Going Green for you ... And for the Earth

Is Your Water Safe?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:25:00 +0000

How Clean is your water? Check this out!

I Am the Hummingbird – An Earth Day Tribute to Wangari Maathai

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:13:00 +0000

Video: I Am the Hummingbird – An Earth Day Tribute to Wangari Maathai

Watch as Professor Maathai tells her favorite story of the Hummingbird and the Forest Fire, and make a pledge to do the best you can. The goal is to plant a billion trees around the globe, but one tree is enough. Plant it, log it, and let us know about it by emailing us at earthday@shaklee.com, so we can count it toward the campaign.

How will you be the hummingbird this Earth Day and beyond? Watch and spread the word.

FREE Shaklee Membership with ANY Purchase

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Wow, Shaklee has never offered this before. Purchase ANY product and you will get a FREE Shaklee membership.

Why would you want a membership with Shaklee? You will get:

15% discount (off retail prices) on product purchases
Special promotions, offers and discounts
Unconditional money-back guarantee
Ability to earn referral bonuses

One of the questions I am often asked is: "If I get a membership, does that mean I have to order every month?" The answer is NO. You DO NOT have to order every month. There is NO annual fee. You will save 15% on all orders. No minimums required.

In celebration of Earth Day, I recommend getting some of the non-toxic cleaners. Not only will you save money on cleaning supplies but you will be eliminating those toxic chemicals in your home.

Are Your Household Cleaners Safe?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:17:00 +0000

What common cleaning product is:

Linked to reproductive harm
can cause irritation and tissue damage from inhalation
Exposure for 15 min while cleaning the shower, could inhale 3x the acute exposure limit
Toxic to kidneys and liver
exposure through the skin

This is not something that you would use if you knew that, right? Unfortunately, this IS a common household cleaning product -- Windex.

Is there an alternative? Absolutely - and it cleans better and is less expensive than Windex.

Basic H2® is all you need for thousands of household jobs

Ultra-concentrated – 16 ounces makes up to 48 gallons of super powerful cleaner when mixed with water.

Versatile and powerful cleaner – removes dirt, grease, and grime from any washable surface, inside and out. Dilute according to directions.

No rinse, no residue, streak-free formula

Protect your health - Go Green - click here for more information

Chemicals In Your Home Causing Weight Gain?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:44:00 +0000

I've been reading the Body Restoration Plan by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton. I highly recommend this book. She explains how the toxic chemicals in our food and environment damage our body, causing weight gain especially around the 'middle'.

Dr. Baillie-Hamilton shows you how to identify which foods have the highest chemicals, how to detoxify, how to rid your home of these dangerous toxins and much much more!

She gives compelling evidence linking the rise in the number of people overweight and the growth in synthetic chemicals.

Check out her web site to learn more
and then when you want to start eliminating those toxins - come here -

a 40 Day Carbon Fast for Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Want to take some small steps in Going Green?

Here are easy steps you can do each day.

Remove the Lead in Your Water

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:05:00 +0000

Yes, these 11 are the most frequently found compounds in your water. Plus there are lots more!

Did you know that up to 20% of lead exposure comes from your water?

Long term exposure to lead in infants and children may cause reduced IQ,learning disabilities, and impaired growth.

In Adults, long-term exposure to lead may cause kidney problems, nerve disorders, and high blood pressure!

What's in Your Water? Here are a few of the most common things found in our water.

Disinfection By-products: Long-term exposure may cause increased risk of cancer, as well as liver, kidney, or central nervous system problems.
Heavy Metals: Even at low levels, long-term exposure may cause behavioral problems and learning disabilities
Agricultural Pollutants: Long-term exposure may cause increased risk of cancer, as well as eye, liver, kidney, spleen, blood, and nervous system problems
Industrial Pollutants: Long-term exposure may cause increased risk of cancer, as well as blood, nervous system, kidney, and liver problems.

