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…

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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!

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