Exit for Non Toxic Highway, On Back!

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Photo credit: Jeff Keen via flickr

Yesterday, I didn’t have the time to elaborate in yesterday’s post… but the message in A Wake Up Story really hits home, doesn’t it? Just last week, I was feeling discouraged about all the toxic chemicals us moms have to worry about. A friend and I were talking about toxic chemicals (more of a rant) and I was giving her a toxic 411 lesson on all the yucky chemicals. Both she and I have tried to eliminate product containing harmful chemicals but every time we turn around; we learn about another pesky and toxic chemical to lookout for. I’m so sick of having to flipping items around to look for harmful ingredients. These companies are poisoning us AND as long as we continue to support them with our hard earned cash they won’t stop!

It’s not an easy task (nor easy being green, for that matter!) but avoiding products that don’t contain nasty chemicals is important for the sake of our lives and the planet.

The simplest item such as toothpaste can contain numerous chemicals that are known to cause cancer (found this out the other night when trying to make a decision on which one to buy; basically, it was which one is least harmful). Does this mean I need to start making my own toothpaste too? In my opinion, hell yes it does! Plus, Tom’s of Maine isn’t cheap and it STILL has propylene glycol in it! ARGH! An organic version (Jason Organics) is $8 bucks and I’m not going to spend a pretty penny on toothpaste, thank you very much (or any other overpriced “natural” product). Not right now, anyway.

Everything and it seems like everything sold in stores is bad for you. It’s impossible to avoid all of it the chemicals whether in our homes, outside, or at the movies!  What we can do as consumers and as FRIENDS is make a difference.

Tell all your friends as the Healthy Child Healthy World video implies and help spread the word! Secondly, stop buying the product and try to find an alternative. Finally, start writing to the companies and DEMAND change. This could seriously devote ones time since there are so many companies out there who are polluting the planet and our bodies (toxins + plastic). As a consumer we need to start standing up for what’s right- not wrong!  The FDA (Food and Drug Adminstration) does not require premarket health or safety studies or testing on products that hit store shelves which means were the guinea pigs who suffer!

What To Look For

(derived from better nutrition magazine)

Phthalates: found in synthetic fragrances, are endocrine disruptors that have been linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, and organ system toxicity. If it contains the word FRAGRANCE- stay away!

Propylene glycol: found in tortillas, lotions & potions, deodorant, many snack foods, etc., is linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies, immunotoxicity, and skin and eye irritation.  Also listed as 1,2-dihydroxypropane; 2-hydroxypropanol; methylethyl glycol; 1,2-propanediol; or propane- ,2-diol.

Parabens: used as preservatives in a wide variety of body care products. Also linked to cancer and developmental and reproductive damage. AKA 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, p-salicyclic acid or zoic acid.

Mineral Oil: Petroleum based, linked to cancer and can be listed as paraffin.

Sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate: used as a foaming or sudsing agent – found in bubble baths and body washes, shampoos and hand washes. It can cause organ toxicity and irritation of the skin, eyes and hair. May be listed as PEG 1-4 or lauryl ether sulfate, sodium slat, polyethylene glycol (1-4)

Oxybenzone: widely used in sunscreens and other skin care products with SPF protection, is linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive damage and cell damage. AKA benzophenone-3, 2-benzoyl-5-methoxyphenol, phenylmethanone and other names.

Familiarizing yourself with these chemicals is your exit sign for the non toxic highway!

Resources

Healthy Child Healthy World

Enviroblog

MomsRising

I’m always checking out these helpful sites for the latest information! I know I’ve mentioned it before but if you’re curious to know what’s in your products be sure to check out the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database. Be sure to also check out their chemical index!

Beware!

Just because a product advertises “all natural” or “organic” doesn’t always mean that it’s non toxic! Reading labels is a huge preventive measure when it comes to buying products that may contain harmful ingredients.

Have you recently switched out a product because it contained unsafe chemicals?

Please, share your thoughts!

Is Your Purse Toxic?

