Euphoria for Green Mamas » Healthy Living

our Heads in the Sand

Rachel — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:13:20 +0000

During the holidays I took the kids to a local children’s hospital to donate some handmade plushies to the pediatric cancer ward. The hospital floor was decked out in a lively jungle theme with so many fun holiday details to make the treatment center and waiting areas feel like Christmas. The ladies on staff gave us a short, informative tour. My kids listened attentively with wide eyes, soaking in a new reality… children who must regularly visit the hospital to survive. On the way home Aria (7) and Liam (almost 5) had lots of questions about cancer. How bad is it? Can it be fixed? Do lots of people get it? And, most importantly in my opinion – What causes it?

That’s the question most grown-ups don’t want to ask. What causes it? They’re afraid, we’re afraid because the causes are everywhere in everyday products and it doesn’t seem possible that we’re really choosing something so awful, willingly for ourselves and our little ones.

Today an article from Healthy Child Healthy World caught my eye:

Last week the Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer States released a study that found 80% of new baby and children’s products tested positive for chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), a chemical voluntarily removed from children’s pajamas in the 1970s because it was found to cause cancer.

The report tested 20 products and found this cancer-causing chemical in nursing pillows, changing pads, bassinet pads and car seats. Starting from day one, millions of loving parents in our country surround their children with a chemical so obviously dangerous that US companies removed it voluntarily in the 70′s. The seventies!

This reality is truly outrageous. Someday generations are going to look back and shake their heads at our folly. Meanwhile, said millions of parents continue to bury their heads in the sand. And 50% of all Americans get cancer.

But no problem is too big, too hard that you can do nothing about it. When Aria voiced these hard questions I was so encouraged to be able to connect the dots for her, to explain that all the “odd” choices we make about eating real food and using natural products are precisely the way to prevent cancer. I could see her eyes light up. And, I’ll confess, my heart was filled with thankfulness that I could give her this hope.

Lately our family has had to make some sacrifices due to financial challenges. We can’t always afford to buy organic foods anymore. But I won’t let those little defeats to change the course of our lifestyle. We will continue to strive for natural, healthy living. How could I choose anything else for those I love?

Healthy Living can Heal!

Rachel — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:11:26 +0000

I love this story from Healthy Child Healthy World about a family who faced the diagnosis of autism and fought back with healthy living. The family made important changes to their little boy’s diet, such as eliminating food additives (food coloring, etc.) and preservatives, as well as identifying his sensitivity to gluten and dairy. A boy who was considered by doctors to be autistic was simply being “poisoned by his environment.”

After further changes to his diet, Jake is a different little boy. This is a hard thing for me to write, but he now has a sparkle in his eyes that he never had before. Today, he smiles, laughs and tells me I am his best friend. Friends and families cannot believe the dramatic change in him. He is a happy little boy, whom I am so thankful and grateful to have in my life.

A few months later at Jake’s autism assessment, our pediatrician said she could not explain his rapid improvement, and she now has no more concerns.

When I share information about the dangers of the American diet or concerns with common toxic home products, I often feel like that “odd” person. Reading stories like this is a welcome reminder that real people and even real doctors are seeing a huge difference when folks make wise choices about their lifestyle. Let’s not be afraid to share the truth and to be the change that our country so desperately needs!

What are GMO foods?

Rachel — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:24:09 +0000

GMO Foods are “genetically modified organisms” but what does that really mean? I think you ought to know since you probably eat them everyday. An estimated 30,000 items in your grocery store contain GMO ingredients.

Here in the United States, we are the largest producer of GMO foods and we do not require them to be labeled. In contrast, 30 other countries – 30! – have placed bans or restrictions on GMO’s for safety reasons.

Find out what GMO’s are and are not with this one-page GMO infographic. Click here for a larger view!

via

Sources and more info: “A Disturbing Update on GMOs“ from Healthy Child, Healthy World

Are you Sun Safe… really?

