10 Harmful Chemicals to Avoid

It feels like everywhere around you there is something that causes cancer, whether it's food, cleaning products, environmental toxins, clothes, furniture and the list can go on. This can be really overwhelming for people, especially those with children.

Parents Magazine published an article in 2013 about the results of specific chemicals that should be avoided. Many of those chemicals are "known or suspected" to be linked to cancer, early puberty, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, autism, and other serious health issues.

There seems to be so much to avoid that lists such as these are a great way to get started without feeling overwhelmed. The goal is to reduce the usage of any products that contain harmful chemicals.

Here is a summary of the list, with some additions, provided by the published article done by Parents Magazine:

1. Arsenic 

Linked to: Skin, bladder, kidney and lung cancers

Found in: 

• Apple and grape juice
• Rice products (which are contaminated through pesticides in groundwater) 
• Pressure-treated wood made or manufactured before 2003

What you can do: 

• Consume juices in small amounts
• Limit amount of rice consumed and try to switch to 100% organic and, if possible, whole wheat products
• Avoid older pressure-treated wood, which may be found in sandboxes, playgrounds, wing sets, decks. If your child gets a splinter, it can actually be absorbed into the skin.

Remember, the skin is the largest organ of the body and absorbs everything placed on it. For children, it absorbs at a much higher rate relative to their body size, so it's best to limit the exposure to these harmful chemicals as much as possible.

2. Formaldehyde 

Linked to: Skin irritants, allergies, respiratory symptoms, headache, fatigue, and nausea

Found in: 

• Embalming fluid
• Household products
• Makeup
• Skin care products
• Baby wipes
• Hair products
• Pressured wood medium density fiberboard
• Furniture
• Glue and adhesives 

What you can do: 

• Ventilate any furniture outdoors or in an open garage if you purchase wood made of pressboard or MDF that has been treated with this chemical.
• Avoid beauty and household products that have these ingredients: 
• Quaternium 15
• Bronopol (also written as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol)
• Diazolidinyl urea
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate

3. Mercury 

Linked to: Impaired neurological development and high levels of ADHD 

Found in: 

• Air pollution
• Industrial waste
• Fish (shellfish and larger fish that eat shellfish)
• Older thermometers 

What you can do: 

• Eliminate the consumption of large fish such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish from diet, especially if you're trying to conceive, are pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about the air pollution, but if you live in a major city with a lot of pollution, try to make a weekly visit to a park surrounded by trees and clean air and inhale. 
• Fight for clean air through the Clean Air Act. 

4.  Bisphenol A (BPA) and 5. Phthalates 

Linked to: endocrine disruptors, hormone disruptors (they mimic natural hormones and can affect reproductive development and health), early puberty, low testosterone for males and male reproductive problems. 

Found in: 

• Plastics
• Lining of food and beverage cans
• Bottled formulas
• Shopping receipts 
• Vinyl plastics (raincoats, backpacks, shower curtains, blow-up toys)
• Perfumes, lotions and soaps 

What you can do: 

• Don't support or purchase any body products with "Fragrance" listed as an ingredient. They legally DO NOT have to tell you how many toxins are used in that word used to mask an array of chemicals including this one. 
• This may come as a shock to you ladies, but it's in 99% of your products that are not organic. Use EWG to see what ingredients are found in the daily products you use. Purchase organic skin care products for your whole family.
• Look for "PVC-free" raincoats and backpacks
• Try to have cashiers drop the receipt in the bag to refrain from touching the chemical.
• Avoid purchasing food and beverage cans, plastics and bottled formulas unless they are marked "BPA-free"
• Do not microwave foods in plastic containers because they release this toil chemical and others into the food
• Purchase "BPA-free" cups

6. Flame Retardants

Linked to: damaged reproductive systems (specifically polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs]), affected motor skills, learning, memory and hearing. 

Found in: 

• Upholstered furniture (couches, pillows, mattresses, carpet padding)
• Because the chemical is not bonded to foam, they can be released in the dust of the furniture as it ages (very scary!)
• Electronics before 2014
• Foam products manufactured before 2005

What you can do: 

• Don't let babies put electronics, especially those mobile phones, in their mouths
• Replace furniture and pillows if foam is old and beyond repair
• Use a vacuum with HEPA filter and/or run HEPA air filters in rooms
• Throw out older items such as car seats and mattress pads where the foam is not covered in a protective fabric

7. Fluoride

Linked to: cancer, discolored teeth, loss in tooth enamel, brittle bones, and neurotoxicity. 

