Class Announcement for November and December
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Should I take a vitamin?
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
I've wanted to write about vitamins for a while now but haven't because of the overwhelming amount of contradictory information currently available. I think the issue is that our culture is just becoming much more interested in food sources and supplements in general, and current research is lagging behind.
Let's just start with a basic question - Do I need to take a vitamin? Well, stage of life or health issues aside, the answers here don't add up either. For example, LiveStrong.com has an article on it's site dated September 8, 2015 stating "Healthy individuals can usually get sufficient vitamins from a healthy diet, but some people may require more."
On September 11, 2015 the Council for Responsible Nutrition cited a doctor working with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on a newly released report outlining the vitamin deficiency issue in most Americans. She had this to say,"This mantra that Americans get all the nutrients they need from food is simply not true and the data demonstrates it is false. It is much harder than you think to get the nutrients you need from food alone.” The report goes further to state "Dr. Low Dog illustrated this point by outlining what the average person would need to eat in order to get the minimum recommended amount of many individual nutrients. For example, in order to get the recommended 18 milligrams of iron per day through food, you’d need to eat four cups of raisins, 15 cups of broccoli, three cups of cooked spinach, 10 ounces of beef liver, or 45 ounces of chicken breast. She noted that meeting the minimum amount of nutrition is especially difficult for low-income Americans who can use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance to purchase candy and soda, but not multivitamins."
If that's true, I think it's safe to say that many of us would benefit from the vitamins received in a supplemental vitamin. On to the next question.
It seems like taking any vitamin is a great start to boasting your daily nutritional intake but with a huge market to pick from it's hard to know what is best. Again, this appears to be an area that is evolving as new research is being completed. One big difference is deciding whether to take the standard synthetic vitamin that has been gracing the store shelves for decades or to instead take a whole food (or food-based) vitamin. Again, it's tricky to find a concrete answer on this issue as many people seem to side with just taking a vitamin, any vitamin is better than not. However, if we examine what the difference is between these two types of vitamin supplements, it may help you decide.
So, what is the difference between synthetic and whole food vitamins?
Let's just start with a basic question - Do I need to take a vitamin? Well, stage of life or health issues aside, the answers here don't add up either. For example, LiveStrong.com has an article on it's site dated September 8, 2015 stating "Healthy individuals can usually get sufficient vitamins from a healthy diet, but some people may require more."
On September 11, 2015 the Council for Responsible Nutrition cited a doctor working with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on a newly released report outlining the vitamin deficiency issue in most Americans. She had this to say,"This mantra that Americans get all the nutrients they need from food is simply not true and the data demonstrates it is false. It is much harder than you think to get the nutrients you need from food alone.” The report goes further to state "Dr. Low Dog illustrated this point by outlining what the average person would need to eat in order to get the minimum recommended amount of many individual nutrients. For example, in order to get the recommended 18 milligrams of iron per day through food, you’d need to eat four cups of raisins, 15 cups of broccoli, three cups of cooked spinach, 10 ounces of beef liver, or 45 ounces of chicken breast. She noted that meeting the minimum amount of nutrition is especially difficult for low-income Americans who can use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance to purchase candy and soda, but not multivitamins."
If that's true, I think it's safe to say that many of us would benefit from the vitamins received in a supplemental vitamin. On to the next question.
It seems like taking any vitamin is a great start to boasting your daily nutritional intake but with a huge market to pick from it's hard to know what is best. Again, this appears to be an area that is evolving as new research is being completed. One big difference is deciding whether to take the standard synthetic vitamin that has been gracing the store shelves for decades or to instead take a whole food (or food-based) vitamin. Again, it's tricky to find a concrete answer on this issue as many people seem to side with just taking a vitamin, any vitamin is better than not. However, if we examine what the difference is between these two types of vitamin supplements, it may help you decide.
So, what is the difference between synthetic and whole food vitamins?
- Synthetic vitamins are produced in a laboratory to be as close as possible to naturally occurring vitamins while whole food vitamins are derived from food sources. This method leaves the entire vitamin complex intact.
