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How Safe is Your Skin and Haircare Routine?

By: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 Healthy Baby, Healthy Beauty, Healthy Home, Lifestyle, Organic Beauty, Wellness , , , , Permalink 0

By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

How Safe is Your Skin and Haircare Routine? | The Organic Beauty Blog

For many of us, our skin and haircare routines are habits we stick to like glue.  We find products we love, and we remain loyal to them for years.  But what if your trusted skincare go-to’s are doing more harm to your body than good?  Our health is most impacted by the things we do regularly — foods we eat every day, products we use everyday, behaviors we partake in everyday.  Those are the things that add up and have measurable effects that can either lead to a longer, healthier life, or a higher risk of disease, reproductive issues, and even psychological or mood imbalances.

So how do your products add up?  Is your skin soaking up healthy, nutritive ingredients, or is your skin a sponge for harmful chemicals that are finding their way into your bloodstream?  For example, did you know that CoverGirl mascaras, Blistex lip balms, Neutrogena face washes, Banana Boat suncreens, Biolage shampoos, and Lubriderm moisturizers all got some of the highest scores for toxicity and health hazards? {Tweet it!}  These are brands millions of Americans use everyday, none the wiser that they are exposing their systems to carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, organ and reproductive toxicity, and more.

So what can you do?  First of all, get really familiar with the most toxic ingredients, and avoid them like the plague.  (Check out 5 Skincare Ingredients to Avoid for a few of the top big bads).  Second of all, search the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database for each and every one of your products.  If any product has a score over 3, (yes 3!) toss it!  It’s just not worth the risk!

Still confused about what is safe to use?  Skin Deep’s searchable database gives you tons of options for the safest, healthiest products, as well as information on where to buy them.  Some of these products are even available at your local pharmacy or big box store.  Convenience or brand loyalty are just not good enough reasons to continue exposing yourself and your family to harmful toxins.  And until our government regulations for cosmetics catch up with the science of safety, YOU are in charge of making sure you’re buying and using the safest products possible!

The EWG is working on a mobile app for Skin Deep, so you can check out a product’s safety on the go!

Donate $10 or more today so EWG can put critical information about cosmetic safety right at your fingertips. They need $45,000 by July 15 so they can deliver this smartphone app to you by September.

Is Rice Poisoning You?

By: Friday, September 21, 2012 Diet and Foods, Healthy Eating, Nutrition , , , , Permalink 0

Is Rice Poisoning You? | The Organic Beauty BlogThere has been tons of alarming news of late about the high arsenic content in rice, which is throwing consumers into a bit of a frenzy.  So what’s the real deal?  Is the arsenic content in rice a reason to cut it out of your diet?

First, a fact that may surprise you.  Arsenic is a naturally occurring element present in soil and water, which means that there are trace amounts of arsenic in almost all fruits and vegetables!  Exposure to low levels of arsenic is an inevitable factor of eating foods grown in the United States, and the effects of these low levels is pretty unclear, but we do know that exposure to higher levels of arsenic has been linked to several different types of cancer, skin conditions, and birth defects.

Because it is grown in water (which has high arsenic levels in the U.S.), rice is susceptible to higher levels of arsenic, which is definitely a concern for people that eat rice every single day.  People that eat rice a few times a week are not exposed to dangerous levels of arsenic.

What can you do to limit your exposure to arsenic?

