Antibacterial soaps DO NOT help your family stay healthy. They may even be making you sick!
Antibacterial soaps have been widely embraced as a way to "kill germs" and prevent illness. But not all bacteria are harmful. And not all "germs" are bacteria.
Some bacteria are beneficial and your body needs them. Antibacterial soap cannot distinguish between harmful and helpful bacteria. It kills all bacteria. When the healthy bacteria that your body needs have been "washed away," it weakens your body's defense system and makes it easier for you to get sick when you're exposed to harmful bacteria.
The most common antibacterial agent used in these soaps is triclosan, which is classified as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a pesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA considers triclosan to be a high risk to human health and to the environment.
Recent studies show that triclosan acts like an antibiotic in the way it kills bacteria and may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.Chemically, triclosan is almost the same as some of the most toxic chemicals on earth: dioxins, PCB's, and Agent Orange. Its manufacturing process may produce dioxin, a powerful hormone-disrupting chemical with toxic effects in the parts per trillion (one drop in 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools!).
Triclosan is a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans. Externally, it can cause skin irritation, but since "...phenols can temporarily deactivate the sensory nerve endings…contact with [triclosan] often causes little or no pain. Internally, it can lead to cold sweats, circulatory collapse, convulsions, coma, and even death."
Triclosan is stored in body fat. "It can accumulate to toxic levels, damaging the liver, kidneys, and lungs, and can cause paralysis, sterility, suppression of immune function, brain hemorrhage, decreased fertility and sexual function, heart problems, and coma." It has not been completely tested and analyzed for all health and environmental risks.Triclocarban is another antibacterial agent similar to triclosan. Like triclosan, it is also a pesticide. It is widely used in antibacterial soaps and other personal care products. Not much research has been done on the toxicity of triclocarban. However, it has been found to adversely affect lab animals' ability to reproduce and some of its breakdown products cause cancer.
Triclocarban does not completely break down in wastewater treatment, after you wash it down the drain. It has been found in groundwater, streams and drinking water. There are many unanswered questions about whether its presence in fertilizer and the soil cause it to get into the food supply and whether it will cause harm.These two chemicals alone are enough reason to avoid antibacterial soaps. However, products containing antibacterial agents generally also contain other harmful ingredients. Some of the other ingredients found in these products that you should avoid include:
-DMDM hydantoin-BHT
-Potassium Lauryl sulfate
-Lauramide diethanolamine (DEA)
-Ammonium lauryl sulfate
-Sodium laureth sulfate
-Tetrasodium EDTA
-Fragrance
-D&C Colors
-FD&C Colors
It is especially important to avoid using antibacterial soaps on children. These soaps do not protect them and help them to stay healthy. In fact, children need to come in contact with "germs" to help them to develop their immune system. Overuse of antibacterial agents has been linked to allergies and asthma.
It's also important to remember that antibacterial agents do not kill viruses, the microorganisms responsible for colds and flu.The best soap to use for hand washing and general body care is a pure and natural soap, liquid or bar, without the harsh and harmful chemicals.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/antibacterial-soaps-why-you-should-avoid-them-like-the-plague-64226.html
About the Author:| Definition: | a person who attempts to eat only foods grown locally |
| Example: | Locavores grow their own food or buy foodstuffs grown within their region. |
Re-usable Sandwich Wraps 
Even those moms who believe they are being very careful about the products they use on their baby are likely not being careful enough.
An article in Clinical Pediatrics reports that over three out of four infants suffer rashes within the first few months of births. Sadly, the reason for such frequent breakouts appears to be the skin care products parents use to keep their babies' skin moisturized. A baby's skin, like all organs, is not fully developed and isn't as effective a barrier against toxic substances. Natural skin care products are much, much safer than the chemical-heavy conventional ones.
The Danger of Over-The-Counter Products
Many products supposedly designed for infants' sensitive skin are the same harsh cleansers for adults, just put in a cute package with a higher price. Reading labels to see what is really in the bottle is even more critical for your baby than for yourself.
