Welcome to Bugs and Brooms!

I know - what a freaky title!  But it is TRUE!  If you are using regular cosmetics of ANY kind, even the high-end, expensive, department store kind, you are probably applying petroleum to your body.  In fact, the Environmental Working Group found that at least 22% of cosmetics contain 1,4 dioxane, a petroleum derived contaminant.  The EWG also determined from their research that 1,4 dioxane may be present in up to 57% of  baby soaps, and 34% of all body lotions.  But that’s not all for this particular chemical: it can be found in up to 97% of personal care products.  And, in the case of lipstick, you may be eating POUNDS of it during your lifetime!  Now that is a little gross!

1,4-dioxane is just one chemical that is used in our personal care products.  There are many, many more and often, these items are not even listed as an ingredient.  Yep - that is an OK thing to do! 

But back to my gas story: most cosmetics and other personal products like soap and shampoo contain petroleum!  With gas at astronomical prices and continuing to climb upward everyday, plus the fact that petroleum is a probable carcinogen, you might want to consider a new way to make yourself look good!

Hundreds of chemicals are used in the manufacturing of these products that have never had any toxicity testing performed on them.  The chemicals that have been tested have undergone short term studies based on single use or application which probably will not do harm (but who knows for sure since there is no testing documented on some of these ingredients).  But continued use over extended periods of time may be a problem.  The problem with personal care products, including soap, shampoo, deordorant, toothpaste, makeup, lotions, etc., is that there are no regulations that govern them.  The FDA is just too busy trying to protect us from problems in drugs and our food supply that adding personal care products to their load isn’t possible. 

So, we consumers are left to try to figure it all out for ourselves.  Not an easy task considering the enormous amount of products on the market and the wide variety of ingredients they contain.  Have you read the ingredients on some of these things?  You really need a PhD in chemistry to understand what you are using and that isn’t very practical for most of us.  And who is to say if these are really bad for us?  Some of the ingredients are suspected to cause skin irritation, cancer, allergies, immunological diseases, neurological diseases, and reproductive problems to name just a few.  But if they were REALLY a problem, why would they be on the market?  It goes back to the fact that cosmetics and other personal care products are not regulated.  That allows manufacturers to include anything they want in the mix.  That is not good news for us consumers.

I have been doing some research on all of this trying to figure out what personal care products I should use personally but also what is best for DH and, more importantly, DD.  Research has shown that the skin is absorbent and chemicals can pass from the skin into the bloodstream.  There is a lot of information on the internet to help guide you in your purchases but the saying, don’t use it on your skin if you can’t eat it, should be the standard test in selecting your products.

The Green Guide has some great articles that list the top 12 ‘dirty’ ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products.  Just to help you with your own shopping, here are those top 12 from the Green Guide (and you can get a wallet size card of this list of bad boys to take with you here:

1. Antibacterials
Overuse of antibacterials can prevent them from effectively fighting disease-causing germs like E. coli and Salmonella enterica. Triclosan, widely used in soaps, toothpastes and deodorants, has been detected in breast milk, and one recent study found that it interferes with testosterone activity in cells. Numerous studies have found that washing with regular soap and warm water is just as effective at killing germs.

2. Coal Tar
Coal tar is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

3. Diethanolamine (DEA)
DEA is a possible hormone disruptor, has shown limited evidence of carcinogenicity and depletes the body of choline needed for fetal brain development. DEA can also show up as a contaminant in products containing related chemicals, such as cocamide DEA.

4. 1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is a known animal carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen that can appear as a contaminant in products containing sodium laureth sulfate and ingredients that include the terms “PEG,” “-xynol,” “ceteareth,” “oleth” and most other ethoxylated “eth” ingredients. The FDA monitors products for the contaminant but has not yet recommended an exposure limit. Manufacturers can remove dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. A 2007 survey by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that most children’s bath products contain 10 parts per million or less, but an earlier 2001 survey by the FDA found levels in excess of 85 parts per million.

5. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans. Yet it still turns up in baby bath soap, nail polish, eyelash adhesive and hair dyes as a contaminant or break-down product of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds.

6. Fragrance
The catchall term “fragrance” may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. Avoid phthalates by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead.