  • Keep rice consumption to a few times a week, and vary the type of rice you eat.  Jasmine and basmati rice not grown in the U.S. has very little if any arsenic content, whereas American-grown brown rice has the highest.  As long as you are eating a variety of rices, your overall exposure will remain minimal! (For kids, limit consumption of American-grown white or brown rice to about a 1/4 cup of uncooked rice a week).
  • Rinse your rice before cooking it.  This actually applies to most grains, and is a great cooking habit to stick to!
  • Stock up on other grains.  Keep the majority of your grain consumption to other healthy whole grains that have little to no arsenic content.  Quinoa, oatmeal, barley, amaranth, and millet are all great options!
  • Stay away from store-bought juices, particularly apple and grape juices.  Store-bought juices have very little nutritional value anyway (being mostly sugar, with no fiber, and often times a lot of additives), so you may find that omitting them from your diet will actually benefit your waistline!
  • Wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
  • Always drink filtered water.  Invest in a high quality filtration system like ZeroWater to make sure your aren’t ingesting high levels of arsenic and other toxic substances.
  • Eat a varied diet.  Every week there’s a new study about what food is now going to kill you.  Instead of falling prey to all the hype, stick to eating a varied, healthy diet of many different types of organic produce, whole grains, and lean and plant proteins and avoid any diet that goes overboard on any one food or food group (ie: high protein, high carb, powders, shakes or super high fruit-based diets).

—–
Natasha Uspensky, chhc
Holistic Health and Nutrition Counselor
NU Health & Wellness

How To Rid Your Home of Toxic Chemicals, For Good!

By: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 Healthy Home, Holistic Health , , , , Permalink 0
Guest post by Dustin Laurence.  Dustin enjoys maintaining a healthy and environmentally low-impact lifestyle; he is a contributing author at www.flowerdelivery.net. 
How To Rid Your Home of Toxic Chemicals, For Good! | The Organic Beauty BlogYour home is a safe haven that provides you and your family with a comfortable place to live. While you may think you are doing all you can to keep your home safe and clean, sometimes there are toxic chemicals in your house that you may not even know about. Toxic chemicals are nasty and can cause health conditions such as asthma and a variety of other illnesses, so you want to make sure your home doesn’t contain many of these harmful substances. If you are looking for ways to get rid of toxic chemicals in your home for good so to ensure the good health of your family, here are some ways you can do this.

1. Eliminate Toxic Cleaners. Although they may get rid of the grime around your house, many household cleaners contain harmful chemicals. If you want to eliminate toxic chemicals around your home, start by getting rid of these harsh cleaners. Instead, opt for all natural type household cleaners, or do a little research and make them yourself.

2. Stop Drinking Bottled Water. While you may think drinking bottled water is better for your health, the truth is it’s not. Plastic or aluminum bottles contain harmful substances that are bad for your health. If you want a safe alternative, try drinking out of a reusable, stainless steel water bottle.

3. Buy Organic. Non-organic fruits and vegetables may contain harmful pesticides. If you want to be certain that the fruits and vegetables you feed your family are truly  healthy, try buying organic.

4. Get The Lead Out. If your home was built before 1978, chances are, it was painted with lead paint. If you want to eliminate this harmful chemical from your home, repaint your house. When you repaint, be sure to do it in a safe way that will not stir up harmful lead dust particles.

5. Change Your Bulbs. If you are currently using compact fluorescent light bulbs in your home, change them to a safer type of light bulb. Compact fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and they can be very dangerous to the health of your family.

6. Eliminate Excess Products. Do you use hairspray, body spray and a variety of other personal care items? Well, if you do, you could be creating a hazard in your home. Try to cut down on the excessive use of personal care items and stick to only the ones you need. Many of these products contain harsh chemicals that can be dangerous when combined.

7. Change Your Shower Curtain. If you use a vinyl shower curtain in your bathroom, get rid of it! Vinyl shower curtains contain harmful toxins that can be bad for the health of your family. Replace vinyl shower curtains with a shower curtain made of a less toxic material.

While we all like to think that our homes are safe places that are free from toxic chemicals, this is not always the case. From household cleaners to vinyl shower curtains, there are a variety of common household items that can contain potentially dangerous toxic chemicals. If you want your home to be free from toxic chemicals, try following the above listed ways to help rid your home of these harmful substances.

How Can We Avoid the Effects of Toxic Chemicals?

