How about some nachos instead?
When you first hear the diagnosis of Celiac disease, and find out that you can no longer have gluten in any form, you feel totally overwhelmed.
We all know that gluten is in everything, and how on earth will we eat now? While people mean well, it is somewhat difficult to be constantly told that “there is so much more available now,” or “I just saw a whole line of great gluten free products.”
I know it is better than it ever was, I know there are more choices, I know people want to be supportive, I get it.
But . . .
Here’s the thing — I don’t want to buy food in a box. I don’t want to drive 30 miles round trip to get bakery cupcakes for my kid’s birthday party. I don’t want to throw a tiny frozen pizza in the oven on a busy weeknight when that pizza cost a fortune and tastes like cardboard. Initially we did that and, while we didn’t starve, I found myself increasingly frustrated by the inability to cook real food for my family.
I grew up in a household where we ate real food all the time. My parents had a large garden at our house, and rented another garden plot at a nearby arboretum. They visited several farmer’s markets to buy produce to freeze and can throughout the summer. My mother made every dessert from scratch and made 8 loaves of sandwich bread every weekend – this while working full time. We sat down – as a family — to a home-cooked, balanced meal every night. While my early years as a parent were not spent at as pristine a dinner table as the one I sat at growing up, I made a real effort to cook well for my family. The diagnosis of celiac was truly devastating for me as the chef and food provider in my home.
In the first two years of this new reality, I struggled. I converted recipes to GF with some success, but often with great failure. I wasted countless dollars worth of GF flour blends and I made more than one birthday cake a second time, late at night, after an initial disaster. I sat at my dining room table and watched as my family gamely tried the latest creation – but didn’t ask for seconds. Finally, about a year ago, I found a cookbook that helped me learn how to make GF yeast breads from scratch, with success! Since then, I have been able to make all of our breads – sandwich bread, burger buns, french bread, tortillas – not always on the first try, but eventually I manage to get it. For me, while I am spending much more time in the kitchen, I am also spending much less money at the grocery store, and that has been incredibly freeing.
Gluten free cooking and eating is still frustrating and expensive, but the excitement of the challenge has taken over my thinking, putting the overwhelming aspect of the job in the back seat most of the time. I find myself trying to work around the days I have no bread made by coming up with a different idea, instead of tossing up my hands in defeat. I have even gotten the family on board. Just this week, I was planning sandwiches for lunch, when I realized the day’s loaf of bread would not be ready in time. My husband, after looking at the exorbitant price of four GF bagels in the grocery store, looked at me and suggested that perhaps he could make us a batch of chicken nachos instead. I liked that idea – it meant he was on board with the plan, and I didn’t have to cook!
-Anneke
How to Maintain Healthy Eating While Traveling
It’s the time of year when spring break and summer travel plans are being made. You might be flying to grandma’s house or to the beach for a week. Maybe you are planning a two week family road trip to the mountains this summer or a getaway to a north woods lodge.
Traveling upsets our schedules enough, especially when traveling with children. How does one maintain a healthy level of eating while traveling to and fro? Don’t road trips mean stopping at all the local dives and doesn’t flying mean eating whatever is served you on the plane?
Instead of packing the cooler full of the junk food on sale in bulk at the big box grocery store, think about how you want to feel while traveling and how you might feed yourself to get there. If you know you’ll be spending hours (or goodness knows, perhaps days) in the car, it’s important to keep your digestion in sync with a normal day. That might be tough to come by considering your body will not be moving-at all.
For road trips and travelling by car, stocking your cooler with premade sandwiches or mini homemade “lunchables” such as crackers, cheese, grapes, grape tomatoes and a little dip are easy to pull off when you purchase the lunch containers with all of the slots such as bento boxes or the ones made by large retailers for food storage. Single serve yogurt containers go over well, especially when kids have small lap desks to rest them on. Or make your own with yogurt and a spoonful of fruit jam or compote at the bottom in a small clear mason jar. It’s both a delight to the eye and to the belly when sprinkled with a small handful of granola, which could also be packed in a mason jar. Milk, juice or rice milk now comes in small juice box sized containers and everyone should have their own designated water bottle for the trip. Purchasing water by the gallon or having a large water cooler in the back will assure everyone has fresh water to drink (and it’s available for the cleanup that may need to happen along the way). Sliced veggies such as carrots, jicama and celery make for easy munching, as well as nitrate free deli meats.