- Synthetic vitamins provide an isolated vitamin but whole food vitamins provide nature's intended complex structure of the vitamin, mineral, enzyme, coenzyme, antioxidant...you get the picture. This is an important distinction because your body cannot process the intended vitamin without the rest of the structure in place. Taking a synthetic requires your body to use existing resources to process it and if it cannot, it is eliminated.
- Since whole food vitamins are derived from food sources, the process to manufacture them is more costly than the laboratory based counterparts. Therefore, whole food vitamins generally cost more than synthetics.
- Beware of fillers! Many synthetics have artificial colors, preservatives and other binders, and may even contain allergens. It's important to be mindful of these issues with whole food vitamins as well; however, in general they do not contain allergens. Many are gluten free. For more information on labeling and things to look for, see this article.
- For a discussion on synthetic vs whole food sources of specific vitamins, see this article.
In conclusion, it's nice that there is a choice to make. The supplemental industry is growing and evolving. From a personal perspective, I have chosen to consume a whole food vitamin to complement my mostly whole food diet. I can honestly say that I can notice the impact they have on my body and my energy specifically. I think another essential component is the addition of a high-quality Omega supplement as well, but that's another topic entirely!
Essential Oil Safety
Monday, August 24, 2015
When talking about how we use essential oils in our family, I get a lot of questions about the safety of essential oils. While technically the answer is dependent upon the oil being used, in general essential oils are incredibly safe and effective. They generally do not have side effects - the most common side effect being skin irritation which you can usually avoid if you learn how to use your oils properly. Before I get into more detail here, I do have to say a few things on a personal note:
- You have every right to decide how to treat your body. Use oils, use pharmaceuticals, use them both! I'm not here to judge your choices. However, make sure you are informed.
- I think we should all be curious about what we put in and around our bodies and that means we should be equally curious about how essential oils can play a role in our daily lives as the personal care products we use, the cleaners we use, and the pharmaceuticals we use. Let's stop blindly taking things without asking.
- Instead of closing our minds to what we do not know or understand, let's begin to wonder and learn. No one is doing things perfect. We are all just trying our best.
Aromatic use of essential oils is often referred to aromatherapy and is done by adding drops of essential oils to a water based diffuser. The oils are released into the air and inhaled. Often 1-5 drops are used at a time, depending upon the diffuser size and the duration of diffusion. In general, it is often preferred to have 15-20 minute diffusion times but it is not required.
As it sounds, topical application of essential oils occurs when you apply the oil directly to your skin. Many essential oils are gentle enough that you can apply them directly from the bottle - think lavender for example - but if you have sensitive skin or are applying oils to children they should be diluted with a carrier oil. A common carrier oil is fractionated coconut oil. Aside from reducing any skin sensitivity, a benefit to using a carrier oil during topical application is the ability to spread the oil over a greater surface of the body. This also allows you to massage the oil into the skin more effectively, increasing blood flow and oil absorption in that area. Since essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds the carrier oil slows down the oxidation process allowing your body to absorb more oil.
Topical dosage amounts and frequency are important when using oils safely. With an acute issue you may need to reapply frequently. In general 1 drop of essential oil to 3 drops of carrier oil is an appropriate adult dosage. However, we all have to learn what our bodies can tolerate. I'm including the below reference picture for further explanation as I feel it is great guide.
One safety concern with topical usage is photosensitivity. You will want to avoid direct sun exposure if you are using an essential oil with this constituent. These are generally citrus oils such as bergamont, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange.
Second, you do not want to apply essential oils inside your eyes, ears, nose, or any other sensitive body part. Common areas of topical application include the bottoms of the feet, the wrists, the base of the neck, and behind the ears; however, there are many reasons you may apply them elsewhere.
When choosing to use essential oils internally, please make sure you are using a pure therapeutic grade essential that is approved for internal consumption. Many bottles are labeled with supplemental facts as is required by the FDA with their GRAS (generally regarded as safe) designation and this lets you know if the oil is safe for internal usage. In general 1-5 drops may be used depending upon the oil and the purpose. It is best to spread out your dosage as much as possible taking no more than 20 drops within 24 hours.
Allergic reactions are often a concern to people who may have an allergy to specific plants. In general, essential oils do not contain the protein molecules and, therefore, cannot cause true allergic reactions. Sensitivity reactions can occur but since they are not true allergic reactions, often times users can still enjoy the benefits of that essential oil using a different method.
