Check out this site here:
http://www.nongmoproject.org/take-action/search-participating-products/
Take the guess work out of shopping, if you're concerned about putting GMOs into your body then go for the verified products that are out there. There's no reason to wonder, as there are companies out there who are committed to being ethical, labling their products appropriate and to not treating the consumer like a mindless entity...
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Tooth powder experiments
I'm trying to move everything over to "natural". What goes on and in my body, cleanse my clothes and house and feeds my soul. But the idea of homemade toothpaste....had me skeptical!
What's wrong with commercial toothpaste anyway? It's safe stuff. The ADA and 4 out of 5 dentists say so anyway, and we all know they're always right!
Well, turns out maybe not always:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - industrial detergent may cause canker sore, dry mouth and allergies
Sodium hydroxide - NaOH, also known as lye or caustic soda, is a metallic base, used in textiles, drain cleaners and industrial detergents.
Salicylates - allergic reactions to products are becoming very common. Salicylic acid, the common Aspirin ingredient for inflammation, could be one of the causes. Always look for salicylate free products.
PEG/PPG - polypropylene glycol is a surfactant used as a wetting agent, dispersant and in leather finishing.
Oh boy! Sounds like fun right? Yeah....right.
So since I'm into making my own homemade goodies lately, I decided to give tooth paste (or rather tooth powder) a go. Here is the recipe I'm currently using:
2/3 cup baking soda
4 tsp fine sea salt (optional – gives paste extra scrubbing power, but is okay to leave out if the taste is too salty, I definately left it out! )
1 – 2 tsp peppermint extract or 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil (or add your favorite flavor – spearmint, orange, etc.)
water (add to desired consistency)
(Recipe from: http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-toothpaste-recipe-easy-and-frugal/)
So far this has been working really well! However, after I started oil pulling...I'm thinking of adding some coconut oil to some of this to make a "paste". I've also seen other versions of the above recipe that add xylitol for flavor and added scrubbiness. You might want to grind your xylitol down to a finer powder, the stuff I have in my cupboard is pretty coarse!
My teeth are in a sorry state really, stained and full of fillings. I spent nearly 15 years locked in a BAD depression and let my body go. I'll admit it where...there were months I didn't brush at all. WHen I finally did see a hygeinist she got teary eyed when I told her why, and told me I was killing myself. I knew that at heart....but when you're in that state of depression you can't work up enough energy to try to change.
Well, I'm fighting now! Fighting to take care of ME, completely. I still let stuff go that might make most women cringe (I don't wear make up and don't shave my armpitts or legs...but that's for a whole different reason! Lesbian Rebellion?) But I am moisterizing, washing, buffing and polishing and trying to take some pride in my body. I'm trying to excercise and focus on healthy foods only. It's a journey that I'm 16 years behind on, but I will get there, on tooth scrub at a time!
Let me know your thoughts! Let's dish about toothpaste/powders, depression and self care, hairy lesbian women? I'm game!
What's wrong with commercial toothpaste anyway? It's safe stuff. The ADA and 4 out of 5 dentists say so anyway, and we all know they're always right!
Well, turns out maybe not always:
Oh boy! Sounds like fun right? Yeah....right.
So since I'm into making my own homemade goodies lately, I decided to give tooth paste (or rather tooth powder) a go. Here is the recipe I'm currently using:
So far this has been working really well! However, after I started oil pulling...I'm thinking of adding some coconut oil to some of this to make a "paste". I've also seen other versions of the above recipe that add xylitol for flavor and added scrubbiness. You might want to grind your xylitol down to a finer powder, the stuff I have in my cupboard is pretty coarse!
My teeth are in a sorry state really, stained and full of fillings. I spent nearly 15 years locked in a BAD depression and let my body go. I'll admit it where...there were months I didn't brush at all. WHen I finally did see a hygeinist she got teary eyed when I told her why, and told me I was killing myself. I knew that at heart....but when you're in that state of depression you can't work up enough energy to try to change.
Well, I'm fighting now! Fighting to take care of ME, completely. I still let stuff go that might make most women cringe (I don't wear make up and don't shave my armpitts or legs...but that's for a whole different reason! Lesbian Rebellion?) But I am moisterizing, washing, buffing and polishing and trying to take some pride in my body. I'm trying to excercise and focus on healthy foods only. It's a journey that I'm 16 years behind on, but I will get there, on tooth scrub at a time!
Let me know your thoughts! Let's dish about toothpaste/powders, depression and self care, hairy lesbian women? I'm game!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Dear Mr. Big Corporation: Why modify foods at all?
Due to recent legislation that was presented to the U.S. to the Senate, requesting that all Genetically Modified Organisms be labled clearly for consumer awareness, GMOs have become something of a twitter and facebook buzz word. But...not really. I still find that the a good number of people I speak with aren't really aware of what GMO means, or entails as far as our food supply. So, 90% of the US citizens surveyed wanted labling for all GMO products, were the rest of us just asleep? That is very likely....
So, what is a GMO and how rampant is this issue?
According to the World Health Organization: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”, sometimes also “recombinant DNA technology” or “genetic engineering”. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species.
Okay. Wait a minute. Non-related species? This all seems eerily familiar....Oh right. They did it in Jurrasic Park. You all saw that movie, right? Micheal Crichton....DECADES ahead of his game. He warned us then and we just sat back and shrugged, hoping that maybe one day dinosaurs really would be brought back to life, no doubt. (Pet T-Rex anybody?)
So, why modify food?
Again, from the World Health Organization: GM foods are developed – and marketed – because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods. This is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater benefit (in terms of durability or nutritional value) or both. Initially GM seed developers wanted their products to be accepted by producers so have concentrated on innovations that farmers (and the food industry more generally) would appreciate.
The initial objective for developing plants based on GM organisms was to improve crop protection. The GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides.
Insect resistance is achieved by incorporating into the food plant the gene for toxin production from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). This toxin is currently used as a conventional insecticide in agriculture and is safe for human consumption. GM crops that permanently produce this toxin have been shown to require lower quantities of insecticides in specific situations, e.g. where pest pressure is high.
Virus resistance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from certain viruses which cause disease in plants. Virus resistance makes plants less susceptible to diseases caused by such viruses, resulting in higher crop yields.
Herbicide tolerance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from a bacterium conveying resistance to some herbicides. In situations where weed pressure is high, the use of such crops has resulted in a reduction in the quantity of the herbicides used.
That doesn't sound so bad...does it? Cheaper food, higher nutritional value, bigger crop yeilds because of disease resistance? But..there has to be more to the story, right? What does WHO have to say?
While theoretical discussions have covered a broad range of aspects, the three main issues debated are tendencies to provoke allergic reaction (allergenicity), gene transfer and outcrossing.
Allergenicity. As a matter of principle, the transfer of genes from commonly allergenic foods is discouraged unless it can be demonstrated that the protein product of the transferred gene is not allergenic. While traditionally developed foods are not generally tested for allergenicity, protocols for tests for GM foods have been evaluated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WHO. No allergic effects have been found relative to GM foods currently on the market.
Gene transfer. Gene transfer from GM foods to cells of the body or to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract would cause concern if the transferred genetic material adversely affects human health. This would be particularly relevant if antibiotic resistance genes, used in creating GMOs, were to be transferred. Although the probability of transfer is low, the use of technology without antibiotic resistance genes has been encouraged by a recent FAO/WHO expert panel.
Outcrossing. The movement of genes from GM plants into conventional crops or related species in the wild (referred to as “outcrossing”), as well as the mixing of crops derived from conventional seeds with those grown using GM crops, may have an indirect effect on food safety and food security. This risk is real, as was shown when traces of a maize type which was only approved for feed use appeared in maize products for human consumption in the United States of America. Several countries have adopted strategies to reduce mixing, including a clear separation of the fields within which GM crops and conventional crops are grown.
