Sponsored by
(REE-source)
Bi-weekly newsletter focused on resourceful and sustainable living.
September 17, 2026
Welcome to REESORZ Wire, providing information, tools and creative ideas to promote resourceful, sustainable and healthy living.
If you’re new to REESORZ, check out our website at Reesorz.com or subscribe to the newsletter for free.
In today’s newsletter:
When disaster strikes, the desire to help and support victims is immediate. But what should you consider before donating?
Nature’s water filters are under threat - why these shellfish matter and how you can help.
Back on land, a different filter helps keep your home cool and clean. What you should know before changing out your HVAC filter.
FEATURE ARTICLE
September Is National Preparedness Month: Help wisely after a disaster
This month is National Preparedness Month, a reminder to prepare before emergencies happen. At REESORZ, preparedness is a year-round focus because disasters do not wait for a calendar date. Being prepared means taking care of your own household and knowing how to help others wisely when disaster strikes.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 2011. Holly Romero
When natural disasters happen, people and communities can be impacted very quickly. Families may lose their homes, clean water, medicine, transportation, communication, and access to basic supplies. Your first instinct may be to help right away, and that compassion matters. But good intentions should be matched with good planning.
The best help begins by asking: “What is truly needed right now?”
Before donating supplies or money, look for a trusted organization working directly with people in the affected area. Needs change quickly. In the first 24 hours, people may need water, medical care, rescue support, shelter, or transportation. Days later, needs may shift to hygiene items, cleanup supplies, school materials, temporary housing, or rebuilding support.
Donating supplies can be powerful, especially when there is a clear wish list. You can also volunteer to sort donations, pack supplies, assist with donation drives, or support logistics. Financial donations are also essential because experienced organizations can buy what is needed, cover transportation, and respond quickly as needs change.
Before giving, ask:
Who is receiving the donation?
Is there a secure delivery location?
Is there a written wish list?
Can they explain how donations will be used?
Will they provide follow-up?
When choosing organizations to support, research them through trusted resources such as Charity Navigator, Candid/GuideStar, or the BBB (Better Business Bureau) Wise Giving Alliance. These tools can help you review a nonprofit’s transparency, accountability, and impact before you give.
Using extra caution with international shipments, as customs requirements, theft, misuse, restricted items, and delivery challenges can create serious problems.
The goal is not simply to send help, it is to send the right help to the right place, at the right time.
Help with heart, but also with wisdom.
Read more: “Disaster strikes - how can a donor help?”
WILDLIFE
Oysters and mussels: Nature’s water filters and unsung heroes
When you think of environmental clean-up, you might picture recycling programs or renewable energy initiatives. But did you know that some of the most effective natural cleaners are quietly working beneath the surface of our waters?
Oysters and mussels, often overlooked, are nature’s water filters, playing a critical role in improving water quality in coastal and estuarine environments. These shellfish are not only vital to marine ecosystems but also to human health and the fight against pollution.
How oysters and mussels clean polluted waters
Oysters and mussels are filter feeders, meaning they draw in water, trap particles like algae, sediment, and pollutants, and then expel clean water. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that often come from agricultural runoff or industrial waste. These nutrients, when left unchecked, can lead to harmful algal blooms, dead zones, and the destruction of aquatic habitats.
By filtering out these pollutants, shellfish not only improve water clarity but also create healthier environments for other marine life. Their reefs provide habitats for fish, crabs, and other species, further supporting biodiversity.
Rising concerns: threats to shellfish populations
Despite their importance, oysters and mussels face significant threats:
Overharvesting: Excessive harvesting for food and commercial purposes has drastically reduced shellfish populations in many areas.
Pollution: Ironically, the very pollutants they filter can overwhelm and harm them, especially heavy metals and toxic chemicals.
Habitat loss: Coastal development and dredging destroy the reefs and beds where shellfish thrive.
Climate change: Rising ocean temperatures and acidification weaken shellfish shells and disrupt their reproduction.
In one example, the Chesapeake Bay, once home to thriving oyster populations, has seen a dramatic decline due to overharvesting and pollution. Efforts to restore oyster reefs in the Bay are ongoing, but the challenges remain significant.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Microwave magic, plastic problems
Microwave ovens have a surprising beginning. They came from radar technology developed during World War II. In 1945, engineer Percy Spencer, working for Raytheon, noticed that microwave energy from a radar magnetron melted a candy bar in his pocket. That discovery led to experiments with popcorn, eggs, and eventually food heating.
Raytheon introduced the first commercial microwave oven, called the Radarange, in 1947. It was huge, expensive, and mostly used by restaurants and institutions. By the late 1960s, countertop models became more practical, especially after Amana introduced a home microwave oven in 1967. By the 1970s and 1980s, microwaves became common in American homes.
How microwaves heat food
Microwaves use non-ionizing electromagnetic energy to make water, fat, and sugar molecules vibrate. That vibration creates heat. Microwaves do not make food radioactive. The concern is not the microwave itself—it is often what you heat the food in.