It is worth noting that just because something is an essential oil does not mean it is safe. There are some essential oils that are known carcinogens and should be avoided, such as sassafras, calamus, yellow camphor, brown camphor, and wormwood.
So to recap:
- Learn about your essential oils and in which methods they may be safely used - diffusion, topical application, or internal usage.
- Follow basic dosage guidelines remembering that you may need to apply more often and can always increase the dosage if needed.
- Consider using a carrier oil with topical application to avoid skin sensitivity and only apply them to safe parts of your skin.
Ease Seasonal Discomfort
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Yes, spring has come and summer is now upon us. While many of us, especially those in the north, welcome the additional sunshine, warmth, and blooming, it doesn't mean that we don't feel a certain level of discomfort.
Essential oils provide us with a great way to ease this discomfort and the benefits can be obtained whether you choose to ingest, diffuse, or apply topically. In our household we do all three and are enjoying the added comfort that the combination of lemon, lavender, and peppermint essential oils bring to us during this time of year.
Lemon essential oil cleans and purifies the air and our bodies. It promotes healthy respiratory function and can be soothing to scratchy throats. Lavender essentail oil has many soothing and calming properties and peppermint essential oil also supports the respiratory function and promotes clear airways. This combination together is highly effective in our household and also smells fresh and invigorating.
And one of the best parts of having essential oils in your home is the ability to have them on hand when you need them. They are pennies per drop and incredibly versatile. I use these three essential oils regularly in many different ways. For example, pepperment is excellent for soothing stomach upset. Lavender not only smells great and promotes relaxation but it can help ease muscle tension. And lemon, well that is also a wonderful addition to household cleaning!
Essential oils provide us with a great way to ease this discomfort and the benefits can be obtained whether you choose to ingest, diffuse, or apply topically. In our household we do all three and are enjoying the added comfort that the combination of lemon, lavender, and peppermint essential oils bring to us during this time of year.
Lemon essential oil cleans and purifies the air and our bodies. It promotes healthy respiratory function and can be soothing to scratchy throats. Lavender essentail oil has many soothing and calming properties and peppermint essential oil also supports the respiratory function and promotes clear airways. This combination together is highly effective in our household and also smells fresh and invigorating.
And one of the best parts of having essential oils in your home is the ability to have them on hand when you need them. They are pennies per drop and incredibly versatile. I use these three essential oils regularly in many different ways. For example, pepperment is excellent for soothing stomach upset. Lavender not only smells great and promotes relaxation but it can help ease muscle tension. And lemon, well that is also a wonderful addition to household cleaning!
The DARK Act (not Star Wars related)
Friday, July 31, 2015
I'm sure you've all heard a thing or two about GMO's. GMO = genetically modified organism. Let's suffice it to say that in the matter of food, this means that conventional crops have had genetic changes making them different than before - generally to make them more resistant to pests. Whether this is safe for human consumption or not is beyond the scope here because I believe we can all agree that we deserve to know more about the food we eat. Going to the grocery store turns American's into food detectives searching to understand what it is they are buying! And how are we to even have a chance when the labels are not telling us what we need to know!?
And it's not just the manufacturers or producers of food that prohibit us from this understanding, but it's the government as well. This isn't a corrupt government rant, but rather I speak from the saddened heart of a person that really does care!
At the end of March 2015 H.R. 1599 was introduced bearing the name "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015." Sounds awesome...but it is not so awesome. It was actually a re-introduction from the year prior when the bill was soon renamed by the outraged public and many industry groups that do not support it as "Deny Americans The Right to Know Act" or the DARK Act. In short summary, some of the not so awesome highlights of the bill are:
So what's next? Well, the bill is now in committee within the Senate. If it passes the Senate, then it will be sent to the President to become law, so there is still time to let your Senators know that you DO NOT want this bill to pass!
And it's not just the manufacturers or producers of food that prohibit us from this understanding, but it's the government as well. This isn't a corrupt government rant, but rather I speak from the saddened heart of a person that really does care!
