Monumental Moments A Journey To Becoming Healthy At Home

In the new year many people, myself included, pledge to live a healthier lifestyle. Typically this includes eating right and exercising more. In fact, according to StatisticBrain.com losing weight is the number one resolution, and staying fit and healthy is the 5th most popular goal. And these are good promises to make. Not only do we feel better when we exercise and eat foods that are good for us, we are lowering our risk for negative health issues. The American Cancer Society lists maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet emphasizing plant foods, and staying physically active are important ways to lower your risk of getting cancer. The same goes for diabetes prevention. And heart disease prevention. And many others. So…here I go again…

Does the produce isle provide all the nutrients we need?

In my quest to becoming healthy at home, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a hard look at what my family and I are putting in our bodies (and what we’re not!) I readily admit – I am not a cook. I do what I have to, to get dinner on the table every night, but its not what I enjoy. Basically, there are 4 parts to our meals – a meat, a side (potatoes, rice, or noodles), a vegetable (usually corn, green beans or peas), and a glass of milk. Sometimes we add fresh or canned fruit, and if my husband is cooking, it all tastes better! And although we’ve been fairly regular with eating dinner as a family every night, are we really getting the nutrition we need to stay energized and healthy for the long run? I venture to say “no”. In my next few posts, I plan to explore ways to improve our nutrient in-take. Feel free to comment on ways you make sure your family is getting the nutrients they need.

The new year is here. Time for a fresh start. Time to make a commitment to your family’s health! Here are 3 reasons to make the switch to safer products for your home:

1. Only 30% of the 17,000 chemicals contained in common household products have been sufficiently tested for harmful effects on humans.  Less than 10% have been tested for their effect on the nervous system. It is not known what combining the chemicals with the human body does to our health. ¹ Additionally, manufacturers are not required to list their ingredients on their products so it is difficult for consumers to know what they are being exposed to.

2. 1 in 3 people get some type of cancer in their lifetime, significantly more than people 50 years ago. More and more research shows environmental factors are the cause. These factors include exposure to toxic chemicals found in everyday household products such as bleach, deoderant, cosmetics and bathroom cleaners. ^{2 3} One 15 year study showed a 54% higher death rate from cancer for women who worked in the home as compared to women who had jobs outside the home. It concluded that daily exposure to hazardous chemicals found in household products was the cause of the increased death rate. ⁴ There are great alternatives, so why take risks you don’t have to take?

3. The top 3 substances involved with poison exposure are 1) painkillers 2) cosmetics and personal care items and 3) household cleaning substances. Additionally, 91% of all human poison exposures reported to a poison center happen in the patient’s own home. ⁵ By switching to “safer for your home” alternatives, you will never have the opportunity to become part of those unnerving statistics.

Safe, affordable, effective products are available. There are no excuses. The time to switch is now!

I’m taking a break from writing about chemical dangers in our households for today so I can spread the word about a product that deals with the number one killer in the United States today: Heart Disease. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 1 of every 2.9 deaths in the United States each year – that’s more than 2200 deaths a day, or 1 every 39 seconds. With those harrowing statistics, you most likely know someone who struggles with heart disease.

Melaleuca teamed up with Dr. John Folts, the man who originally connected the effects of aspirin on heart attacks. After years of research, they developed ProvexCV. Simply put, their research started with the “French Paradox” (the French have 1/3 the rate of heart attacks than Americans, despite their cholesterol heavy diets) and ended with a flavonoid based supplement that has been proven in living subjects to curb the 2 primary causes of heart disease (build up on arteries and sticky platelets).  It has been determined that because the French collectively drink more wine than Americans, their intake of flavonoids, a substance found in grape seeds and skins, is much higher thus explaining their lower rate of heart disease. The patented formula for ProvexCV not only contains the flavonoids needed for heart health, but it also contains a special blend of enzymes to help the body absorb them, something other supplements have failed to do.

For more information, read the following:

Grape Seed Extract Report

ProvexCV Information Sheet

Obviously this is a very short synopsis, and I am no expert, but the more I read, the more fascinated I become.  If you are concerned about heart health, I encourage you to dig a little deeper and ask your doctor about this supplement. The results are very positive, with little if any side effects.

So now that I’m more familiar with what germs actually are, I can learn how better to fight the ones that cause problems with our health. I’ve never been one to over-react. I believe if our bodies learn to live with some germs, our immune systems become stronger and our bodies can fight off infection on their own. So I don’t spray everything we touch 5 times a day with a disinfectant. However, as our environment changes, so does the intensity of some germs and I would like to prevent infections when possible. For example, after touching raw meat, I wash my hands with a disinfecting soap and use a disinfectant on my counters. I’ll admit, I don’t typically disinfect our light switches, but after finding out they contain more germs than my toilet, I may start!

But here’s the thing. While many grocery store brand disinfectants are effective at killing germs, they are filled with chemicals that are harmful to our bodies. So, we may not get infected by the germs, but we may get cancer instead. Take Lysol Disinfectant Spray, for example. It contains Orthophenylphenol (OPP) which is a known carcinogen, not to mention it can cause blurred vision, nausea, vomiting convulsion and cardiac arrest among other things. The same goes for Clorox wipes. It seems ludicrous to me that we’re so worried about killing germs that we aren’t paying attention the price we may pay to do it. There are 28,000 calls to poison control centers each year due to disinfectant exposure.

Melaleuca has developed Sol-U-Guard. It contains none of the harmful chemicals that Clorox Wipes, Lysol Disinfectants and others contain. Instead, it uses the natural ingredient Thymol which comes from the herb Thyme and is an effective disinfectant. Melaleuca combined Thymol with citric acid in its purest form to develop a disinfectant that is both effective and safe to use. In fact, it kills 99% of all germs including staph, E Coli and H1N1. It contains no bleach, no ammonia, no harsh fumes and no harmful residue. Its safe to use around children and pets and doesn’t even require a safety cap.

Why protect yourself from germs with a product that contains cancer causing ingredients – doesn’t that seem contradictory? If you can effectively disinfect with a product that does not contain any ingredients which could cause harm to your family…why wouldn’t you?

Before I get into the basics of a virus, I need to make sure its clear. I’m not a doctor or scientist. I’m just a mom trying to learn the basics of germs so that I can protect myself and my family. I am posting information that I’ve gathered from what I consider to be credible sources. I’m trying to keep it simple so I can retain the facts. It seems the older I get, the less I can remember!

In my last post, I wrote about bacteria – the good and the bad. Today’s post will focus on another form of germs – viruses. Unlike bacteria, which can live off nutrients of its environment, a virus needs to be inside living cells to survive. It is a microscopic organism that contains genetic material (RNA or DNA). Basically, a virus takes over the function of a cell and when that cell reproduces, it makes more viral material instead of “normal” cell material. The malfunctioning cells cause us to get sick.

Viruses are spread by a variety of ways similar to bacterial infections: simple contact, kissing, coughing or sneezing, They are also spread by bodily fluids or can be carried by an insect from one person to another.

Examples of viral diseases include:

• the common cold
• chicken pox
• influenza
• herpes
• HIV

Unlike a bacterial infection however, antibiotics do not clear up a viral infection. We can combat some viral diseases with vaccinations. Much of the time however, we rely on our body’s ability to produce it’s own antibodies to fight the infection and eventually we win the battle with most viral diseases. There are some very serious viral infections, such as HIV that our bodies cannot fight off on their own. Antiviral medicines have been developed and prove to be somewhat effective in some cases (AIDS, for example).

We can’t stop using light switches and computer keyboards, so the best way to prevent common viral infections like colds and flu is to wash your hands thoroughly and often. Cover up when you cough or sneeze and avoid contact with others when you or they seem to have an infection. Disinfecting surfaces you touch often and surfaces you prepare food on is also recommended. Though these things seem obvious, it never hurts to be reminded that simply washing your hands can prevent a couple days (or weeks) of misery.

Information gathered from the following sites:
NetDoctor
Medical News Today

What do light switches, computer keyboards and money all have in common? Go ahead…take a guess… Ok, I’ll tell you. They all have more germs per square inch than your toilet seat. Gross, eh? How many of us wash our hands after we pay cash for something? Or after turning a light off? Add to this list doorknobs, kitchen sinks, TV remotes and phone handsets. Germs are everywhere and we are more likely to get sick at home than anywhere else. This could be because that is where we spend the most time and have the most physical contact with others.

Before I could make an educated choice on how to disinfect my home from all these germs, I needed to know what I was dealing with. So what exactly are germs? Simply put, they are tiny organisms – actual living things. Many germs are harmless, meaning our immune systems can easily protect us from them. However, there are some germs that our immune systems have a harder time fighting off. They come in the form of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.

Let’s talk about bacteria. Bacteria are tiny single celled organisms. A very small percentage of bacteria can cause disease and some bacteria are actually helpful in your body. For example, bacteria works in our intestines to help digest food and makes waste of the excess. Some bacteria are responsible for decomposition, an important piece of the earth’s ecological cycle.  Other bacteria are used to produce yogurt and are great for the body if consumed while the bacteria is still living.

The bad bacteria, however, can produce chemicals that cause diseases such as strep throat, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections, ear infections and pneumonia, to name a few. Bacteria is spread by coughing and sneezing, touch, and bodily fluids. So, bacterial infections are definitely contagious. The best ways to combat the spread of the “bad” bacteria are to wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with those who are sick. Using a disinfectant on common surfaces will help minimize the infection causing bacteria you come into contact with.

Tune in next time for riveting information on viruses!

Sources used to gather information for this post:

KidsHealth.org
MayoClinic.com
NetDoctor.co.uk
American Museum of Natural History

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 2 males will develop an invasive cancer sometime during their lifetime. The rate is 1 in 3 for women. As stated by the Cancer Prevention Coalition, 56% more men and 22% more women develop cancer today than just a generation ago. Although much research and effort has gone into treating cancer, the mortality rate from cancer has decreased very little over the past 40 years. According to the Cancer Prevention Coalition, relatively few cancer cases are genetic. So, why the explosion of cancer diagnosis?

The more I read, the more I realize how much more there is to explore.  But from all the research I’ve done to this point, there is a common theme. The environment we live in has changed dramatically from that of 50 years ago. There are a massive amount of synthetic chemicals that are used in a large number of products we use every day. The Cancer Prevention Coalition states that,  “of the roughly 75,000 chemicals in use today, only some 3 percent have been tested for safety.” The household cleaning product and cosmetic industries are both largely unregulated in the United States and consumers have unknowingly been using many items that contain carcinogens and other toxins on a daily basis. Since 1938, the FDA has only banned 8 chemicals from being used in everyday products.

Organizations such as Healthy Child Healthy World and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics are working hard to increase the FDA safety regulations on everyday products. European regulations are much stronger, and manufacturers have figured out ways to make their products safer. In some instances, the same manufacturer uses a different formula for Europe than they use for the U.S. for the same product so they can comply with European standards. An example of this is Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo. The U.S. version contains a known carcinogen quaternium-15, while Japan, Finland, Sweeden and others demand (and receive) quaternium-15 free baby shampoo also made by Johnson & Johnson. It appears that it’s probably cheaper to use toxic chemicals and if they can get by with it, they will.

This video produced by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics does a great job of explaining why we are vulnerable to cancer causing chemicals, and what we can do to fight it.

The good news is there are alternatives – you don’t have to use the mainstream, grocery store brands. I recommend Melaleuca products because the price is comparable and they have science to back up their safe products, but there other choices out there too. Just make sure the choices you are making are truly safe. The words natural, organic, and herbal have no legal definition. So just because something says “organic” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Below, I’ve listed a few sources to help you determine whether something you are using contains carcinogens or other toxic chemicals. Take charge of what you buy and make your home a healthy place to be.

Hazardous Chemicals in Household Products
List of Carcinogens
Chemicals of Concern

I just finished reading a very long string of complaints about Proctor & Gamble being required by some states to remove phosphate as an ingredient from Cascade dishwasher detergent.  Most of the complaints stem from the fact that the new formula for Cascade does not clean the dishes and in some cases, has allegedly ruined silverware and dishes. I’ll be honest. I used Cascade for years. I didn’t even notice when it went from the “old” formula to the “new phosphate free” formula. But I don’t have hard water, and evidently phosphates prevent calcium and magnesium ions (contained in hard water) from interfering with the cleaning process (www.treehugger.com). So the complaints may be valid.

Phosphates are being removed from dishwasher detergents because they accelerate algae growth in fresh water bodies, which causes the water to become smelly, cloudy and unsuitable to swim in. It can also affect the taste of drinking water. Eventually, it causes lakes and streams to dry up. I don’t know how long “eventually” is.

So, since I was already, albeit unknowingly, using phosphate free dishwasher detergent, what’s the point of changing brands?

There are other harmful chemicals in Cascade. Although manufacturers are not required to post their ingredients, I know Cascade contains harmful ingredients from reading its bottle. Here’s what it says: CAUTION: DANGEROUS FUMES FORM WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER PRODUCTS. Do not mix with dishwashing liquids, ammonia, or other cleaning products. Do not get in eyes. Do not get on skin or clothing. Do not breathe fumes. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Do not let young children use bottle or touch product in dishwasher. Not for hand dishwashing. Do not reuse bottle. Screw on protective cap tightly after use. Contains sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate and chlorine bleach…

I’ve found an alternative that cleans my dishes and is safe for my children to put in the dishwasher. EcoSense Diamond Brite does not have a child safety cap. It doesn’t need one. It is phosphate and chlorine free. It’s label says: CAUTION: Keep out of the reach of children. In case of eye contact, flush with plenty of water. If swallowed, drink water and call a physician. Do not mix with bleach.  That’s it! So when the steam comes out of my dishwasher, it is not harmful to inhale. If my 10 year old gets it on her hands while putting some in the dishwasher, it won’t burn her. It won’t harm her clothing. I can ask her for help without worrying that she might be poisoned. It’s also concentrated. EcoSense thinks my dishwasher is smart enough to add its own water. So I use one fourth of what I used with Cascade. It’s effective, it’s affordable, and it’s safe.

If you have hard water and would like to test Diamond Brite to see if it will do the job, contact me – I’ll send you some to try. Let us know how it works!

Contact me if you’d like to start using a safer dishwasher detergent.

Families Gone Green was instrumental on teaching me about the benefits of being healthy at home. They jump started my research on the dangers that have been lurking in my household. Families Gone Green also provided alternative green cleaners, safer cosmetic products, and much more. Join me for a webinar presented by Families Gone Green and get a more in-depth look at the importance of being healthy at home. Click on the link below for login details:

Monday, November 14 @ 12:00pm Mountain Time

OR

Monday, November 14 @ 7:00pm Mountain Time

See ya on the the web!

Here are some numbers according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers:

• 91% of all human poison exposures reported to a poison center happen in the patient’s own home.
• Children 5 and under make up 52% of all exposure calls to poison centers
• U.S. poison centers take a call every 8 seconds.
• The top 3 substances involved with poison exposure are 1) painkillers 2) cosmetics and personal care items and 3) household cleaning substances
• 82.41 % of human poison exposures are unintentional

These statistics are shocking to me. Although I’ve never called a poison control center, the reality is, I’ve been bringing these poisons into my home ON PURPOSE for a very long time. I just haven’t paid attention. Like many, I’m a busy parent and I’m lucky if I get the housework done at all. I’m very fortunate that no accidental poisoning has occurred in our home. Between laundry detergent, bleach, tile cleaners, dishwasher detergent, stain removers, etc. there’s been plenty of opportunity for a dangerous exposure to poison to happen. Continuing to use poison products just increases my odds that a tragedy will take place. This isn’t a risk I’m willing to take any longer.

I can just as easily bring non-poisonous green cleaners into my home ON PURPOSE. That is exactly what I have done and it’s not hard to do. And here’s a bonus:  my kids can help me with the cleaning and I won’t worry that I’ll have to make a call to the poison control center!

I refuse to contribute to the above statistics. Join me in choosing natural, safe products for your home. You won’t be sorry.

BTW, you can reach your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.