Tips for a Safe Summer

As we focus on the fathers in our lives this month, let's look at some ways to keep those special guys healthy this summer.

Sunscreen
The American Cancer Society predicts that men will account for 64% of the 8,000+ people who will die from melanoma in 2007. That's a lot! Here are some ways to protect your skin this summer (for both guys and gals. :) )

• Avoid going outside between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun's rays are most intense.
• Count time in the water and being out on hazy days as time in the sun. (Water lets nearly all UV rays through - and even cloud cover lets 80% of UV rays through.)
• Don't depend on clothes or an umbrella for protection. (Wet or light-colored clothing offer almost no protection. Also, light reflects! So sitting under an umbrella at the beach can create the same UV exposure as sitting in direct sun.)
• Apply UVA/UVB protection every day - indoors and out. (Statistics prove most UV exposure occurs when we're not even thinking about it! Don't forget ALL areas - tops of ears, bald spots, back of necks and hands, and tops of feet.)
• Boost your skin's natural defenses against environmental pollutants. (Researchers agree that the same nutrients that protect your health also play a big role in the vitality and appearance of your skin. This sunscreen contains nutrients readily available to your skin to help break the free radical chains which can prematurely age the surface of your skin.)

Stay Hydrated
The Center for Disease Control says men account for 66% of all deaths caused by extreme heat. Keep cool by avoiding exercise in the hottest part of the day, and hydrate early and often. "Feeling thirsty means that you are already dehydrated," says Ingrid Skoog, director of sports nutrition at Oregon State University. Drinking lots of water is a great idea. If you need an extra boost, try this rehydrating drink.

“Florida summers are hot and lawn work can be exhausting. [This rehydrating drink] to the rescue! I mix it up based on the label suggestion and drink a big glass before I go out. I make extra so there’s a big thermos ... waiting a break time. I have more when I finish, plus [this muscle building and recovery drink] if my jobs were strenuous. I really love the stuff!”
-Billy C.

You can also rehydrate by eating watermelon! A 1" slice is a great source of hydration - it contains 92% water and lycopene - which boosts skin's natural SPF.

The Dirty Dozen Ingredients In Personal Care Products

by Diane di Costanzo 

from www.thegreenguide.com

In pursuit of cleanliness and beauty, we buy approximately $20 billion worth of personal care products every year. Unfortunately, many ingredients in these potions and lotions have the opposite effect on the planet—and some of them are linked to damaging effects on human health.  And unlike the pharmaceutical industry, the government does not require safety testing for these products before they go to market.  Updating "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" (GG94), we've culled a list of the worst of the worst, ten chemicals you do not want on your skin.

ANTIBACTERIALS

Found in cleansers, deodorants and other cosmetic products, antibacterial agents such as Triclosan encourage the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, according to a studies in the April 1999 Journal of Biological Chemistry and the July 13 2000 Nature.

COAL-TAR COLORS

So-called coal-tar chemicals are found in many "FD&C" or "D&C" colors used in makeup and hair dye. FD&C Blue 1 and FD &C Green 3 are carcinogenic, and impurities in other colors -- D&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5 and FD&C Yellow 6 -- have been shown to cause cancer when applied to the skin.

DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA)

Widely used in shampoos, DEA is a suspected carcinogen, and its compounds and derivatives include triethanolamine (TEA), which can be contaminated with nitrosamines -- compounds shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Contamination is more likely if the product also contains Bronopol (see above).

FORMALDEHYDE

Found in eye shadows, mascaras and other cosmetics, formaldehyde is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," according to the National Toxicology Program's "Ninth Report on Carcinogens" (January 2001). The EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen.

In its liquid state, formaldehyde, present in the ingredients DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15, can be absorbed through the skin and nails. As a volatile organic compound, or VOC, formaldehyde evaporates when the product is wet; levels drop sharply once it's dry. Consumer concern has led many manufacturers to remove it from their nail polishes. Quaternium-15 causes more dermatitis complaints than any other preservative, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Bronopol, often listed as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, can contribute to the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, according to the FDA. It can also break down to produce formaldehyde.

GLYCOL ETHERS

Widely used industrial solvents found in nail polish, deodorant, perfumes and other cosmetics, some glycol ethers are hazardous to the reproductive system. Other effects of overexposure include anemia and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Avoid those listed on labels as EGPE, EGME,EGEE, DEGBE, PGME, DPGME and those with "methyl" in their names.

HEAVY METALS: LEAD AND MERCURY

A brain- and nervous-system toxin as well as a known carcinogen and hormone disruptor, lead accumulates in the bones. It is found in lead acetate in hair dyes and makeup.

Mercury: A tiny amount of this potent nervous-system toxin, which accumulates in the body, is allowed as a preservative in eye-area cosmetics.