Many bubble baths destroy beneficial bacteria on the baby's skin. In fact the problem is so bad that infant bubble bath carries an FDA warning against excessive bathing. These products often contain known carcinogens and irritants such as formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.
Shampoos are no better. Ingredients to avoid include quaternium 15, imidazolidinyl urea, and parabens. Of course you should also stay away from artificial colors and fragrances.
Baby powders are one of the most common treatments for diaper rash. Many moms use cornstarch, and treat rash with whipped-up egg white that's allowed to dry and form a protective barrier.
Lotions and oils that contain petrochemicals, artificial colors, or artificial fragrances should never be used on a baby.
Natural Skin Care Products
Although most of the skin problems that babies face are due to dangerous ingredients in mass-produced skin care products, this is not the only concern. Even organic skin care products can cause problems if used excessively.
During the first year, babies do not need to be bathed frequently or even at all. An occasional wipe of the genitals and buttocks with a damp cloth is usually all that is needed. If a bath is needed, a small amount of warm water should suffice. Babies don't sweat like children and adults so don't need soap most of the time. If necessary, use a mild soap containing palm, coconut, or olive oil and use as little as possible. Never use antibacterial soap.
Shampoo is also seldom, if ever, needed during the first year. If needed, use a very mild organic shampoo.
Lotions that contain soothing or healing natural skin care ingredients such as chamomile or aloe can be beneficial. They moisturize well and a gentle massage can help a fussy baby sleep.
Before you can make your own skin care products, you need a few recipes. Let's start by making our own lip balm. Most people forget to include their lips in their skin care regimen, but the skin on them can get as chapped and dry as the rest of the skin on our face. By keeping a lip balm on them, they stay moisturized and soft. This citrus based lip balm uses the following ingredients:
1 teaspoon of natural beeswax
1 teaspoon of calendula oil
1 teaspoon of apricot kernel oil
A few drops of orange, lemon, or lime essential oil
Start by melting the beeswax and adding the apricot and calendula oils to the pot. Continually stir the mixture until it is well blended and the wax mass has the same consistency throughout. Keep stirring the wax as you remove it from the heat and let it cool. Add the essential oil and stir it into the wax well, then store it in a plastic container or jar and use everyday to keep your lips soft and smooth.
Chocoholics can rejoice because we've been saying for years that chocolate is good for you. It's a great way to make your skin feel silky and luxurious and it's also great to protect your skin from free radicals. This chocolate facial mask is not only decadent, but it will exfoliate the dead skin from your face. To make it, combine 1/3 cup cocoa (chocolate powder), ¼ cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of heavy or sour cream, and 3 teaspoons of oatmeal powder in a large bowl until consistent. Apply it to your face and gently massage it into your skin to exfoliate the dead cells from it. Leave the mixture on your face for about 20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. You'll notice the difference in your skin right away.
Our hands are the most used and most seen parts of our body. We subject them to the torture of dirt, harsh chemicals, and over washing. We tend to forget to treat them to the same care that we give the rest of our body. By using a hand soak or masque, we can help make our hands soft and pliable with little to no work. The easiest way to do this is by soaking your hands in a ½ cup of warm olive oil. This helps moisturize not only your hands, but also your nails. Another way is by using a masque. Cook and mash two potatoes, mix in a little butter or olive oil and one capsule of Vitamin E to make the masque. Cover your hands with the potatoes, let it dry and then rinse with warm water.
Homemade skin care products are very cost effective in this time of economic crisis. You can save not only money, but the gas it costs to go and buy new products. And, if you find that you enjoy making these recipes, why not share them and introduce your friends to the joy of homemade skin care products. They will thank you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/anti-aging-articles/popular-homemade-skin-care-recipes-you-can-enjoy-506272.html
Shea butter is an extract from the shea nut seed of the tree called shea or karite tree. This tree matures in twenty years, but its full production doesn't come until it is forty-five years old. The shea tree can produce harvestable nuts for 100% shea butter even if it is already two hundred years old. The natural ingredients in shea butter are the reason for its effectiveness.