Feasibility and methods for post-marketing monitoring of GM food products, for the continued surveillance of the safety of GM food products, are under discussion.
Wait...allergies? Allergies aren't so bad right? Take a benedryl, go about your day? Wrong. Allergens in foods, mostly affecting children if you remember from my previous posting, can lead to serious issues with malnutrition and severe allergic responses including death. And you'll note, that with outcrossing, it's becoming almost impossible to stop the cross breeding of these new items, to ensure a non-GMO product. They work on it but...nature has a way of winning out. Again...Jurassic Park ring any bells?
But, aren't GMOsNON-GMO. No required labling has been passed to date. As I stated in a previous post...largely due to corporate greed on behalf of the lobby representing the major GMO producing coorporations (MONSANTO...if you don't know this name by now, you seriously should do some homework).
Here is the rest of the WHO article I've pulled some of my information from. Look it up and decide for yourself what you deem to be safe, and why you think that our governmenet will not insist on labels: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/
So, what is a GMO and how rampant is this issue?
According to the World Health Organization: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”, sometimes also “recombinant DNA technology” or “genetic engineering”. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species.
Okay. Wait a minute. Non-related species? This all seems eerily familiar....Oh right. They did it in Jurrasic Park. You all saw that movie, right? Micheal Crichton....DECADES ahead of his game. He warned us then and we just sat back and shrugged, hoping that maybe one day dinosaurs really would be brought back to life, no doubt. (Pet T-Rex anybody?)
So, why modify food?
Again, from the World Health Organization: GM foods are developed – and marketed – because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods. This is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater benefit (in terms of durability or nutritional value) or both. Initially GM seed developers wanted their products to be accepted by producers so have concentrated on innovations that farmers (and the food industry more generally) would appreciate.
The initial objective for developing plants based on GM organisms was to improve crop protection. The GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides.
Insect resistance is achieved by incorporating into the food plant the gene for toxin production from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). This toxin is currently used as a conventional insecticide in agriculture and is safe for human consumption. GM crops that permanently produce this toxin have been shown to require lower quantities of insecticides in specific situations, e.g. where pest pressure is high.
Virus resistance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from certain viruses which cause disease in plants. Virus resistance makes plants less susceptible to diseases caused by such viruses, resulting in higher crop yields.
Herbicide tolerance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from a bacterium conveying resistance to some herbicides. In situations where weed pressure is high, the use of such crops has resulted in a reduction in the quantity of the herbicides used.
That doesn't sound so bad...does it? Cheaper food, higher nutritional value, bigger crop yeilds because of disease resistance? But..there has to be more to the story, right? What does WHO have to say?
While theoretical discussions have covered a broad range of aspects, the three main issues debated are tendencies to provoke allergic reaction (allergenicity), gene transfer and outcrossing.
Allergenicity. As a matter of principle, the transfer of genes from commonly allergenic foods is discouraged unless it can be demonstrated that the protein product of the transferred gene is not allergenic. While traditionally developed foods are not generally tested for allergenicity, protocols for tests for GM foods have been evaluated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WHO. No allergic effects have been found relative to GM foods currently on the market.
Gene transfer. Gene transfer from GM foods to cells of the body or to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract would cause concern if the transferred genetic material adversely affects human health. This would be particularly relevant if antibiotic resistance genes, used in creating GMOs, were to be transferred. Although the probability of transfer is low, the use of technology without antibiotic resistance genes has been encouraged by a recent FAO/WHO expert panel.
Outcrossing. The movement of genes from GM plants into conventional crops or related species in the wild (referred to as “outcrossing”), as well as the mixing of crops derived from conventional seeds with those grown using GM crops, may have an indirect effect on food safety and food security. This risk is real, as was shown when traces of a maize type which was only approved for feed use appeared in maize products for human consumption in the United States of America. Several countries have adopted strategies to reduce mixing, including a clear separation of the fields within which GM crops and conventional crops are grown.
Feasibility and methods for post-marketing monitoring of GM food products, for the continued surveillance of the safety of GM food products, are under discussion.
Wait...allergies? Allergies aren't so bad right? Take a benedryl, go about your day? Wrong. Allergens in foods, mostly affecting children if you remember from my previous posting, can lead to serious issues with malnutrition and severe allergic responses including death. And you'll note, that with outcrossing, it's becoming almost impossible to stop the cross breeding of these new items, to ensure a non-GMO product. They work on it but...nature has a way of winning out. Again...Jurassic Park ring any bells?
But, aren't GMOsNON-GMO. No required labling has been passed to date. As I stated in a previous post...largely due to corporate greed on behalf of the lobby representing the major GMO producing coorporations (MONSANTO...if you don't know this name by now, you seriously should do some homework).
Here is the rest of the WHO article I've pulled some of my information from. Look it up and decide for yourself what you deem to be safe, and why you think that our governmenet will not insist on labels: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
ADHD: To distracted to...oh look, a blog!...what was I saying?
My son was diagnosed with aspergers disorder back in 2006, when he was in the 2nd grade and struggling with basic reading skills. Now, it came as a HUMONGOUS shock to me, and to my family, because we'd always seen how bright, curious and open he is. He's not "withdrawn" like kids with autism are. He meets your eyes. He gives you big warm hugs and snuggled in my lap for hours on end. But something was wrong. He was a BUSY boy, something I just simply chalked up to male exuberance for life. He still wakes up each day with GUSTO, ready to go, explore and conquer. But he struggles with attention. It's become more and more painfully obvious, the further along he got into school. So, we ran the gammut of medications like you're supposed to. Started with the stimulants (ritalin, concerta...) moved onto the non-traditional (Strattera and tenex..) and finally added in an anti-psychotic (risperdal...). By the time we got to this point, I was freaking out.
I'm a nurse, I do that. Nurses do make the worst patients...and patients parents..after all.
I did give the medication months to see if it worked, then finally, we took him off them. Everything. And following that, we pulled him from a brick and mortar school and started home schooling. Well, my mom did the schooling, I was working. It was a hard decision but we felt it was best for him. The medications made his emotions run out of control, frustration and anger mixed with nausea, headaches and the "buzzy" feeling of being over stimulated. Off the medications, he's a HANDFUL. It takes somebody staying on top of him pretty much all day to keep him out of trouble from his impulses. But it's also worlds better. His moods are more..normal. He's happy, carefree and playful where on the medications he was frequently depressed, nervous and frustrated. Homeschooling affords him plenty of time to play, in the middle of the day and allows for breaks, snacks and tailoring the curriculum to focus on his needs. He's currently working on reading, but is excelling in science and math.
So, all this being said, I know MANY parents of boys struggle with ADHD and/or Autism symptoms. I'm not at all advocating going off medications for these kids, but I do want people to know it IS an option, though not an easy one if you do go that route. Many kids do find relief on meds, many more...do not.
I also wanted to share some tips our family has found helpful in reducing distractibility and other ADHD symptoms:
1. Allow for outdoor play time, as much as possible whenever possible! Get the squirrellies out! Let them rip, run and expend as MUCH energy as you can, it will help improve focus! Plus the exposures to sunlight (vitamin D) has been shown to help improve focus and calm. This is something I've experimented on with myself, in struggling with anxiety disorders.
