Natural and Sustainable

Baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems.

The chemicals, called phthalates, are found in many ordinary products including cosmetics, toys, vinyl flooring and medical supplies. They are used to stabilize fragrances and make plastics flexible.

They were found in elevated levels in the urine of babies who’d been recently shampooed, powdered or lotioned with baby products.

Phthalates (pronounced thowl-ates) are under attack by some environmental advocacy groups, but experts are uncertain what dangers, if any, they might pose. The federal government doesn’t limit their use, although California and some countries have restricted their use.

Phthalates can cause reproductive birth defects and some activists believe they may cause reproductive problems in boys and early puberty in girls.

A current study offers no direct evidence that products the infants used contained phthalates, and no evidence that the chemicals in the babies’ urine caused any harm. Still, the results worried environmental groups that support restrictions on these chemicals. There is an obvious need for laws that force the beauty industry to clean up its act. The bottom line is that these chemicals likely do exist in products that we’re commonly using on our children and they potentially could cause health effects.

Babies don’t usually need special lotions and powders, and water alone or shampoo in very small amounts is generally enough to clean infant hair. Concerned parents can seek products labeled “phthalate-free,” or check labels for common phthalates, including DEP and DEHP.

But the chemicals often don’t appear on product labels. That’s because retail products aren’t required to list individual ingredients of fragrances, which are a common phthalate source.

The Food and Drug Administration has no compelling evidence that phthalates pose a safety risk when used in cosmetics. Should new data emerge, we will inform the public as well as the industry. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the health effects in humans are uncertain. Although several studies in people have explored possible associations with developmental and reproductive outcomes (semen quality, genital development in boys, shortened pregnancy, and premature breast development in young girls), more research is needed. Unfortunately, the research does not test baby care products for the presence of phthalates or control for other possible routes of exposure. (Yahoo Health 2008)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Volunteer your time at a local conservation agency or agencies.

To find the toys that are the healthiest for your child and better for the environemtn, be sure and check the toys packaging for these five key words.

1. PVC-Free: Often filled with toxin emitting PVC (polyvinyl chloride), many plastics products also include a class of chemicals known to harm healthy functioning of the the hormone system.

2. FSC-Certified: When you purchase toys such as wooden blocks, puzzles or tains with a Forest Steweardship Council, certified label, you are guaranteed that the wood has been sustainably sourced.

3. Organic: snuggling up with a stuffed animal is much more soothing when the fabric is organic and 100% pesticide-free.

4. Nontoxic Paint: Most paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that can cause eye irritation, headaches, and dizziness. For a toy that gets its color in a much greener way, make sure its manufacturers have used water-based or no-VOC paints.

5. Locally made: By browsing local craft fairs for handmad toys, you can support local artisans while cutting bvack on teh fuel consumption involved in shipping them.

**Over at Movie Review Report, Laura has the top movies that are in the box office, one including the Bee Movie. Read the whole list here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Don’t use pestyicides on your lawn, try earth-friendly alternatives that are better for the environment and our waterways.

FUEL EFFICIENCY: It’s as simple as driving a more fuel-efficient car. Chevrolet currently offers eight 2007 and 2008 models that get an EPA of 30 MPG highway miles. Some models offer the best V8 fuel economy and have a better standard highway fuel economy than some other brands out on the market. It’s all due to new technology and this technology is helping achieve greater fuel economy in most vehicles no matter what the brand.

E85 ETHANOL: For the last seven years, Chevy has been producing vehicles capable of running on a fuel that growns from the earth. The fuel is called E85 ethanol ( 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). It is the renewable fuel source made from U.S. grown biomaterial. what falls under U.S.-grown biomaterial is corn, and other grain products. It will help us decrease our dependence on petroleum and it burns more clearer than gasoline as well. It has a higher octane rating over gasoline as well. Chevy has over 1.5 millionm E85 FlexFuel vehicles on the road presently.

HYBRID: This fall, Chevy is bringing to the table the Tahoe Hybrid. This hybrid will provide the power of a regular gas-only SUV, but what it will do a step more is control gas-loss and fuel waste. It will also be 25% more fuel-efficient as well. The Malibu® Hybrid will also be added to the line of Chevy cars the end of the fall season.

FUEL CELL: Chevy is bringing to their car line up a test-fleet of 100 hydrogen-powered fuel Equinox® SUVS coming to New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles in a program called “Project Driveway”. Hydrogen fuel cells use zero gasoline and produce no emissions and it will also help reduce our dependence on petroleum.

ELECTRIC: The Chevy Volt® has a revolutionary GM® E-Flex Propulsion Systen. It is different than any other electric vehicle, because it will use a High-Energy Battery and range-extending onboard pwoer source that can run on gas, or biodiesel to recharge the battery while driving. Also the electric car no matter what the brand helps toward the ultimate goal in reducing our dependence on pretroleum and produce zero emissions.

**There are a lot of fun and cool things to do in Sacramento, California on Veteran’s Day. Read Jennifer Springers suggestions for Sacramento, CA here.**

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Babies go through about 2,500 diapers before they’re potty-trained; cloth diapers washed at home cost $0.03 per use, while disposables costs about $0.22 each. Disposable diapers produce at least 70 times more waste than cloth diapers, and Americans trash 18 bil diapers each year. To help reduce this waste, the only other option is cloth. Cloth diapers have come along way since the 50’s and 60’s and some cool brands to try are: Under The Nile velcro diapers, G-diapers starter kits, and Seventh Generations chlorine-free diapers.