Happy Friday!!

Yes, that’s my purse above and yes, is your purse toxic?

Your favorite accessory may be toxic and should know why!

In about a minute’s time, my friend Jennifer Taggart, The Smart Mama, will tell you what to watch out for.

I couldn’t get the video to come up but you can view here!

Jennifer recently wrote the book Smart Mama’s Green Guide: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Child’s Toxic Chemical Exposure.

In her book she provides great tips and tricks to help kick those pesky toxins to the curb & live easily without them!

Her website is also filled with tons of information on her latest investigations concerning toxic products on the market and the 411 on toxic chemicals.

So, back to the question, is your purse toxic?

(In case you were wondering, my purse is made from hemp and the other two accessories are made of cotton.) 

P.S. Thank you, Lisa for tipping me off about this !

Be Planet Wise Use Rechargeable Batteries

Photo credit: JohnSeb via flickr

Before I started vlogging I honestly had no idea how many batteries we might of gone through (A LOT, I’m sure!). The Flip camera kills batteries fast- a major drawback about the Flip. Myeco guilt was killing me ever time I changed the Flip’s batteries. It seemed like I was changing out batteries on the constant. It was gut wrenching each time I replaced out  batteries.

After expressing the guilt I’d been feeling to my dad one day he turned around went into his office and came back with a  rechargeable battery charger. My hero! I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it earlier. I took the charger home and was ready to start a new eco life using rechargeable batteries.

I mean just look at that awful picture above! It’s amazing when you think of how many things around our home require batteries. Having rechargeable batteries makes a huge difference for the planet and your wallet. I no longer change out new batteries I replace them with charged batteries.What a relief!

Did you know…

Read more

Fake Plastic Fish

Interesting visual isn’t it? Fake. Plastic. Fish. In our bathtubs??? A toy? Ocean?

If you haven’t yet heard those three words… then listen up!

Beth Terry is a woman whom I consider a pioneer in the quest to rid her life from pesky plastic. She  runs the site Fake Plastic Fish-Living with Less Plastic.

That’s right, PLASTIC! The unbiodegradable material that is ruining the environment, our oceans & wildlife.

Beth has gone above and beyond to prove we can live and enjoy life without plastic.

Just watch…  you’ll be inspired & motivated! I promise!

All I have to say is Beth YOU ARE THE WOMAN!

{Meatless Monday} Fantastic Falafel Recipe & more…

Hello dear readers!

Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was somewhat uneventful but I did manage to get some things done around the home. It seems like I’ve been decluttering a lot lately. Getting out what doesn’t fit in to my lifestyle or even my well being! I live in a small home so I declutter often.

In a sense I’ve also decluttered my eating habits. For 2010, as mentioned previously I plan to eat more raw foods and lean towards a vegan diet. I’m not going to set myself up for failure and plan to be quite flexible. I was a veggie for many years but had no idea what I know now. I definitely wasn’t getting the proper nutrition my body deserved nor was I getting the right amount of protein. Yikes!

Read more

Drop Off @ Grace Resource Center!

Hello!

I meant to get this post up before Xmas but obviously that didn’t happen.

I did a vlog while driving…

::gasp:: I know!

I tried my best not to look at it and keep my eyes on the road..

Please excuse my nervousness…

My husband found a box of brand new blankets on the side of the road on his way to work one day.

He brought them home and he immediately suggested we donate them to a local shelter.

They were 15 blankets every single one was donated.

It felt really good to give back during the holidays and having the boys present made it extra special.

We also gathered a box of old toys to donate. I let T pick out each toy. He didn’t seem to mind at all and actually kept telling me how much other children needed toys rather than he did.

(when I arrived I jumped out the car and did a pass off since the boys were in the car with me and Clark was sleeping!)

We also decided that we would start a yearly holiday tradition of donating toys to the needy (besides Toys for Tots) and maybe even volunteer at the shelter.

I’m going to look into it further…

What traditions did you start this year?

the {upcycled & recycled} Classic Egg Carton Caterpillar!