(Playing outside and ADHD: http://add.about.com/od/researchstudies/a/adhd-nature.htm)
2. Reduce screen time. Seriously...this is a LOT harder than it sounds, especially when much of school these days is done on a computer, with lots of online work. But TV, video games, internet usage, Ipads, phones...all of this has been linked to decreased attention. Studies have been done that directly link the number of hours spent in front of a screen with decreased function on administered tests. The basal ganglia portion of the brain becomes very active when a person plays video games and watches TV. And the body releases a chemical called dopamine. This also makes TV and games ADDICTIVE to people who struggle with ADHD or autism, so limiting screen time is best for everybody around. (Here is a good article on the link between Dopamine and video game addiction: http://www.hooked-on-games.com/blog/31-dopamine-is-linked-to-video-game-addiction.html) We try to stick to games only on the weekend and TV only for a little bit after dinner. But it's hard, everybody in this house loves their screens...
(Here is another article, with research by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Screen time for the very young. My son is twelve, but this article is still useful: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/health/19babies.html)
3. Pay close attention to how what your child eats makes them behave. We found for my son, that sugary carby breakfast, like cereals, drastically make the day go worse. He can't function from the start. Where as when we start with a breakfast high in proteins and low in sugar..eggs and sausage with no toast...he functions worlds better and it seems to last him throughout the day. Of course everybody will have different "trigger foods". It may be a good idea to discuss an elimination diet with your doctor.
(Elimination diets and Autism: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/gluten-free-casein-free-diets-for-autism)
4. Advocate. Advocate. Advocate. If your child attends regular schools...FIGHT for everything you can get for them in terms of services and help. Do not let your child fall through the cracks, like mine was. Even though...or because he had an IEP (individualized education plan) they were letting him slide in areas like reading and writing, using his IEP as an excuse not to keep pushing him. YOU know your kid better than anybody else and YOU know what they are capable of. My son can read! It just took finding the right way to teach him. Don't let them give up.
(IEPs: http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/iep.html)
5. Omega fatty acids 3-6-9. We, in America, following a standard American diet (SAD) are deficient in omega fatty acids. These are important to brain function and mood, amongst MANY other things. There has been a lot of good research done showing that a supplement of Omega 3s in children with ADHD is helpful with their symptoms. We use a gummy form, found at walmart. I also try to sneak in foods like flax seeds and chia seeds..when I can.
(EFAs or essential fatty acids and Autism: http://autism.healingthresholds.com/therapy/essential-fatty-acids-efa)
6. Caffeine. Wait..what? Yes, I said it. A small amount of caffeine, (one cup of coffee) in the morning seems to be really helpful for my child. Now, he is not on a stimulant medication at this time, and coffee is a stimulant...a cup of coffee has about the effect of 5mg of ritalin I've read. I let him have a cup of the general foods instant coffee blends (yes..with sugar, but it's one cup) in the morning, and we see improved concentration. Now, don't go overboard with this, or you'll have your kids climbing the walls! (Sugar AND caffeine? Oh my...)
(Caffeine and ADHD: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/caffeine-for-adhd/)
7. Consistent routines. But mix them up! My son craves a routine, and for the most part, we stick to one. His autism demands it, he likes predictability. But we do purposefully shake things up from time to time...not to frustrate him into a fit, but to let him learn to be flexible. I'm not talking huge drastic changes, just small things. I want him to be functional in the real world, and the real world is all about changes!
8. Increasing the number of commands given... but do it slowly. It is really hard for my son to get a series of instructions to follow through with. For instance "go make your bed, get dressed and brush your teeth" on some days is WAY to many things for him to be able to focus on at once and he'll get lost somewhere after making his bed. We try to take it step by step...but at the same time slowly increasing the number of tasks. He still needs follow through on each of them...meaning I have to go back and check that the bed is made (and am likely to find him playing with toys or with cartoons on...) but we're working on it, like daily exercises, he has to use those follow through muscles.
Parenting these children is immensely challenging, but also immensely rewarding! I wouldn't trade my kids enthusiasm for life and spontaneity for all the "normalcy" in the world, I simply want to channel it so that he can make it through the day with relative calm. He will describe the hyperactivity as a "buzzing under his skin" and I know that can't be comfortable for him to live life that way. And who wants to be followed around constantly and nagged at to complete your tasks? I want joy for him, and laughter and love and light. We are always seeking out new ways to help him out and I'm open to any and all suggestions, questions and ideas!
I'm a nurse, I do that. Nurses do make the worst patients...and patients parents..after all.
I did give the medication months to see if it worked, then finally, we took him off them. Everything. And following that, we pulled him from a brick and mortar school and started home schooling. Well, my mom did the schooling, I was working. It was a hard decision but we felt it was best for him. The medications made his emotions run out of control, frustration and anger mixed with nausea, headaches and the "buzzy" feeling of being over stimulated. Off the medications, he's a HANDFUL. It takes somebody staying on top of him pretty much all day to keep him out of trouble from his impulses. But it's also worlds better. His moods are more..normal. He's happy, carefree and playful where on the medications he was frequently depressed, nervous and frustrated. Homeschooling affords him plenty of time to play, in the middle of the day and allows for breaks, snacks and tailoring the curriculum to focus on his needs. He's currently working on reading, but is excelling in science and math.
So, all this being said, I know MANY parents of boys struggle with ADHD and/or Autism symptoms. I'm not at all advocating going off medications for these kids, but I do want people to know it IS an option, though not an easy one if you do go that route. Many kids do find relief on meds, many more...do not.
I also wanted to share some tips our family has found helpful in reducing distractibility and other ADHD symptoms:
1. Allow for outdoor play time, as much as possible whenever possible! Get the squirrellies out! Let them rip, run and expend as MUCH energy as you can, it will help improve focus! Plus the exposures to sunlight (vitamin D) has been shown to help improve focus and calm. This is something I've experimented on with myself, in struggling with anxiety disorders.
(Playing outside and ADHD: http://add.about.com/od/researchstudies/a/adhd-nature.htm)
2. Reduce screen time. Seriously...this is a LOT harder than it sounds, especially when much of school these days is done on a computer, with lots of online work. But TV, video games, internet usage, Ipads, phones...all of this has been linked to decreased attention. Studies have been done that directly link the number of hours spent in front of a screen with decreased function on administered tests. The basal ganglia portion of the brain becomes very active when a person plays video games and watches TV. And the body releases a chemical called dopamine. This also makes TV and games ADDICTIVE to people who struggle with ADHD or autism, so limiting screen time is best for everybody around. (Here is a good article on the link between Dopamine and video game addiction: http://www.hooked-on-games.com/blog/31-dopamine-is-linked-to-video-game-addiction.html) We try to stick to games only on the weekend and TV only for a little bit after dinner. But it's hard, everybody in this house loves their screens...
(Here is another article, with research by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Screen time for the very young. My son is twelve, but this article is still useful: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/health/19babies.html)
3. Pay close attention to how what your child eats makes them behave. We found for my son, that sugary carby breakfast, like cereals, drastically make the day go worse. He can't function from the start. Where as when we start with a breakfast high in proteins and low in sugar..eggs and sausage with no toast...he functions worlds better and it seems to last him throughout the day. Of course everybody will have different "trigger foods". It may be a good idea to discuss an elimination diet with your doctor.
(Elimination diets and Autism: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/gluten-free-casein-free-diets-for-autism)
4. Advocate. Advocate. Advocate. If your child attends regular schools...FIGHT for everything you can get for them in terms of services and help. Do not let your child fall through the cracks, like mine was. Even though...or because he had an IEP (individualized education plan) they were letting him slide in areas like reading and writing, using his IEP as an excuse not to keep pushing him. YOU know your kid better than anybody else and YOU know what they are capable of. My son can read! It just took finding the right way to teach him. Don't let them give up.
(IEPs: http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/iep.html)
5. Omega fatty acids 3-6-9. We, in America, following a standard American diet (SAD) are deficient in omega fatty acids. These are important to brain function and mood, amongst MANY other things. There has been a lot of good research done showing that a supplement of Omega 3s in children with ADHD is helpful with their symptoms. We use a gummy form, found at walmart. I also try to sneak in foods like flax seeds and chia seeds..when I can.
