| Many people ask me how to start going organic and | | | | · Hot Peppers |
| live a healthy organic lifestyle? There are so many | | | | · Green Beans |
| products, so much information they don't know | | | | · Carrots |
| where to start. Other questions I get are: Do I need | | | | 1. Use non chlorine bleach it works just the same as |
| to buy everything organic, food, cleaning products, | | | | regular bleach without the toxins. |
| clothes, personal care and skin care products? Are | | | | 2. Body lotion for you, children and baby. Remember |
| you vegan? Do I have to throw everything away | | | | when you hold or play with your children they touch |
| and start from scratch? Where do I start? It gets | | | | your skin and body thus toxins from you can rub off |
| expensive. What does it mean by going organic? | | | | on them. Most personal care products contain a large |
| Lets start with my definition of going organic and | | | | list of toxic, unsafe chemicals like parabens, |
| living an organic lifestyle. To me going organic is more | | | | phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth |
| than the food I eat. It is about making healthy | | | | sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, DEA's, TEA's to |
| choices with the food I eat, the products I use in my | | | | name a few. Read labels carefully. Try to use |
| home, on my skin and body, and in my garden. To | | | | products that are organic and free of chemicals. For |
| me organic, green, non-toxic living is about eliminating | | | | more information on safe cosmetics and personal |
| toxins from our homes and life. It is about the | | | | care products go to, They have information on |
| environment and ensuring that it is clean and healthy | | | | popular baby products too. |
| because last time I checked we are all earthlings | | | | 3. Face lotion for you and children they also contain |
| which means we are part of the environment. If the | | | | many toxic chemicals. A common ingredient used in |
| environment is unhealthy then so are the earthlings. | | | | skin care products especially those that claim anti |
| Finally, going organic, non-toxic and green is treading | | | | aging ingredients is methylparaben. Methylparaben has |
| lightly on the earth so that I leave it better than I | | | | been linked to accelerating aging. Isn't it ironic? |
| found it for future generations. | | | | 4. Products that contain phthalates are an absolute |
| Here are some simple steps to help you transform | | | | must avoid, especially if you have children. They are |
| your home from conventional, toxic to organic, | | | | found in perfume, nail polish, hair care products like |
| non-toxic, safe, green and healthy. First I would like | | | | hair spray, deodorant and lotions. Phthalates can be |
| to say that it isn't about being perfect or having | | | | carcinogenic and have been linked to birth defects. |
| everything in your life organic and green. A few | | | | They also damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and |
| simple changes will make a huge difference in the | | | | reproductive system in laboratory animals according |
| way you feel and in moving forward to an organic, | | | | to the center for Disease Control. Phthalates are |
| green, non-toxic, healthy lifestyle. Take one step at a | | | | used many products but are not listed on labels in |
| time and have fun. | | | | order to protect "trade secrets." That is where |
| There are a couple of different ways you can | | | | confusion enters. So the best rule of thumb is avoid |
| incorporate organic living into your lifestyle. One is to | | | | conventional perfumes, products with fragrance, |
| use the products you have now, finish them and | | | | conventional nail polish remover and nail polish. Don't |
| replace them with healthy, organic choices as needed. | | | | panic. The good news is that you don't have to give |
| The other choice is to throw everything away and | | | | up your favorite nail polish color to avoid toxins. |
| replace your old choices with healthy new organic | | | | There are non-toxic alternatives to all of the |
| products. Either choice is awesome. Note: If you are | | | | aforementioned products. For example, many |
| throwing away cleaning products that are made with | | | | perfumes and fragrance are made with pure, organic |
| chemicals be sure to do it properly. Contact your local | | | | essential oils and are safe. There are non-toxic nail |
| waste management company and ask them how to | | | | polishes and nail polish removers. Choose products |