What happens when plastic is microwaved?
When plastic is heated, especially with fatty, acidic, or oily foods, it can break down faster and release substances into food. This process is called migration.
Depending on the plastic, heat may increase the release of:
Microplastics and nano plastics
Plastic additives
BPA or BPA-like chemicals
Phthalates
Styrene from some polystyrene containers
Flame retardants or colorants from recycled or black plastics
Even plastics labeled “microwave-safe” are not necessarily chemical-free. That label usually means the container should not melt or release chemicals above legal limits under specific testing conditions. It does not always mean zero migration, especially after repeated heating, scratching, staining, or aging.
Plastic items to avoid microwaving food in
Avoid microwaving food in takeout containers, plastic storage tubs, disposable trays, foam containers, plastic bags, old, scratched plastic, stained containers, or plastic wrap touching food. Also avoid microwaving containers not clearly labeled for microwave use.
Be extra cautious with foods high in oil, butter, cheese, tomato sauce, or meat grease, because fats and acids can pull more chemicals from plastic.
What to use instead
The safest swap is simple: heat food in glass or ceramic. For meal prep, store leftovers in glass containers when possible. If you store food in plastic, transfer it to glass or ceramic before heating. You can also reheat food on the stove, in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer, depending on the meal.
This one habit can reduce your exposure to plastic breakdown products while keeping microwave convenience.
SPONSORED CONTENT
How 2M+ Professionals Stay Ahead on AI
AI is moving fast and most people are falling behind.
The Rundown AI keeps you ahead of the curve.
It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.
Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses — tailored to your needs.
REESORZ TIPS & TOOLS
HVAC filters - what you need to know before replacing.
While many of us understand the importance of changing HVAC filters, it may be surprising to learn that not all filters are made equally - and may not work with your system.
Before replacing your home HVAC filter, check what your system is designed to handle.
High-efficiency filters, including HEPA-style or very high-MERV filters, can restrict airflow if the system is not built for them. Reduced airflow may force the blower motor to work harder, lower heating and cooling efficiency, increase energy use, and potentially stress equipment over time.
Choose the correct filter size and MERV rating, and ask an HVAC professional before upgrading to dense filtration.
Eat Smart: Simple steps to safer food
Finding safer food starts with choosing whole, minimally processed ingredients whenever possible. Inside many grocery stores, unprocessed food items are often located in the perimeter aisles.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, and simple staples usually have fewer additives and clearer nutrition.
For packaged foods, look beyond front-label claims like “natural,” “clean,” or “healthy.” Instead, read the ingredient list carefully, since ingredients are listed by weight from most to least.
When unsure, use independent tools such as Environmental Working Group’s Food Scores to compare products, check food additives, and make more informed choices for your health and family.
Reduce paper, save trees and your junk drawer.
Paper may be recyclable, but using less is still a win for trees, water, energy, and your overstuffed filing cabinet. Start small:
Go digital with bills, receipts, folders, and statements.
Print only when needed and make it double-sided.
Cancel junk mail before it builds its own zip code.
Read magazines and newspapers online.
Use cloth napkins, washable towels, and cleaning cloths.
Keep lists in a notes app or reusable notebook.
Reuse envelopes, scrap paper, and packaging before recycling.
Choose products with less paper packaging.
Every sheet you skip helps. Use less, waste less—and give your shredder a vacation.
Did You Know? Secondhand style is the new cool?
Secondhand fashion is getting a major glow-up! Big brands like Patagonia Worn Wear, Levi’s SecondHand, REI Re/Supply, Lululemon Like New, The North Face Renewed, and Eileen Fisher Renew are making resale, repair, and upcycled clothing mainstream.
Buying used helps reduce waste, lower demand for new production, and cut fashion’s environmental footprint. EcoWatch notes fashion creates about 10% of global CO₂ emissions.
Remember—the originals, like Goodwill, Salvation Army, thrift shops, and clothing swaps, did it first!
REESORZ 26-week house detox challenge
Welcome to week 8 - and a review of your makeup and beauty products! Each week, we’ll guide you through simple yet impactful steps to to help create a safer, healthier living space. Remember, detoxing your home is a process, so take it step by step. 🌱
Week 8: Remove toxic beauty products
You’re already rocking that natural beauty just the way you are, but hey, if you want to dabble in makeup, let’s clean up the act a bit, shall we?
What’s getting the boot? Parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and formaldehyde—the creepy crawlies hiding in many personal care products that can mess with your hormones and irritate your skin.
Challenge: Raid your beauty stash and toss out anything with those pesky ingredients.
Replacement tip: Go for clean, non-toxic brands for your skincare, makeup, and haircare. Because glowing from the inside out is way more fun (and way less itchy)!
PRACTICAL WISDOM FOR YOUR JOURNEY
"The most important thing about art is to work." — Steven Pressfield, author of the "The War of Art"
Consistency matters more than motivation; motivation follows action.
