Holiday Mood Food

What traditions do you have during the holidays?  If you are anything like my family, chances are a good portion of your traditions are centered on food.  I come from a HUGE family.  There are 8 of us, and when it comes to the holiday season, we can’t help but get excited over the influx of baked goods, hearty meals, and stretchy sweat pants to accommodate our growing plates. But this year, I am going to be taking a closer look at our food choices, thanks to a great article on holiday mood foods from Rodale. According to Rodale’s article, there are many common holiday foods that are lacking important nutrients, which can lead to heightened seasonal affective disorder.  Luckily, there are many healthy alternatives to keep your season merry and bright!  Below is a list from The Happiness Diet creators’ list of 11 foods that can bust your holiday mood.

CANDY CANES:

·         Mood Buster: Although these simple treats look good on the outside (and on my family’s tree), it’s what on the inside that counts.  There are loads of sugar that can ruin your mood and cause weight gain—according to Tyler Graham, Dr. Ramsey’s Happiness Diet.

·         Mood Booster: DARK CHOCOLATE ORANGE SLICES are a great alternative because the citrus rinds have phyonutrient narginen, an anticancer compound, and the dark chocolate is anti-oxidant rich, which can improve blood flow to the brain and help you stay more focused. 

AGAVE NECTAR:

·         Mood Buster: Sure, this sounds healthy, but despite the myth that Agave is a natural sweetener, it can’t always be trusted.  Its excess fructose increases your risk of having a metabolic syndrome, setting the stage for brain shrinkage and mood instability.

·         Mood Booster: 100% MAPLE SYRUP (with no high-fructose corn syrup) or LOCAL HONEY because these both carry bonus minerals and plant antioxidants.

CONVENTIONAL CHRISTMAS HAM

·         Mood Buster:  This traditional holiday entre is NOT worth keeping because it is full of sugar, salt, fillers, and nitrate preservatives (not to mention it comes from antibiotic-filled pigs).  All of this can cause low moods, migraines, swollen ankles, and even “cankles”! 

·         Mood Booster: WILD-CAUGHT ALASKAN SALMON has memory-preserving, mood-boosting omega-3 fats DHA and EPA.  Did you know that fish oil containing the same omega-3s found in wild salmon is just as effective as Prozac in treating depression?  If you’d rather stick to pork, opt for PASTURE-RAISED PORK LOIN, a top source of a B vitamin (thiamine) that is vital for nervous system functioning.

SODA

·         Mood Buster:  This could probably be relevant year-round since the average American drinks about 600 sodas a year!  Soda turns to fat inside the body, bringing our moods way down after the big sugar rush.

·         Mood Booster: SODA WATER WITH a little bit of ORGANIC FRUIT JUICE. This healthy replacement will taste great and make you feel good for having chosen the healthier option!

MARGARINE

·         Mood Buster: For a while, scientists weren’t sure which was healthier, margarine or butter, but recently, studies show that the inflammation-promoting, industrial fats and the high levels of omega-6 fatty acids in margarine can tamper with your mood and insulin levels.

·         Mood Booster: PASTURED BUTTER (from grass-fed cows) has more conjugated linoleic acid (which has anti-cancer properties, brain-healthy omega-3, and has been shown to cut belly fat and lower your risk for heart attack).

PROCESSED PUMPKIN SEEDS

·         Mood Buster: While raw pumpkin seeds you roast yourself are healthy, the processed ones purchased at the store are probably not.  They’re typically coated in a preservative called potassium bromated, blocking iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid.  This may cause the thyroid to stop working properly and push your mood down a slippery slope.

·         Mood Booster: RAW, HOME-ROASTED PUMPKIN/WINTER SQUASH SEEDS will help treat your body to good minerals and a natural antidepressant!

POTATO CHIPS

·         Mood Buster: They’re typically fried in oils full of omega-6 fatty acids that block omega-3 fatty acids from enhancing your mood.  Plus, frying potatoes naturally creates the carcinogen acrylamide, a substance of great concern.

·         Mood Booster: MICROWAVABLE POPCORN or BAKED RED OR BLUE-SKIN SPUDS.  The red/blue-skin spud skins are rich in phytonutrients ready to benefit your mind and body!

BAGELS

·         Mood Buster: Although I considered these “healthy” during childhood, bagels are actually packed with refined carbs that cause a huge energy crash and mood bust.

