During the cold winter weather, I like curling up with a good book, drinking a hot cup of tea, or inviting friends to play Pictionary, Pinochle, or Rummy. When it’s cold, dark, and maybe snowing, what do you like to do? Here’s a list of winter’s best traditions from the... Read more →
We had a pecan pie for our Christmas dinner. It was yummy. People asked, "What’s in it?" Here’s a recipe for pecan pie: 1 cup light corn syrup 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 3 eggs, slightly beaten 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon... Read more →
Compact fluorescent light or CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed in glass tubing. When a CFL breaks in your home, some of the mercury is released as mercury vapor. The broken bulb can continue to release mercury vapor until it’s cleaned up and removed from the home.... Read more →
It’s been a mixed year for American consumers. While some important consumer protection measures have been passed, a sluggish economy continues to hurt those who are unemployed and corporations continue to gain power at the expense of consumers. 1. The Great Recession continues on. As of November, more than 6.3... Read more →
To those of you who observe and celebrate Christmas, I wish you the best on this joyous day. I hope you are able to be with the ones you love and share much joy and happiness. Peace on earth and good will to all. Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer... Read more →
The birth rate among women in their early forties increased in 2009, while it dropped among younger age groups including teens. If you’re a pregnant baby boomer, here are food safety tips for the holiday season: Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially when touching raw meat, raw... Read more →
One thing that cheers me up every year is going to the Green Festival in Seattle sponsored by Green America and other organizations. It was at my first Green Festival that I met David Korten, cofounder of the Positive Futures Network which publishes Yes! Magazine. Korten, an economist, believes decision... Read more →
One in six Americans gets sick, tens of thousands are hospitalized, and more than 3,000 people die each year in the United States from eating contaminated food. Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which will strengthen the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food safety... Read more →
DuPont has agreed to pay a penalty of $3.3 million to resolve 57 violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act. DuPont failed notify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of research showing that substantial risk was found during testing chemicals for possible use as surface protection, masonry protection, water repellants, sealants,... Read more →
U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $688.87 on holiday-related shopping, a slight rise from last year’s $681.83, according to National Retail Federation. On holiday travel, 87.7 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home during the year-end holidays, reports AAA. This is a 3.8... Read more →