Green Baby Proofing

Home Made Play Dough-and its good!

2012-02-08T09:30:00.001-05:00

Making Play dough is a fun activity to do with your kids. Besides the fact that its fun to make, your kids will love to play with dough that they helped make! It saves on packaging and who knows what is really in store bought dough anyway. This is non-toxic and eco-friendly.
We tested out some recipes, and this one is the best. It really is easy to make, it the perfect consistency and lasts a long time. We made ours months ago and it is still in great shape.

Ingredients:
3 cups of flour
1-1/2 cups salt
6 tsp. cream of tartar
3 cups cool water
3 T. canola or other oil
Food Coloring (optional)

Mix dry and wet ingredients separately. Blend together, then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. In a few minutes the dough should start to pull away from the sides of the pot. Once you can pinch the dough without it sticking to you, remove it from heat. Knead until soft and well mixed. Store in an air tight container.
Have fun!

The Indoor Pollution Threat You May Not Have Known Existed-From ABC News By: Elisabeth Leamy

2012-01-23T11:02:00.000-05:00

The following ABC news article (by Elisabeth Leamy) is an important read for those of us who have a baby or will in the near future. This is one of the main reasons why Green Baby Proofing got started!

Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, but have you ever thought about the purity of the air that you are breathing as you sit inside your home, office or even a restaurant?

Indoor air quality is considered to be the fourth greatest pollution threat to Americans by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Even if you can never see, and can’t always smell, the chemicals inside your home, they are there. It comes from cleaning products, drycleaning chemicals, plastic products like computer keyboards, furniture, paint, carpeting and more.

With the help of the Greenguard Environmental Institute, part of Underwriters Laboratories, “Good Morning America” set out to investigate exactly what kind of threat indoor air pollution posed to the average person by setting up a child’s nursery with a new crib, changing table, rocker and decorations.

Seven days of testing later, the results were in. The air in our new nursery contained 300 different chemicals — compared to just two right outside the same house. The EPA confirms that indoor air is usually more polluted than outdoor air.

The rocker in the nursery contained seven times California’s recommended level of formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancer. The crib mattress gave off more than 100 different chemicals, including industrial solvents and alcohols. Meanwhile, the paint used on the nursery’s walls contained chemical gases at five times the recommended limit.

Yet, none of the products used in the “GMA” testing were in violation of any law. Fortunately for consumers, there are easy, practical steps you can take today to minimize you and your family’s exposure to your home’s chemicals.

Look for certifications. Certifications for low chemical emissions are in their infancy, but the more people who buy and request certified products, the more there will be. Greenguard, part of Underwriters Laboratories, certifies furniture, paint, and other office and household products. Scientific Certification Systems is another certifier. And, for carpet, you can look for the “Green Label Plus” created by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).

Choose unscented products. Many manufacturers make both scented and unscented versions of their products. Always choose the unscented ones.

Avoid pressed wood. Pressed wood and wood composite materials are manufactured using strong glues that often contain volatile organic compounds.

Unwrap. When you buy new furniture, unpackage it outdoors and let it sit outside for at least one week to air out. Similarly, make sure to unwrap your dry-cleaning outdoors before bringing it into your house.

Ventilate. Try to paint in the spring and fall when you can comfortably leave your windows open for ventilation. Same goes for new furniture or cabinetry. Keep your windows open for a couple of weeks, if possible.

Paint first. It’s a good idea to paint your home first, then ventilate for several days before installing new carpeting and other textiles. That’s because these products can absorb chemicals from the paint and re-release them into the air over time.

Buy used. Chemical emissions are at their highest when a product is brand new, so one solution is to buy used furniture that has already off-gassed in somebody else’s house. (Unless that used furniture has just been refinished.) Just be careful, because you want the latest safety features in things like baby cribs. And you should look for furniture built after 1978, when lead paint was banned

Natural Immune Support for Colds/Flu by Veronica Hayduk, ND Second Nature Health

2011-07-27T10:36:00.000-04:00

Natural Immune Support for Colds/Flu

I know, I know. Most people yap about treating colds and flus in the winter months. But we can be bombarded by viruses and bacteria at any time. Our poor overworked bodies are fighting these small invaders every minute of the day.

I recently had my share of something yucky and I wanted to talk about what I did to recover as fast as I could. Doctors aren't suppose to get sick, yet we too are mere mortal humans.

First of all, when you think you are coming down with something (for me it was a scratchy then sort of sore throat), rev up on taking vitamin C. I mean crazy amounts, not just one pill. You'll be surprised at how much your body can handle. I was up to 8,000 mg in no time. Of course back off if you get loose stools.

I also took an extra dosage of my multi-vitamin and some extra zinc picolinate, oh around 25 mg twice a day.

Then I made sure to stay really well hydrated with green tea and I added a few drops of Lomatium tincture (an awesome antimicrobial herb, tastes horrendous, but very good for the immune system.)

By day two, it was very clear that I was not feeling well. So I took some time off. I would say that is the biggest mistake we make in not doing. Our bodies often make us sick for a reason, to slow down! I took it easy for a few days. I avoided all simple carbohydrates, all juices and anything with sugar. If I didn't feel like eating I didn't. Staying hydrated is important, but a day or two of not eating is okay.

I slept.

I also continued with my multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin C and zinc. Then I added in 15,000 iu and more of vitamin A to really boost my immune system. I continued with the lomatium herb and added in some licorice (my favorite herb, very good at killing viruses, which I was sure I had.) I also added in a good probiotic, as our immune system lives in the digestive system. Klaire Labs Therbiotic Complete is my favorite and I took 1/4 tsp twice a day with what I was eating.

Priority One Bio-Vegetarian is a vitamin and herbal formula, sort of like a natural antibiotic. I took two of those every few hours while I was awake. Homeopathic Engystol^®by Heel, Inc. also helped me feel less achy and sore.

Do eat simply. Include broth soups, and oodles of orange and red foods (which contains lots of beta carotene, in the vitamin A family). I left wheat alone. While I am not sensitive to it, it is hard to digest for everyone. So forget the crackers and toast! Focus on berries, rice, lean meats and beans. Steamed veggies are better than raw when you aren't feeling well; as the body expends too much energy digesting them when not cooked. I did 'healing sock' treatments nightly (let us know if you'd like the handout on this) and gargled with salt water and colodial silver.

And I slept.

After a few days, I emerged from my bed with more energy than I had in two weeks ago. Amazing what a cold can do for the body. I am not suggesting we all go out and get one, but our own inner wisdom knows when to shut it down and force us to focus on our own best health and what really matters - good health!

About Us

Dr. Veronica Hayduk is a naturopathic doctor and owner of Second Nature Health, our medical office in Rockville, MD.
We offer an individualized approach to optimizing health by creating a comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on clinical nutrition, herbal and homeopahtic medicine. Really, whatever it takes to help achieve abounding wellness!
Dr. Hayduk evaluates lab work differently than most primary care physicians and actively ensures each of her patients are taking charge of their best health. She provides the tools and the training to put her patients in the driver's seat of their own health.

Dr. Hayduk does not work for insurance companies, she works for her patients and her goal is their goal!

Second Nature Health is grateful for the many referrals we receive. Your loved ones may also enjoy visiting with Dr. Hayduk. They are welcome to call her and discuss their concerns for a no hassle, no commitment complentary phone consult.

Our number is (301) 395-9118. Our website is: www.secondnaturehealth.com

9 Toxins to Avoid in Personal Care Products

2011-07-14T08:31:00.000-04:00

http://www.greenamerica.org/pubs/greenamerican/articles/MarAprMay2011/Nine-Toxins-to-avoid-in-personal-care-products.cfm

Pesticides and Babies Don’t Mix

2011-05-24T08:07:00.002-04:00

"As if we needed any more evidence that pesticides are bad for human health, three independent scientific papers have provided some of the strongest evidence yet of the link between exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and lower IQ levels among children."