PETROLATUM (vaseline, petroleum jelly)

Commonly used in cold creams, lipsticks, lip protection, baby creams, eye shadows. Petrolatum can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Furthermore, since it is a petroleum product, its use depletes a non-renewable resource.

PHENYLENEDIAMINE (PPD)

Found in many hairdyes,PPD is linked with skin irritations, and respiratory disorders. PPD is mutagenic and reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, and has been banned in Europe. Also called oxidation dyes, amino dyes para dyes, or peroxide dyes.

PHTHALATES

Used widely in fragrances, deodorants, nail polishes, hair products and lotions, the oily texture of phthalates acts like a moisturizer and helps lotions penetrate skin. Various members of this family of chemical plasticizers have been found to produce cancer of the liver and birth defects in lab animals. Since, phthalates often "hide" behind the term "fragrance;" choose products labeled "fragrance-free" or that are scented exclusively with pure botanical or essential oils.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS)

The Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR), a panel of cosmetics-industry experts established to safety-test ingredients (cir-safety.org), reported that SLS also causes "severe epidermal changes" to mouse skin, a finding that "indicates a need for tumor-enhancing activity assays." This year, after review of over 250 existing SLS studies, the CIR concluded that SLS is not cancer-causing. However, Samuel Epstein, M.D., says he is not convinced and recommends avoiding SLS.

TOLUENE

This solvent found in nail products can cause liver damage and is irritating to the skin and respiratory tract.

The company I represent does not use any of these ingredients in the personal care products, in skin care products, or in makeup products they sell.  I love that I can use these products without worrying about poisons or harmful chemicals soaking into to body.

We DO Need our Beauty Sleep!

Are you having trouble sleeping at night?  I love these tips from Melanie Vasseur on how to sleep better at night.

Here are a few ways to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly:

1. Develop a routine for going to bed at night, and be consistent about it. You might enjoy a cup of soothing herbal tea (no caffeine!) and a chapter from a favorite book before turning the lights out.

2. Try to exercise daily, but not within three to four hours of bedtime. Exercise has been shown to increase the amount of deep sleep you get. It can also reduce symptoms PMS in women, which can be uncomfortable enough to disrupt sleep.

3. Don't have a heavy meal right before going to bed. and avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine close to bedtime. These can all disturb sleep.

4. Don't use your sleep space as a workspace, and keep the TV out of the bedroom. You should associate your place for sleeping with sleep, not with work or entertainment (other than lovemaking, of course!).

5. Make the room as dark as possible. The less light there is around you, the more melatonin your brain produces. This hormone has been shown to help you feel sleepier, fall asleep faster, and make you sleep longer. Room darkening shades can help tremendously, but a sleep mask is also very effective and a lot cheaper!

6. Control noise levels. You may get so used to familiar sounds like street noise or the sound of someone's snoring that you don't even notice it anymore, but it still affects the quality of your sleep! Ear plugs are helpful for some. Other people find that white noise or soothing music are helpful if it's impossible to block out distracting sounds.

7. Don't keep checking the clock. Experts say that if your sleep is interrupted, checking the time will only increase anxiety about getting enough sleep, and make it harder to get back to sleep. ( I have a tough time following this one!)

8. Make sure you're comfortable! Are you sleeping on the right mattress? Are your pillows giving your neck the right amount of support? Too much tossing and turning could be a sign that one or both need replacing.

I would add: try adding B-complex and calcium to your evening routine.  They promote relaxation.  Sometimes I like to take an all-natural stress reliever to help my mind calm down.  As a last resort, an all-natural sleep aid also helps.

Non-toxic, environmentally-friendly cleaners make cleaning FUN!

Are you afraid you will have to give up a quality clean if you switch from regular cleaners to non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaners?  Not with these cleaners!

 

Here's what Christy K from Chicago says:

 

"I just wanted to tell you I LOVE the cleaning supplies!!! The bottles are so pretty, the sponge works better and faster than ANYTHING else I have tried. I have have tile 5 feet high in my kitchen and could never clean it properly. A sponge would just push the dirtiness into the cracks. With the shaklee sponge and All-Purpose Cleaner, years of grime just wipe away so easily.

 

I use the Window Cleaner on my chrome fixtures and they sparkle.  I have two sets of french doors with all that seperate glass and it all cleans so easily. I don't feel gross with the fumes from my old cleaners. Clean really feels clean - inside and out. Sticky grimy prints all come up. Oh and the scrubby part on the sponge is truly amazing. It feels soft but it really gets hard stuff off dishes. I haven't used the laundry soap yet, but the fabric softener really leaves things so nice and fluffy!

 

I was worried that it would be inconvenient to use and hard to get used to. But it really makes cleaning easy and fun. Yes, I said "fun". And I think anyone who tried it would love it."

 

Cleaning fun??  I didn't think those words could be used in the same sentence!  I think you ought to try these cleaners, don't you?

 

Cleaning your Windows - streak-free!