·         Mood Booster: ORGANIC, PASTURED EGGS that’ll keep you full and energized with B vitamins, zinc, and iodide for a brain and mood boost.

PEANUTS

·         Mood Buster: Packaged, salted peanuts, though easy to serve as a snack at a holiday party, are high in sodium and have questionable food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), an artificial flavoring linked to migraines, weakness, burning sensations, wheezing, and difficulty breathing—not exactly what your holiday guests are looking for.

·         Mood Booster: A MIX OF omega-3-rich WALNUTS, vitamin E-rich ALMONDS, AND selenium-rich BRAZIL NUTS (selenium deficiencies are linked to depression and suicide) to keep up your energy.  If you’re looking for adding some flavor, toss in some rosemary and sea salt and roast them in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.  Interestingly enough, Rosemary is showing brain-protecting qualities in some research!

VEGETABLE SHORTENING

·         Mood Buster: I’m not familiar with this cooking ingredient—thank goodness— because it should be avoided for the same reason we should avoid margarine: omega-6 fatty acids block out the brain-building, mood-promoting omega-3 fatty acids that you should be getting.

·         Mood Booster: PASTURED LARD (as shocking as this sounds) because leic acid in lard is a monounsaturated fat linked to decreasing risk of depression.  The main saturated fat in lard (stearic acid) doesn’t cause heart disease, nor does it affect your cholesterol levels.

SUGAR-PACKED SWEET POTATOES

·         Mood Buster: Sure the words “sweet potato” make this sound naturally healthy, but this holiday dish carries multiple cups of sugar that negatively affect your brain process and mood just minutes after eating.  High blood sugar levels even cause your blood vessels to age, brain to shrink, vision and nerve function to suffer damage, and increase your risk of depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

·         Mood Booster: NAKED SWEET POTATOES because they’re loaded with beta-carotene, a brain-protecting antioxidant used to create vitamin A.  This vitamin promotes the enzymes that create mood-regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine.  Better forms of vitamin A also come from butter and eggs from  animals raised on pasture, so add a little butter if you so desire!

Let us know what alternatives you can think of or how you keep the holiday mood soaring high all season long!  And if you feel it’s too late to use these health tips, New Year’s resolutions are just around the corner…

For more info, check out http://www.rodale.com/print/9224

~ Ivana

Tox21: Safety Testing of 10,000 Chemicals to Begin this Year

Earlier this year the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banded together to give us a high-speed robotic screening system called Tox21.  This system was created to test the potential toxicity levels of 10,000 compounds.  The list of 10,000 compounds covers chemicals used in a wide variety of products including consumer products, food additives, chemicals used during industrial processes, and human and animal medications.

Not only will Tox21 provide us with information on individual chemicals, but it will also test the potential health hazards of mixtures of chemicals.  Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Toxicology Program, notes the importance of Tox21, “All of us are exposed to many different chemicals at the same time, not just one chemical at a time.  These new technologies allow us to more rapidly advance our understanding of not only individual chemicals, but mixtures of chemicals as well.”

This exciting technology will be able to test chemicals at a rate that was never made possible by human hand.  Such speed and efficiency will enable organizations like the EPA and the FDA to quickly determine any potential health risks related to newly developed compounds.  Additionally, Tox21 can improve the efficiency of companies who will be able to avoid the use of chemicals already declared unsafe.  The director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Janet Woodcock explains that, “the Tox21 rapid assessment of drug toxicity can become a powerful safety tool for protecting the American public.  It also has the potential to help bring innovative drugs to market by allowing drug developers to identify unsafe candidate drugs early.”

After many trial runs, Tox21 is ready to start testing!  Official testing of the 10,000 compounds began last week.  When testing results become available they can be accessed through NIH and EPA chemical toxicity databases.  For more information on Tox21 refer to the following informational pamphlet: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_p_z/ntp-tox21.pdf

~ Jessica

Resource:

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsroom/releases/2011/december07/index.cfm

Baby Bottles & Sippy Cups

A Little Bundle of Joy, Big Situation, and an Enormously, Easy Fix!

