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/

Essential Safe Products Partners with OCEANA for SeaBlue Event

Essential Safe Products Partners with OCEANA for SeaBlue Event

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

ESP Holiday Gift Guide Tips!

This year, thanks to the ESP Holiday Gift Guide, you can get your friends and family non-toxic and chemical free gifts for the kitchen and on-the-go! Giving non-toxic gifts is an out-of-the-box idea that friends and family will not only enjoy but truly benefit from. By giving non-toxic gifts, you can help family and friends lead a healthier and safer lifestyle—and who doesn’t want that!?

On a more personal note, this year I think giving my friends a Lifefactory glass water bottle in their favorite color (so many colors and sizes to choose from—it’s great) will be a big hit. As college students, a new reusable and bpa free bottle is perfect for taking water, juice, or, more realistically speaking, a highly caffeinated iced coffee with us to class—they’ll be thanking me, I know it J.

So now that I've got gift ideas for friends all set, what about my family?  Something I think every family could use is a non-toxic set of cookware and food storage containers for safe cooking and safe food storage of holiday leftovers.  My family has actually already transformed their kitchen into a non-toxic zone, but it is still a great idea—the more the merrier in my opinion.  But if you have family or friends that still use PTFE coated pans or plastic containers for food storage, safe cookware and glass food storage are a perfect gift.  These non-toxic gifts can encourage family to take a step closer to a chemical free lifestyle.  Another clever gift that can get children involved with the BPA-free movement from an early age, are the Klean Kanteen and Life Factory Sippy cups!  They're safe to use and a great size for those Saturday ball games or long car rides...

I have to admit that while holiday shopping, I always end up getting something for me.  So, if you’re like me a lower-cost idea for your own personal gift giving is ESP’s bamboo spork set. They are super cute and a great conversation starter, believe me, I have them!

There are endless possibilities when you choose to give non-toxic products to show how much you REALLY care, so enjoy this holiday season and spread some ESP cheer!

~ Ivana

Let’s Join Jessica Alba in the Fight to Pass the Safe Chemicals Act!

On November 17^th a very important Congressional hearing took place—the hearing for the much anticipated Safe Chemicals Act of 2011!  The Safe Chemicals Act was introduced to Congress back in April of this year as a much needed reform to the 1976 Toxic Substance Control Act.  Since April it has received a lot of support, especially from concerned parents.  One particularly outspoken and well-known celebrity parent has become an advocate for this legislation: Jessica Alba.

Like many of us, Jessica Alba is concerned about the chemicals in our environment that may be having negative effects on our health, and more importantly, on the health of our children & families.  And that is why she, along with millions of other parents, has taken up the cause of changing our environment for the better and eliminating toxic chemicals that are legally allowable in the various products we purchase and use every day. 

Some of the hazardous chemicals that are currently legally allowable in the US include BPA, PFOA, and chemicals used in flame retardants.  Under the 1976 Toxic Substance Control these chemicals are all legal for use in household products.  However, recent scientific articles have linked all of these chemicals to serious health issues ranging from learning disabilities, to reproductive issues, to even cancer.  Some of these dangerous chemicals are even legally used in products such as plastic baby bottles, toys, and baby soap.  And this is what supporters of the Safe Chemicals Act are trying to change.

As a result of this growing concern of chemicals in our commonly used products, the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 was born.  This act aims to put stricter limitations on the legal use of chemicals that have been linked to these health issues. 

The progress of the act thus far has been promising.  In my opinion, this is a non-partisan issue.  Everyone is interested in making the world a safer place to live in and for this reason the act was fairly well received in Congress on November 17^th.  However, there are always lobbyists who will have an interest in suppressing specific pieces of legislation.  This is why it is very important for us all to show our support for this act.  Congress has not yet decided on this legislation, so there is still time to write to your congressperson and let him or her know how you feel! 

Another great way to be proactive about this issue is to stop supporting and purchasing from companies that produce hazardous products—a sort of boycott if you may!  As an alternative to hazardous products, you can by non-toxic kitchenware and on-the-go products at LiveESP.com!  

For motivate and inspiration, check out this video of Jessica Alba supporting the cause:

http://www.saferchemicals.org/momsarewatching/

Together we can create healthier environments for ourselves, our families and future generations!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.saferchemicals.org/momsarewatching/

http://www.saferchemicals.org/momsarewatching/

http://www.saferchemicals.org/safe-chemicals-act/index.html

Consumer Reports tests juices for arsenic and lead

Consumer Reports tests juices for arsenic and lead

Non-Toxic & Heartburn Free Thanksgiving Tips!

While the probability of family taking over every part of your home, the kitchen being so packed you can hardly open the oven door to get the turkey out before it burns, and a serious food-coma to persist after a massive meal, there are two things you can do your best at avoiding this Thanksgiving holiday: hazardous chemicals and heartburn!

