Make a Low Acid Coffee

If there is anyone out there that enjoys their morning coffee more then me I would be surprised.  It is the first thing I think about when I walk downstairs in the morning. It is a great excuse to sit down for a few minutes and a great way to socialize.  However the high acidity levels of coffee can make it hard on the digestive system.  I decided to do some research about low acid coffee and found some slightly less acidic popular coffee choices.

Nabob actually has the acidity rating on the package but don't get confused as the higher the rating, the less acidic the coffee actually is.  I wanted an even less acidic coffee and it was recommended to try cafe lib, a natural caffeine free coffee substitute.  This is what it states on their site: "A 100% natural healthy alternative to coffee, caf-Lib is recommended for anyone who wants to reduce or eliminate their caffeine intake: pregnant or menopausal women; people suffering from a heart condition, upset stomach or sleeplessness; athletes and others looking for natural alternatives; children and teens for whom coffee is not suitable, etc.". Some of the reviews I read we're fairly positive comparing the taste to instant coffee.  I tried it, it wasn't bad but its not something I enjoyed or would want to drink everyday.  

So I kept looking and found something called cold brewed coffee.  Some people use a special device but I assure you it is not necessary.  I tried it for the first time today and I loved it, I actually enjoyed it more then my regular coffee.  If you would like a coffee with approximately 70% less acidity, I suggest you give it a try. 

Here are the instructions:

Mix 1/3 cup of coffee grounds with 1.5 cups of filtered water into a mason jar (yields 2 cups of coffee).

• Leave for 12 hours at room temperature.
• When your ready to prepare your coffee, strain the mixture through a coffee filter to eliminate the grounds.
• Measure the amount of liquid remaining and add the same amount of water to get black coffee (adjust to your personal taste)
• Heat either in a pot or the microwave
• For those who use milk, add milk as you normally would.
• For those who use sugar, be careful not to add too much as this type of brew is naturally sweeter.

Note: I used Nabob, medium roast Breakfast Blend, some people prefer to use freshly ground beans.

Home Made Bug Bite Solution

Now that summer is almost here and the pesky bugs are already on the move, it is time to reach for some handy bug bite relief.  I was looking at the price of some brand name bug bite products and was not impressed by the price.  By the time you buy sunscreen, bug repellent, after bite, polysporin, band aids and Benadryl your wallet will be short at least $50.00.  The prices of these products seem to increase every year.  I am going to share a homemade bug bite solution for you and your children to use safely with no added questionable ingredients, not to mention you may already have these products in your cupboard.

BUG BITE SOLUTION:

4 teaspoons baking soda
2 drops of tea tree oil
4 capsules of vitamin E (Not including capsule)
3 teaspoons water

You may have to use less or more water depending on the consistency you are looking for, you want something that will stay on your skin and not run off.

Note:  Not everyone has tea tree oil or even vitamin E at home so just make the recipe without those ingredients and it will still relieve the itch of bug bites.  Vitamin E just adds that extra moisturizing effect. The tea tree oil is an antiseptic but you could clean the skin before applying the baking soda mixture.

Upcoming:  I will be posting a homemade bug repellent

Egg free Whole Wheat Banana & Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Egg free WW Banana & Blueberry Muffins 

Mash together
-1 brown banana
-1 tsp Vanilla (optional)
-1/2 cp unsalted butter
-1/3 cup turbinado sugar
-1/4 cp Heinz pear puree
-1/4 cp milk
-1tbs vinegar

Mix together
-2 cps WW flour
-1 tsp baking soda
-1 tbs cinnamon

Combine both mixtures and add blueberries (or chocolate chips)
Bake for 20-25 minutes @ 350
makes approx. 15 small muffins

Each muffin contains about 2 grams of sugar-compared to a child's cereal bar which contains 9 grams; this is a  great snack for children

Facial Care

There is nothing worse then bringing home a new skin care product only to realize it doesn’t work well with your skin type.  All the face washes, toners, lotions, scrubs, masks, make up removers and more that are out there contain many harmful chemicals.  These chemicals are linked to cancer, allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, endocrine disruption and potential effects on the reproductive system.  They also have negative impacts on our environment.