So why not just use bottled water? Here are a few reasons not to:

1. Bad Choice for Your Wallet
• Bottled water is 100s to 1,000s time more expensive than tap water
2. Bad Choice for the Environment
• 1.5 million barrels of oil are used in the production of bottled water each year—enough to fuel 50,000 cars for one year
• 1,640,000 tons of packaging waste come from bottled water
• Only 34% of water bottles are recycled

3. Bottled water may not be contaminant free.
The Environmental Working Group found 10 popular brands had a total of 38 contaminants

What can you do to protect yourself?
GET EDUCATED
1. Learn what’s in your water at: epa.gov/safewater/ccr
2. Research how your water gets from your municipality to your tap

Get a Get Clean Water system
This system is certified to remove up to 99% of lead--compare that to the competition! Its refillable solid carbon block filter (a first in a water pitcher) is made from sustainable material using a zero-emissions process, and it handles the equivalent of 600 bottles (16.9 oz.) of water. Check it out

Clean Up Your Cleaners!

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:10:00 +0000

Chemicals that are in household products are linked to eye irritation, headaches, asthma and so much more.

See the President's Cancer Panel report to learn more about how to reduce the risk of environmental cancer. We already are exposed to a chemical soup in our everyday lives, and our homes should be the safest place we know.... use safe, non-toxic and natural cleaners wherever possible.

Pesticides in Your Body? Most Likely!

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:44:00 +0000

There are over 900 pesticides listed with the EPA, yet most of them have not been tested for toxicity or long term effects on us!

The World Health Organization estimates that 50% of our ground water is contaminated. (Look at previous post to check out the safety of your water)

These pesticides and poisons are finding there way into our bodies. There are more than 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides used in the U.S.

One pesticide, chlorpyrifos (CPF), was found in eighty-two percent of urine samples from a broad range of Americans aged twenty to fifty-nine

Besides using non-toxic cleaners and eating organic, what can you do to protect yourself from all of these toxins that are already in your body?

First, make sure you have a healthy liver. Your liver is a filter for all the toxins in your entire body.

All the toxins,(pesticides and pollutions) as well as poorly digested food, sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol,and heavy metals (like lead and mercury), are all filtered through your liver

Your liver has to process ALL of these toxins, with the help of bile and your gall bladder.

Here's how it works:

Bile is made by your liver and is stored in your gall bladder.

Your gall bladder releases the bile after you eat, helping get rid of toxic waste and digesting fats.

If you have too many toxins, your liver becomes overwhelmed. Then the liver cells die of toxic overload and are replaced by fat.

This condition is known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
Without reducing your toxic load and helping your liver get rid of wastes, you could be experiencing an overwhelmed liver, setting the stage for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, cirrhosis, and even death.

You do not have to be obese or an alcoholic to be at risk for NAFLD!

For a healthy liver, remember these 3 tips:

1. Reduce your exposure to toxins.(see other articles on this blog for ways to reduce those toxins)

2. Help your body (and liver!) detoxify.

3. Follow a healthy nutritional plan, to keep your liver AND your whole body, in top condition! Taking even one of these steps today can go a long way to creating liver health!

Risk of Developing Asthma May Be Caused By Household Cleaning Products

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:23:00 +0000

I shared the info about the CDC 'going green'. Here is some research on why this is important and why YOU should also consider using non-toxic cleaning products.

Common household cleaners and appliances give off fumes, which can potentially increase the risk of developing asthma in children. Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease in the developed world and has become more common in the last 30 years. In a 2004 study published in the journal Thorax, it was found that that many common household cleaners and appliances give off fumes, which can potentially increase the risk of developing asthma in children. It was concluded that, “Domestic exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) at levels [even] below currently accepted recommendations may increase the risk of childhood asthma." VOCs are found in many household products and may also be embedded in the house itself as part of the paint, flooring, or furniture. Source: Rumchev, K. et al. (2004).Thorax, 59(9), 746-751.

Using household cleaning sprays and air fresheners as little as once a week can raise the risk of developing asthma in adults. The epidemiological study, the first to investigate the effects of cleaning products in occasional users rather than occupational users, found that cleaning sprays, especially air fresheners, furniture cleaners and glass cleaners, had a particularly strong relation to increased asthma risk in adults. “The relative risk rates of developing adult asthma in relation to exposure to cleaning products could account for as much as 15 percent, or one in seven adult asthma cases,” according to Dr. Zock. Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol 176. pp. 735-741, (2007)

Reduce the chemicals in your home - Learn more

You can buy non-toxic cleaners here

CDC Only Allowing Green Cleaning Products

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:37:00 +0000

The CDC just came out with a policy for all of their offices to become chemical free and fragrance free.

