no negative side effects and is safe to use. Sinus specialist recommend it’s use to their patients, especially those who have had sinus surgery. People who have used nasal irrigation methods have reported fewer colds, headaches, less congestion and can alleviate facial pain.
How to use one?
It can often become daunting when first seeing how a netti pot is used. Not only does it look pretty disgusting to see mucus coming out of somebody nose, but it can be difficult to correctly use one.
Saline solution
The saline solution can be one of the tougher parts of using the neti pot appropriately. If you use too much or little, it can be extremely irritating to your nose tissue and you will notice immediately. Once you get the appropriate solution, it feels really refreshing. There should not be a burning sensation nor should it be uncomfortable to use.
A solution recipe that I have found to work great is a ratio of 1/4 teaspoons of salt to 8 ounces of warm water. This may vary from person to person, but I have found this mixture to be perfect. I just took the 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon from my kitchen ( I don’t ever use it in the kitchen anyways ) and 8 ounces is the capacity of my neti pot.
Some helpful tips to make sure that your saline solution turns out well include:
- Make sure to purchase salt with nothing added to it ( usually iodine ).
- Properly mix the solution to ensure salt is equally distributed among water.
- The water temperature should be approximately what you body temperature. This is similar to the amount of salt to add to your solution, it varies depending on your preferences.
- Try mixing in a little baking soda if the solution feels like it needs to be softened.
- Avoid those expensive saline solution packages as all they are is a mix of salt and baking soda.
Techniques
The following are some techniques that I have found to make using your neti pot much easier:
- Fill the neti pot with the above solution making sure to follow the tips I mentioned.
- Use the neti pot over the sink or in the shower. I prefer the sink because you are not wasting water.
- Lean your head at an angle of approximately 45° and bend your head down, while still looking straight.
- Place the neti pot in whichever nostril that is higher.
- Begin breathing through your mouth. This will make sure the solution can properly circulate through your sinus passages.
- Gradually lift the neti pot handle and allow the solution to pour from the one side of your nostril to the other. The solution will begin draining from the lower nostril.
- Repeat on the other nostril. Depending on your sinuses feel, you may need to use an entire pot on each side.
- Once complete, gently blow your nose. Do not blow to hard as it can cause water to enter your ear and can even cause pain in your ears.
There are a lot of steps involved and even when it’s written, it still can still be difficult to use. Here is a great introductory video on how to properly use a neti pot to ensure you are getting all the benefits of nasal irrigation:
Different Types
There are a variety of different types of neti pots including:
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is is in my opinion the best type material a neti pot should be made from. It is often slightly more expensive than other varieties, but is much stronger and more durable. You can easily take it on trips without fear of being broken and usually hold double the water capacity. Here is a quality stainless steel neti pot that got some good reviews.
Ceramic
Ceramic is the most popular variety because of their soft feel and are often inexpensive. A major drawback is it’s fragility. It can be tough to take on travel as it can easily break if your drop. It also is much heavier than other materials and doesn’t have a large capacity. Himalayan Institute is one of the most popular brands.
Plastic
Plastic are fairly popular as well and can be found in just about any drug store. Plastic is fairly durable and doesn’t break when dropped, making it nice to take on travel. Just as with anything plastic, it can sometimes deteriorate with age, especially because of the constant use of a salt solution. Neil Med makes one that comes with prepackaged salt solutions.
Other Types
There are a wide array of other types of nasal irrigation systems that use more than gravity to alleviate sinus problems. Some feel that neti pots don’t do a good job in clearing their sinuses. There are advanced systems like the Sinupulse that are electrically powered and use pulsing systems to clear nasal cavities. There is also nasal rinse systems in which you squeeze a bottle of saline solution in your nose. These are fairly inxpensive and give you a little pressure. Whether they are more effective than a simple neti pot may vary from person to person, but I just prefer a traditional neti pot.
Save
This may seem like an odd heading, but you can actually save with nasal irrigation systems if you have sinus problems. Some ways that it can save you both money and time include:
- More Productive at Work: If you no longer are suffering from having constant running nose, headaches or other systems of sinus issues, then you will become instantly more productive at work. It will be easier to focus on tasks at work as well as make the day much more bearable.
- Sleep Better: It is never easy to sleep when you are congested and can’t breathe out of your nose.
- No More Tissues: Well, you may still need to use tissues, but you can really cut your spending on tissues now.
- Less Pills: You can now ditch those expensive allergy and sinus medicines.