At the end of March 2015 H.R. 1599 was introduced bearing the name "Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015." Sounds awesome...but it is not so awesome. It was actually a re-introduction from the year prior when the bill was soon renamed by the outraged public and many industry groups that do not support it as "Deny Americans The Right to Know Act" or the DARK Act. In short summary, some of the not so awesome highlights of the bill are:
- States are denied the right to make their own labeling laws. Some states have passed GMO labeling laws that would not be allowed to take effect. Don't forget, people in those states voted for those laws.
- It allows self-regulation of food producers to be the official law of the land. If the company says it is safe for you to eat, then I guess it is right? The FDA can review the company's own assessment and challenge it. They can, but will they? Can they in a 180 day time limit?
- It does not help us further clarify what "natural" on food labels actually means. It could mean that the cow your beef came from was feed GMO food. Hmmm...I might want to know that.
- Oh, and a company is permitted to label its product as GMO but they are not required to. In today's climate, I'm wondering who out there is going to place "GMO" on the label?
So what's next? Well, the bill is now in committee within the Senate. If it passes the Senate, then it will be sent to the President to become law, so there is still time to let your Senators know that you DO NOT want this bill to pass!
First Aid On The Go!
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Part of living a cleaner, greener life involves making over your medicine cabinet and learning about new ways to assist your body in healing from common aliments. It is also great to have some of those first-aid type items on the go with you. So today, I'm spilling the contents of my purse...haha, right. Well, I'm showing you what items I have on hand...in a pouch...in my purse for when I'm out and about. It's pretty cool how much stuff can fit in such a small space! So here goes:
1. Essential oil blend for tension. I can easily get tension headaches and this is what I use when I feel one coming on to help provide relief. And so, it's helpful to have a small (5ml) roller bottle all ready to go in my purse.
2. Boo Boo Blend or Owie Blend: In this 5ml bottle with a spritzer on top I have combined Lavender and Melaleuca essential oils with fractionated coconut oil to be at the ready for any skin wounds or discomfort. With soothing and antibacterial properties, it can be pretty handy with two little boys!
3. Bug Bite Stick: In a lip balm container I made up a little concoction with essential oils, olive oil, and beeswax. It's great for soothing any discomfort caused if those little guys attack you, the bugs that is.
4. Homemade Bug Spray: You just never know where you might end up. Best to be prepared this time of year.
5. Correct-X: A non-petroleum based ointment for skin care. Super awesome!
6. Deep Blue Rub: I ordered some sample packets to have for travel and keep a few in my purse too. This lotion with essential oil blend provides relief to sore, achy muscles.
7. A key chain holding eight 5/8 drams. It can be incredibly hard to choose but here is what I chose and a reason or two why:
2. Boo Boo Blend or Owie Blend: In this 5ml bottle with a spritzer on top I have combined Lavender and Melaleuca essential oils with fractionated coconut oil to be at the ready for any skin wounds or discomfort. With soothing and antibacterial properties, it can be pretty handy with two little boys!
3. Bug Bite Stick: In a lip balm container I made up a little concoction with essential oils, olive oil, and beeswax. It's great for soothing any discomfort caused if those little guys attack you, the bugs that is.
4. Homemade Bug Spray: You just never know where you might end up. Best to be prepared this time of year.
5. Correct-X: A non-petroleum based ointment for skin care. Super awesome!
6. Deep Blue Rub: I ordered some sample packets to have for travel and keep a few in my purse too. This lotion with essential oil blend provides relief to sore, achy muscles.
7. A key chain holding eight 5/8 drams. It can be incredibly hard to choose but here is what I chose and a reason or two why:
- Peppermint: I often use this when I feel a headache coming on but in the summer time I will spritz it directly on the back of my neck when I get too hot. It aids my body in cooling down.
- Digestive blend: In case of any tummy troubles on the go.
- Grounding blend: This helps to balance out our moods if need be and sometimes it need be.
- Immunity blend: This is an immunity boosting blend. If you start hacking on me, I might just rub this on. No offense. And sometimes, kids go to really gross places and find the grossest things possible. It's like having peace of mind in a small bottle.
- Respiratory blend: We use this to assist with respiratory issues, especially when a stuffy nose sets in.
- Lavender: One of the most useful essential oils in my opinion! Too many uses to list here.
- My focus blend: This blend of peppermint and wild orange essential oils really helps me to wake up a bit. Great to just take a sniff of! Very awesome on long car drives.