(EFAs or essential fatty acids and Autism: http://autism.healingthresholds.com/therapy/essential-fatty-acids-efa)
6. Caffeine. Wait..what? Yes, I said it. A small amount of caffeine, (one cup of coffee) in the morning seems to be really helpful for my child. Now, he is not on a stimulant medication at this time, and coffee is a stimulant...a cup of coffee has about the effect of 5mg of ritalin I've read. I let him have a cup of the general foods instant coffee blends (yes..with sugar, but it's one cup) in the morning, and we see improved concentration. Now, don't go overboard with this, or you'll have your kids climbing the walls! (Sugar AND caffeine? Oh my...)
(Caffeine and ADHD: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/caffeine-for-adhd/)
7. Consistent routines. But mix them up! My son craves a routine, and for the most part, we stick to one. His autism demands it, he likes predictability. But we do purposefully shake things up from time to time...not to frustrate him into a fit, but to let him learn to be flexible. I'm not talking huge drastic changes, just small things. I want him to be functional in the real world, and the real world is all about changes!
8. Increasing the number of commands given... but do it slowly. It is really hard for my son to get a series of instructions to follow through with. For instance "go make your bed, get dressed and brush your teeth" on some days is WAY to many things for him to be able to focus on at once and he'll get lost somewhere after making his bed. We try to take it step by step...but at the same time slowly increasing the number of tasks. He still needs follow through on each of them...meaning I have to go back and check that the bed is made (and am likely to find him playing with toys or with cartoons on...) but we're working on it, like daily exercises, he has to use those follow through muscles.
Parenting these children is immensely challenging, but also immensely rewarding! I wouldn't trade my kids enthusiasm for life and spontaneity for all the "normalcy" in the world, I simply want to channel it so that he can make it through the day with relative calm. He will describe the hyperactivity as a "buzzing under his skin" and I know that can't be comfortable for him to live life that way. And who wants to be followed around constantly and nagged at to complete your tasks? I want joy for him, and laughter and love and light. We are always seeking out new ways to help him out and I'm open to any and all suggestions, questions and ideas!
(He's doing his best "80s" look for a youth group event. Pretty dashing, I think!)
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
And the vote is...against GMO labeling. WTF?
http://foodfreedomgroup.com/2012/06/23/senate-votes-no-gmo-food-labels/
So, after reading this article...my question is...why? Well, the first and most obvious answer is MONEY. In keeping the public at large ignorant to what is GMO (geneticallly modified food products) and what is not, the companies who produce these products can stay in the buisness of...well...modifying us from the inside out. What do they stand to gain from this? It's is undetermined really, but there's a huge amount of money being played out here, in the fields behind our houses and down the roads from us. Keep your voices heard. Keep speaking out. The money may be winning now but if we continue to put our money in ORGANIC and certified non-GMO produce, they WILL HAVE TO LISTEN. You have got to put your money where your mouth is!
So, after reading this article...my question is...why? Well, the first and most obvious answer is MONEY. In keeping the public at large ignorant to what is GMO (geneticallly modified food products) and what is not, the companies who produce these products can stay in the buisness of...well...modifying us from the inside out. What do they stand to gain from this? It's is undetermined really, but there's a huge amount of money being played out here, in the fields behind our houses and down the roads from us. Keep your voices heard. Keep speaking out. The money may be winning now but if we continue to put our money in ORGANIC and certified non-GMO produce, they WILL HAVE TO LISTEN. You have got to put your money where your mouth is!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Shampoo Free
I am loosing my hair. Yes, yes...it's true. I'll admit it here and say it for the whole world to know, MY HAIR IS FALLING OUT! This has been going on for some time now. About four years, in fact. It's left me with incredibly thinned down hair, and my hair is super fine already. I've tried using various methods to restore my hair back to it's thin but not balding state, and so far I haven't hit on any "miracle". I've even resorted to using rogaine for women though...I think my problem is not "female pattern baldness" but something more grossly wrong with my body make up. Probably diet related....but I'll get more into that later.
So, on this journey I started doing research on shampoos and this lead me to articles concerning sulfates and how they affect hair loss. Sulfates are found in most commercial shampoos. They are added for their lathering effects and as detergents. You'll find it listed under the ingredients as Sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS, it is also listed as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a different but no less controversial ingredient. It is also found in many liquid soaps and body washes, because it creates buckets of frothy lather that we love and are addicted to. Improper use of shampoos containing SLS can lead to hair loss, according to the National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation. According to the NTEF, hair loss can be the result of poor rinsing that leaves SLS deposits in your hair follicles. These deposits penetrate your scalp and corrode the hair follicle, causing hair loss. MaximumHair.com reports that SLS also affects the rate of new hair growth, which occurs at a rate about eight times slower than normal. In addition, Personal Health Facts reports that NaCL, the salt used as a thickening agent is drying to your hair and, by increasing the potential for breakage, also contributes to hair loss.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/303970-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-hair-loss/#ixzz1ycqBTFxo
So, is it just an issue of not rinsing well? Well, I tried that. I also tried switching to an SLS free organic shampoo. Now, this did help! Quite a bit actually. The brand I used was geared specifically for hair loss. But after using it for a time, I noticed that while my hair seemed not to be falling out, it also seemed less...clean. So back I went, looking into alternatives.
What I hit upon was going "no 'poo". Now..whomever came up with this Internet moniker deserves a special kick in the pants...but what it is is a shampoo free method of hair care. Yes...no shampoo. At all. There are many variations on this theme and most are met with various results. I decided to start with what seems to be the most popular method, washing your hair with plain old baking soda and apple cider vinegar:
Mix 1 tbsp baking soda with 1 cup of warm/hot water. Wash this into wet hair and scrub the scalp using a brisk circular motion to clean the scalp and hair follicle. Rinse out with warm water. Rinse thoroughly to get all the soda out!
Follow with a mix of 1 cup of warm water mixed with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Work this mixture through your hair and leave it in. This acts as a conditioner and will close up your hair follicle and balance the scalp pH. Towel dry or blow dry as normal.
So, I did this for several weeks, and I'll say right now, your hair does get clean! I tried just washing every two days and my hair was getting...greasy. But, I'd read that your hair goes through an adjustment period and to expect this so I kept with it. I noticed that on wash days, my hair was softy, shiny and curled up more than it ever has before. (It was previously fine and straight!) This is because your hairs natural oils are no longer working against you, but with you! It's a good thing, those oils. They are protective and healthy.
But my hair was still incredibly greasy after four weeks, on non washing days. So I read some more and decided to switch my vinegar rinse up, from apple cider vinegar to straight distilled vinegar. (1 cup water and 1tbsp white vinegar). I do this method the same as with the cider vinegar, just work it through my hair and let it dry in. It seemed to help somewhat with the grease ball look, but still...it's summer time now and I tend to be extremely sweaty. I may need to move to washing daily.
Here are some other things I've read about doing that I think I will try:
Steep a cup of rosemary tea: 1 sprig of rosemary steeped in 1 cup boiling water. Let this cool and rinse through your hair. This is especially good for hair loss, as rosemary stimulates hair growth. I did try this. I added 1 tbsp of the vinegar to this rinse and used this instead of the plain vinegar at the end. It was nice but I never think to get my "tea" ready before I go wash.
Steep a cup of herbal chamomile tea and do the same, rinsing it through your hair once cooled. This leaves your hair smelling lovely and has a lightening effect for blondes.
Use a mixture of lemon juice (1 tbsp) and water for the rinse, instead of apple cider vinegar. Lemon juice is also supposed to be very helpful for oily hair. I think I'll try this one for sure.
Wash your hair on non wash days, using only hot water. Rub your hair and scalp thoroughly with your fingers as if washing to remove all build up of salts and oils.