So you have just welcomed a new baby in your life, and one of your first jobs as a parent is to get to feeding! Whether you choose to breast feed or use infant formula, you are likely to use a baby bottle at some point—if not all the time. As your baby grows older, the next step is a sippy cup, and we all know how important these are to help avoid spilling, yikes!  But with feeding your little bundle of joy (a constant task—they are always hungry it seems!) there comes a big situation: BPA in plastics, which some scientist believe may have harmful effects on your child’s health.  Luckily, there is an enormously, easy fix!  In this article we talk about the potential dangers of exposure to BPA and how you can help prevent exposure in your child’s life, helping you promote a non-toxic lifestyle from the very beginning.  Read on… J

 

The Big BPA Situation

Up until 2007, 90% of baby bottle were made out of polycarbonate plastic.  Unfortunately, polycarbonate plastic contains the dangerous chemical called BPA, which can leak (also referred to as leach) into the liquid stored in your child’s bottle or cup.  A bottle filled with room temperature water will leach BPA, but add boiling water to the bottle and the leaching rate increases 55 times as much! With BPA in your baby’s bottle or cup, there are various potential dangers your child is being exposed to. Several recent animal studies have linked low levels of BPA to issues such as hyperactivity, learning disabilities, increased diabetes risk, early onset of puberty, and certain types of cancer.  It has also been confirmed that most babies, as well as adults, have low levels of BPA in their systems, which is why we are here to help give you an option to avoid exposure in the first place.

The Enormously, Easy Fix

At this point, scientists are still debating the seriousness of the effects BPA may have on humans, but as my mother always says, better safe than sorry!  In order to be proactive with this information, I have listed some tips below on how to reduce the BPA in your child’s system.

If you already have bottles at home:

·         Get rid of your old and worn bottles and sippy cups.  Overly used bottles will leach BPA at a faster rate than newer bottles.

·         Don’t heat your bottles.  If you have polycarbonate plastic bottles at home, never add boiling water to them because that will drastically increase the rate at which BPA leaches out of them.

If you’re going bottle and sippy cup shopping:

·         Some plastics are safer than others.  If you are looking for plastic baby bottles, try to get bottles with the following codes punched on the bottom: LDPE #4, PP #5, PA #7, or PES #7. (although I would suggest trying to avoid plastics as much as possible!)

·         Use drop-in liners with your plastic bottles.  These liners are made of safer plastic, but you will have to replace them. (again…I personally still want to avoid plastic!)

·         Get glass bottles.  Glass bottles do not have BPA in them so they are a much safer option.  There is always the fear that glass bottles may easily break, but Lifefactory has some great bottles made from borosilicate glass, which is more resistant to breakage, and has a silicone sleeve to protect the bottle when dropped.

·         Stainless steel bottles.  This material will not leach, so it is another safe option.  It’s also lighter than glass! Klean Kanteen has a new line of stainless steel baby bottles coming soon. In the mean time, their stainless steel sippy cups will do!

·         Nipples made of medical-grade silicone.  Silicone is BPA free and it is durable and dishwasher safe.  Both Klean Kanteen and Lifefactory use nipples made from medical-grade silicone.

·         Avoid aluminum.  Some low end aluminum cups may be lined with a resin that contains BPA.

·         Avoid polycarbonate plastics. This type of plastic is a #7 plastic and can leach BPA.

·         Double check that all parts are BPA free.  That means the caps, sippy caps too! BPA can be in more than just the bottle or cup itself.

By using BPA free baby bottles and sippy cups, you will be giving your child a safer option. You’ll no longer have to worry about BPA leaching into their drinks and feel confident in their health.  Avoiding plastic and opting for glass or stainless steel bottles and sippy cups is also better for the environment. Plastics are often made from petroleum, so by using glass or stainless steel, you will decrease oil consumption. Additionally, glass and stainless steel products are reusable and recyclable, which help minimize waste in our environment.

Resource: http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/go-green/children-and-babies/safe-baby-bottles-and-sippy-cups/

Re-thinking my addiction to Breakfast Cereals...

I kid you not when I say I'm addicted to breakfast cereals. That's why I'm not a fan of the name "Breakfast Cereal"...I eat it for breakfast and often times as a snack throughout the day (yep, I love cereal and eat it alllll the time).  But for the sake of its true purpose, we'll call it Breakfast Cereals for now.

This morning I was watching Morning Express with Robin Meade and one of her headlines focused on a new report by the Environmental Working Group on the amount of sugars that fill our favorite cereals.  Ding! I woke up instantly and started listening in...hoping my faves weren't on the list. 

