Empowered Manifesto!

{man·i·fes·to a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer}

You may have seen this "manifesto" from Alexx Stuart floating around the web.  We believe it's worth consideration and adoption!  Do you have an "empowered" manifesto?  We'd love to hear it!

{purchase this manifesto to display proudly in your home at alexxstuart.com }

5 Ways to Fight Germs the "Old-School" Way

It's cold & flu season...time to gear up for fighting germs!  By now it's no secret that the consumer marketplace is inundated with antibacterial products.  You've probably even heard that the ubiquitous nature of antibiotics and antibacterial agents are resulting in super-germs that are treatment resistant.  Clearly this is not a good thing for the long-term health of our greater population.  Equally as alarming are the dangers of synthetic chemicals used in our soaps, personal care, and consumer products that make them "antibacterial." 

Triclosan is one of those nasty chemical compounds.  Triclosan is an endocrine disruptor that can bio-accumulate in the body, and can weaken the immune system.  In fact the FDA is currently reviewing the safety of triclosan.  Buyer beware...it is found in a TON of products.  If it touts "antibacterial" properties check the label for triclosan. 

Let's commit to fighting germs old-school!  [Yes, it's effective]



1.  WASH HANDS
Wash hands frequently with plain old soap and water.  Choose soap that is free of potentially harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrance.  We love Vermont Soap Organics!  The scrubbing action is really important for eliminating germs...so don't just do a "rinse."  Teach your kiddos to wash their hands frequently.  Avoid alcohol based hand sanitizers which dry the skin, can cause skin and eye irritation, and contribute to treatment resistant germs.  If you just have to have the convenience check out a healthy alternative: Ava Anderson Hand Sanitizer. 

2.  CLEAN HOUSE
Clean frequently touched surfaces like tables, counter tops, sinks, etc...daily.  [Don't forget phones and digital devices!] Remember to avoid cleaning products with potentially harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrance.  We love plain old white vinegar.  I keep a spray bottle full next to the sink. Looking for alternatives at the grocery store?  Check out Seventh Generation.

3.  EAT FOR HEALTH
Prepare meals and snacks for your family that promote health and healing.  Increase antioxidant rich fresh fruits and vegetables.  East a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.  Eat regularly [small meals throughout the day].  Drink lots of water.  Avoid processed, fatty, sugary foods.

4.  EXERCISE
30 minutes of moderate exercise 2-3 times a week helps keep your immune system strong....so schedule in a walk...why not do it as a family!  Along the way get in a game of "I Spy," or collect leaves, or identify birds...whatever tickles your fancy!

5.  TAKE YOUR VITAMINS
The average American diet is unlikely to supply all of the needed vitamins and minerals.  Invest in your health with a good multivitamin.  Talk to your doctor or health care provider about which is best for you.

We'd love to hear about your "old-school" germ fighting tips.

Be Empowered!

What's the Deal with Coconut Oil?

Quick...when I say "coconut" what comes to mind?

A palm tree?
A hula girl with a coconut bra?
A MOUNDS candy bar?
Malibu Rum?
German chocolate cake?

Me, too...until recently!  Coconut oil is creeping into the mainstream and I've been excited to learn more about its incredible properties.  First of all, here are some coconut quick facts:

• Coconut oil comes from coconuts that grow on the coconut palm 
• The word "coconut" comes from the Spanish "cocos" or "grinning face" (for obvious reasons!)
• A coconut is a drupe, not a seed or a nut.  What's the difference:  A "nut" is a hard shell that contains both the fruit and the seed (hazelnut, chestnut, acorn).  A "drupe" is a fruit with flesh that surrounds a pit or shell that has a seed inside (peaches, plums, mangos, olives). What makes the coconut a little different is that the flesh is really not "fleshy" but dry...we call it the husk...you may have never seen a coconut with the husk intact if you have never seen them in their native, tropical, habitats.
• A mature coconut palm can produce up to 100 coconuts a year!
•  Virtually every part of the coconut has practical uses!  Coir fiber from the husk is used in brushes, ropes, string, netting, floor mats, planters, and more; Coconut meat is a staple in the diets of many people around the world, and a favorite baking ingredient; Coconut milk is rich in potassium and minerals and is becoming a popular natural sports drink...and that brings us to coconut oil!

Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of mature coconuts.  For thousands of years it has been the primary fat in the diets of millions of people.  Compared to other oils, coconut oil has many unique health benefits.  Some even claim it's the healthiest oil on earth.  I'll try to make it as easy as possible to understand the basic difference between coconut and other oils, especially saturated fats....because yes, coconut oil is high in saturated fat (but don't assume based on this fact that it's not good for you!)  

The fatty acids that make up coconut oil are primarily medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).  That's important to know because nearly all of the fat we consume (animal and plant derived, saturated or unsaturated) are long-chain fatty acids (LCFA).    Long-chain fatty acids are not easily metabolized and get stored in the body as fat.  Medium-chain fatty acids go straight to the liver and are immediately converted into energy!  They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and can actually help to protect against heart disease.  If you are want more info on the biochemistry check out this article.

According to research, the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil can aid in hair, dental, and skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol, weight loss, immunity, digestion, bone strength, relief from kidney issues, heart disease, high blood pressure diabetes, cancer, and HIV.  Read more at organicfacts.net  Coconut oil also has natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties!

Some uses for coconut oil:

• To treat damaged hair
• To moisturize the skin
• To treat dermatitis
• To control blood pressure
• To reduce weight
• To aid in healthy digestion
• To aid in healing of cuts, rashes, bruises
• To aid in dental health
• To reduce viruses

A quick Google search on any of these topics or more will provide you with tons of great information.  

Two things I've tried this week are Homemade Coconut Oil Deodorant  CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE and Coconut Oil Pulling...hear me out on this one!  Oil pulling is the practice of slowly swishing unrefined oil around in your mouth for 5-20 minutes (the longer the better).  It is touted to remove stains, reduce inflammation of the gums, pull out bacteria, toxins, and heavy metals, and more.  I didn't know if I would be able to do it for the "ick" factor, but it wasn't bad at all.  I swished while I was checking my email last night...and the added bonus was my lips were silky soft afterward!  I'll keep you posted on the long-term effects!  MORE ABOUT OIL PULLING HERE

PLEASE SHARE YOUR USES FOR COCONUT OIL!

Here are some other great articles and resources to check out:

www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

www.foundmyfitness.com/coconut-oil-weight-loss/

thedolcedietlivinglean.com/coconut-oil-benefits-when-fat-is-good-for-you

www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/952559/cuckoo-for-coconut-oil

coconutoilcooking.com/

Be Sun Smart!

Now that we're on the verge of summer and we've had some nice stretches of warm, sunny weather I thought this would be a good time to shine a little spotlight on sun exposure. 

When I was a child we didn't think much about sun exposure...well I can say as children we didn't think about it at all, other than we wanted to be in the sun as much as possible!  After chatting with my Mom recently I discovered that it wasn't a major concern for our parents either.  It's not that they were being inconsiderate of our health, there simply wasn't the level awareness twenty or thirty years ago like there is today.  Despite a tremendous increase in the public awareness of the risks of prolonged sun exposure, skin cancers, and the like we still fall short in one important area...how to make more empowered and informed decisions about decreasing the risks associated with sun exposure.

I love being out in the sun as much as the next person.  Heck, after six long months (or more it seems) of winter in Vermont who isn't ready to get out and enjoy some warm weather and sunshine!

We crave that visible sunlight, or visible radiation, but it's the invisible, or ultraviolet  (UV) radiation that we need to understand.  UV radiation from the sun is comprised of wavelengths that you're probably familiar with at least by name:  UVA (long wave), UVB (short wave), and UVC (so short it is absorbed by our atmosphere before it reaches us).  Prolonged exposure to UV radiation damages the skin's cellular DNA produces genetic mutations in the cells that can lead to skin cancer.  You can read more about UVA and UVB radiation at skincancer.org

I hope we can all agree that it is important to prevent skin cancer!  The use of sunscreen seems to be the accepted way of mitigating the harmful effects of sun exposure.  Here's what you may not know:

-The FDA says that available clinical studies “do not demonstrate that even [broad spectrum products with SPF greater than 15] alone reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.”  

-Sunscreen users may stay out in the sun longer increasing their UV radiation exposure over time, combined with the use of inadequate or inferior sunscreen products, this population may actually increase their risk of skin damage and skin cancer.