Wash your hair using only conditioner instead of shampoo. I don't know about this one...my hair in general doesn't like conditioner as it tends to weigh it down and make it slick. But I imagine it would work well for somebody with thicker and curlier hair.
Use a tsp of honey in your vinegar rinse (warmed so it thins out). Honey is natural moisturizer and will leave hair soft.
Adjust the amount of baking soda up or down if your hair seems to be getting dry or your scalp gets dandruff. I haven't needed to do this yet, I think 1 tbsp works well for me.
Rub in a small amount of tea tree oil or rosemary oil into your scalp if you get itchy or dandruff. Now, I did try this (tea tree oil). Just a few drops, worked into the roots. I loved the way it smelled! It did leave a bit of "oil" feel though, but this wasn't terrible.
Use a mixture of coconut oil and honey, warmed in the microwave until soft, as a hot oil treatment for hair. Leave in for a time then rinse out and wash as normal.
So, there's a LOT out there to try! I am now nearly 2 months shampoo free and so far, I don't mean to go back. It definitely works, but it also definitely takes a commitment of time and grunge until you've tweaked your routine out enough that you're happy with it. Every bodies hair is different and everybody will find different things work. I'd say, even after two months I'm still in the "adjustment" period. But it's all good! I work at home so a little bit of grunge is no problemo! If it is for you..maybe you can start a new trend in your work place of scarves?
Here is an excellent resource for anybody wanting to explore this further! She gives numerous tips and tricks and has some great trouble shooting ideas:
http://www.pistachioproject.com/2010/01/going-no-poo.html
So, on this journey I started doing research on shampoos and this lead me to articles concerning sulfates and how they affect hair loss. Sulfates are found in most commercial shampoos. They are added for their lathering effects and as detergents. You'll find it listed under the ingredients as Sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS, it is also listed as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a different but no less controversial ingredient. It is also found in many liquid soaps and body washes, because it creates buckets of frothy lather that we love and are addicted to. Improper use of shampoos containing SLS can lead to hair loss, according to the National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation. According to the NTEF, hair loss can be the result of poor rinsing that leaves SLS deposits in your hair follicles. These deposits penetrate your scalp and corrode the hair follicle, causing hair loss. MaximumHair.com reports that SLS also affects the rate of new hair growth, which occurs at a rate about eight times slower than normal. In addition, Personal Health Facts reports that NaCL, the salt used as a thickening agent is drying to your hair and, by increasing the potential for breakage, also contributes to hair loss.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/303970-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-hair-loss/#ixzz1ycqBTFxo
So, is it just an issue of not rinsing well? Well, I tried that. I also tried switching to an SLS free organic shampoo. Now, this did help! Quite a bit actually. The brand I used was geared specifically for hair loss. But after using it for a time, I noticed that while my hair seemed not to be falling out, it also seemed less...clean. So back I went, looking into alternatives.
What I hit upon was going "no 'poo". Now..whomever came up with this Internet moniker deserves a special kick in the pants...but what it is is a shampoo free method of hair care. Yes...no shampoo. At all. There are many variations on this theme and most are met with various results. I decided to start with what seems to be the most popular method, washing your hair with plain old baking soda and apple cider vinegar:
Mix 1 tbsp baking soda with 1 cup of warm/hot water. Wash this into wet hair and scrub the scalp using a brisk circular motion to clean the scalp and hair follicle. Rinse out with warm water. Rinse thoroughly to get all the soda out!
Follow with a mix of 1 cup of warm water mixed with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Work this mixture through your hair and leave it in. This acts as a conditioner and will close up your hair follicle and balance the scalp pH. Towel dry or blow dry as normal.
So, I did this for several weeks, and I'll say right now, your hair does get clean! I tried just washing every two days and my hair was getting...greasy. But, I'd read that your hair goes through an adjustment period and to expect this so I kept with it. I noticed that on wash days, my hair was softy, shiny and curled up more than it ever has before. (It was previously fine and straight!) This is because your hairs natural oils are no longer working against you, but with you! It's a good thing, those oils. They are protective and healthy.
But my hair was still incredibly greasy after four weeks, on non washing days. So I read some more and decided to switch my vinegar rinse up, from apple cider vinegar to straight distilled vinegar. (1 cup water and 1tbsp white vinegar). I do this method the same as with the cider vinegar, just work it through my hair and let it dry in. It seemed to help somewhat with the grease ball look, but still...it's summer time now and I tend to be extremely sweaty. I may need to move to washing daily.
Here are some other things I've read about doing that I think I will try:
Steep a cup of rosemary tea: 1 sprig of rosemary steeped in 1 cup boiling water. Let this cool and rinse through your hair. This is especially good for hair loss, as rosemary stimulates hair growth. I did try this. I added 1 tbsp of the vinegar to this rinse and used this instead of the plain vinegar at the end. It was nice but I never think to get my "tea" ready before I go wash.
Steep a cup of herbal chamomile tea and do the same, rinsing it through your hair once cooled. This leaves your hair smelling lovely and has a lightening effect for blondes.
Use a mixture of lemon juice (1 tbsp) and water for the rinse, instead of apple cider vinegar. Lemon juice is also supposed to be very helpful for oily hair. I think I'll try this one for sure.
Wash your hair on non wash days, using only hot water. Rub your hair and scalp thoroughly with your fingers as if washing to remove all build up of salts and oils.
Wash your hair using only conditioner instead of shampoo. I don't know about this one...my hair in general doesn't like conditioner as it tends to weigh it down and make it slick. But I imagine it would work well for somebody with thicker and curlier hair.
Use a tsp of honey in your vinegar rinse (warmed so it thins out). Honey is natural moisturizer and will leave hair soft.
Adjust the amount of baking soda up or down if your hair seems to be getting dry or your scalp gets dandruff. I haven't needed to do this yet, I think 1 tbsp works well for me.
Rub in a small amount of tea tree oil or rosemary oil into your scalp if you get itchy or dandruff. Now, I did try this (tea tree oil). Just a few drops, worked into the roots. I loved the way it smelled! It did leave a bit of "oil" feel though, but this wasn't terrible.
Use a mixture of coconut oil and honey, warmed in the microwave until soft, as a hot oil treatment for hair. Leave in for a time then rinse out and wash as normal.
So, there's a LOT out there to try! I am now nearly 2 months shampoo free and so far, I don't mean to go back. It definitely works, but it also definitely takes a commitment of time and grunge until you've tweaked your routine out enough that you're happy with it. Every bodies hair is different and everybody will find different things work. I'd say, even after two months I'm still in the "adjustment" period. But it's all good! I work at home so a little bit of grunge is no problemo! If it is for you..maybe you can start a new trend in your work place of scarves?
Here is an excellent resource for anybody wanting to explore this further! She gives numerous tips and tricks and has some great trouble shooting ideas:
http://www.pistachioproject.com/2010/01/going-no-poo.html
Friday, June 22, 2012
Green Clean: a few of my favorite recipes by popular demand
Borax free laundry soap:
3 cup arm & hammer super washing powder
1 1/2 cup baking soda
3 bar dr. bonner castile soap grated
10-15 drops of essential oil if you like. I like lavender or tea tree.
Mix up and use. 1 table spoon washes a big ol' load of laundry. In a front load washer! (Or a top loading washer..I've used this in both with good results!) If you want to have your clothes softened, add 1/4 cup of vinegar or cider vinegar to the fabric softener basin. Your clothes won't smell like vinegar. Trust me.
Dishwasher mix:
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda (not washing soda)
1/2 c coarse sea salt
1/2 c citric acid
white vinegar to the rinse aide section to break up and clean off the remaining bits of soap.