Think about the activities you’re hoping to take on once you reach your destination. Are you up for adventure such as hiking and camping, or are you going to snooze on a beach and take a leisurely walk in the afternoons? What you eat will affect how you feel, and with liquor and soda being the only items stocked in that hotel refrigerator of yours, you’ll want to have exactly what you desire packed with you.
If you’re traveling with kids, specifically in a hotel, you may pack your favorite dry goods, such as gluten free crackers, rice cakes, cereals or protein powder to make your own quick shakes. If you’re flying and staying in a hotel, chances are you will have a rental car. As in the example above where you’ve driven your car, having mobility is a huge bonus. Find the nearest grocery store and stock up on what you need. Keeping yogurt and pre-sliced fruits and vegetables in your mini fridge is easy. You can even request an extra mini fridge, which hotels are great about, especially when traveling with children. Purchasing simple sandwich making materials is easy as well and doesn’t take up much room, considering the loaf of bread doesn’t need to stay cool. Purchase only goodies you’ll need for around two days at a time. Between munching in between meals or taking little picnics to the beach, you will dine out once or twice per day, so you’ll also save money on the third meal by taking it on the go or crashing in your room.
If you’re flying to a destination, renting a car and staying in a condo, you could grocery shop (with meals planned ahead of time for quick shopping and saving money ) for the entire stay in one fell swoop and visit the local market for fresh fruits and veggies as needed. This allows you the ultimate flexibility, then dining out becomes a treat that happens when you feel like it versus it being the only option for a full meal.
Mostly what eating healthy while traveling takes is a little more organization and planning. There are healthy alternatives to grabbing a quick fix, though it’s not at every intersection that you see a fresh smoothie joint or a gluten free bakery. If in a pinch, while putting gas in your car, grab a stick of cheese or a container of yogurt and a protein bar to buy you a bit of time. Considering you could grab a back of Cheetos and a package of Nerds with a soda, the first option is just as easy and will have you feeling better in the long run, making your travels more enjoyable.
Getting Enough Healthy Fats and Oils, Is it Really That Important?
Growing up in the phase of low fat, where the fad was that we should only eat items with “low fat” or “nonfat” on the label, it might be confusing to understand why people are talking about the benefit of full fat and healthy oils. The odd thing is that generation has also seen a huge increase in obesity.
What happens when an item is labeled “low fat” or “nonfat”? Something has to replace the fat in the processed food and that item is typically sugar. This leads to the body’s increased feeling of hunger and the consequent storage of fat. If you are eating a diet with healthy fats, you feel full faster as the product is less processed, or not at all, and you’re more able to control what you eat. Obviously this means you will make healthier food choices.
The concern is over the saturated fats in meats and cheese. As a whole our society gets too many Omega 6 fatty acids (again, think meat and cheese), and not enough high quality fats. The health promoting fats help your body maintain its blood sugar level. Blood sugar that is out of control may lead to illness and disease. So it’s simple, really. Eat high quality foods, in particular, the oils and fats we need. You’ll feel better and will weigh less.
Foods we need to avoid include:
- Fried foods
- shortening
- partially hydrogenated oils
- margarine
- palm oils
- lard
- ease up on the hard cheese, baked goods and red meat.
Foods we want to choose more often include:
- Nuts
- seeds
- tuna
- salmon
- nut butters
- avocados
Oils to specifically implement into your diet include:
- Sesame oil
- olive oil
- safflower oil
The fatty acids we need for optimal functioning of the cells in our bodies, such as EPA and DHA aren’t hard to come by when you eat the foods mentioned above. These foods fight inflammation and maintain healthy skin. Your nails and hair will grow faster and more smoothly. Your nervous system will function more optimally and your vision will also benefit.
