Tips for a Chemical Free Summer!

Summer is just around the corner, and in some parts of the country it’s already here (especially due to the abnormal heat index)!  And to help keep you safe and smiling this summer, we’ve put together 7 of our favorite tips:

1.      All up in your grill.  While barbequing on a grill this summer, be sure to use propane rather than wood or charcoal since propane burns cleaner.  When it’s time to clean the grill use an organic cleaning product and avoid the chemical residue other products leave behind.

2.      Picking picnic plates. Use reusable dishes rather than plastic or Styrofoam when eating outside.  This will cut down on the waste and save you money in the long run!

3.      Lawn days. Do not spray your lawn!  Such sprays are unnecessary and contain chemicals that are bad for our health.  Check out this article for tips on maintaining a healthy lawn without the spray.

4.      Bugs, bite! To keep the mosquitoes at bay this summer, reach for a natural repellent.  A variety of herbal and essential oils, such as citronella oil, are highly effective.  Check out this article for a recipe!

5.      Local motion. Buy your summer veggies locally.  Visiting your local farmers’ markets is a great way not only to get active, but also to avoid foods grown with pesticides.

6.      Garden greens. Better yet, start your own garden!  This is a fun outdoor activity for the whole family, and it will supply you with those fresh greens you are after.

7.      Screen the sun. And before running outside, remember to grab that organic sunscreen!

With these tips in mind, you will be ready to start your summer of the healthy way!

~ Jessica

Germy Public Places

Although the vast majority of germs are benign and will not get us sick, there are about 100 different bacterial species that aren’t so “friendly.”  So what are these germs and where are they found? Read on, you may find this information pretty useful!

Researchers from Kimberly-Clark analyzed over 350 swabs from cities across the country for levels of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.  ATPs signal the presence of vegetable, animal, yeast, bacteria or mold cells.  If an object has a reading over 300, it is considered to have a high risk for illness transmission.  Out of the objects tested, here is the over 300 ATP reading breakdown they found:

·         71% of gas pump handles

·         68% of mailbox handles

·         43% of escalator rails

·         41% of ATM buttons

·         40% of parking meters

·         35% of crosswalk buttons

·         35% of vending machine buttons

Once these germs reach a person’s hand, it can easily transfer to other objects up to seven times before leaving the skin!

One of the best things we can do to prevent illness and the spread of germs is to wash our hands thoroughly and frequently!  Here is Hand Washing 101 from the CDC:

1.       Apply soap (the foam soaps are great for kids!)

2.       Lather up the soap and scrub all surfaces

3.       Continue for 20 seconds!  It is longer than you think…

4.       Rinse your hands well and dirty them with an air dryer or paper towels.

When you can’t get to a sink, use a hand sanitizer free from harmful chemicals.  Avoid antibacterials with triclosan, a chemical that is harmful to the environment and believed to be an endocrine disruptor.  For more information on other germy public places in America, check out the links below!

~ Jess

Resources:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/10/25/what-are-americas-dirtiest-surfaces/

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/what_are_the_germiest_public_places/

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/what_you_should_know_about_hand_sanitizers_and_your_health/

The Balancing Act of Organic Foods

One of the great things about eating organically grown vegetables is that we are treating our bodies well while we are treating the earth well.  Organic vegetables are grown without the use of pesticides.  When pesticides are used to grow vegetables, as humans we are risk of developing a range of health issues. As for the earth, run off water from farms contaminates rivers and streams, impacting the wildlife and their habitats.  As mentioned, organic farms help alleviate these issues…but not without some consequences.

One such possibility in farming is outbreaks of E.Coli, is a bacterium responsible for many illnesses and several deaths in the U.S. over the last decade.  E. Coli is often transmitted through the fecal matter of animals.  The problem can occur on organic farms because of the practice of encouraging ecological diversity.  Avoiding the use of pesticides allows naturally occurring plants to grow alongside crops, and this diversity is better able to support wildlife such as mice, rabbits and even larger animals, which may carry E. Coli.

In 2006 a deadly E. Coli break out lead to changes on such farms that would prevent mice and other small animals from contaminating crops.  This included such actions as weeding out all plants on a farm other than the crop, removing any grassy areas surrounding a field, building fences, and even destroying nearby lakes.  There have not been any large out breaks of E. Coli poisoning since such action were taken, however, some think that these actions go too far and think some of them may even be unnecessary.  One good example is the food safety policy that encourages farmers to take steps to eliminate all wildlife in their fields.  Eliminating wildlife may reduce the chances for E. Coli, but without animals, the presence of mice can infiltrate a farm.

