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Copyright © 2007 Baby 'n Me. All rights reserved.
Eco-Tip #1: Buying Safe Produce
First of all - buy local! By doing this you know that the fruit & vegetables are fresh. Most
imported fruit you find in the grocery store is at least a week old already by the time it is
displayed on their shelves. And be wary of organic produce grown in foreign countries. It's
tough to know exactly what each country considers 'organic' and they may allow a much
higher level of chemical use in their organic fruits & veggies than we use in North America.
Organic is a wonderful concept! So if you do try to buy organic, buy Canadian. I also
realize that Organic produce is not widely available in all areas. However one thing you can
do is educate yourself on what you're buying. How? Ask! When you go to a local market
ask them how they grow their produce. Many local markets cannot certify their crops as
organic but they do not spray more pesticides on them. So, the soil may have chemical
compounds but there are no extra nasty chemicals sprayed directly on the plant. There are
various levels of chemical use so try to buy from a local market that uses as little chemicals
as possible. This process can make a HUGE difference on the amount of toxic substances
your family consumes.
Quick Fact ~ Some produce should ALWAYS be organic. For example, in a study conducted
by the EWG (Environmental Working Group - www.ewg.org) they discovered that 91% of
apples are contaminated with up to 8 different types of chemical pesticides! Pesticides are
extremely toxic and should be avoided at all times - this includes the form sprayed on your
lawns.
First of all - buy local! By doing this you know that the fruit & vegetables are fresh. Most
imported fruit you find in the grocery store is at least a week old already by the time it is
displayed on their shelves. And be wary of organic produce grown in foreign countries. It's
tough to know exactly what each country considers 'organic' and they may allow a much
higher level of chemical use in their organic fruits & veggies than we use in North America.
Organic is a wonderful concept! So if you do try to buy organic, buy Canadian. I also
realize that Organic produce is not widely available in all areas. However one thing you can
do is educate yourself on what you're buying. How? Ask! When you go to a local market
ask them how they grow their produce. Many local markets cannot certify their crops as
organic but they do not spray more pesticides on them. So, the soil may have chemical
compounds but there are no extra nasty chemicals sprayed directly on the plant. There are
various levels of chemical use so try to buy from a local market that uses as little chemicals
as possible. This process can make a HUGE difference on the amount of toxic substances
your family consumes.
Quick Fact ~ Some produce should ALWAYS be organic. For example, in a study conducted
by the EWG (Environmental Working Group - www.ewg.org) they discovered that 91% of
apples are contaminated with up to 8 different types of chemical pesticides! Pesticides are
extremely toxic and should be avoided at all times - this includes the form sprayed on your
lawns.
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Back to Things I've Learned
Interested in creating a cleaner, less toxic environment for your family? We know how
tough it can be to know what is safe and what isn't. We've been researching green
alternatives for a few years now and want to share some quick & simple tips with all
Moms out there! If you have a great tip that you want other Moms to know, please send
it to us at: contact@babynme.ca
tough it can be to know what is safe and what isn't. We've been researching green
alternatives for a few years now and want to share some quick & simple tips with all
Moms out there! If you have a great tip that you want other Moms to know, please send
it to us at: contact@babynme.ca
Eco-Tip #2: Is your Sunscreen Safe?
Toxins in all skin care should be avoided at all times. Ingredients within skin products are
immediately absorbed into your skin right through to your bloodstream. Educate yourself
on toxic ingredients & always read your labels.
Did you know that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products contain harmful chemicals that do more
harm than good? Many inadequately protect your skin from the damaging sun rays! In fact,
many sun screens out there actually promote skin cancer as it blocks the body's absorption
of ultraviolet radiation, which produces the much sought after vitamin D. Vitamin D is
important as it prevents many forms of cancer. Also, many chemicals found in these sun
screens are actually carcinogenic (causes cancer!) and many have never even been tested
for safety.
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit agency committed to informing consumers
of the harmful toxins out there, found in a 2007 study of nearly 1,100 sunscreens that 87
percent either don't adequately protect you from the sun or have ingredients with
significant safety concerns.
Buying Tips
Again, read your labels and look for:
Avoid:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/index.php
http://www.naturalnews.com/021903.html
More information can be found at:
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9746754?source=rss
http://www.blogs.insidetoronto.com/naturopathic_perspectives/category/sunscreen/
Toxins in all skin care should be avoided at all times. Ingredients within skin products are
immediately absorbed into your skin right through to your bloodstream. Educate yourself
on toxic ingredients & always read your labels.
Did you know that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products contain harmful chemicals that do more
harm than good? Many inadequately protect your skin from the damaging sun rays! In fact,
many sun screens out there actually promote skin cancer as it blocks the body's absorption
of ultraviolet radiation, which produces the much sought after vitamin D. Vitamin D is
important as it prevents many forms of cancer. Also, many chemicals found in these sun
screens are actually carcinogenic (causes cancer!) and many have never even been tested
for safety.
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit agency committed to informing consumers
of the harmful toxins out there, found in a 2007 study of nearly 1,100 sunscreens that 87
percent either don't adequately protect you from the sun or have ingredients with
significant safety concerns.
Buying Tips
Again, read your labels and look for:
- SPF 30or higher for best protection
- at least 7% since oxide or titanium oxide for broad spectrum protection
Avoid:
- Oxybenzone or benzophenome-3 ~ can lead to allergies and/or hormone problems
- Spray & powder sunscreens ~ inhaling sunscreen can pose extra risks
- Fragrance ~ can lead to allergies and/or reproductive problems
- Sunscreens with added bug repellent ~ are adding too much pesticides in your body
- Coppertone, Neutrogena and Banana Boat Brands ~ less than 5% of their products
are safe & effective
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/index.php
http://www.naturalnews.com/021903.html
More information can be found at:
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9746754?source=rss
http://www.blogs.insidetoronto.com/naturopathic_perspectives/category/sunscreen/
** This article has been replaced by my blog called 'Natural Parenting in a Toxic World'.
You can check it out at: http://naturalparentinginatoxicworld.blogspot.com/
You can check it out at: http://naturalparentinginatoxicworld.blogspot.com/