Shea butter is currently available in an organic, unrefined form and refined form. Despite both being pure shea butter, the difference lies in the way they are produced. The refined shea butter has no natural fragrance and natural color. On the other hand, the organic, unrefined form of shea butter is in its natural state. Research has concluded that the refined form of shea butter is not as effective as the organic, unrefined one.
Major Uses
The primary use of pure shea butter is as a moisturizer and as an emollient. Many products carry shea butter but not pure shea butter due to its expensive cost. Many cosmetics mix other ingredients to the shea butter to cut expenses. Pure shea butter has been found to be very effective in fading scars and stretch marks. This in itself is one reason why so many women buy 100% shea butter. Other benefits of shea butter are keeping the skin elastic and supple.
Raw shea butter in shampoos and conditioners also help brittle hair regain its softness and elasticity. It can revitalize and prevent further breakage of the hair. Pure shea butter is also used for tribal ceremonies in Africa where the trees are common to. Other uses for raw and pure shea butter are as cooking oil and conditioner for leather and wood. 100% shea butter is claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties, and has a reputation of helping lessen irritation from psoriasis, rashes and other skin disorders.
The Cost
The unrefined version of shea butter is more expensive than the refined version. This is because organic products take more time to process and produce compared to those products that are refined and process without any regard for safety. The price for 100% shea butter usually depends on the demand and the supply of the product. The uniqueness of the product means that it will always have a high demand and lesser supply since it takes seasons to grow the nuts and prepare the cream.
Wholesale
If you need large quantities of shea butter for your cosmetics business, you need to find a wholesale shea butter source. Today's consumers are very demanding about how the products they buy not only affect their bodies, but the world. When buying your wholesale shea butter, make sure the suppliers offer only fair trade unrefined shea butter. By insisting on fair trade wholesale sheabutter, you not only make your company look good to concerned customers, but you are investing in making the crops of shea nuts you depend on more reliable, since the workers have more of an incentive to keep working.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/eight-green-gift-ideas-509854.html
About the Author:Coffee is second only to oil as the most traded commodity in the world, and the United States is its largest consumer. While the average cost for a pound of coffee ranges from $3.00 to almost $40.00, the average third world coffee farmer receives only 25 to 50 cents. Though a good yield can garner close to $10,000 a year for the average farmer, by the time that same yield hits the cup in the US, it is worth more than three-quarters of a million dollars.
Before harvested coffee beans make it to the US, they are bought and sold by middlemen, who set the per pound price paid to disadvantaged farmers. Though there have been initiatives to curb the middleman’s influence, there hasn’t necessarily been a way to side-step them completely, until now.
Fair trade organizations, such as Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) and FLO-CERT, provide strict guidelines that follow coffee beans from plant to finished product. When a product is designated Fair Trade Certified(TM), it means it has been produced for a fair price, under safe and healthy conditions, and in accordance with direct trade standards that give the farmer more control and allow them to compete globally. Fair trade organizations also work with farmers to promote community development programs and environmentally sustaining farming practices.
More consumers are switching to Fair Trade coffee.
As awareness and availability increase, more people are making the decision to purchase Fair Trade Certified products. What started as a grass roots effort to help struggling farmers in third world countries has grown to a world-wide movement to ensure coffee producers are able to sustain their families, communities and their harvest.
Fair Trade Certified coffee is growing in popularity and can now be bought in most supermarkets, from wholesale suppliers or through online coffee retailers. It is sold as ground coffee, coffee beans, coffee pods or even instant coffee. Major coffee shops and restaurants are beginning to offer Fair Trade Certified coffees side-by-side or as an alternative to regularly produced coffees.
Does Fair Trade coffee cost more?
While there is a slight variance in pricing when compared with mass-produced products, Fair Trade Certified coffee is priced competitively with other gourmet and specialty coffees, and any difference will decrease as Fair Trade coffee sales increase. Bypassing the middlemen allows Fair Trade Certified coffee prices to stay competitive while netting the farmer a bigger return.
How does purchasing Fair Trade benefit coffee farmers?
Under fair trade agreements, farmers receive a set minimum price for their product, unlike regular coffee growers whose income is generally far below market value. Fair Trade certification also helps farmers implement organic growing practices, better labor practices, and safer working conditions. Benefits reach the farmers through a labeling and audit system that tracks the coffee from harvest to packaging.
Can you taste a difference?
Fair Trade coffees don’t taste different because they are grown the same as any coffee, but under improved conditions. Many fair trade organizations are working with farmers to develop organic and shade grown coffees techniques which means coffees that are healthier for you and the environment.
How do you know if you’re buying Fair Trade Certified coffee?
To find Fair Trade coffee at your local store or via an online retailer, simply look for the Fair Trade Certified Mark on the package. By selecting products licensed to use the certification mark, you can be sure your purchase is making a positive difference by helping disadvantaged farmers get a better deal.
About CoffeeCow
CoffeeCow.com goes to great lengths to provide the highest quality products, the fastest service, and the deepest discount prices you will find on coffee pods, single cup coffee makers, and a wide selection of related coffee supplies. Developed by coffee professionals with over 35 years of experience in fulfilling any coffee service need, CoffeeCow offers all the coffee conveniences for your home or office. Visit http://www.coffeecow.com for more information.
The world of big business is making daily headlines by "going green" after discovering that what's good for the planet is also proving good for business.
IBM recently announced "Project Big Green," a $1 billion initiative to reduce energy consumption by offering new lines of energy-efficient IT products.
Wal-Mart is adding solar power to more than 20 stores.
PepsiCo is buying renewable energy certificates to offset its carbon footprint. Even major banks and energy firms are being asked by shareholders to prove that they, too, are going green.
It's not just the biggest businesses that are attracting new customers and shareholders and reaping huge profits by "going green." Small businesses also are growing eco-profits by embracing surprisingly inexpensive strategies to add value to their products, services and brand.
Consider these innovative examples:
- Bob Smith of Mad River Brewing Company in Blue Lake, California, has attracted positive publicity (and new customers) by promoting his efforts to reduce his small firm's waste output and take other environmentally conscious steps. In turn, he has received welcome positive publicity from the press. "What PR budget? That is our PR budget," he told the Albuquerque Tribune about "going green" to market his business.
-In Florida, Natalie Kelly formed Home Therapy Cleaning Services, which uses only nontoxic, all-natural cleaning products for her home cleaning business. She used to sell aromatherapy candles from her home, she told the St. Petersburg Times, but today uses an aromatherapy baking soda blend to freshen carpets.
Here's what you can do:
- Two inexpensive ways any small business or solo entrepreneur can go green are to change light bulbs to energy-efficient bulbs and use biodegradable cleaning products.
- With that done, tell your customers and the media about these simple ways to go green. You will have just earned instant credibility as a green business, and also as a media resource for simple, effective ways to "go green."
- Many communities online and offline are forming networks to exchange energy-saving ideas for home and business. Form your own energy network, enlisting neighborhood businesses that will welcome another opportunity to show they're going green, too. The plus for you is that you will have just positioned yourself and your business as a community environmental leader.
- Copy what the New York Times called "Phase 2" of the corporate response to global warming. Partner with an environmental group. Travelocity invites customers to donate an extra $10 to $40, which goes to the Conservation Fund to plant trees to offset the carbon used by a client to take a trip. Whole Foods invites customers to buy a $5 "wind power card" that goes to Renewable Choice Energy to build wind farms. What local environmental group can you partner with to promote on your Web site (and vice versa), to set aside a day that a percentage of profits will go to that organization or to make their fliers available at your business?
- Make use of readily available, free information to hand out with your business literature or to make available in your office. For example, create a one-page flier on your letterhead inviting clients to calculate their own carbon footprint by visiting http://multimedia.wri.org/safeclimate_calculator.cfm.