-High SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ratings can be misleading.  Buyer beware!  The FDA says there is no assurance that SPF ratings over 50 are even legitimate.  Consumers may assume that sunscreen with SPF 30 provides twice as much protection as SPF 15.  Not the case!  SPF 15 protects against 93% of UVB rays, while an SPF 30 protects against 97% of UVB rays.  Wearing a high SPF sunscreen may give you a false sense of security and encourage prolonged sun exposure.

-Both UV radiation AND some sunscreen ingredients can cause free radicals that can damage skin cells and lead to genetic changes and cancer.  The goal would be to use a sunscreen that prevents more damage than it causes, right?  When we apply too little sunscreen and/or apply it too infrequently we may be causing more free radical damage to our skin than the UV radiation!

-Nano-particals or potentially harmful chemicals?  That is the question.  Sunscreens currently available in the US fall into two categories:  Chemical based or mineral based.  Chemical based sunscreens have inferior stability, easily penetrate the skin and may disrupt our hormone systems.  Many mineral based sunscreens use micronized or nanoscale particles of the minerals (typically zinc and titanium).  The properties of a given substance often change as it approaches the nanoscale.  The transient nature of these teeny tiny particles means they can move throughout and into parts of our body that the non-micronized minerals would not be able to reach.  There are many unknowns when it comes to nano-particles.  Read more here.

-Consumer protection standards are weak.  "Sunblock" "waterproof" "sweatproof" "broad spectrum" among others, are misleading terms that can be and often are used to market sunscreen.  The FDA has not evaluated the safety of new sunscreen ingredients or combinations of ingredients, nor has it considered evidence of hormone disruption in chemical sunscreens.

Be Sun Smart:

1.  Choose the safest sunscreen and apply as directed!  We recommend a mineral-based sunscreen.  Check out "thinksport LIVESTRONG"  Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours.

2.  Limit sun exposure during the peak sun hours (10AM-3PM).

3.  Cover up!  Wear chemical free UPF rated clothing and hats.

4.  Don't forget your eyes!  Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.

Remember that babies and children can't do this on their own!  Five or more sunburns in a lifetime doubles our risk of skin cancer. 

BE EMPOWERED BY LEARNING MORE!  CLICK HERE to find the best sunscreens, discover the worst offenders, get more tips, and download a guide to take with you!

What's that smell?

When I was a teenager I was given a bottle of Freesia perfume from my favorite purveyor of personal care products at the time.  It was a Christmas gift from a boyfriend and I couldn't wait to wear it.  The first spray triggered a migraine attack that lasted for days.  I immediately (and naively) thought, "I'm allergic to freesia."  I even kept the bottle of perfume and would occasionally try it again.  The result was always the same...an immediate migraine.

A number of years later I began working in the floral industry.  I remember the first time I worked with fresh freesia.  I thought, "Oh no, I'm allergic to freesia, I'm going to get a migraine."  To my delight I had no adverse side-effects from working with fresh freesia.  In fact, to this day, fresh freesia is one of my favorite scents.  It's peppery aroma is like none other!

Now that I'm a more savvy consumer I know why that perfume, and many other scented products produce immediate migraine attacks and nausea for me and so many others.   It can be found in the ingredients lingering behind the seemingly innocuous term "fragrance" listed on the labels of our favorite personal care, cleaning, and household products.  Do you read labels?  Have you ever wondered what the term "fragrance" really means?

In the United State "fragrance" is a protected trade secret meaning that manufactures are not required to disclose the individual ingredients used to produce their signature fragrances.  I'm a business person and I can appreciate the desire to protect one's brand...to an extent.  At the expense of consumer health...no way!

The Committee on Science & Technology says that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic, petroleum-based compounds.  The following list comes from a 1991 EPA Study "Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments"
The report can be read here.

So, here's the list with some additional information compiled by HollisticHealth.net

Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found
in Thirty One Fragrance Products

1991 EPA Study, Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments
Reference:  Lance Wallace, Environmental Protection Agency,
Excerpts from “Health Hazard Information,” compiled by Julia Kendall (1935-1997)  References:  Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Principal chemicals found in scented products are—

ACETONE-In cologne, dishwashing liquid, detergent,  and nail enamel remover—On the EPA, RCRA,CERCLA Hazardous Waste Lists. “Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and in severe exposures, coma.” Acts primarily as a central nervous system CNS depressant.”