I don't do windows very well - so I was thrilled to receive these tips from Don Aslett.  I've modified them just a bit to reflect my favorite brand of cleaners - non-toxic and earth-friendly.  I recommend you buy the tools mentioned here at Don's site (see below); but buy the cleaners here.

Do you say you don't do windows? Once you learn to clean like a pro, you will never say you don't do windows again. With the right tools and the right techniques, your windows will sparkle and let the spring sun in easier than ever. Professionals use simple cleaning solutions and the window washer's best friend -- a squeegee. A squeegee is the best way to do any full-size window or other large expanse of glass.

The equipment you'll need to easily produce gleaming, streak-free windows can be found either around the house or from the Cleaning Center. All you need for clean windows are:

• A bucket with cleaning solution (the solution is created with [a few drops of this non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaner])
• One 10" or 12" professional quality brass or stainless steel squeegee, or the Super System Squeegee
• A window scrubber, like the new Microfiber Scrubber with scrubbing strips, or the new Back Flip, with the Squeegee included
• An Extension pole, if you'll be cleaning high windows

Now don't let windows intimidate you. All you do is apply a cleaning solution with a window scrubber, and then simply remove the solution (and the dirt) with a squeegee. Avoid cleaning windows in direct sunlight though; they'll dry too fast and streak. Now, here's the skinny on squeegeeing:

Seven steps to crystal clear glass:

1. Mix up your solution: Put no more than a few drops of this cleaner in a bucket of warm water... any more cleaner than that will only cause streaking.
2. Wipe around the outside edge of the window with a damp cloth to remove debris that otherwise might get caught under your squeegee. Or if it's an extremely dirty outside window, a quick spray with the garden hose will remove mud, cobwebs, etc.
3. Dip the flat side of your window scrubber about ¼ inch into the solution, then lightly wet the window. Next, go back over it to loosen any stubborn debris before finally sweeping the scrubber around the edges of the window frame to pick up any dirt you may have pushed against it.
4. Before squeegeeing the window, wet the blade of the squeegee with a damp cloth, so that it won't skip on the glass. You should wipe the blade between strokes, too, when you're working with the squeegee. If you're doing high windows with an extension pole, simply hit the pole with the palm of your hand to release excess solution from the blade.
5. Placing the squeegee against the glass at the top of your window, tilt one end outward so that only about one inch of the blade's length rests lightly against the surface. Pull the squeegee straight across the top to create a dry strip about an inch wide. This will prevent drips from running down from the top of the window.
6. Place the squeegee blade in the narrow dry area and pull it all the way down to approximately three inches from the bottom of the window. Repeat until the window is done, making sure to overlap a little with each stroke; this prevents water from running into the cleaned area.
7. Finally, run the squeegee across the bottom of the window to remove the last of the solution. Finish by wiping the sill with a dry cloth.

Once you've squeegeed your windows, resist the temptation to remove lingering water drops with a cloth. This will only leave an irresistible streak. Just let them evaporate. If you must wipe, use the tip of your bare finger (after steps 1-7 it will be oil-free and the perfect touchup tool!)

Your squeegeeing techniques might be a little awkward at first, but you'll quickly catch on and then marvel at how easy it is to have sparkling glass... and you only used a few drops of cleaner!

Brass Squeegee - http://www.cleanreport.com/ad.cfm?code=BRASS0407

Super System - http://www.cleanreport.com/ad.cfm?code=SS0407

Window Scrubber - http://www.cleanreport.com/ad.cfm?code=WS0407

*NEW* Back Flip - http://www.cleanreport.com/ad.cfm?code=BF0407

Extension Poles - http://www.cleanreport.com/ad.cfm?code=EP0407

Happy Tax Day? It is possible!

This story came across my computer this week, and I thought it quite appropriate to share with you.

"I'm an RN and I love to help people get healthier. The problem is that prescription drugs have lots of side effects.

When I started using [this brand] natural products my own health improved so dramatically a big light bulb went off in my head.

Now I help people get healthier without drugs and have a business that lets me work from home. No boss! Nobody tells me WHEN to work. It's fantastic! My husband is thrilled with the tax benefits. He actually gets excited over April 15th!

Do you know of anyone who might like more information about these products or this opportunity?"

~Harriet G., Wisconsin

If you would like to start looking forward to tax day, just as Harriet does, contact me through my website.

Myth: Our Body can Handle Whatever We Dish Out

We Can Handle the Body Burden

“Mainstream physicians and toxicologists assure us that a frontline defense of healthy livers and kidneys will keep us safe from nearly all levels of toxic accumulation” (pg 28).

“Unfortunately our bodies were never designed to protect themselves against this chemical onslaught,” observes Paula Baillie-Hamilton, a British authority on the health effects of toxic chemicals.