- Go deeper green! Attend a "green" conference in your community or region, and promote your attendance. (Go to Google.com and type in "green" and "conference" and your area to find out when and where they are scheduled.) Write a "green" article on simple ways you are going green and submit it to one of the dozens of "green" Web sites and blogs that invite reader contributions. It's a great way to market your smart ideas and your business!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/going-green-is-not-just-for-big-businessyou-can-grow-ecoprofits-too-268998.html
About the Author:| Instead of using traditional wrapping paper this holiday season, consider putting your eco-friendly gifts in a basket or reusable tote bag instead. More wrapping ideas:
into making some wrapping paper result in it not always being accepted for recycling:wrapping paper is often dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver coloured shapes, glitter, plastics etc which cannot be recycled. What items to select for your gift? Pick a theme:
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Q&A
CELESTE: Ingredients in your tattoos?PEACE
LAURA'S BIO: Laura Silverthorn is a former nurse, foreign aid worker, and art school drop out. She conceptualized the Mother Ink Brand in early 2007 while pregnant with her first child and brought it to market in 2008. She currently lives in Philadelphia with her son Sean Patrick.
Kris: Lots of people have asked why we use the word karma (our company is called karmic klutter, and our products are called karma~naturals). Well, it has a double meaning. First, we feel it's our fate, purpose, or karma to help others find the opportunity to bring their lives into a more natural existence. And secondly, it stands for Kris Ash Really Makes All (naturals)...and I happen to be Kris Ash, the visionary and primary entrepreneur of this little family company.
Kris: It always bothered me that I could not pronounce the names of most of the ingredients in the products I was using…and, with my severely dry skin, I used A LOT of them. Worst of all, up until about 5 years ago, I hadn’t even bothered to read labels. Once I did, I was horrified to see how unnatural and toxic these products were! No wonder so many of my friends and loved ones were dying from cancer. Why would I put something on my skin (which drinks in these chemicals), when I wouldn’t dare consider consuming it? I felt stupid and determined to find a better alternative so I could rest at night with peace of mind. So, with my husband’s scientific background and my little bit of chemistry knowledge, I took on the task of making skin care products about which I could feel safe and use.
Celeste: Name 5 benefits women should know about when using your natural products.
Kris: Five benefits of using our karma~naturals products….
1. You can pronounce the ingredients within our body products, so you know what you’re placing on your skin. The formulas are simple, giving you only the ingredients you really need without any inert ingredients so common in big company products. The products contain no parabens, phthalates, or petroleum based products. And, the ingredients are listed in a reader friendly format.
2. Most of the oils we use are organic. So, you can rest at night knowing your skin care products contain plant based ingredients that weren’t grown with synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
3. Unlike big companies, you can talk to me personally. I am the person who creates, packages, and processes your orders. I am there every step of the way (although my family members help throughout the process). I know I’m making my items for a person….and I keep this personal relationship in mind during the entire process.
4. The reason I create my products is for body benefits….not profits like big companies. I make these products for myself, my family, friends, and associates….so, they make your skin feel great! And, the only skin they are tested on belongs to me and my willing human volunteers…. NO animal testing.
5. My husband and I are eco-conscientious. We reuse all of the packaging materials which accompany ordered supplies as they arrive at our home. We recycle any of the cardboard, paperboard, glass, and plastic containers and packaging we find we can’t use. Also, we clean our home (and the company processing rooms) with eco-conscious cleaners. Best of all, we donate a portion of our income to eco-conscientious and environmental causes…..like Wilderness Society, World Watch Institute, Zero Population Growth, Missouri Botanical Gardens, and League of Conservation Voters. Our long distance carrier is even WALD (Working Assets Long Distance). All of this we do….so we can make a difference.
karma~naturals Nourishing Lotion Bars
Celeste: What inspired you to start making your own organic cosmetics?
Kris: We are a very small family operated company with a big mission in mind...
Leave this world better than the way we found it!"
And, this is just what my husband and I have been doing on our journey throughout this life together with our three children. Thus, as we have watched ourselves getting older, we began questioning many of the assumptions we were taught growing up... like our skin was a protective covering that hindered outside forces (such as chemicals) from affecting our precious interiors. How wrong we were! With the advent of medical patches, it is perfectly clear our old assumptions are just plain wrong!
So years ago, we began purchasing earth-friendly products from companies like Seventh Generation and Gaiam to protect ourselves from harmful exposure to chemicals. Who knew that the very cosmetics and lotions we'd been putting on our faces and bodies were just as toxic as the cleaners we'd been using to clean our home! And, with all the media attention drawn to parabens, phthalates, and petroleum products (and the harm they do to our bodies), I became personally concerned as I watched so many of my friends and family members die from cancer within the past handful of years. I was especially concerned for my own safety since I have exceptionally dry skin and use tons of creams and lotions on my own body!
