Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I'm in love with Love Bottles


I have been hearing so much about the evils of plastic bottles and the poor water quality of bottled water lately and decided to look into it a little more. Aside from the fact that they are bad for our environment and the fact that it can take one plastic bottle 700 years to decompose in a landfill. They could actually be detrimental to our health. I found out there is an estrogen like compound called Bisphenol A or BPA for short that can leach into your water from your water bottle. This is some information I found on the Environmental Working Group website:

BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on the bottom with the letters "PC" recycling label #7. Not all #7 labeled products are polycarbonate but this is a reasonable guideline for a category of plastics to avoid. Polycarbonate plastics are rigid and transparent and used for sippy cups, baby bottles, food storage, and water bottles. Some polycarbonate water bottles are marketed as 'non-leaching' for minimizing plastic taste or odor, however there is still a possibility that trace amounts of BPA will migrate from these containers, particularly if used to heat liquids.

Also in a strongly-worded statement released by 38 scientists and published online in the journal Reproductive Toxicology. The scientists determined that people are regularly exposed to BPA levels that exceed those harmful to lab animals — singling out infants and fetuses as the most vulnerable. The statement was accompanied by a new National Institutes of Health (NIH) study that found that uterine damage caused by BPA exposure in newborn animals might predict a host of reproductive disorders in women — including endometriosis, cystic ovaries, fibroids and cancers.

In addition to this I found out that BPA is being considered an obesogen, linking these chemicals to the body's metabolism and one of many factors on why obesity has so dramatically increased in our country. Obesogens seem to have the ability to disrupt the fundamental rule of weight management and body chemistry: weight gain occurs when calorie consumption exceeds the amount of energy burned. A potential explanation is that the compounds disrupt the body's circadian rhythm and may cause weight gain by, for example, programming the body's clock to eat when it should be sleeping.

The effects can also take place during developmental stages: as a Japanese study of cells growing in lab dishes showed, cells that would normally become fibroblasts, or connective tissue, actually became fat cells in the presence of industrial compounds like BPA. (Think of it something like stem cells: before these prefibroblasts are fully formed, their future identity is highly impressionable. In this case, their would-be fate as connective tissue is actually altered so they become fat tissue instead.) In the study, existing fat cells were also stimulated to grow faster and more plentiful.

Now I want to touch on the actual water inside the bottles. We a paying a premium for water that has been commercially marketed as cleaner, better tasting and the healthy drink of choice. Which is completely untrue and actually the opposite in many cases. This myth has been used to trick consumers into paying thousands times more for a product that is the same or even more polluted than the water available from our faucets. Tap water in the United States undergoes rigorous testing for contaminants—as often as 480 times a month, far more than the once–a–week test for bottled water. One of the most popular brands of water these days is Fiji Water and this is one article on the reality of where that water really comes from.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/09/fiji-spin-bottle?page=1

This is enough for me personally to want to avoid plastic bottles. I also found it disheartening that many of the aluminum and stainless steel water bottles actually have a plastic lining that contains BPA. So I asked myself what is the real reason you drink bottled water? I think it tastes better and it's convenient. So what are our alternatives? What if there is a way to have portability and great tasting water? What I recommend? Get a water filter for your tap water and they range from $20 for one you can mount on to your faucet to few hundred dollars for a reverse osmosis system that attaches underneath your sink. You will be able to pick one based on your price range and the chemicals and toxins that you want filtered out of your water and it will make your water taste great.

Now what should you put your newly filtered water in when your on the go? A Love Bottle. A Love Bottle is a discovery I made while looking online for a glass bottles. Not only is it a glass bottle but it is completely safe and actually really stylish. It is made from partially recycled glass and has a ceramic swing top lid. There are 14 bottle designs and two different sizes. They are also big on being able to individualize your bottle offering bands, removable stickers and additional ceramic lids for your bottle. The smaller size bottle is about the size of an old glass coke bottle and the second is about the size of a wine bottle. Affordabley priced between $15-$18. They are also a socially responsible company, a portion of their proceeds goes to Global Water dedicated to the cause that every human being deserves clean water. It's good for you and the planet. Get yours here : http://www.lovebottle.net/index.asp



Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Vote Earth!















Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.