Read the rest of this Article Here:

http://www.ecocentricblog.org/2011/05/23/pesticides-and-babies-dont-mix/

Conventional farmers won't eat their own food - NaturalNews.tv

2011-05-09T21:15:00.001-04:00

Conventional farmers won't eat their own food - NaturalNews.tv

Prenatal Pesticide Exposure Bad for Development

2011-04-29T06:10:00.001-04:00

Mass honeybee deaths now occurring worldwide, says UN

2011-03-14T13:19:00.001-04:00

Mass honeybee deaths now occurring worldwide, says UN

Japan halts vaccines from Pfizer, Sanofi after deaths of four children

2011-03-12T14:33:00.002-05:00

CLICK to read full Article

Baby Gift Baskets

2011-03-12T13:30:00.002-05:00

I have been wanting to add these to the website for awhile, but we are updating the website and it will be some time before we are ready to add new items... So I thought it was a good idea to show a couple samples of recent Green Baby Gift baskets we made for customers! These can be custom or designed based on a price preference. Each basket is unique.

FOUND: An Awesome local farm for eggs and meat

2011-01-20T08:11:00.003-05:00

We found a FANTASTIC local (Mt. Airy, MD.) farm that has lots of meat choices (beef, pork, goat, sheep, chicken) and wonderful eggs. All the animals live happily-free range-in a gorgeous open environment. The eggs are $3.50/dozen which is a competely reasonable price. When we go we buy 10 dozen, and it makes the 1 hour drive worth it.

They were so friendly there too. When we arrived they asked if we (and our 2 year old daughter) wanted to see the new-born baby goats, it was so much fun!

Apparently they sell to whole foods as well as to the general public. You just have to call before you go to make sure someone will be expecting you.

It's definitely a fun farm to visit:

www.wagonwheelranch.org

Tell chemical industry their profits can’t trump kids’ health

2010-11-22T20:28:00.001-05:00

The American Chemistry Council should be ashamed of itself.

Last week, the heavyweight industry group killed a common sense, bi-partisan effort to ban the controversial chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) from baby bottles and children's drinking cups. This, despite strong science linking kids’ exposure to the chemical with a range of health effects later in life, from breast cancer to infertility and diabetes.

I just told the chemical industry they should be ashamed of themselves. Last week they blocked a common-sense, bi-partisan effort to take the dangerous chemical BPA out of kids’ sippy cups and baby bottles.

Join me and Pesticide Action Network in letting them know we’re fed up with them putting chemical industry profits over kids’ health. Click here to send a letter to the American Chemistry Council: http://action.panna.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5243

Parents Should be Warned: Fluoridated Water is Not Recommended for Infants

2010-10-07T21:00:00.002-04:00

Contacts:
Paul Connett, Director of FAN, at media@fluoridealert.org
Stuart Cooper, FAN's Campaign Director at stuart@fluoridealert.org

A new study confirms infants fed formula reconstituted with fluoridated water are at greater risk of developing discolored teeth (dental fluorosis). (1) The American Dental Association (ADA) warned dentists about this in 2006 but has done little or nothing to inform the nearly 200 million Americans who live in communities with fluoridated drinking water.

The study by Levy et al., a Journal of the American Dental Association cover story (October 2010), confirms Levy's earlier studies, which show "[F]luoride intakes during each of the first 4 years were individually significantly related to fluorosis on maxillary central incisors, with the first year most important," and that "[I]nfant formulas reconstituted with higher fluoride water can provide 100 to 200 times more fluoride than breastmilk, or cow's milk." (2, 3)

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 32% of American children have dental fluorosis, an increase of 23% from the 1980s. (4) Black and Hispanic populations have even higher rates. Dental fluorosis is a visible sign that a child was overexposed to fluoride. Pictures of fluorosis: http://www.fluoridealert.org/health/teeth/fluorosis/moderate-severe.html

"The message from Dr. Levy's work is loud and clear: Don't give babies fluoridated water," says Paul Connett, PhD, Executive Director, Fluoride Action Network (FAN). "Unfortunately the ADA has known about these risks for more than four years. Researchers are telling dentists; but dentists are not telling parents."

This and other little-known adverse fluoride health effects led Connett to co-author, "The Case Against Fluoride: How Hazardous Waste Ended Up in Our Drinking Water and the Bad Science and Powerful Politics that Keep it There," with James Beck, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of medical physics, University of Alberta and Spedding Micklem, DPhil, professor emeritus at Edinburgh University.

A recent review in The Lancet (5) describes fluoride as "an emerging neurotoxic substance" that may damage the developing brain. The National Research Council (NRC) has identified fluoride as an "endocrine disrupter" that may impair thyroid function. A recent Harvard University study links fluoride to bone cancer (6).

"Approximately half of the newborns and infants I see in practice are fed formula reconstituted with fluoridated water, which I find alarming since the blood-brain barrier is not even developed until 6 months of age, placing these young infants at risk for neurotoxic effects that can be severe and permanent," says Dr. Yolanda Whyte, a pediatrician in Georgia. "Parents should be warned not to give fluoridated water to babies and children, and they should know that fluoride is also present in juice and other water-reconstituted beverages. I diagnose dental fluorosis on average 5 times daily, but fluoride doesn't only affect teeth, it can potentially affect the brain and nervous system, kidneys, bones, and other tissues in young children during their critical stages of organ development. A public awareness campaign is urgently needed."

FAN will launch a campaign in November to urge water companies and public-health officials to inform parents that fluoridated water should not be mixed into infant formula. "If the ADA and CDC won't educate parents, then FAN will," said Connett.

FAN is the leading science and advocacy group focused on health issues surrounding fluoride in water, food, air, pesticides, and industrial exposures. Dr. Connett was an invited presenter at the initial meeting of the NRC panel and FAN researchers submitted extensive scientific information throughout the panel's proceedings. Visit: http://fluoridealert.org/

References:

(1) Levy SM, et al. 2010. Associations between fluorosis of permanent incisors and fluoride intake from infant formula, other dietary sources and dentifrice during early childhood. Journal of the American Dental Association 141(10):1190-1201.
http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/abstract/141/10/1190

(2) Hong L, Levy SM, et al. 2006. Timing of fluoride intake in relation to development of fluorosis on maxillary central incisors. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 34(4):299-309.

(3) Levy SM and Guha-Chowdhury N. 1999. Total fluoride intake and implications for dietary fluoride supplementation. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 59(4):211-23.

(4) CDC. Table 23 from Beltrán-Aguilar et al. 2005. Surveillance for Dental Caries, Dental Sealants, Tooth Retention, Edentulism, and Enamel Fluorosis --- United States, 1988--1994 and 1999-2002. MMWR Surveillance Summaries. 54(03);1-44.
Table 23 at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/s403a1t23.gif
Full article at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5403a1.htm

(5) Grandjean P and Landrigan P. 2006. Developmental neurotoxicity of industrial chemicals. The Lancet 368(9553):2167-78. December 6.

(6) Bassin EB, Wypij D, Davis RB, Mittleman MA. 2006. Age-specific fluoride exposure in drinking water and osteosarcoma (United States). Cancer Causes and Control 17(4):421-8. May.

FORMULA RECALL

2010-09-27T08:25:00.001-04:00

Consumer Updates: Abbott Recalls Some Similac Formulas

Review of Annmarie Gianni organic skin care product line

2010-09-23T12:40:00.000-04:00

Review of Annmarie Gianni organic skin care product line

American Drug Addiction

2010-09-22T09:46:00.002-04:00

Does this sound extreme? It's actually more typical than you might imagine. It has been noted that 50% of Americans are taking some type of Pharmaceutical. The problem is not that every drug is bad-the problem is that these drugs are being created so fast that there is not enough research done to know what the long-term affects are. You may notice that right after the long, artsy pharmaceutical drug commercial, you see an advertisement by a law firm asking if you had taken the last "pop" pill and have "cancer, cerebral palsey, brain damage, stroke, death, or any other adverse reaction imaginable.

These drugs are widely advertised and promoted (why would anyone advertise medication?), given in doctors offices like candy (even free-in the form of samples), and everyone is profiting. Everyone except for the victims whose health issues show up months or even years later.

