Finally...Safe (& Green) Cookware!

Are you concerned about non-stick cookware? Maybe some of you are not even aware of the health risks. If you are not aware, non-stick cookware contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a synthetic chemical used in production that creates a soap-like slipperiness and non-stick finish. I have known the risks for years, and switched to stainless steal pans long ago. But I must admit, I hung on to one or two of my non-stick pans for cooking eggs and French toast. I was careful not to heat them past "medium", however not everyone in my house did the same...my hubby does not always pay close attention to those little details.

It just takes one or two times overheating your non-stick pan to burn it, leaving it not so non-stick anymore. More importantly, even on lower heats, these pans are known to "off gas" dangerous chemicals and heavy metals into your food and into the air. I don't know about you, but I don't buy grass-fed beef and organic veggies with the intention of spicing them up with toxins. What's the point of buying healthy food if you aren't preparing it in the healthiest manner possible?

We try to eat a lot of raw,organic foods throughout the day. But when I am cooking, I want to know that I am still doing my very best to keep it healthy and safe for my family. I have been doing some research lately and I discovered a line of cookware that may just be exactly what I have been looking for. I discovered it on Dr. Mercola's website. Not only was I very impressed with the cookware offered, but also with this website. A lot of very valuable information about health was presented, and in a manner that was easy to understand.

Of all the options out there, I am very excited to try Mercola cookware. After hearing the information presented on the site, I think this cookware is a best buy. I was aware of the leaching in non-stick cookware, yet I was not as educated on some of the other options. I was surprised to find that my high-end stainless steel cookware could possibly be leaching a variety of heavy metals. And my tea kettle? Also a high probability that it is leaching!

What is a mom to do? Well...her best, of course. So now that I have found Mercola cookware, I think I just might be making the switch. Check out Dr. Mercola's website for more information.

Here's to your health!

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Just Launched: The Story of Cosmetics

You have read it here many times...there are toxic chemicals all around us. I have touched on the subject of cosmetics and have reviewed just a few of my favorite healthy choices for cosmetics, and will continue to do so. Here is a great little clip that breaks it all down for us. And you can make a difference by making your voice heard. Click on the link below to watch The Story of Cosmetics.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Just Launched: The Story of Cosmetics

Tube Your Lashes!

Every girl has stories about her first experiments with makeup. I remember a classmate in high school who was known for constantly adding layers to her mascara throughout the day. It was like she only had five eyelashes by the end of the day. She was a bit obsessed with it I think! When I met her my freshman year, I had never worn mascara. She took one look at my lashes and begged me to let her put a little on me. I agreed (to just one coat). I was a bit nervous, but one look in the mirror, seeing how my eyes just popped...I loved my new look. Now I just had to convince my mom!

Have dark circles under your eyes? Well, it might not be just lack of sleep. The pigment used in some mascaras can bleed and deposit right into your skin. Years ago, I heard that cosmetic companies use coal tar in mascara. Yuck! I started looking for a natural formula. I have since done some research and I cannot seem to get a clear answer. Is there tar in mascara? Some sources say that the tar myth is simply that, a myth. Others report differently. Well, I will have to continue in my research and report back to you later. For now, I will recommend a great product I've found that definitely does not contain coal tar, and does not run!

If you know me well, you know that I have been accused of wearing false lashes, on more than one occasion. It is a blessed genetic gift bestowed by my dad. Ah, but don't worry. The scales were evened out, as I also inherited his feet! With this burden of long lashes to bear, I am a bit picky about choosing a mascara. I have tried lots of different brands through the years, and when I went all-na-tu-ral with my makeup, the natural mascaras did not do much to impress me. They were okay, but just did not have the performance of some of the more popular brands. I've gone back and forth between different brands, trying to find one that looked great and didn't contain all the chemicals.

In my search for natural mascaras, I have found most of them just don't seem to have the stay power a girl is lookin' for! Now I am using blinc (formerly Kiss Me) mascara. This is such a cool product! You put the mascara on and it forms little tiny tubes around your lashes. To remove, you just use warm water and apply a little pressure. No makeup remover needed. No rubbing your eyes and no irritation.

What I love about this product is that it really stays put. While I don't purposely wear makeup for workouts, I sometimes exercise in the evening when makeup is already on from the day. I can be dripping with sweat and my mascara does not run. And the ultimate test for us ladies...a good cry-yes, it passed that test as well. I'm not talking about a few tears here either. I have had a total sobbing fit and this mascara stayed in tact.