No products that emit fragrance will be allowed - they must be odor free. Only Green cleaning products will be allowed.

In the report it states:

"CDC encourages employees to be as fragrance-free as possible when they arrive in the workplace. Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines."

Employees should avoid using scented detergents and fabric softeners on clothes worn to the office. Many fragrance-free personal care and laundry products are easily available and provide safer alternatives.

If the CDC thinks cleaners and products with fragrance is detrimental to health - what are you doing about it in your home? Check out these products.

Toxic Chemicals in Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:27:00 +0000

I have been reading some amazing research on what the toxic chemicals are doing to adults and children

Here are a few for your to ponder:

Children are highly vulnerable to chemical toxicants. Pound for pound of body weight children drink more water, eat more food and breathe more air than adults. The implication of this is that children will have substantially heavier exposures than adults to any toxicants that are present in water, food or air. Source: Landrigan, P.J. & Garg, A. (2002).Chronic effects of toxic environmental exposures on children’s health. Journal of Toxicology: ClinicalToxicology, 40(4), 449-456.

Faster metabolisms in children speed up their absorption of contaminants. “Children absorb a greater proportion of many substances from the intestinal tract or lung,” says pediatrician Dr. Philip Landrigan. “For example, children take up approximately half of the lead that they swallow while adults absorb only about one-tenth.” Source: PBS.org, Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report (2001).

Babies don't excrete contaminants or store them away in fat in the same ways that adults do, making the poisons more available to affect rapidly growing bodies. Furthermore, because a baby’s immune system is not fully functional, a baby’s body cannot counteract toxic effects as well as an adult can. In an adult, a blood-brain barrier insulates the brain from many of the potentially harmful chemicals circulating through the body. But in a human child, that barrier isn't fully developed until six months after birth. Source: PBS.org, Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report (2001).

Children exposed in the womb are at greatest risk of all. Because cellular structures change so rapidly during embryonic and fetal growth, a toxic exposure at the wrong moment can permanently alter further development. According to Dr. Landrigan, the central nervous system is especially vulnerable. To function properly, the developing brain must lay down an intricate web of interconnecting neurons. Small doses of neurotoxins during critical periods of brain development can alter those crucial neural pathways – one mistake early on, and the brain may be forever changed in subtle or serious ways. Government and university scientists are currently investigating the possibility of a connection between fetal exposures to toxics and developmental disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Source: PBS.org, Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report (2001).

Reduce the chemicals in your home - Learn more

You can buy non-toxic cleaners here

Earth Day - Get Clean: Safe. Powerful. Smart. Green

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:50:00 +0000

What is the best cleaning product? According to Real Simple it is Basic H2.

Basic H². is the flagship product of Shaklee’s Get Clean line of green household cleaning and laundry products. Introduced at Shaklee’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2006, Get Clean has quickly risen to become the #1 green cleaning line in the U.S. Get Clean has received accolades in many major magazines, TV shows, books and blogs. Including being one of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite things.

What makes Get Clean so fantastic is that it was created based on a few simple beliefs:
Safe. Home should be the safest place in the whole world. Did you know that many everyday cleaning products are designated as household hazardous waste and are recommend to be disposed of at your local chemical waste disposal center? All the Get Clean products are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, with no harmful fumes, and no harmful chemicals.

Powerful. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice powerful convictions for powerful cleaners. And vice versa. Today you don’t have to choose between harsh chemical cleaners that aren’t environmentally friendly indoors or out, or other eco-friendly cleaners that don’t clean well. Get Clean has been proven to outperform 12 national brands. And if you don’t think Get Clean products work better than the other cleaners you’ve gotten used to, you get your money back.