By: Thursday, December 8, 2011 Healthy Home , , , , Permalink 0

How Can We Avoid the Effects of Toxic Chemicals? | The Organic Beauty BlogThis past Tuesday, I attended a conference put on by the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), entitled “Birth Defects, Learning Disabilities, Obesity and Breast Cancer:  How Can We Avoid the Effects of Toxic Chemicals?”  Although many of the chemicals discussed were those that we at the Organic Beauty have been writing about for some time (see 4 Steps to Naturalize Your Life), hearing first hand about the research and catastrophic effects these chemicals have on our bodies, and particularly children, was very jarring.

A panel of brilliant doctors, many of them young fellows in the Children’s Environmental Health department at Mount Sinai, spoke about the effects of endocrine disruptors (like parabens, DDT, phthalates, PBDEs, BPA and DBP found in common plastics, electronics, furniture and beauty products) on reproductive and neurological development, as well as cancer, diabetes, and obesity.  These toxins are ubiquitous, but it is with persistent, on-going contact that the long-term effects begin to manifest.  What struck me most was how preventable  these environmental causes of disease are.  By taking action in our communities and taking manageable steps within our own homes, we can significantly lessen our exposure to toxins that can not us sick, but make our unborn children sick as well.

So… what can you do?  Become an educated consumer!

  • Use glass or stainless steel instead of plastics, especially when storing or cooking foods.  If you must use them, avoid #3 and #7 plastics, which are chock full of pretty much every toxic chemical we should be avoiding. This handy saying helps you remember: “Four, five, one and two, all the rest are bad for you!”
  • Avoid using vinyl shower curtains.  Like many other products mentioned here, these contain phthalates, the fumes from which are then inhaled every time you enter your bathroom.  Phthalates disrupt development of male reproductive organs, lower sperm count, and damage the endocrine and immune systems.
  • Use natural beauty products.  I mean honestly, at this point there is no excuse not to!  There are countless affordable, natural products out there with ingredients that are recognizable.  If you don’t know what it is, don’t put it on your skin.  At the very least, make sure anything you put on your body and hair is paraben-free, phthalate-free, and SLS-free.
  • Clean your home with a wet mop and/or a vinegar solution, and when you must use cleaning solutions, make sure they are natural and non-toxic as well.  Everything you use to clean your house with is inhaled by you, your family, and your pets.  If it’s full of disease-causing toxins, that’s what you’re going to get…disease and toxicity.  Cleaning with homemade solutions is infinitely cheaper than store-bought as well!
  • Buy fragrance-free products, or those scented with essential oils only.  Nearly every common product with a fragrance, from lotions and shampoo to detergent and countertop spray, contain toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that increase risk of all manner of cancer as well as neurodevelopmental disorders like ADD, ADHD, autism, behavioral problems and lower IQ.
  • Only use DBP, formaldehyde and toluene-free nail polish.  There are loads of brands that are now free of these chemicals, so again, there really is no excuse to expose your body to these deadly, carcinogenic chemicals, especially if you are, or are around, a pregnant woman!  (Priti and O.P.I. are just a few of the safer brands)
  • Choose PBDE-free electronics and furniture (especially mattresses).  PBDEs are flame retardants that are found in most older, stuffed furniture items and rugs, and many electronics like phones, TVs and computers.  When buying any of these items, verify that they are free of PBDEs, which decrease thyroid hormone levels, damage reproductive systems, and cause neurological symptoms as well.  The EWG has a handy PBDE Guide everyone should check out! 
  • Avoid canned foods and beverages, unless they are BPA-free.  Almost all canned foods and beverages contain BPA, which can have devastating effects on the neurological and reproductive systems, and has also been linked to heart disease, intestinal damage, diabetes, and obesity.  So far, Eden Organics is the only brand that has made the switch to all BPA-free cans.  But Trader Joe’s and Wild Planet offers some, but far from all, products in BPA-free cans.
  • Wash your hands after handling thermal receipts.  Those smooth, warm, thermal receipts used by so many retailers are made up of nearly 3% pure BPA, which then gets onto your skin and even straight into your mouth.  Always wash your hands after touching the receipts, or forgo them altogether!
Dr. Philip Landrigan, who moderated the panel, added the following universal recommendations for avoiding exposure to these dangerous toxins:
  • AVOID SMOKING
  • REDUCE YOUR CLIMATE FOOTPRINT (which lessens universal risk of exposure)
  • USE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (instead of toxic pesticides, sprays and fumes)
  • EAT LOW ON THE FOOD CHAIN — A MOSTLY PLANT-BASED DIET
  • EAT ORGANIC WHENEVER POSSIBLE (which lowers exposure to pesticides by a whopping 90%)
  • JOIN A FOOD CO-OP  (or start one if there isn’t one in your area)
  • BE A CITIZEN!  (nothing will change if we don’t make our voices heard.  All of these environmental causes of disease are preventable, and with enough public pressure, we can get these toxins banned!)
 

NU Health & Wellness Healthy Fish Guide

By: Friday, December 2, 2011 Diet and Foods, Holistic Health, Nutrition , , , , Permalink 0

 NU Health & Wellness Healthy Fish Guide | The Organic Beauty Blog

Fish is literally the healthiest animal protein on Earth (virtually the only animal flesh I, and countless other “pescatarians” eat), being the best source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and B2, calcium, and tons of minerals.  It has wonderful benefits for skin and hair, brain and heart health, sexual health, and prevents inflammation and disease.  BUT, there are a lot of fishies out there that do more harm than good!  It is really important to make sure the fish you are eating is low in mercury and other toxins, and was farmed in an environmentally responsible manner.  Use the handy chart above (which you can print out!) to make sure the fish you are eating is the kind that helps, not hurts, your body.  And make sure to monitor how often you are eating fish that is higher in mercury or other toxins.

Some signs of mercury toxicity are:
  • Memory loss
  • Hair loss
  • Compromised immunity
  • Mental instability
  • Numbness in arms and legs
  • Reduced motor skills
  • Learning disabilities
  • Damage to the central nervous system
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Depression, anxiety, and other psychological symptoms
If you are experiencing any of the above, obviously, first see a doctor, but then, you can typically detoxify your system from mercury relatively quickly (depending on the severity of the toxicity, of course), by eliminating ALL fish from your diet, and start taking some food-based or oral chelators like:
  • NU Health & Wellness Healthy Fish Guide | The Organic Beauty BlogChlorella
  • Cilantro
  • Garlic
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid
  • N-Acetyl Cysteine
  • EDTA
  • DMSA
The last four should be taken under supervision of a healthcare professional.

In general, adding chlorophyll, spirulina and/or chlorella to your supplement regimen is a great idea for anyone who eats a lot of fish, regardless of where the fish falls on the mercury spectrum.  These greens actually work to remove heavy metals that have accumulated in your body!

So, in short, fish is an amazing food that has a myriad of health benefits.  If you make educated decisions about the kind of fish you are eating, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of this beautifying food without compromising your health!

——-
Natasha A. Uspensky, CHHC, AADP
Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor

10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets

By: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 Healthy Pets, Organic Beauty , , , Permalink 0
10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets 2 | The Organic Beauty Blog

Detoxifying our homes, beauty routines, and eating habits obviously has a huge impact on our health and well-being, but what we often don’t take into account is the effect it has on the health and longevity of our pets as well.  Our pets inhale our cleaning supplies, lick the floors, kiss our skin, and eat food of often questionable content.  Focusing on quality, non-toxic products and natural foods and treats will help your pet live longer and be much healthier!


10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets | The Organic Beauty Blog

10 Most Common Household Toxins for Dogs
  • Chocolate.  We all know chocolate can be deadly for dogs, and it is super important to consider places chocolate can be hiding (like candy bars, cake, and ice cream) so as to keep pets away from it at all costs.  Chocolate contains theobromine, which causes severe stomach upset, vomiting, seizures, blood pressure elevation in dogs and cats.  So no tasting (no matter how much they beg!), and keep those chocolatey treats covered and in a cabinet where pets can’t get to it.
  • Insect Bait Stations.  All those little ant and roach houses are full of super toxic poisons.  Even though a dog can’t crawl inside, it can chew through the trap and get to the poison nonetheless.  Choose a non-toxic, pet-safe alternative if you have a bug problem to control.  EcoSmart has some really good products made with plant oils that are safe for pets AND humans!
  • Rodenticide.  Although there is definitely a valid ethical argument against using rodenticides, some people still choose to use them, which is fine, provided they don’t accidentally poison an unintended animal!  There are some organic rodenticides on the market that only target rodents, and are generally harmless to other animals and humans.  Kiwicare makes one that is supposed to work really well.  But try to research some other options before resorting to poison.  Sometimes, fixing some holes or crack in walls and floors, or keeping food covered and tightly sealed and be enough of a remedy!
  • Chemical Fertilizers.  Ever see those signs on fertilized lawns warning you to keep pets and children away?  That’s there for a reason.  Fertilizers can cause seizures, liver and kidney damage, and potentially fatal levels of toxicity in pets.  Use caution when letting your dog play on any manicured lawn, because you never know what it’s been treated with!
  • Xylitol.  This sugar substitute is found in many sugar-free gums, diet products, and processed foods, and can cause severe hypoglycemia, acute toxicity, and even death in dogs.  If you occasionally feed your dog human food, make sure it is a whole food like a good quality meat, fruit, or vegetable (but not onions!)… Never feed your dog processed junk food that isn’t even health-supportive for you!
  • NSAIDs like Advil and Tylenol.  Unless recommended by your vet in specific doses, these over-the-counter medicines can cause a potentially lethal build-up of toxicity in your pet, and can cause severe stomach ulcers and kidney damage.  NEVER give your dog human medication unless your vet prescribed it!
  • Silica gel.  Those little packets that come in your vitamins and other products are sometimes irresistible to pets, both as little toys to bat around, and as a snack.  Although a tiny amount won’t do much harm if eaten, a larger packet ingested by a small dog could wreak all kinds of havoc.  Dispose of these packets immediately in a place your pup can’t reach.
  • Toxic household cleaners.  Pets come into much more direct contact with the cleaning solvents we use than even we do… They eat things off the floor, walk on and touch various surfaces and lick their paws, and lick everything.  Just as non-toxic household cleaners are important for your health, they can be even more important for the health of your pets.  Make sure to only use non-toxic cleaning supplies that are natural when possible.  Click here for an extensive list of recommendations!
  • Poisonous houseplants.  Some houseplants are poisonous and potentially deadly for both dogs and cats, so before bringing home a new plant-buddy, make sure to check the plant against the ASPCA list of toxins!
  • Onions, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and caffeine.  All these foods can cause irreversible damage to your dog’s internal organs, and in some cases could even be fatal.  Feeding your dog human food can be a great choice, but make sure you’re making educated decisions for your pet.  Not everything that is good for us is good for them!
10 Most Dangerous Household Toxins for Pets 3 | The Organic Beauty Blog

 

10 Most Common Household Toxins for Cats

  • Lillies.  These beautiful flowers are highly poisonous to cats.  Eating just a few leaves can cause organ failure and even death!  Best to keep lillies out of a kitty household altogether.
  • Canine Flea and Tick Medicine.  Households with both types of animals need to be very careful.  Medicine that is recommended for dogs can be lethal for cats, like the common topical flea and tick treatments used.  Opt for a natural alternative to flea and tick treatments, like those found on Only Natural Pet.
  • Toxic household cleaners.  Same as for their canine buddies, these toxic chemicals are bad for all beings!  See above.
  • Rodenticide.  See above.
  • Paints and varnishes.  Just like many commercial paints and varnishes are super toxic to humans, our furry friends are especially vulnerable to the carcinogenic toxins in many of these products.  VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) used to be a necessary component of indoor paints, but no longer.  There are many safer low-VOC and no-VOC paints and varnishes on the market these days that are just as effective!  Check out Earth Easy for all kinds of awesome, safe, non-toxic solutions for all of your painting needs.
  • Glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark jewelry.   These relics of your 90’s party days are full of chemicals that can be especially toxic to kitties.  If your nostalgic streak keep you from throwing them out, keep them out of your cat’s reach!
  • Amphetamines.  ADD/ADHD drugs and other amphetamines may be what keeps you functional, but to a cat, it could spell heart attacks, tremors, and even death.  And the worst part is, cats are especially attracted to these drugs, so it’s especially important to keep them hidden away.
  • NSAIDs like Advil and Tylenol.  See above.
  • Onions, garlic, and root vegetables.  These contain a substance that destroys red blood cells in cats, and can cause serious anemia.
  • Chocolate.  We all know that chocolate can be lethal to dogs, but it also has some terrible effect for cats!  A good blanket rule is to keep chocolate away from all domestic animals.
    • If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, or has ingested any of the above, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA National

Animal Poison Control Center

    • at

1-888-426-4435

    .

Public Pressure For Better Ingredients!

By: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Healthy Eating , , Permalink 0

Public Pressure For Better Ingredients! | The Organic Beauty BlogNew studies released recently both in the US and abroad are really starting to underline to degree to which the FDA has dropped the ball regarding health policy, and having any sort of real vested interest in the health of our country.  Major food manufacturers like Kraft, Wal-Mart, Mars Candy, and Coca-Cola are continued to be given the green light by the FDA to use toxic food colors, dyes, preservatives, and other carcinogenic ingredients in the everyday foods consumed by the majority of our country, while these same ingredients are banned from foods all over Europe.  Why is the FDA so blatantly ignoring research like the Southampton Study and studies done at the Center for Science in the Public Interest that draw clear parallels between ubiquitous food additives and cancer, childhood disorders like ADHD and autism, and serious food allergies?
In short, because they don’t have to.  The public pressure in the United States to change food policy is still so limited compared to other parts of the world that the FDA can afford to stay in the pocket of industrial agriculture and make claims that the levels of toxic chemicals in our food is “within acceptably safe limits” and that “more research is needed” to determine the dangers of these additives.  Really guys?
Public and governmental pressure in Europe has caused American companies to remove artificial colors and many toxic additives from the overseas versions of their products, but here under the watchful eye of the FDA, we are still feeding our children (and selves) toxic carcinogens.  Look at a comparison of the ingredients in the American and U.K. versions of Kraft Mac and Cheese:

  • U.S. Version of Kraft Mac & Cheese:  Enriched Macaroni Product (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate [Iron], Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Cheese Sauce Mix (Whey, Modified Food Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Contains Less Than 2% of Parmesan Cheese [Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Dried Buttermilk, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Blue Cheese [Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Sodium Phosphate, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Cream, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Enzymes, Yellow 5, Yellow 6).
  • U.K. Version of Kraft Mac & Cheese:  Macaroni (Durum Wheat Semolina), Cheese (10%), Whey Powder (from milk), Lactose, Salt, Emulsifying Salts (E339, E341), Colours (Paprika Extract, Beta-Carotene)

Kind of appalling, isn’t it?  We need to follow in Europe’s footsteps and put enough pressure on the FDA and our food manufacturers to show that Americans are, in fact, just as smart and savvy as our friends across the pond, and that are lives and health are worth just as much.  As a start, you can sign this petition from Healthy Child Healthy World to get Kraft to implement the same changes here in the States..

[From my feed on One Minute News]