But when it comes time to take it off? Piece of cake. Just use warm water, apply a little pressure and the tubes come off. It is a little strange at first...almost looks like you are pulling your lashes out. Oh, and best of all, I never get those yucky glops of mascara sleep gunk in the corner of my eyes. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about!

Okay, so I wish I could say that this product is absolutely natural. It does NOT contain tar, but it does have a couple ingredients that are on my no-no list. Despite this, I am giving it a pass, because once this mascara dries, it is DRY, and the product does not continuously get deposited into your skin. The mascara is a little tricky to work with at first. If you are picky like me, you want your lashes to look just so. When using blinc mascara, just have your eyelash comb ready to go to get the look you want. If you want to apply more than one coat, it needs to be done before it dries, not after. When it dries, it is set. While the packaging says it does not flake, I have had a tiny flake here and there (very tiny) during hot and humid weather. But this is by far, the best performing mascara I have tried.

Although this is a healthy-living blog, this post was more about sharing a favorite exception to the rule. While I live my life looking for the healthiest products out there, once in a while I find a happy compromise, and this is the case with blinc mascara.

So, here's to fabulous lashes!

A Toxin-Free Tub

A while back, I started a series of posts regarding "everyday toxins". It has been a while since I have posted in this subject area, but I felt compelled to do so today. I have wanted to address one particular everyday toxin for some time now. This is one commonly found in houses across the nation and around the world. CHLORINE.

Here is a description I found online for chlorine:

Chlorine is a highly poisonous, greenish yellow gas, about two and a half times as dense as air, and with a strong, sharp, choking odor. It was, in fact, one of the first poisonous gases used in warfare—in 1915 during World War I. In spite of its disagreeable nature, there are so many everyday products that contain chlorine or are manufactured through the use of chlorine that it is among the top ten chemicals produced in the United States each year. In 1994, more than 24 billion lb (11 billion kg) of chlorine were produced.

Did you note the part about it being a poisonous gas used in warfare? How about the "choking odor" part? Actually, that description is absolutely accurate, as it was used for that very reason.

So why is it that we find this chemical so widely used today? We know that chlorine is highly effective in killing bacteria. It is used in common household cleaners, in pools, and in our water supply. But through the years, sanitation has improved and alternatives to chlorine exist, though they are not widely used.

I am not writing this post to address alternatives to chlorine, but to share with you, if were not already aware, that chlorine is in fact, a poison; to let you know that your exposure to this toxic chemical is likely far higher than you think; and to show you a simple way to reduce it.

So, you may be thinking that you don't go swimming very often, and that you don't need to worry about chlorine exposure, while in fact, you are at risk every day. You see, since chlorine is added to the water supply to kill bacteria, you are literally bathing (and possibly drinking) it each and every day.

You might also be thinking that this is no big deal, and that you don't seem to notice any effects of this. But when it comes to toxic chemicals, there is often a cumulative effect that happens over time. You wouldn't reach for a household cleanser and sprinkle it into the water, just before you climb into a nice hot bath, would you? In reality, you're kind of doing this just by turning on the faucet.

Here's the problem: When you take a toxic chemical and heat it up in your bath or shower, not only are you absorbing it through the pores in your skin, you are also breathing in the steam, taking it right to your lungs and into your bloodstream.

So what can you do? A simple solution is to add a filter to your shower. Shower filters are inexpensive and require little maintenance, just a filter change about six months to a year. Easy enough, right? You can type in "shower filter" on Amazon or other sites, or search Gaiam Living for different types of these filters. They are very effective at removing chlorine, and other water contaminants.

Now for the bath. This is very important parents!! Protect your little one from the harmful effects of chlorine and other contaminants. Their little bodies are still developing, and the effects of everyday toxins are much more damaging to these precious ones. A simple solution for the tub is what is called a "bath ball". You can purchase one of these balls on Amazon or check your local health food store. By swirling it in the bath water for about one to two minutes, you neutralize the chlorine and it changes the chemical compound into one that is harmless. I keep one of these balls handy for travel.

Okay, if you are highly sensitive to chemicals like I am, you also have the option of purchasing what is called a whole-house filter. You can contact a company in your area that provides water softening tanks. They usually offer whole-house filtering tanks as well as options for your drinking water. This is a more costly option, but highly effective in removing multiple contaminants (including chlorine, pesticides, petroleum byproducts, and heavy metals) from the water supply in your home.