Hi all!

We’ve been crafting it up this month. Mainly because it’s fun and the eco tot really loves to express himself through art! We’ve been reading The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I grew up reading Eric Carle books so naturally I’d like my boys to experience the same stories, The morning we did this craft we chalked a picture of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly on the board. We also read with the story via you tube!

The eco tot would prefer it if the hungry caterpillar stayed in his true form rather then turn into a butterfly. He’s not a huge fan of that part of the story. He told me that “Sam” (caterpillar he made) would not turn into a butterfly.

We reused an egg carton and newspaper for this craft. The newspaper served as a tablecloth. We haven’t managed to get any eco friendly paints but I’m hoping that once these Crayola paints run low we can try out an eco brand! For now, we just use the basics!

Today, we did some onion painting … and potato prints (which btw, potato printing, is super fun & I’m planning a project for the eco tot’s birthday!).  I didn’t take any pics yet… but most of our ideas and inspiration come from a very neat & educational site called No Time For Flash Cards.

What I love best about Allie’s site is that a lot of the crafts reuse items from the kitchen or around the house! Which is right up our eco alley.

My son adores her site and loves to sing the Owl song A LOT!!

Happy New Year again!!!

New Year’s Eve Countdown to Greener Rainbows!

Photo credit: Optical Illusion via flickr

Really… are we SERIOUSLY only hours away from the countdown?! WTF! Where did this year go? I can’t believe I became a mother of two this year. What??? I’m in disbelief at how quickly this year time has slipped by! It’s been a great year but it has also been filled with a whirlwind of events. Since having Clark I feel like it’s been go-go-go! I’m really hoping for more relaxed time in 2010… more concentration on family!

I did a reflection post in September and haven’t added much else to the list. Except, that I do intend to read , do yoga and even play outdoors more. The hub and I are planning to hike Mt. Whitney this Spring with the boys in tow. This year we hiked to Vernal Falls in Yosemite with them and it that was awesome.

This year was filled with many events! I turned 30 in January – gave birth at home in the water to a 9lb. bouncing baby boy in April- had a root canal (the most horrible moment) -started to vlog and share more with you-  like celebrating all the wonderful events of toddler hood… having a 2 yr. old boy is a lotta work sometimes…. LOL!

With all the work Tyler had to take on this year and the many weekends he worked…in 2010 we vow to take on less side jobs and concentrate on the greenhouse we started to build this year. Not to mention, all the other tiny side projects here … for instance our bathroom that still doesn’t have a working sink!!! Yes, projects in here get put on the back burner when your husband is doing everyone else’s projects!! It’s all good though.

I can’t believe 10 years has passed.In 2000, I became a mom for the first time! Well, to a dog anyway. I was the new owner of a Golden Retriever puppy, Heinken. Luckily, my father was the landlord and didn’t mind much. A year later, the hub and I bought our first home and became owners/parents of our second Golden Wonderful, Durgen. It’s crazy to think that I’ve been in the same place for 10 years and so, so much has taken place.  The fact that we had two children in our own home in the past 3 years… and all the memories we made here. It makes me teary! Especially, since Durgen has been sick (I’ll spare the details for another post!).

Being green has been a journey in and of itself. I try not to set myself up for failure and only make changes that are within my limits. Honestly, when I started I didn’t think I’d be where I am. I actually didn’t know what to expect out of the bloggy blog world but I’m so happy I chose to start blogging even if I can’t post every single day. I’ve made some really great connections and have shared some great memories and my green lifestyle with YOU which makes it all so worth it!

2010 is going to be filled with many new adventures and experiences… I’m ready to ring in 2010!! Are you with me?

Cheers to greener rainbows!

Peace & Love

&

Happy New Year to you!

a recycled post, gearing up for 2010, & homemade recipes!

Hiya RYD readers!! How are ya? Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Here’s a post I wrote about last year… if you need any ideas for what to do with your X-Mas cards!