To help avoid hazardous chemicals, there are several simple steps you can take:

1.      Cook in stainless steel cookware or cast iron cookware.

2.      Eat on glass plates—they’re lead free!

3.      Bake on stainless steel or glass bakeware.

4.      Eat organic J

When it comes to heartburn, it may be a little more difficult to manage, but not impossible!  It is estimated that 42% of Americans suffer from heartburn at some point in their lives.  Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that often radiates upward into the neck and throat.  Although there are many causes of heartburn, the primary cause is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  GERD is the condition in which the acidic contents of the stomach leaks back into the esophagus, causing burning irritation.  Our odds of experiencing heartburn can also be increased by what we eat.  For example, coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks can relax that lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which then allows the contents of the stomach to reflux into the esophagus.  In addition, over-eating, eating late at night, and even wearing tight clothing can contribute to heartburn! 

Whatever the cause, our eating habits can often add to the amount of heartburn we feel.  For this reason it is important for sufferers of heartburn to watch what they eat.  Dr. Jaime Koufman, author of “Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure,” offers many recipes for dishes that are low in acid and may help you avoid heartburn during this holiday season. Here are a few of Dr. Koufman’s holiday themed recipes. 

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

~Jessica

More info:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/a-heartburn-free-thanksgiving/

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1185/03007990903553812

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

Giveaway ~ Baking Bonanza

Good morning!  I am hear to do our very first giveaway on the A Cup of ESP blog!  So excited about this one because...

1. It's our first giveaway.
2. Today is lucky 11.11.11, and someone out there will be the lucky winner!
3. Who doesn't love a giveaway!?
4. The Cupcake Creations Snowman baking cups we are giving away are peeerfect for this coming holiday season.

Now, it's on to contest details!  

Baking Bonanza Prize:

Two 32/pack of Cupcake Creations Snowman Standard Baking Cups!  These baking cups are made of all natural, eco friendly paper, are BPA free, use food-safe inks, and are non-toxic...a great combination!  To read more about how awesome these cupcake cups are, visit our Cupcake Creations page on LiveESP.com.

Baking Bonanza Contest Rules:

Today is 11.11.11...we are feeling lucky, and so is one (and maybe more) of our Facebook fans!  Our goal is to reach 200 Facebook Fans by 11:11 AM EST on November 14th (Monday).  Currently, we have 138 fans, and as a new company, we think this 200 number is attainable!  That's where you all come in...

1. If luck doesn't strike us at 11:11 AM on 11/14, only ONE of our Facebook Fans will receive two packs of the Cupcake Creations Snowman Baking cups!
2. If we reach 200 Facebook Fans by 11:11 AM EST on November 14th, TWO of our Facebook Fans will each win two packs of the baking cups!

So....spread the word! Get your family and friends to "Like" ESP on Facebook! The more people hear about ESP, the more we can help spread awareness about hazardous chemicals in our everyday products...and help prevent exposure through a non-toxic and chemical free lifestyle in the kitchen and on-the-go :).

Winner (and we hope WINNERS!) will be randomly chosen on Monday, November 14th and will be announced on our Facebook page.  Winner will be contacted via a Facebook message so we can get address information.

Let the Bonanza Begin!

~ 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

Wyland Living Green Fair Wrap Up

I'm so excited to write this post because we just wrapped up our first green event! This past weekend, we set up a super large booth at the Wyland Living Green Fair to help promote going non-toxic and chemical free...it was a great success! We had hundreds of visitors stop by our booth and give us great feedback. Everyone showed great interest in what we were doing at ESP, and I hope we were able to spread awareness about prevention of hazardous chemicals :).

Here's a recap of our weekend:

Let me preface the weekend by letting you all know it was my mom's birthday on Sunday. As a birthday surprise, I thought we'd get our whole family together to attend the Living Green Fair with my mom and me. My three younger brothers are in middle school and high school, so they were already home. But one of my younger sisters worked out in California while the other is abroad in Costa Rica! So with a little bit of secrecy and work, we were able to get the two of them to fly in on Friday night...to get ready and surprise my mom Saturday morning.

Friday night:
Both of my sisters stayed with my fiance and me in Fort Lauderdale.

Saturday morning:
7 AM ~ My two sisters, my fiance, and I all drove over to my parent's house to surprise my mom. We opened the door, walked in, and saw my mom's SURPRISED face! She had no earthly idea that we were all going to be with her this past weekend to celebrate her birthday.  Let's just say a few happy tears were shed :).
8 AM ~ It was off to Mizner Park in Boca Raton, FL to set up!
9 AM ~ Set up began...with the whole fam!