It is amazing how well homemade facial products work.  Not only do they work well, they are easy to make and you may already have all the ingredients right in your own home.  You will save a ton of money and you don't have to use the same product for months, you can keep switching it up, adding or taking out ingredients to suit your own skins needs.  How satisfying to know what is really in your own skin care products; to be using all natural ingredients-most of which you can actually eat.  You will also leave a smaller carbon footprint by not buying and disposing of numerous product containers and reusing old ones to store homemade products. 

Here are some homemade recipes for skin care products, I hope you enjoy them and please let me know how you liked them

WASH

Cocowash

-1/2 cup Coconut oil

-6 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

-10 drops Tea Tree Oil

-Oatmeal (Optional)

NOTE: You can use Olive Oil as a make up remover.

TONER

Use any of the following:

-Apple Cider Vinegar

-Lemon Juice

-Cucumber Flesh

MOISTURIZER

Aloe Repair
-2 tbs Aloe Vera Juice

-1/2 cup Coconut oil
-1 tsp EV Olive Oil

-Use Grape Seed oil by itself (great for repairing skin around eyes)

NOTE:  Aloe Vera Juice has to be kept int eh fridge so to keep this moisturizer in your bathroom, omit the AVJ and put it on like you would a toner afterward.

SCRUBS

Sugar Scrub
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-1 tsp of olive or Grape Seed oil 

-1/2 cup coconut oil

NOTE: You can also add any of the following ingredients

-8 drops of Tea Tree Oil
-Oatmeal
-Lemon Juice
-Plain Yogurt

Sea Salt Scrub
-2 tablespoons Sea salt
-1 tablespoon extra virgin Olive oil
-1 tablespoon dark organic Honey

Gently massage into skin to exfoliate.

MASKS

-1 tbsp oatmeal, finely ground
-1 tbsp plain organic yogurt
-A few drops of honey

Add the yogurt to the oatmeal in a small bowl and mix together.  You can warm the honey by using a hot spoon.  Stir the honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture.  Apply the mask to the face. Leave it on for 10 minutes.Honey Bee Mask

Banana Cream Mask

-1 Banana
-2 tablespoons Plain Yogurt
-1 tablespoon organic Honey
-1 tablespoon Oatmeal flour
-mineral water

Warm honey by putting it in a metal bowl immersed in hot water. Mash the banana, add the other ingredients.  You can use Oatmeal flakes if that is all you have.  Leave the mask on for 20 minutes.

Ecoblogical: Moisturizer

Ecoblogical: Moisturizer: Most moisturizers on the market contain any one or more of these chemicals: BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxyt...

Moisturizer

Most moisturizers on the market contain any one or more of these chemicals:

• BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
• DEA (diethanolamine) and DEA related ingredients
• DMDM Hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium- 15, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate-Formaldehyde releasing preservatives
• Parabens
• Fragrance
• Peg compounds
• Petrolatum
• Siloxanes
• Retinyl Palmitate

Take a look at your own moisturizers and lotions; you may be surprised at what you find. Look for anything that has PEG in front of it or Para in the front or end of an ingredient. Popular products such as Aveeno, Vaseline, Gold Bond, Olay, Lubriderm and The Body Shop contain these chemicals. Even worse-products that are labeled "Natural" and "Organic" often still contain these chemicals.

Babies under the age of 2 are at the greatest risk being ten times more vulnerable to carcinogenic chemicals than adults, and for some cancer-causing agents are up to 65 times more vulnerable. Children from age two to fifteen are three times more vulnerable to carcinogens than adults. Just because a product says it’s recommended by Pediatricians or made for baby, still take a closer look at those ingredients.

