TheGreenQueenCorner

The Story of Stuff Full Video Version

2009-03-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

2008 Latest Edition - Did You Know 3.0 - From Meeting in Rome this Year

2009-01-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ellen Degeneres - Gladys Hardy loves Jesus but likes a drink

2009-01-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

This is so cute and funny. Gladys is fantastic!!!

La Bouche - Sweet Dreams

2008-08-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

La Bouche - Be My Lover

2008-08-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

American boy (Lyrics) Estelle ft Kanye West

2008-08-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

Girl Who Silenced the UN for 5 Minutes

2008-08-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Fragrance

2008-07-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Some Children's Bath Products Hazardous, Groups Say

2007-03-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Reprinted. By Carlene Olsen, Cox News Service/New York Times News Service

Dallas Morning News
February 9, 2007

WASHINGTON - Some children's bath products contain a suspected cancer-causing chemical in amounts that reach or exceed recommended limits, environmental groups charged Thursday.

Johnson and Johnson, Disney, Kimberly-Clark, and Gerber are among the makers of 15 children's products that contain 1,4-dioxane, David Steinman, head of the environmental publishing company Freedom Press, said at a news conference.

The petroleum-derived chemical is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen, and the National Toxicology Program considers it a known animal carcinogen, according to the Environmental Working Group, which also took part in the news conference.

In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration recommended that cosmetic companies limit the concentration of 1,4-dioxane in products to 10 parts per million. But the FDA does not regulate cosmetics, leaving companies to monitor the safety of their products on a voluntary basis.

Steinman said a study he commissioned from the West Coast Analytical Service lab in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., showed that Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, made by Kid Care, contained 12.3 ppm of 1,4-dioxane. Johnson's Kids Shampoo Watermelon Explosion, made by Johnson and Johnson, contained the maximum recommended level of 10 ppm, he said.

In addition, two adult shampoos tested by the lab found twice the recommended level of the chemical, he said.

The Environmental Working Group, meanwhile, said it had conducted a computerized assessment of ingredients in 15,000 cosmetics and other personal care products which shows that 1,4-dioxane may be present in 57 percent of all baby soaps.

Iris Grossman, director of communications at Johnson and Johnson, said, "It's important to stress that all our products are within the FDA limits."

The chemical is typically a manufacturing by-product, which companies are not required to list on labels along with ingredients, said Grossman. "And our suppliers guarantee that (levels) are within the FDA limit," she said.

At the news conference, medical experts said that bath products could be linked to other children's health problems.

Research suggests a link between ingredients in common bath products and early puberty development in children, said Devra(cq) Davis, director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Children's fast-paced growth rate and porous skin increases their susceptibility to toxins that can enter the bloodstream through the skin's surface, Davis said.

Jeanne Rizzo, executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund, said that "an increased risk of breast cancer is linked to toxic exposure that occurs in the most vulnerable period of our lives."

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Buying Organic Produce: 6 Tips on How to Shop Wisely and Save Money

2007-03-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Buying Organic Produce: 6 Tips on How to Shop Wisely and Save Money

Tip! Bananas: Non-organic bananas from Central and South America are produced using benomyl (linked to birth defects) and chloropyrifos (neurotoxin).

Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due to higher cost and less availability. Here are a few ways to make organics more affordable and easier to purchase for your family.

1. Do not always assume organic is more expensive. Look at the prices of conventional and organic products and compare. You may be surprised that on some items, there is little or no difference in price, depending on where and when you buy.

2. Buy in season. These items will be the lowest priced, whether you're shopping at a specialty market or local farmer's market.

3. Grow your own. Even a small window box can yield some organic herbs or tomatoes. Larger areas can accommodate lettuce, strawberries, broccoli, carrots and more. A garden is also a great classroom and hobby for children and adults alike.

4. Shop at one of the more than 2,500 farmers' markets in the United States. The produce here is as fresh as possible, because the food is usually picked within 24 hours of your purchase. This is a great place to check prices with little effort. Becoming a regular shopper and getting to know growers personally, is a good way to get the best selection and price.
Tip! Environmental Stewardship. Gardening organically means that the environment benefits from the reduction in contamination of the water supply and air pollution.

5. Join a food cooperative. A food co-op is kind of a buyers club for affordable, fresh, local organic and natural products. It is an actual store where members buy "shares" of the business to provide the capital necessary to run the store efficiently. You as a member directly influence the kind and variety of products and foods available, and also receive a discount in the store. Many co-ops allow you to "buy" shares by volunteering several hours per week or month.

6. Visit a farm and pick your own produce. Children love to experience something new, especially when it involves dirt and food. According to the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) "Parents had reported that their children started to eat more vegetables after visiting a farm on a school field trip, having experienced for the first time the process of gardening."

Lisa Barnes is the owner of Petit Appetit, an educational service promoting healthy eating habits and good nutrition for infants and toddlers. She is also the author of The Petit Appetit Cookbook (Penguin March 2005). For information and to sign up for a free newsletter visit http://www.petitappetit.com

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7 Reasons To Grow Your Own Organic Vegetable Garden

2007-03-15T05:59:00.000-07:00

Tip! Sustainability. In his book, Gardening Organically, John Fedor defines sustainability as “the ability of a society or an ecosystem to function indefinitely without squandering the resources on which it relies.

During the last decades there has been a change towards mechanization and homogenization of farming, which uses pesticides, additives, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and mass-production techniques. All this is clearly affecting mankind's health, and new diseases are spreading rapidly amongst humans and animals (bird's flu being the most recent one).

The World Health Organization produces reports to show how the use of chemicals and other products on food, coupled with the manufacturing processes involved, are actually a threat for our health.

If you have space for a few pots or even a small piece of land, it is a wise decision to grow your own organic vegetable garden. Today I'm presenting you with seven reasons for doing this:

1. You will have no additives in your vegetables. Research by organic food associations has shown that additives in our food can cause heart diseases, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity.

2. There will be no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers used. These chemical products are applied to obtain crops all the time regardless plagues or weather conditions, and affect the quality of the vegetables. Besides, pesticides are usually poisonous to humans.
Tip! Failing to plan – Planning is crucial to a successful organic veggie garden. You need to consider the aspect of your plot/s.

3. Your vegetables will not be genetically modified (GM). Antibiotics, drugs and hormones are used on vegetables to grow more and larger ones. One of the consequences of this practice are vegetables which look all the same and are usually tasteless. Besides, we end up consuming the hormones that have been used on the vegetables, with the potential risks for our health.
Tip! Grow your own. Even a small window box can yield some organic herbs or tomatoes.

4. Eating your own organic vegetables will be much more healthy for you. They will not contain any of the products or chemicals named above, and they will be much more natural than any ones you would find at the supermarket. Your health will not be at risk because you will then know that nothing has been added to your vegetables.

5. Your own organic vegetables will be much more tasty. The use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics make vegetables grow unnaturally and take the taste away from them. With organic vegetables, your cooking will be enhanced as their flavour will show fully.
Tip! Bananas: Non-organic bananas from Central and South America are produced using benomyl (linked to birth defects) and chloropyrifos (neurotoxin).

6. Organic farming is friendly to the environment. Because you won't use pesticides or other equally harming products on your vegetables, you will not damage the soil or the air with the chemical components.

7. When you grow your own organic vegetables you are contributing to your own self-sustainability and the sustainability of the planet. Small communities have been founded where members exchange products that they grow naturally, thus contributing to create a friendly and better place for us all.
Tip! Cereal grains: 90% of tested non-organic wheat cereals were found with pesticides according to a 1994 U.S.