In the report, the EWG took a look at the nutritional content of 84 cereals and found that some of the cereals had more than 50% sugar by weight, ehk!  Here is the list of EWG's 10 worst Children's Cereals (I may not be a child, but children's cereals are great tasting!):

1. Kellogg's Honey Smacks - 55.6% (phew! not a fan of these but I know my mom used to love them)
2. Post Golden Crisp - 51.9%
3. Kellogg's Froot Loops Marshmallow - 48.3% (oh no! wait, the marshmallow one I don't like...I thought I was in the clear until I saw #10)
4. Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch's OOPS! All Berries - 46.9%
5. Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch Original - 44.4% (oh man, one of my favorites to mix with fiber cereals...)
6. Quaker Oats Oh!s - 44.4% (Quaker Oats is taking over!)
7. Kellogg's Smorz - 43.4% (Kellogg's is coming back to win the # of cereals on the list.  Oh, and a cereal calls Smorz? Sounds sugary so no surprise here)
8. Kellogg's Apple Jacks - 42.9% (the word apple can be so deceiving...)
9. Quaker Oats Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries - 42.3% (looks like we should just stay away from Cap'n Crunch flavors)
10. Kellogg's Froot Loops Original - 41.4% (no! I've been defeated!)

So the list was pretty disappointing from my perspective, but the good thing is that I can now make healthier cereal changes in my life. The EWG complimented the list of bad cereals with a list of Good ones:

• Amborsial Granola
• Go Raw
• Grandy Oats
• Kaia Foods
• Laughing Giraffe
• Lydia's Organic
• Nature's Path Organics
• Kellogg's Mini-Wheater
• General Mills Cheerios Original
• General Mill Kix Original
• Post Shredded Wheat
• Post Grape-Nuts Flakes
• Quaker Oats Otameal Squares Cinnamon
• Post Bran Flakes
• Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Vanilla Bunches

Along with this list comes some times on checking cereal labels:

• Look for cereals with high fiber content
• Cereals with a short ingredient list are best
• Check the sugar percentage
• Look for cereals with few or no added sugars

For more info, check out the EWG article!

~ Hannah

6 Reasons to Eat Organic Foods

“Organic foods” are defined as foods that are grown without the use of modern, synthetic products (such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers), do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are processed without industrial solvents or food additives.  In other words, organic is the natural choice.  Below are a list of reasons why going organic is a great choice for your body, your family and the environment:

1.      Overall health. My main reasoning—and the most obvious—for eating organic foods is overall health. Studies about the detrimental effects of synthetic products on our health are rampant across the media, and by eating organic, I’m taking one big step towards avoiding these synthetic products.  However, there are many more benefits to buying organic that are not as obvious as health concerns. 

2.      Water supply. Growing organic food is also better for our water supply.  Pesticides used by industrial farmers inevitably make their way back into our water supply.  The U.S. Geological Survey recently tested the groundwater quality at several locations and detected at least one pesticide in every stream tested.  Unfortunately, this problem will only get worse as we continue to use pesticides on an industrial scale.  Going organic means keeping pesticides out of our environment—sounds good to me!

3.      Nutritional value. Another reason eating organic foods is a great choice is their intrinsic health. Simply put, organic foods have higher nutritional value than non-organic foods.  The chemicals used to keep our non-organic fruits and vegetables looking beautiful right up to the dinner plate actually kill microorganisms in the soil they are grown in. These chemicals prevent soil from enriching our food with nutrients; but organic foods avoid this problem! 

4.      Healthy soil. Not using chemicals in soil helps keep soil healthy. This healthy soil feeds the organic plants, which give carbon back in return.  This process leaves us with better soil in the long run and a healthier environment.

5.      Fewer carbon emissions. Organic foods are also better for the environment because organic foods more often than not are locally grown.  Locally grown foods don’t have to be trucked across the country, which helps reduce carbon emissions.

6.      Taste! Lastly, organic foods simply taste better!

Some people have been slow to catch the organic craze, often saying that the extra cost is not worth it.  However, as organic food becomes more popular and more and more people start growing it, prices will continue to fall.  Take a walk around your local farmer’s market and you may be surprised to find that often times the prices are comparable to non-organic foods, especially if you buy fruits and vegetables in season.

Organic food is an investment in your life that will pay off in the long run.  It will keep you healthier and happier.  What more could we ask for from our food?

