Ecoblogical: Gluten free products

Ecoblogical: Gluten free products: Here are some tasty kid approved Gluten free products that I recommend: Glutino yogurt covered pretzels- This one gets 5 stars, they t...

What's In Your Chocolate Easter Bunny?

Easter is around the corner and we can expect a bunch of little bunny rabbits jumping happily around the house Sunday morning after their intake of sugar from chocolates and candy. Is it ok to occasionally exceed our children’s daily recommended limit of sugar on holidays such as Christmas and Easter-oh then there is Halloween, Valentines and birthdays (and not just their own birthday)?

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends how much sugar per day we should intake:
Recommended Daily Sugar Intake for Men: 36 grams or 9 teaspoons
Recommended Daily Sugar Intake for Women: 20 grams or 5 teaspoons
Recommended Daily Sugar Intake for Children: 12 grams or 3 teaspoons

Let's take a look at the Nutrition values for a couple popular Easter items-

Cadbury Easter eggs (34 grams)-containing 21 grams of sugar

Russell Stover Easter Bunny (43 grams)-containing 23 grams of sugar

Easter Skittles contain 42 grams of sugar. Yes I said 42...look it up. Gross! That's 3 and a half days worth of sugar for a child and over a days worth for a grown man. Of course that is if you don't eat anything else that day containing sugar. What about sugars from breakfast cereals, cereal bars, bread, crackers, flavored yogurt, juice, packaged fruit pieces, and even foods like ketchup and pasta sauce. The basic children’s cereal bar contains 6-9 grams of sugar.

Excessive consumption of added sugars on a regular basis contributes to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, gallstones, pancreatic cancer, dental problems and nutritional deficiencies. I think that it is ok to occasionally let your child have a sugary treat but occasionally should not mean once a day or even every Saturday. Even on special occasions watch the portion size of the treat. Most labels will provide a nutrition chart listing how many grams of sugar per serving. Perhaps the gigantic chocolate Easter bunny can be eaten in several pieces, an arm one day and a leg the next. Also, instead of giving your child a basket full of edible treats, maybe you could fill it with toys, coloring books and crayons. See St. John's moms' post "Easter Count Down - Things to Fill a Basket... Besides Candy!" for some great ideas.

However you decide to spend your Easter, I hope it is a happy and safe one for all.

100% Natural popsicles

Today was cold and rainy, not particularly a nice day for making or eating popsicles.  However, since my daughter asks for ice cream 500 times a day and since it was also what I used to potty train her, I have to give in once in a while.  The "ice cream" I am referring to is actually frozen yogurt tubes.  Yogurt tubes contain ingredients I am not fond of such as sugar, fructose, and guar gum.  I want a healthier alternative that doesn't contain any sugar, juice or guar gum and one that I don't feel bad about giving into.

All Natural Popsicles

Measurements depend on how many molds you have.  Use double the amount of fruit to yogurt.

Ingredients:
BioBest plain yogurt (I like this because it is 90% lactose free and my daughter is lactose intolerant)
Frozen/fresh fruit (Your choice)
Optional-small amount of honey for those older kids who know what real popsicles taste like :)

Some fruit combinations I like are mango/peach, strawberry/banana and blueberry/honeydew melon.

Put in blender, place in molds and wait.  I always find the plastic sticks that come with popsicle molds don't work well so I use wooden ones instead.

CFIA's Food Recall Report

A recall has been added to the CFIA's Food Recall Report.

Class 1
Reason for Recall: Health Hazard - E. coli
Product(s): Ground beef products - establishment 761
Recalling Firm: Various companies
Distribution: These products have been distributed nationally

The public warning issued on March 17, 2012 has been updated to provide details of over 135 affected products under various brand names and codes.