Take the time to research. Know what's in your local water supply. We don't have much control over our exposure to environmental toxins. This is one time that you do. Stay tuned for more chlorine-free tips on To Your Health!

Here's to truly natural water and here's to your health!


*For Hawaii residents here on Oahu, you can contact AAA Best Water for all your filtration and softening needs. If you are in Orange County, California, try Water By Design.

Pretty Little Piggy!

It's that time of year. Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere, stores are stocking up their toy supplies, and parents will soon begin to scramble! So I thought I would post a few more of my favorite safe picks for kids. I'll start with this great stocking stuffer for girls!

Since we have a little princess in our midst, we have lots of fun with all the girly stuff. Like most little girls, our daughter loves to paint her nails, just like her mommy. Oh what fun! We have been using the more natural polishes for years now, but our newest find is the Best. We love Piggy Paint!

I first discovered Piggy Paint in a magazine, and have since read review after review from fellow mommy bloggers. So I decided to order some a while back to see if it was truly as wonderful as I had heard...AND it is!

So what is so great about Piggy Paint? Well, for starters, my little one loves anything "piggy". But in addition to that, this awesome nail polish is made from a water-based formula, and is totally free of all the harsh chemicals found in most other brands. The Piggy Paint site boasts that "Piggy Paint is specially formulated from God’s natural ingredients and dries to a hard, durable finish. There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone."

Piggy Paint truly is as natural as mud. It doesn't even have a hint of harsh odor...it actually smells a little like dirt. I was also surprised at how well the special polish remover works. And I am quite impressed with the beautiful colors Piggy Paint comes in. I liked them so much that I decided to give myself a piggy pedicure. I have been searching for the perfect red for some time, and now I've finally found it in "Sometimes Sweet"!

Now Piggy Paint is offering To Your Health readers 15% off! Just use the coupon code at checkout and you'll receive 15% off anything at www.piggypaint.com , including sales items. They ship worldwide.

COUPON CODE: HEALTH15L
EXPIRATION DATE: Feb 28, 2010
Spend over $25 and domestic shipping is FREE!

Here's to being a girl!

What's In Your Bottled Water?

My husband took some much-needed time off from work this week, so we'll be spending lots of time hangin' out as a family. We're off to the beach! So for now I will leave you with some information on another interesting documentary-click below to read more about it and be sure to watch the trailer.

Don't Drink the (Bottled) Water

The Facts on SLS

There has been a lot of talk about dangerous chemicals in our every day products. I have made note of several here on this blog. One of these ingredients is Sodium Laureth Sulfate (also Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). I put it on my list of ingredients to avoid, but I have to say that I wondered about this one. A lot of the natural products I used in the past contained this ingredient and listed the source as "Coconut Derived".

So what is the deal with SLS anyway? Well, it seems that there has been a lot of widespread misinformation out there about this particular ingredient. As a result, many companies who have been using small percentages of coconut-derived SLS have reformulated their products. Have they done this because it is SO dangerous? Not so much. All the hype about SLS has proven to be a distraction, thus hindering sales for some very wonderful, natural companies.

Read what Dr. Andy Weil has to say about it here. I am officially taking naturally-derived, coconut-based SLS off my list of things to avoid at all cost. Of course, if I don't know the source, I absolutely avoid it. There are some very dangerous chemicals in products to be concerned about, like Triclosan and benzalkonium chloride to name only a couple. Remember to reference the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database if there is an ingredient you want more information about. Get the facts. Know what's in your products. Here's to your health!

More Vaccine Info

As a follow up to my last post, here are the links to a couple more You Tube videos on vaccines. They are a little long, but worth watching. Regardless of your faith or where you stand on the issue of abortion, you deserve to know where vaccines come from. This first link, for a video entitled The Truth About Vaccines is very informative. The second link is of an interview with Robert Kennedy in 2007, where he talks about the cover up regarding vaccines and Autism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELx2eX_kM-w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrIM2hwrLoc

The Big Bottle Swap!

Uuurgh! I just hate to find out that a product I LOVE is not as dreamy as I thought. I recently found that my beautiful Sigg bottles could be leaching PBA. Darn! I could ignore the information, but since I have gone to great lengths to have a chemical-free home, I am looking for alternatives. I have a friend who carries around a glass bottle everywhere she goes. Looks like I will be joining her. BUT I am also looking into swapping out my bottles for non-leaching stainless steel with The Big Bottle Swap. Click here to check it out!