In the end, eating organic products only means that we do not add anything else to them than they would naturally have. As you can guess, additives, fertilizers, pesticides or hormones are not components of naturally grown food. To better care for your health, grown your own organic vegetables -and a few pots is all you need.

About The Author Cristina Diaz Garcia is the Author and Founder of the "Beautiful Gardens Email Club". Visit her page for an useful Pot Gardening free report at http://www.soapystuff.com/free-garden-reports.html.

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LEVI’S® BRAND LAUNCHES 100% ORGANIC COTTON JEANS

2007-02-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

A reprint of a press release announcing Levi's Organic Jean line called Levi's eco. Check it out.

Denim Leader To Offer Organic Options In Its Most Popular Styles For Fall 2006.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 5, 2006 – The Levi’s® brand today announced it will include jeans made with 100% organic cotton in its fall 2006 product line. Organic cotton will be used in select new and popular men’s and women’s styles within its Red Tab and, the recently launched, Levi’s® Capital E™ lines. The jeans will be identified as “Levi’s® Eco” and be available in November 2006 exclusively at Levi’s® U.S. stores with additional products to be introduced in spring 2007.

“As the inventor of the jeans category, it is critical for us to continue to innovate with our products and within the category itself in order to drive positive change,” said Robert Hanson, Levi’s® U.S. brand president. Building off the brand’s world-famous product guarantee, Quality Never Goes Out of Style, Hanson added, “Given our history as a leader in responsible manufacturing and business practices, this initiative is about quality and responsibility never going out of style. With Levi’s® Eco, consumers who seek to minimize their personal impact on the environment can choose jeans that demand less from the environment without forfeiting the style or quality they've come to expect from the Levi’s® brand.”

Famous for style leadership and its product iconography, Levi’s® jeans made with organic cotton will be available in a range of popular fits and finishes and marked with a few subtle identifiers. Jeans made with all, or a significant percentage of, organic cotton will be signified as “Levi’s® Eco” and feature an embroidered lowercase “e” inside the front pocket, or at the bottom of the right leg of each jean. A natural colored canvas “Levi’s®” tab and “Two Horse Patch” made from 100% organic fabric as well as natural colored pocket stitching of the brand’s famous arcuate will also indicate the jeans are made from organic cotton. All external packaging will be made from organic fabric or recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink.

Among the styles made with 100% organic cotton are the Red Tab Vintage Straight Jean for men, and the women’s Skinny Jean and Skinny Knee Knocker Short. In the brand’s super premium line, Levi’s® Capital E™, a selvedge denim Shrink-to-Fit® 501® Original Jean, and forward fits like the men’s Wrapped Skinny Jean and Skinny Slouch jeans, and the women’s Twisted Skinny and Twisted Cropped jeans will be made from 100% organic cotton. Other elements of the Levi’s® Capital E™ lines including the use of recycled buttons, rivets and zippers and natural indigo to dye some styles of jeans were employed for their minimized impact on the environment.

Global Organic Jeans Offering

The fall U.S. introduction is part of a global launch of products made with 100% organic cotton. In Europe, the Levi's® brand will offer certified organic denim versions of its most popular styles – the Levi's® 506 Standard Fit Jean for guys and the Levi's® 570 Straight Fit Jean for girls. They will be available in select stores within Europe at the end of 2006. Additional styles made from 100%, or a significant percentage of, organic cotton will be introduced in both regions in 2007. [EDITOR’S NOTE: For information on Levi’s® Europe contact: Paola Brandi, pbrandi@levi.com; Brussels: ]

About Organic Cotton

Organic farming practices can be used to grow natural fibers including cotton as well as food. Organic cotton farming starts with seeds that have not been genetically modified or treated with pesticides or fungicides. During the growth phase, weed control is achieved through hand hoeing or physical removal and pest control is accomplished through the use of natural predators, trap crops and other biological and cultural practices. Farmers rely on natural processes such as seasonal freezes, rather than the application of chemical defoliants, to prompt the opening of the cotton boll and allow the cotton bud to be picked by hand or machine. From growth through harvesting, the process is monitored according to a set of organic growing standards adopted by governmental bodies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the European Union. [Source: Organic Exchange, “Organic Cotton: Growing Together,” 2005. For more information on organic cotton, please contact Rebecca Calahan Klein, rebecca@organicexchange.org,.]

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss, Levi’s® Jeans are the original, authentic jeans. They are the most successful, widely recognized and often imitated jeans products in the history of apparel. Levi’s® Jeans have captured the attention, imagination and loyalty of generations of diverse individuals in more than 100 countries around the world and continues to do so today through jeanswear innovation. Levi Strauss & Co. has been a leading brand for more than 150 years. For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and Levi’s® stores, visit www.levi.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: NO PRODUCT PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

Organic Air Purifiers - Cheap and Natural Filters that Improve Indoor Air Quality

2007-02-25T19:32:00.002-08:00

NATURAL AIR FILTERS

Plants are the original organic air purifiers! In our constant societal quest for newer, faster, and better technologies we seem to often overlook time-tested and common sense solutions to some of our basic needs. In our fast paced society we are more likely to shell out hundreds of dollars on a quick fix to our problems that to step back and examine each situation in a broader context.

The equatorial rainforests of our planet are the living and organic air filtration systems for our Earth's atmosphere. Without this delicate biological air purification system our global ecological systems would slowly deteriorate over time. You can harness the same natural benefits of biological air filtration on a much smaller scale by introducing plants into your indoor living space.

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION RISKS

With the rise in the amount of time most people now spend within indoor air environments it has become even more important to understand the threats and risks of prolonged exposure to indoor air pollution. Our indoor environments are littered with chemicals, compounds, and poisons that are continuously breaking down at a chemical level and "off-gassing" their irritants and by-products into the air we breathe.

Examples of common indoor pollutants include cigarette smoke, building materials, floor coverings, paints, adhesives and other sources. The situation becomes worse in office buildings with lots of other sources of pollutants. Tools such as printers, fax machines, photocopiers, paper and pressboard furniture emit different types of harmful contaminants. Those include ammonia, benzene, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, etc. Regular exposure these contaminants leads to different types of disorders such as breathing problems, headaches, burning eyes and throat, lethargy and other allergy-like symptoms.

PLANTS CAN HELP

The most natural way to fight indoor air pollution is to use plants. Besides brightening up a room, they have real benefits in improving the indoor air quality. They absorb various toxic emissions from the synthetic materials such as carpeting, paint and furniture. As a result, we can have cleaner and more pure air to breathe inside our homes or offices. NASA scientists have found out that indoor plants can extract volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from the air. They contain toxic vapors such as ammonia, benzene, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, etc. Plants break down the chemicals after absorbing them into their leaves. They absorb the chemicals through stomata, the microscopic openings in the leaves. Then the toxins reach the root zone where the root microbes of the plants biodegrade the pollutants. The plants use these biodegraded pollutants as food.

However, you need to remember that some houseplants can be poisonous to your health. Therefore, you need to be very careful while choosing plants for your home or office. Read more on which plants are good organic air purifiers.

AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS CAN SUPPLEMENT PLANTS

Depending on the amount of indoor air space you have the number of plants required to filter your air may be impractical and take up too much of your living space. This is where it may make sense to research and find a decent air purification system that suits your indoor environment and help your plants with some of the air filtration duties. There are many types, styles and models to choose from so we encourage you to do your research and compare them carefully.