My favorite store bought baby lotion 

Desert Essence My sweetie Pie Lotion (bought at Dominion)

.

My favorite online baby lotion

Earth Mama Angel Baby lotion is 100% natural-zero toxins.(Order this favorite product online from Andrea Johnson at www.ecobabycanada.com)

Adults can use these lotions too.  If you are looking for something that doesn't say baby on it, go to http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ click on Moisturizers and it will list hundreds of chemical free products.

Try my homemade recipes and let me know how you like them:

Homemade Body Lotion (Adult and Babies)

-Coconut Oil
-EV Olive Oil (Optional) add 1 teaspoon per 1/2 cup CO

Coconut oil by itself does absorb into the skin quickly, not as fast when mixed with Olive oil so you may have to wait a few minutes before getting dressed.  Or you can try my homemade body scrub in the shower and then there is no need to moisturize after getting out.

Homemade Body Scrub

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

8 drops Tea Tree Oil

Keep a small container of this in the shower to use as a body or facial scrub.  I wouldn't use it every day but I have had no trouble using it every second day on my sensitive skin.  It makes your skin feel wonderful and it smells nice too.

Shaving gel/cream/foam

Shaving gels/creams/foams contain chemicals associated with Cancer, Organ system toxicity, as well as skin, eye and lung irritation.  Here is a list of some of the chemicals and their concerns:

• Triethanolamine (TEA)-Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity
• Isopentane-Allergies/immunotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) 
• Isobutane-Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
• Fragrance- Allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system
• PEG-90M-Organ system toxicity
• BHT, BHA-Cancer, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity 
• Quaternium-15-Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

I did not find a local store bought shaving substance without added chemicals so I do not have a recommendation.  However, my home made shaving cream recipe works so well and is easy to make, not to mention cheap.  The texture is more like a gel with minimal foaming and the ability to still see the stubble underneath.  I have been using it for a while but wanted to make sure before I posted it, that it would work as well on coarse hair or a man’s facial hair.  So I kindly asked my husband to try it out.  He was afraid to try it as he was catching a flight in a couple hours and didn't want to have a bad reaction.  I assured him it was 100% natural and as far as we knew he wasn't allergic to coconuts so it should be fine. Still I anticipated him wiping it off and asking for his regular shave gel back. But to my relief he said he loved it and couldn't believe how smooth his face felt.  There were no razor cuts or razor burn and I must say myself that his face did look smooth.  Also because of the coconut oil he didn't have to waste time moisturizing.  

Homemade Shaving cream

1/2 cup Dr. Bronners liquid castile soap

1/2 cup Coconut oil

1 teaspoon Grape seed oil

Mix all 3 ingredients together, add more coconut oil to make thicker.  Remember that coconut oil turns to liquid when it touches your skin.

Daily Dose of Chemicals

Everyday we get up and slather ourselves with different products: shampoos, lotions, deodorant, make-up, and many more.  These products may contain harsh chemicals in the ingredients that absorb into our bodies. Such chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects, hormonal disruptions, allergies, depression, learning disabilities, and hyperactivity. They are also toxic to wildlife and our environment. Over the next couple of weeks I would like to look at the products we use everyday and provide safer store bought and home made alternatives.

On the top of my list, in no special order, is feminine hygiene products.  I know it is not a skin care product, but it is a product that contains chemicals that absorb into our bodies.  For the average person, using pads liners and/or tampons for 6 days out of every 28 days means spending 21% of your time in contact with these products.  Remember, vaginal tissue is an exceptionally absorbent area, which is why you need to give careful consideration to choosing natural feminine hygiene products.