Personally...i haven't tried this yet. But I want to. So I'll share it with you. Maybe you'll try it and let me know? :-)
And here's a borax free version, if you are borax free:
Borax free Dishwasher mix:
1 1/2 Cups Lemi-Shine (They come in 12 oz containers, so this is a full one)
1 1/2 Cups Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Sea Salt (any will do I’m sure)
white vinegar to the rinse aide section
Scouring scrub:
Dr. Bronner's liquid castille soap
baking soda
Mix to make a paste and scrub away at anything from your toilet to your bath tub and beyond. This works really well in place of comet powder.
Happy house keeping!
3 cup arm & hammer super washing powder
1 1/2 cup baking soda
3 bar dr. bonner castile soap grated
10-15 drops of essential oil if you like. I like lavender or tea tree.
Mix up and use. 1 table spoon washes a big ol' load of laundry. In a front load washer! (Or a top loading washer..I've used this in both with good results!) If you want to have your clothes softened, add 1/4 cup of vinegar or cider vinegar to the fabric softener basin. Your clothes won't smell like vinegar. Trust me.
Dishwasher mix:
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda (not washing soda)
1/2 c coarse sea salt
1/2 c citric acid
white vinegar to the rinse aide section to break up and clean off the remaining bits of soap.
Personally...i haven't tried this yet. But I want to. So I'll share it with you. Maybe you'll try it and let me know? :-)
And here's a borax free version, if you are borax free:
Borax free Dishwasher mix:
1 1/2 Cups Lemi-Shine (They come in 12 oz containers, so this is a full one)
1 1/2 Cups Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Sea Salt (any will do I’m sure)
white vinegar to the rinse aide section
Scouring scrub:
Dr. Bronner's liquid castille soap
baking soda
Mix to make a paste and scrub away at anything from your toilet to your bath tub and beyond. This works really well in place of comet powder.
Happy house keeping!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Asthma, Allergies and..where you live?
Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is meant to be a substitute for medical advice or care. PLEASE see your doctors if you are an asthma and/or allergy sufferer and ask questions if you have any! This is only meant to be informative. Feel free to ask questions. Please do your own research into these issues as well. Asthma and allergies are NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT!
Asthma is a debilitating disease that here, even at this late date of 2012, doctors and researchers are still struggling to understand. Asthma costs the U.S. taxpayers $50 billion dollars and over 24 million Americans (7 million of those children) are affected. This is a serious issue and one a lot of people don't give much consideration to.
Allergies affect 1 in 5 Americans, or over 50 million people. More allergies are being reported than ever before. 6% of allergy sufferers have food and drug related allergies, most of these being children.
So, why am I blogging about this? Well, Asthma and Allergies directly affect my line of work. Asthma is one of the top diseases we as case managers outreach for, because there are steps to help prevent flares. It's something I've seen hit home in devastating ways, as my mom and grandfather are serious asthma sufferers. And it's something that is growing in direct relation to the quality of air in our communities. And it can be related directly to where you live. According to the Environmental Health Perspectives:
"Asthma morbidity and mortality are disproportionately high in urban centers, and minority children are especially vulnerable. Factors that contribute to this dilemma include inadequate preventive medical care for asthma management, inadequate asthma knowledge and management skills among children and their families, psychosocial factors, and environmental exposure to allergens or irritants."
But there's more to the story than that. There has also been many studies done that link exposure to common allergens early in life as REDUCING allergy suffering and asthma. What does this mean? Does this mean you should smoke around your children? No. Smoking around infants will bring on asthma at an earlier age, and asthma at an early age is particularly devastating. So what does this mean?
Science is showing that children who live in farming environments and rural communities as opposed to major urban centers have a lower incidence of major allergies. This may be related to bacteria present in the soil, but also exposure early on spurs the immune system into action. It's also been found that super insulated urban environments (apartments and such) are perfect breeding grounds for dust mites and molds. But the most glaring and obvious factor that increases the rate of asthma/allergies in urban environments is a higher exposure to diesel exhaust pollution.
So, what can you do? Obviously, if you're a city dweller, you can't likely pack up and move you and your kids to a farm easily. But you can take preventative steps to help reduce exposure to allergens/asthma triggers. These include good heating, humidifying and air conditioning units, hypo-allergenic bedding and FREQUENT washings to reduce dust mites. mold inspections, air purifiers. For asthma, try to avoid extremes of heat and cold, put a scarf over your face before you go out. Make sure that if you are using an rescue inhaler frequently that you are talking to your doctor about a daily controller medication! If it's not working, keep asking! Don't rely on a rescue inhaler (something like albuterol) to get you through. Warm drinks during an immediate attack can be helpful, so can slow focus on your breathing. Always stay well hydrated, this thins the mucous down and goes for both allergy and asthma sufferers.
Diet plays a very important role in asthma and allergies. More and more people are finding that milk allergies and gluten or wheat allergies are affecting their symptoms. Most aren't aware that they even have tolerance issues with these until they eliminate them from their diet. That being said, it's NOT advisable to go on something like a gluten free diet without talking it over with your doctor first. Why? Because if you don't get tested BEFORE you start, it's very likely you will test positive for a gluten intolerance after you've cut it out for a while, leading to a misdiagnosis. Check with your doctor first, then look into an elimination diet. A lot of people find them to be extremely helpful!
Lead has also been shown to increase sensitivity to allergens and increase the likelihood of asthma exacerbation. This has to do with cells formed in your bone marrow called dendric cells. I won't get all technical on you, but you need these and lead exposure reduces their numbers. Lead is still found in many older homes, and can also be present in the dust of construction sites, especially where older homes are being torn down or renovated. Children should be lead tested from ages one to two, especially if they are at risk or considered as such. Not all practices will do this. You can ask for it to be done and a lot of local health clinics will provide this service, especially in high risk areas.
So..did you know there is also a link between asthma, allergies and...autism? The link is not yet understood but there seems to be a definite relationship. It gives you pause to think about pollution, our living environments and what it's really doing to us, doesn't it?
Asthma is a debilitating disease that here, even at this late date of 2012, doctors and researchers are still struggling to understand. Asthma costs the U.S. taxpayers $50 billion dollars and over 24 million Americans (7 million of those children) are affected. This is a serious issue and one a lot of people don't give much consideration to.
Allergies affect 1 in 5 Americans, or over 50 million people. More allergies are being reported than ever before. 6% of allergy sufferers have food and drug related allergies, most of these being children.
So, why am I blogging about this? Well, Asthma and Allergies directly affect my line of work. Asthma is one of the top diseases we as case managers outreach for, because there are steps to help prevent flares. It's something I've seen hit home in devastating ways, as my mom and grandfather are serious asthma sufferers. And it's something that is growing in direct relation to the quality of air in our communities. And it can be related directly to where you live. According to the Environmental Health Perspectives:
"Asthma morbidity and mortality are disproportionately high in urban centers, and minority children are especially vulnerable. Factors that contribute to this dilemma include inadequate preventive medical care for asthma management, inadequate asthma knowledge and management skills among children and their families, psychosocial factors, and environmental exposure to allergens or irritants."
But there's more to the story than that. There has also been many studies done that link exposure to common allergens early in life as REDUCING allergy suffering and asthma. What does this mean? Does this mean you should smoke around your children? No. Smoking around infants will bring on asthma at an earlier age, and asthma at an early age is particularly devastating. So what does this mean?
Science is showing that children who live in farming environments and rural communities as opposed to major urban centers have a lower incidence of major allergies. This may be related to bacteria present in the soil, but also exposure early on spurs the immune system into action. It's also been found that super insulated urban environments (apartments and such) are perfect breeding grounds for dust mites and molds. But the most glaring and obvious factor that increases the rate of asthma/allergies in urban environments is a higher exposure to diesel exhaust pollution.