About the Author

S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Air Purifiers Review information portal.

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Loving Organic Lavender - Simple How to’s at Home

2007-01-20T16:46:00.000-08:00

Lavender is a fragrant beautiful herb and flower and it is edible. I love using lavender in flower arrangements, cooking with it, and using it to fresh the air at home.

I use lavender in the dryer to freshen my clothes. Simply put dried lavender in a sachet that has Velcro as the closer and throw it in the dryer. You can use it up to 5 even 6 times to add fresh lavender fragrance to your clothing. After you have used the organic lavender sachet 5 or 6 times in the dryer empty it onto your rug or carpet and vacuum. The fresh lavender fragrance is released into the air. Lavender is a natural antiseptic too.

Make lavender water. Simply put one or two handfuls of fresh lavender in a heavy 32 oz mason style jar with screw on lid (something that can with stand heat) pour boiling hot water over the lavender and seal the jar with the lid. Let the jar stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Do not refrigerate. Voila lavender water. You can use the lavender water for cooking; add it cupcakes, ice cream, cakes, frostings, add it to your favorite lotions, put it in a bath, to wash your delicates use your imagination, have fun. (Photo on the right is rose water using the same method).

You can also use other kinds of fragrant herbs and flowers; fresh fragrant rose petals, basil, sage, rosemary geranium, apple geranium, whatever tickles your fancy. Be creative. If you are using these items for food make sure they are safe to eat.

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Charlie Rose - Alternative Energy / Internet Technology

2007-01-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Bamboo Flooring: The Grass is Green

2007-01-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

Flooring professionals are always looking to source flooring to their commercial and residential clients that will stand as being both visually attractive as well as long-lasting. Homeowners are looking for these benefits too, but many people are becoming more and more aware of the issues of renewability and the protection of the environment. This awareness has caused many people to seek alternate sources of flooring materials that will still serve the needs of look and practicality, but with the added benefit of sustainability of natural resources. One of the most popular choices for these reasons remains to be bamboo flooring. Bamboo is noted for hardness, beauty, variety, and its "green" friendly nature. But, how exactly is it made, how many types are there, and just what makes it so renewable anyway?

Bamboo Is A Type of Grass
A common error some make about bamboo is that it is a type of hardwood. Not to be confused with common associations of many species of grass, bamboo is actually a type of grass which matures into a material that can rival the hardness of maple! Being well adapted to the environment in which bamboo commonly grows, each bamboo plant thrives in areas of fair to poor soil quality, and still remains to be one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Controlled harvesting of the bamboo plant has very little impact on each individual stalk, which will continue to grow long after harvesting. This is what makes bamboo such a renewable source of flooring material, and why it is often associated with environmentally minded choices for flooring. The fact that it is such a uniquely attractive flooring option makes bamboo flooring an extremely beneficial choice for your own interior environment!

How Bamboo Flooring is Made
Once the bamboo has been harvested, the outer layer of green "skin" is removed and each stalk is cut into lengthwise strips or "fillets". These curved fillets of bamboo are milled along their outer edges in order to flatten them. The excess elements of this process will go into another type of bamboo flooring that is called "strand-woven bamboo flooring" - more on that later. The flattened strips of bamboo are then kiln dried in order to remove the natural moisture in the bamboo, and are then boiled. The bamboo fillets are now ready to be glued together to make a solid, dependable surface that is more than suitable for flooring. The bamboo undergoes one final compression stage, which makes it that much more durable and ready to ship. Tongue and groove elements are added in order to make an installation as easy as possible. It should be mentioned that the outcome of this manufacturing process is dependent on which kind of bamboo flooring is being made. There are several types of bamboo flooring, both in terms of cut and of color, and some differences in how they are processed.

Horizontal or Vertical Bamboo Flooring
During the gluing process, the bamboo can either be bound with the narrow edges facing up, which results in a thin, channel pattern in the bamboo flooring, or so that the broader surface of the bamboo is bound facing upward, making for a surface that is more akin to traditional hardwood patterns. These styles of bamboo flooring are known as vertical and horizontal bamboo flooring respectively. There are visual benefits for each one, depending on your personal taste, but both remain to be decorative choices. The horizontal style is striking for its "knuckle" or "node" patterns, that is, the pattern naturally occurring in the bamboo that are the equivalent of "growth rings" in many hardwood species. The vertical style is a unique surface that remains unmatched by any other natural flooring material, characterized by decorative, narrow channels caused by the binding of the bamboo strips. Both of these styles are available in natural or carbonized colors.

Natural and Carbonized Bamboo Flooring
Along with choices in style you may wish to consider in bamboo flooring, there is also the question of color. Bamboo flooring is available in two colors - natural and carbonized. The color is determined at the boiling process. Natural bamboo appears in a creamy blonde color that is known to add a touch of brightness to an interior. Carbonized bamboo is characterized by its smoky, caramel hue which is the result of a longer boiling process which causes the remaining starches in the bamboo to caramelize. It should be noted that by the end of the respective boiling processes, the natural remains to be the slightly harder bamboo flooring. The carbonization process which defines carbonized bamboo reduces the bamboo's hardness by about 30%. It must also be noted that even though this is true, both colors of bamboo flooring can still be classified as being as hard as some hardwood species.

Strand-Woven Bamboo Flooring
In the continuing spirit of a "green" flooring option, strand-woven bamboo flooring is the product of a process that leaves very little wasted. The excess material left over from the filleting process which goes into making natural and carbonized bamboo flooring are intertwined, compressed, and bound. The binding agent is a safe, UV resistant and scratch-resistant resin which also makes the bamboo even more resistant to moisture. The process of compression results in a very hard, very durable type of bamboo flooring typified by grain patterns that are more like those of a hardwood floor. The strand-woven bamboo is then cut into planks and is ready to be shipped - no further compression is needed in this case, unlike regularly manufactured bamboo flooring.

Bamboo: A Renewable Resource Renews Your Interior!
One of the key elements that makes bamboo flooring so attractive is that it is an environmentally responsible choice. As you have read, the harvesting of the individual bamboo plant does no harm to it, and it remains to be one of the fast-growing plants in the world. Also, there is very little wastage of materials during the manufacturing process, making bamboo a truly renewable and sustainable source of flooring materials. Bamboo flooring can in turn renew any interior for attractiveness as well as practicality. Bamboo flooring is unique in appearance, and is easy to clean. As such, you will gain both the time it would take to maintain many other types of flooring, as well as the many compliments you'll receive from visitors!