My Experience
I have been using a neti pot since the later part of my college days and words cannot describe just how happy I have been with how the neti pot has changed my life. In college, I regularly had what I thought was a cold and it would last for weeks with a never ending stuffy nose, constant headaches and a nasty taste in the back of my mouth. I was finally fed up when I went into a series of finals sick and I could barely breath. I saw the neti pot when searching for natural solutions to solving the problems I had. From the day I began using it, I noticed a drastic difference. That gross taste in my mouth went away immediately, I got far few headaches, and my nasal passage always feels clear and easy to breath. I’m glad to also say that I have yet to get a cold since the day I began using it *knock on wood*. I still use it on a daily or bi-daily basis as part of my morning and/or evening routine.
If you were to talk to any of my friends, they would tell you that I could be a spokes person for the neti pot. I have gotten my mom, fiancee and a few friends to begin using it. It does not work as well as it has for me on some who have tried it, but all have been satisfied with the results. If it makes you feel worse by using it, then this form of nasal irrigation is not for you.
Your Experience
Please share your experience with using a nasal irrigation system.
Battle For Terra Movie
Battle for Terra is a 3-D animated film about a peaceful alien planet which faces destruction from the last surviving members of the human race. It will be premiering in theaters Friday, May 1, 2009. The following is the trailer and gives a great overview of what the film is about ( for better quality, be sure to see the movie’s main site ):
History of the Movie
Terra, it’s original name, first aired as a short film in 2003 named All She Wants is the Truth. The film receive positive review and several accolades, it was made into into a full feature film that aired at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2007. After winning a wide array of film festival awards, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions attained the rights to the move early in 2009 and set to release to release the film in America. The film’s director and writer Aristomenis Tsirbas’s has been part of many short films in the past, but this is his first full length film.
Battle for Terra
The typical sci-fi movie involving aliens taking over a planet usually involve other races trying to take over Earth. What happened if humans destroyed Earth and needed a new planet to inhabit? Battle of Terra is based off of the premise that Earth has been destroyed and the only way that humans can survive is to take over another planet. It really makes you think that we could be the aliens that we are so scared of.
One of the major themes of the movie involves the negative impacts humans have had on Earth and how we essentially destroyed earth because of our wasteful and war driven ways. This theme does not seem to far from reality seeing how we are dwindling away our natural resources and constant disputes among our nations. Terra on the other hand lives peacefully and in-sync with nature. Instead of attempting to communicate with the inhabitants of Terra to live peacefully with them, humans instead want to wage war and take over their planet.
There are many major stars in this moving including Evan Rachel Wood and Justin Long playing two teenage Terrians ( not sure if that’s correct ). Evan’s character Mala becomes friends with a human pilot voiced by Luke Wilson who was injured in a plain crash. Other major characters in the movie are voiced by celebrities including Brian Cox, Dennis Duaid and Amanda Peet.
Even with the underlying messages of environmental and social change, this movie is for all ages. Everybody from kids to adults can enjoy this beautifully constructed CG animated action film. State of the art 3D animation techniques were used give the movie a true 3D effect.
National MY TERRA Contest
The National Wildlife Federation is teaming up with the Battle of Terra to have a contest for children in grade 3-8 to write about a special place in nature to them. The goal of this contest is to remind families of how beautiful our world is, even right outside our homes. I urge parents with children in these grades to participate in this contest. It’s a great opportunity to express how they feel about our natural setting and hopefully encourage them to go outside more. Winners will receive:
Grades 3-5
- 1 child will win a digital camera and get the opportunity to participate in a Outdoor Photography Workshop.
- 4 runner-ups will win a year subscription to National Wildlife Magazine and a Set of DVDs.
Grades 6-8
- 1 child will win a 2 week California Community Service Adventure.
- 4 runner-ups will win a year subscription to National Wildlife Magazine and a Set of DVDs.
To find out more details and to sign up visit Battle of Terra’s Content Page. The contest ends May 30th, 2009.
GreenSwitch to Save Energy and Money
Trying to flip off all of your light switches and make sure all of your electronic devices are unplugged can be a pain, especially when time is an issue or you simply forget. GreenSwitch provides a simple yet extremely effective solution that can help make cutting back on your energy bills as simple as turning off a single switch. It was featured on History Channel’s Modern Marvels and and won the Green Home and Lifestyle Award. Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. highly endorses the GreenSwitch system and goes into some of the details of the system:
Devices like the Smart Strip Power Strip are great when you want to isolate a series of electronic devices plugged into the same power strip. GreenSwitch allows you to control the entire house in the same fashion. Not only does it help turn off electronic devices in your house, it stops any devices from continuing to drain energy while they are turned off. Devices like computers and entertainment systems are usually culprits of going into standby mode and still using a large amount of energy. By completely stopping energy to electronics like these, it can really increase energy bill savings.