~ Jessica

Resources:

Rodale Article 1

Rodale Article 2

Should I Exercise While I'm Sick?

I recently read an article from Rodale.com that brought up the question I have always asked myself, “Should I exercise while I’m sick?” I once heard it was a good idea, so when I have a cold, I actually do exercise. And for me, it makes a difference. I feel 100x better after forty-five minutes treck on the elliptical. And honestly, while I have had a few colds already this season, I’ve been flu-free for a very long time!—something I credit to staying healthy and active J.

David C. Nieman, DrPH, FACSM, conducted a 1,000-person study to find the correlation between exercise and catching a cold.  Here are some of his findings:

1.      Those who were physically active, lean, and ate plenty of fruit had fewer sick days (1/3 to be exact) than those who did less physical activity and were overweight.

2.      When those who were physically active got sick, symptoms were less severe.

3.      People who engage in moderate levels of activity while sick can reduce their sick times by up to half. Moderate activity includes exercise for at least 45 minutes five to six days a week.

But these findings are for colds only. Nieman says that if you are seriously ill or have a viral infection, exercise may make the illness worse or last longer.  So stick to resting!

Here are a few exercise tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season:

-          Stuffy nose, sore throat, cold symptoms…get active!

-          Aches, pains, fevers, diarrhea, chest congestion, swollen glands…rest, rest, rest!

-          When you have a cold, make sure your exercise isn’t too rigorous.  Try a brisk walk for 45 minutes.

-          If you are recovering from the flu, don’t jump into intense exercise right away. Ease back into your routine.

Thank you for the tips, Rodale!

~ Hannah

10 Tips to Help Fight Seasonal Depression without the Trip to the Drugstore!

I drove home from work last night around 6pm.  But what’s so great about that? While it may the usual time I drive home from work, this time something was different: it was pitch black outside.  If it wasn’t for the clock on my dashboard, I could have sworn it was midnight (funny how taking the sun away from our late afternoons really makes it feel that much later!).  Yes, daylight savings time has struck again.  At first, daylight savings time in the fall always seems so exciting because, well, we get an extra hour of “sleep”…which sometimes turns into more because we are tired earlier and therefore fall asleep earlier. But with this extra sleep comes less daylight, which I can say for myself is not my favorite!

It is around this time when Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) becomes a real issue for many of us (myself included).  Over time, increased darkness and lack of sunshine can lead people to develop SAD, characterized by increased appetite (funny how the winter always brings the extra lbs if you know what I mean), decreased energy (night = sleep to me!), and general unhappiness (L).  Too often people may turn to medication to solve these problems; however, there are alternatives and natural methods that we can all practice to increase our overall happiness in any season! 

Here are 10 tips to try out this season to help beat seasonal depression (if you’re a victim like myself!):

1.      Talk to a professional, that’s what they’re there for!  In order to beat depression we need to be able to talk about our struggles with professionals.  Never hide your feelings, because talking to a professional will help in ways you never realized before! Plus, a counselor will always listen…and who doesn’t love a good listener?

2.      You’re not alone.  Oftentimes people feel embarrassed or ashamed of their depression, but it is important to remember that everyone, depressed or not, has to work at happiness. Knowing you’re not alone can be comforting, and working towards bringing a smile to your face is well worth it!

3.      Get up and go.  Going outside for a walk or getting any sort of exercise will help to clear your mind and refresh your body.  People with depression generally avoid leaving the house, but a little fresh air and exercise will do wonders for the spirit. Too cold outside? Workout videos are always a fun alternative!

4.      Make a list of goals.  Depression is particularly debilitating because it seems like it will never end.  It is important to set manageable daily or weekly goals for yourself.  These goals can be about anything and everything.  Goals will give you a sense of accomplishment and they will help to keep you active and motivated.

5.      Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more!  When something makes you laugh, make an effort to laugh an extra 10 seconds.  Get yourself to laugh at nothing at all.  It’s good for your heart and it acts as an instant mood lifter.

6.      Get some Mr. Sunshine in your day.  The sunshine is a source of instant happiness.  The sun helps us to relax, reflect, and smile, so try to get at least 30 minutes of sun in your day (sunscreen…don’t forget!).  Try stepping outside for your lunch break—maybe doing a lap around the office building to get some energy going!

7.      Fall nose deep into a good book.  There are many books available on depression that will help pull you through rough times and gain new perspective on your issues.  But the book doesn’t have to be all technical, how about a sappy love story? A good mystery? Find a genre you love! Plus, curling up with some light reading will help you relax and keep your mind active in a creative way.