Bamboo Flooring Dos and Don'ts
Do:
• Consider the area you where you wish to install your choice in bamboo flooring - make sure that it is not prone to excessive moisture. Bamboo is moisture resistant, but excessive moisture can damage your bamboo flooring
• Consult the terms and conditions of your bamboo flooring purchase, including all warranty information, and read all installation instructions
• Ensure that your subfloor is clean, dry and level before installing your bamboo flooring
• Inspect all boxes of bamboo flooring for any damaged planks before commencing
• Allow your bamboo to "acclimate" in the area where the installation will take place. Open all boxes and allow the bamboo to expand and contract accordingly to the interior
• Use of a tapping block will help to minimize any fracturing during installation
• Expect a 7-9% wastage factor, depending on your level of expertise when placing an order for bamboo flooring
• Use dry or damp (not doused) mops, brooms and vacuums to keep your bamboo flooring clear of dirt and grit which have the potential to scratch the finish of your bamboo flooring
• Use runners and mats at strategic points to guard against dirt and moisture from the outdoors, and be aware of spills and clear them up when they happen

Don't:
• Overwet your bamboo floor - this can lead to long term damage
• Use detergent, steel wool or other abrasives to clean your bamboo flooring
• Install your bamboo flooring in a bathroom, sauna or enclosed veranda. These areas which are prone to high levels of moisture may void your warranty in some cases
• Install your bamboo flooring in an area prone to intense sunlight. Despite its UV protection, bamboo flooring is subject to fading when exposed
• Walk on your bamboo flooring with athletic spikes or high heels

For more detail on how to install and maintain a bamboo floor, it is always best to talk with the professionals directly. Contractors with experience in installing bamboo flooring, along with sales reps who sell it, can be valuable resources in helping you to choose your bamboo flooring. They can also make sure that you are the best ally your bamboo flooring has in ensuring the long life of your flooring!
Rob Jones is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect, a leading online wholesaler of building products. Rob writes articles for commercial contractors and DIYers on features, installation, and maintenance of building materials used in commercial and residential projects. These articles focus on materials such as flooring, decking, roofing, and siding, and other related topics.

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Why Are Consumers Demanding More Organic Milk?

2006-12-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

By Kiran Patil

The demand for organic milk has increased all over the world. No, this is not with reference to the increased demand for the product that occurred in. This is about the present - 2006.

So, why is the demand for organic milk increasing? The answer lies in the benefits of organic milk. Consumers are demanding more organic milk due to its enhanced health benefits.
Research conducted at the University of Aberdeen, and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research have shown that organic milk has more Omega 3 than non-organic milk. So consumers can now just replace their regular milk with organic milk and do away with those Omega 3 supplements or fish oil capsules.

Similarly, research conducted at the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Newcastle has shown that organic milk is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Vitamin A is essential for a good eye-sight, and Vitamin E protects body cells from free radicals and delays ageing.

Organic milk also has more Conjugated Linoleic Acidl (CLA) than non-organic milk, as it has become mandatory to graze the organic cows on pastures unless weather forces the farmer to interfere. Now cows that graze on pastures have higher concentrations of CLAs in their milk than fodder-fed cows.

There was always a lack of evidence that organic food is better than conventional or non-organic food and all the benefits of organic food over non-organic food were strong beliefs of the producers and consumers in the wellness of organic food production methodologies.

However, the research findings on health benefits of organic milk have firmed the beliefs of consumers who are now demanding more organic milk. Health conscious people have also shifted to organic milk resulting in a shortage of the product.

However, the increased health benefits of organic milk are not the only reasons for this surge in demand. People are also questioning the factory mode production of organic dairy products. Many people now believe that livestock have good health when they are left in the open. Confined animals are more prone to diseases and hence the increased chances of BSE cases.

Consumers are also becoming conscious of animal rights and do not wish to be part of the extensive cruelty imparted to confined livestock. Since organic milk production involves certain aspects of animal welfare, these consumers have shifted to organic milk even if it costs more.

Kiran Patil is a chemical engineer and an expert on organic food and organic farming. Visit his website at www.organicfacts.net

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Slip into Something More Organic

2006-12-27T13:09:00.000-08:00

By Gillian Flower

Many of us have made the shift towards an ecologically-aware lifestyle. Perhaps you have chosen to eat organic foods, to buy more locally made products, or to switch to public transport. While you may be living sustainably in many parts of your life, is this choice reflected in the clothing you wear every day?

Why Change your Clothes?

The clothing industry is rife with issues that deserve our attention. Child labour and poor working conditions are often part of clothing manufacturing in distant factories.

Our environment is threatened by the heavy metals in most dyes and by pollution from synthetic fabric production. Even "natural" alternatives like cotton aren't as pure as they seem. So what choices are out there for the fashion-savvy shopper with a conscience?

Organic Cotton
Despite perceptions of cotton as a "natural" alternative, the production of this fibre is chemically intensive. Twenty-five percent of the world's insecticides are used on cotton crops alone. To put this staggering number into perspective, the cotton T-shirt that you may be wearing right now required a third of a pound of chemicals for its production.

While you may not be aware of the pesticide residue in your wardrobe, our air, water, and soil all feel the effects. We know that cancer rates increase with the use of some pesticides, and choosing to wear organic clothing has an impact on everyone's health.

Happily, thanks to rising consumer awareness, organic cotton clothing is increasingly available.

Major manufacturers are making the switch to organic threads, leading the charge for real changes in the clothing industry. Active wear companies like Mountain Equipment Co-Op (mec.ca) and Patagonia (patagonia.com) have developed impressive product lines made from organic cotton. Anti-sweatshop advocate American Apparel (americanapparel.net) now offers 10 styles for men, women, and children in their Sustainable Edition line.

Hemp Hemp Hooray!

Although some still confuse hemp with its well-known cousin, marijuana, this ancient plant is enjoying popularity as an eco-alternative to conventional fabrics. Growing hemp is kinder to the planet than growing cotton, as this resilient, adaptable plant requires little water or chemical additives.

Hemp fibre has some unique and interesting characteristics, which makes it a suitable replacement for conventional fabrics. Historically, hemp was used to make rope and sails, items that made use of the plant's impressive tensile strength. Today, clothing companies like Of The Earth (oftheearth.com) and Hemptown (hemptown.com) promote hemp's wicking properties and its resistance to bacteria and mould. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts appreciate hemp's insulating properties. Like wool, this fibre breathes well in hot weather, insulates in cool weather, and retains heat when wet. The wicking properties of hemp make it a great first layer for any outdoor enthusiast.

The Future of Fibre

As hemp and organic cotton become more available, manufacturers are experimenting with creative blends using these fibres. In their 2004 collection, Of the Earth introduced an ingenious T-shirt fabric that blended soy with organic cotton and Lycra, resulting in a hard-wearing but delicate fabric that is silky-soft against the skin.

Clean Clothes, manufacturers of Maggie's Organics (organicclothes.com), has been making simple, basic, wearable pieces since 1992. Recently, the company moved organics into the future by launching their first natural performance sock. Blending Coolmax, a patented wicking fabric with organic cotton, Maggie's sport socks ensure that both your feet and conscience are kept happy.

So take the next step towards an organic lifestyle by simply changing your clothes. You can make a great difference with simple, conscious choices.

Gillian Flower is an environmental products specialist with Grassroots Environmental Products in Toronto. As a student at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, she plans to bring an awareness of environmental issues to her future practice as a naturopathic doctor. She is a regular contributor to alive magazine. Visit http://www.alive.com for related articles.

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Are There Messages in Your Water?

2006-11-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

If you have seen what the "Bleep Do We Know" then you know Dr. Masaru Emoto's work with water crystals. Check out this link where there is an online exhibit of his work. Beautiful and amazing http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/gallery/exhibits/wisdom_water/index.shtml

If you don't know Dr. Emoto's work you must check it out. He is the author of many books about water crystals, you can check then out at the link above. I can't describe it like he can but I will try.

The photo of the water crystal above is one of his photos. The theory is that everything on earth is energy. That means that words, music, emotions etc have energy. Water is also energy. Water is affected by other energies on earth.

For example the crystal pictured above. Before it was frozen Dr. Emoto played "Amazing Grace" to the unfrozen water. Then he froze the water and the crystal above was formed. According to Dr. Emoto, "the form that symbolized prayer for the sky and the ground was expressed" in this crystal. Amazing.