How much of these foods and oils do we need every day?
For oils the average serving size is 1 tsp and 4-7 servings per day is sufficient. That looks like a handful of olives, a quarter of an avocado and putting mayonnaise on your sandwich for lunch. Using walnut oil in your baking is a good idea and lends a great taste, and sautéing foods in coconut and olive oil.
For nuts and seeds, again, think in terms of a small handful. For nut butters, whatever you smear on your bread or rice cake or scoop into a small dish for dipping will be sufficient. You’ll want up to two servings per day of nuts and seeds.
What’s all this talk about supplementation? Here’s the thing: we get too many Omega 6 fatty acids from our meat and dairy consumption and not enough Omega 3 fatty acids. Try as we might, our lives (mostly) aren’t conducive to eating the foods we need all the time, so we will require supplementation. To choose a fish oil means finding a cold, dark water fish oil that is certified and without contaminants.
Camping “Green”
LEAVE NO TRACE BY CAMPING GREEN!!
The concept “Leave No Trace” originated with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service in the 1960’s. In the 1970′s and 1980′s, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service started to teach their visitors how to have a minimal impact on the land. Also in the 1970′s, groups such as the Sierra Club were advocating minimum impact camping techniques.
Eventually the nonprofit organization Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics was created in 1994. It is a national and international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impacts when they hike, camp, picnic, snowshoe, run, bike, hunt, paddle, ride horses, fish, ski or climb. The program offers seven principles that can offset our impact and make responsible recreation a part of our outdoor experience:
1) Plan Ahead and Prepare; 2) Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces; 3) Dispose of Waste Properly; 4) Leave What You Find; 5) Minimize Campfire Impacts; 6) Respect Wildlife; and 7) Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
Today we can follow these same principles when camping green plus bring our favorite Norwex products because they are environmentally friendly and contain no toxic chemicals! Here are 10 WAYS TO MINIMIZE IMPACT WHEN CAMPING GREEN IN THE OUTDOORS:
1. Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Hike on established trails to prevent damaging the soil and plants.
2. Camp at least 200 feet from water, trails, and other campsites. Improper toilet procedures can contaminate a lake or river with giardia or coilform bacteria.
3. Pack it in, pack it out. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others. Properly dispose of what you can’t pack out. Keep paper products to a minimum.
4. Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and the amount of trash to carry out.
5. For cooking, consider using a camp stove or grill which leave less of an impact on the land.
6. Observe all fire restrictions. Use existing fire rings & only fallen timber or dead wood found on the ground for campfires. Do not cut standing trees.
7. Allow the wood to burn down to a fine ash. Pour water on the fire and drown all embers until the hissing sound stops. Put out campfires completely before scattering cool ashes. If you don’t have water, use dirt.
8. Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Use biodegradable soaps. Scatter gray water so it filters through the soil.
9. Respect wildlife and leave what you find for others to enjoy.
10. Following a trip, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.
(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_No_Trace#Origins
(2)Leave No Trace :: Programs :: Principles
(3)http://www.treadlightly.org/page.php/responsible-camping/Recreation-Tips.html?gclid=CMvH9v7btqECFZ9K5wod9XWRAg
Laundry Danger
Sometimes we don’t give much thought to where our laundry water goes when we are cleaning our clothes, or how the chemicals in the detergent affect the world around us. One of the most common ingredients in laundry detergent is phosphate, a chemical that is largely polluting the ocean along with other harmful chemicals. These chemicals can deplete water of oxygen and contribute to “dead zones” in the ocean; a place where the oxygen level is so low that nothing can survive in these areas. One of the world’s largest dead zones is off the Gulf of Mexico, where chemicals from the Mississippi river are dumped into the ocean.
An easy way to be part of the solution instead of part of the solution is to be conscious of the laundry detergent you are using and switch to a biodegradable detergent. The detergent we use is Norwex Ultra Power Plus. It is completely biodegradable and has no harmful chemical fillers. Switching to this type of laundry detergent will ensure that your laundry will not be harming the ocean. The average American uses around 32 pounds of laundry detergent a year and a billion gallons nation-wide. By switching to a biodegradable alternative you can feel confident that your impact is a positive one.