Found in: 

• Water supply
• Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Soil

What you can do: 

• Switch to a toothpaste and mouthwash that does not contain fluoride. I personally use Now XyliWhite Toothpaste and love it! I have for over 4 years. 
• Call your state department of environmental protection or municipal water supplier to see the level of fluoride in your waters. We do this every time we move to find out immediately.
• Invest in purchasing a water filtration that does reverse osmosis. Use the EWG water filter buying guide before doing this. 

8. Pesticides 

Linked to: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia in children and negative neurobehavioral development. 

Found in: 

• Sprays to treat and kill inspects and weeds produce, outdoor lawns and gardens. 
• Soil as a result of spraying
• Groundwater supply as a result of spraying
• Baby food and drinks

What you can do: 

• Don't let children play in areas where pesticides have just been sprayed
• Buy organic fruits and veggies!
• Always wash fruits and veggies with a soft brush and water or peel and trim before eating. 

9. Lead 

Linked to: nervous system damage, stunted growth, kidney damage, and delayed development 

Found in: 

• Homes built before 1978 that have not been in good repair (lead was found in wood and used in paint) 
• Imported toys,
• Jewelry 
• Candy 

What you can do: 

• If you live in a home built before 1978, be sure all the paint is in good condition as it contains lead and can be inhaled by young ones. Frequently mop and wipe surfaces with a damp cloth.
• If you live in an older home, make sure to get a lead-safe certified contractor to do repairs
• Avoid painted or metal toys older than 1978
• Avoid purchasing imported toys and children's jewelry, especially from China
• Do not buy candy made in Mexico

10. Perchlorate  

Linked to: high doses interferes with iodine absorption into the thyroid gland, which interferes with hormone production needed for growth and development.

Found in: 

• Naturally occurring it is found in arid states in the southwestern U.S.
• Industrial chemical contaminant used in rocket fuel, fireworks, explosives and flares
• Bleach
• Some fertilizers
• Groundwater
• Drinking water and irrigation all over the country

What you can do: 

• Call your state department of environmental protection or municipal water supplier to see the level of perchlorate in your waters. 
• Check with your doctor about taking an iodine supplement to boost thyroid function and offset any contaminants. 

Stop counting calories

Source: http://blogs.bu.edu

I know you've heard it a hundred times, but watching what we eat is really important. I know people who count calories, check carbs, monitor sugar grams or fat content. The main element to focus on are the ingredients.

Don't be so worried about how many calories you're intaking a day. Instead, focus on where your calories are coming from. The source of the calories are more important than you know. They affect your energy level, nutrition deficiencies, health and weight.

First, try to avoid the ingredients listed here: Ingredients to Avoid.

Those ingredients typically carry the highest carb load, sugar content, fat content and calories. I stumbled on a great article that showed the distribution of food and how important it is to watch what you eat.

A REAL food pyramid

While researching online, I came across probably the best food pyramid I've ever seen. I truly believe it is the most balanced one that has all the right items in order.

When you eat according to this chart, you'll feel better and even lose weight. When you eat like our society does, it's usually upside down and fats, dairy, sugar and medical pills (instead of supplements) get the best of you.

Eat well, live well.

Not a resolution...a way of life

I've been given several excuses for not eating organic or healthy: "it's too expensive"and "it doesn't taste good"are the two most frequent responses.

My reply:

1. "It's too expensive" =  Medical insurance and prescription drugs for heart medication, cholesterol, diabetes, colds, blood pressure (and the list can go on) are much more expensive on a monthly basis, especially considering the number of American's on medical drugs on a daily basis. This is not to mention that a healthy lifestyle and regiment can actually get rid of most of these.

2. "It doesn't taste good" = Well not after you're used to eating a starchy, high sodium and high sugar diet. Sugar can last on your tongue up to 10 days and anything you eat during that time needs to be as sweet or sweeter in order for you to think it tastes good. Try getting away from all sugars for a couple weeks then take a bite out of an apple. It will never have tasted better!

Cheat Sheet for Vitamins

I'm a little obsessed with infographics and when I found this one by www.SelfMender.com, I knew I wanted to post it on my blog.

My 10 Day Juice Fast

About a week ago, I watched the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead after my sister recommended it. She started juicing and lost 8 lbs in 10 days.