Rachel — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:21:50 +0000

Yesterday we spent the morning at a swimming pool with lots of friends. Five families = bunches of kids and all kinds of approaches to sun safety. Every year I am reminded of the big fat hoax that sunscreen manufacturers are pulling on the public – selling “sun protection” filled with chemicals known to cause cancer. It’s a sad and frustrating situation, especially as there’s never seems to be an easy way to share the news with friends. I suppose if I was asked, I’d say here are the basics for Sun Safety as I see it:

1. You have to apply sunscreen liberally in order for it to work. Don’t use less so that you don’t feel oily or so that it rubs in “easier.” The average human body needs 1 ounce of sunscreen for full coverage. That’s a lot!

2. Spending more than a few hours in the sun? Plan to reapply sunscreen, take breaks in the shade, plus wear hats and sunglasses. You can’t spend all day outside with one coat of sunscreen and think you’re good to go.

3. Spray on sunscreens don’t work and aren’t safe. Period. They contain dangerous chemicals that allow the chemicals to absorb so easily. Those chemicals are known to be both hazardous and inferior at providing sun protection.

4. Only physical block sunscreens are safe. Unlike “chemical sunscreens” physical blocks use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on the top of skin to reflect and scatter rays. So, a healthy sunscreen goes on white and doesn’t really disappear 100%. Yeah, it’s not always the most attractive look, but that’s the way it goes.

For another point of view on the sunscreen scam and what to watch out for, check out this post at Newly Nested.

This summer I restocked an old favorite – Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen. I’ve written about it before here and here. Badger works, has a pleasant herbal scent and is totally SAFE, with no icky carcinogenic chemicals. I buy a few bottles for home and one for each grandparent’s house. Done!

How do you view sun protection?

Everyday Chemicals ARE Making our Kids Fat

Rachel — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:38:00 +0000

Two years ago today, I posted “Toxic Chemicals May Be Making our Kid’s Fat“. Today, I can’t honestly phrase that as a question. In a recent update, Healthy Child Health World shares how published research is demonstrating that

“before we are even born, chemicals like tributyltin may be predisposing us toward obesity by interfering with fetal development.”

What can you do about it? A lot.

Get rid of plastic, eat organic produce, stop buying cosmetics loaded with artificial whatnots that screw with your hormones. There’s a ton you can learn and there’s a ton you can do. Because, as you know, it’s our well-being, not just our shape that’s at stake.

do you Eat BPA?

Rachel — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:46:20 +0000

This study, funded by the Breast Cancer Fund, shows how quickly and dramatically canned foods and plastic storage containers equate to BPA in the body. Learn how you can take control by changing your foods!

Q & A: How to Cover a Toxic Crib Mattress?

Rachel — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:07:20 +0000

Q: I am looking to finally introduce my baby to her crib for naps and eventually for sleeping. However, we can’t afford a healthy crib mattress. We have a Babee Tenda crib and mattress. Will the mattress pads on your site help eliminate off-gassing from the toxic mattress that is currently in our crib? I would like your opinion .

I don’t want my baby resting her little head on a toxic mattress. I’ve tried so hard to eliminate all other toxins!

A: I completely understand your situation. A new crib mattress is such an investment. If I were in your situation, I would purchase the Naturepedic crib mattress pad. I used this pad with my babies – it really is waterproof and washes well. I’d prefer this over an EcoBaby wool pad because the Naturepedic pad has a very thin layer of safe plastic, which will help seal in the bad chemicals in the mattress. Since wool is so breathable, a wool pad (while so nice!) would not actually stop toxins from migrating out of the mattress. Ideally, buy 2 Naturepedic covers so that you can keep one on the crib at all times.

I hope that helps!

Sincerely,

Rachel

Are Cell Phones Dangerous?

Rachel — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:40:50 +0000

My husband needs a new cell phone. Well, “need” is relative I suppose. His doesn’t work quite right anymore, so he says he “needs” a new one. Since he carries his phone in his pants pocket all day long, turned on, I sent him searching for a low-radiation cell phone.

Yep, that’s right, I’m worried about his cell phone. There are studies linking frequent cell phone use to brain tumors, migraines, sleep disorders and low sperm count. Cell phones give off radiation when they’re turned on, and the amount of radiation varies widely from phone to phone. Unfortunately, none of the phones offered by our carrier are low radiation phones, so we may even be switching carriers to obtain a lower radiation phone for him.