Thus, the adventure began (three years ago)...
And, here we are creating organic and natural body products that our friends, relatives, co-workers, associates, and neighbors have told us are wonderfully delightful, body safe, and positively indulgent. At their request, we began selling to them, which led to the launching of our eBay store and online website. Finally, we were able to offer even more people the opportunity to enjoy these carefully handcrafted products which we call karma~naturals.
Kris: Because our inspiration was to produce body products that were safe to use since we were using them ourselves, we make products that contain ingredients that are earth and plant based. (After all, if you can’t actually eat/drink it, why would you put it on your skin?) Therefore, they’re basically safe to consume orally (though I wouldn’t recommend it since they don’t taste all that good!) Most of the oils we purchase and use are organic, and, although most of our products are not vegan, we do currently carry a lip balm and lotion bar that are. And, as each day passes, we are consistently experimenting and producing new products that are organic and natural with some vegan alternatives.
Kris: It always bothered me that I could not pronounce the names of most of the ingredients in the products I was using…and, with my severely dry skin, I used A LOT of them. Worst of all, up until about 5 years ago, I hadn’t even bothered to read labels. Once I did, I was horrified to see how unnatural and toxic these products were! No wonder so many of my friends and loved ones were dying from cancer. Why would I put something on my skin (which drinks in these chemicals), when I wouldn’t dare consider consuming it? I felt stupid and determined to find a better alternative so I could rest at night with peace of mind. So, with my husband’s scientific background and my little bit of chemistry knowledge, I took on the task of making skin care products about which I could feel safe and use.
Celeste: Tell us about your journey with essential oils.Kris: Shortly after my son was born in 1994, I began working in a new age bookstore. Here my adventure into essential oils began. At that time I began using them for my own emotional, spiritual, and health benefits (as well as my family’s benefit). When I began making my own organic & natural body products three years ago, I included many of them in quite a few of my products. Throughout my association with some of my dearest friends in the alternative medical profession, I learned that due to the lack of regulations within the U.S. cosmetics industry, the essential oils made and sold in the United States are mediocre at best. Recently, I have had the opportunity to experience and explore Young Living Essential Oils. It was exciting to learn that they are produced within European medicinal standards and their health benefits are unbelievably substantial. These superior essential oil products have helped me create essential oil products that offer wonderful emotional, spiritual, and health benefits that make living a joy!
Celeste: Do you literally make your products in your kitchen?
I started my first lip balm experiment in my kitchen….and it worked! The product was creamy and delightful. But, as my experimenting expanded and the line of products grew, so did our online orders. It became too much to work my experimenting and order filling around feeding my family, so we built a laboratory production room in our home’s lower level. That initial experience eventually expanded into an additional storage room, and shipping area (which is where we currently are today).
karma~naturals Sheer Lip Gloss
Kris - is there anything else you would like to share with our Go Green With Celeste readers?
Kris: Time has been my greatest enemy as I’ve worked to create body products I felt I could safely use. As a result, while working on my own recipes, we have also offered natural body products that we don’t make ourselves yet still reach our high level of green standards. They are natural products I have discovered and decided to use myself since I want to avoid the toxic alternatives until my own creations have been perfected.Currently, we are carrying several creams and eye liners which are all natural, but not of our own creation. However, I am most excited that I have recently perfected a recipe for body lotions and creams that use drinkable hydrosol waters. The lotions & creams are luxurious, fabulous smelling, and above all – natural & organic! We still need to finish our 6 month testing period, but they will be coming out shortly after the New Year!
Check out all the karma~natural products now!
NEWSFLASH: First time customers-
Get 20% Discount at karma~naturals with code NEWCUST807.
Almost everything made today includes some kind of fragrance. It is in soaps, cleaning products, laundry detergent, deodorants, and more. I could list a lot more but then all we would have would be a list. We utilize perfume for air freshener, on our own bodies and on the bodies of our pets. The problem with all of this is that the proliferation of all of these chemicals could be contributing to making you feel ill.
