Relax! Stress Could Increase Toxic Risks

Here at ESP we are dedicated to keeping you informed on any new chemical research that can help you make educated decisions when purchasing non-toxic products!  So, the most obvious means helping you avoid exposure to chemicals like BPA and PFCs in your food and drink is to purchase non-toxic products like stainless steel cookware, food safe containers, BPA free water bottles, and more kitchen and on-the-go type products.  But because of obvious environmental repercussions and a lifetime of inevitable exposure to some chemicals, we all have traces of toxins in our body.  Yes, it’s a harsh reality but not one that can’t be managed! So now, in addition to being more conscious about what we put into our bodies, we can also be conscious about what’s already in our system.

The answer to helping minimize the effects of toxins in our body is to simply RELAX. 

It is already widely known that stress has the potential to weaken our immune systems, thereby making us sick.  However, as Jane E. Clougherty of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Environmental and Occupational Health explains, “…stress is a nonspecific constellation of physiological effects.”  In other words, stress has the capacity to affect our health in a variety of different and unrelated ways…so stress may facilitate the potentially negative effects of chemicals in our bodies.  Recent research has found that stress can influence the way environmental pollutants and chemicals act in our bodies.  Clougherty and colleagues published research in June of 2010 showing that laboratory rats exposed to pollutants experienced greater respiratory effects when consequently exposed to stress as compared to rats not exposed to pollutants.  The stress made a difference.

While stress can negatively impact us all, children and pregnant women are most vulnerable.  As Dr. Rosalind J. Wright of Harvard Medical Schools explains, “both epidemiological and animal studies show that stress may impact key regulatory systems in the body, throwing them out of balance.  This can happen at any period in life, but if it occurs in a critical stage of development when rapid changes are already taking place—like pregnancy or adolescence—it might have particularly measurable as well as lasting effects.” 

The issue of stress is still largely unexplored in pregnant women and children’s health research.  In January of 2011 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the field a shot in the arm, so to speak, by awarding seven Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research grants to scientists studying the interactions between stress and environmental exposures.  The grants totaled $7 million.

While we wait for the researchers to report back, we can start practicing smarter ways to deal with our stress.  Here are some of my favorite methods:

1.      Exercise – run around and burn off some steam!

2.      Breathe deep – it will give your body and mind time to relax

3.      Smile – you might feel silly, but I guarantee you will also feel happy J

4.      Take a walk – sometimes the best way to deal with a stressful situation is to take a break from it

5.      Cut back on the java – caffeine affects our quality of sleep, which in turn will lead to more stress

Good luck staying stress and chemical free!  And let us know if you have any good relaxation inducing tips!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.119-a430

How to Pack a Green and Non-Toxic Lunch from LiveESP.com

How to Pack a Green and Non-Toxic Lunch from LiveESP.com

What’s Green, Healthy, and Non-Toxic all over?

Your lunch! Or at least it can be with some tips on how to makeover your lunch bagging routine into a green, non-toxic, and healthy one.  The great thing about a green and healthy lunch bag is that you can simultaneously be good to the environment, be good to your body, and be good to your wallet!

Oh, okay, before I start, I do want to add that this is how I typically pack my lunch during the week. So any healthy foods you enjoy will work…I just may or may not be addicted to salads (guess that’s not such a bad thing!)

The Bag

Instead of reaching for a brown baggie, a leftover plastic grocery store bag, or an insulated lunch container (that often needs to be refrigerated if there isn’t enough inside to keep items cold), reach for a 100% Organic Cotton Lunch Bag! They are machine washable and made from natural, unbleached organic cotton.  Pack your lunch in one of these and pop it in the work refrigerator to keep contents cold and bacteria free.  As a little side note, did you know that compared to conventional cotton, the methods used to grow organic cotton have lower environmental impacts and are non-toxic (no pesticides used)? 

The Food

Lunch

Swap out your plastic containers (yes, even those that hold pre-sliced deli meat) for non-toxic and reusable stainless steel food containers! I pack a salad in my larger stainless steel food container.  As for the dressings, I have a stainless steel snack set that comes with a compact container (here I often pack yogurt or fruit) and a small container that is just the right size for salad dressing.  For a healthier twist on salad dressing, I use fresh salsa!  It’s lower calories, is made from fresh vegetables, and doesn’t come in a plastic container like many grocery store brands do.  What I love about my stainless steel containers is that they are dishwasher safe and, most importantly, it won’t leach chemicals like BPA into food.  If I'm packing a sandwich, I have a more oval-shaped stainless steel container that is the perfect size!

Snacks

To help you avoid plastics and wasting plastic baggies, try a reusable snack bag! The LunchSkins snack bags are the perfect size—plus they are water proof, grease proof, lead free, BPA free, and phthalate free.  I often pack raw nuts, trail mix, and even grapes!  

The Utensils

Reusable bamboo utensils are a great alternative to plastic utensils and are much lighter than bringing silverware in a lunch bag.  The RePEat bamboo utensils are made from renewable bamboo and are completely non-toxic!

The Drink

I know this sounds like old news, but try to stay away from plastic water bottles!  Instead, I used a BPA free glass water bottle or stainless steel water bottle. By using them, you produce less waste and won’t run the risk of BPA leaching into your drink!