Get Adobe Flash player




Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Earth Hour 2009

I wanted to post about Earth Hour 2009. I think this is an important event we should all take part in. Basically on Saturday, March 28th 2009 tons of cities around the world are participating in Earth Hour. This is where everyone in these cities are turning off all their lights in their homes and businesses from 8:30pm-9:30pm to show support for the Earth. The hope for this movement is that if enough people turn off their lights, and that the total number reaches 1 billion votes this information can be presented to world leaders at The Global Climate Change Conference that takes place later this year. So take a minute and go to www.earthhour.org and learn more about this global movement. Not enough cities in the United States are participating and the date is getting close. Check out the video as well on Earth Hour 2009. I think it's a pretty powerful concept when you think of people from all over the world standing up for our planet.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Ingredients I Can't Say

Okay so I'm always wondering why does everything cause cancer these days and why are we having the most bizarre health problems creep up on us. It seems like everyone I've talked to is almost "okay" with the idea that everything can kill us or make us ill. Why? Well it seems to me that it's almost too big a problem for anyone to actually want to make the effort and care. I remember a girl at work saying "Everything gives you cancer or whatever, you can't worry about it". For me however I'm just not okay with that. I want to live to be old and not so ripe. I believe that we can do better than what we have been. Just like my previous article on pet food I think we are cutting our lives short and certainly the quality at which we are living it.

The next few articles I'm going to be writing are going to be on exposing the things that we are exposing ourselves to everyday that I believe is the culprit for our rapid decline in our old age. So firstly I'm going to talk about our skin and hair care.

Have you ever tried to read the back of your lotion or shampoo bottle. I remember from the time I was a little kid I would read everything. Nothing would make sense to me. There would be this long string of scientific chemical compound words with your occasional aloe vera extract. Well for those of you who have done this as well then you know what I mean. Here is a typical ingredient list for a shampoo bottle.

These ingredients are for a L'oreal Kids Shampoo:
WATER, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, DISODIUM COCAMPHODIACETATE, PEG-30 GLYCERYL COCOATE, PEG-200 HYDROGENATED GLYCERYL PALMATE, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE, DISODIUM RICINOLEAMIDO MEA SULFOSUCCINATE, FRAGRANCE, SODIUM LAURETH-8 SULFATE, DISODIUM EDTA, POLYQUATERNIUM-10, SODIUM METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM OLETH SULFATE, DMDM HYDANTOIN, MAGNESIUM LAURETH SULFATE, MAGNESIUM LAURETH-8 SULFATE, MAGNESIUM OLETH SULFATE, APRICOT EXTRACT, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRATE, D&C YELLOW 10 LAKE

This is a huge list. I want to write about some of the ingredients, not all of them but some. I want to define some of the common ones and the side effects in which they have been proven to cause by scientific testing. Okay here we go, so you will see that the second ingredient in this shampoo after Water is Sodium Laureth Sulfate this is a fancy name for a foaming agent this is what makes the shampoo get all lathered and sudsy. Sounds harmless right? Wrong. Lets read on..

SODIUM LAURETH/LAURYL SULFATE: This is actually a pretty big irritant for eyes, skin and lungs. That it can reach a toxic level in and on the body in low to moderate doses. One or more animal studies have shown that it has organ effects at low doses and broad systemic effects at moderate doses.

DISODIUM COCAMPHODIACETATE: Same as above

PEG-30 GLYCERYL COCOATE: This one "may" contain harmful impurities. It's a penetration enhancer, it alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin. It also is not safe on injured or damaged skin. It is also in violation of industry recommendations.

DISODIUM EDTA: This is also a penetration enhancer. One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses. So apparently it doesn't take much. This ingredient has been proven to cause cancer on one or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results.

SODIUM METHYLPARABEN: This, and all of the paraben family is a preservative. This is a human skin toxicant. It interferes with gene expression. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. It also adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system. It is a skin sensitizer as well and can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of the skin.

Okay, so you may have gotten the point. I could have kept going on. To get to the point basically every ingredient in that shampoo as well as most shampoo's, lotions and even toothpaste has some type of risk or has been proven to be dangerous. I recommend as always to do your own research and see what you feel comfortable with.

Now, if you are concerned the way I have been. You may start to notice that its very difficult to find products that don't have all the toxic junk in it. Well lucky for you, I have compiled a list of products that are as safe as you can get these days. Now I'm sure there are other products out there that are just as good but these are my recommendations.

Shampoo- Aubrey Organics, you can use whatever one suits your hair type. I like the Island Naturals blend and GPB blend. All the ingredients are completely natural. It doesn't have the foaming power so it may take a bit to get used to. It has a spicy earthy smell to it. I think it cleans my hair really well and I don't have to wash it as often. It doesn't have the harsh synthetic detergents that makes your hair produce more oil.