Alert - http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2012/20120319ce.shtml
List of affected products - http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2012/20120319cliste.shtml

Bathroom Etiquette

My friend and I were talking the other day about how unclean some of the local restrooms are.  Since many people do not follow bathroom etiquette, public restrooms are looking pretty ummm gross!  These restrooms are in places where you take your infants and children-restaurants, malls, bookstores, supermarkets, etc.  It is unfortunate but sometimes we just have to use them.

Through the years I have gotten used to many germaphobic rituals such as using paper towels to open doors, turn on water, flush the toilet and basically to touch anything.  I could basically use a restroom without actually touching anything.  However, since my 2 year old was potty trained, going to public restrooms has become a brand new issue.  Toddlers want to run their fingers across every wall, stall door, play with the door locks, lift the toilet seat, open the feminine hygiene product disposal container and hold onto the sink and counter while trying to wash their hands.  By the time we get our hands washed I feel quite disgusted and definitely dirtier then when we entered the room.   Although medical researchers have long believed that a link existed between germ exposure and increased resistance to infection, a dirty restroom is not on the top of my list for letting my guard down.  So, how do we combat this must needed task and feel good about it?

First things first-what does the restroom look and smell like?  If it's fairly clean and you see one of those daily cleaning checklists, then the restroom experience shouldn't be that bad.  Take out a baby wipe or tissue from your purse to open the doors and wipe the stall door lock, wipe the seat, then dry with some tissue and dispose.  Use tissue to flush toilet and take some more tissue when leaving the stall to turn on the taps.  If this restroom doesn't have automatic towel dispensers then make sure to release the paper towel  before you wash your hands (and your child’s), grab the towel, dry hands, turn off tap with the towel, open door with towel and dispose.  I like it when restrooms place a garbage bin at the exit.

If the restroom is filthy and you have no other choice but to use it.....put on your rubber gloves and dispose them upon leaving. lol  That actually doesn’t sound like a bad idea.  However, in the case of not wanting to look like Howie Mendel, follow the exact steps above until you get to the part about washing your hands.  Just skip it, yes I said skip washing your hands and especially your child’s, at least not in this bathroom.  Studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson found that sinks are the greatest reservoir of germ colonies in restrooms, thanks in part to accumulations of water that become breeding grounds for tiny organisms. These organisms include both familiar and unfamiliar suspects like streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli and shigella bacteria, hepatitis A virus, the common cold virus, and various sexually transmitted organisms.  The last place I want my daughters hands is inside that sink, even if she doesn't touch the sink, the running water can splash the bacteria up. 

What are your options?  

Hand sanitizers containing alcohol- Ethyl alcohol (Ethanol), the active ingredient utilized in alcohol hand sanitizers is rated as a 5, moderate hazard in the Cosmetics Safety Database. Concerns include: Cancer, Developmental and reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards.  I never did feel comfortable using hand sanitizers, even before I researched the ingredients.  My hands just don't feel clean. 

Alcohol-free hand sanitizers-Benzalkonium chloride is the active ingredient and it is associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies.  Benzalkonium chloride is a sensitizer especially dangerous for people with asthma or skin conditions such as eczema. So, do not be lured into thinking all those "alcohol free" products companies advertize are safe because now you know better.

Soapy facecloth-When prepared, like travelling, it's nice to have a soapy cloth in a Ziploc baggy.  Then, you can use whatever soap you feel comfortable with.  Water naturally adheres to the dirt and germs on your hands and the cloth wipes them away.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibacterial soaps are not necessary, but washing your hands thoroughly with ordinary soap and warm water is one of the most effective ways to ward off infection.  There isn't a big difference in using hot or cold water but Natural Castile soap works with cold water very well.

Baby wipes-Again, not as good as running water but a great replacement for the moment.  You can then try to find a cleaner restroom or you may already be on your way home.  Using friction and the wetness of the wipe will wipe away most bacteria and especially dirt and grime.