- Grapefruit: I love adding some grapefruit to my water and if you end up some place where you don't love the taste of the water, it makes for a simple fix. Grapefruit and other citrus oils can help our bodies release toxic build up.
Purge Pesky Pests with Peppermint
Thursday, June 25, 2015
We all know that pesky pests are a part of nature but that doesn't mean we want to be overrun by them everywhere we go! One specific group, wasps, really bother us on our deck and back yard during the sunny months. Instead of reaching for a commercial wasp repellent that may be full of toxins and other unwanted items I don't want to be near (and especially not my kids), I figured I'd try a safe alternative first this year.
And so far I have been especially pleased with Peppermint!
Just a few drops of peppermint in a bottle with water seems to do the trick. I set out with my new concoction, which I labeled "Wasp Away" to find their normal nesting spots. The first popular spot I sprayed had two wasps swiftly fly out! Hmmm...felt like I was on to something here so I kept spraying and I have not seen many of the little guys since.
One thing I'm not clear on is how often you must spray. I figured after a decent amount of rain I would re-spray but I'm pretty sure it is worth doing at least once a week if you really want to keep them at bay. Please make sure you do not spray into the wind!! Peppermint in your eyes WILL NOT make you happy.
If there are other pests you are looking to deter, this article has a few others to try.
And so far I have been especially pleased with Peppermint!
One thing I'm not clear on is how often you must spray. I figured after a decent amount of rain I would re-spray but I'm pretty sure it is worth doing at least once a week if you really want to keep them at bay. Please make sure you do not spray into the wind!! Peppermint in your eyes WILL NOT make you happy.
If there are other pests you are looking to deter, this article has a few others to try.
A truly clean smell
Monday, June 22, 2015
As a way to avoid possible toxins, I do not use products with fragrance. However, I do love good smelling stuff! This is one place where essential oils can bridge the gap for you. Essential oils can be diffused, added to lotions or other concoctions, or applied to your body to enjoy their wonderful scent while avoiding toxins. As with anything fragrant, remember the other person in the room may not be as in love with it as you are.
In my search for air freshener I just really couldn't find a product I loved that didn't have some questionable ingredients, so I definitely use essential oils to make things smell pretty and I have a favorite one for making things smell clean.
Introducing my clean friend, Purify:
Purify is a blend of lemon, lime, pine, citronella, melaleuca, and cilantro. It can smell a little strong from the bottle and the citronella definitely comes through, but I find that it is one blend that dissipates quickly leaving a very fresh and pleasant smell. Here is a list of ways I use Purify around the home:
In my search for air freshener I just really couldn't find a product I loved that didn't have some questionable ingredients, so I definitely use essential oils to make things smell pretty and I have a favorite one for making things smell clean.
Introducing my clean friend, Purify:
- Diffuse to freshen any living space
- Added to my cleaning products to freshen and clean surfaces
- Added to my laundry detergent, even an extra drop for those extra dirty loads
- Add 5 drops to a 4oz spray bottle (top with distilled water) and spray the dickens out of everything - shoes, ball caps, boys room, linens, anywhere, everywhere, just not in your eyes.
- It also happens to provide relief from itchy insect bites, bonus!
- On a cotton ball in vents to keep that fresh smell (car vents too!)
- Add a drop to your carpet cleaner to really clean them up
The Laundry Room: Where dirty becomes clean or does it?
Friday, June 19, 2015
When you think of your laundry room, you think clean. It's a place to change dirty clothes into something clean and fresh, but what you are using during this process may not be providing you with a clean and fresh that is good for you and your family.
I vividly remember when I decided to overhaul our laundry detergent. Like most people, when preparing for our first child I went out and got a special detergent for washing baby clothes. Despite being well into my detoxing journey and despite already using an environmentally friendly detergent for my and my husband's clothes, I purchased a big name, well-marketed brand. Why? Well, because marketing told me this is what my baby needed. And because this is what other mom's told me I needed. I cringe to think back to how I dutifully and separately washed my baby's sweet little clothing. Sadly, it was after my second son was born that I reached for that brand on the store shelf and stopped myself. I was mentally slapping my own hand. How could I have not questioned this before? Why have I not looked at what was in this super special baby detergent? Turns out, a lot of not good stuff! Ingredients linked to respiratory issues, neurotoxicity, and a host of other non-specific ingredients, including the worst in my opinion: fragrance. Now this company is actually one of the few I've seen disclose what "may" be incorporated in their fragrance but it's an incredibly lengthy list.