Healthy Play

As a mom, it is a little unnerving to go to a toy store and see the "recall list" posted up on a corkboard. More and more toys are being recalled due to unsafe levels of lead and other chemicals. Toys are a big business and there are so many to choose from. I am excited to see that wooden toys have made a huge comeback. These classics have been around for a long, long time but recently I am finding them more readily available.

Some of our favorite toys are by Melissa and Doug. From puzzles to pretend play, I can be sure my little one will be entertained and safe with these beautifully handcrafted toys. Melissa and Doug makes most of their toys in the USA, they use non-toxic paint, and the toys are constructed from wood or plastic that is free of harmful chemicals.

Our most recent kid purchase was a bag of Magic Nuudles. My daughter had lots of fun getting creative with them this afternoon. They are biodegradable, non-toxic, and most importantly, they are silly. The possibilities are endless with these little blocks made out of cornstarch! Here is a giraffe with a little Daddy and Phoebe (our little one) riding it. My husband is quite talented. I am so jealous!


If you are looking for a great way to entertain your little one at restaurants, I recommend Wikki Stix. We first discovered these at a nearby restaurant that handed them out with their kids menu-brilliant! Crayons just don't cut it for long with our busy little bee. Wikki Stix are much more captivating, and fun for all ages to fiddle around with. These fun and flexible sticks are made in the USA from natural materials and are non-toxic.

These fun toys can be found at your favorite educational or toy store. I find the best deals on Amazon. Search the To Your Health Amazon store under "kid stuff" for more. Here's to happy AND healthy playtime!

More Than Skin Deep

A good friend recently asked me to blog about cosmetics and since I have been wanting to for some time, I am happy to oblige. When I first started making changes to what I was putting in my body, I didn't think much about what I was putting on my body...and then I met a very organic-focused esthetician while attending massage school, who helped me understand this simple truth-if it's on your body, it's in your body.

Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies and it absorbs everything like a sponge. We are all familiar with the fact that doctors are prescribing "patch" medications-from birth control to smoking cessation. This is proof that what we put on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream. For years I used popular department store cosmetics, like Mac and others. In college I had a strange infection on my eyelid skin. It was so raw and irritated that I could not wear makeup at all for weeks. I asked my doctor about it and she said it looked like I was allergic to red dye #5, which is often found in eye shadows, especially mauves and plums...my favorite colors. Darn!

Fast forward a few years and I am still using the same cosmetics but avoiding the purple hues. Along comes this esthetician friend who educates me about the ingredients found in many cosmetic lines...I was appalled and a little grossed out. You may not be aware, but there are alarming amounts of petroleum and other dangerous chemicals in many personal care products. I decided this part of my health-conversion was not going to be gradual. I bought some makeup recommended by my friend and immediately went home and trashed everything in my cosmetics bag. A little rash? (Okay, no pun intended, but given my past eye infection I now understood that my body was rejecting a very foreign substance).

I have been using natural makeup for several years now (including beautiful plum eye shadows!) and I have experimented like crazy and been an obsessive ingredient reader. Natural makeup has come a long way. I have tried some great...and not so great products. I would love to give you all my favs in one post, but that would impossible as a mommy of a three-year-old. So each week I will feature some of my favorite skincare and cosmetic products.

First, it is important to know what is in our personal care products. Since the FDA does not regulate these products here in the USA, reading the labels with a little scrutiny is required. Here are just a few of the ingredients we should avoid...good luck pronouncing most of them!

1. Phthatales, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
2. Parabens or alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)
3. Lauryl sulfate(SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate(SLES)
4. Dissodium EDTA
5. Dimethicone
6. Formaldehydes or Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin , Quaternium-15, Nitropropane-1, Formalin , Methanal , Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicid acid, Oxymethylene
7. Amines-Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), amonoethanolamine (MEA)
8. Propylene / Butylene Glycol (PG)

This list may seem daunting to remember, but don't worry...I will be posting lots of great products sans the harsh chemicals. In the mean time you can do a little research of your own if you'd like. There is a great site that gives products a safety rating, defines their scientific ingredients, and lists the potential risks. I checked it out recently and I was impressed with the amount of info I got. To learn more about ingredients or to search a particular product, use Skin Deep Safe Cosmetic Data Base.

Here's to beautifully healthy skin and a healthy you!