Check out the link above to learn about how emotions affect our water. He also talks about the influence chemicals have on our drinking water, the affects music have on water, fascinating.

I would love to hear your comments on this one.

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Way to go Aspen: City reduces greenhouse gas by giving employees incentive

2006-11-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

Aspen, Colorado city employees recieved bonuses for helping to reduce greenhouse gases in their city. Congrats Aspen. Check out the article in the Aspen Times, the link is,
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20061121/NEWS/111210022.

Aspen reduced it's emissions by 10.5% which is what most cities are increasing their green house gases by. What a great idea to thank city employees for their hard work by giving them a bonus for helping to decrease gases. Aspen is doing what it takes to make a difference and better their community. They are setting a great example for other cities. They plan to further decrease their emissions in years to come.

I love solutions. Another toxic problem being over come.

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Environmentally Friendly Rental Cars

2006-11-20T19:03:00.000-08:00

Check it out! Bio-beetle rental cars for your next vacation to Los Angeles or Maui. They use biodiesel instead of gasoline. What is biodiesel? There are many versions of bio-diesel, Bio-beetle uses 100% recycled vegetable oil. That means that your fried food is their fuel. Check them out at www.Bio-beetle.com.

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Why are there toxic chemicals in your cosmetics, skin care and personal care products?

2006-11-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

I was inspired to write this entry by http://beaut.ie/blog/?p=577.

Cosmetic companies are minimally regulated which means they can put almost anything they want into your cosmetics, skin care and personal care products. All of your conventional personal care and beauty care products are filled with toxic chemicals.

Just think in the morning you shower and apply chemical shampoos, conditioners, shower gel. You get out of the shower dry off and put lotion all over your body then your face. You put on chemical filled make-up and even worse perfume. Layer after layer of chemicals are slathered onto your body. And if your products have fragrance the danger is increased.

Everyday you leave your home as a toxic chemical time bomb. On the outside you look hot in your Lucky Jeans, your high heal pumps, cool Ralph Lauren blouse and blazer. While underneath all day long your body is absorbing and storing the toxic chemicals that you applied as part of your daily regimen. Metabolizing them through your body, organs and blood. It isn't your fault though. How could you know that you were applying a toxic cocktail of chemicals to your body daily when there aren't warnings, or labels to tell you the truth about your products. You have been in the dark.

Why do cosmetic companies and personal body care companies use these chemicals? They say because it is cheaper and easier. How much cheaper is it when you need radiation to kill the cancer in your body. Furthermore, there are many companies that have great pure, natural products that are affordable like Dr. Haushka, and Aubrey Organics. If you use Mac, Bobby Brown, Lancome, Prescriptives and Clairins, to name a few, like I did then you know that they are not cheap! Where is the savings?!

Go to your bathroom cabinet right now, where you keep your skin care and personal care products and pull out products you use everyday, input the name of the product into the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep data base at http://ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php to rate the toxicity of your products.

You can go to the same website and input the chemicals that are on the labels of your products into the data base to learn if they have health affects. After you have rated your products and learned about the health affects, notice how many layers of chemicals that you are slathering onto your body daily and what health affects have been linked to these products. Count the layers of chemicals how many do you wear underneath your Lucky Jeans everyday?

What you will find is that many ingredients in your products are cancerous. These ingredients are listed among the first 5 ingredients on the ingredient label which means they have the largest quantity in the product.

And what the cosmetic industry doesn't tell you is that mixing one chemical with another can be carcinogenic. The chemical alone may be safe but when it is mixed with another chemical from another product the combination becomes lethal. You have to be a scientist to get ready in the morning

Furthermore, the EPA says that some chemicals like phthalates are safe in cosmetics because they are at safe levels for humans. However, what the EPA doesn't consider or evaluate is that chemicals like phthalates are used in many cosmetics and personal care products like, fragrance-containing soaps, shampoos and perfumes. They are also used in plastics like your shower curtain, flooring, baby bottles and nipples, toys to name a few. Thus you are exposed daily to many layers of phthalates found in many products not just one product. This increases the level of exposure pushing it over the safe level and making the levels unsafe for humans.

Furthermore, not only are you absorbing these chemicals into your largest organ, your skin, but you breath them in, they may get into your mouth and nose which means you ingest them. Everyday you layer then onto your body. That means that the layers of chemicals you are exposed to on a daily basis increase with every layer. Thus the levels that you are exposed are at unsafe levels. Phthalates have been linked to reduced sperm count in men, genital abnormalities in boys, premature birth, sperm damage to name a few.

To illistrate my point, in September 2000, the US Centers for Disease Control released it's assessment of the levels of phthalates in the bodies of the American public. After studying urine samples they found the levels of phthalates to be high. One demographic of concern was women of child-bearing age where they found the levels to be especially high in a disproportionately large number of women. This is of concern because the fetus is extremely vulnerable to the adverse affects of phthalates. Furthermore, this demographic is the one that should avoid exposer to phthalates. Phthalates are banned in the EU.

Another common dangerous chemical found in skin care, personal care products and cosmetics is parabens. It is used as a preservative and is found in breast cancer patients. You will find parabens in your shampoo, conditioner, lotions, body washes and make-ups to list a few. That means that they are also layered onto your body. Go to Skin Deep for more information, http://ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php.

To add insult to injury, there is controversy surrounding nano chemicals in our beauty products, ingredients engineered at the molecular scale. They aren't listed on the ingredient lists and they aren't regulated. They are harmful to your health and environment. For more information check out this link, http://action.foe.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=5475&msource=foe11006&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;tr=y&auid=2072979

I am very passionate about this and bewildered that our country and government would allow chemicals to be in our everyday personal care products. The increase in disease in our country is continuously on the rise. At this time in history 1 out of 2 women will have cancer. Think about it, that means that your friend, sister or mother or you will contract this terrible disease. The EU is banning one chemical after another to protect their citizens why isn't the US? Why is the EPA constantly avoiding chemical matters when it comes to our skin care, cosmetics and personal care products? Isn't it their job to protect us?

I strongly recommend that you visit http://ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php, to learn more about the toxic chemicals that are in your everyday skin care and personal care products and evaluate the products that you use.

There are safe solutions to skin care, cosmetics and personal cae products many are listed at Skin Deep. A couple of my favorite products are Dr. Hauschka and Aubrey Organics. A great way to try Aubrey Organics or Dr. Hauschka is their kits:

However don't take my word for it or Skin Deeps anyones for that matter. Take your health care into your own hands and do your research, read the labels of all products before you buy and know what you are putting onto your skin, hair, body...

Look for my upcoming post on how to choose safe skin care products and personal care products and more product suggestions so that you can take matters into your own hands and protect your health. I will give tips on how to read through the hype and how to read between the lines on labels.

Thanks again for reading. Another toxic problem revealed.

Switch Babies Food to Organic

2006-11-17T22:14:00.001-08:00

Tip! According to the Scotsman, more than half of Scottish children under two are now fed an exclusively organic diet. In fact, organic baby food accounted for 43% of total baby food sales in 2004.

I thought that this was an interesting tidbit about organic food and babies. Check it out. Then watch for my tips on easy, fast solutions for making homemade organic baby food.

Despite the fact conventional food is considered safe, many parents use more and more organic food for their kids. Many are even making their own baby food from organic ingredients. Since last year, according to marketing statistics, sales of organic baby food have jumped nearly 18 percent, double the overall growth of organic food sales. Especially new parents or expectant mothers, are switching their children to organic food.

The concern regarding children's food is that they are more vulnerable to toxins in their diets. Pound per pound babies and children metabolize faster, and digest faster than adults which means they absorb foods and toxins faster.

A study targeting kids whose diets were changed from regular to organic found that their pesticide levels decreased almost immediately. The level of pesticide detected in the children remained imperceptible until their diets were switched back to conventional food. Furthermore, many toxins like, parabens, aren't eliminated they are stored in fatty tissue in the baby and children's body.

Eating organic is definitely not cheap so if you can't buy organic buy fruits and vegetables that are known to have lower pesticide residues. Scientists say the lowest pesticide levels are found in asparagus, avocados, broccoli, bananas, cauliflower, onions, sweet corn, kiwi, mangos, papaya, pineapples and sweet peas. Whether your fruits and vegetables are organic or not always be sure to wash them with simple non-toxic soap and water.

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On the other hand, the highest pesticide levels, meanwhile, are found in apples, bell peppers, cherries, celery, imported grapes, nectarines, pears, peaches, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues aiming to direct
medical attention to elementary questions like baby food.

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Toxic news about plastic baby bottles

2006-11-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

I am shocked to learn that most baby bottles on the market today are highly toxic because of the materials they are commonly made with, and because mom’s are taught to heat them in hot water to sterilize them and to heat milk. Moreover, many moms’s put bottles in the microwave to heat the milk even though they know it is a big NO, NO. I also learned that the alternative to plastic is glass; however, glass bottles are scarce. Furthermore, once baby starts holding their own bottle glass becomes dangerous.

What you need to know about plastic before you use one more baby bottle

A common plastic used to make baby bottles is polycarbonate plastic. Studies from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumers Union and researchers at Nagasaki University in Japan show that when baby bottles made with polycarbonate plastic, recycle #7, are heated a hormone-disrupting chemical called, bisphenol-A (BPA), is released. That hormone leaches into the milk in the bottle. The same scientists found that used bottles leached up to double the amount of chemicals as new bottles because the plastic is less stable than in new bottles.

Bisphenol – A is an artificial estrogen and researches have known for years that it is harmful to animals and humans alike, especially during fetal development. Scientists have found and presented the dangers of BPA to the Environmental Protection Agency, who hasn’t yet banned it from the market place despite the health risks that have been identified. The dangers include decreased sperm production in males, prostate hyperplasia — excessive growth of prostate tissue, early onset of puberty, chromosome damage in female ovaries and a variety of behavioral changes.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), recycle #7, is another common plastic used to make baby bottles. It is the most toxic plastic to human health and the environment. PVC has been linked to IQ deficiencies, learning disabilities, impaired hearing, and reduced attention spans, as well as other behavior problems.

In general plastics like Tupperware and other storage containers that are commonly made with polycarbonate plastic or polyvinyl chloride are a dangerous place to store food, use glass containers. They leach toxic chemicals into the items they store, like the food that you eat. The dangers further increase when food is heated in these plastic containers, since the heat breaks down the plastic and destabilizes it, thus increasing the release of toxic chemicals into your food. An even more dangerous situation is heating food in plastic containers in the microwave; this further accelerates the release of toxic chemicals into the contents of the container, just don’t do it.

Safety concerns behind plastic pacifiers, teethers and nipples

Also beware of, plastic pacifiers, teethers, and nipples because they can be made with plastics that contains phthalates. Phthalates is a commonly used chemical that is found in nail polish, make up, soft plastics and much more. Because it is fat soluble it collects in fatty tissue of humans where it is stored. It is absorbed through the skin, lungs and by ingesting. It has adverse health affects in the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the reproductive system. It has been associated with premature breast development in young girls, adverse effects on genital development in male children, as well as reduced sperm count in adult males.

Beware because infants receive large doses of these chemicals because they spend most of their time indoors and breathe, metabolize, and ingest faster than adults do. Furthermore, these plastics are found in many household products, cosmetics, vinyl and toys. Additionally, food is contaminated by these chemicals through packaging.

So what do mom’s do to solve this problem and protect their babies from exposure to plastic?

If you can use glass bottles and silicon nipples until your baby is old enough to hold the bottle by themselves. To protect baby from glass shards when using a glass bottle be sure to dispose of the bottle if it is at all chipped or damaged in anyway. Glass bottles can be found at 4 oz. Clear Glass Baby Bottles (3pk), www.Evenflo.com

,http://babysupermall.com/main/products/eve/eve10103.html

http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/products.html

US and ebay Canada,

When baby is old enough to hold the bottle then switch to a plastic bottle made with polyethylene or polypropylene they have the recycle #’s 1, 2, 4 or 5. Gerber, Evenflo and Rubbermade all make these kinds of bottles so they will be easy to find. Stay with the silicone nipples. Make sure that the bottle and nipples don’t have any cracks where bacteria can live. If they do don’t buy them or throw them into the trash.

Don’t purchase the bottles that have decorations on the inside of the bottle as they leach off into babies milk.

Never heat babies formula or any bottle in the microwave!!! If you are using a plastic bottle you are accelerating the leaching of chemicals into babies formula but you are also destroying and breaking down the nutritional value of the formula.

Don’t heat formula in the plastic bottle even when heating in a pan of hot water. Instead heat formula in a non-Teflon pan and then poor it into the bottle when it is warm not hot. (Teflon when heated gives off carcinogens, and is linked to birth defects and is found in 95% of humans. The dangerous chemical found in Teflon is not going to be used after 2015.)

How do you know if nipples are silicone? Silicone nipples are clear not yellow/amber plastic. Silicone lasts longer than plastic nipples. Evenflo Clear Silicone Nipples Sensitive Response with Slow Flow 4-packWhen buying, be sure to check the nipple carefully for cracks where bacteria can live. If there are cracks don’t buy the nipple. On a regular basis check nipples that you already bought for cracks throw them away immediately when they are cracked. Before each use sterilize the nipples by washing them in soapy warm water or putting them in the dishwasher. This is also the rule of thumb for safe pacifiers, teethers and baby bottles whether plastic or glass.

Congratulations on another toxic problem overcome. Together we can make a difference in our children’s lives and our future generation’s lives. Let’s leave the earth a little better than we found it.

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"The Complete Organic Baby" on the Today Show

2006-11-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

Check it out. On the Today Show 2 women talk about their new book, "The Complete Organic Baby." The book talks about organic non-toxic living and your baby, here is the link to NBC Today Show, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/.

The book discusses remodeling, beauty products, organic food, toxic cleaning products in your home, furniture, carpet and more. Sounds like it is comprehensive and it offers simple solutions that you can implement in your home. Here is a link to a chapter in their book. http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/TVNews/Today%20show/PDF/OrganicPregnancy.pdf

When you read it let me know what you think. I will also put my review here. I watched their interview on the Today Show and it seems like they really know what they are talking about. They offer simple inexpensive solutions to common toxic problems like new furniture. They also agree that when having a new baby it is wise not to remodel unless you absolutely have to. Check it out I can’t wait to read it and hear what you have to say.

The Dirty Truth Behind the Chemicals in Our Home

2006-10-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

I know that my post from Oct 19th, 2006 is scary but it isn’t intended to scare or create panic to new mom’s but only to lay out the facts and the dirty, hidden truths that the chemical companies and manufactures of these products don’t want the public to know.