Donate Your Christmas Cards

I’ve been looking at last year’s Green Vision’s and thinking about what some will be in 2010…

My vision board is a work in progress as I find pictures and words to summarize my goals and future!

Lately, I’ve been doing my best to meditate and visual what it is I truly want and what makes me happy. I also focus some time on my boys’ and our future together as unschooler’s. It’s going to be a great journey. I can only hope  we make it the greatest experience.

{Anywho}

I mentioned in an earlier post; I was going to make homemade gifts/goods for Christmas and that’s exactly what I did. ( I didn’t get any pictures of the green cleaning supplies; but I promise I made them.) I bought 2 new squirt bottles and reused and old one. I filled them up with…

1/2 cup of vinegar

1/4 cup of baking soda

10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil

put contents into a glass pitcher and add 1/2 gallon (2 liters) H20!

That’s it! You’re ready to go clean as it is an all purpose solution!

I put the squirt bottles in a reused gift bag along with a sample of Dr. Bronner’s Almond scented soap,  a glass mason jar filled with baking soda and a coconut scrub brush. The Dr. Bronner’s and baking soda make a good soft scrub in case you didn’t know. Something I’ve been doing for years.  I HEART Dr. Bronner’s soap. I highly recommend buying some- you can even find it at Target. A little goes a long way… it’s an all purpose soap. It’s amazing. 2 squirts to 2 gallons… is the recipe on their bottle.

Since my bro didn’t get any Dr. Bronner’s soap; I reused a baking soda can added in more baking soda, put in about 10-20 drops of Tangerine essential oil and sealed it with it’s lid. Poked holes in the top- voila’ it’s an instant carpet deodorizer! He’s always complaining about smells in his house… he’s a bachelor with roommates… so you know what I mean. LOL!

I also made a salt scrub for a close friend of the family. She loved the one I made for her on Mother’s Day so I decided to whip up a winter batch she would like!

Here’s what I did…

Bath Salt Scrub

1 cup of sea salt – fine works best… if you have course you can blend it down into fine using your blender or food processor.

1 cup of epsom salts

1/2 -3/4’s of oat powder (oats put into the blender and pulverized)

20 drops of essential oil of your choice … I chose peppermint for the holidays!

1/3 cup of organic EVOO

Stir all ingredients in a stainless steel or glass bowl for 2min’s or more then put into a glass mason jar! Or whatever dish suits your fancy.

For mother’s day I added in a lot more EVOO… you can do more or less depending on how slick you like to feel when you get out of the shower.

Enjoy!

P.S.

I will attempt to post a Meatless Monday recipe today! We’ll see…

Green Your Cup of Cocoa This Winter

Photo credit: stevendepolo via flickr

Winter bring lots of goodies and treats including the infamous cup of Hot Cocoa! Lately, it seems my little guy and I can’t get enough of it. It can get to be pretty expensive if you’re having a cup of hot cocoa each afternoon. Especially, if you’re buying them in packets (which I haven’t done in years!). I stopped buying the packets when I discovered Ovaltine…and stopped buying Ovaltine to start making my own. In the long run, making your own will save you some money. In a homemade recipe you have the opportunity to tweak with the ingredients and use quality ingredients such as organic.

The cast of Christmas spirit….

Nativa’s Raw Cacao Powder Suzanne’ s Ricemellow Pure Fun Organic Candy Cane’s

** You can make this recipe dairy free by replacing cow’s milk with almond, coconut, rice, or soy milk.

Just remember that to GREEN your cup of hot cocoa – you’ll want to look for ingredients that are organic, have NO High Fructose Corn Syrup, no artificial colors or favor and no JUNK period. Chemical and preservative free, if at possible. Most companies who make all natural and organic products are conscience about the planet. Besides, keeping the planet healthy the consumer’s health is also kept in mind. On top of it all, most eco companies donate certain percentages to environmental causes. So, by supporting them you’re more than likely supporting a wonderful cause and helping to SAVE THE PLANET!

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