8.      Keep your physical health in check.  I have already mentioned the importance of staying physically active, but paying attention to all health related aspects of your life will help give you a sense of control and even pride.  Your body is a temple, and it deserves to be treated well.  Start by making healthier food choices and from an ESP perspective, non-toxic changes at home!  BPA free bottles can be a good start!

9.      Get creative.  Whether it is writing, drawing, playing music, or working on a craft, creating will gives us a sense of accomplishment and renewal.  Creativity is in the eye of the beholder, so love it, live it, share it!

10.  Try something new.  Try a new hobby, cook a new dish, learn a new language…just try something new! You may find something you love to do and that will bring that wonderful smile to your face.

Hope these tips help!  Let me know if you have any good seasonal depression mood boosters, I’d love to hear from you all!

~ Jessica

Breast Cancer Awareness Month May Have Ended, but We Can Still Spread Awareness and Prevention!

With October here and gone before we knew it, the famed “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” has come to a close.  Less than a month ago you could not go anywhere without seeing a pink ribbon, but now the various items in your local shops with pink ribbons on them will slowly disappear off the shelves.  Unfortunately, awareness of the disease will also seem to lose steam with some.  So while Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important 31 day rally, we think awareness AND prevention should be recognized all year round!

Something I found interesting was that in spite of all of the donation drives and awareness efforts taking place, the rate of breast cancer in this country has steadily increased over the last 40 years.  How could this be true? 

One take is that perhaps all of these pink ribbons and the billions of dollars going into the campaigns are at the root of the issue.  Medical sociologist Dr. Gayle Sulik’s book Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women’s Health argues that the pink ribbon campaign has moved the disease to a superficial level and actually serves to distract the public from the reality of breast cancer and the need for prevention.  Dr. Sulik adds that there is a lot of money to be made off of a campaign as large as the pink ribbon one—going so far as creating a strong incentive not to stop the disease.  For many, this is a hard pill to swallow, especially because the pink ribbon campaign is so optimistic in nature.

Of course, the pink ribbon campaign is not all bad for the public.  In fact, it has done some great things for awareness about breast cancer.  Particularly in the beginning it was able to inform and mobilize people and bring attention to a disease that has since affected millions. But to some the campaign lacks a clear direction that will have an actual impact on stopping breast cancer.  

Dr. Sulik argues that the in order to really have an impact on this disease, much more attention and resources need to be paid to the environmental links to breast cancer.  In an interview with Rodale.com, Dr. Sulik shed some light on the state of breast cancer research stating that

There's already a lot of focus on behaviors that influence risk factors—eat right, exercise, limit alcohol intake—but only 30 percent of all breast cancer cases are found in people who have these known risk factors.  So, for 70 percent of the cases, we don't know what causes it.  That creates this false impression that by doing certain things, you'll prevent breast cancer.  But in 70 percent of cases, there's a lot of evidence that the environment is having a lot of influence.

There is a growing field of research looking into the affects that environmental chemicals have on breast cancer and our health in general.  A recent report from the Breast Cancer Fund looks into the links between the chemicals in our environment and breast cancer.  Janet Gray, the author of this report, concludes that data on this issue is sufficient to warrant serious concern about the chemicals around us.  Furthermore, it is important that the practical implications of this research be disseminated to the general public so that necessary lifestyle changes can be made.

The most recent report from the Breast Cancer Fund found that the following factors may increase the risk of developing breast cancer: plastic agents like BPA and phthalates, pesticides, radiation from CT scans, x-rays, and mammography equipment, and flame retardant chemicals.

Knowledge is power.  This information can help us control what chemicals we interact with and thereby make healthier decisions about our lives.

Here is a list of tips that will reduce the chemicals in your environment:

·         Buy organic, this goes for food as well as products such as makeup, fragrances, and cleaning supplies.

·         Replace your plastic! Use glass food storage, stainless steel food storage containers, glass water bottles or stainless steel bottles.

·         Avoid any products made of vinyl.

·         Replace your old and crumbling furniture.

It is important that we are all aware of the risk of breast cancer and start to place more of a focus on prevention—but without losing site of continued awareness!  

~ Jessica

Resources:

Rodale Pink Ribbon Article

Rodale Chemical Article