I think the only safe answer is just that-play it safe: Just say NO to drugs!

There are certainly times when taking medication is beneficial, but those times (in my opinion) do not apply to colds, flus, heart burn, weight gain, mild allergies and so many other symptoms that are your body's natural way of crying out and telling you that there is a bigger issue at hand. We are a culture of "no pain is acceptable" and we want to kill the symptom instead of finding out the source and looking for a cure. It is like "putting a band-aid on cancer", and the band-aid is a toxic chemical.

Got Bedbugs?

2010-09-14T14:12:00.003-04:00

I keep hearing about bedbugs lately. On the news, twitter, blogs; it seems that bedbugs are arriving in massive numbers-planning some giant bug party that none of us have been warned about!

None of the solutions to bed bugs are pleasant. Throwing away furniture, paying professionals to search your bed & furniture crevices, spraying toxic chemicals all over your home, not to mention the sleepless nights and/or bug-bitten skin!

Ok, so it all sounds horribly expensive and time consuming. But I am here to solve your problems :) I will say something that sounds quite different from what people have been saying... "BED BUGS ARE NOT HARD TO GET RID OF!"

The reason I can say that is because we had them. We lived in an apartment building with 1100 units, so about 2000 or more people lived there. They had the exterminators search the apartments for bed bugs but they never found any in our place so they didn't treat for them. This was lucky for us in fact because we had a cat, dog & baby in the belly, so we didn't need to deal with having chemicals that kill sprayed all over our stuff.

When we bought our house & moved we noticed that we were getting bitten at night, so I looked up bed bugs to learn about searching for them. I inspected our mattress and found nothing, but when I took our bedframe apart, I found the buggers in the particle board in our bed frame. I threw out our mattress, bed frame, and upon inspecting our side table lamps and side tables, I had to throw those out too :(

Ok, so this is sounding macabre, I know. Loss of furniture is always a bummer. I steam cleaned our rugs and vacuumed daily hoping that I had gotten rid of them for good. I was not sure but I didn't want to hire an exterminator (lots of money & very dangerous chemicals, no thanks).

Then I found a cure! Cedar oil is the tried and true natural essential oil that has been used to combat bugs bugs forever. I read lots of articles about it and bought a bottle (expensive for oil, cheap compared to the alternatives). I mixed a spray bottle of oil with a little bit of water and sprayed daily.
I was still so nervous about another outbreak that my research continued. Then, I stumbled upon an amazing product that we immediately ordered and used. A company called Cedarcide created this great potion which uses mostly cedar oil as a base and it is totally non-toxic to animals and humans. They sell a fogger machine that you can fill with the solution and fog your home.
We bought it, fogged our house, and have never seen a bed bug since. That was about a year ago!

Here is the info, I highly recommend it:

www.cedarcidestore.com

The Exciting weekend Plans

2010-07-22T19:59:00.002-04:00

Come and visit us & check out our growing line of great products. We will be at the Petowrth Market again this friday from 3-7. On Saturday, you can visit us at the Fenton Street Market in Downtown Silver Spring, Md. from 9am-4pm. Sunday we will be at the Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. Hope to see you there!

Here are links to the markets:

parkviewdc.wordpress.com

www.fentonstreetmarket.com

www.easternmarket.net

New Venue: Petworth Farmers Market

2010-07-12T12:11:00.004-04:00

Come & see us this & every friday (3pm-7pm) at the new Petworth (Farmers) Market!

Check out our line of great products in person!

The market is located on 9th St, NW (between Taylor and Upshur).

Here is our website where you can see our growing line of products:

www.greenbabyproofing.com

And here is a blog where you can learn more about the market:

www.princeofpetworth.com

Dangers of GMO's - Institute for Responsible Technology

2010-07-08T19:59:00.001-04:00

What are the dangers of eating Genetically Modified foods? (Institute for Responsible Technology)

New Study says 85% of Kids' Juices, Snacks Could Contain High Levels of Lead

2010-07-08T19:51:00.002-04:00

...Including those marked "Organic"!

To read the full article, click here: New Study says 85% of Kids' Juices, Snacks Could Contain High Levels of Lead

To head straight to the list of products with alarmingly high levels of lead, click here:

http://www.envirolaw.org/documents/ProductsTestedforLeadFINAL.pdf

Video - GMOs: Hidden Ingredient

2010-06-24T18:46:00.000-04:00

Video - GMOs: Hidden Ingredient

Want to stay healthy? Take fewer antibiotics...

2010-06-23T14:37:00.003-04:00

"...Twenty-five years ago, Norwegians were also losing their lives to this bacteria. But Norway’s public health system fought back with an aggressive program that made it the most infection-free country in the world. A key part of that program was cutting back severely on the use of antibiotics."

The Dangers of Carpeting

2010-06-21T11:40:00.004-04:00

Wall to wall carpeting has an allure particularly for a family home-it is cozy, insulates, is soft and nice to lay on, offers noise reduction and serves as the perfect play yard for little ones. Unfortunately, there are major draw-backs, particularly when you are concerned with environmental friendliness, and even more urgently with the immediate health of your children and family. As with many lovely things found on the market today, most manufacturers are more concerned with finding the cheapest alternatives than making a safe, healthy & "Green" product.

What is so bad about "regular" carpeting? 'Second to paint, carpeting is the leading cause of indoor air pollution' (sited: Organic Baby: Simple Steps for Healthy Living).

They are dangerous from top to bottom:

• The Carpet fibers are made with synthetic petrochemicals & covered with VOC's (volatile organic compounds)

• The backing material are made of reactive compounds and release toxins in the home

• Carpets are colored with chemical dyes

• Adhesives are toxic chemicals

• Pads are made from prime urethane and hydrocarbons

• Layers are treated with flame retardants (including Boric Acid and boric anhydride). Fire retardants often contain PBDEs which are known to cause damage to thyroid, immune system and brain development functions in humans.

• Stain guards (includes chemicals proven to cause miscarriages, neurological damage & other ailments)

• Include PVC ( Poisonous plastic PVC ) , vinyl & latex materials

• Contain toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, acetone and a host of other chemicals that are known carcinogens and produce fetal abnormalities in test animals. These chemicals also cause hallucinations, nerve damage and respiratory illness in humans.

• That 'new carpet smell' comes from 4-PC, associated with eye, nose and upper respiratory problems. 4-PC is used in the latex backing of 95% of US carpets.

• Mothproofing chemicals contain naphthalene, which is known to produce toxic reactions, especially in newborns.

One should also be aware that if you move into a house with existing carpets, you are taking on all the aforementioned toxins, but you will also be exposed to their dust mites, pesticides, toxins brought in on shoes, pets and more. Carpets can hold eight times their weight in toxin-filled trapped dirt that is well hidden in the fibers and underneath the carpet. The EPA has stated that 80% of human exposure to pesticides occurs indoors. If the house has ever been sprayed for bugs, the chemicals settle in your carpet and remain there for years. If you paint your room or put in new wood or laminating flooring in any part of your house, the carpet is very efficient at holding those toxins for you to inhale long after the work has been completed.

So what are the alternatives?

The good new is, you can get safe wall to wall carpeting.

• Choose 100% untreated (pesticide free) wool or hemp (most are chemically treated, so you will have to ask). Wool is a great choice as it's biodegradable, naturally fire-resistant, hypoallergenic, soft, resists dust mites better than nylon carpets, and purifies the air (even absorbs airborne contaminants like formaldehyde). Hemp is durable and great for high traffic areas. It is also resistant to mold and mildew. Hemp is great in areas where there may be moisture, where wool is not as it takes a long time to dry.

• Make sure that the carpet is installed using nails or staples-no glue.

• Look for the Green Label Plus Certification (In 2004, the Carpet and Rug Institute started the Green Label Plus Certification, which certifies that carpets are free from 13 toxic chemicals.)

• Make sure to remove your shoes and have guests do the same to keep outdoor and other contaminants from getting into your carpet.

