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 We all Scream for Ice Cream!
Why? Articles have shown that traditional ice cream has chemicals in it. Something so good can be so bad. It is true that we as consumers need to look at even the ice cream we eat in order to avoid chemicals. Many ice cream companies don’t have to disclose ALL the ingredients which include chemicals that reside in anti-freeze and paint remover. Yikes. Trying to eat healthy is one thing, but having a treat once in a while is fine and healthy for the spirit but it would be nice to select a sugary decadence without a garage full of greasy items. While I was reading “Nourishing Traditions,” (pg. 551) – (a fantastic cookbook on nutrient dense foods and cooking) I was dumbfounded to find a host of common chemicals were found inside ice cream!
Here are the list of chemicals you will be surprised to find in traditional ice creams.
Know your brands and try making it yourself (recipes and eco friendly ice cream maker). Treat yourself without harming your body.
Diethylglycol: A cheap chemical used as an emulsifier instead of eggs; is the same chemical used in antifreeze and paint remover.
Piperonal: Used in place of vanilla. This chemical is used to kill lice.
Aldehyde C-17: Used to flavor cherry ice cream. It’s an inflammable liquid also used in aniline dyes, plastic and rubber.
Ethyl Acetate: Used to give ice cream a pineapple flavor – and as a cleaner for both leather and textiles; its vapors have been known to cause chronic lung, liver and heart damage.
Butyraldehyde: Used in nut flavored ice cream. It’s one of the ingredients in rubber cement.
Amylacetate: Used for its banana flavor. It’s also used as an oil paint solvent.
Benzyl Acetate: Used for its strawberry flavor. It’s a nitrate solvent.”
Continue reading Chemicals in Ice Cream
 According to a new study from the Environmental Working Group (EWG.ORG), Triclosan, a harmful chemical is in many more everyday products that I thought. I have been telling my clients, children’s school, friends and family about this for many years and now with more scientific research, the proof is in the pudding (hopefully without Triclosan in it).
There is a handy guide from the Environmental Working Group on How to avoid Triclosan, the unsafe ingredient used as an anti-bacterial property. Pass it on and help inform those you care about and your children’s school. Make the switch to regular, healthy soap, like castile. Cleanwell is a great alternative for anti-bacterial properites using Thyme oil. Seventh Generation is using CleanWell’s formula in their new wipes.
Here is a list of what products that don’t carry Triclosan.
What is Triclosan?
Triclosan, a chemical used for its antibacterial properties, is an ingredient in many detergents, dish-washing liquids, soaps (Anti Bacterial DIAL AND SOFT SOAP), deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, anti-microbial creams, various toothpastes, and an additive in various plastics and textiles. The safety of triclosan has been questioned in regard to environmental and human health. While the companies that manufacture products containing this chemical claim that it is safe, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide. Triclosan is also known as Irgasan and Microban.
Continue reading Triclosan in consumer products leads to widespread pollution in people and the environment
 How to clean up your air indoors
With more than 90% of our time spent indoors, indoor pollutants can have a significant impact on our lives. Mold spores, dust mites, pollens, gases, particulates from chemicals and a host of other pollutants can be found in the cleanest of homes. According to the EPA, indoor levels of many pollutants are two to five times higher than outdoor levels. People who spend more time indoors (work out of your home, stay at home mom/dad, retired for example) are more at risk according to the EPA.
Homes aren’t regulated like office buildings. Their heating systems (HVAC) are sometimes neglected to change their filters or to replace if it isn’t functioning properly. Everything that comes in to our homes has the potential to be harmful to our health; this includes things from the building materials and elements that hold our homes together to the furniture we sit on and the paint that goes on the walls. Indoor air pollution can be bad, but it doesn’t have to be.
Things you can do to clear the air
- Read labels (make sure chemicals don’t make it in your home)
- Dust and vacuum often
- Replace carpet with hardwood, cork, marmoleum or wool/jute carpet. (clean with healthy cleaners)
- Don’t use perfume or scented items
- Buy furniture, rugs, mattresses, drapes without PBDE’s (fire retardants). Contact Eco Remedi for local suggestions)
- Leave your shoes at the door (keeps toxins at bay)
- Check your HVAC system and make sure the filters are changed.
- Purchase an air filter (HEPA) – I like Austin Air, IQ-Air and Blue Air. Continue reading The Air you Breathe – How to clean up your air indoors
Had it with BPA? Tell Salem to ban it already. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been angry about bisphenol-A (BPA) for years (literally). It’s in our bodies, in food and beverage containers (among other things, like retail receipts), and it ain’t good for us. Especially babies (and pregnant women). The U.S. FDA *finally* acknowledged some concern about this toxic chemical a few weeks back, but plans to study it for a few more years before doing anything more than studying it – some more. Well I for one don’t have time to wait.