Well, although my husband had been mildly supportive of my greening initiatives at this point, I did get a funny look when I told him I was going to make my own laundry detergent. He nicely gave me a month to "experiment." We've never gone back. Win-win! During this debate I recall asking him why he felt it was so ridiculous. Something to the effect of, "don't you think your grandma just used soap?!". Well, she probably did. I have to point to this amazing article with a ton of super great information and ideas: Do you know what's in your laundry detergent?
And let's not even get into dryer sheets...oh the chemicals! Well, maybe you might enjoy this one too: Addicted to Dryer Sheets? These articles are just a bit of the wealth of interesting information Branch Basics has to offer. And it just happens to be my most favorite product for cleaning I've found to date! (Just to note: I am not affiliated with this company, I just really like their product and mission.)
So what do we do in our home?
First, we've tossed all that name brand detergent. For a long time we made our own - I'll post that recipe below - but right now we do use Branch Basics as our laundry soap. It is amazing what happens when you start making your clothes "cleaner." They are lighter and less tacky, for a way of describing it. There are likely a host of other good options out there. My point is to just take the time to look into it. The EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning can help you out.
Second, I've tossed the dryer sheets, mostly. I now use wool dryer balls. I also use PurEcoSheets Dryer Sheets. They are reusable dryer sheets and they work great in combination for me. My biggest issue, static, is really hard to tackle during the dry, cold winter. At that point, I use the dryer clothes made by The Honest Co.
Missing that fresh scent? Well, in my mind that's a good thing because it was full of toxic chemicals but hey, I get it. For fresh scent, I add a drop or two of essential oil to the dryer balls. I love lavender for this. My laundry room sometimes smells like heaven.
I hope this will inspire you to take a look at the items you are using to clean your clothing, towels, and sheets. After all, you are spending all day in this stuff.
I wish I had credit to give for this recipe but I sadly do not know and it might likely be a combination of several recipes I read at the time. I do not have a HE washer at this time but I see no reason why it wouldn't work with one. Perhaps start with a smaller amount to test it out.
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
2 cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
2 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
1 bar Dr. Bonner's pure castille soap, shredded.
I shred the soap by hand with a cheese grater or in my food processor. I store it in a large container with a lid. Once all the ingredients are in the container, put the lid on, and give it a good shake and stir. I use 2 tablespoons per load.
I vividly remember when I decided to overhaul our laundry detergent. Like most people, when preparing for our first child I went out and got a special detergent for washing baby clothes. Despite being well into my detoxing journey and despite already using an environmentally friendly detergent for my and my husband's clothes, I purchased a big name, well-marketed brand. Why? Well, because marketing told me this is what my baby needed. And because this is what other mom's told me I needed. I cringe to think back to how I dutifully and separately washed my baby's sweet little clothing. Sadly, it was after my second son was born that I reached for that brand on the store shelf and stopped myself. I was mentally slapping my own hand. How could I have not questioned this before? Why have I not looked at what was in this super special baby detergent? Turns out, a lot of not good stuff! Ingredients linked to respiratory issues, neurotoxicity, and a host of other non-specific ingredients, including the worst in my opinion: fragrance. Now this company is actually one of the few I've seen disclose what "may" be incorporated in their fragrance but it's an incredibly lengthy list.
Well, although my husband had been mildly supportive of my greening initiatives at this point, I did get a funny look when I told him I was going to make my own laundry detergent. He nicely gave me a month to "experiment." We've never gone back. Win-win! During this debate I recall asking him why he felt it was so ridiculous. Something to the effect of, "don't you think your grandma just used soap?!". Well, she probably did. I have to point to this amazing article with a ton of super great information and ideas: Do you know what's in your laundry detergent?
And let's not even get into dryer sheets...oh the chemicals! Well, maybe you might enjoy this one too: Addicted to Dryer Sheets? These articles are just a bit of the wealth of interesting information Branch Basics has to offer. And it just happens to be my most favorite product for cleaning I've found to date! (Just to note: I am not affiliated with this company, I just really like their product and mission.)