| safely dispose of chemical products. | | | | that are fragrance free especially if you are using |
| I took the slow less expensive root and used | | | | them on or around your children and baby. If you are |
| products until they were finished then I replaced | | | | pregnant or have children avoid products with |
| them with green, organic choices. Products like food, | | | | phthalates at all costs. Your unborn child's health and |
| cleaning products, personal care, skin care and | | | | your children's health are fragile. Before the age of 10 |
| gardening products were choices I started with when | | | | their immune systems aren't yet fully developed thus |
| I went green. I took one step at a time to a green, | | | | chemicals stay in their tiny bodies where they can |
| organic lifestyle. It seems the more I do the more | | | | cause disease and even obesity. |
| that I want to do. | | | | 5. Avoid cleaning products or any products that |
| Remember do what is right for you not what your | | | | contain anti bacterial ingredients. Antibacterial |
| friends and neighbors are doing. You and your family | | | | ingredients contain pesticides. According to the EPA, |
| are the only factors to consider here. Also it isn't | | | | pesticides are designed to kill living organisms. They |
| about being perfect or who is doing the most or | | | | don't discriminate between pests and humans. The |
| making the biggest changes. What matters is that | | | | key word here is living organisms. The bacteria and |
| you are giving your family healthy choices and every | | | | viruses that anti bacterial products kill are also killed |
| healthy choice you make for your family is one step | | | | with simple warm soap and water. Don't let |
| closer to the short term and long term health goals | | | | marketing hype tell you that you need these |
| you want to achieve. | | | | products to kill germs in your home. If simple soap |
| Take one step at a time and notice how the | | | | and water is good enough for hospitals then it is |
| changes are affecting your family and how you feel | | | | good enough to kill germs in your home. Why add a |
| about these changes. Maybe keep a diary of why | | | | layer of pesticide to your surfaces, especially where |
| you want to live an organic, green, non-toxic lifestyle | | | | children and pets play and spend time? |
| and then note in the diary the changes that you are | | | | 6. Stain remover for clothes is highly toxic use |
| making and how they are affecting your family's | | | | non-toxic. To treat a stain use simple soap and |
| health. | | | | water. Immediately when you notice a stain pore |
| For example, maybe you have allergies or a member | | | | clear liquid soap right on the stain add a little water |
| in your family has allergies and you decide that you | | | | and throw it in the dirty laundry until laundry day. In |
| want to change your cleaning products so that they | | | | most cases the stain will come out. Stains set when |
| are non-toxic in an effort to see if that clears the | | | | they aren't treated immediately and they are allowed |
| allergies. Write this in your diary and notice if the | | | | to set into the material of clothing. |
| allergies subside and even if they go away. | | | | 7. Conventional air freshener - contains carcinogens. |
| Another example is maybe you change some of the | | | | This is a huge NO, especially if you have children. The |
| foods you eat to organic and you notice that your | | | | toxins are inhaled and absorbed through the skin. |
| children have more energy or they are more | | | | Extremely dangerous. Instead eliminate the source of |
| focused; write that in your diary. In a month or 2 go | | | | the odor. For example if the trash smells, take it out. |
| back to the diary I bet you will notice that a lot has | | | | On nice days open a window. If you must add |
| changed with your families health. Lastly be sure to | | | | fragrance to your home use pure, organic essential |
| celebrate your successes. You deserve it. Remember | | | | oils. A trick I use is to drop 3 to 5 drops on a light |
| it isn't about being perfect it is about making a few | | | | bulb that will be turned on. Or make your own air |
| simple changes here and there. | | | | freshener using essential organic oils. Simply fill a 29 to |
| Below is a list that I created, especially for mom's, to | | | | 32 oz. spray bottle with distilled water and add 20 to |
| help them make the switch from conventional to | | | | 25 drops of essential oil. Spray the air, your furniture |