The use of fragrances is nothing new, they have been used for centuries dating to biblical times but it is only now that we have begun to see some of the issues arising from the use of perfume. One of the main reasons for this, I think, is that throughout the ages fragrances were created from natural ingredients while now the vest majority of scents on the market are made from chemicals which leave a toxic vapor trail.
The reason for making the fragrances with synthetics is simple; it is much cheaper and faster to produce once they have the formula down. Some of the chemicals used like petroleum are proven and well documented to contain dangerous toxins that can cause health issues from birth defects to disorders of the nervous system, and even cancer.
The fragrance industry that uses these chemicals is completely unregulated because they are not thought to be producing anything dangerous. They don't have to supply the FDA with any date or information of testing, safety, or their formulas. Some people are more sensitive to these chemicals than others, so while it may not affect you it could very well be harming someone in your home. For people who are highly allergic to some of these chemicals they don't have to smell them, it can just be laundry soap that has an allergen that causes them to break out in a rash when they put on a freshly laundered piece of clothing.
Some are so hyper sensitive to certain perfumes that just one sniff of the scent can cause shortness of breath, rapid breathing and heart beat and other reactions. Some other very common signs of someone who is highly allergic are sore throat, sneezing, nausea, and watery eyes. In many cases if the chemical is absorbed through the skin it has an even more powerful impact.
There are many establishments today that are beginning to implement fragrance free policies due to the allergic reactions that are being seen. Not only do the ask people not to wear any scented products but they also use only unscented cleaning products for their janitorial services. As more and more people display reactions to the chemicals we will see companies all across the country following suit with similar policies.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/does-the-price-of-your-perfume-add-up-to-health-issues-45162.html
About the Author:
Green Living Expert, Amy TodiscoWe may not be able to save our planet from every black cloud, but it is important to be responsible and respectful to the earth on a daily basis.
There are simple steps that we can all take to help live in a more green, earth friendly way. We do not have to change our lives drastically and with a few adjustments, nothing will seem to be different (for the exception of the land fills not being as full, our energy and water bills not being quite as high, and our knowing that we are doing our part in living a conscious and environmentally friendly way).
The following is a list of simple steps that families can take to living green. It is not a complete list, but a starting point. The important thing here is that parents and caregivers discuss these steps and ENFORCE them. If parents teach children to live green at an early age, children will naturally respect the earth.
I know there are many more things we can do, so I encourage you to please send us your great tips too! The earth thanks you and so do we!
Steps to Living Green:
1. Turn off the lights and the TV when you are not in the room. Better yet, turn the TV off all together and grab a book!
2. Get energy efficient appliances. This will help save on your electric bills as well as helping the environment!
3. Change out all of your old incandescent light bulbs with the new energy efficient florescent bulbs. They not only save you money, but time- you do not need to replace them as often and there is less waste from needing fewer bulbs!
4. There is one thing that is better than these new energy saving light bulbs and that is natural light. If it is light out, open the shades and catch some rays! Natural sun light helps with seasonal depression and vitamin D!
5. Recycle all of your plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans. We have been hearing this for years, so do it! Every little bit counts.
6. Get a water purifying filtration system, or just a container with a filter like a Britta and STOP using those plastic water bottles! .
7. Buy a kitchen timer and put it next to each shower in your home. Take the 4 minute shower. One minute for shampoo, one for soap, one for conditioner and one to rinse. Shave with the water off in between soaping and rinsing. This is HUGE in helping with water consumption, especially if you have more than one child taking showers. Better yet, take showers with more than one person at a time and still keep it to minutes! Make it a game!
8. Turn the water off while brushing teeth and while washing hands. After a quick initial rinse, turn the water off during lather and turn on again for a thorough rinse to finish up. For extra dirty hands, use a washcloth to remove dirt, not running water!
9. Recycle toilet paper and towel rolls. Better yet, if your kids are in preschool or grade school, save up the rolls and give them to the school. Kids can always make great art or science projects using paper towel and toilet paper rolls!