Popular feminine hygiene products may contain:

• The toxic carcinogen dioxin and disinfection-by-products (DBP's) such as trihalomethane, which are present whenever a product is bleached (Chlorine)
• Phthalates – chemical plasticizers used in plastic tampon applicators and to make the glossy coatings on cardboard applicators
• Pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers found in non-organic cotton
• Neurotoxins from fragrances

You can make your own pads at home.  I don't think I will be doing this myself but if any brave ladies decide to try this, please let me know how it goes.  Here is a website that has great step by step instructions.  http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/sanitarypads.htm


My favorite store bought product is Natracare organic pads and tampons

Natracare Maxi pads do not contain synthetic materials, plastic, chemical additives such as binders or surfactants, fragrances, polyacrylate super absorbents or dyes and because of the natural materials used they are 100% biodegradable and compostable.  You can purchase these at Dominion.  Go to http://www.natracare.com/p20/en-GB/Natracare-Products.aspx to see the full line of Natracare products.


Finally, no matter what type of feminine hygiene products you choose, it's important to seek out natural organic varieties to avoid being exposed to unnecessary chemicals and toxins.

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

Day 4-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Challenge # 4- Bathroom

Antibacterial soap makes big promises but is no more effective at killing viruses than any other kind of soap or detergent, and they also kill nonpathogenic bacteria.  Antibacterial products contain a chemical triclosan.  In 2010 the FDA wrote "Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation. However, data showing effects in animals don’t always predict effects in humans. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics."

You can make your own non toxic liquid hand soap and save tons of money at the same time.  Go to  http://heavenlyhomemakers.com to find out how. 

My favorite store bought hand soap is Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps. It's completely biodegradable and vegetable-Based, made with certified fair trade and organic oils and no synthetic foaming gents, thickeners or preservatives.  It's also made with 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) cylinder bottles and paper labels.

If you want to know more about what's in your soap go to http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.  It's a site where you can search 69,000 products such as makeup, skin care, baby care products and more.  For every product and ingredient in Skin Deep, there’s a two-part score – a hazard score and a data availability score.

The ingredient hazard score, from 1-10 reflects known and suspected hazards of ingredients

Day 3-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home

Challenge # 3- Bedroom

Instead of using a broom or duster to rid your house of dust, use a HEPA-filtered vacuum and try some of these tips recommended at Goodhousekeeping.com to remove hard to reach dust.  Brooms and dusters just move dust around or send it flying into the air and up our noses.  The problem with this is that dust bunnies are a cocktail of phthalates, Flame Retardants, and various pesticides. 

My favorite HEPA vacuum is the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum Cleaner.  Having 3 animals I know what it is like to try and get those stubborn hairs out of carpet, especially on stairs.  This vacuum removes 99.97 percent of allergens down to 0.3 microns and has a Pet Turbo Brush attachment that can lift and capture stubborn hair from upholstery.

Day 2-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Challenge # 2-The Kitchen

If you enjoy swirling dirty water around your floor with a nasty bacteria containing mop, have fun!  Every time you mop, out comes the bucket to fill up and a mop to wring and wring again let alone changing the water and carrying the bucket up stairs and down stairs and from room to room without spilling it.  When the mop water gets dirty, the cleaner loses its power to kill bacteria. 

A great solution would be to use a washable microfiber mop and a cleaning solution that doesn’t have to be mixed with water.  Not only does microfiber lift and scoop dirt particles into the material but microfiber mops can be washed so you are starting out with a fresh clean mop every time. 

For a homemade solution for your wood floors, go to the pantry and mix ½ cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. This natural solution will make your wood floors shine like new. The vinegar acts to remove stains, kill bacteria and the oil helps to maintain the luster of the wood.

To clean a linoleum or tile floor, mix one tablespoon of liquid soap (I like Dr. Bronners soap), a quarter cup of baking soda to two gallons of hot water.  Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the mix.

My favorite store bought products for mopping floors is the Method wood floor cleaner.  It's non-toxic and biodegradable, made with simple ingredients including baking soda and purified water plus the bottle is recycled plastic.

Method floor cleaner is a no-wax, non-toxic, biodegradable number that works as well as it smells, leaving your wood floor looking better than it has in ages.