“As a result, our systems usually fail to process and remove most of these chemicals once they have entered our bodies, so their levels start building up inside us. Consequently, every single human on the face of this earth is now permanently contaminated with these modern synthetic chemicals” (pg. 28)

-From The 100-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald

Not exactly the news I wanted to hear, right? However, you can take steps to limit your chemical exposure and reduce the toxic load your body is carrying.

First, I would recommend switching brands. That easy, simple step can immediately limit your toxic exposure. I recommend Shaklee brand - it's a company you can trust for non-toxic products that are safe for you and your family. Switch cleaners, personal care products (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.), skin care and makeup too.

Second, I would recommend high-quality supplements - and even a detoxification program. There are many books you can read about detox programs, but remember to never start a detox program unless you are under the care of a medical professional.

Third, make sure you are breathing clean air. The products we surround ourselves with are drenched with chemicals... and those chemicals don't stay where they're put. They release into the air we breath... filling our bodies with more toxins. I recommend this air purifier. It's made a tremendous difference in my health.

Fourth, make sure you drink clean water. Water, too, is full of toxins and poisons - and our body can be affected by even the smallest dose. You never know what can or will trigger a reaction. The best purification system for water is reverse osmosis, and can be quite expensive. I recommend this reverse osmosis system. It's a counter-top system and easy to use. No plumber needed!

Fifth, start changing the foods you eat and the cookware you cook with. There are simple steps you can take to start switching over to less-processed, more nutritious foods. For example, switch from iodionized salt to real salt. Simple, yet it can make a big difference. For more information, contact me.

Myth: Low Doses don't Matter

The Poison is in the Dose

“We are told by mainstream science, medicine, and industry that we shouldn’t be concerned about our toxic body burden because “the poison is in the dose,” a mantra that is the foundation for our public health standards” (pg 27).

However, that’s not true when it comes to chemicals in our bodies. “New chemicals and new mixtures of chemicals that have never entered the human body before are being absorbed” (pg 27). “Many synthetic chemicals are biologically active at incredibly low levels” (pg 27).

-From The 100-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald

I wonder how many of us have trouble controlling our weight, fighting illness after illness because of the toxic levels of chemicals in our bodies. I don't have an answer - but it certainly is food for thought. And a good reason to consider a detoxification program - and certainly to switch brands of cleaners, personal care products, makeup and skincare products. It's also a good reason to switch brand of vitamins - because you never know what other companies have included in their vitamins that aren't on the label (see Myth of Product Label).

Myth of Product Labels

There is Truth in Labeling

“The only “truth” in labeling today is the fact that there is widespread secrecy. Of forty common consumer products tested by the National Environmental Trust in Washington, D.C., during 2004, more than half contained toxic chemicals not listed on the product labels” (pg 24).

“Toxins expert Doris J Rapp claims that at least two hundred chemicals classified as “inert” are environmental pollutants hazardous to human health” (pg 26).

Read more in The 100-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald.

Do you know what chemicals you're using in your home? In your garage? On your lawn? Do you know what those chemicals are doing to you? Your family? Your pets? Your world?

I know what products I'm using - and I know what they're NOT doing to me or my family. They are NOT making me sick. They are NOT full of toxic chemicals. They are from a company I CAN trust.

Is it time for you to switch?

Another Myth We Cherish

The Government Knows What is Safe

“Toxins expert Doris J. Rapp warns us that the rules have been written in such a way that we can never know what is safe until people or animals in the wild begin suffering. ‘The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 allows chemicals to be sold and used unless they are proven to be a risk. The EPA, however, does not conduct its own safety tests, but relies on research conducted by manufacturers. Yes, you read it correctly. Is the fox in charge of designing the chicken coop?” (pg 23)

With all the chemicals made today, there’s no way to be able to test them all alone, let alone how they interact with all the other chemicals on the market (pg. 23-24).

I am so thankful to have found a company which I can trust - and won't sell something that is not safe for me or my family. This company has spent $250 million on research and development - unheard of in the industry. No other company can come close, because this company has been researching for over 50 years. To match the level of research, a new company would literally have to spend billions of dollars. Do you know of a new company - or even an established company - who has that kind of money to enter a market?

Now, more than ever, it's time for change and take responsibility. Let's take responsibility for what we clean our homes with, what we put on our skin and in our bodies. Let's take responsibility for cleaning our air and our water. Only then can we truly take responsibility for the earth on which we live. And, when each one of us takes that step - sometimes just changing the brand we buy - we can not only create a healthier home for ourselves and our families, but also create a healthier world for all of us.

Myths We Cherish

Toxicity is Some Else’s Problem

“While it may sound rather harsh to label each and every one of us a living toxic waste dump, the reality of the body burden of toxins we each bear does support that description. We absorb so many synthetic chemicals during an average lifetime that, according to some reports, when we die our bodies decompose more slowly today than if we had died just three decades ago” (pg. 20).

“’The chemical threat is the ultimate threat to mankind, worse than bombs and war. You cannot hide from it. It reaches everywhere in the world’” (pg. 22)

- Taken from The 100-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald.

The chemical threat reaches everywhere in the world, yet we can do something about it. One way to stop, and even reverse, the toxic trend is to switch our household cleaners. Stop buying the chemical-laden cleaners pushed by Madison Avenue, and start using non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners. You can find them at the local health food store, at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. However, the most economical non-toxic cleaners on the market today are these cleaners.

This company created the first non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner in 1960... and has continued its commitment to our environment by expanding its non-toxic cleaning line to include a scouring paste, laundry cleaners and dish cleaners.

You can learn more about non-toxic cleaners here.

Healthy Homes e-News for April 2007

Happy Easter! I would say “Happy Spring,” but I think something frightened spring away this week. Monday and Tuesday were pretty nice days, but then Tuesday night hit, and wham! We’re in winter again.

Don’t tell my girls though. They are insisting on wearing their new (to them) summer dresses – much to my chagrin. I feel like putting a sign on their backs saying, “I told them it was cold!” Some battles are not worth fighting – I asked them to please put on a sweater. Thankfully, they obliged me.

The little taste of spring did inspire me to do some spring cleaning. Did you feel it too? I was surprised to see this article on the front of my hometown newspaper. Titled Danger within reach, it focuses on the danger of household products – from makeup and lipstick to expired prescriptions and household cleaners. It made me thankful that I’ve switched brands to this brand – no danger there!

(You can find the article, and most others mentioned here if you just scroll down a bit.)

I’m not the only one – Colleen loves her non-toxic cleaners too.

SCOUR-OFF works! I can hardly believe it! I was finally getting around to using my new Shaklee stuff last night and was getting ready to tackle the shower. It was almost completely rust red and I was dreading the hour of scrubbing and harsh chemical smell. THEN I used the stuff you gave me and WOW WOW WOW it came right off! Last time it took me forever to scrub the darn thing clean. This stuff smelled like strawberries and wiped it clean right away. I am sooooooo impressed. Also did some cleaning with the Basic H and it worked too. Getting ready to do my car windows with it later tonight. Thanks for introducing me to these products. Now what do I do with the CLR and LimeAway under my sink? Cleaning was never so easy and pleasurable. Gotta love not having that awful smell!

(note from Michelle – the CLR and LimeAway are considered hazardous waste, so please dispose of them properly!)

Spring cleaning does stress me out a little. It’s difficult to work hard on getting one room cleaned and move on to the next – only to turn around and find the children have destroyed the room I just cleaned. I’m sure I’m the only one who’s experienced that! That’s why I like Don Aslett’s tips for cleaning house – a little every day and there will be no need for a big spring clean.

I’ve started taking his tips to heart – and enlisting my children’s help. So far, so good. It’s wonderful to walk into a bathroom that is always clean (the older two take turns cleaning it every morning – which is perfectly safe for them because we’re using non-toxic cleaners).

Besides cleaning, one thing I’ve been working to teach my children is conservation – in all areas of life. My grandmother is wonderful at this – saving water in ways that I never dreamed, reusing containers instead of just recycling, and more. Here are some simple tips on conserving water in your house this spring.

If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint (my what? Read about carbon footprints here.), you might want to read what others are doing. Will Steger’s team wrote out their list here. (You can read more from Will Steger here.)

Tips for Conserving Water at Home

from a brochure produced by American Water Works Association

• Check your toilet for leaks - and save many gallons of water per day.
• Time yourself in the shower. A short shower uses less water than a full time, but a long shower uses more water than a partially filled tub. So, take short showers.
• Don't let the water run when you are shaving or brushing your teeth. I admit! I'm guilty. This is a hard habit to break, but worthwhile as it saves lots and lots of water each year.
• Only run your dishwasher if it has a full load. Dishwashers use 7-14 gallons of water each time you run them.
• Same with your washing machine. Washing machines use 40 or more gallons of water each time - so save water and electricity by running it only when it's full (or as near full as you can get it).
• Check your faucets for leaks too! A slow drip can add up to 15-20 gallons in a day... a small faucet leak can wastes 100 gallons in 24 hours! (If you're on city water, who wants to pay for that?? Even if you're on a well, it adds up in wasted electricity to run the pump.)
• Of course, with summer almost here - watch your water use outside too. Wash your car on your lawn (use this general cleaner, and you'll condition the soil as well as wash your car); water your plants or grass only when it shows signs of needing it; don't use water to clean off driveways or sidewalks. Use a broom instead.

Danger Within Reach

Simple knowledge of household poisons could save lives.

-from the Daily Herald, Monday, March 26, 2007

I would add: simply switching brands could save lives

Most Americans have cosmetics, cleansers, personal care products, plants, pesticides, art supplies, alcohol or toys in their homes. Yet many may not be aware that these common items are the cause of 91,000 accidental poisonings among children each year.

What can you do to keep your children safe? Here are some tips from Safe Kids Worldwide.

• Don't refer to medicine or vitamins as candy to children
• Do not flush expired medications down the toilet. They can contaminate soil & groundwater. Most pharmacists will dispose of old medication.
• Discuss these precautions with grandparents and relatives who may have medications that can harm children
• Get your home tested for lead. An estimated 890,000 children ages 1 to 5 have too much lead in their blood.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in every sleeping area (it's the law in Illinois now).
• Stay alert while using cleaning products or other potentially harmful substances. A child can be poisoned in a matter of seconds.
• Never leave children alone with an open container of something you wouldn't want them to ingest.
• Learn which household plants are poisonous and keep them out of reach of children.

Did you know:

91,000 - children ages 14 and younger are treated in emergency rooms for accidental poisoning each year.

100 - approximate number of children who die from accidental poisoning.

90 - percent of these toxic exposures occur in the home.

40 - percent of the time, these poisonings involve medications.

Poison Control's toll free number is: 800.222.1222.

But, if your child is choking, having trouble breathing, or having a seizure, call 911.

I would add - your home does not have to be a toxic place! Just by switching brands for cleaners, personal care products, makeup, skin care and vitamins, you can greatly reduce the risk of accidental poisoning in your home.

No More Spring Cleaning!

If you do just a little bit here and there throughout the year, Spring Cleaning will be an event from the past.

Here are some techniques to avoid Spring Cleaning forever! (from Don Aslett's Cleaning Center)

Dust as you go- Instead of sitting while your favorite show is on a commercial break, keep a Microfiber cloth in each room and wipe down the surfaces that collect dust. Get the family to do the same when they are in-between things. The company I represent now carries microfiber cloths - I am thrilled with them!

Vacuum where needed- Quickly go over high-traffic areas often. You’ll be amazed how clean it keeps the room, and how long the carpet will last! Carpet in less traffic areas and under furniture need it less often.

Get spots quickly- The sooner you work on spots in the carpet, the easier they are to remove. This general cleaner removes most spots. If more power is needed, Fresh Laundry Liquid Concentrate also works well, as does Nature Bright. All three (plus more) are included in the environmentally-safe, non-toxic cleaning starter kit.

No time to Sweep or Mop? - Get one of our (Don Aslett's) Scrubbee Doo 2’s! With many heads to use for any type of mess, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. Use the Dust Mop (#30-128) head to quickly keep your floor free of dust, hair and crumbs. Use the Absorbent Mop (#30-130) head to soak up those spilled drinks. The Damp Scrubbing Mop (#30-122) head will keep you floors sparkling with less rinsing needed. And each is made with Microfiber, so simply throw them in the laundry after each use. This was one of the best tools I ever purchased for cleaning my house - I highly recommend it!

Mats are a must! – We (Don Aslett) have said for years mats are one of the most effective ways to keep your house clean! Most of the dirt that comes into the house is from your shoes. With our mats, both exterior and interior, catch more than 80% of the dirt from coming inside. Our Astroturf Mats are the best defense at stopping dirt. Each blade of synthetic grass works like tiny little scrapers to clean every boot, shoe and paw that comes through the door. And don’t forget a good interior mat. They are better than an old piece of carpet by creating a static charge that attracts dirt and moisture into the fibers and away from your carpet. When any of the mats get dirty, just take them outside and shake or hose down and let dry. http://www.cleanreport.com/ad.cfm?code=MAT0207. These are on my wish list for my birthday this year!

Keep Everything together – It is easier and quicker to know where your cleaning tools are when a mess occurs. I've discovered it's so convenient to have a little cleaning caddy in each bathroom and under the sink. I keep full-strength bottles under the kitchen sink, so we all know where they are. A set of spray bottles there, and in each bathroom, makes quick clean-ups easy!

Clean Air is Essential to a Healthy Home

I know that my family and I are healthier because we have an air purifier that cleans the air inside our home. It kills mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses and destroys dangerous gases so that our bodies don't have to try to deal with them. It also takes the dust and other stuff out of the air.

I really notice the difference during pollen season - spring and fall. It's really helped me gain my life back during allergy season! I cannot imagine life without my air purifier.

Neither can Jan S. Here's what she says about her air purifier:

Michelle kept telling me that we needed this air purifier but it just seemed hard to justify the expense. Yet I seemed to feel like I was getting sick so often and then would need to take extra nutriferon, defend & resist, etc. While I could usually fight off the illness it did seem unnecessary to so often be fighting off the bug. We finally gave in and got the air purifier. I rarely feel like I'm getting sick now. This has to be because of the air purifier as nothing else has changed. Not only that, but our basement which always smelled moldy has absolutely no odor now. Several of our family members couldn't tolerate even stepping into our basement because of their allergies. Now none of them has any problem with being down there. It has made an amazing difference in our lives in so many different ways.

This spring, consider giving you and your family the gift of fresh, clean air. It really helps people with allergies and respiratory illnesses, such as asthma. It is worth the investment.

You can learn more here. Or here.

Healthy Homes e-News from March 2007

Greetings! I’m sitting on my couch in the living room, soaking up the sun. We’ve seen too little of it recently and I need a “sun fix!” I’m also enjoying the quiet house – three of my children are sleeping and the fourth is doing his homework. I’ve learned to savor these moments. They seem to come less and less often as my children are growing older.

I want to acknowledge a friend of mine, Mary Hill. She’s taken the initiative to ask if we can collaborate on our monthly newsletter. I’m so happy to have her help in gathering stories and information about how people like you are enjoying the products we sell. We’ll be working together on our newsletters in future months. Thanks Mary!

Children are such a big part of our lives, aren’t they? As parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles and friends, we want what’s best for the children in our lives. My mom gave me the gift of this company's products when I was five – so when I was pregnant with my first child, my first gift to him was this brand of all-natural vitamins instead of synthetic prenatal vitamins.

In this month’s issue, we focus on children:

1. Eco-Friendly House

2. Air Quality affects Infant Health

3. Book Review: The Hundred-Year Lie

4. What Kids Love

5. Best Baby Shower Gifts

6. Current Promotions

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1. Eco-Friendly House

We all want our homes to be a healthy place for us and our families. Unfortunately, some of the products readily available on the market today are full of chemicals that are harmful to our health. These products are “off-gassing” all the time – letting of those chemicals into the air for us and our families to breathe.

Companies are responding to the growing concern about indoor air quality and “off-gassing” by bringing us more products made without these dangerous chemicals. I came across an article recently which gave some examples of eco-friendly products, including paints, furniture and bedding. The last part of the article caught my eye:

CARPETING Studies indicate that a baby crawling across a carpet can inhale the same amount of carcinogenic materials that it would if it had smoked three cigarettes a day. You can change that by vacuuming regularly, using nontoxic cleansers and buying special flooring, like InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles, which you can mix and match for a custom look.

My husband and I decided to replace all the flooring in our house when we moved in. It was not an inexpensive decision, but we knew that with my and our youngest’s allergies, it was the smartest thing to do. We went with laminate flooring – which I’m sure off-gasses some nasty chemicals. It was the best we could do financially, and since we have an AirSource 3000 air purifier, I was confident that the air in our home would be healthy for us all. We did leave the air purifier on for a few days in the house before we moved everything in – to get rid of the paint fumes and the gasses from the laminate flooring.

To make your home more eco-friendly for your family, the first step would be to switch cleaners. Of course, I recommend environmentally-friendly, non-toxic cleaners for safe, effective and economical cleaners. I also highly recommend this air purifier. This purifier is powerful enough to clean the air in your whole house, requires maintenance only once a year, and is quite cost-effective.

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2. Air Quality affects Infant Health

Of course, this article caught my eye! It’s a logical next step after the last article’s comment: “a baby crawling across a carpet can inhale the same amount of carcinogenic materials that it would if it had smoked three cigarettes a day.” Of course, his/her health will be affected.

Here’s the beginning of the article:

Compounds found in air in the home could pose more of a health risk to breast-fed babies than chemicals they are exposed to through their mother's milk, researchers in the United States said.

They found that a nursing infant's exposure to gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air was 25-135-fold higher than from breast milk.

"We ought to focus our efforts on reducing indoor air sources of these compounds," said Sungroul Kim of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.

VOCs are gases emitted from certain solids and fluids such as paints, cleaning supplies, building materials, printers, glues and photographic solutions.

Read the rest of the article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070213/hl_nm/breastfeeding_toxins_dc

Again, the best thing you can do for your family’s health is invest in this air purifier. To compare it to other air purifiers, click on this link:

http://www.thebestairpurifierinfo.com/recommendairpurifierchart.html

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3. Book Review: The Hundred-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald

I would put this book as a must-read for everyone. As a journalist, I’ve been reading lots of different articles (both on- and off-line), and wondering about which one I can trust. I remember enough from my probability and statistics class in high school (!) to know that numbers can be manipulated and to watch sample sizes of studies, etc. However, I don’t have the time to track down all the sources of the articles I read to see if the conclusions drawn are valid, nor do I have the scientific background to understand some of the studies.

Randall Fitzgerald is an investigative journalist who became concerned “for members of (his) family who seemed to be on a slippery slope of health dilemmas” (pg 1). His concern led him down a path of investigating modern food and medical practices.

The book is titled The Hundred-Year Lie based upon the year the US Congress enacted the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. It was “a law that for the first time gave Americans the illusion of food and drug safety and provided a legal standard for most other governments of the world to follow” (pg 62).

Throughout his book, Fitzgerald repeatedly emphasizes that we cannot assume the government is looking out for our well-being. We assume that if the chemicals we use daily were bad for us, the government would take them off the market. This is simply not the case.