We do not have all of the answers we want now, but the government and several private companies are currently conducting research to determine which policies are best for food safety.  The ultimate goal is to find a way to balance our health with the safety of the environment.

~ Jessica

Resource: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/04/23/151047957/how-making-food-safe-can-harm-wildlife-and-water

Mother's Day Gift Ideas!

Mother’s Day is coming up, and we have been digging around our site, conjuring up ideas from past gifts, and picking our friend’s brains for Mother’s Day gift ideas to share!  Because every mom has different hobbies, interests, and passion, we realize that the pursuit of the “perfect” gift is nearly impossible.  So with this in mind, we thought we would come up some gift ideas for 5 “mom personas”! Do you know one of these moms? Have another mom persona and great gift ideas!? Are you a little bit of each, haha!? Leave your comments and suggestions below…we’d all love to hear from you!

The On-the-Go Mom

• A Reusable Lunch Bag
• http://www.liveesp.com/storage/lunch-bags-and-produce-bags/
• Reusable Bamboo Utensils...to go along with the lunch bag :)
• http://www.liveesp.com/tools/eating-utensils-and-straws/
• A Glass Water Bottle to help her stay hydrated while she's out and about!
• http://www.liveesp.com/on-the-go/reusable-bottles/lf2216-glass-water-bottles-js.asp?frmcolor=graph

                                

The Foodie Mom

• Cast iron cookware!  Great for searing meats at high temperatures, frying fish, and even baking!  These pans retain heat well allowing for even cooking and they are lead and PFOA free.
• http://www.liveesp.com/cookware/cast-iron-cookware/
• If she loves to curl up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie, how about great foodie classics like Chocolat or Julie and Julia!?

The Fitness Mom

• Stainless Steel Water Bottle - great for the active mom who likes to hit the gym!
• http://www.liveesp.com/on-the-go/stainless-steel-on-the-go/
• A new and waterproof sports watch

The Outdoorsy Mom

• Stainless steel dinnerware is great for camping.  These items are BPA and lead free, and you can even put them over your campfire to heat up your hot cocoa!
• http://www.liveesp.com/tableware/stainless-steel-tableware/
• A new digital camera to capture those beautiful and scenic backdrops.

                                

The New Mom

• Glass baby bottles!  These are free of BPA, phthalates, lead, and PVC.  The cap is even made from BPA free #5 plastic!
• http://www.liveesp.com/baby-kids/baby-bottles/
• A cute (and reusable!) lunch box
• How about a "night off" by babysitting for her!

                                           

Happy Mother's Day Shopping!

Fun in the Sun without the Chemicals and Burn!

Spring is in the air and in no time summer will be here! So ‘tis the season of swimsuits, sandy beaches, picnics, daytime walks, Vitamin D, and…sun protection! Below are some tips on how to have fun in the sun while fighting the burn and avoiding hazardous chemicals. 

One of the most obvious forms of sun protection (besides simply staying in the shade) is sunscreen, but there are a few things to keep in mind when buying and using sunscreen.

1. Read the label. Not all sunscreens are made up of the same ingredients.  Some sunscreens contain potentially harmful chemicals that are best avoided.  As noted by the Environmental Working Group, it is a safer bet to steer clear of any sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate, or insect repellent, as these chemicals have been linked to an increased rate of cancer based on some laboratory studies.
2. SPF 30. You will get much better UV protection from sunscreens with SPF 30 or above.  SPF 15 just is not strong enough.
3. Repeat. Sunscreen should be reapplied every hour or two.  Don’t be fooled by “waterproof” or “water resistant” claims.  Sunscreen will wear off and leave you with a painful surprise, so reapplying frequently can help avoid burning.
4. 30 minute rule. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside.
5. Avoid sprays and powders when possible. Due to inhalation, try avoiding spray and powder sunscreens. If this is all you have, spray the sunscreen on your hands first, then apply to your face!

Sunscreen is a necessary first step to protecting your skin from the sun, but there are several other practices we can adopt for a safer sunny days.

1. Shade. Consider taking a picnic break in the shade while the sun is at its peak.  It is at this point in the day that UV rays are strongest, so it is the perfect time to sit in the shade of a tree and eat!
2. BPA free bottles. Keeping our good health in mind, be sure to bring water bottles that are BPA free.  A Lifefactory glass bottle is a safer choice to help will keep you hydrated and safe.
3. Clothes. Clothing will go a long way to help keep the sun at bay.  While outdoors, try to wear a long-sleeve lightweight shirt, hat, and sunglasses.

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/#your_skin

http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/faqs-your-sunscreen-questions-our-answers/

Make Every Day Earth Day!

With Earth Day just around the corner, we thought we'd share some  ways to make Earth Day every day instead of just one day a year. Below are some easy and useful ideas on how to add more “green” into your daily routine while also avoiding toxic chemicals!
Reusable snack bags ~ Because only about 1-3% of plastic bags end up getting recycled and since plastic is not biodegradable, using a reusable snack bag is a great eco-friendly alternative to help reduce the amount of waste you produce. Take a look at the type of reusable bag you use and check to make sure it is free from harmful chemicals like phthalates.

Reusable straws ~ Many people like to use straws to help keep their teeth clean but with plastic straws being thrown away, we end up getting the environment "dirty" at the expense of "clean" teeth. Instead of using a new straw every time you sip on a colored drink, try using reusable straws made from glass or stainless steel.

Reusable bamboo utensils ~ Plastic utensils are everywhere: when you order food to-go, at the office, and in schools. They often end up in the trash, so to help avoid this, use reusable utensils made from certified organic bamboo, a sustainable resource that does not jeopardize the environment when it’s grown.

Reusable food containers ~ Ever thought about bringing your own container for leftovers when you go out to eat? Instead of packing leftovers in containers provided by restaurants, try packing them in a glass or stainless steel food container—an eco-friendly and safe way to store your food.

Reusable water bottles ~ Buying a new plastic water bottle every day is neither cost effective nor good for the environment, since bottles are often tossed into trash bins. Switch to reusable water bottles made from BPA free glass or stainless steel as a safe, eco-friendly and non-toxic way to enjoy water and stay hydrated.

100% certified organic lunch bags ~ Replace brown paper bags and plastic bags with a reusable lunch bag made from 100% certified organic cotton. Methods used to grow organic cotton do not use toxic pesticides or fertilizers and have a lower environmental impact than conventional growing methods.

Pink Slime and Our Industrial Food System

Lately, you may have heard a lot of buzz in the media about “pink slim”—a light pink goupy substance that has a resemblance to froyo, right?  But despite its “sweet” appearance, pink slime is far from froyo. It is a mixture of fatty beef trimmings that is puréed into a smooth paste and then added to ground beef as a filler, gross. The proper name for pink slime (as it has been dubbed by the media) is lean finely textured beef (LFTB).   The main producer of LFTB in America is Beef Products Inc., and they supply ground beef to everyone from fast food chains, to the National School Lunch Program, to retail grocery stores across the country.  No wonder it’s caught our attention!

If you have not heard of pink slime, you are not alone.  Up until the beginning of last month, LFTB was a relatively unknown term.  However, at the beginning of March an online petition demanding LFTB be removed from school lunches exploded on the scene, receiving hundreds of thousands of signatures.  Fast forward to the present and Beef Products Inc. is closing three of its four plants. Hm…must be something fishy.

Most would view this as a victory.  The people raised their voices and defended themselves against this potentially dangerous and unsavory product.  However, it turns out that the public’s reaction to LFTB may have been a little misguided.  It turns out that Beef Products Inc. prides itself on testing their product more frequently and for more pathogens than the government requires.  It is tested more frequently than other components of ground beef.  So could removing LFTB from ground beef make it less safe?

Not so fast. There are several reasons to object to “pink slime.”  First, LFTB is composed of the less expensive trimmings of the cow, it is not as high in protein as other cuts of beef.  Second, it may contain E. Coli.  Third, why was it not on meat packing labels? What else could be left out?  What are we actually consuming?

Finally, the time has come to properly label meat.

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/03/26/149401164/pink-slime-maker-halts-production-but-ground-beef-will-still-have-trimmings

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/03/28/149529235/why-pink-slime-isnt-that-different-from-other-meat