Unfortunately the truth hurts in this case and it is frightening. Manufacturers make products with chemicals that haven’t been tested on humans or in the environment for short or long term affects. Therefore, who knows how our bodies, our children’s bodies and the environment will be affected tomorrow or in the next 20, 30, 100 years. What will the long term affects be on humans and the environment?

Already studies show that each generation is more toxic than the next and unborn children’s bodies already have chemicals in them when they are born. Furthermore, many diseases linked to chemicals are on the rise as I mentioned in the blog of Oct 19th, 2006. Education is power, and the truth is frightening in this case.

Finally if we all do one or two things to help eliminate toxic chemicals from our personal lives we protect our families in huge ways. We can vote with our dollars at the store and buy non-toxic products. The important thing is that there are alternatives to toxic products and my intention in my blog is to bring them to light.

Stay tuned for more exciting controversial posts

Stay green

What is your most burning question, concern, problem about organic, green, sustainable, eco-living?

2006-10-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Happy Thursday, welcome to my blog. If you ever have questions or comments please post a comment, I will answer you as long as it pertains to green, organic, sustainable, eco-living. I am interested in giving you the information that you want so let me know what you are thinking, what your biggest questions, problems, and concerns are when it comes to green, sustainable, eco, organic living.

PS - Check out my new link to the March to Stop Global Warming.

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The Most Dangerous Toxic Mistakes Expectant Mothers Make When Redecorating Babies Nursery

2006-10-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

At no other time in history have there been more toxic chemicals in our environment. The most toxic environments are indoors. Of the indoor environments our homes are the most toxic and pose the most danger to humans because we spend 65% of their time indoors. New mom’s and babies are at greater risk of long term exposed to toxic chemicals in the home because they spend 95% of their time at home. That is why it is important to start now protecting yourself and you newborn baby. The best place to start is now and in the nursery.

If you are like most expectant mothers you want to create, design, and decorate a special place for your baby, a place that speaks from your heart that it is safe, comfortable, it is just for baby from you.

However, your good intentions could be endangering your new born. What most new mom’s don’t know is that redecorating means brand new paint, new carpet, washable vinyl, wallpaper, new crib with synthetic mattress, new no iron sheets, new easy care synthetic clothing, disinfectants, scented baby lotions, powders, synthetic fiber stuffed animals, plastic rattles all of which are potential health risks to your new baby.

Children and babies are more susceptible than adults to the adverse health affects of toxins because pound for pound since they are growing their little bodies are metabolizing faster than adults, they breath faster, their blood brain barrier that protects adults from toxins, is not yet fully developed, their detox system, the liver and kidneys are still developing which means that their bodies have a difficult time eliminating toxins so they are stored in the fatty tissue.

Furthermore, babies and small children play and crawl on the floor and ground where many toxins are found. They put their hands and toys into their mouths which increases their exposure to toxic elements in the home. They don’t know what is toxic and what is safe.

By planning now for your child’s safety and health you will be protecting them from dangerous house hold toxins. To get started follow the easy suggestions below, I have also included some shopping resources at the end to get you started. Many of the resources have more information about toxins and safe products.

I’m going to start with the crib because in the beginning your baby spends most of it’s time in the crib thus being exposed to toxic chemicals for prolonged periods. Chemicals like phthalates and PBDE - flame retardants, polyurethane, foam, polyester, plastic, formaldehyde all emit dangerous toxins that your baby breathes in or absorbs through the skin.

Some examples of the dangerous chemicals mentioned above and the adverse health risks:

Phthalates. Studies show they have been linked to damage of the liver, kidney and lungs, harmful to the reproductive system, and developing testicles.
PBDE, fire retardant, has been linked to brain development and thyroid problems in lab rats. PBDE is found in most furniture fabrics and woods, cabinets, beds and on children’s pajamas.
According to the EPA the health effects of formaldehyde include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, severe allergic reactions and may cause cancer. In asthma suffers formaldehyde has been known to cause asthma attacks.

However, don’t worry there are many solutions for a safe crib. Look for mattresses made of natural cotton or wool. Find blankets, sheets, clothing, and toys that are made of natural or organic cottons and wools. A good rule of thumb to follow is to find out if they are using natural materials or synthetic materials to make the bed, linens, clothing etc. Synthetic materials are manufactured with chemicals. When buying natural buy organic, when possible.

Furthermore, when buying the crib be sure to buy something with a safe non-toxic finish. Maple is said to be the least toxic wood. See if you can find a crib made of maple with a non-toxic finish. See below for some resources, they are a great way to learn more about safe alternatives.

Do not ever paint the room yourself. Breathing in the toxic fumes from the paint can harm your unborn child even if the paint is no or low VOC (volatile organic compounds).

Sanding the walls and scraping may expose you to lead dust which can be extremely dangerous to your unborn child as their brains and central nervous system aren’t yet fully developed. Furthermore, your child may store the lead in fatty tissue in their body because their liver and kidney’s aren’t yet fully developed and able to eliminate it. Even children under the age of 6 are vulnerable to lead poisoning because their organs aren’t yet fully developed. Exposure to low levels of lead have produced adverse health affects like low IQ, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted growth, attention deficit disorder (ADD), impaired hearing, and kidney damage. High levels of lead exposure have contributed to mental retardation, a coma and even death.

Get someone else to paint and sand the room for you. Make sure they use water based or low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. See resources below. I thought that you might like to know that due to increased environmental regulations by the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/uatw/183e/aim/aimpg.html) paint and stain companies have been forced to reduce the VOC’s in their products. However, the VOC levels are still dangerous in conventional paints so make sure that you ask for low or no VOC paint or stain. Most paint companies carry this kind of paint. See below for some resources.

What are VOC’s? For years conventional paints needed VOC’s to perform. These VOC’s are toxic and have contributed to indoor air pollution. Paints with high VOC’s emit low levels of VOC’s into the air for many years to come. Moreover, VOC’s have been linked to nausea, cancer, damage to liver and kidney, headaches, nose and throat irritation to name a few. For more information go to http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html#Health%20Effects

Be sure that you finish painting at least one month before baby is born. To dry paint use a room space heater. By drying the paint you will help the paint to harden so it doesn’t release toxins into the air.

Absolutely stay away from new carpet and flooring, keep what is already in your home. New carpet is among the most toxic material in your home, it is treated with many different chemicals. If you absolutely have to put down new flooring use pre-finished hardwood or natural linoleum. The best finish is water based as it is less toxic than oil based finishes. When you are shopping ask the manufacture if the finish is water or oil based. Below are resources for safe flooring and finishes.

Toys are difficult because you want to give your child everything. However, most toys are made with plastics which can be toxic. The best bet is to do what Toucan Sam says, “Follow your nose.” If the toy smells weird or toxic don’t buy it. The best toys are wood or made of natural fibers like cotton or wool. See below for some resources.

Diapers. Beware of disposable diapers. They are made of plastics and synthetic fibers. Some companies add unknown deodorizing chemicals that can be irritating to your baby’s skin.

Common health problems linked to disposable diapers are diaper rash; chemical burns, noxious chemical and insecticide odors, and babies pull diapers apart and put them into their mouths and noses. The synthetic, plastic materials don’t allow babies skin to breath and thus contribute to diaper rash. Furthermore, because disposable diapers feel dryer than cloth to parents and many parents postpone changing the diaper longer which means the bacteria from the urine remains in contact with babies delicate skin longer. This also contributes to increased cases of diaper rash.