BENZALDEHYDE-In perfume, cologne, hair spray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, Vaseline lotion, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent)—Narcotic, sensitizer.  “Local anesthetic, CNS depressant” “Irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes skin, lungs, and GI tract causing nausea and abdominal pain.”  “May cause kidney damage.”  “Do not use with contact lenses.”

BENZYL ACETATE –In perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stick up air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, harispray, bleach, after shave, deodorants)—Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer) “From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough”  “In mice hyperaemia of the lungs. ”Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects.” ( Do not flush)

BENZYL ALCHOL –In perfume, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, Vaseline, lotion, deodorants, fabric softener.  “Irritating to the upper respiratory tract. Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure.”

CAMPHOR- In perfume, shaving cream, nail enamel, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, nail color, stickup air freshener. “Local irritant and CNS stimulant, readily absorbed through body tissues” “ irritation of eyes, nose and throat, dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions.”

ETHANOL-In perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, Vaseline lotion, air fresheners, nail color and remover, pain and varnish remover. On EPA Hazardous Waster list.  Symptoms fatigue, irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations. “ Inhalation of ethanol vapors can have effects similar to those characteristic of ingestion.” “ These include an initial stimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia, stupor.  Cause CNS disorder.”

ETHYL ACETATE- In aftershave, cologne, perfume, shampoo, nail color, nail enamel remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid. Narcotic.  On EPA Hazardous Waste List.  “Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.”  “May cause headache and narcosis stupor. Deg=fatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking.”  “May cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys.”

LIMONENE- In perfume, cologne, disenfectant spray, bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail color and remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnish remover.  “Carcinogenic.  Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer.”  “Always was thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking or applying cosmetics.  Do not inhale limonene vapor”.

LINALOOL- In perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail enamel remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, Vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant.  Narcotic, “respiratory disturbances.  Attracts bees.  In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression, development of respiratory disturbances leading to death, depressed frog hear activity. Causes CNS disorder.”

METHYLENE CHLORIDE- In shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover.  Banned by the FDA in1988.  No enforcement possible due to trade secret laws protecting chemical fragrance industry.  On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous waste lists.  “Carcinogenic, absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.  Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs.  Causes CNS disorder.”

a-PINENE- In bar liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener.  “Sensitizer, damaging to the immune system.”

a-TERPINENE- In cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener.  Causes asthma and CNS disorders.

a-TERPINEOL- In perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, Vaseline lotion, cologne, soap, hairspray, after shave, roll on deodorant.  “Highly irritating to mucous membranes.  Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema”.  “Can also cause excitement, atzxia (loss of muscular coordination, hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression and headache.  Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact.”

A dear friend of mine who works with animals told me recently that the dangers of fragrance have long been known by bird owners.  She went on to describe how parrots and other birds can die from chemical exposure as a result of scented candles and air fresheners used in the home.

Manufactures clearly understand and capitalize on our consumer love affair with fragrance.  As an empowered consumers the challenge is to step back and ask ourselves what value fragrance adds to our products and ultimately to our lives.  Is "I love the smell" more important than your health or the health of your family?  Does the fragrance help the product do it's job more effectively?  Does scented soap clean better?  (The answer is NO!)  And for the purely esthetic-driven products like scented candles, reed diffusers, and air fresheners...there are natural alternatives to purchase or make yourself!  We love brands like Seventh Generation and Vermont Soap Organics.


Easy to do on your own:

• Keep plants in your home!
• Grow flowers and herbs to use in your home!
• Enjoy fresh flowers on the table!
• Keep a decorative bowl or jar of fresh coffee beans on your counter or table...give it a stir every day to release the scent!
• Simmer cinnamon sticks and orange rinds on the stove!
• Put a few drops of your favorite NATURAL essential oil in a spray bottle of water.  Voila!  Your own air and fabric freshener!
• Open your windows and let the fresh air in!
• Use baking soda to absorb unwanted household odors!
• Make home-cooked meals...nothing smells better!
• Make your own soy candles with NATURAL essential oils like lavender, sweet orange, and eucalyptus.

We'd love to hear your ideas, too!

It's good to share...