According to this article by Healthy Child, Healthy World, I’m definitely not the only one concerned. Here are some countries taking action:

*India – No use in children under 16 years of age (also it is an illegal offense for an expecting Mother to use the cell phone)
*Israel – No use in children under 12 years of age
*France – No long calls, no use under 16, banning of advertising to children under 12, mandatory earphones with all cell phones
*Japan – General limitation under 18 years of age
*United Kingdom – General limitation under 12 years of age

Few (if any) are tossing their cell phones. We’re all too in love with the convenience to do that. But, there are some simply habits that you can (try) to break to make using a cell phone more safe:

1. Don’t carry it on your body. Keep your ph0ne accessible, but off your body if possible. Men, especially, should avoid carrying phones in their pants pockets (remember, low sperm count?).

2. Don’t charge your phone near your bed. Set up a charging station for your cell phone that’s not near where anyone sleeps at night. Even while just charging, the phone gives off radiation.

3. Don’t use your cell phone in a moving car. This one is hardest for me! When you use a cell phone in a moving car, the phone has to work hard to continually locate the closest cell towers. As such, it gives off a greater amount of radiation when you’re driving than it does when you’re parked.

4. Don’t let young children use a cell phone. Young minds are most vulnerable to radiation! Make a habit of saving those calls to family and friends for when you’re at home. A landline phone emits zero radiation. A portable phone at home emits significantly less radiation than your cell phone.

So, what about you? Are you worried about cell phones?

Just Salmon, Please

Rachel — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:31:47 +0000

I think that the most common response to all the food health politics is… frustration. We just want to be able to go to the grocery store and buy food. You know, without poisonous pesticides. Without crazy-engineered genes. Without a dose of growth-hormones or antibiotics. The more you learn about the way food is produced in our country, the more frustrated you get. And the easiest response is to turn a deaf ear, because it’s all so confusing and so seemingly out of our control.

I want to serve salmon for dinner this week. And then I read this, from Healthy Child Healthy World:

With the insertion of an “on switch” gene into the DNA of salmon, scientists at a company called AquAdvantage have manipulated and patented the genetic makeup of salmon and engineered it to eat year round so that it can grow twice as fast. As a result, salmon producers will be able to grow salmon more quickly, driving profitability and capitalizing on the growing demand for fish.

But in the midst of our nation’s growing health crisis, what will eating this mutating salmon with an insatiable appetite do to our widening waist lines? The answer is, we simply don’t know.

So what am I getting when I buy bulk frozen salmon? Your guess is as good as mine.

I can take back control with many foods buy buying organic produce, local beef and local raw milk, but fish is another story. Somewhere along the line, it seems we’ve lost track of our fishermen.

Our Walls Wear Denim

Rachel — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:59:19 +0000

Two years ago we bought a 60′s farmhouse. The house was pretty well beat, but it sat on a gorgeous 7 acres. So, we set about remodeling it from top to bottom. We didn’t just trash old carpet, ancient appliances and rickety sinks, we ripped open the walls to replace electrical and rotted out framing. What did we find in there? Moldy fiberglass insulation.

Obviously, it had to go. Mold has no place in a healthy home. But, we didn’t look forward to touching that, literally. Fiberglass insulation is made up of tiny shards of glass. They will cut hands, make your skin itchy and irrritate the throat if inhaled. That’s why you’re supposed to deal with the stuff only when well-covered with clothing, gloves and wearing a dust mask. No fun in hot summer weather. To make matters worse, new fiberglass insulation outgasses formaldehyde which pollutes indoor air. There had to be a better way.

My goodness – there sure was! Some online research yielded a local source for Ultratouch, a natural cotton fiber insulation. UltraTouch is made from renewable cotton, has 85% recycled content (mostly used denim), and has no VOCs or harmful irritants. No warning labels even. It DOES NOT ITCH and is very easy to handle and work with. As an extra bonus, it provides better soundproofing than typical insulation. UltraTouch is available in R-13, 19, and 30 and in 16” or 24” widths.

We brought home a truckload of UltraTouch insulation and got to work stapling it in. The soft bats were actually pleasant to touch. Kind of cuddly, really. And, no, it didn’t cost much more than fiberglass insulation! What a relief to breathe free and clear through the whole installation.

Now I’m proud to say that our walls wear denim.

This is part of the Healthy Child Blog Carnival – an effort by Healthy Child Healthy World to help inspire a movement to protect children from harmful chemicals.