There are plenty of recipes for non toxic hand sanitizers.  Go to THIS SITE to learn more.  However, I just don't see the need to waste money on expensive essential oils, especially if you’re only stuck in these situations once in a while.  Plus these recipes still contain some form of alcohol and I am just not comfortable using it on children.  If remembering a facecloth is a challenge or if you will need too many for that day, another idea would be to take a small container of liquid soap.  Whenever you are stuck without a clean sink , rub the liquid soap on you or your childs' hands like a hand sanitizer, but then use a baby wipe to clean off the stickiness. This way you get the soap, friction and water-the 3 main components of removing dirt and bacteria.  My favorite store bought liquid soap is Dr. Bronners castile liquid soap. 

A little tidbit of grossness:
According to ABC News, a microbiologist found millions of germs on purses. ”‘We found fecal bacteria you normally find on the floor of restrooms,’ he said. ‘We found bacteria that can cause skin infections on the bottom of purses. What’s more amazing is the large numbers we find on the bottom of purses, which indicates that they can be picking up a lot of other germs like cold viruses or viruses that cause diarrhea.’
Using a hand-held germ meter, Gerba demonstrated how much bacteria can grow on a woman’s purse for ABC News, with results that ranged from scary to downright terrifying. Health experts worry when the meter reads over 200, which means thousands of bacteria are present.”  I would suggest hanging your purse around your neck if the coat hook is absent or you can purchase a neat little bracelet purse hanger from places like Amazon.

Have a glass of Cancer!

On February 16’Th 2012  a regulatory petition was filed  by the Center for Science in the Public Interest regarding the caramel coloring contained in Pepsi and Cola products.  According to the CSPI, Pepsi is bad for you.  Shocker!!  I'm sure that for most of you, while indulging a cold Pepsi you are very aware that it not the best liquid to quench your thirst with, but we all have our guilty pleasures. 

We already know that Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Diet Coke, and Diet Pepsi contain caramel color.  Caramel color is also found in almost every kind of commercially produced food, including: batters, beer, buns, chocolate, cookies, cough drops, spirits and liquor such as brandy, rum, and whisky, coatings, custards, decorations, fillings and toppings, potato chips, dessert mixes, doughnuts, fish and shellfish spreads, frozen desserts, fruit preserves, gravy browning, ice cream, pickles, sauces and dressings, sweets and more.

What is Caramel coloring?  Caramel color or caramel coloring is a water soluble food coloring.  It is made by heating food-grade carbohydrates (such as corn syrup) to high temperatures.  There are four classes of caramel color, differing by the reactants used in their manufacture.  Pepsi and cola products however, use class 4 caramel coloring.  Class 4 uses sulfites and ammonium compounds in its making.  A new chemical analysis of this class has found it contains high levels of 2 and 4-methylimidazole (2-MI/4-MI),  known animal carcinogens.  CSPI also wants the Food and Drug Administration to prohibit the Caramel 3, which is produced with ammonia but not sulfites, is sometimes used in beer, soy sauce, and other foods.

There are Government-led studies have shown this carcinogen to have caused liver, lung, leukemia and thyroid cancer in lab mice and rats  The ABA (American Beverage Association) says caramel color is not a threat to human health "even when it contains minute amounts of 4-MEI [4MI]", and that studies have confirmed this and the FDA has classed caramel color as generally recognized as safe, as have many regulatory bodies worldwide. 

Why is caramel coloring allowed in our food in the first place?  Unlike FD&C dyes, Caramel Color does not require certification. Caramel Color is in the same category as other "natural colorants" such as annatto, beta carotene, beet juice, etc. Therefore, technically speaking, Caramel Color is considered "natural".

Cola and Pepsi may change its labels or we may even be lucky enough to see those types of caramel coloring removed all together.  Regardless, soda still contains high fructose corn syrup, copious amount of sugar, phosphoric acid which leaches calcium from bones and among other things poses a risk to develop obesity, diabetes, weight gain and other health issues.  Sounds like a few good reasons to avoid or at least limit your consumption of soda.