If you can not remove the carpet due to time &/or money limitations, you can do the following:

• Steam clean the carpets to kill dust mites and bacteria

• Leave windows open as often as possible.

• Use a HEPA Vacuum cleaner

• Get a great air purifier that removes VOC's (Oreck.com)

• Have lots of great plants-many can actually reduce pollutants (Read a list here: avianweb.com)

Where to buy safe carpeting? Here are some local (D.C area) places to get safe carpeting:

www.amicusgreen.com

www.greenfloors.com

www.greensage.com

Want to read more about this? Here are some articles:

• www.sixwise.com

• www.avianweb.com

Breastfeeding saves lives

2010-06-17T10:52:00.003-04:00

(CNN) -- If most new moms would breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life, it would save nearly 1,000 lives and billions of dollars each year, according to a new study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

(Now imagine if they would breastfeed LONGER than 6 months!)

Read the Article here: www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/05/breastfeeding.costs/index.html

Chemical in antibacterial soaps produces toxic dioxins

2010-06-17T10:32:00.001-04:00

Chemical in antibacterial soaps produces toxic dioxins

Why the fluoridation of public water supplies is illegal

2010-06-02T08:49:00.001-04:00

Why the fluoridation of public water supplies is illegal

The Honest Food Guide

2010-05-21T08:51:00.002-04:00

If you want the straight truth about which foods to consume and which foods to avoid, download the Honest Food Guide today.

http://www.HonestFoodGuide.org/

What You Don't Know About Strawberries Could Kill You

2010-05-21T08:36:00.003-04:00

According to a study by the Environmental Working Group, strawberries rank as one of the dirtiest fruits and vegetables, readily absorbing the noxious chemicals that are used to grow them conventionally and exposing the consumer — and far more so the field workers who grow them — to up to 54 known carcinogens, among other toxins. And things are about to get worse.

READ ON: food.change.org

Pig virus contaminates rotavirus vaccines, but FDA says no problem

2010-05-20T09:23:00.001-04:00

Pig virus contaminates rotavirus vaccines, but FDA says no problem

Shop no GMO? Yea, there's an APP for that!

2010-05-19T08:34:00.005-04:00

ShopNoGMO, the new application for the iphone and ipod lifestyle has features that include:

• Clear Categories will make it easy to locate the brands you want in 22 food categories.

•Personalization ceasily create a favorites list and add or remove items every time you shop.

•General information will answer frequently asked questions about GMOs.

READ ON: www.examiner.com

NO MORE OFFSHORE DRILLING! Sign the Petition

2010-05-18T10:42:00.003-04:00

Sign the Petition Here:
Avaaz.org

President's Cancer Panel: 'Eat Organic, Ward Off Cancer'

2010-05-18T10:29:00.002-04:00

The President's Cancer Panel says that the "risk of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated," that "nearly 80,000 chemicals [are] on the market in the United States, many of which are ... understudied and largely unregulated," and that "the public remains unaware ... that children are far more vulnerable to environmental toxins and radiation than adults."

The panel says "evidence suggests that some environmental agents may initiate or promote cancer by disrupting normal immune and endocrine system functions. The burgeoning number and complexity of known or suspected environmental carcinogens compel us to act to protect public health, even though we may lack irrefutable proof of harm."

Check out these examples selected from the recommendations:

Parents and child care providers should choose foods, house and garden products, play spaces, toys, medicines, and medical tests that will minimize children's exposure to toxins. Ideally, both mothers and fathers should avoid exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
It is preferable to use filtered tap water instead of commercially bottled water.
Exposure to pesticides can be decreased by choosing ... food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers [translation: organics] and washing conventionally grown produce to remove residues.
Exposure to antibiotics, growth hormones, and toxic run-off from livestock feedlots can be minimized by eating free-range meat [translation: don't eat feedlot meat].

-Marion Nestle, professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, and the author of Food Politics, Safe Food, What to Eat, reporting in the Atlantic, May 12, 2010, on a new report from the President's Cancer Panel.

Read On: www.organicconsumers.org

Here is more: www.thedailygreen.com

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : No More Toxic Tub

2010-05-14T12:39:00.003-04:00

Getting Contaminants Out of Children's Bath & Personal Care Products
by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
March 12th, 2009

Despite marketing claims like “gentle” and “pure,” dozens of top-selling children’s bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, according to the March 2009 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report, "No More Toxic Tub."...

Read On: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : No More Toxic Tub

I want safe, non-toxic cosmetic Products!

2010-05-14T12:13:00.008-04:00

I feel like it's always: No, no, NO! Every time we turn around, there is another product we should fear using because it is going to kill us! ...Ok, not right away, and maybe indirectly, but it is cumulative and we should definitely be trying to limit our exposure to toxins when we can.

The fact is that cosmetics are not regulated at all. And 450 ingredients that are used in the United States are banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union. It is 100% up to us to make sure that the products we are putting on our skin is safe.

Here is a GREAT website you can go to and type in the product, ingredient, or company-then it will give you an overview of what chemicals are in it, and what potential harm they can cause:

www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

Here is a list of cosmetic companies that you can feel safe buying from. YAY!

http://usa.weleda.com/index.aspx

http://johnmasters.com/index.htm

http://kimberlysayer.com/index.html

http://www.pangeaorganics.com/index

These companies are great because they have makeup-even foundation.

http://www.mychelle.com/

http://www.drhauschka.com/

And here are some links to get more info about the risks of many cosmetics:

www.jashbotanicals.com

www.safecosmetics.org

Even Perez Hilton, the famous blogger is talking about it!

cocoperez.com

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Not So Sexy

2010-05-13T08:54:00.002-04:00

The Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrance
by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
May 12th, 2010

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Not So Sexy

OCA: Take Action

2010-05-12T09:24:00.001-04:00

Take action against Mad Cow Disease. Sign the Petition!

Organic Consumers Association:

Very popular Ice Cream Company Full of Crap

2010-05-12T09:13:00.004-04:00

I had a hankering for some ice cream the other day, so I sent my husband out to pick some up. He called me from the store and said that they did not have the Ben & Jerry's flavor that I wanted, and wanted to know if he should pick up another brand. The brand he suggested (which I will not mention and spare myself the danger of getting sued) was one that I knew was good, but was not sure if they used rBST/rBGH (the same thing) hormones in their ice cream.

I looked on their website and saw no mention of it, so I just sent them an email to ask.

In the meanwhile, my husband brought home a very good Ben & Jerry's selection :)

I received a response from the ice cream company a couple of days later, and I was pretty surprised at what they said:

Dear Ms. Aarden,

Thank you for requesting information on the use of milk from cows that have been treated with Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin, or rBST, in our Ice Cream products.

Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin increases a cow's milk output by supplementing the animal's own natural rBST hormone. Extensive FDA study has shown that milk from treated cows has the same nutritional value and composition as milk from untreated cows. The decision to feed this supplement is made by the farmer and cannot be independently verified, since there is no method of differentiating between the hormone fed as a supplement and the hormone produced naturally by the cow.

Questions or concerns regarding the use of rBST can be addressed directly to the FDA. The agency responsible for the approval is the Center for Veterinary Medicine at:

Center for Veterinary Medicine

Communications Staff (CVM)

Food and Drug Administration

7519 Standish Place

HFV-12

Rockville, MD 20855

240-276-9300

Email: CVMHomeP@cvm.fda.gov

Thank you for taking the time to contact our company.

Sincerely, Jane Consumer Response Representative

Seriously? Do they think people are still that gullible, really? With all the evidence and research out there to make it pretty darn clear that this hormone is a danger to our health, do they still think they can get away with a response like that?

If it is so safe, why is it banned all over Europe and Canada? They are talking about a hormone that is injected into cows to make them produce and unnatural amount of milk. That is clearly unnatural, and used only in the interest of greed.

The facts are:

* rBGH makes cows sick. Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 veterinary health risks on its Posilac label including mastitis and udder inflammation.