Green. Cleaning house shouldn’t involve dirtying the earth. Get Clean uses sustainably sourced natural ingredients, biodegradable surfactants, recyclable packaging, and ZERO chemicals that are harmful to the planet. And when you buy the Get Clean Starter Ki t instead of the stuff you probably buy, you keep 108 pounds of packaging waste out of landfills and you eliminate 248 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

Smart. Save money while saving the earth. Did you know that when you buy some common cleaners, a lot of what you’re buying is water? Shaklee makes a more economical cleaner by making it concentrated. That’s why Get Clean™ is such an awesome value. You’d have to shell out more than $3,400 at the grocery store to get the same amount of clean you get in the Get Clean Starter Kit!

Get the Real Dirt on Clean

The Slippery Slope of Non-Stick Pans

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:28:00 +0000

Those pans make cleaning up so much easier. What's the problem in using them?

If your pan gets overheated, it gives off toxic fumes. Gosh, who hasn't overheated a pan occasionally! Did you know that when that happens you risk inhaling toxic fumes?

Well, it can't be THAT bad, can it? According to the Environmental Working Group:

"Health dangers: When you breathe kitchen air polluted with fumes from overheated Teflon, you're at risk for developing flu-like symptoms (yes, "Teflon flu"). The long-term effects of routine exposure to Teflon fumes, and from Teflon flu itself, have not been adequately studied.

PFCs have been found in nearly all Americans tested by federal public health officials. Chemicals from this family are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation and weakened immune defense against disease."

One warning stated on the website is to keep your pet birds out of the kitchen. An overheated teflon pan can kill a bird in seconds! If that is the case, just think what repeated exposure to humans is doing!

The chemical that is on these teflon pans is called PFCS. It is found in many things besides non-stick pans - like microwave popcorn, scotchguard, etc. Download the pfc guide if you want to reduce the amount of this chemical in your body.

So what kind of pans are recommended? Cast iron and stainless steel.

If you must cook on non-stick pans, never preheat the pan,cook on the lowest temperature possible to cook the food safely, and use the exhaust fan on your stove.

Is Your Drinking Water Safe?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:50:00 +0000

Do you know what is in your drinking water? Now you can find out. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) has done the research.

I live in a small rural community and we have our own well for the neighborhood. Even our community well had the results posted on the EWG website. I was impressed! Check out what you have been drinking from your home faucet

Do you think you might want to filter your water? This is what I use

6 Speed Cleaning Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:25:00 +0000

Just 2 weeks before Christmas. With work, shopping, entertaining,and decorating who can even think about cleaning the house!

Here are some speed cleaning tips.
1. Carry an old pillow case from room to room with you to collect items that don't belong there.

2. Carry 2 trash bags with you - one for trash and one for charity.

3. If it isn't dirty, don't clean it. Think about it - how often do you wipe the entire front of the refrigerator or cabinet when all that's really dirty are the fingerprints and smudges around the handles? Save the overall cleaning for another time.

4. Start cleaning in the kitchen - the most used room in the house. Wipe where you see dirt

5. Learn to multitask. If you head in the direction of the washing machine, take a load of clothes with you. Leaving for the grocery store? Take the garbage out with you.

6.The pros simplify their cleaning by simplifying the products they use! They can tote all the products they need in one tray: What products do they use?

* light-duty evaporating cleaner (glass cleaner or multi-surface cleaner)
* heavy-duty degreasing cleaner
* tile cleaner
* powdered abrasive cleanser

That's it! No soap scum remover, no special counter spray, no single-use products designed to clean only blinds or fans or walls. The pros know that these four simple products can handle any ordinary cleaning chore.

Take a page from the pros! You'll save money as well as time if you streamline cleaning products. Check out these non-toxic cleaning products.

Other speed cleaning ideas can be found here

Watch for the next post on a Self-cleaning Bathroom!

Avoiding Fire Retardants

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Wow, it has been a month since I last posted. I guess Summer hit me. I know I had a great time at my National convention and learned a lot.

Today I want to share with you some information from the Environmental Working Group about Fire Retardants. They state that "Scientists have found that exposure to minute doses of toxic fire retardants such as PBDEs at critical points in development can damage reproductive systems and cause deficits in motor skills, learning, memory and hearing, as well as changes in behavior." Just another assault on the health of your children!

Go to EWG for the full report but a couple of things to watch out for in regards to your children:

1. Don't let your children put the TV remote or cell phone in their mouth! And be sure to have them wash their hands after touching those items.