Today I'd like to share two links.  The first is a thought-provoking video PSA from Keep A Breast's Non Toxic Revolution.  This week I found out a friend's mother is battling breast cancer...I've now lost track of the number of people I know who have been impacted by this brutal disease.  Please, take 2 minutes and 40 seconds to watch this PSA and BE EMPOWERED!

Now...check out this fabulous image from Worldwide Breast Cancer who encourage us to "know our lemons!"  Men...this means you, too!  Although breast cancer is 100 times more common in women, the American Cancer Society estimated that (in 2010) 1,970 new cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed, and that breast cancer would cause 390 deaths in men.  True, it only represents about 1% of diagnosed breast cancer, but it's everything when you are that 1%!

 

And finally, how well do you know your pots and pans??  Again, I go back to my childhood!  My Mom always cooked in cast iron pans.  I got my first set two years ago for Christmas...the best addition to my kitchen!  Here's the post from Momtastic.com.  I love the blogger's level-headed approach to safety, reiterating that there is so much we don't know...better to be safe!  

What commitments have you made in your home around your health and that of your family?  SHARE!

Easy gardening for any space

It's that time of year when I recall planting seeds and putting them out in our greenhouse windows as kids.  I remembering riding with my Dad to pick up these three, big, second-hand greenhouse windows.  He installed them in a row across the front of our house in the room that was primarily our family dining room.  It was practical genius at work!  The three big windows had three or four adjustable metal shelves and our entire garden could be started in late February while there was still a thick blanket of snow on the ground.  The southerly exposure provided tons of warm sunlight and on cold nights we would simply slide the trays of seedlings out and line the dining room floor.


I don't have space for the big gardens we had as kids, nor do I have space or appropriate light to start seeds inside.  I buy seedlings and starters from local greenhouses...and thanks to a friend, I have a method for developing thriving garden spaces wherever I can tuck them in around our property.  The best part, I never have to turn over a single inch of soil, pick rocks, or borrow a rototiller.  It's called "lasagna gardening" a phrase and method coined by Patricia Lanza.  You could skip this post (I hope you won't) and go straight to her site.  Better yet, keep reading and then go check out her site after!  Okay, I'll admit I've never read her book "Lasagna Gardening," cover to cover, but with great local mentors, and the internet I've done just fine working on my own lasagna techniques!

Lasagna garden cross section 

The basic premise is (as the the name suggests) layering, layering, layering.  I'll use my first lasagna garden as an example to walk you through the steps.  My first garden using the technique is an herb and shade perennial bed at the foot of our stairs.  The space is in the shadow of the building for much of the day.  I collected up some large rocks from our the property as well discarded hemlock boards and created a raised bed.  It's worth noting this area sits on 4' of coarse gravel.  Inside the bed I placed a layer of newspaper and cardboard including cereal boxes, and shipping boxes all cut apart and laid flat.  I saturated this layer with water from the hose.  The following layers included grass clippings, the previous year's leaves, shredded paper, hay remnants raked up from around our horse barn, composted horse manure, and dirt from our compost pile.  (See the cross section illustration from finegardening.com )  Then I literally started planting!  I transplanted mint, chives, sedum, and ferns and nestled them into the damp, warm layers of organic material.

The first year when things were first starting to establish I also put my patio cherry tomato pot and planted some annuals in and about to fill things in.  This is what it looked like that first summer.  Two years later that garden is so full and lush.  The mint spills over onto the steps, the sedum has crawled up and over the hemlock, the ferns nestle up against the railing, the hens and chickens that I tucked into the rock crevices have spread and multiplied.  The layers have composted and the soil is amazing!  I'll have to post more pictures this summer!

The beauty of the lasagna garden is that you can keep adding your organic layers, there is no tilling, working of the native ground, or even weeding!  This year we're building raised beds for vegetables...right on top of the rocky slope at the top of our driveway. 

I bet you're now thinking about a little space that you have where you could experiment with lasagna gardening!  Whether you are planting long rows of raised beds, or tucking in a little herb bed by your doorstep...you can do it!  You'll be recycling, reusing, repurposing, composting, and growing some of your own food!

Share you ideas, pictures, thoughts, and stories about gardening...it's the perfect time of year to get inspired!

I'll start:  I'm going to try hale bale gardening this year, too!  Check this out: