Environmental Working Group database....see what's in your products!
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/?sunscreens=1&best=1
Keeper Of The Home - a wonderful blog! Sometimes she's more extreme than I'm ready to embrace, but I highly respect the way she keeps her home.
www.keeperofthehome.org
11 December 2012
It's Not Easy Being Green
Well, you may or may not know that even before I found out I was pregnant, I had started to make an effort to replace things in my life that ran out with the healthiest, non-toxic, yet affordable product I could find. The end goal is to feel 100% secure, educated, and healthy with the things that surround my home and my family.
What have I learned so far?
1. We are all dumb, blind sheep. We believe that if a store sells it with a leaf-shaped sticker or if a doctor recommends it, it must be OK, even beneficial. Common items from Febreeze to disposable diapers to dishwasher detergent to scented candles are full of poisons, toxins, cancer-causing agents, and irritants.
2. I still don't understand how we got here, collectively, as a society. Normally, I like the belly laughs, even in the face of rather serious things (like eye cancer) but I can't find one single thing that is funny about this particular soapbox. Obviously convenience, affordability, and profitability have driven this "movement" like most others, but when did it become acceptable to put poisons known to be absorbed through the skin into disposable diapers without a warning on the box?! Is it because we don't see the INSTANT detriments, like tar in the lungs after smoking? Because the facts are there...babies, especially boys, absorb dioxin and other toxins from their diapers through their genitals and have a serious of varied reactions ranging from infertility to less serious problems like chemical burns. When did it become alright to put similar toxins and chemicals in our candles, in our detergents, and even in our candy? When did we become so lazy or so gullible that we continue to bring these things into our home without a second thought?!
3. It takes a hell of a lot of research to cut through the bull s**t to figure out what you really are "consuming" and how it actually affects your body. Sometimes, even after DAYS of research, I still don't have answers backed by valid science so it becomes a matter of following my gut and/or seeking alternatives that seem like they could be better.
4. Being non-toxic as possible doesn't have to be expensive or inconvenient. Hopefully I can show you easy alternatives and already have done the research for you in future posts.
5. It's easiest to take it slow and choose your battles very carefully or you'll burn yourself out and want to go live in a sod hut in the middle of nowhere. I am trying to keep an eye on things that are getting low so that I have time to do the research and be ready to purchase when the item finally runs out. I'm using plenty of things, daily, that I know are full of obnoxious chemicals, but they aren't empty, I paid good money for them, and I like them so they are staying until they're empty!
6. It's better to be safe than sorry. Call me paranoid, insane, goofy, a hippie, or a liberal. I will cop to being the first three. We have all of these maladies and ailments cropping up in alarming excess and nobody can explain why. Why are so many more kids allergic to peanuts? Why are so many more kids diagnosed with autism, ADD, ADHD, epilepsy, etc? Why can't the US bring down it's maternal and infant mortality rates? (The USA is the third WORST of all the developed countries.) Will being a paranoid goof prevent my future children from all of these problems. No. I am honest with myself about that. But I will have no regrets, no reason to kick myself because I know I will have done my absolute best.
7. I don't actually care that much about the environment. Oops. There, I said it. I will not buy a product just because it has a small carbon footprint or whatever, unless it is also the best non-toxic option for my house. If it does have "earth perks" then that is wonderful. Here's a gold star. In the end, though, it's about making my home as safe and happy as possible first and foremost. I'll get to the planet later, right?!
Whew. That's a lot of learning. And re-reading all of that, I'm now completely certain I sound like a nut-job, but I am also completely certain that I'm fine with that.
Finally, I'm hoping to throw out miscellaneous posts with information that I've found throughout all of this. In some instances, there will be links directly to retailers. Please do not feel pressured to buy using my links, but know that if you do, it does benefit me a tiny, itsy bitsy bit. Also, if you find a better price, send it my way, pretty please!!
What have I learned so far?
1. We are all dumb, blind sheep. We believe that if a store sells it with a leaf-shaped sticker or if a doctor recommends it, it must be OK, even beneficial. Common items from Febreeze to disposable diapers to dishwasher detergent to scented candles are full of poisons, toxins, cancer-causing agents, and irritants.