Which is why I’m so thrilled about Oregon Senate Bill 1032 <http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/smart-policy/2010-bpa-legislation-fact-sheet> , which would phase the toxic chemical out of all reusable food and beverage containers (think: baby bottles and sippy cups) and formula cans and baby food jars (single use) intended for children under 3. ’Bout time.
You can help pass this bill – it’s easy!
If we don’t tell our state legislators that we’re tired of BPA and support this bill, how will they know how important it is to us? Simple: they won’t. So here’s what you can do:
1. Email your state representative and senator NOW <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/587/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1879> (just need your zip code).
2. Better yet, call ‘em. All you have to say is, “Hi my name is ________ and I urge the representative/senator to vote YES on SB 1032 to ban BPA. Thank you.” It’s that simple. And that quick. Get the phone numbers here <http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/> .
3. Join us this Thursday in Salem to show our legislators how much we want this. Activistas will be there from 1 to 3 PM to “pack the hearing room.” Thanks to the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) for bringing this bill so far and spearheading this grassroots effort.
4. Join OEC’s Healthy Kids Network <http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/healthy-kids-newsletter-signup> to stay current on action opportunities - and their excellent eco-healthy home tips.
From OEC (Oregon Environmental Council), an amazing organization Eco Remedi salutes!
by Michelle Bexelius – founder of Eco Remedi
 Eco Healthy School How Eco Healthy is your school? From cafeteria meals to energy use to recycling efforts, your school can have a major environmental impact – and provide opportunities to teach students about healthier, more sustainable practices.
Fostering a healthy environment is crucial given that many of the nation’s schoolchildren are vulnerable to pollution: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 50 percent of U.S. schools have indoor air-quality problems, exposing those inside to lead, asbestos, chemical fumes, pesticides, molds and other toxic substances. And researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that more than 30 percent of U.S. public schools are in “air-pollution danger zones” because of their proximity to major thoroughfares. Despite these problems, parents can work with school officials to implement policies that protect children – and the planet.
On the Road
If you live close to your school, have your child take the bus, carpool, bike or walk as often as she can to cut down on greenhouse-gas emissions from cars.
If you walk or bike with your child, you’ll improve your health while helping the environment. Get other families involved by organizing “Walk-or-Bike-to-School Days” once a month.
If you do drive, don’t idle.
Turn off your engine while waiting for your child. Encourage others to do the same by putting up a “Turn your engine off” or “Don’t idle” sign at your school’s pickup spot. The exhaust pollutes the air near your child’s school and can trigger asthma attacks, so any effort to cut down on fumes will help improve students’ health and you’ll save gas – and money.
Continue reading Environmentally Healthy Schools
 EMF - The New Pollution by Eco Remedi by Michelle Bexelius – founder of Eco Remedi
“EMF Pollution may be the most significant form of pollution human activity has produced in this century, all the more dangerous because it is invisible and insensible. ” -Andrew Weil, MD
“Ten years ago, one birth in 100,000 was an autistic child. In 2005, one birth in 162 birth was an autistic child. A few years ago, these problems were due to cell phone use, in the last year and a half 80% of the people presenting problems don’t even use cell phones. The problem now has to do with the high levels of background EMR.” -Dr. George Carlo, EMR expert
What you can do inside your home.
By simply checking your EMF (Electro Magnetic Frequency) readings you can prevent serious illnesses from occurring. Most of the older homes that are remodeled homes have old faulty wiring and need a professional electrician to re-wire them. Often times when we think of faulty wiring, we think fires, not so in this case. I spoke to a mom at my son’s school and she told me this story.I thought I would share it with you to enlighten you about the importance of checking the electromagnetic fields in your home. Not only can this be a health hazard it can help your home be more energy efficient. Go to http://www.lessemf.com/gauss.html to purchase your own EMF tester.
True Story – written by Patti- Santa Barbara, CA.
“In 1995 my son, Tyler had an outlet next to his bed that had a power reading of 10.0,normal, or safe readings should be 0.1-0.3. My husband and I did not even know what electrical magnetics were. The same year our five year old son became very ill. Doctors did not know what it was.
Continue reading Electromagnetic Fields- The new pollution
Shopping for EcoHealthy supplies for school
by Michelle Bexelius – founder of Eco Remedi
Going to college is an exciting event, a milestone that you have earned, congratulations! Here is a helpful list to make sure your four year stay is a pleasant, healthy, eco friendly one!
Reduce your carbon footprint by: -Taking shorter showers
-Walking/Biking
- Using Compact Fluorescent Lighting -
- Print on both sides of the paper
-Solar charger for your ipod and computer
Moving When packing up your belongings they can use recycled boxes that are used vs. new ones. Used boxes can be found in your own zip code on craigslist.org. Gather your friends and hire a moving company like MoveGreen.
Supplies and Backpacks Use a backpack made from recycled materials and not from PVC. REI has several to choose from and so does greenofficesupply.com, lands end, hempsisters.com, www.timbuk2.com, www.vulcanabags.com, www.seallinegear.com, and www.targus.com. Recycled paper/notebooks – greenofficesupply.com.
Continue reading Green your Dorm – Shopping for Eco Healthy School Supplies
 Eco Healthy Family by Michelle Bexelius – founder of Eco Remedi
You eat organic, sometimes buy organic cotton t shirts, drive a Prius but did you know the mattress you are sleeping on could be harmful to your health?
Currently there are 80,000 chemicals on the market today that are not approved by the FDA. These chemicals are put in to our everyday products often times without customers even knowing about because the companies don’t have to disclose every ingredient.
Kids follow your lead. The best way to get kids go green is to set a good example. They pick up on details of lives everyday entities whether you plan on it or not. It’s a group effort to live consciously and it takes a fare dose of commitment. Don’t overwhelm your kids with the crisis the planet is in, educate them at their appropriate level. They can’t control climate change, but they can turn off the lights when they leave a room.
Going green should be fun, informative and they should feel a sense of pride. Everyone person makes a difference and it doesn’t matter what the age of the child is to imprint that feeling of success. As a family take steps together each day to improve your surrounding environment. Teach your kids that simple things they do makes a difference.
Here are some green tips you can teach your kids:
Energy
Teach your kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room or turn on what they need. It is okay to let them know it costs money to light up the house as well as energy for the earth to produce. Have them close the door and windows when it’s cold outside to insulate the house.
Continue reading Eco Healthy Families
 Eco Healthy Families by Michelle Bexelius – founder of Eco Remedi
Integrating a green lifestyle into your family’s routine is immensely rewarding. And with a little thought and planning it can be fun and fulfilling for everyone. Use trips to the market to teach your little ones the value of organic foods and cooking. Or take a walk, hike or bike ride together. In this section, you’ll find tips to teach your family about the important role each of us plays in protecting yourself, your family and your planet.
Being a new parent is exciting and so it’s understandable to get excited to decorate the new baby’s nursery. Creating a safe haven for your baby is vital to their health. So, read the labels and find our what materials they are made of before you purchase new items (including paint, furniture, bedding, curtains, rugs, clothing, toys and skin care). When we began researching many of the popular items made for babies and kids – from onesies and toys to cribs and play tables, we took inventory of the fact that many of the conventional items available contain toxins that can be harmful, particularly to developing infants and young children. But we were able to find a variety of eco-friendly and stylish alternatives so you can have peace of mind and that your little ones will be surrounded by purer, healthier products to help them flourish.
Design Services: If you would like us to come out and design a healthy space for your child we offer our design services with color choices, furniture, accessories, clothing, toys, etc. We specialize in eco nurseries! See Michelle’s special for HGTV – It’s Easy Being Green – Eco Nursery . Email michelle@ecoremedi.com to schedule a consultation.
Is your child’s room a safe, healthy haven?
If you would like our eco consultants to help you create a healthy space for your child, and we will email you a questionnaire then send you a report with steps on how to integrate a darker shade of green into your life that is affordable and obtainable. Cost is 49.95.
Decorating: Parents make a trip to the paint store buying paint that has high VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), which off-gas into the air for a good couple of years. It may look great, but the air quality is sacrificed. Today there are many alternatives such as Envirocoat, Benjamin Moore (aura) which have low VOC’s. There is no smell, they dry extremely fast and look just as good.
 Eco Nursery - Healthy, Stylish, Affordable Alternatives Furniture: The next big thing is furniture. Many couples go to chain stores and pick up cribs and dressers/changers made from melamine, particle board and plywood filled with toxic formaldehyde glues and stains. Opt for cribs and furniture that are made from solid sustainable wood. There are many companies that are creating stylish pieces that are modern and eco-conscious.
Continue reading Healthy, Green Ideas for Families
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