No more refined white sugar, white flour or aluminum!

Because I love to make a tasty quick bread, I looked closely at the ingredients to see how I could make a healthier loaf. Here are a few changes I'll be experimenting with...

SUGAR: Replacing white refined sugar with Sucanat or Organic Agave Nectar.
WHY? 76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

BAKING SODA: Replacing baking soda with Bobs Red Mill Aluminum-Free Baking Soda.

BAKING POWDER: Replacing aluminum-based Calumet Baking Powder with Bob's Red Mill Non-Aluminum Baking Powder.
WHY? Aluminum Health Risks

FLOUR: Replacing white refined flour with King Aurther's 100% Organic White Whole Wheat flour.

WHY? Ugly Truths About White Flour

Let me know if you've been experimenting with any of the above ingredients!
How were your results?

Fluoride & Aluminum in my Green Tea? Oh MY!

I guess my daily intake of organic green tea is going to come to a halt.
I wasn't aware of the fluoride or aluminum in tea.

Green Tea Side Effects from Caffeine, Fluoride & Aluminum

Be an Ingredient Label Reader. What ARE You Putting On Your Body Every Day?

DEODORANT: Did you know most deodorants on the store shelves feature aluminum as one of the main ingredients? YES!

Read this article to find out about the dangers of Aluminum in Deodorant

I've tried all the natural aluminum-free deodorants on the market and the only one that I like is: Home Health Herbal Magic. I'll alternate between that deodorant and straight baking soda (just add 1-2 drops of water) .

However, not everyone needs to apply stuff to their pitts every day! Simply taking a shower and bathing with soap and water is sometimes enough. As a culture, we would be a lot healthier if we scaled back and only used a few good natural products every day instead of 50 products that are filled with nasties. Learn about the Healthy Person's Guide To Personal Care Products here.

Get out all your cosmetics, lotions, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. and check the health ratings of each here. How healthy are the products you are using?

Replace Microwave Popcorn With A Stainless Steel Stove Top Popper And Organic Popcorn Kernels

I love my stainless steel stove-top popcorn maker!
Making fresh popcorn has become a daily treat.
For oil, I use EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and you can
pick up some organic kernels at your local health food store.
YUMMY!

Why should you replace your microwave popcorn with a stainless steel (stay away from aluminum) stove-top popcorn maker?

A chemical coating used in microwave popcorn bags breaks down when heated into a substance called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA). The EPA has identified PFOA as a “likely carcinogen.”

Click here to find out the dangers of Aluminum

Dangers of Aluminum, Toxic, Alzheimer's Disease, Health Risk, Aluminum Foil, Deodorant,Pots, Pans

Have you limited your exposure to aluminum?

I've made the switch to aluminum-free deodorant (Crystal); however the next to go is aluminum foil! Glass mason jars & glass Pyrex storage sets are going to replace aluminum foil (and plastics) in my kitchen.

YES, it's a continual process to be aware of items which contain aluminum so that you can minimize YOUR exposure.

Healing With Nutrition explains "One of the main toxic elements associated with Alzheimer's Disease is aluminum. Brain cells get tangled and die off; a study has shown that aluminum is a cofactor in the formation of these neurofibrillary tangles. As people get older, their body's ability to detoxify harmful toxins like aluminum decreases, and so concentrations of toxins remain and build up to unhealthy levels. This logically explains why Alzheimer's Disease usually occurs in relation to age increases. Also explained is the fact that those with Alzheimer's Disease show higher levels of aluminum.

What products contain aluminum?

Healing With Nutrition lists "Aluminum exposure also comes from deodorants; pots, pans, and silverware; food wrapped with aluminum foil; and non-dairy creamer, baking powder, and many brands of table salt. Minimal exposure to these items is crucial in keeping aluminum levels low. "

Replacing Your Non-Stick Cookware with Safer Alternatives

Non-stick cookware contains PFC's ( Perfluorinated chemicals) which are harmful to your health and the health of the environment.

What are the possible health effects? http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/04/cheatsheet-perfluorochemicals.htm

If you are looking to replace your non-stick cookware with safer alternatives,
check out the following list (see below) from the Green Guide.
Source: http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/nonstick

What to Look Out For

Since Teflon is only one variety of the non-stick chemical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) used on cookware, watch out for “non-stick” labeling and ask if the coating is PTFE, even if it’s not Teflon. Calphalon, Scanpan and All Clad’s non-stick pans all use PTFE coatings.

Alternatives

When you do replace your pans, choose cast iron, stainless steel or enameled iron. Here are some popular brands:

KitchenAid Stainless Steel 10-piece cookware set, including 8" and 10" French skillets ($149; www.jcpenney.com)

Lodge unseasoned Original Finish 10.25" skillet, ($13.95) and Cast Iron Cooking for Dummies set ($89.95; www.lodgemfg.com; 423-837-7181)

Cuisinart 10" stainless steel skillet ($60) and 7-piece Chef's Classic stainless steel set ($260; www.cuisinart.com)

DeBuyer Lyonnaise Carbon Steel Frying Pans 11" ($44.95; www.broadwaypanhandler.com, 866-COOKWARE)

All-Clad 10" stainless-steel frypan with aluminum core ($84.95) or 5-piece set ($394; www.broadwaypanhandler.com; 866-COOKWARE)

Le Creuset enameled 9" skillet ($49.95; www.broadwaypanhandler.com; 866-COOKWARE)