Conditoner- Aubrey Organics, I like the Island Naturals and GPB Conditoner too. Same great smell and 100% natural. It conditions well and you don't have to use alot.

Lotion- Aubrey Organics, I like the Ultimate Moist hand and body lotion in unscented. You can tell at this point I'm a big Aubrey fan. Creamy and Moisturizing and not as expensive as some of the other natural brands.

Deodorant- Now this is a big deal because aluminum which is a common ingredient in most deodorants has also been linked with breast cancer. So the deodorant I recommend is Home Health, Herbal Magic Roll on Deodorant in unsecented. This is a natural deodorant that actually works. They are hard to find but I have been satisified with this one. It is non irritating even for someone like me who shaves every day.

Bar Soap- ZUM Bar, these are made with goats milk and of course completely natural. They come in all sorts of yummy scents and fun colors.

Body Wash- Now say your a body wash sort of person or you like both bar and liquid like me. I recommend Dr. Bronners Magic Liquid Soap. They also come in different scents. I'm a big citrus fan. They are fair trade and have been around for 60 years. I like a respectable company.

Face Wash: Aubery Organics, yet again! I use the sensitive skin Vegecol with Aloe. I also like the Vegecol with Aloe face moisturizer.

Toothpaste: Toms of Maine SLS free toothpaste in peppermint. Again it doesn't foam as much or freshen quite as strongly but it works and tastes good. They also have other flavors if
you are so inclined.

Blemish Treatment: Nelsons Acne Gel, I just dab a little of this stuff which smells like tea tree oil on the offending blemish and it helps heal and disenfect it.

Body Scrub- Wild Willow Sugar Scrub, I haven't used this product yet but it has safe ingredients.

Face Scrub- Coastal Classic Creations , Blue Cornmeal Exfoliating treatment

Perfume- Aubrey Organics, Light Citrus Floral. They have four different scents depending on your preference.

Now something else I would like to point out is that none of these companies do animal testing. Which basically I have recently found out that all the regular main stream brands you would find at your local Wal-Mart do animal testing with their toxic products. The products I'm recommending are safe and therefore do not need to be tested on animals.

If you wish to purchase these products they can all be accessed through links on this page although most health food stores sell the majority of these products. This in my experience and research is the most cost effective products with the best quality ingredients. You definately get what you pay for...

Saturday, February 21, 2009

What's in our pet food?

Recently I have discovered that what I was feeding my dog isn't what I thought I was feeding her. Do really know what's in your pets food?Probably not. Animals are getting sick and dying from what we are feeding them. These companies would have you think that they are putting real chicken, beef, vegetables and grains. This simply is not the case unfortunately and our pets are living much shorter lives as a result. There have been many recalls on practically every food you can think of for horrendous reasons. In my wildest imaginings I couldn't even guess that these things would be put in our loving companions food.

Some of the reasons these foods have been recalled are animal by products not fit for human consumption, this would include heads, hair, feet, bone, spinal cords, tails. When a manufacture just lists "meat" as an ingredient this has included roadkill, euthanized dogs and cats, sickly or diseased animals and animals from research laboratories.

Most dog foods have a long shelf life sometimes one to two years depending on how long they sit at the manufacturing plant to await shipping then depending on how long it takes for it to get to its destination and then finally to the store where who knows how long that bag of food will sit. So to make the food last manufacturer's have used either synthetic or "natural" preservatives. Synthetic preservatives include butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (also used as a less-toxic version of automotive antifreeze), and ethoxyquin.

Other Toxic ingredients for dogs that are regularly put in their food is corn or corn meal. Dogs have a hard time digesting corn. Several dogs develop skin allergies after eating corn over a long period of time. You will notice corn allergies by head shaking, butt biting, and endless scratching, turmors, moles, warts, blindness, deafness, bloating, ear aches, ear infections, inflamed kidneys, inflamed liver, heart conditions, and death. Gluten causes allergies dogs are inable to digest this. Soy or Soybean Hulls left over stuff after the good stuff is removed. This is just a filler dogs are allergic to soy and can't digest it. You will notice soy allergies by a dog licking his paws. Use of corn, wheat, or soy which cause skin irritation, fever, ear infections, kidney failure, liver failure. dental disease, obesity, chronic digestive problems, bloat, heart disease, IBD, Cushings Syndrome, and hyperthyroidism.