2. Pajamas do NOT have the PBDEs in them but synthetic fibers are treated with a chemical additive to make them fire resistant. That additive is present through 50 washes! To avoid this chemical exposure, choose natural fibers which are inherently fire resistant!

Check out the full report from EWG

Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:25:00 +0000

Open your windows! Not only will you enjoy the nice summer breeze you could be improving your health!

The LA Times article lists many possible home air hazards and how some of them can be eliminated.

One of the most common problems related to the air in your home and your health is household cleaners.

Here are cleaning products that do not have those chemicals mentioned in the videos

House Cleaning and Health Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:16:00 +0000

I have made several posts on house cleaning and health safety. This is an area I am passionate about.

Are you Giving Your Child Toxins?
Safer, Toxin Free Home Environment
Did You Know?
How Household Cleaners Affect Children
Your Home Is a Toxic Waste Dump
Questioning the Chemicals in Your Cleaners

Yes, the cleaning products you use can affect your health. But how can you tell if what you are using is causing some of your health problems?

Here's a little test to find out. The test was taken from the book, Green Goes with Everything by Sloan Barnett. (The book is listed in my favorites on the right)

Check any of the following that apply in these two lists.
1. Do you:

suffer from asthma?
cough frequently?
suffer from chronic congestion?
have bouts of sneezing?
have irritated eyes?
often have a runny or stuffy nose?
have persistent itching?
suffer frequent headaches?
often feel fatigued?

As Sloan points out, there may be other causes for the above symptoms, but answer the questions in this second list.

2. Do you:

frequently use conventional household cleaning products?
often wear makeup?
microwave food in plastic containers?
drink a lot of water bottled in plastic containers?
have a lot of your clothes dry-cleaned?
experience more intense symptoms the more you're at home?
find the symptoms go away when you're on vacation?
find your children's symptoms disappear in school and then return at home?
have wall-to-wall carpeting?
use air conditioners or humidifiers?
have a pest control company contract?
find your house to be damp or humid?
find excessive moisture on your windows, walls or ceiling?

You may want to consider whether some of the items on the second list are causing the symptoms on the first list!

Toxins in Baby Shampoo, Soaps and Lotions

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:47:00 +0000

This is my grandson who really enjoyed his birthday cake. I know you wouldn't want your beautiful child or grandkids to be exposed to toxins when cleaning them up. But guess what --Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Baby Magic Lotion, Aveeno Baby Wash - these are just a few of the 48 products tested that have been shown to have cancer causing chemicals according to a recent study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics .

Both Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane were found in 61% of the 48 products tested; 82% had just formaldehyde and 67% just 1,4-dioxane. These 2 chemicals are listed as possible carcinogens by numerous research agencies. No wonder there is a rise in childhood cancers!

Of course, using a contaminated product once is unlikely to cause harm. But, this is not the only exposure to these chemicals or other chemicals that our children are exposed to Used repeatedly, these chemical lotions can add up to harm. Babies’ skin is 5X thinner and more permeable than adult skin, making babies more susceptible to toxins.

One Interesting note is that these chemicals are not listed on product labels because they are contaminants, not ingredients, and therefore are exempt from labeling laws. So you really can't just look at the label to know if your product has these chemicals! To get the complete list of the 48 products and the study about these chemicals, you can download the report at "No More Toxic Tub"

What products don't have these chemicals? Here is a totally safe source of products for your baby. To learn more about these safe products click the picture to watch a video.

Organic Weed Control - Good Bye to Dandelions

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:49:00 +0000

Finally the weather has gotten nicer and the lawn is finally turning green. Of course, that means the dandelions and other weeds are growing too. That caused an interesting 'discussion' between my husband and myself. I am really trying to eliminate or reduce the amount of chemicals/toxins that we are exposed to and really didn't want to be adding a chemical weed and feed on my lawn.

I read about digging them out and putting vinegar on them to kill them. Yes those will eliminate the dandelions, but we have 1.5 acres of lawn. That would take forever and cause a major back-ache.

I found a great article that mentioned several ways to organically rid yourself of those dandelions.

The one that my husband and I could compromise on is Corn Gluten Meal. It is an organic weed 'n feed. We went to our local 'farm' store and they had it.