So, what can you do? Obviously, if you're a city dweller, you can't likely pack up and move you and your kids to a farm easily. But you can take preventative steps to help reduce exposure to allergens/asthma triggers. These include good heating, humidifying and air conditioning units, hypo-allergenic bedding and FREQUENT washings to reduce dust mites. mold inspections, air purifiers. For asthma, try to avoid extremes of heat and cold, put a scarf over your face before you go out. Make sure that if you are using an rescue inhaler frequently that you are talking to your doctor about a daily controller medication! If it's not working, keep asking! Don't rely on a rescue inhaler (something like albuterol) to get you through. Warm drinks during an immediate attack can be helpful, so can slow focus on your breathing. Always stay well hydrated, this thins the mucous down and goes for both allergy and asthma sufferers.
Diet plays a very important role in asthma and allergies. More and more people are finding that milk allergies and gluten or wheat allergies are affecting their symptoms. Most aren't aware that they even have tolerance issues with these until they eliminate them from their diet. That being said, it's NOT advisable to go on something like a gluten free diet without talking it over with your doctor first. Why? Because if you don't get tested BEFORE you start, it's very likely you will test positive for a gluten intolerance after you've cut it out for a while, leading to a misdiagnosis. Check with your doctor first, then look into an elimination diet. A lot of people find them to be extremely helpful!
Lead has also been shown to increase sensitivity to allergens and increase the likelihood of asthma exacerbation. This has to do with cells formed in your bone marrow called dendric cells. I won't get all technical on you, but you need these and lead exposure reduces their numbers. Lead is still found in many older homes, and can also be present in the dust of construction sites, especially where older homes are being torn down or renovated. Children should be lead tested from ages one to two, especially if they are at risk or considered as such. Not all practices will do this. You can ask for it to be done and a lot of local health clinics will provide this service, especially in high risk areas.
So..did you know there is also a link between asthma, allergies and...autism? The link is not yet understood but there seems to be a definite relationship. It gives you pause to think about pollution, our living environments and what it's really doing to us, doesn't it?
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
BPA: Why does it matter?
This isn't new research. In fact it's been out there for a while now, but it's fairly new to me. And fairly confusing. So I imagine it's also fairly new to a lot of us out there who aren't actively following a crunchy, chemical free lifestyle. (Can anybody TRULY be chemical free?)
So anyway, what is BPA. BPA, also known as Bisphenol A, is a chemical compound used to make plastics. No biggie right? I could get into a huge technical description here, but I won't. Check it out here.
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.
So now that we know a little more, why is it important? Well studies have shown that BPA can be toxic. Not just in large amounts, but in small amounts. It's an disruptor and has been blamed for everything from birth defects to various cancers. Now, the official stance in the US is that it's safe, that the levels that "average humans" are exposed to are shown to cause no damage in labratory studies. Okay...that's nice. But the potential is there. In fact, the potential is LARGELY there as the rate of BPA being used has gone up exponentially since this study has been done. You are exposed EVERY DAY, on many levels from many products.
I'm not giving you all the nitty gritty details here. There's a lot of research out there and I don't claim to be an expert at all. I just know that it's something I think we should all be looking into further, making investigations and not taking the government at their word as far as our own personal safety. So, here are some ways to avoid it.
From the environmental watch group: "When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's food. Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA. Find baby bottles in glass versions, or those made from the safer plastics including polyamine, polypropylene and polyethylene. Soft or cloudy-colored plastic does not contain BPA. Bottles used to pump and store expressed breast milk by the brand Medela are also labeled BPA-free."
Don't reheat your food in plastic contains , use glass when possible.
Metal water bottles may have linings of BPA so look for lables that say BPA free. "BPA free" plastic bottles may have trace amounts so take that into consideration when purchasing.
DON'T BUY BOTTLE WATER. Bottle your own from a filter and drink that, stored in a metal thermos or BPA free bottle of course. Avoid foods that are packaged in cans and plastic whenever possible, store your food in stainless steel or glass containers.
That being said, BPA is also commonly found in the following items:
- Plastic baby bottle
- Plastic water bottles
- Sports equipment
- Medical and dental devices
- Dental fillings and sealants
- Eyeglasses lenses
- CDs and DVDs
- Household electronics
- Almost all food and beverage cans
- Receipt paper
- Water pipe lining
And this list goes on and on I'm sure. So this isn't an entirely unavoidable product, but it is important to try to do what you can, especially if you have children, are pregnant or hope to soon be pregnant. Make yourself and others around you aware! More studying clearly needs to be done into this matter and it will never happen without enough consumer demand!
So anyway, what is BPA. BPA, also known as Bisphenol A, is a chemical compound used to make plastics. No biggie right? I could get into a huge technical description here, but I won't. Check it out here.
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.
So now that we know a little more, why is it important? Well studies have shown that BPA can be toxic. Not just in large amounts, but in small amounts. It's an disruptor and has been blamed for everything from birth defects to various cancers. Now, the official stance in the US is that it's safe, that the levels that "average humans" are exposed to are shown to cause no damage in labratory studies. Okay...that's nice. But the potential is there. In fact, the potential is LARGELY there as the rate of BPA being used has gone up exponentially since this study has been done. You are exposed EVERY DAY, on many levels from many products.
I'm not giving you all the nitty gritty details here. There's a lot of research out there and I don't claim to be an expert at all. I just know that it's something I think we should all be looking into further, making investigations and not taking the government at their word as far as our own personal safety. So, here are some ways to avoid it.
From the environmental watch group: "When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's food. Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA. Find baby bottles in glass versions, or those made from the safer plastics including polyamine, polypropylene and polyethylene. Soft or cloudy-colored plastic does not contain BPA. Bottles used to pump and store expressed breast milk by the brand Medela are also labeled BPA-free."
Don't reheat your food in plastic contains , use glass when possible.
Metal water bottles may have linings of BPA so look for lables that say BPA free. "BPA free" plastic bottles may have trace amounts so take that into consideration when purchasing.
DON'T BUY BOTTLE WATER. Bottle your own from a filter and drink that, stored in a metal thermos or BPA free bottle of course. Avoid foods that are packaged in cans and plastic whenever possible, store your food in stainless steel or glass containers.
That being said, BPA is also commonly found in the following items:
- Plastic baby bottle
- Plastic water bottles
- Sports equipment
- Medical and dental devices
- Dental fillings and sealants
- Eyeglasses lenses
- CDs and DVDs
- Household electronics
- Almost all food and beverage cans
- Receipt paper
- Water pipe lining
And this list goes on and on I'm sure. So this isn't an entirely unavoidable product, but it is important to try to do what you can, especially if you have children, are pregnant or hope to soon be pregnant. Make yourself and others around you aware! More studying clearly needs to be done into this matter and it will never happen without enough consumer demand!
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Dirty Dozen: don't eat your heart out!
What is the dirty dozen? A movie right? Yep! But it's also a list of vastly useful information for those who are dipping their toes into the foray of organic eating. The dirty dozen is a list that is compiled yearly, that ranks fruits and vegetables by the levels of pesticides present after testing is done. This current list was put out in 2011, a study done by the The Environmental Working Group.
How I personally use this list:
I'm not wealthy and we're trying to feed a family of six people. We aren't really tight with our budget groceries these days are adding up, FAST! Ideally, we'd buy everything organic, down to the Amy's Organic brand macaroni and cheese! But that's not realistic, at least not for us at this time. But eating organic is important. Yes, the USDA runs their own tests and ensures that the levels of pesticides currently being used aren't "harmful" in anyway for human consumption and with proper washing, it's all good. But I'm not exactly..buying it.
So with a limited budget in mind, I try to seek out the DIRTY DOZEN in organic form only, since these are the reported filthiest. I also seek out organic milk, but I'll write more about that at a later date.