What’s really cool is that radio frequencies are used to communicate to all of the outlets within your house. No wires are required which minimizes the amount of work required when installing the system. Some of the components that can be purchased with a GreenSwitch system include:
- Master Switch: Controls all of the components hooked up to the system or a series of designated components.
- Outlets and Receivers: Controlled by the master switch.
- Thermostat: Hooks up the system.
- Remote Control: Controls various settings of the system as well as control outlets, receivers and their thermostat.
Garbage Disposals Bad for the Environment?
Garbage disposals may be one of the most overused items in the kitchen and could be having a huge impact on our environment. Are garbage disposals really that bad for the environment and is it really the worse option?
How Do They Work?
It is an electronically powered device in below the sink drain to shred food into tiny particles. Food scraps end up being approximately 10-20% of our total waste. This can really be a huge burden on water treatment plants if most of those scraps end up down our sinks. There are those who feel that some positives come out of putting scraps down the sink instead of throwing them out is that. Landfills are already overfilled as is and water treatment plants are better equipped to handling small scraps. Garbage disposals can also help eliminate large food scraps from making their way down our drains.
I wanted to see what a large garbage disposal company like InSinkErator would say about the environmental impact of their products. Here is what they had to say:
Food waste is mostly water (70%) so it makes sense to grind it up in your disposal and send it to municipal waste water treatment plants. Methane, the biogas created during the processing, can be captured and used to generate renewable power for the plant or municipality. Many modern wastewater treatment plants do that, and the number is growing. The biosolids that result from treatment can be processed and sold as fertilizer and soil conditioner. This in turn, reduces the need for energy intensive fertilizers. And you don’t have to worry about disposals’ water and electricity usage. They average less than 50 cents a year in electricity to operate and account for about one percent or less of a household’s total water consumption.
This does seem to paint a nice picture for how water treatment plants handle food waste. They also claim that it is much worse to send food scraps to landfills because they produce methane because of the rapid decomposition. The fact is that 30% of the waste is filtered out and sent to local landfills anyways. On top of that, many of the water treatment plants throughout North America and Europe do not have a way to catch biogas.
What to do?
Whether you throw food waste in the trash or use a garbage disposal to send it to water treatment plants, there seems to be negative environmental impacts. Home Composting is a great alternative to burdening our already over taxed water and waste systems. Not only is it far less taxing on the environment, but you can save some real cash on buying expensive soil additives at local garden nurseries. Compost really makes a huge difference in your garden and you are producing it for free. Even if you do live in a urban setting and a compost bin doesn’t make sense, there are indoor composting bins that produce no odor and are just as effective as outdoor models.
HGTV Green Home Giveaway 2009
HGTV is hosting it’s Green Home Giveaway for the second year in a row . They are giving away a home located in Port St. Lucie, Florida and features a wide variety of eco-friendly options described in the following video:
The home features a variety of environmentally and sustainable features including:
- Platinum LEED Certification
- All Energy Efficient Appliances
- Water Efficient faucets, toilets and showerheads
- Solar Water Heating and Panels
- Environmentally Friendly Paints
- Self Sustained Garden
- Composting bin and rail barrels
- Recycled carpets
Also included is a 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid that has a V8 engine and gets 21 city/22 hwy. This is probably the part of the contest that I am not really thrilled about. Just to bring this massive vehicle up to par with the already inefficient cars we have on the road, they had to make it a hybrid. Regardless, you still would win this car if you were to win the contest.
In total, the prize package totals about $750,000. This home is really a great example of how homes should be built in America. Make sure to enter the contest by going to HGTV Green Home Giveaway page so you don’t miss you chance to win this beautiful and environmentally friendly home. The contest ends on June 5th, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
Sinupret For Kids Giveaway
Sinupret is an all natural and safe remedy for children.
Bionorica, the makers of Sinupret, and this blog offering to give 5 readers a giveaway pack, each with includes:
- A copy of Dr. Bob Sears bestselling book The Healthiest Kids in the Neighborhood
- A sample of Sinupret
- Yellow children’s binoculars
- Sinupret for Kids Activity Books
- Sinupret for Kids Stickers
- Mini Plush Bear
You can receive up to 3 entries in the contest by doing either or both of the following:
- Leave a comment on this post.
- Subscribe to my RSS feed or email subscription and comment here to let me know you did so.
- Share this post with a social networking service including StumbleUpon, Digg and others.
For each entry, leave a seperate contest so that I make sure to count that particular entry.
This contest ends on May 1st, 2009. I will choose 5 winners randomly based off of all the entries. You can only win one giveaway pack, but make sure to enter in all the above ways.