| organic, green and healthy. | | | | I even use it to iron with. Cook muffins or cookies to |
| 1. Recycle | | | | make the air in your home smell good. On a cold |
| 2. Reuse | | | | winter day make some apple cider on the stove and |
| 3. Reduce your waste | | | | let it simmer on very low heat to add fragrance to |
| 4. Any food with High Fructose corn syrup is a big | | | | your home. |
| no! Especially if you are protecting your family against | | | | 8. Use organic mattresses or put heavy cotton over |
| obesity. It gives the false feeling that you are still | | | | your conventional mattress - If you can't or don't |
| hungry even when your body is full and has zero | | | | want to replace all of your mattresses with organic |
| nutritional value. It is not a necessary food ingredient | | | | then put heavy cotton material over the mattress |
| ever. Read labels carefully as it is used often. You will | | | | under the fitted sheet. If possible use organic cotton |
| be surprised how often it is used, even in foods | | | | material. Absolutely do this for your baby and children |
| labeled as natural or organic. | | | | as they are more susceptible to the effects of |
| 5. Eat as many organic foods as possible. If your | | | | toxins found in conventionally made mattresses, |
| family eats a lot of something like pasta, absolutely | | | | because their immune system and organs aren't fully |
| eat organic pasta instead of conventional. Chemicals | | | | developed. Toxins found in synthetic mattresses |
| and pesticides build up in your body over time. | | | | include; phthalates, PBDE - flame retardants, |
| Children are most susceptible to pesticides and toxins | | | | polyurethane, foam, polyester, plastic, formaldehyde. |
| from conception to 10 years old. Here is a list of | | | | They all emit dangerous toxins that your baby or |
| foods that are a must avoid. If you only want to | | | | children breathe in or absorb through the skin while |
| change some foods that you eat put these on your | | | | sleeping. In many cases these toxic elements lead to |
| list: | | | | insomnia, have been linked to brain development and |
| · Strawberries | | | | thyroid problems, include eye, nose, and throat |
| · Blueberries | | | | irritation; wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rash, |
| · Raspberries | | | | severe allergic reactions and may cause cancer. In |
| · Apples | | | | asthma suffers formaldehyde has been known to |
| · Grapes | | | | cause asthma attacks. |
| · Raisins | | | | 9. If you have children or pets and they will be on |
| · Juice - many also contain high fructose corn | | | | the floor playing use simple soap and water to mop |
| syrup so be careful and read labels. | | | | your floors. Otherwise the children and animals are |
| · Peaches | | | | playing on a toxic surface where they are absorbing |
| · Nectarines | | | | toxins into their skin and body. |
| · Apricots | | | | If you find that your supermarket doesn't carry |
| · Pears | | | | organic, non-toxic products ask them to. Marketers |
| · Cherries | | | | and supermarkets know that women make the |
| · Lemons | | | | majority of the buying decisions in the US. Yes |
| · Limes | | | | women you have the power, use it. Tell the |
| · Bananas | | | | supermarkets what you want. If they don't get it |
| · Pineapple | | | | right away, tell them again, and again and again until |
| · Cantaloupe | | | | they carry the products you want. Ask your friends |
| · Rice | | | | and family to chime in. Don't give up, you can make a |
| · Oats - commonly used in cereal | | | | difference. |
| · Milk | | | | Remember take only the steps that are right for you |
| · Baby Foods - get baby started off right. | | | | at this time. Follow your instincts they are your guide, |
| Also baby's immune systems are not yet fully | | | | they are true to you. Once again I will say it; you |
| developed so they are more susceptible to the | | | | don't have to change everything if you don't want |
| adverse effects of toxins. | | | | to. Simple changes to start make a big difference. |
| · Nuts | | | | Take baby steps. For example, change the food that |
| · Potatoes | | | | you eat to organic. Then change your cleaning |
| · Corn | | | | products one by one. This is something that should |
| · Celery | | | | be fun and enjoyable. After all you are protecting |
| · Cucumbers | | | | your health and your family's health so that you have |
| · Spinach | | | | a long future together, that is something to smile |
| · Lettuce | | | | about. |
| · Green & Red Bell Peppers | | | | Good luck! |