He takes us through many “Myths We Cherish” and “Disturbing Trends” in America today. I found his book well-written and well-documented. Some authors who approach this type of work get hysterical and dramatic. Fitzgerald avoids such hysteria, calmly laying out studies and statistics.

I have to admit, reading this book made me so thankful for the company I represent. I kept saying to myself, “This is why we need these products! This is why I can trust this company!”

For example, “Today, the vitamin industry is dominated by six pharmaceutical companies that produce about 97-percent of all raw materials for the synthetic vitamins we find on store shelves. Their vitamins are made from coal tars and use artificial colorings, preservatives, disintegrents, coating materials, and other additives” (pg 137). I’m so glad I can say, except this company!

And, “Former Harvard Botanical Museum researcher Andrew Weil laments how in the West, ‘science and medicine have separated themselves from nature and separated us from nature.’ Healing is a natural process, ‘and if you want to understand healing and how to make people better, you must understand the ways of nature.’ ” (pg 177). Which again points me back to the company I represent: “science in harmony with nature.” It has always had whole-food based supplements. The philosophy of their scientists has been, “if it’s in nature, there must be a reason, so we keep it in the final product.”

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4. What Kids Love… and Parents too!

Mary & I both started our children young on this brand of vitamins. We started with this powdered vitamin mix for infants, and as soon as they had molars and could chew (about two years), switched them over to childrens' vitamins. (My first hint that Isaac was ready for the chewables was when he stole his sister’s vitamin, chewed it and swallowed before I could react. Quite frankly I was shocked. However, once the infant mix was done, we immediately switched him to a half-dose of the chewables – he was about 20 months.)

In fact, when I started my older children on this brand of children vitamins, I was able to tell them that these were the same vitamins Mommy had taken as a child. That spoke to me of the consistency and integrity of this company. Since then, they reformulated the children’s vitamins according to the latest research and introduced a reformulated chewable. My children LOVE them.

None of the vitamins do not have any artificial colors or flavors and contain no aspartame.

“After years of searching, I found no other products that match [this company's] uncompromising scientific standard of quality, safety, and efficacy. I do not hesitate to recommend [this brand's] Children's Health products to my patients, family, and friends.”

Dr. Linda Rodriguez - Pediatrician, Mother, and Business Leader

“I was looking for vitamins that would be safe and just right for (my children). So we looked into (this company’s) powder mix which is wonderful… Both of my children use it and we just mix it into their juice and they don't even know the difference. My sister is now giving it to her children also. We love the product and when they outgrow it, we will then use the [chewables]. Keeping [this brand of] products in our family… we LOVE [THEM].”

Katrina M. – Mother and product user

Children also love the company's all-natural, organic toothpaste – and so do I! I love not having to worry about the children swallowing toothpaste with fluoride in it. Have you read the warning sign on toothpaste? “WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If YOU (this means anyone, not just the child) accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”

Did you know that the American Dental Association is concerned about the fluoride level in infants?

In a little-noticed but dramatic turnaround, the nation's leading fluoride advocate, The American Dental Association (ADA), issued an alert on November 9, 2006 urging parents to avoid fluoridated water when reconstituting infant formula, warning that "Infants less than one year old may be getting more than the optimal amount of fluoride if their primary source of nutrition is powdered or liquid infant formula mixed with water containing fluoride."

The dentists are worried that fluoride exposure at this age will permanently damage teeth, not protect them. A growing body of research also links fluoride to weakened bones, reduced thyroid activity, and possibly bone cancer in boys.

The advice, however, has gone largely unheeded. Nursery Water, the nation's leading fluoridated water for babies still markets its product nationwide at Wal*Mart and other major retailers.

LINK: No Fluoride for Bottle-Fed Infants

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5. The Best Baby Shower Gift

With all the toxins our children are exposed to in this world, the best gift we can give them is healthy skin. Our skin absorbs whatever is put on it so quickly – don’t we want to make sure what we put on it is safe?

I give this brand of all-natural baby shampoo & bath at every baby shower. I feel confident giving mothers of new babies such a safe product. As with all of this company's products, they combined the power of science with specifically selected natural ingredients that are safe for you and your kids. My children love the lightly fragranced shampoo, and it really cleans them up too. It is completely non-irritating, tear free, pH balanced and biodegradable.

Mary also recommends this creamy baby oil too. “It absorbs faster and is less greasy, contains Vitamin E and allantoin to help soothe tender skin while helping to prevent dryness and irritation. pH balanced for baby’s delicate skin, with no mineral oil or petroleum based ingredients.”

“Thanks you so much for the [all-natural] baby products! I have been using them on Addison every night. It took about a week of shampooing and using the cream on her head, but the cradle cap is all gone. Plus, it’s not greasy at all!

Katie B. – Mother and product user