What Is A Baby Carrot?

Ever wonder where baby carrots come from? Well, I hadn't either until I came across a link about them. Ah, the Internet. Such a plethora of information out there. Well, a while back I started a series of posts I call, Every Day Toxins. One of the toxins I have highlighted is chlorine. I will continue to post information about chlorine and ways to keep a chlorine-free home.

This link is not about chlorine. It is about baby carrots. But I mentioned chlorine because it is part of the process for non-organic baby carrots. They are soaked in a chlorine solution before packaged. Now, I must note that it is a low concentration of chlorine in the water and it is widely accepted as a safe and effective way to disinfect. However, it does makes me very glad I choose organic. Anyway, the following link is kind of an interesting little history on baby carrots. Lately I have just been sticking to the larger ones. They generally cost less, stay fresh longer, and pack more nutrition. But there is nothing wrong with baby carrots. They are sweet and yummy, and quite perfect for dipping!

http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/babycarrot.html

Here's to veggies and here's to your health!

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.

Be Kind To Tender Tushies!

Our daughter has been potty-trained for over a year now...phew! I don't miss the frequent diaper changes, but they are not far from my memory. Let's face it. Poopey diapers are quite a mess. When I became a mommy, I did my research on baby products, wanting only the best for our little one. When I read the ingredients in the most popular brands of baby wipes, I was disappointed to find so many added chemicals.

I have tried several natural brands of wipes over the past few years, but my favorite are Whole Food's brand 365. They are natural, very emollient, and the least expensive I've found. They are hypo-allergenic, unscented, and whitened without chlorine bleach. While others seem to dry out a while after opening, 365 wipes are "sudsy". They really get the job done. We still use baby wipes for cleaning a little tushie in the morning after being in a night-time diaper. We also have them handy in the car. You never know when you might need one for a quick sticky-finger clean up!

For little ones who have graduated to the potty (and for anyone else with a sensitive tush), I recommend Tender Care flushable wipes. They are soft and gentle, and unlike other flushable wipes, they do not contain harsh chemicals. Alcohol-Free, hypoallergenic, with Vitamin E & Aloe, they are the only natural, flushable wipes I have found. Having these handy made my little one's transition out of diapers a little eaier on both of us! My only complaint would be that they are a bit small. These might be a good thing to bring on camping trips or other outdoor excursions. I have yet to find these here in Hawaii, so I stock up when on the mainland, at either Whole Foods or Mother's Market-a wonderful chain of natural stores in sunny Orange County, California.

Here's to cute little happy heinies!