2. I still don't understand how we got here, collectively, as a society. Normally, I like the belly laughs, even in the face of rather serious things (like eye cancer) but I can't find one single thing that is funny about this particular soapbox. Obviously convenience, affordability, and profitability have driven this "movement" like most others, but when did it become acceptable to put poisons known to be absorbed through the skin into disposable diapers without a warning on the box?! Is it because we don't see the INSTANT detriments, like tar in the lungs after smoking? Because the facts are there...babies, especially boys, absorb dioxin and other toxins from their diapers through their genitals and have a serious of varied reactions ranging from infertility to less serious problems like chemical burns. When did it become alright to put similar toxins and chemicals in our candles, in our detergents, and even in our candy? When did we become so lazy or so gullible that we continue to bring these things into our home without a second thought?!
3. It takes a hell of a lot of research to cut through the bull s**t to figure out what you really are "consuming" and how it actually affects your body. Sometimes, even after DAYS of research, I still don't have answers backed by valid science so it becomes a matter of following my gut and/or seeking alternatives that seem like they could be better.
4. Being non-toxic as possible doesn't have to be expensive or inconvenient. Hopefully I can show you easy alternatives and already have done the research for you in future posts.
5. It's easiest to take it slow and choose your battles very carefully or you'll burn yourself out and want to go live in a sod hut in the middle of nowhere. I am trying to keep an eye on things that are getting low so that I have time to do the research and be ready to purchase when the item finally runs out. I'm using plenty of things, daily, that I know are full of obnoxious chemicals, but they aren't empty, I paid good money for them, and I like them so they are staying until they're empty!
6. It's better to be safe than sorry. Call me paranoid, insane, goofy, a hippie, or a liberal. I will cop to being the first three. We have all of these maladies and ailments cropping up in alarming excess and nobody can explain why. Why are so many more kids allergic to peanuts? Why are so many more kids diagnosed with autism, ADD, ADHD, epilepsy, etc? Why can't the US bring down it's maternal and infant mortality rates? (The USA is the third WORST of all the developed countries.) Will being a paranoid goof prevent my future children from all of these problems. No. I am honest with myself about that. But I will have no regrets, no reason to kick myself because I know I will have done my absolute best.
7. I don't actually care that much about the environment. Oops. There, I said it. I will not buy a product just because it has a small carbon footprint or whatever, unless it is also the best non-toxic option for my house. If it does have "earth perks" then that is wonderful. Here's a gold star. In the end, though, it's about making my home as safe and happy as possible first and foremost. I'll get to the planet later, right?!
Whew. That's a lot of learning. And re-reading all of that, I'm now completely certain I sound like a nut-job, but I am also completely certain that I'm fine with that.
Finally, I'm hoping to throw out miscellaneous posts with information that I've found throughout all of this. In some instances, there will be links directly to retailers. Please do not feel pressured to buy using my links, but know that if you do, it does benefit me a tiny, itsy bitsy bit. Also, if you find a better price, send it my way, pretty please!!
03 December 2012
Thoughts on Parenting, Experience Level: 3
I thought it would be really fun to put down some of my current parenting thoughts so that a year or nine from now, I can revisit them and laugh hysterically at the optimistic, naive, and energetic parent-to-be that wrote this post. If you're currently a parent, and you read these and think, "HAHAHA, yeah right!" please feel free to comment OR let me get to the same conclusion on my own. I'll repost someday and validate you, so don't worry.
1. During pregnancy: This is the only item I don't think will change much....I believe in having a relaxed, healthy, and aware pregnancy. So far, so good. I am much more tired than I ever thought I would be which will be a pain when I'm trying to chase other kids around full-time, I'm sure. I've been quite vigilant in cutting toxins out of my daily habits from bad shampoos to white flour, but not driving myself insane over it.
2. Childbirth: We are going to deliver at the local hospital, but with as few interventions as necessary, no epidural, and no pitocin until baby is out. There are a thousand other relevant items on our birth plan, but I don't want to gross you out. We plan to kangaroo parent and head home as soon as medically possible.
3. Sleeping: We fully plan on using the 12 hours in 12 weeks sleep training plan. It's simple and we know several people who have had success with it with multiple kids. It turns out those kids are the EASIEST kid I know to babysit and put to bed and I'd just be the luckiest to have one of my own. I also don't believe in having baby in our master bedroom except for naps, early mornings, and bad dreams. The idea is to not invite baby to pee in my one sanctuary, thank you very much. We do, however, have a bed in the nursery, because I'm not that idealistic. I'm sure there will be many rough nights were you will find me curled up around baby in the nursery, hahaha.
4. Diapering: Got our cloth diaper stash all built up and an order for newborn sized non-toxic diapers coming up. Cloth diapering is my choice because of the incredible cost savings over non-toxic disposables, not because I care about the earth and its overflowing landfills, to be honest!
