The Twelve NonToxic Days of Christmas

Wishing you a safe and joyous holiday season with those you love.

Day 1. A real holiday tree (organic if you can find it) and its organic soil sop up carbon from the atmosphere (http://bit.ly/127ztlt) and reduce exposure to plasticizers from fake trees.

Day 2. Looking for great ideas for nontoxic presents? Check out www.GoodGuide.org and www.ewg.org/skindeep before you shop.

Day 3. Ideas for nontoxic decorations: bring in nature’s pinecones and create popcorn and cranberry garlands that will feed birds once the holiday is over.

Day 4. Enjoying a #MeatlessMonday reduces your exposure to fat-soluble toxins like dioxins, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides. A recent study showed lower cancer rates in vegans.

Day 5. Fill your home with naturally fragrant scents, like oranges with cloves and pine boughs, instead of synthetic fragrance products.

Day 6. Find nontoxic toys for beloved youngsters at the wonderful site www.greenchildmagazine.com/give-safe-toys.

Day 7. If you are traveling by car for the Holidays, try to avoid heavy traffic and diesel trucks to reduce exposure to fumes or put fan on recirculate while in traffic.

Day 8. Wise to choose less contaminated fish for Friday’s meal using guides like the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s http://bit.ly/X70w.

Day 9. Don’t forget your pets when creating a nontoxic holiday. Check out www.ewg.org/PetsfortheEnvironment for suggestions.

Day 10. Candles, though festive, are sources of indoor air pollution, including carcinogens. Use them sparingly and choose unscented beeswax or soy instead of paraffin.

Day 11. Spend some time outdoors today in a natural setting to take a break from indoor air, shown in studies to be higher in toxins.

Day 12. Prepare a nontoxic Holiday feast from unpackaged, organic foods and reduce exposure to pesticides, phthalates and BPA.