* rBGH milk is contaminated by pus from mastitis induced by rBGH, and then antibiotics must be used to treat the mastitis.

* rBGH milk is contaminated by the GE hormone which can be absorbed through the gut and induce immunological effects.

* rBGH milk is chemically and nutritionally very different from natural milk.

* rBGH milk is supercharged with high levels of a natural growth factor (IGF-1), excess levels of which have been incriminated as major causes of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.

* rBGH factory farms pose a major threat to the viability of small dairy farms.

We need to cast our votes with our dollars and vow not to support the use of this hormone.

Here is a list of Producers who do not use this hormone:

www.organicconsumers.org

& here is a great website that helps you shop GMO free:

www.nongmoshoppingguide.com

Ich Bin Dein Gummibär - Full German Version

2010-05-07T07:26:00.000-04:00

Infant, Children's Tylenol, Motrin recalled

2010-05-04T20:30:00.006-04:00

One reason to stay away from drugs is that you never know what they are going to recall next!

When children, especially infants, are given these types of drugs, it robs their little bodies of the opportunity to make itself better. For example, if you give an infant tylenol or another drug for a fever, the body loses this early opportunity to strengthen his/her immune system by reducing the fever on it's own. It's always best to stick to Vitamin C and lots of liquids as much as possible. But if you must use one of these, it is best to save it for a last resort.

Here is more info on the recall: Infant, Children's Tylenol, Motrin recalled

A Wake-Up Story-Short & Sweet

2010-05-04T12:44:00.001-04:00

Anti-Bacterial risk

2010-05-04T11:22:00.001-04:00

FDA to Re-examine Anti-Bacterial Chemical in Soaps, Cleansers

Triclosan linked to hormonal changes, antibiotic resistance in recent studies

By Amanda Gardner HealthDay Reporter

rGBH in Dairy - Institute for Responsible Technology

2010-05-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

A very important article and video. Informative and well put:

rGBH in Dairy - Institute for Responsible Technology

Codex Conference - Institute for Responsible Technology

2010-05-04T10:47:00.000-04:00

Codex Conference - Institute for Responsible Technology

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : What's In Your Products?

2010-05-01T21:21:00.000-04:00

Some of the MANY chemicals to avoid when shopping for cosmetics:

Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-releasing Preservatives

Nitrosamines

Lead and Other Heavy Metals

Parabens

Phthalates

Hydroquinone

1,4-dioxane

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : What's In Your Products?

Help End Cruelty to Sheep

2010-04-30T12:37:00.001-04:00

The Lazy Environmentalist-A great Show!

2010-04-30T10:09:00.001-04:00

Psychiatric Drugging of Infants and Toddlers in the US - Part I

2010-04-23T10:05:00.001-04:00

Psychiatric Drugging of Infants and Toddlers in the US - Part I

Take Action and find out more here:

PAPCA.info

Susan G. Komen for the Cure makes mockery of self with KFC pinkwashing campaign (opinion)

2010-04-22T12:12:00.000-04:00

Susan G. Komen for the Cure makes mockery of self with KFC pinkwashing campaign (opinion)

Health insurance companies invest billions in fast food chains

2010-04-18T07:22:00.001-04:00

Health insurance companies invest billions in fast food chains

Want to save the planet? Eat less meat and dairy

2010-04-16T10:20:00.001-04:00

Want to save the planet? Eat less meat and dairy

If mainstream medicine really works, why are Americans so unhealthy?

2010-04-12T09:40:00.001-04:00

If mainstream medicine really works, why are Americans so unhealthy?

Seasonal flu vaccines increase risk of pandemic H1N1 flu, stunned scientists discover

2010-04-11T09:18:00.001-04:00

Seasonal flu vaccines increase risk of pandemic H1N1 flu, stunned scientists discover

Make Natural, Fragrant Bath and Skin Products at Home

2010-04-10T23:28:00.000-04:00

Make Natural, Fragrant Bath and Skin Products at Home

CoMeD Files Evidence of Miscarriage after Thimerosal-containing Flu Shots

2010-04-10T23:16:00.002-04:00

Click Here:

CoMeD Files Evidence of Miscarriage after Thimerosal-containing Flu Shots

Learn More Here:

OrganicHealthAdvisor.com

Expectant mothers reduce diabetes risk in newborns by eating more vegetables

2010-04-09T19:46:00.000-04:00

Expectant mothers reduce diabetes risk in newborns by eating more vegetables

Seaweed could hold key to natural weight loss

2010-04-09T19:44:00.000-04:00

Seaweed could hold key to natural weight loss

Heal yourself in 15 days with the joy of exercising in nature

2010-04-09T19:39:00.001-04:00

Heal yourself in 15 days with the joy of exercising in nature

The Story of Stuff

2010-04-09T11:50:00.003-04:00

"The Story of Stuff" a short film that is a MUST-SEE! It is only 20 minutes and worth every one.

Another Problem caused by Deforestation

2010-04-02T13:03:00.001-04:00

Organic cheaters exposed by public protest at health products trade show

2010-04-02T08:51:00.000-04:00

Join the Organic Consumers Association's boycott of brands

The OCA maintains a boycott against the following brands, which it characterizes as "fake organic brands":

• Avalon "Organics"
• Desert Essence "Organics"
• Earth's Best "Organic"
• Eminence "Organic" (Except Few w/USDA Seal)
• Giovanni "Organic"
• Goodstuff "Organics"
• Head "Organics"
• Jason "Pure, Natural & Organic"
• Kiss My Face "Obsessively Organic"
• Nature's Gate "Organics"
• Physicians Formula "Organic" Wear
• Stella McCartney "100% Organic"

NaturalNews urges readers to join in this boycott and avoid buying these brands until they reformulate to be truly organic (USDA organic). Note carefully that even the Kiss My Face "Obsessively Organic" products are not considered truly organic by the OCA. Don't trust product names alone, as brand names and product names may be misleading.

Good organic brands to buy

Here are some of the honest organic brands you may wish to support through the purchasing of their products:

• Alteya Organics
• Baby Bear Shop
• Badger
• Brittanie's Thyme
• Bubble and Bee Organic
• Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
• Earth Mama Angel Baby
• Indian Meadow Herbals
• Intelligent Nutrients
• Kimberly Parry Organics
• Little Angel
• Mercola
• Miessence Certified Organics
• Nature's Paradise
• OGmama and OGbaby
• Organicare
• Organic Essence
• Origins Organics
• Purely Shea
• Rose Tattoo Aftercare
• SoCal Cleanse
• Sensibility Soaps / Nourish
• Terressentials
• Trillium Organics
• Vermont Soap

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE HERE:

Organic cheaters exposed by public protest at health products trade show

Cesarean rates reach record high

2010-04-01T18:45:00.001-04:00

http://www.babycenter.com/204_cesarean-rates-reach-record-high_10329132.bc?scid=momstodd_20100330:2&pe=2UwKxR2

Non-Toxic Paints

2010-03-31T09:56:00.000-04:00

A list of and some information about non-toxic paints:

http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm

Think you are saving Water & Energy by hand-washing dishes? Think Again...

2010-03-28T20:07:00.000-04:00

Seventh Generation Q&A

Non-stick chemical in cookware linked to thyroid disease

2010-03-25T10:16:00.000-04:00

Non-stick chemical in cookware linked to thyroid disease

Make your own Fruit & Vegetable Wash

2010-03-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

If I am going to eat an apple or pear, even though it's organic, I wash it with a natural soap and water. You never know who touched it or what is on it. But it is important to clean ALL produce before digging in. A great way to wash your produce is by filling a bowl with the following solution and letting it soak, or you could pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on-which is super easy. You can also sprinkle wet produce with baking soda then gently scrub & rinse. This safely removes dirt & residue. Here is the recipe to make a safe, cheap and simple produce wash:

1 cup water
1 cup white vinegar
2 TBS baking soda
2 TBS lemon juice

Directions:
Mix ingredients then pour in clean spray bottle. Spray fresh vegetables & fruit generously. Sit for 5 minutes then rinse off well.
Note: Make sure to first mix ingredients in deep container since there will be some fizzing from the baking soda & vinegar.

A 50/50 mixture of water & vinegar really works great too. That is what I have done for a long time before adding the other ingredients.

Witch Hazel as a Cleaner

2010-03-24T09:49:00.000-04:00

I have used Witch Hazel for a long time as a skin toner/makeup remover and I love it. Especially this Thayer's Peach one: Thayers.com

But I learned a new use for it. My husband painted our roof with an Aluminum U.V. Coating. It is a super sticky, silver, tar-like paint on substance. It behaves a lot like oil paint, which we all know is really toxic and impossible to remove without Paint Thinner-also very toxic.

He got this stuff all over the house (thanks hon :) and when he took a soak in the tub to scrub his skin, he got it all over the tub too. I didn't know how to get it off! But I had some on my arm and just randomly tried some plain witch hazel and it came right off! I poured some witch hazel onto a cloth rag and cleaned the tub with it, and it worked!! So there you have it, Witch hazel to clean roof coating goo.

Stormwater Pollution and the District of Columbia

2010-03-24T09:26:00.000-04:00

D.C. Programs to help "Greenify" your District Home.

RiverSmartHomes

How Soon is Too Soon for Infants to Start Drinking Soda?

2010-03-24T09:13:00.000-04:00

How Soon is Too Soon for Infants to Start Drinking Soda?

Fun place in DC to play

2010-03-22T10:15:00.001-04:00

Here is a fun place to take your kids on a rainy day!

Jonah's Tree House

Vegetable Gardens

2010-03-22T10:12:00.000-04:00

How to grow your own veggies, and the best recipes for each

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/veggiegarden?mbid=RF

Grow Your Own Superfoods in Your Home Garden This Year

2010-03-19T07:58:00.000-04:00

Grow Your Own Superfoods in Your Home Garden This Year

Cordyceps mushroom is an effective cancer treatment, says new research

2010-03-19T07:57:00.000-04:00

Cordyceps mushroom is an effective cancer treatment, says new research

Make Natural, Harmless Deodorants with Essential Oils

2010-03-17T12:14:00.000-04:00

Make Natural, Harmless Deodorants with Essential Oils

Clip About BPA

2010-03-13T10:08:00.000-05:00

Helpful tip for cooking with Garlic

2010-03-11T10:23:00.000-05:00

I would be hard pressed to think of a dinner recipe that I wouldn't include garlic in-one way or another. It is delicious and healthy too.

A great friend of mine who is a wonderful chef ( Personal Chef Chez Vous ) gave me this handy idea and I just did it today. It is so great! What is it? Ok, I will tell you.

Home-made Jar of Garlic:

Just take a bunch of garlic (I used 5 heads) and smash each clove with the side of a thick knife to remove the skin. Throw them all into a food processor and pour olive oil over it. Process and put it into a jar & stick it in the fridge! That's it. So easy you could have thought of it, right? But I can not tell you how many times while I was cooking it was chopping garlic that just made it seem like a chore. When I have this in the fridge it makes cooking feel so simple and quick.

Enjoy!

NOTE: You should prepare for some serious Garlic Fingers. How to get rid of that? My Tip: Wash your hands and then pour some mouthwash on your fingers. It helps.

Mattress Chemicals May be Cause of Your Illness

2010-03-10T12:25:00.001-05:00

Mattress Chemicals May be Cause of Your Illness

Think Giving Birth is hard? Try doing it in a tree!

2010-03-08T09:27:00.001-05:00

Woman Gives Birth in a tree. (Watch the video Here)

Something may be lurking in your Stuffed Toys...

2010-03-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

Besides an Extra Terrestrial, there can be hidden dangers living in your children's stuffed toys.

Most stuffed toys used to be filled with natural materials like sawdust, wool, beans, rice, or cotton. Nowadays they are filled with synthetic materials like polyurethane, & the exteriors are from Petrochemicals. Even the dyes that are used can be toxic, not to mention that some add stain-resistant chemicals to them. This is not a "Green Mama Scare tactic" at all, and is not meant to be. We have these toys in our home too, and I have not yet thrown on my Hazmat suit and lugged them all in biohazard bags to the dump! But the best solution is awareness. I recommend washing these toys and hanging them outside to dry. This will wash off some of the dangerous fabric finishes, as well as air out some of the toxins that will be Off-gassing.

And of course, when possible, either make your own stuffed toys from sweaters or other old clothing (children always prefer homemade toys anyway), or make sure to buy toys filled with organic cotton, natural latex foam, wool or other natural materials.

Some truth about Cow's Milk, Goat's Milk & Health

2010-03-02T07:43:00.000-05:00

We are the only species on the planet who continue to drink milk (not to mention from a different species) throughout our lives. So according to nature, milk is for babies. Not to say that drinking milk is all bad, but some would have you believe that you should be mainlining it daily in the interest of "healthy bones", etc. Everything can be good in moderation, & milk is one of those things. The fact is that there are many ways of getting calcium, and cow's milk is not ideal for our bodies. It increases mucous & is hard to digest. Goat's milk has more calcium, more protein, has every essential Amino Acid, Vitamin A, & is the closest to human milk making it much easier to digest & is also healthier.

Goats' milk was found to help with the digestive and metabolic utilization of minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Here is a good Article about Cow's Milk:

by Patti Breitman

The dairy industry would like us to believe that milk builds strong bones. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year to advertise milk and cheese. Yet, a 12-year Harvard study of 78,000 women demonstrated that those who drank the most milk broke more bones than women who rarely drank milk. Evidence from around the word shows that in countries where dairy intake is highest, osteoporosis is most prevalent. Where dairy is seldom consumed, bones remain strong into old age. While we certainly don't need milk, we do need calcium to keep our bones healthy. The good news is that a plethora of vegetarian foods-including beans and greens, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, and fortified juice and soymilk-all provide ample calcium.

How much is enough? The World Health Organization recommends we consume 400 to 500 milligrams of calcium every day, while the recommended daily allowance in North America-where we eat a high-protein, high-salt diet-is 800 to 1000 milligrams a day. In Japan and Korea, 600 milligrams a day is recommended. Here is a list of some of our favorite calcium-rich foods:

Collards (1 cup cooked): 385 mg

Fortified orange juice (1 cup): 350 mg

Dried figs (10 medium): 269 mg

Tofu (1/2 cup): 258 mg

White beans (1 cup cooked): 161 mg

Mustard greens (1 cup cooked): 150 mg

Navy beans (1 cup cooked): 128 mg

Kale (1 cup cooked): 94 mg

Chickpeas (1 cup cooked): 80 mg

Raisins (2/3 cups): 80 mg

Want to read more about Goat's Milk? Here is another great article about this subject:

"What are the Benefits of Goat's Milk..."

39% OF BAGGED LETTUCE CONTAINS BACTERIA

2010-03-02T07:36:00.000-05:00

treehugger.com - Consumer Reports has just published an investigation revealing that 39% of the packaged salads tested contained "bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination."

Several industry experts we consulted suggested that for leafy greens, an unacceptable level of total coliforms or enterococcus is 10,000 or more colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) or a comparable estimate. In our tests, 39 percent of samples exceeded that level for total coliforms and 23 percent for enterococcus.

Some samples registered up to1 million CFU/g. Which is a lot of bacteria per gram of greens.

DON'T PANIC!

As we know, bacteria are everywhere. They are on our skin and are a part of who we are inside our body, too, and of the time we maintain a symbiotic relationship. Many of us are unaware that our health is directly related to the billions of beneficial microorganisms that live in our gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms aid the break down and absorbtion of food, make vitamins in our gut, and clean up waste. The microorganisms kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast. "The human body contains 20 times more microbes than it does cells. In fact, a visitor from outer space might think the human race is just one big chain of microbe hotels."1

Just as we are told to wash our hands to stay healthy, we must wash our food. If you buy bagged lettuce be sure that you wash it before you eat it (even if it says prewashed) just as you would an apple or a carrot.Make sure your healthy, normal good bacteria stays in a balanced internal environment. Most of us need to supplement with a good probiotic daily; this is crucial if you have been taking prescription anti-biotics.

1. NPR interview with Debbie Elliot, July 1, 2006. Article Headline

You WILL want to eat raw Kale, I swear!

2010-03-01T18:19:00.000-05:00

And you will love it! We went to "Mom's" (My Organic Market) over the weekend and they were giving samples of Kale Salad. We were like "Oh yea, thanks" (insert monotone voice) as we slowly accepted the sample and put it in our mouthes. It was delicious! And what could be more healthy than raw kale-here is the recipe:

•Bunch of Organic raw kale

Question: Does it have to be Organic?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Why?

Answer: Because I said so! And b/c it's on the "Dirty Dozen list" under the umbrella of "Leafy Greens."

•2 Avocados

•6 Tbsp Olive Oil

•2 Tbsp White Vinegar

•1 Clove Garlic

•2 Tbsp "Braggs" Liquid Aminos Seasoning

(buy it here: BRAGGS)

*NOTE: You can substitute braggs for Soy sauce, but Braggs is really great to have...

•Lemon Juice from 1/2 or 1 whole Lemon (your taste)

•Salt/Pepper to taste

•*My tip* A dash of sugar :)

DIRECTIONS:

•Wash & Chop Kale into bite sized pieces.

•Slice 1 Avocado into bite sized pieces and mix with Kale.

•Make dressing with Olive Oil, Vinegar, chopped garlic, 1 Avocado mashed, braggs, lemon juice, salt/pepper & a dash of sugar.

•Mix through Kale & Avocado.

DONE!

FOUND: Local, Organic Family Farm!

2010-02-19T08:07:00.000-05:00

This is a family farm in Gaithersburg, Maryland that is not-yet "certified" but organic. The great thing about them is their diverse assortment-they have chickens, eggs, lamb, sheep, cow, vegetables, and their own honey! And it's HUMANE-you can go visit the animals and see for yourself, as it should be. I highly recommend it and am happily eating eggs from there this morning. And they deliver within 10 miles. Check it out!

foxhollowfarm.org

Our "new" Website!

2010-02-18T08:07:00.000-05:00

Check out our newly designed & updated website-More to come soon!

www.greenbabyproofing.com

We love these utensils!

2010-02-16T12:27:00.000-05:00

These are great little utensils for little hands. They are made from Bamboo, by the appropriately named company

They have other fun products, you can check them out here:

bambuhome.com

Great Article about Aluminum in Anti-Perspirants

2010-02-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

Let’s get this straight. Even though aluminum is widely distributed in the earth’s crust, it is NOT needed in ANY amounts in your body. All evidence to date points to aluminum as a poison that serves no beneficial role in your body and should be avoided.
Aluminum is widely recognized as a neurotoxin, which has been found in increased concentrations in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Unfortunately, if you use antiperspirants or some deodorants, you are most likely exposing yourself to aluminum.
Aluminum salts can account for 25 percent of the volume of some antiperspirants.
A review of the common sources of aluminum exposure for humans found that antiperspirant use can significantly increase the amount of aluminum absorbed by your body. According to the review, after a single underarm application of antiperspirant, about .012 percent of the aluminum may be absorbed.
Multiply this by one or more times a day for a lifetime and you can have a massive exposure to aluminum -- a poison that is not meant to be in your body.
Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores that release sweat under your arms -- with the active ingredient being aluminum. Not only does this block one of your body’s routes for detoxification (releasing toxins via your underarm sweat), but it raises concerns about where these heavy metals are going once you roll them (or spray them) on.
In some cases, it is clear that they may be wreaking havoc directly on your brain. In 1988, for instance, a truck driver accidentally poured 20 tons of aluminum sulphate into a tank containing drinking water.
Some 20,000 people in the village of Camelford were exposed to the chemical for several weeks, and then went on to develop a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, along with showing the presence of high levels of aluminum in their tissues.

Deodorants and Antiperspirants Linked to Cancer

Alzheimer’s disease is not the only reason to ditch your aluminum-containing antiperspirant and deodorant, as this heavy metal has also been linked to cancer.
A 2006 study found that aluminum salts can mimic the hormone estrogen, and chemicals that imitate that hormone are known to increase breast cancer risk. Animal studies have also found that aluminum can cause cancer.
Given that antiperspirants are used on your armpits, the aluminum salt concentration is highest near your breast tissue. Further, when women shave under their arms it can result in a higher aluminum-salt absorption rate due to the damaged skin.
In a 2007 study published in the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, researchers tested breast samples from 17 breast-cancer patients who had undergone mastectomies. The women who used antiperspirants had deposits of aluminum in their outer breast tissue. Concentrations of aluminum were higher in the tissue closest to the underarm than in the central breast.
Aluminum is not normally found in the human body, so this study was a pretty clear sign that the metal was being absorbed from antiperspirant sprays and roll-ons.
It’s worth mentioning that deodorants are not the same thing as antiperspirants. Deodorants may actually be less problematic than antiperspirants, as they work by neutralizing the smell of your sweat and by antiseptic action against bacteria, but do not prevent sweating.
However, many deodorants also contain aluminum, along with chemicals called parabens, which have also been linked to breast cancer. So, you’re clearly better off avoiding both antiperspirants and deodorants.

Supposedly “Safe” Crystal Alum Antiperspirants

“Crystal” deodorant stones are a popular natural deodorant alternative, often used by health-conscious shoppers looking to avoid the aluminum and other chemicals common in most antiperspirants and deodorants.
However, if you’re looking to avoid aluminum, crystal deodorants may not be your best choice.
While many claim to be aluminum-free, they are referring to aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxybromide or aluminum zirconium.
These types of aluminum are widely used in antiperspirants and deodorants. The aluminum is taken into sweat ducts in the top layer of your skin where they act as a plug, stopping the flow of sweat to your skin’s surface.
There is evidence, however, that this aluminum is absorbed into your body where it may cause serious damage.
The aluminum in crystal deodorant stones is a different type of compound known as an alum, the most common form being potassium alum, also known as potassium aluminum sulfate.
Potassium Alum or Ammonium Alum are natural mineral salts made up of molecules that are too large to be absorbed by your skin. They form a protective layer on your skin that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. These deodorants are recommended by many cancer treatment centers.
But while this may be a better alternative to most antiperspirants and deodorants on the market, it is not completely aluminum-free.
I’ll share with you my top tips for staying odor-free naturally shortly, but first I want to explain why I stopped using any antiperspirants or deodorants over 25 years ago … and suggest you also do the same.
Source: Dr. Mercola

Let's all agree to never use non-stick pans again! Throw them away today.

2010-02-02T08:08:00.001-05:00

The fact that it poses MAJOR health risks is not new information, it's not even controversial. The coating that makes it non-stick is the same chemical used on carpets to make them "Stain resistant", and it is toxic. On carpets it "off-gasses" and you breathe it in, not to mention your toddler who crawls on it giving him or her the opportunity to rub it all over his skin and absorb it that way.

On cookware, the chemicals are dangerous in a variety of ways. One chemical, called PFOA (ammonium perfluorooctanoate), or C-8 is used in manufacturing the non-stick, and has been linked to cancer. Another substance, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is the reason why we are not supposed to use it to cook on high heat (are we all monitoring our cooking temperatures?) it emits poisonous gasses when used at high heat. It has actually killed birds-not lab birds, but people's pet's in their own homes. Also, when you cook using that metal spatula just scrapes the chemicals right into your meal.

These various chemicals have health risks including-but not limited to: Cancer, birth defects, deformities, the "Teflon Flu" (look it up in the ABC article listed below), and who knows what else.

So let's recap: It is unsafe to use these cooking pans at high temperatures, you can not use hard spatulas, you can not scrub them, you can not use them for too long otherwise the coating breaks down-and these are just the guidelines that the actual MANUFACTURERS recommend! It is just not worth it for the mere convenience, especially when there are perfectly viable alternatives.

I love to use cast-iron. It is non-stick (as long as you treat it well), and is not toxic :)

And since we did love our George foreman grill, specifically for making sandwiches, my Mom bought us a great cast iron grill pan with a top-the perfect panini maker.

So what's the consensus? We Can live full & full-filling lives without using toxic non-stick products!

Still not convinced? Don't take my word for it! See what a little TV network called ABC had to say about it all the way back in 2003-this is an important article to read:

Can Nonstick Make You Sick?

The Canadian Cancer Society wrote this:

Teflon & non-stick cookware

The controversial "baby bottle chemical" is officially deemed unsafe

2010-01-27T18:42:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Elizabeth Borelli, Nubius Organics

On January 19th the FDA released a cautionary statement naming controversial chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) as a safety risk. To that end, they’ve allocated $30 million for independent research in a first-time non-industry-funded study in an effort to learn more. This action comes after more than a year of media controversy over the safety of the chemical, especially since it’s so prevalent in baby bottles. Consumer pressure and slowed sales spurred the six largest plastic baby bottle manufacturers to voluntarily remove BPA from baby bottles sold in the U.S., but the chemical is still widely prevalent in consumer food and beverage containers.

Exactly what is BPA? You’ve heard the letters, you know it’s bad – but the findings have sounded inconsistent – and since all the media controversy died down maybe it’s not really much of a problem. Actually BPA is a one of the world's highest production-volume chemicals and has been used for 40 years in plastic items, such as drinking glasses, baby bottles, food and beverage containers, and dental sealants. Independent studies have conclusively shown adverse health effects of BPA on the brain and reproductive system, as well as metabolic diseases in laboratory animals.

Just how serious is this problem? In the human body, BPA mimics the hormone estrogen. Studies have tied the compound to reproductive abnormalities and increased risks of cancer and diabetes. Infants and children are thought to be particularly vulnerable to any adverse effects because their reproductive organs and ability to metabolize chemicals are not completely formed. In a statement in 2008, the FDA said BPA was safe in materials that come into contact with food, to which critics accused the agency of using outdated studies that had been sponsored by the chemical industry, so this new cautionary statement is a huge step in direction of consumer safety over corporate pressure.

Why isn’t this information more widely available? There was considerable media coverage over the BPA baby bottle controversy last year, which has since died down as the FDA would not render studies conclusive. Scientist and expert Frederick vom Saal explains the situation like this . "The Japanese industry voluntarily removed BPA from can linings 10 years ago and thus, were able to reduce exposure to BPA by 50 percent. Last year, Congress asked companies in the United States to take similar actions; however, companies have made no move toward compliance.” In spite of this and tarried by pressure from chemical corporation lobbyists, the FDA still has no official plan to ban BPA from consumer goods.

The new FDA position is consistent with that of the National Toxicology Program made two years ago. The tremendous industry pressure on the FDA by lobbyists concerning independent findings means that consumers need to research the source of any information reassuring them that BPA is just fine. It’s often difficult to discern the actual source of misleading information you see in an ad or on a web site, since it’s generally pretty well covered, but when you wonder why someone would pay so much to publish these confusing findings in the first place, it’s worth considering the motive of the source before believing them.

What can you do? Choose smart plastics (see icons below) and avoid putting them in the microwave (where they can release dangerous chemicals when heated) or the dishwasher (where they can degrade in the heat and excessive moisture).

Safer Plastic Choices: Select safe plastics that use polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5), which require the use of less toxic additives. They also are non-chlorinated.
Some to Avoid: Avoid choosing products that use polyvinyl chloride (#3), polystyrene (#6), and polycarbonate (#7) which typically contains bisphenol A (BPA) and is found in baby bottles or sippy cups.

Watch this funny video, then CLICK HERE to take Action to regulate what is in your home cleaning products!

2010-01-22T11:24:00.000-05:00

My Favorite (BPA Free) Sippy Cups

2010-01-10T18:13:00.000-05:00

As soon as my daughter was starting to play around the house and needed a cup that would not make a mess when she inevitably tipped it over and threw it across the room, my search for a good, safe, chemical free sippy cup began. I just wanted to share the ones that I got, we love, and are safe for our children.

They are the "Fluid No-Spill Toddler Cup" by Boon, "Stainless Steel iSIP Sippy Bottle with Non-Drip Spout" by OGGI, and "The Safe Sippy" by Kid Basix. They are tough, do not spill, and are also really stylish!

Here is an article about BPA and BPA free sippy cups-worth checking out:

BPA free Baby Bottles & Sippy Cups

And for a great cup comparison check this out:

BPA Free Sippy Cups

Make your own cleaning products-save yourself money, exposure to toxins, and help the environment at the same time!

2009-12-14T13:46:00.000-05:00

The Best Bathroom / Kitchen / Floor Cleaner Ever:

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Water (Approx.)

• 1 Tsp baking Soda

• 1 Tsp Dish Soap

• A Few Drops of Essential Oils: Lavender, Thyme, Juniper, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lemon, Orange, Eucalyptus or Clove (these are all tough on germs and grease)

• 5 Tbsp Vodka, Gin or rubbing alcohol (less "Green" choice, but works great, and is better than store-bought alternatives)

• 2 Tbsp White Vinegar

Mix Your Ingredients: Pour the baking soda, soap & vinegar into your spray bottle and give it a stir. It will fizz! Let it sit and calm for a minute before moving on. After it settles, add vodka, essential oil(s), and fill the rest of the way with water (warm water makes it mix and dissolve quicker. Shake it up and use it!

For Glass & Mirrors:

Put some Vinegar into a spray bottle. That's it! Cheap, easy and safe!

I use rubbing alcohol-it really works great (less "Green" choice, cleans so well, and is better than store-bought alternatives).

Awesome Furniture (Wood) Polisher:

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil • White Vinegar • Orange or Lemon Essential Oil

Mix Your Ingredients: Fill a bottle halfway with Olive Oil, and the other half with Vinegar. Add some drops of Orange or Lemon Essential Oils. Polish Away!

"The Dirty Dozen" The 12 most important fruits & Vegetables to buy organic

2009-12-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

There are 12 fruits & vegetables that are recommended to buy organic because they are sprayed with higher amounts of pesticides. Even when fruits & veggies are washed they do not come completely clean, so the more organic foods you can buy the better...

I also say that when buying anything for baby to eat, make sure it is organic, even if you keep some non-organic in the refrigerator for yourself.

To read an article about the "Dirty Dozen" and more interesting info: Organic Food-is it worth the money?

Here is the list:

• Apples

• Cherries

• Grapes

• Nectarines

• Peaches

• Pears

• Raspberries

• Strawberris

• Bell Peppers

• Celery

• Potatoes

• Spinach (and all other leafy greens)

Ginger Tea Recipe

2009-12-14T12:05:00.000-05:00

During the cold and flu season especially, it is important to keep our immune systems strong. Here is a recipe for a great tea to drink to prevent getting sick, but to also soothe you and help you get better sooner if you do.

• Chop Ginger root-the more you put, the stronger the tea. I put about a palm full.

• Place it in a large pot of water and bring to a boil.

• Lower heat to a simmer and let simmer for anywhere between 30 mins or longer (sometimes we simmer, and drink, and simmer more for a whole day!).

(Note: The longer you simmer the stronger the tea. The water will become light yellow, then a rich golden color. That is a good time to drink it.)

• Serve with honey and lemon. No more coughing!

Sippy Cup Showdown

2009-12-14T11:24:00.000-05:00

Here is an article to help you pick the right BPA free sippy cup for your child. Some helpful info!

Click Here: Sippy Cup Showdown

WELCOME!

2009-10-22T13:39:00.001-04:00

We have started this blog to give a place to share information, events of interest, and exciting products as we learn about them. We hope that the information shared here will help you enhance the health, happiness and well being of your family!
Thanks for visiting and for your support

Joni Aarden
Green Baby Proofing
www.GreenBabyProofing.com