7. Lead and Mercury
Neurotoxic lead may appear in products as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica, one of the ingredients in toothpaste, and lead acetate is found in some brands of men’s hair dye. Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

8. Nanoparticles
Tiny nanoparticles, which may penetrate the skin and damage brain cells, are appearing in an increasing number of cosmetics and sunscreens. Most problematic are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in sunscreens to make them transparent. When possible, look for sunscreens containing particles of these ingredients larger than 100 nanometers. You’ll most likely need to call companies to confirm sizes, but a few manufacturers have started advertising their lack of nanoparticle-sized ingredients on labels. For a more complete discussion, see Screen Test: Reading the Micro-Fine Print.

9. Parabens
(methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-) Parabens, which have weak estrogenic effects, are common preservatives that appear in a wide array of toiletries. A study found that butyl paraben damaged sperm formation in the testes of mice, and a relative, sodium methylparaben, is banned in cosmetics by the E.U. Parabens break down in the body into p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has estrogenic activity in human breast-cancer cell cultures.

10. Petroleum Distillates
Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms “petroleum” or “liquid paraffin.”

11. P-Phenylenediamine
Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It’s also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

12. Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there’s limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

 And if you are wondering about the products you are using now, check out the database at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1.  Each product is giving a score based on how hazardous it is - this gives you the opportunity to choose your products based on your own comfort level with all of this research.  You can also view the ingredients that are considered hazardous for each product.  I love this site and have used it numerous times in my own search for shampoo, soap, and most recently, insect repellant for DD! 

Tags: Family and Friends, Green Living, Health, Miscarriage, Parenting, Simple Living, Simple and Green by
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Of course, here is another example of not paying attention to what we buy/use and it’s ultimate impact on the environment.  Water filters.  I have 2 Brita water pitchers and I filter ALL of our water used for cooking and washing of food.  In the past, I have also had a Brita filter on the faucet.  Where is that filter now?  A landfill somewhere along with many, many more.

Although there are many green folks who do not filter their water, I choose to do so to reduce the chemicals that I expose myself and my family to.  I am a proponent of buying local and buying organic.  But why buy and eat organic foods if you are just going to take them home and wash or cook them in water that is loaded with chemicals from your own water?  And if you are on well water, don’t think you are safe.  The piping that your water runs through provides plenty of contaminants for you to savor.

So, my desire to avoid unnecessary chemicals and contaminants has led me to buy filtering systems.  And I am so glad that I have made that choice because it fits my goals for healthier living.  But, since I am trying to reduce the amount of trash we generate, I quickly jumped on board the petition for Clorox to Take Back the Filter!  And these guys have taken it to a new level!  In addition to requesting your signature on the petition, they are asking you to SEND THEM your used tap and pitcher filters so they can take them back to Clorox in person!  Can you imagine?  These guys show up at Clorox headquarters with LOADS of filters!  I love it!!

So click on the banner in the sidebar, sign the petition, and mail them your filters!  I am sending mine to them as soon as they need to be replaced!  I hope to see more of these types of push-backs to corporations in the near future!

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For those of you out there who have bottles and sippy cups that contain BPA, you can call your local Babies R Us or Toys R Us store to find out if they are taking these products back.  Although there has been no official recall of products that contain BPA, TRU/BRU are, in my opinion, doing the right thing for their customers! 

If you have been living under a rock and have not heard about BPA, check out the recent post That Water Bottle Contains Toxins for more information.

Not all of the stores are participating in this offer so make sure you call ahead and speak with a manager.  In addition, the stores that are participating are following different procedures; some are offering store credit, others are offering like for like exchanges, etc.  Some stores are not participating at all and have decided to wait until there is an official recall by the FDA - that may or may not happen so take advantage while you can.

I do not have any bottles - DD would never take a bottle so I gave any that I had to friends and family not long after she was born.  BUT, we have a few sippy cups that I would like to exchange at some point. 

For those folks who live in Bloomington, Indiana, the Greenwood Babies R Us (8800 US ROUTE 31 SOUTH
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227 Phone:(317)885-7700) is taking back bottles for an exchange - bottles for bottles.  They may also take sippy cups but you may have to speak with the manager on site.  The Greenwood store does not require receipts and items can be used without any original packaging.  Some stores have indicated that they will only be accepting returned bottles for a short period of time, so get your supplies together and get to the store as soon as you can.  This can add up to a lot of money for those with numerous bottles so don’t miss your chance to replace your toxic bottles with those that are BPA free.

Please leave comments here of any problems or successes that you have in your return efforts.  I am curious to know how the stores handle this situation but I am still impressed that they are offering this to their customers without a mandatory recall by the FDA! 

Tags: Frugal Living, Green Living, Health, Miscarriage, Parenting by
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It has been a while since I did ANY type of exercise. This is pretty unusual for me - I have always been a fitness freak - running, cycling, hiking, yoga, Pilate’s. DH and I have worked-out together for years but his favorite sport is basketball. He is on the sidelines right now since he had knee surgery in April - this was the second surgery on the same knee in 2 years! But back to me and my attempts to get off the couch!

Since we moved here at the end of January, my desire to exert my body has been, well, lacking. We joined the local YMCA first thing, but after the miscarriage, I just didn’t want to do ANYTHING. I made myself go a few times and walked/jogged around the indoor track but just couldn’t get motivated. My heart and entire body just weren’t into it!

It has been almost 4 months since the miscarriage and I am finally starting to feel like doing something physical. Now granted, the depression following the loss was probably the main reason I became a couch potato but the weather here has also played a BIG factor. It seems to have snowed, rained, or just been plain cold almost everyday since we moved here. The locals have told us that this has definitely been an unusual year in terms of weather. Of course, DH loves it but I have been more than a little miserable and the cabin fever has played a toll. The rain and cold just won’t seem to let go and let spring really set in. But I have had enough. Today was the day that I decided I didn’t care about the weather anymore and the day that I felt like getting my life back to normal!

So, I found a 5K training program for those who have been worthless for some time, and DH and I got started at a local trail! It was a beautiful afternoon. The morning wasn’t very promising with VERY cool and windy temperatures until after lunch. Then the sun really heated things up and we were in the upper 60’s by 5:00pm! DD and I had school outside and then we met DH for the start of our training.

We did a total of 4 miles with mostly brisk walking and some slow running incorporated throughout the routine. And, it felt GREAT! DH needed to work his knee and I needed to work both my body and my spirit! I was euphoric at the end of the workout but feeling the early signs of muscle fatigue and soreness that will be mine to enjoy over the next few days! But, I did it! I can still feel the endorphins running through my body and I already seem to have more energy! So, farewell couch and hello running shoes! Let’s get reacquainted!!

What do you all do to keep your minds and bodies in shape?

Tags: Health, Homeschooling, Miscarriage by
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I have A LOT of plastic ware in my house.  Tupperware, Rubbermaid, and many off-brands.  I also have a lot of cups that DD has gotten whenever we eat out at a restaurant.  I always bring these home because I don’t want them to be thrown in the trash after she drinks two sips out of the things!  I have a few Nalgene bottles that we have used for hiking, working out, etc.  Then there are ALL of the plastic bowls, plates, Sippy cups, spoons, and forks that DD has for eating and drinking

 

I have always thought that these things are normal household necessities.  And, granted, they have really helped out our lives along with a tremendous amount of other products that contain plastics.  This post is not to bash plastic.  But I will also not praise plastics.  Although there are some very serious drawbacks to the fact that we all now live on a PLASTIC planet, there are some benefits to this material that has changed the world.  What I will be on my soap box about in this post, is the fact that many of the plastics that we use for our everyday lives, including items like baby bottles, contain a component called bisphenol A or BPA, and this material, may be a BIG problem for us all.

 

Why do I say MAY BE?  Well, as a former scientist, I understand that without actual data, no ‘real’ proof exists.  However, I also understand that simple testing on laboratory animals does demonstrate the potential hazards that substances have to humans.  And, once again, I believe that our scientists, corporations, and our government, have all failed us!  Let’s look at an example:

 

Take cigarettes.  I grew up in North Carolina where tobacco was, and still is, a major part of the economy especially for small farms that were ran by working class families.  Those families were all hard-hit by the decline in tobacco sales following the fall-out over the industries knowledge of the link between cancer and tobacco and the addictive properties of nicotine.  The same is true of many of the products that we consume, not just tobacco.  But until someone blew the whistle, the corporations continued to profit from something that was dangerous and deadly to their customers.  And they knew it!  Why tell the whole story when there is money to be made!

 

Thankfully, the media has picked up the story and brought a lot of attention to the use of BPA in items like baby bottles.  This has caused some companies to modify their manufacturing processes and stop using BPA.  Some distributors and stores have also pulled products containing BPA from their shelves.  But, there are still many more who find no reason to change their policies, at least not until there is some hard evidence to implicate BPA as the cause of serious medical conditions.  And, right now, there is no government agency requiring any action from manufacturing companies or distributors.  Any change, at this point, is up to us; the users and consumers.

 

So what is the big deal about this chemical anyway?  Well, in animal studies, BPA, which mimics the hormone estrogen, has caused numerous problems.  No, we aren’t mice and there are a million arguments to say that testing on mice is not a sound way to determine the affects on people.  But if you really think about it for a moment, the human body is a fine-tuned machine.  If you disrupt that machine by introducing substances that are foreign, the body will work to restore balance to the entire system.  But as wonderful as the human body is, it can only take so much invasion before it collapses.  And there is evidence that this substance has a huge impact on the unborn who are exposed to the toxin while still in the womb!

 

BPA in and of itself is not necessarily a bad chemical.  There are many chemical compounds that serve great purposes but we don’t necessarily want to EAT them!  How BPA is used might just contribute to health problems and here are the many diseases that BPA has been linked to:

·        Cancer

·        Parkinson’s Disease

·        Diabetes

·        Reproductive Problems

·        Miscarriage

 

So why isn’t anything being done?  Well, like most of the studies performed on products, the main goal is to get whatever it is, to market as quickly as possible.  This is also true of pharmaceutical drugs.  The thinking is that something has to be done to make things better for those who are suffering.  Scientists look at the overall human response to substances in large doses.  If there are no adverse affects within a certain period of time after the initial exposure, the product is considered safe.  What most studies do not consider or analyze is the long-term exposure of small doses.  We have seen evidence of this problem in pharmaceutical drugs that are on the market for short periods of time and then are recalled due to serious medical side-effects.  The intention is good – get products out there that will improve health and quality of life – but the long-term studies have not been completed and the results can be deadly.

 

So what can we do to protect ourselves?  I am not sure if there is a way to reverse the damage that may have been done to ourselves and/or our children.  But we can take steps to avoid further exposure and damage.  Go through your cabinets and evaluate everything that is plastic.  Look at the recycle number (if there is a 7 there is a very good chance that it contains BPA) and do some research on the internet.  Some companies like Rubbermaid have a lot of information about BPA on their websites and even include pictures of all of their products that do and do not contain BPA.  But not all companies are so up-front.  You may have to do some digging or just make some decisions on what you will or will not keep.  I know this seems extreme so just do what you think is right for you and your family.  Here is a short list of items that may contain BPA:

·        Water bottles

·        Baby bottles

·        Nalgene bottles

·        Canned foods (the lining in the can)

·        Canned drinks (the lining in the can)

·        Dental sealants

 

You can also be careful when shopping for storage containers and packaged food products.  If you can, store your food in glass.  Buy unprocessed foods as much as possible or purchase products that are in containers that do not contain BPA. 

 

As always, just be aware of what you are buying and do whatever you can to keep yourself healthy.  No, taking these steps will not make you live forever.  But, they may make you healthier and keep your body and mind in better shape than those who choose not to take these types of precautions. 

 

And finally, check out this interview with Dr. Frederick vom Saal about BPA that was included as the final segment of VBS.TV’s recent documentary on garbage island.  We cannot avoid plastics.  They are in almost everything and have certainly made our lives more convenient.  But we can make better decisions about how they are used and eliminate the negative impact they have on our lives. 

 

OK – Go clean out your cabinets!  And don’t throw the things in the trash!  Remember our no trash challenge?  Sell, donate, recycle, or find other uses for these items!  Have FUN!

 

If you want more information on BPA, just Google bisphenol A.  And, thegreenguide.com has a great article that will give you even more details!

 

 

Tags: Diabetes, Green Living, Health, Miscarriage, Parkinsons disease, Simple Living, Simple and Green by
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This is a hard post for me to write and anyone who has been in similar shoes will sympathize.  Most of my posts will typically be upbeat and positive but, sometimes, sorrow touches us all.  For me, this sorrow started in early December of 2007.  A few months before, in August, I saw my OB/GYN for a pap smear.  During the visit, my age and additional children became the topic of discussion. 

My OB/GYN strongly encouraged me to have another child SOON (if I was planning to have anymore) since 40 was knocking on the door!  I was a little surprised by the sense of urgency that she expressed to me but decided that it was time for DH and I to start trying again anyway.  After all, DD really needed a sibling and I  definitely wasn’t getting any younger.

I started tracking my basal body temperature in September and also purchased an ovulation test kit.  Unfortunately, DH was out of town for work during the optimum time.  We were able to make another attempt at the right time in October but without success.  In November, we tried again and were surprised when we took the home pregnancy test to find out that we were expecting!  We were very excited but it was still early so we only told some very close friends.

I called my OB/GYN and she wanted to see me the same week.  I was only 5 weeks into the pregnancy.  My home pregnancy test was positive on Sunday but by Wednesday, things had taken a turn.  The doctor’s office performed another test and it was negative!  This was a HUGE shock since I had taken 3 tests at home and had positive results on all three!  The doctor had my blood tested and called me at home the next day to discuss the results. 

She used the term ‘chemical pregnancy’.  I had already researched what may have happened on the Internet and knew that a chemical pregnancy was the term used to describe the fertilization of the egg but no implantation.  Many women have chemical pregnancies but are not aware of it - they just think they are a few days late.  This would have also been the case with me if we hadn’t been trying and I hadn’t taken a HPT so soon.

OF course, I was a little sad but it was not too terrible.  DH had to leave town for a job interview and I started my period later that same day.  I was lonely and down but knew that things would be ok.  And we could try again right away - no implantation meant that my uterus was not damaged by the loss.  But it was still a loss to me.

We continued to try to conceive.  In January, I took another HPT with a positive result.  I was thrilled but a little worried about the timing.  DH was offered and accepted the job from the interview he had in December.  His start date was the third week in January and we had A LOT to do before then including packing, finding a new place to live, and moving our family to a new state!  It was an exciting time but also very stressful.  My parents, brother, and niece and nephew helped us with the move.  I wanted to wait to tell them until after the first trimester - just to make sure that everything was ok.  I never expected that it would not be this time.

While we were all unpacking in our new rental home, DH kept making comments that I should careful and not lift anything.  Of course my mom became suspicious and just asked me!  I couldn’t deny it so I caved and told her!  She was thrilled as was the rest of the family.  I called my sister and told her over the phone and DH called his parents as well.  His brother and sister-in-law were expecting their first child and we didn’t want to over-shadow their experience so we decided not to tell them.  But everyone else was thrilled.

My family returned to NC on Sunday.  DH started his new job on Monday.  I had my first OB appointment the following Thursday.  We had already started telling DD that she was going to be a big sister and that she had to be careful with mommy’s belly.  She was so sweet - she would pointed at my belly and say baby!  DH and I took her to the OB appointment with us!  We were excited and told her that we were going to see a picture of the baby!  I was only 8 weeks.

The ultrasound technician escorted us to an exam room and talked about the vaginal ultrasound.  I was surprised since I did not have any type of ultrasound with my first pregnancy until I was 18 weeks and that was to find out the sex.  But this was great!  We would see great pictures!  DH asked the technician about a video and she said that she didn’t video anything until she saw that everything was ok.  She asked how fall along I was - she wasn’t seeing what she should see for someone at 8 weeks.  I felt like the earth was falling away from me.  I couldn’t really believe it and told her that I might just be 7 weeks.  Of course, this was my attempt to make everything all right.  The technician had the worse bed-side manner and just told me to get dressed and that she would take me to another room to see the doctor.  I knew the news was bad.

DH stayed positive and told me that everything was going to be fine.  I told him that the technician didn’t put a video in and that things were not ok.  I felt sick and DD kept asking about the picture of the baby.  The doctor finally came in and told me that I was getting ready to miscarry.  She said that the sac was already starting to separate from the uterus and that I would start bleeding sometime soon.  There was no explanation as to why this happened but the baby just didn’t form.  This time, I was devastated.

We left the doctor’s office in shock and disbelief.  DH had to get back to work and I cried all the way home.  My mom called and I told her.  She didn’t understand at all and I didn’t have any answers myself.  I tried to keep it together for DD’s sake.  We still had a lot of unpacking to do and our home-school lessons were waiting.  But all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and cry.  I still feel like crying.

The next evening, I started spotting.  That was Friday night and on Monday morning I passed a large mass of tissue.  My baby.  It was horrible and I am not sure if I have completely recovered or if I ever will but it has only been 3 months.  DD still asks about the baby on occasion which is totally heartbreaking.  I just ask her if she wants a sibling.  She says yes. 

We will probably keep trying but my age is really creeping up on me.  I will turn 40 next week and although I don’t feel old or unhealthy, I know that my body is aging.  On top of that, I have done some extensive research on miscarriage and the causes and have made some very significant changes in my lifestyle.  I will talk about these changes in future posts and hope that they will prevent another loss for me and my family. 

For those of you who have been down this road, my thoughts are with you.  I will try to add resources to this post to help those who are trying to understand what went wrong and how to cope.  I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that something better awaits us in the future.  I will keep you posted….

 

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