Because disposable diapers don’t breathe and provide proper circulation of air, ammonia from the bacterial breakdown of urine is unable to escape causing further irritation to your baby’s delicate skin. In addition, disposable diapers that have been bleached are known to have dioxins, which studies show can cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and immune system suppression. Moreover, once dioxins enter the body they are stored in the fatty tissue and they are there to stay because they aren’t able to breakdown and dissolve in fats and they are a “rock solid” stable chemical. Quote from World Health Organization at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/index.html.

On the other hand diapers made from natural materials breathe and give proper circulation to baby’s skin and parents change them more often so they contribute to your baby’s health and comfort. Furthermore, the natural fabric is soft and comfortable against baby’s fragile skin. There are many companies that sell natural diapers and have diaper services, see resource list below.

Avoid toxic nail polish, perfumes, hair spray and deodorant while pregnant. I would avoid them altogether even after your pregnant, but particularly while you are pregnant. Conventional nail polishs and perfumes contain phthalates that can be absorbed by inhaling, through the skin, and ingested when they contaminate food. Phthalates are banned from nail polish in Europe. Phthalates have been linked to liver and kidney damage, damage of the lungs and the reproductive system, especially the developing testes.

Stay away from conventional hair sprays, hair gels and deodorants they contain toxic chemicals that can harm your baby. I full discussion of personal care products and make-up are subjects in themselves and are another installment, stay tuned. In the mean time for information on safe cosmetics go to http://www.ewg.org/. There are safe alternatives see resource list below. Again if it smells toxic it is so avoid it.

Avoid conventional cleaning and laundry products all have toxic chemicals. There are so many toxins in cleaning and laundry products that I will have to save that for another installment too. The most toxic products are air fresheners, stain removers for clothes, anything that says anti bacterial as it contains a pesticide which is intended to be toxic and kill, chlorine bleach, ammonia and anything that smells toxic and strong. Again “follow your nose” and if it smells toxic, it is.

You know many people say to me, ya, ya but families have been doing it this way for generations and they are fine. I say to them that it might seem like it but that doesn’t explain why asthma in children has increased 40% since the 80’s and it is being linked to environmental toxins and dioxins in disposable diapers. There has been a rise in non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (a type of cancer that is unpredictable), and it can be linked to toxins in the environment among other causes. Moreover, there has been a measured increase in the presence of pesticides in human blood. Remember this is dangerous because pesticides are created to kill. Every 2 to 5 years levels of PBDE’s, fire retardants have been doubling. In North America the levels are 40 times higher than on other continents. As mentioned above PBDE’s are linked to brain and thyroid problems in lab rats and are stored in fatty tissue.

Let me ask you something, do you know someone who has asthma or cancer? Maybe you know someone with a thyroid condition. If you don’t know someone go to a hospital you will meet plenty of people there that can talk to you about their illness, disease and what it is like to be a prisoner of the health care system. Believe me you do not want get sucked into the health care system.

Your health is all you have and protecting yourself and your new born from toxic chemicals in your home is an added layer of health insurance and added peace of mind. As a new mom you have enough to worry about, it is your job to protect and keep your child safe. If your home is toxic free that is one less thing to worry about.

As I said when I opened, never before in history has the environment been polluted with more toxic chemicals then it is now. According to wikipedia.com toxic = poison. The good news it that you can do something about it and protect your family with the easy steps outlined above.

I hope that this helps you to ease your mind and make safe non-toxic decisions while creating a wonderful space for your newborn.

Thank you for reading and see below for some helpful resources. Please feel free to comment or ask questions, I would love to help in anyway that I can. I will answer your questions promptly.

I always love to know what your thinking, what your most burning questions or frustrations are when it comes to health, green living, organic, and eco-living. When I know what you are thinking I can answer your questions or concerns. Also if you use the resources below let me know what you think.

Until next time

“Think and go green”

Resource center:

For new born organic Moses basket

http://www.organic-gift-shop.com/s.nl/it.A/id.811/.f?sc=14&category=116

Beds, sheets, blankets –

http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/baby.html

http://www.healthychild.com/natural-baby-crib-mattress.htm

http://www.nontoxic.com/beds/crib.html

http://www.lifekind.com/

http://www.tomorrowsworld.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=56

http://www.ourgreenhouse.com/foundations/store/shopcart.asp

Non-toxic furniture for baby:

http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/ba-furn.html?psysVid=0aqzzr9y

http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-cribs-canopy-1.htm

http://www.ourgreenhouse.com/foundations/store/shopcart.asp

For the expectant mother:

http://www.organicauthority.com/guide/guide.html - a buying guide for non-toxic living.

http://www.ecochoices.com/ - here there are many eco choices for clothes, household items, kitchen, candles etc. Although it isn’t focused on baby there are many great choices for mom.

Non-toxic paints and stains:

http://www.healthyhome.com/Site/ProductCategory.asp?ProductCategory_ID=6&gclid=CMilzrnQg4gCFSGRYAodcGywEg

http://www.ecosafetyproducts.com/Non-Toxic-Paint-s/1.htm?gclid=CPGYprvQg4gCFRBMGAodnBARGw

http://www.bioshieldpaint.com/

http://www.alerg.com/page/A/CTGY/MF-AFM?gclid=CN2Zyc_Sg4gCFR6UYAod-mHXEg

http://www.afmsafecoat.com/

http://www.safepaint.net/

Natural Diapers:

This is a link to amazon.com. If you don’t find the diapers there just type in natural diapers. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=natural%20diapers&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_11429821_2&results-process=default?tag2=amd-google-20

http://www.punkinbutt.com/index.asp

http://www.ecomall.com/biz/baby.htm

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/our_products/baby.php

Eco Mall is a great place to find eco friendly non-toxic items. They have everything from furniture to diapers.

http://www.ecomall.com/

For safe cleaning and laundry products:

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/index.php

http://www.ecomall.com/biz/cleaning.htm

http://www.begleysbest.com/

http://www.ecover.com/Default.aspx?nc=y

Toys etc for baby and young children

http://www.organic-gift-shop.com/s.nl/sc.14/category.40/.f

http://www.surprise.com/personality/responsible/environmentally_friendly_toys.cfm?srcLocal=GAWTA&gclid=CMXhlIb7g4gCFTaVFQod3zDv9A

http://www.ecotoytown.com/wooden/index.html

http://www.ecomall.com/biz/toys.htm

Green, Organic, Sustainable, Eco - Life

2006-10-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

What My Blog is About

October 11th, 2006 by greenqueen

Hello everyone this is the Green Queen coming at you. I love everything green, organic, sustainable and clean. What is a Green Queen? I help others to transform their homes and life from a toxic chemical life to an organic, sustainable, green, clean, healthy life.

What does that mean? I’m glad that you asked.

I research, live, and test organic, sustainable, green products and write about them. I give tips and advice on transforming your life and home from a toxic, chemical life to a clean, green, organic, sustainable life and home. Why do I do this?

Because, there are many myths and the industry is clouded with them. I sift through the myths, so that you don’t have too. I tell it like it is so that you get the best information to make the best decisions about your health and life. I will interview experts in the field so that you can get other opinions.

I will also bring fun tips and recipes for you to try at home. As I find cool websites I will post their links here so that you can check them out. Everything from eco-shopping, where to buy biodiesel, to the daunting statistical data and news headlines, in case you decide you want to check them out.

I hope that you enjoy. Please feel free to give me feed back I love to hear all ideas, questions, comments. However let’s keep it clean, I will delete comments that aren’t appropriate or foul language.

I look forward to blogging with you.

Until next time,

” Think and go green"