Since I've been in a rut and this documentary was incredibly inspiring, I decided I would do the same. My husband researched juicers we finally decided on the masticating juicer: Omega 8006. We ordered it....and waited anxiously.

A note about juicing: many people prefer not to do juicing because of the mess and cleanup needed as well as how much money it costs in items in order to juice enough. Another main complaint is that you lose all the fiber in the fruits.

The Benefits

After juicing for 10 days, I've never loved and believed in it so much. The benefits of juicing are:

• Can reduce risk of cancer
• Serves as a great cleanse
• Boosts the immune system
• Losing weight (in a healthy way)
• Removes toxins from the body
• Aids in digestion through the natural enzymes
• Helps the body receive pure nutrients and minerals in an active state
• Helps you eat more fruits and vegetables that you probably would eat or could in a given serving

Rosemary Potatoes.

I started making Rosemary Potatoes about a month ago and I'm hooked. They're so delicious that I wanted to share it with my readers!

Ingredients:

• Organic potatoes - red is the preferred but I've tried this on all types and it still tastes amazing! (this is on the list of high pesticides if not organic)
• Rosemary (fresh or dried)
• Garlic Salt (optional)
• Italian Seasoning (I use the Publix brand)
• Oregano (fresh or dried)
• Turkish Seasoning (I buy this at Penzey's Spices...it's amazing but optional)
• Garlic - fresh (2x any other ingredient)
• EVOO

When I made it yesterday, I used 3 small red potatoes and 1 large russett potato.

1. Preheat the oven to 450° F. 
2. Chop up the potatoes in 1/4-1/2 inch slices (or whatever size you want) and place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Chop the garlic finely and add it to the potatoes. I used an entire head, but use it as you like (I love garlic!).
4. Add EVOO to get the mixture going
5. Then start adding the seasoning as you choose (I just eye it)
6. Use at least 1 1/2 tbsp of rosemary (hence Rosemary Potatoes)
7. Use your hands to mix the potatoes and make sure the seasoning applies (the EVOO acts like the glue)

      8.   Place the potatoes on a flat cooking sheet and place in oven

      9.   Bake for 45 minutes

Enjoy with ketchup (one without High Fructose Corn Syrup =)) 

How to make sushi.

Step 1: Lay out your Sushi Nori (Seaweed)

Step 2: Flatten cooked short-grained rice on seaweed making sure that you leave one inch on top and bottom.

Step 3: Lay on rice either avocado, salmon, or whatever your sushi choice may be, as shown above

Step 4: Begin to roll the sushi tightly. You may also purchase the sushi mat (but I use my hands)

Step 5: Water the top inch to help it stick when you roll it shut.

Step 6: Cut sushi roll in half

Step 7: Follow by cutting smaller slices as you like (I cut them into 6 even slices)

Step 8: It won't be perfect, but it tastes wonderful!

For a list of all ingredients click here. You can add Bragg's Amino Liquid in a separate small bowl. It tastes just like soy sauce. For this particular meal, I had leftover salmon and rice so I made a separate plate for us with steamed broccoli.

Then I finished it off by making a wonderfully colorful salad with spinach, beets (leaves, root, and stem), watercress, carrots, onions, tomatoes, feta cheese, craisins, apple cider vinegar, evoo, and lots of love =)

In Season.

Last week I was researching when certain fruits and vegetables were in season and where they were grown. From there, I printed out articles showing the time during the year to buy those fruits and vegetables and when to avoid them despite the fact that they may be sold in the grocery stores.

Please keep in mind that when you see a label reading South African grapes or Argentinian blueberries, remember that they've traveled further than you do to work and back in a week. Through travel, just imagine the amount of toxins that get into our fruits and vegetables from pollution, smog, and chemicals to preserve it for the journey.

This is the reason many people are now buying local. Not only are you supporting your local farmers, you know what your getting and where it's growing.

Rich Pirog, the Associate Director of the Leopold Center at Iowa State University, says that when consumers learn about an issue such as the tomato scare during the salmonella outbreak, their first reaction isn't necessarily to think, Oh, I should eat local. He says, "The common response is, 'Wow, I need to pay more attention to where my food comes from and how it's grown.' Local provides answers to those questions people are asking.

"It's difficult to always buy local, and the fruits and vegetables you love most may not grow in your area or even state, but it will help you from buying fruits and veggies that come from too far and aren't even in season.

To find out what's in season in your area visit http://www.fieldtoplate.com/guide.php