11 AM ~ Doors opened up for the Wyland Living Green Fair!  We were all ready to go :)

5:30 PM ~ End of day 1! It was a beautiful day at the fair...and I think we did a great job spreading awareness!  You can see more pictures from the event on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.198993640176451.49369.130037260405423&type=1

That night, we all had family dinner at my parents house.  Because one sister is in college and the other lives in California, it is amazing when we get the chance to all get together--all eight of us! I think my mom had a very, very Happy Birthday!!

Sunday:
Another great day! My mom, sister, and I were at the event from 12 to 5.

I would have given an exact play by play of the weekend, but I think you all got a good idea of how it went! We sold bpa free bottles by Lifefactory and Takeya--which EVERYONE loved! (Including us...we all have at least one bottle each haha).

More pictures to come on our Facebook page soon!

Thank you!
Hannah

http://www.liveesp.com/on-the-go/takeya-on-the-go/

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

Essential Safe Products Exhibiting at Wyland Living Green Fair in Boca Raton, FL, November 5-6, 2011

LiveESP.com

We hope that while exhibiting at the Wyland Living Green Fair, ESP can make a difference and have a positive influence on families looking for a safer and healthier lifestyle in their home.

 

Plantation, FL (PRWEB) October 27, 2011

On November 5-6, Essential Safe Products (ESP) will be exhibiting at the annual Wyland Living Green Fair in Boca Raton, FL, to help spread awareness about hazardous chemicals and assist in prevention through the sale of non-toxic kitchen and on-the-go products.

“We are always looking for ways to help spread awareness about the dangers of hazardous chemicals in our everyday kitchen and on the go products. So, when we heard about the Wyland Living Green Fair taking place just around the corner from us, we knew this would be a great opportunity to educate families,” says Hannah Masimore, President of ESP.

Attending the Wyland Living Green Fair is a great way for ESP to spread awareness outside of the web. Families from all over South Florida are expected to attend the fair, and ESP their message of a safer and non-toxic lifestyle resonates with visitors to their booth. ESP will also be selling bpa free water bottles from Lifefactory and Takeya and stainless steel food containers at their booth.

Susan Masimore adds, “We hope that while exhibiting at the Wyland Living Green Fair, ESP can make a difference and have a positive influence on families looking for a safer and healthier lifestyle in their home.”
ESP’s “Learn” section of their site LiveESP.com is a product of their continuous efforts to help educate and promote awareness about dangerous chemicals. LiveESP.com goes into detail about the different types of toxic chemicals found in kitchen products and gives tips and tricks on how to avoid exposure to hazardous chemicals. The information provided is incredibly useful for families who are learning about or want to know more about BPA, lead, PFCs and other chemicals.

Coupled with their “Learn” section is a “Shop” portion of their site where families can purchase safe cookware, bpa free bottles, bpa free food storage, cast iron cookware and other great non-toxic kitchen and on-the-go products.

The Wyland Living Green Fair was started by David Etzler, an event planner and eco-enthusiast who wants to help educate communities on living a greener, healthier and more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. This year, the Wyland Living Green Fair is expected to bring in over 10,000 attendees—making it the largest Green themed event in South Florida.

About liveESP.com LiveESP.com is a website dedicated to encouraging and helping people learn about hazardous chemicals and make healthier decisions for a safer and chemical-free lifestyle in the kitchen and on-the-go. LiveESP.com is a great site where people can both learn about the dangers of harmful chemicals and purchase products that are non-toxic and human safe. Through ESP, founder Susan Masimore and her oldest daughter Hannah hope to have a positive impact in the lives of others. LiveESP.com was founded in 2011 in Plantation, Florida.

BPA and the Long Term Behavioral Effects on Unborn Girls

Not to our surprise, the plot surrounding BPA and the ways it affects our health thickens.  A new study came out this week with some interesting results.  A group of scientists measured the BPA levels in urine from several hundred pregnant women, and over the course of several years they measured the BPA levels in urine of the women’s children.  BPA has already been linked to obesity, neurological diseases, thyroid disease, and cancer; and this new study has added another bullet point to the laundry list: BPA may even affect behavior.

BPA is a common additive in many plastics that can mimic some hormones in the body.  For this reason BPA is especially harmful during the prenatal stages of life and during early childhood development.  Of the 244 women in the study who had high levels of BPA in their urine during pregnancy, scientists found that their 3-year-old children were more likely to have behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, aggression and depression.  This was especially true for girls. BPA levels in children after birth were not found to be linked to these increased behavior issues, so it seems that this finding is particularly significant for pregnant women.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with other experts, has made the following suggestions to help reduce the level of BPA we are exposed to:

·         Choose stainless steel water bottles or glass water bottles.

·         Use glass containers in the microwave rather than plastic containers.  Heating up plastics increases the chances that BPA will be released into your food.

·         Cut back on buying and eating canned foods, which also may contain BPA.  Go for fresh fruits and vegetables instead!

~ Jessica

Resources:

NPR

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