10. Fix leaky faucets as soon as the start to leak. Do not procrastinate on this kind of stuff. It not only costs you money, but wastes way more water than you realize.
11. Switch your household cleaners, dish soaps and hand soaps to environmentally friendly ones. The chemicals in bleaches and harsh chemicals are not only bad for earth, they are bad for you! Think cancer and fertility issues, not that much fun.
12. Every time that you go to the store to stock up on supplies for the house or office, look for recycled or green products. This way, you will know you are at least trying to be green!
13. Organic is the way to go. Buy from local farmers if you can and buy most, if not all of your produce from the organic section. Again, this not only benefits the earth, but your body does not need all of those pesticides and chemicals- more cancer and infertility, yuck!
14. Even shampoos and cosmetics companies are starting to go green. And these products are actually good! Give them a try!
15. Be open to trying new things that are green. The more open you are, the sooner you will find out that this whole green movement is kind of fun and definitely makes you feel like you are being responsible! What could feel better than that?
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/steps-families-can-take-living-green-379071.html
One of the most heavily promoted and "coolest" products around are soft drinks. Millions are spent on superstars advertising coke, pepsi and the like. We know they are not healthy but how damaging is that innocent - and many would say satisfying - can of coke to our health?
In the following article I will outline:
1. The current soft drink epidemic
2. The ingredients
3. The physical cost from soft drink ingredients
1. The current soft drink epidemic
In the U.K. in 2004 nearly 14 billion litres of soft drink were consumed. The 2004 total soft drinks figure represents an increase of 47% over the past ten years. (1)
In Australia soft drink consumption increased by over 30% in the 10 years to 1999. 50% of 16-18 year olds consumed soft drinks every day. (2)
These popular beverages account for more than a quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States. More than 56.9 billion liters were sold in 2000 - that works out to at least one can per day for every man, woman and child. Soft drink consumption among children and adolescents rose 41% between 1989-1991 and 1994-1995, mostly displacing milk and juice, the leading sources of many vitamins and minerals in the American diet. (3)
2. The ingredients
One can of soft drink has about:
• 10-13 teaspoons of sugar
• 30 to 55 mg of caffeine
• And additionally it is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites
3. Physical costs from soft drink ingredients
• Sugar: Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single user of refined sugar in the United States. It is a proven fact that sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, premature aging and numerous other negative side effects including associated tooth disease problems.
• Caffeine: Caffeinated drinks cause many nervous system reactions including the jitters and insomnia. High caffeine use is associated with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion that potentially leads to disease.
• Aspartame: This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy/seizures. Further, when aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in warm areas it changes to methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens. Please see February and March Peak Performance editions to read more on this deadly product.
• Phosphoric Acid: May interfere with the body's ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which can interfere with digestion, making it difficult to utilize nutrients. (4)
• Benzene: Recent random government testing of soft drinks found five of them contaminated with levels of benzene (which is a cancer-causing chemical linked to leukemia) that exceeded federal standards set for benzene in drinking water. Benzene is able to form in beverages that contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and the preservatives sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Exposure to heat and light can trigger the formation. (5)
Looking at the consumption statistics and related health consequences I have no doubt soft drinks are one of the main reasons from a nutritionally perspective why many people suffer health problems. Aside from the negative effects of the soda itself, drinking a lot of it is likely to leave you with little appetite for whole foods that your body needs to function at its best.
Your 3d Coach
Craig Burton
References
(1) http://www.researchandmarkets.com/ reportinfo.asp? report_id=302947.
(2) http://www.nutritionaustralia.com.au/SNAC/ soft-drink-final-paper.pdf
(3) Squires, S, The Amazing Statistics and Dangers of Soda Pop, 2001 http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/10/ soda_pop_dangers.htm
(4) Mercola, J, The Real Dangers of Soda to You and Your Children, mercola.com, 2003 http://www.mercola.com/2003/jul/9/soda_dangers.htm
(5) Soft Drinks: Disease in a can, bloomberg.com, May 20, 2006
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/soft-drinks-the-drinks-of-champions-195102.html
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