5. Clothing: The baby is not going to be wearing cutsey-pie outfits every day. If you visit, expect to find her in a gown or onsie with leggings on a cool day, and probably just a cloth diaper and diaper cover on warm days. I HATE laundering out stains so cute clothes will be reserved for special events.
6. Dogs: My dogs are already very well trained around small kids. With that said, the baby will NEVER be left alone with the pups, not even for a second. Either the baby or the dogs will come with me if I need to leave the room. Since the dogs will listen when I call them and the baby probably won't (at least for awhile), the dogs will probably be hanging with mommy. We have a Roomba that will run every day on the main floor, and the pups will not be allowed in the nursery except when I'm in there. Besides that, I have no plans to keep the house super sterile and the dogs will probably sneak wet kisses in when I'm not looking. As far as I know, no kid has ever died from having a kiss or two from their most loyal friends. (And yes, I know about the roundworm threat, so I will do my best to keep the dog's feet out of baby's eyes.)
7. Life in general: I am not good at sitting at home all day. Dangerous things happen. Walls get half-painted. Much online shopping happens spontaneously. Huge batches of baked goods magically appear and then disappear. My goal is to get out of the house every day for 1-2 walks/jogs and every other day for a real errand where I see real people and therefore have to comb my hair.
8. Marriage: It's not going to be easy leaving baby with a babysitter, but it has to be done. Don and I have weathered a lot like being apart for the first two years we were married, so there's no reason to start neglecting "us" now, is there?
Whew, being a parent sounds exhausting. I think I'll go nap now.
1. During pregnancy: This is the only item I don't think will change much....I believe in having a relaxed, healthy, and aware pregnancy. So far, so good. I am much more tired than I ever thought I would be which will be a pain when I'm trying to chase other kids around full-time, I'm sure. I've been quite vigilant in cutting toxins out of my daily habits from bad shampoos to white flour, but not driving myself insane over it.
2. Childbirth: We are going to deliver at the local hospital, but with as few interventions as necessary, no epidural, and no pitocin until baby is out. There are a thousand other relevant items on our birth plan, but I don't want to gross you out. We plan to kangaroo parent and head home as soon as medically possible.
3. Sleeping: We fully plan on using the 12 hours in 12 weeks sleep training plan. It's simple and we know several people who have had success with it with multiple kids. It turns out those kids are the EASIEST kid I know to babysit and put to bed and I'd just be the luckiest to have one of my own. I also don't believe in having baby in our master bedroom except for naps, early mornings, and bad dreams. The idea is to not invite baby to pee in my one sanctuary, thank you very much. We do, however, have a bed in the nursery, because I'm not that idealistic. I'm sure there will be many rough nights were you will find me curled up around baby in the nursery, hahaha.
4. Diapering: Got our cloth diaper stash all built up and an order for newborn sized non-toxic diapers coming up. Cloth diapering is my choice because of the incredible cost savings over non-toxic disposables, not because I care about the earth and its overflowing landfills, to be honest!
5. Clothing: The baby is not going to be wearing cutsey-pie outfits every day. If you visit, expect to find her in a gown or onsie with leggings on a cool day, and probably just a cloth diaper and diaper cover on warm days. I HATE laundering out stains so cute clothes will be reserved for special events.
6. Dogs: My dogs are already very well trained around small kids. With that said, the baby will NEVER be left alone with the pups, not even for a second. Either the baby or the dogs will come with me if I need to leave the room. Since the dogs will listen when I call them and the baby probably won't (at least for awhile), the dogs will probably be hanging with mommy. We have a Roomba that will run every day on the main floor, and the pups will not be allowed in the nursery except when I'm in there. Besides that, I have no plans to keep the house super sterile and the dogs will probably sneak wet kisses in when I'm not looking. As far as I know, no kid has ever died from having a kiss or two from their most loyal friends. (And yes, I know about the roundworm threat, so I will do my best to keep the dog's feet out of baby's eyes.)
7. Life in general: I am not good at sitting at home all day. Dangerous things happen. Walls get half-painted. Much online shopping happens spontaneously. Huge batches of baked goods magically appear and then disappear. My goal is to get out of the house every day for 1-2 walks/jogs and every other day for a real errand where I see real people and therefore have to comb my hair.
8. Marriage: It's not going to be easy leaving baby with a babysitter, but it has to be done. Don and I have weathered a lot like being apart for the first two years we were married, so there's no reason to start neglecting "us" now, is there?
Whew, being a parent sounds exhausting. I think I'll go nap now.
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