Gluten Free Mac n Cheese with a Nutrient Boost
This recipe is sooo easy and really tasty. It quickly becomes a family favorite as the sauce is so creamy it resembles homemade macaroni and cheese. A great winter comfort food kind of recipe, you will have little to none left over once you’ve introduced this dish.
Every pasta dish to come out of my kitchen is gluten free and for this recipe I used a Trader Joe’s corn pasta, tasty and inexpensive. If you’re a dairy free family you could substitute out the cheese for the selection of soy or rice based cheeses or not do the cheese at all. The sauce still has a fantastic flavor and the addition of the cauliflower is a surprising bonus.
Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
2 T butter
3 cloves crushed garlic
1 tsp basil
1 bay leaf
1 head cauliflower
2 cups tomato sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar & parmesan cheese
1 bag Gluten Free fusilli pasta (I used a corn pasta for this recipe)
Heat the olive oil, basil and bay leaf until warm. Add crushed garlic, sauté for a few minutes. Add cauliflower, chopped to 1 inch pieces to the pan. Sometimes I add a ½ cup water, cover and steam until soft.
Meanwhile bring the pasta water to boil. Pour the tomato sauce over the cauliflower and simmer for 15 minutes. While this is simmering and pasta water is coming to a boil, shred the cheese and set aside.
Cook the pasta, drain and pour into a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, stir in the 2T butter and half the cheese. Once mixed, pour tomato/cauliflower sauce over the pasta and top with remaining cheese.
Serve with a mixed greens side salad, and I guarantee you’ll hardly have any left over!
3 Simple Holiday Gift Ideas
3 Simple Holiday Gift Ideas (other than Norwex of course)
Food
Who doesn’t love food? I know I do, especially when prepared and gifted by someone I love.
Many people love baking treats and cooking nourishing food to warm our bellies and hearts. Gifting food is easy, just keep these ideas in mind:
• Be mindful of food allergies and sensitivities. There’s nothing like spending time creating something that can’t be eaten by the recipient. Send a quick email or check in with a phone call to the recipient and just ask. These days it’s a common question and one that could make the difference in someone enjoying your gift or needing to pass it on to another who can. If you need gluten free ideas, check out the Little Green Dream blog
• Think outside the box. How much would you love for someone to drop by a pot of soup, a side salad and, popovers (gluten free!) as a holiday gift instead of a gift card for the car wash, coffee or more mindless clutter?
• Think of the recipient. Is he/she a health nut or far from it? Is their family active or not? Keep in mind who they are and how they like to spend their time when gifting food. A basket of homemade power bars and kombucha might not go over well with a family who isn’t interested in wellness.
Experiences
Have you ever been given a gift card for sky diving or a trolley ride? Have you been the lucky recipient of a night out for dinner, a plane ticket or a stay at a B&B? Remember those coupon books we made our parents as children that included a free car wash, back rub and taking out the garbage? Bring it on back. Giving the opportunity to experience something new or to revisit a destination from the past are fun and welcome gift ideas. I like to think of the following when dreaming up fun for others:
• It’s really important to know the recipient well enough to know the difference between them enjoying an afternoon at a bounce house versus an evening on a dinner cruise.
• When purchasing gift cards for experiences, be sure there is no date of expiration on the card, or if there are specific time limitations, highlight them so the recipient is aware. There’s nothing like going to use that gift card to your favorite restaurant only to find it expired a week ago. In fact, an idea would be to write in any specifics the recipient needs to know on the card or tag that went along with the gift.
• Are you giving an experience only one can enjoy or are you able to give “for you AND a friend”, how much more fun would that be?
Handmades
This is the time of year where all kinds of craftiness comes about. It’s when grandmas, mothers and grandchildren gather to knit, sew, cut and paste. New tree ornaments, scarves, cuddlies and more goodies than we can imagine get produced. Giving handmade is not only more eco-friendly, it is such a gift to receive something lovingly created by another. If you are giving away handmades this year, keep these few ideas in mind:
• Keep in mind for whom you are creating the gift and what their interests are. Does it fit their lifestyle; will they be able to use/wear it?
• If you are shying away from creating a gift because you need measurements from your loved ones home or personal sizing, don’t! Imagine their wonder and curiosity after you’ve called and given them a task to measure themselves or something in their home.
• Putting together kits of items someone would need in order to get creative themselves is another idea:
o Construction paper, glue, glitter and funky scissors go a long way with a child
o Recipe box, apron, spatula and a cooking class gift card will win over any chef to be
o Knitting needles, a skein of yarn, and lessons with Auntie Jen are great for the tween needing something to bide her time
There are many great craft and art supply stores both online and near every retail center, however, for specific needs, go online to find a local shop near you or where you might need to order your supplies.
5 Ways to Be More Organized in the New Year
1-Get Clutter Free
- Go online and search this keyword phrase: junk mail opt out. Ridding yourself of the junk mail piles you end up recycling is worth your time.
- Spend ten minutes with each child in their closet…create piles for donation, handing down or mending.
- Go through your refrigerator and eliminate expired food.
- Dive into your own closet. If you haven’t worn it or thought about it in a year, time to move on.
- Use baskets. They are a great way to organize clutter, toys, remotes, mittens and hats or whatever needs to be out but simultaneously in hiding.
2-Take a Look at Your Pantry
- Take everything out and remove food with expired dates.
- Empty the four bags of opened raisins into one container with a tight sealing lid.
- Empty your torn and taped bag of flour into a large see through jar…see where we’re going with this?
- Prepare your pantry for shopping in bulk for the New Year. It will save you time and money.
- Paint the inside door of your pantry with chalkboard paint. Tie a piece of chalk to yarn and tie the yarn to a small screw so you always have an instant note pad for what pantry staples need replacing.
3-Delegate and Automate
- Think of what you can pass on to others as a favor or as a paid service. Most likely you will save time and money in your ability to focus on your work or your family instead of trimming your own trees or repainting your basement.
- Do your grocery shopping online. With most services your food will be delivered and with your local food co-op, you pay online and go pick up your food.
- What responsibilities can your babysitter take on while overseeing homework? Can he/she clean up the kitchen, chop veggies for dinner or fold a load of laundry?
- Think about your day digitally…do you have automatic backup plugged in for your hard drive? Are there any manual updates you make that you can automate?
4-Donate
- We are a society of Stuff. We have too much of it and need support going through it. Call your mom or best friend…she’d be happy to tell you what you don’t need anymore.
- Go online and search Do Good Donor. This will lead you to a list of charitable organizations you can choose to donate your items to.
- Make a monthly note on your calendar to take a walk through your home, setting aside items no longer in use or that would be better off in a new home. Call or email to choose a pick up date and set your items outside. It’s as easy as that.
5-Calendar
- When your life gets put on a calendar, the universe conspires to make things happen for you.
- Color code your children, spouse, family and work activities to keep things straight.
- Be sure to add timely reminders for: oil changes, changing furnace filters, outdoor window washing, renewing license tabs, etc. These are things that happen on a regular basis where you can put them in the calendar for the whole year during the first week of the New Year.
- Other things to pay attention to that benefit from getting space on the calendar:
- Be mindful of how quickly your pets go through their food. Always have an extra bag on hand or plug into your calendar to pick up more dog food a week before Rufus runs out.
- Library materials and when they are due.
- When deposits and tuition are due for children’s activities.
- Choosing a day and time for bill paying.
- Book club nights or your spouse’s volleyball league times.
Tips on Self Care for the Winter Months
With winter fully settled in, it’s hard not to settle into hibernation mode. Comfy couches, cozy blankets, movies, popcorn and wool socks call our names when the sun starts going down before 5pm. Winter is a time for reflection, rest and a recharging of the batteries. Follow these tips for taking care of yourself during the winter months:
- Hot baths are generally not encouraged as they dry out our skin, but if you’re struggling with a cold or flu, a warm soak in Epsom salts or tea tree oil dropped into your bath water is a welcome way to support stripping your body of toxins.
- If you’re struggling with an earache, rest that side of your head on a warm hot water bottle.
- Hot water bottles laid upon the chest for a cough and cold help to soothe the aching muscles and release congestion.
- Hot tea with honey and a splash of apple cider vinegar soothe sore throats just like that.
- Blending yourself a green smoothie every day will increase your energy, support your immune system and have you remembering that summer isn’t too far away!
- Creating homemade lotions and lip balms is a great way to care for your skin during the cold months.
- Fresh air. Yes, it might be cold out there, but a little fresh air goes a long way. When our homes are closed up for more months than they are open, we need the powerful cold air to hit our lungs, to pink up our cheeks and to get our heart rates going! Grab a friend or your dog and hit the trails for some cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding or a simple walk.
- Nourishing food seems to come with the territory when you live in the Midwest. How would we get through the winter months without warm dishes? Soups and stews are not only economically friendly, but are among the most nourishing foods we can put into our bodies. Easy to tuck vegetables and whole grains into, a soup or stew is great served with a side salad for that crunch we all crave.
- Drink filtered water. Water systems (to rent or own) aren’t as expensive as they used to be, and with the heightened awareness around the importance of drinking water, it should be a no brainer to have this installed in your household. Drinking half your weight in ounces per day is the suggested amount you need. Add more if you’re also drinking coffee or soda as these are quickly dehydrating beverages.
- Avoid the sugar blues by using only pure sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup in your baked goods and by supporting your body with healthy oils such as coconut or walnut oils in your baking. Sugar depletes our energy and our immune system, making us more susceptible to the common colds and flu bugs. Fresh fruit and the wholesome sweeteners in your baked goods as mentioned above are a good place to start.
Protecting Your Skin
PROTECT YOUR SKIN from harmful chemicals and other dangers.
Our body’s largest organ is our skin! It weighs about 8 pounds and covers approximately 22 square feet! Skin protects our bodies, helps keep our bodies at the right temperature, and allows us to have a sense of touch. It is made up of three layers. The outer protective layer is called the epidermis. The middle layer, which contains nerves, blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, is called the dermis. The last layer, which is mostly fat to keep us warm and to provide cushion, is called the subcutaneous layer.
Because our skin has so many functions, it has been called the master organ system. Here are 10 basic tips for keeping your skin healthy :
1) Stop smoking or never start! Tobacco smoke dries out your skin and constricts blood vessels robbing your skin of essential nutrients.
2) Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day to keep your skin moist and supple.
3) Protect your skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure.
4) Eat a healthy, well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
5) Clean skin is healthy skin. Remove make-up before going to bed.
6) Moisturize! It helps to restore the oils that our skin has and helps to keep the skin hydrated.
7) Get adequate sleep for body restoration.
8) Exercise! It helps keep the skin elasticity.
9) Consider taking a daily multivitamin with anti-oxidants.
10) If you have skin problems such as itching, dryness, suspicious moles or rashes, consult your physician.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Americans use an average of 10 personal care products each day, resulting in exposure to more than 126 unique chemicals and this does not include the many undisclosed chemicals in “fragrance.” Toxic exposures from personal care products add to our daily dose of hazardous chemicals from air, water, food and other consumer products.
Because the skin is extremely permeable, cosmetic ingredients are absorbed through the skin. Some chemicals may penetrate the skin in significant amounts, especially when left on the skin for long periods, such as in the case of facial makeup. One study showed that 13% of the cosmetic preservative butylate hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 49% of the carcinogenic pesticide DDT (which is found in some cosmetics containing lanolin) are absorbed through the skin.
Below are some of the dangerous chemicals in cosmetics and other personal care products that can be unsafe to your health and their regular exposure can raise many health concerns :
1) Antibacterials – used in many products like soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, etc., are easily absorbed by the skin and are known to be toxic or carcinogenic in nature (an example is triclosan).
2) Butyl Acetate – a commonly used ingredient in nail strengtheners and nail polishes; continuous use can lead to cracked or dry skin. Inhalation of vapors can result in dizziness or drowsiness.
3) Cationic Surfactants – chemicals used in hair conditioners or softeners. When used on a regular basis, these synthetic chemicals can damage hair and make it dry and brittle.
4) Diethanolamine (DEA) – toxin used with cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA as an emulsifier and foaming agent in many personal care products like shampoos, shaving creams, moisturizers, skin lotions and baby washes. It is carcinogenic in nature and acts as a hormone disruptor by depleting choline from the body, a vitamin essential for fetal growth.
5) 1,4-Dioxane – a popular animal carcinogen and a potential human carcinogen that can be found in products (usually shampoos and body washes) having sodium laureth sulfate, chemicals with the terms like ‘PEG’, ‘-xynol’,’ceteareth’, ‘oleth’ and many other ethoxylated ‘eth’ ingredients.
6) Formaldehyde – harmful chemical which is commonly used in baby bath soaps, nail polishes, eyelash adhesives and hair dyes. Its continuous use can result in various health problems like immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and even cancer.
7) Fragrance (phthalates)- known to act as endocrine disruptors and can lead to various health ailments like obesity, skin allergies and discolorations, violent coughing, dizziness, etc. It is recommended that in place of phthalates one should use essential oil fragrances.
8) Lead – a neurotoxin usually found as a toxic in hydrated silica, an ingredient in toothpaste or as lead acetate, an ingredient in lipsticks and men hair dyes. Even at very low concentrations, it is known to cause brain damage and development delays in humans.
9) Nanoparticles – especially zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles, which are normally used in sunscreens lotions and creams, can easily penetrate the skin and destroy the brain cells.
10) Petroleum Distillates – also termed as petroleum or liquid paraffin, are some potential human carcinogens that are found in many cosmetics like mascaras, foot odor powder, etc.
11) TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate – a synthetic emulsifier that is highly acidic in nature and is generally associated with nitrosamines which are potential carcinogens. Also can cause severe skin irritation and is highly corrosive to eyes.
12) Talc – another toxic chemical used in cosmetics like eye shadow, blush, deodorant, soap, etc. for its moisture absorbing properties and ability to provide a hint of sparkle. It serves as a human carcinogen and is also known to cause ovarian cancer and lung tumors.
If you want to find more information about an ingredient in a cosmetic or personal care product, and its potential hazards, check the databases listed below:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
http://www.mionegroup.com/en/toxic
Using high quality organic skin care products is definitely better for your health and the environment! True natural skin care products are made with organic ingredients, without mineral oils, parabens, synthetic preservatives, artificial colors and fragrances, or harmful substances. Organic products aim to exclude or minimize any ingredients that could be considered potentially harmful to people, animals, waterways, or the environment.
Regular cleansing is so important in keeping our skin healthy. When cleansing is done properly, it serves to remove dirt and grime, removes excess oil on the surface and from the skin pores, and aids the cell renewal process. It’s also generally a good idea to cleanse your face twice a day, usually in the morning and before going to bed at night.
Also be kind to your feet!! Years of wear and tear can be hard on them. Keep your feet clean and dry. Be sure to dry the area between your toes. Corns and calluses are caused by pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes. While bathing, gently rub the corn or callus with a pumice stone to help reduce the size.
1. http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/skin-article.html
2. http://www.drdonnica.com/toptips/00007647.htm
3. http://www.foe.org/toxic-chemicals-cosmetics-new-legislation-prevent-exposure
4. http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/cosmetics_personal_care.htm
5. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/chemicals-in-cosmetics.html
6. http://health.yahoo.net/experts/skintype/organic-better-your-skin-and-more
7. http://www.skincare.net/Exfoliation.php
8. http://www.haircareguide.com/
9. http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/footcare.htm