So what do we do in our home?
First, we've tossed all that name brand detergent. For a long time we made our own - I'll post that recipe below - but right now we do use Branch Basics as our laundry soap. It is amazing what happens when you start making your clothes "cleaner." They are lighter and less tacky, for a way of describing it. There are likely a host of other good options out there. My point is to just take the time to look into it. The EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning can help you out.
Second, I've tossed the dryer sheets, mostly. I now use wool dryer balls. I also use PurEcoSheets Dryer Sheets. They are reusable dryer sheets and they work great in combination for me. My biggest issue, static, is really hard to tackle during the dry, cold winter. At that point, I use the dryer clothes made by The Honest Co.
Missing that fresh scent? Well, in my mind that's a good thing because it was full of toxic chemicals but hey, I get it. For fresh scent, I add a drop or two of essential oil to the dryer balls. I love lavender for this. My laundry room sometimes smells like heaven.
I hope this will inspire you to take a look at the items you are using to clean your clothing, towels, and sheets. After all, you are spending all day in this stuff.
I wish I had credit to give for this recipe but I sadly do not know and it might likely be a combination of several recipes I read at the time. I do not have a HE washer at this time but I see no reason why it wouldn't work with one. Perhaps start with a smaller amount to test it out.
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
2 cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
2 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
1 bar Dr. Bonner's pure castille soap, shredded.
I shred the soap by hand with a cheese grater or in my food processor. I store it in a large container with a lid. Once all the ingredients are in the container, put the lid on, and give it a good shake and stir. I use 2 tablespoons per load.
Bye Bye Trans Fats
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
We have to celebrate a bit of a food victory. Yesterday the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its final determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the main source of trans fats, are not actually safe for human consumption. Yeah!
I'm sure you've heard of the evil trans fat before. Trans fats are easily produced and allow food companies to extend the shelf life of their products, as well as provide additional, rich flavor. They are not so good for your arteries and heart. The subtitle in the FDA's own press release should be enough to let you know the significance of this action, "Action expected to reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year." Wow. Glad we figured this one out.
The FDA has allowed a three year compliance period for companies to remove all PHO's from food. However, as always, make sure you carefully read your food labels. Unfortunately, I mean really read them. If an item has less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, that information does not need to be disclosed on the "Nutrition Facts" section of the food label so you must check the ingredients label for any PHOs.
If you need help determining what is in your food, the Environmental Working Group's Food Score Database is a great place to start. A quick look at some specific peanut butters, crackers, and other snacks is provided here.
At the end of the day, it is great to see a step taken forward but as consumers we still need to be diligent about what we choose from the store shelf.
I'm sure you've heard of the evil trans fat before. Trans fats are easily produced and allow food companies to extend the shelf life of their products, as well as provide additional, rich flavor. They are not so good for your arteries and heart. The subtitle in the FDA's own press release should be enough to let you know the significance of this action, "Action expected to reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year." Wow. Glad we figured this one out.
The FDA has allowed a three year compliance period for companies to remove all PHO's from food. However, as always, make sure you carefully read your food labels. Unfortunately, I mean really read them. If an item has less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, that information does not need to be disclosed on the "Nutrition Facts" section of the food label so you must check the ingredients label for any PHOs.
If you need help determining what is in your food, the Environmental Working Group's Food Score Database is a great place to start. A quick look at some specific peanut butters, crackers, and other snacks is provided here.
At the end of the day, it is great to see a step taken forward but as consumers we still need to be diligent about what we choose from the store shelf.
Fed Up: A review #FEDUPMOVIE
Monday, June 15, 2015
Before I tell you more about this film, let's play a small round of TRUE or FALSE!
1. True or false: It is healthier to eat a bowl of corn flakes than a bowl of pure sugar.
2. True or false: You can maintain or lose weight just by managing the calories you take in vs. the calories you burn
3. True or false: Low fat versions of foods are clearly a better, healthier choice than the original (full fatty) recipe.
If you answered true to all of the above then you really should take the time to watch this film because the correct answer to all of these is false!