So, what currently makes up the "Dirty dozen" List? As of 2011 testing, it is as follows:
celery
peaches
strawberries
apples
domestic blueberries
nectarines
sweet bell peppers
spinach, kale and collard greens
cherries
potatoes
imported grapes
lettuce
Okay, take a look here and think about these items. Notice anything in particular? One...they are all mostly thin skinned products, soft products and difficult to wash and scrub. This makes sense, since in theory you can wash away the residual pesticide reside with a good scrubbing on most fruits and vegetables. (Theoretically....)
So this list is an excellent way to start. I find it hard to find a lot of these things here in local rural America. In fact, the produce sections of our local stores are rather sad in general. I make a trip over to a major college town not to far from me and make my purchases from there. But, I've also recently joined a community supported agriculture co-op. I'll tell you more about that later, but it affords me a nice variety of local fruits and veggies all certified organic, fresh from the farm.
So think it over, what can you afford? If your budget is limited, like mine..weight the risks vs. benefits of adding these items in, organically and scrubbing away at the rest.
How I personally use this list:
I'm not wealthy and we're trying to feed a family of six people. We aren't really tight with our budget groceries these days are adding up, FAST! Ideally, we'd buy everything organic, down to the Amy's Organic brand macaroni and cheese! But that's not realistic, at least not for us at this time. But eating organic is important. Yes, the USDA runs their own tests and ensures that the levels of pesticides currently being used aren't "harmful" in anyway for human consumption and with proper washing, it's all good. But I'm not exactly..buying it.
So with a limited budget in mind, I try to seek out the DIRTY DOZEN in organic form only, since these are the reported filthiest. I also seek out organic milk, but I'll write more about that at a later date.
So, what currently makes up the "Dirty dozen" List? As of 2011 testing, it is as follows:
Okay, take a look here and think about these items. Notice anything in particular? One...they are all mostly thin skinned products, soft products and difficult to wash and scrub. This makes sense, since in theory you can wash away the residual pesticide reside with a good scrubbing on most fruits and vegetables. (Theoretically....)
So this list is an excellent way to start. I find it hard to find a lot of these things here in local rural America. In fact, the produce sections of our local stores are rather sad in general. I make a trip over to a major college town not to far from me and make my purchases from there. But, I've also recently joined a community supported agriculture co-op. I'll tell you more about that later, but it affords me a nice variety of local fruits and veggies all certified organic, fresh from the farm.
So think it over, what can you afford? If your budget is limited, like mine..weight the risks vs. benefits of adding these items in, organically and scrubbing away at the rest.
The start of my crunchy life
Okay blog world, I'm not exactly new to the concept of "crunchy". What I am new to, is the idea of a focused exploration and blog on the matter. So, where to begin?
First of all, perhaps you'd like to know a little bit more about me?
Well, I'm a 32 year old single mother of one twelve year old boy. I work from home as a nurse case manager and live in a fairly rural community. I consider myself to be...fairly..down to earth, realistic and holistic. I've learned a good bit in my years as an RN, about the body and it's ability to heal, but also about our health care system, our food system, our education systems and all their glitches and flaws. Yes. More flaws than good these days. I'll go into these more at a later date, in small doses. You may or may not find that I'm abundantly passionate about each topic and tend to be rambly as a result. I've been a nurse for 11 years now, most exclusively in the field of pediatrics and even more to the point...medically fragile pediatrics. That means I'm for the most part, not taking care of the healthy robust children of the world, but rather the extremely poorly represented section of our population, children with tracheotomies, feeding tubes, ventilators, extreme genetic diseases, brain damage, seizures, autism in every color of the rainbow, mental retardation of all levels. Children who are bed bound, wheelchair bound, twisted, contorted and..beautiful. All of them.
Also, I'll go ahead and put in on out there...I'm a "moderate to severe depressive", according to ICD-9 diagnostic codes. My charge says I'm a "Medicative resistant depressive" with "anxiety disorder". I take a daily anti-depressant, at a rather considerable dose. I keep anxiety medications handy, but thanks to dietary changese and excercise I AM IMPROVING. Considerably. I'm also "morbidly obese", something I'm desperately seeking to correct. I have suffered in the past from severe adenomyosis, a condition of the uterine lining that caused me to undergo a hysterectomy at the age of 30. I have scoliosis which causes migraine type headaches and currently I'm in the process of being treated for a sleep disorder.
Why does this matter in my pursuit of holistic crunchiness? Because I've been privy to life at it's most base and fragile. To watching each drawing in of breath be a miracle and each body function a fight. I'm extremely aware of the power of air, water, mineral, element and spirit within a human body. I know first hand how devastating and powerful our life really is, how closely we truly interact with what goes into our bodies. I believe, perhaps arrogantly, that it gives me a certain amount of "authority" on the topic. And that's why you seek to read any blog, isn't it? To gain insight from experience and share in common explorations? Well, that and they're entertaining! :-)
That is a a small fragment of me, in a nutshell as it were. There's MUCH more of course and I'm sure I'll divulge as time goes on and I put my self out there in this little space of the world. I hope you enjoy the trip! I have several posts ready to start, so this won't be the only one today, but I thought it should stand alone. An introduction!
Welcome to my world! Please leave comments. I do LOVE comments!
Jennifer
First of all, perhaps you'd like to know a little bit more about me?
Well, I'm a 32 year old single mother of one twelve year old boy. I work from home as a nurse case manager and live in a fairly rural community. I consider myself to be...fairly..down to earth, realistic and holistic. I've learned a good bit in my years as an RN, about the body and it's ability to heal, but also about our health care system, our food system, our education systems and all their glitches and flaws. Yes. More flaws than good these days. I'll go into these more at a later date, in small doses. You may or may not find that I'm abundantly passionate about each topic and tend to be rambly as a result. I've been a nurse for 11 years now, most exclusively in the field of pediatrics and even more to the point...medically fragile pediatrics. That means I'm for the most part, not taking care of the healthy robust children of the world, but rather the extremely poorly represented section of our population, children with tracheotomies, feeding tubes, ventilators, extreme genetic diseases, brain damage, seizures, autism in every color of the rainbow, mental retardation of all levels. Children who are bed bound, wheelchair bound, twisted, contorted and..beautiful. All of them.
Also, I'll go ahead and put in on out there...I'm a "moderate to severe depressive", according to ICD-9 diagnostic codes. My charge says I'm a "Medicative resistant depressive" with "anxiety disorder". I take a daily anti-depressant, at a rather considerable dose. I keep anxiety medications handy, but thanks to dietary changese and excercise I AM IMPROVING. Considerably. I'm also "morbidly obese", something I'm desperately seeking to correct. I have suffered in the past from severe adenomyosis, a condition of the uterine lining that caused me to undergo a hysterectomy at the age of 30. I have scoliosis which causes migraine type headaches and currently I'm in the process of being treated for a sleep disorder.
Why does this matter in my pursuit of holistic crunchiness? Because I've been privy to life at it's most base and fragile. To watching each drawing in of breath be a miracle and each body function a fight. I'm extremely aware of the power of air, water, mineral, element and spirit within a human body. I know first hand how devastating and powerful our life really is, how closely we truly interact with what goes into our bodies. I believe, perhaps arrogantly, that it gives me a certain amount of "authority" on the topic. And that's why you seek to read any blog, isn't it? To gain insight from experience and share in common explorations? Well, that and they're entertaining! :-)
That is a a small fragment of me, in a nutshell as it were. There's MUCH more of course and I'm sure I'll divulge as time goes on and I put my self out there in this little space of the world. I hope you enjoy the trip! I have several posts ready to start, so this won't be the only one today, but I thought it should stand alone. An introduction!
Welcome to my world! Please leave comments. I do LOVE comments!
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