It is good to know that there is an organic alternative. Good-bye Dandelions!

Earth Day Tips for Going Green

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Earth Day is April 22. Everyone is thinking of what they can do to celebrate Earth Day and creating some new Going Green habits. There are many things on this blog that you can do. Look over some of the previous posts and decide what is going to be your next step in your commitment of Going Green.

My suggestion is not to get overwhelmed. There are so many small steps that you can do. In trying to Go Green start with just one new habit. Make a commitment to do one thing a month until it is a habit and then add another idea the next month. Then by next year on Earth Day you will be an expert! Let me know your progress. I would be glad to have you write a post for me about your journey.

Meanwhile, here are some suggestions.

1. Eliminate those plastic bottles. In fact, if you bring those plastic bottles to the Disney store on Earth Day for recycling, you will get back a reusable water bottle (while supplies last)

2. Toss all those harsh chemical cleaners. Beware tho that if an item is labeled "green" it may be misleading you, according to TerraChoice. Read the GreenWashing Report. Here is one company you can trust for their Green products.

3. Read a book on Going Green. Become aware of the dangers of toxins in your home and steps you can take for going green. I highly recommend "Green Goes with Everything" by Sloan Barnett. You can see the link to the book under my library.

4. Pick up litter. A no cost easy thing to do. Get your family involved and take a walk around your neighborhood.

5. For more info on what you can do for earth day go to the government site

Earth Day is Everyday!

Let me know what habit you are starting this month.

Pesticides in Produce...Why Buy Organic?

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:12:00 +0000

I know there are some foods that I should definitely buy organic, but I'm often confused as to which ones those should be.

Now the Environmental Working Group has made it easy for us. They have created a shopping guide to show you the safest fruits and vegetables to buy. They conducted 87,000 tests for pesticide residue on 47 fruits and vegetables and then ranked them according to the contamination.

In their research they found that people who eat the most contaminated fruits and vegetables consume 12 pesticides a day! Scientists agree that these toxins are causing health problems.

Does washing and peeling the fruit and vegetables help? Peeling usually reduces the nutrient value of the food. Washing does help but still some residue remains.

Download the wallet size of this list and have it with you when you go shopping. How many toxins can you eliminate from YOUR diet?

Anti-bacterial Soaps - or Plain Soap

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:29:00 +0000

We all know that we should wash our hands to get them clean. Is hand washing enough? Or do we need to use anti-bacterial lotions and soaps?

The chemical in the anti-bacterial liquid soaps is triclosan, a pesticide that kills bacteria. Sounds like a good idea, right - to kill the bacteria? Wrong! You don't need to kill the bacteria you just need to banish them and good ole hand washing will do that.

There have been studies done that show that these anti-bacterial soaps aren't any better than good old fashioned soap and water in removing those germs. In fact, the Environmental Working Group reports that triclosan in lab studies has been linked to developmental defects, liver toxicity and cancer.

In a Web MD article it states: "In three separate studies, the researchers showed that the chemicals -- triclosan and triclocarban -- have potential to affect sex hormones and interfere with the nervous system. They also may become suspects in the search for causes of autism." Read the full report here: anti-bacteria soap

For me, I think there is enough evidence to stay away from those anti-bacterial soaps. Check the labels of what you buy. Check for triclosan or anti-bacterial on the label

Want a good non anti-bacteria soap?

For more information on anti-bacterial soaps:
Julie's Health Club
MSNBC

Lead in Children's Vitamins!

noreply@blogger.com (Linda L) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Did you hear that lead has been found in children's and women's vitamins? Yes, the lead that we are all worried about in children's toys can be found in their vitamins!

The FDA listed children and women vitamins that contain lead. It sort of sounds like the FDA is saying though, that the amount of lead is small and acceptable. Hmm...I don't know about you but I don't think any amount of lead is acceptable. Lead is a dangerous toxin and can be stored in the body.

Even the CDC says..."Lead poisoning is entirely preventable....The key is stopping children from coming in contact with lead. Lead hazards in a child's environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely."

Let's get the lead out! Here is an alternative source for those children and women vitamins - with no lead in them!