Food Wax

Today was a very busy day in the Larson kitchen. As I prepare to head back to my day job (or the one that earns me a paycheck), I'm trying to get as much baking done as I can because 1) it distracts me, and 2) I've just been having so much fun trying different recipes and seeing how the husband and baby respond. Today was an exceptional day. I started off the afternoon baking Zucchini Brownies from a favorite blog of me: www.athomewithginac.com. I really made these for a friend who is in the hospital, but of course, I couldn't give him ALL of them, so we selfishly kept the rest of them for ourselves. Mine aren't as pretty as Gina's, but they tasted so incredible.  They almost didn't come to be, however, because I nearly ate all the batter :)

As those baked, I cut up eight gala apples to make Crockpot applesauce...can you say, Yes Please!! No peeling, no baking, and no sugar!! You place enough water in the Crockpot just to cover the bottom and then toss in your apples. Cook on low for six hours. These almost leads me to tonight's post, but I'll get to it in a minute, I just want to finish with our afternoon of cooking. 

For dinner, I made burgers from a friend's cow. And when I say 'friend,' I mean a poor college student intern who has had to put up with me the last three months...(yes, her family owns many cows). The cows are all grass fed; the taste is a bit different, but we are getting used to it. It agains reminds me of how important the diet of the animal is that we are eating (they are supposed to eat grass after all, right?) Grass fed beef has higher levels of omega-3 fats which is just another good reason to eat this type of meat. The burger was simple: kelp salt, pepper, oregano, and a few sprinkles of Herbamare seasoning. On the inside of the burger, a surprise piece of smoked mozzarella cheese! Mmmmmm so yummy and Jackson couldn't eat his fast enough!!

And I have to brag that he ate more broccoli than both me and Jeff!!

Okay, on to tonight's blog...so I used to buy my organic apples from Costco. I LOVED that they provided healthy organic produce, until one fateful day they didn't have the organic apples (they ran out). So I ended up at my favorite store, PCC, to buy their much more expensive apples. Right off the bat, I noticed a difference: there was no wax coating the fruit. When I got home and finally tried one, I couldn't believe the taste different. The fruit was much sweeter and more vibrant than any other apple I had eaten at Costco. Since then, I've been meaning to research fruit waxes to see why they are used and if they are harmful. Here's what I have found:

• Waxing primarily helps limit water loss, preserve the look of the fruit, prevent mold growth, and extend shelf life. 
• The waxes on food are similar to those used to shine floors, furniture, shoes, and vehicles. Derived from petroleum and natural sources, they often contain some combination of paraffin, shellac, carnauba, polyethylene and synthethic resins. Due to its high melting temperature, the wax cannot be washed off and often used as a vehicle for applying bactericides, fungicides, growth regulators and dyes.
• The FDA has limited research on the safety of waxes and are labeled "generally recognized as safe." 

As much as I wanted to, I couldn't find any definitive evidence that the waxes are bad for us, but most of it was anecdotal and not based on anything than personal opinion. My opinion is that the wax seems to distort the taste. I also am such a purist, that I don't believe I should be putting chemically made waxes in my body. I did read that using vinegar is helpful to wash off the wax, but I haven't tried it, because I'm now a convert to the local, non-waxed organic variety :) 

I also just added "My Favorites" from Amazon.com. I thought this might be helpful for some of you to find some of my favorite things. I'll keep updating it, but there's a pretty good list of things right now. Full disclosure: I get a little kickback when you use my link to purchase. 

The Hidden (but maybe not so hidden) Dangers of French Fries

Okay, so we all know that french fries are not the healthiest option when it comes to food. But we still LOVE them! Even I, who stays away from greasy, fried foods 99% of the time, is so deeply tempted by french fries on my hubby's plate, that I have to at least try one (or five), ya know, just to make sure they taste good. Well I stumbled across an article on the hidden dangers in this beloved food. It's called acrylamide (sounds healthy, doesn't it?) In my research for this blog, I have to say that for once, the  FDA has taken an appropriate stance on this. Acrylamide is found in foods that are cooked at 280 degree Fahrenheit and greater. Sadly, potato chips and french fries were found to have the highest concentration of this chemical because it is created during high heat baking, roasting, and frying (cigarette smoke is the other big producer--sad to have such popular food lumped in with nasty cigarette smoke). It is also produced industrially for products such as grout and plastics, but it also to make cosmetics (here's my blog on safe cosmetics) At this link, you can find out how it's produced, since I'm going to focus on why it's so awful for us. Acrylamide is regulated in our water system by the EPA to keep it to a safe amount. Wait...hold up. A safe amount? This is a chemical that has links to cancer, and there's a safe amount? And now I'm back to why I despise most of our government programs. Here's my blog on safe water for more information on that. But sad news for the FDA is this: although they took a stance on this chemical and even held some meetings dating back to 2002 through 2005, they never seemed to come to a conclusion as to what to do (according to their website). There was no widespread release of this information. (Did you hear about it? I didn't...) This was a Swedish Study that began the whole discussion years ago. From the FDA:

On April 24, 2002, researchers at the Swedish National Food Administration and Stockholm University reported finding the chemical acrylamide in a variety of fried and oven-baked foods. The initial Swedish research indicated that acrylamide formation is particularly associated with traditional high temperature cooking processes for certain carbohydrate-rich foods. In response to concerns about the potential risk of foodborne acrylamide based on the known toxicity of acrylamide at much higher doses than those seen in foods, the FDA began to analyze a variety of U.S. food products for acrylamide. 