Update, de-clutter, and reinvent your medicine chest with this list of must-have natural home remedies.

• COLD/FLU:

Must-haves:
1. Emer’gen-C: (A powdered energyboost that has 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C. Take at the first sign of a cold.)

2. Sea Salt: (try a saline colution of 1/2 tsp. of sea salt in a cup of warm water to clear a stuffy nose.)

3. Neti Pot: (naturally cleanses, refreshes, and protects the nasal passages, mix the sea salt solution to this and your sinuses will thank you.)

4. Echinacea: (this herb helps improve immune response.)

5. Esberitox: (a chewable mixed herbal tablet that contains more modest amounts of echinacea.)

• ACHES/PAINS:

1. Essence of Life Magnesium Oil: (magnesium helps relax muscles. Try this method on sore spots three to four times a day.)

2. Epsom Salts: ( soak in a warm bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts.)

3. Lavender Oil: ( add a few drops of this oil to relax you further.)

• FEVER/SORE-THROAT/COUGH:

1. Echinacea: (tinture or pills. This herb will help encourage your body’s defenses.)

2. Aconite: (triggers the immune system.)

3. Honey: (for sore throats.)

4. Hydrogen Peroxide: (helps to kill streptococcus.)

5. Benzonate: (nonnarcotic drug numbs the sensors in the lungs that trigger coughs.)

• ALLERGIES/SINUS PROBLEMS:

1. Neti-Pot: (is effective for sinus problems.)

2. Stinging Nettle: (For allergy symptoms like itching eyes, runny nose, and congested sinuses.)

• CUTS/SCRAPES:

1. Cotton Balls and Swabs: (to prevent infections, rinse the scrap or cut with a cooton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide.)

2. Neosporin: (an over the counter antibiotic ointment.)

3. Calendula: (a yellow flower with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral compounds.)

4. Silver-infused bandages: (block the growth of bacteria without any danger of germs building resistance.)

• STINGS/INTCHING/BURNS:

1. Po Sum On Oil: (for stings and itching, a Chinese tea-based herbal oil.)

2. Calendula Ointment: (great for insect bites, stings, and burn.)

3. Aloe Gel: (for insect bites, and minor burns.)

4. Witch Hazel Astringent: (for insect bites and stings and minor burns as well.)

5. Calamine Lotion: (for infection of poison ivy.)

• HOT FLASHES:

1. Black Cohosh: (an estrogen-less remedy that Native Americans have used for many years.)

•EARACHES:

1. Garlic-infused olive oil: (garlic contains a compound called allicin, thought to be effective against bacteria.)

2. Mullein Oil: (comes from a flower that combats inflammation and viruses.)

• DRY SKIN:

1. Alomond Oil: (use against very dry skin.)

2. Olive Oil: (use on your skin after a bath, it helps calm dry itchy skin a lot better than a moisturizer. And replace your commercial soaps with those made from natural oils.)

• MOUTH/TEETH:

1. Toothpaste: (natural or conventional toothpaste is fine for brushing, natural is always better though, because most conventional ones contain added unnecessary ingredients.)

2. Green Tea: (fights inflammation and bacteria and helps prevent gum disease and gingivitis.)

3. Calendula: (an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.)

• STOMACH PROBLEMS:

1. Fresh ginger: ( helpful for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.)

2. Probotic Supplements: (to rebalnce yout gut during bouts of diarrhea.)

3. Yogurt: (with live active cultures that help aid against diarrhea.)

4. Chamomile Tea: ( helps calm a gassy, bloated bowl and ease muscles spasms.)

5. Peppermint Tea: (helps calm a full or otherwise bloated feeling in your gut.)

• HEADACHES:

1. MigraSpray: (a key ingredient is feverfew, an herb that may reduce the inflammation that results when the brain’s blood vessels dilate, a possible cause of migraines. And it may prevent blood platelets from clumping just as asprin does.)

2. Butterbur: (for migraine prevention. As well as, inhibits leukotriene, a substance that inflames blood vessels, as well as histamoines)

3. Magnesium Glyconate: (muscle-relaxing powers, may also help prevent headaches.)

4. Asprin: (or asprin substitutes help relieve headaches, fever, and musculoskeletal pain.)

So basicly your cabinet should contain:
•Ginger and Chamomile (stomach)
•Aconite and Honey (sore throat, cough)
•Calendula (scrapes)
•Echinacea and Emer’gen-C (colds)
•Hydrogen Peroxide (wounds)
•Butterbur: (headaches)
•Black Cohosh: (hot flashes)
•Epsom Salts and Magnesium (aches)
•Green Tea: (gums)
•Olive Oil and Almond Oil: (dry skin)
• Po Sum On, Witch Hazel, and Aloe: (stings, burns)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: If you are a non-meat eater like myself, but love the smell or even familiar taste of beed jerky, give these brands a try:

3. Tofurky Peppered Jurky

Fruits and Passion Body Splash.

Fresh Body Market’s Skin Yogurt.

Mad Gabs Bear Foot Balm.

V’tae’s Damage Soothers, body mists and repair lotions.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Want to get in on the wind-power alternative lifestyle? Then purchase a windmachine. Here are too options that can fit any budget.

• Be sure and ask your power company for alternative energy sources.