Day 7 The Final Day-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Challenge # 7- Pets

Pet products can be some of the worse products to bring into your home.  Not only do they contain harsh chemicals but there is less information published on the matter.  Chemicals such as lead which goes to the brain and causes learning disorders in children, and chromium which is a cancer producing agent have been found in several Wal-Mart pet toys.  The risk here is not only our animals but ourselves and our children handling these toys. 

The major danger that I want to let everyone know about is coming from pet flea and tick collars.  They contain an insecticide called propoxur, a known human carcinogen and it is toxic to the nervous system.  The NRDC-Natural Resources Defense Council states "Some recent research indicates that exposure to this type of pesticide can impair children's neurological development, resulting in pervasive disorders that may include delays in motor development and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder."  That is not something I would want to mess around with.

On November 26, 2007, NRDC submitted a petition to the EPA (Environmental protection Agency) to cancel the pet collar uses of propoxur and supplemented that petition on April 29, 2009.  The registration review process is estimated to take up to six years to finish.  What does this mean?  That these pet collars will still be on the market until at least 2015.  So, please go to  http://www.nrdc.org/living/pets/control-fleas-without-chemicals.asp  to learn how to control fleas without chemicals.

My favorite store bought pet shampoo is The Soap Works Pet Shampoo.  It is mild and non-irritating; leaves pet’s coat clean and shining, contains NO pesticides, insecticides or detergents, is an all vegetable product that is fully and quickly biodegradable and contains chlorophyll and cedar leaf essential oil which is as a mild deodorant and repellent.

I buy this product at the Bulk Barn

Day 6-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Challenge # 6- Children's room

The AAAI - Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology states that "since some airborne substances may trigger allergy or asthma symptoms, reducing contact with these substances early in life may delay or prevent allergy or asthma symptoms.  Research for this is clearest with dust mites.”
Cleaning your baby or childs room is very important.  I’ve already discussed using a HEPA filter vacuum, natural floor cleaners and natural wood polishes.  Here are more tips for keeping your Childs room dust and chemical free.

*Some items like teddy bears may not survive the washing machine so place stuffed animals in a bag and put them in the deep freeze for 3-5 hours, the cold kills germs and dust mites.

*Encase box springs and mattress in a zippered dust-proof or allergen-proof cover.  (Organic if possible)

*Sheets, blankets, and other bedclothes should be washed frequently in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit (lower temperatures will not kill dust mites).

*Wash toys in non toxic dish detergent or multipurpose solution.

You can make your own wash by mixing vinegar half and half with water and wiping toys down.

My favorite store bought product by far is Nature clean all purpose cleaning lotion.  It can be used for everything from household cleaning, laundry detergent, hand dishwashing and even cleaning Fruits & Vegetables.  You know it's safe when you can wash your food with it!!  This product is free from Phosphates, Sodium Lauryl, Ether Sulphate, Petroleum ingredients, Formaldehyde Preservatives, Chlorine, Ammonia, Dyes and Perfumes.  It is rated safe for infant clothing and not tested on animals.

See my post on Flame retardants in infants pajamas.

Day 5-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Challenge # 5- Laudry Room

Fabric softeners may contain alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, camphor, benzyl alcohol, limonene, ethyl acetate, pentane, and chloroform.  Children's developing bodies are especially susceptible to the negative effects of chemical exposure.  When these chemicals are used on clothing, some of it stays there, then our children wear these clothes and the chemicals enter their blood stream through the skin.

A natural alternative to dryer sheets would be to saturate a small rag with 1 teaspoon of a natural hair conditioner, and put that into the dryer as a homemade dryer sheet. (Hair conditioners are designed to return the hair and scalp to an acidic pH).  Another suggestion would be to use 1/2 cup of vinegar in the wash cycle. (But don't use bleach at the same time—mixing vinegar and bleach may create toxic fumes.)

I am not going to list my favorite store bought product today.  I don't use dryer sheets and frankly I don't mind it at all.

Here is an article I just came across on Marketplace about chemicals found in certain products. http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2011/lousylabels/ingredients.html