These are just a few of the horrible things that are
put in our dogs food. Next I want to list the Dog food manufacturer's that have been recalled:

ALPO
Americas Choice, Preferred Pet
Authority
Award
Berkley & Jenson (Salmonella)
Best Choice
Big Bet
Big Red
Bloom
Blue Buffalo (RICE GLUTEN)
Bruiser
Cadillac
Canine Caviar Pet Foods (RICE GLUTEN)
Champion Breed Lg Biscuit
Champion Breed Peanut Butter Biscuits
Co-Op Gold
Companion
Companion's Best Multi-Flavor Biscuit
Compliments
Costco/Kirkland Signature (RICE GLUTEN)
Demoulas Market Basket
Diamond Pet Food
Diamond Pet Food (RICE GLUTEN)
Doctors Foster & Smith
Doctors Foster & Smith (RICE GLUTEN)
Dollar General
Eight In One Inc (Salmonella)
Eukanuba Can Dog Chunks in Gravy
Eukanuba Pouch Dog Bites in Gravy
Food Lion
Giant Companion
Gravy Train
Grreat Choice
Hannaford
Happy Tails
Harmony Farms (RICE GLUTEN)
Harmony Farms Treats (RICE GLUTEN)
Health Diet Gourmet Cuisine
Hill Country Fare
Hy Vee
Hy-Vee
Iams Can Chunky Formula
Iams Can Small Bites Formula
Iams Dog Select Bites
Jerky Treats Beef Flavored Dog Snacks
La Griffe
Laura Lynn
Loving Meals
Mars Petcare US Inc (Salmonella)
Master Choice
Meijer's Main Choice
Mighty Dog
Mixables
Mulligan Stew Pet Food (RICE GLUTEN)
Natural Balance (RICE GLUTEN)
Natural Life
Natural Way
Nu Pet
Nutriplan
Nutro
Nutro - Ultra
Nutro Max
Nutro Natural Choice
Nuture
Ol' Roy
Ol' Roy 4-Flavor Lg Biscuits
Ol' Roy Canada
Ol' Roy Peanut Butter Biscuits
Ol' Roy Puppy
Ol'Roy (Salmonella)
Ol'Roy US
Ol'Roy US (Salmonella)
Paws
Perfect Pals Large Biscuits
Performatrin Ultra
Pet Essentials
Pet Life
Pet Pride / Good n Meaty
Petrapport Inc. (Salmonella)
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority Canada
Priority US
Publix
Roche Brothers
Royal Canin (RICE GLUTEN)
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet (RICE GLUTEN)
Save-A-Lot Choice Morsels
Schnuck's
Schnucks
Shep
Shep Dog
Shop Rite
SmartPak (RICE GLUTEN)
Springfield Prize
Sprout
Stater Brothers
Stater Brothers Large Biscuits
Stop & Shop Companion
T.W. Enterpriese (Salmonella)
Tops Companion
Triumph
Truly
Weis Total Pet
Western Family Canada
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Your Pet

This list in my o
pinion is staggering. Check your dogs food and see if it is listed. Your dog on average should be able to live to be twenty years old with good care. I read that most dogs are only living to be eleven on average because of the illnesses that are effecting them. I want you to think if you only had eleven years here on earth. I would have been dead twelve years ago. Take the time to look into to this for your pet. They trust you. They eat what you give them not knowing that what you are giving them could be poisoning and ultimately killing them. Read the labels see what is in your dog's food. It's so easy to be complacent but we have responsibility as pet owners to bring a stop to this and not keep putting money in cheaply made pet food manufacturer's pockets. If everyone stops buying it then they will have to at least take a second look at what is going to into their food. Too many dogs and cats are dying.

I have done some of my own research on what pet foods have never been recalled and appear to be safe and natural. A big thing for me was to understand what the ingredients said. If I can't pronounce it then it probably isn't natural or good for my pet. Some dog food brands found are: Halo pet food, The honest kitchen, Life's Abundance, Three Dog Bakery Entrees. You can also cook at home for your pet. There is a ton of recipes for homemade pet food online. A quick search and you have alot of options at your disposal.

Now for my dog I tried The Honest Kitchen first and she didn't really care for it. So now I am trying Halo pet food. I have not tried the other brands listed but they have not been recalled and have natural ingredients.

Additonal information: Here is a link from the FDA on the subject: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html