I hope these tips help you pack healthier, greener, and more non-toxic lunches for you and your family!  And you don't have to stop at the lunchbag for going healthy, green, and non-toxic...Healthy Child Healthy World has a bunch of ideas to help you and your family live healthier lifestyles!

Is it bad that I look forward to packing lunch every day?  Not just for me...but I used to pack for my whole family...there are 8 of us!

Happy Packing,

Hannah

National Drinking Straw Day!

Who would of thought a National Drinking Straw Day would exist?  Certainly not me, but since it does, why not celebrate!  Because new year's resolutions and drinking straws are on our minds (well, maybe not the drinking straw part for everyone) how about a drinking straw resolution? Tired of wasting plastic straws?  At ESP we have glass straws and stainless steel straws to help you reduce waste and keep your teeth from staining of course!

More straws: http://www.liveesp.com/entertaining/entertaining-utensils/

In case you were interested in the history behind National Drinking Straw Day, I thought I'd put together a little blurb to fill you in on this riveting holiday: Drinking straws were invented by Marvin Chester Stone in 1888.

Happy Sipping!

~ Hannah

BPA and the Risk of Heart Attack in Women

It seems like more often than not we are learning more about the potentially negative effects of BPA on our health, and a recent study has added to the list of potential causes linked to BPA exposure.  The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, suggests that BPA may send signals to female heart cells, causing those cells to beat erratically.  This condition is known as arrhythmia and it can result in cardiac death.

BPA, or bisphenol A, is a compound commonly used in a variety of household products, especially those made with plastic and canned foods.  By using products that have BPA in them, we can become exposed to the chemical, and once the BPA is in our systems it has the potential to mimic estrogen.  This is dangerous because the human body maintains a delicate balance of hormones to regulate all of its functions.  In this study, for example, estrogen has been show to alter contraction rates in heart cells.  When estrogen mimicking BPA is in our bodies, this effect is multiplied and becomes potentially harmful to a normally functioning heart.  BPA throws the balance of the hormone estrogen out of whack and the heart suffers as a result.

Laura Vandenberg of Tufts University explained that, “though not flashy, this study is excellent at revealing nuances of how cardiovascular tissue can respond differently than cells elsewhere in the body to estrogen – and to BPA.”  Furthermore, she explains that this effect is found even with very low doses of BPA, “the most effective dose was very close to – if not completely overlapping – what’s been reported in humans.”

Scientists have debated whether BPA levels are high enough in humans to cause the potential health risks associated with its exposure.  In this case, the level of BPA commonly found in females has the potential to cause heart problems.

To avoid this serious risk and any other lurking issues resulting from BPA, throw out your old and used plastics and buy BPA-free water bottles and food containers.  It’s a “whole-hearted” investment worth making!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337035/title/BPA_sends_false_signals_to_female_hearts

http://www.rodale.com/bpa-and-heart-attacks?cm_mmc=TheDailyFixNL-_-759528-_-12212011-_-common_plastic_chemical_could_cause_fatal_heart_flaw

New Year, New Non-Toxic You!

With Holiday shopping and gift giving checked off the list, there's just one thing left to do this holiday season...figure out your New Year's resolutions!  We all know the most common resolutions because they are the easiest to come up with AND the easiest to break (funny how that works out isn't it!?).  So, at ESP we are suggesting some new resolution ideas that we can help you with!

But first, I thought I'd list the most commonly broken New Year's resolutions (according to Time magazine) because I know we can allll relate to them!

1. Lose weight and get fit. (From experience, I know it takes getting into the habit of going to the gym.  Once you start, it's awesome! But the second you stop, it's so hard to get back on track isn't it?)
2. Quit smoking. (So important, but the addictive nature of nicotine makes this difficult for many...a great resolution to go for though)
3. Learn something new. (although this is probably accomplished, it's easily forgotten I'm sure!)
4. Eat healthier and diet. (hm...sounds like #1)
5. Get out of debt and save money. (Getting out of debt can be incredibly difficult, especially because it takes time and does not come with instant gratification...plus, that LBD is just so perfect, right!?)
6. Spend more time with family. (Life gets busy...wouldn't it be easier if family was walking distance?  I'm lucky because both my parents live walking distance from our home, but not everyone is as fortunate!)
7. Travel to new places. (yea, that involves $$$...but how about trying new local places? you may find some nice little gems in your area)
8. Be less stressed. (now wouldn't that be nice if we could control this with the snap of a finger...)
9. Volunteer. (finding time may be difficult, try scheduling volunteer opportunities and adding them to your calendar)
10. Drink less. (pretty sure thats the most commonly used phrase while facing a hangover)

If the list above doesn't work for you, how about trying our suggestions :)

1. Use less plastic! (If you opt for a BPA free water bottle that is reusable, you won't have to purchase those toxic and wasteful plastic water bottles every time you go out)
2. Go organic, when possible (One way to start is by choosing organic fruits and veggies)
3. Meatless Monday (just once a week, try being a vegetarian!)
4. Make non-toxic changes in your home (no matter how big or small the changes you make, you can make a difference in you and your family's life!)

Okay, these are just a handful of suggestions...but hopefully you can get some good ideas! Let us know on our Facebook page what kind of non-toxic resolutions you are aiming for in 2012. Time for a New Year and a New Non-Toxic You!

Cheers!

~ Hannah

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