Fed Up (released May 9, 2014) has been on my Netflix watch list for some time. I'm so glad I finally made time to watch it. While I'm sure this is not everyone's past time, my husband and I enjoy watching documentaries about food. And we definitely enjoyed this one.
Fed Up chronicles America's food policy and ideology during the last 30 years. It is full of interesting facts, perspective on how the government has shaped our eating habits, and also chronicles the struggles of American's trying to overcome the obesity epidemic. It will definitely be eye-opening for many. It may make you angry as well. It mostly made me sad.
While I have an active interest in wellness and have spent countless hours reading to figure out the healthiest options (and I may still not always be right!), not everyone has that interest and may simply rely on what is passed down from their family or what the current trend is. It saddens me to see so many people not getting the true information they need and a part of it falls on the shoulders of the government. Regulations are good but they can create barriers. Policies are great at promoting ideals and setting change into motion, but not when they are compromised by special interest.
This film devotes time to reviewing some of the policies surrounding the school lunch program. Two points that stayed with me were that 80% of our schools have agreements with either Coca Cola or Pepsi. And second, that pizza and french fries are vegetables. How can we expect our children to make good choices or understand what a healthy diet looks like when this is what they face every day they go to school? As a parent, I find it frustrating!
However, one point the film examines is something that has frustrated me for some time. If I could make a PSA it would be "EAT REAL FOOD PEOPLE!" However, every where you turn there are all these options marketed to you that make it sound like it's a good option, like it will indeed nourish your body or help you lose weight. This goes back to the true or false game above. No, not all calories are created equal. Your body knows exactly what to do with 100 calories of real food. How to process it, how to use it, and how to dispose of it. Your body does not know what to do with 100 calories of processed food. It will most likely just become more fat and I'm pretty sure no one wants that!
To conclude, this is a wonderful film and well worth your time to either change your perspective on eating or to solidify your choice. For more information you can head to the Fed Up website.
And I'll say it one last time, EAT REAL FOOD.
1. True or false: It is healthier to eat a bowl of corn flakes than a bowl of pure sugar.
2. True or false: You can maintain or lose weight just by managing the calories you take in vs. the calories you burn
3. True or false: Low fat versions of foods are clearly a better, healthier choice than the original (full fatty) recipe.
If you answered true to all of the above then you really should take the time to watch this film because the correct answer to all of these is false!
Fed Up (released May 9, 2014) has been on my Netflix watch list for some time. I'm so glad I finally made time to watch it. While I'm sure this is not everyone's past time, my husband and I enjoy watching documentaries about food. And we definitely enjoyed this one.
Fed Up chronicles America's food policy and ideology during the last 30 years. It is full of interesting facts, perspective on how the government has shaped our eating habits, and also chronicles the struggles of American's trying to overcome the obesity epidemic. It will definitely be eye-opening for many. It may make you angry as well. It mostly made me sad.
While I have an active interest in wellness and have spent countless hours reading to figure out the healthiest options (and I may still not always be right!), not everyone has that interest and may simply rely on what is passed down from their family or what the current trend is. It saddens me to see so many people not getting the true information they need and a part of it falls on the shoulders of the government. Regulations are good but they can create barriers. Policies are great at promoting ideals and setting change into motion, but not when they are compromised by special interest.
This film devotes time to reviewing some of the policies surrounding the school lunch program. Two points that stayed with me were that 80% of our schools have agreements with either Coca Cola or Pepsi. And second, that pizza and french fries are vegetables. How can we expect our children to make good choices or understand what a healthy diet looks like when this is what they face every day they go to school? As a parent, I find it frustrating!
However, one point the film examines is something that has frustrated me for some time. If I could make a PSA it would be "EAT REAL FOOD PEOPLE!" However, every where you turn there are all these options marketed to you that make it sound like it's a good option, like it will indeed nourish your body or help you lose weight. This goes back to the true or false game above. No, not all calories are created equal. Your body knows exactly what to do with 100 calories of real food. How to process it, how to use it, and how to dispose of it. Your body does not know what to do with 100 calories of processed food. It will most likely just become more fat and I'm pretty sure no one wants that!
To conclude, this is a wonderful film and well worth your time to either change your perspective on eating or to solidify your choice. For more information you can head to the Fed Up website.
And I'll say it one last time, EAT REAL FOOD.