But guess what, no company has to disclose that acrylamide is present in their product...why? Because it's a by-product of processing, not an ingredient (here we go again with why I hate the FDA). This is just another reason why, as a country, we need to get back to our roots and return to eating whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible). Acrylamide can be absorbed through skin, breathing in, or consuming foods. Remember that "regulated water"? 60% of what comes in contact with our skin gets absorbed into our blood stream, so with every shower you are absorbing minute amounts into your body. Another reason to "go green" and shorten your showers (shh...don't tell my husband I said that).

Okay, so back to why this chemical is so awful for us:

Several animal studies have linked it to cancer; albeit in high doses, but there hasn't been any tests at lower doses and who knows exactly how much is a "high dose" let alone how much we're actually exposed to on a regular basis. There was one human study that resulted in a "positive association" between acrylamide in food and breast cancer.

 "The findings show a positive association between an increased acrylamide-haemoglobin level and the development of breast cancer after adjustment for smoking behaviour. The risk of breast cancer doubles with a tenfold increase in the acrylamide-haemoglobin level. A tenfold increase in the acrylamide-haemoglobin level corresponds more or less to the difference measured between the women with the lowest and highest exposure. The study also shows a stronger association for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer."


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080111231742.htm


So what can we do? Well, for one, avoid fried foods when you can, and of course, don't smoke! But acrylamide also hides in unusual places...I wanted to paste the table the FDA created that lists out the foods and the amount of this chemical that is present in them, but it was just too long. But I STRONGLY encourage you to view this link. Here's just a few of the hidden places acrylamide is lurking: Gerber baby food (even their organic brands), Enfamil Formula, Similac Formula (among other brands), Beech Nut baby foods, Boca Burgers, every brand of potato chip, General Mills and Kellogg's Cereals, certain brands of soy sauce, roasted and smoked almonds (certain brands), Ghirardelli's unsweetened cocoa, Libby's canned pumpkin, and just about every brand of coffee...

I could go on and on, but I'll let you skim through it, as it is truly disappointing. So many "healthy" processed foods were on there, which bummed me out.

The moral of the story, be very careful of what you eat. It will be impossible to avoid this chemical all together unless you are on a raw diet, so moderation is key.

Here's to healthy eating!

Sunscreen

Okay, so I did a post awhile ago about this, but since summer has finally made it to the Pacific Northwest, I was planning on doing another quick note on it, but I'm going to cheat today. I was reading an article online from one of my favorite natural medicine proponents and he summed up everything I believe so concisely, I figured I'd be mostly plagiarizing his work if I blogged on it, so I'm just linking his article. It's fantastic from start to finish. Don't be scared of not wearing sunscreen, we aren't in this home! (And I use to be a HUGE sunscreen supporter). The only time I'll actually put the stuff on my skin is if we are going to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time, especially if we're at any type of altitude.

Here's the article, enjoy! (It takes less than 5 minutes to read for all you busy people out there) :)

Enjoy the sun!!

http://www.naturalnews.com/032815_sunscreen_chemicals.html

Baby Wipes

One of the new things I've learned as I continue to find healthier options for my family's self-care products (such as shampoos, lotions, etc), is that our baby wipes are packed with chemicals. Some of the biggest culprits are listed in the first few ingredients, including propylene glycol and PEGs. There is much research to support discontinuing use of any product containing these ingredients. We use cotton wipes at home, kept in a solution of witch hazel, aloe, calendula, and vitamin E, but when Jackson is at daycare, he has regular ol' wipes from Costco. But we will no longer be using these. There are very few brands that are actually are low on the chemical scale. One of these brands is the Yes To Carrots, made in the Netherlands; there are one to two more that are available at specialty stores, including PCC, but the price tag adds up (hence our using cloth wipes). Since the number of diaper changes has significantly lowered in the last few months, this has become more affordable at daycare. On the flip side, if you have a little one and you are doing many changes throughout the day, it is almost more important to have something that's safe to clean your baby's bum. If you want the recipe we use, let me know; there are also many online that are really easy to make.

A quick note and then, the dangers of hair dyes

So my husband has been giving me a really hard time lately (although he is only partly serious) saying that I've gone off the deep-end :) Sadly, I can't say I disagree with him all together. I want to make sure that my readers understand that although I have become much more paranoid about our environment and what I let into my home. However, I feel that this makes me and my family healthier and happier, not scared to leave the front door. I'm not one of those people wearing a mask because I'm freaked out about germs or someone who won't touch the register receipts because they contain BPA (although I do immediately throw away all non-essential receipts). I feel that the things I bring to the table on this blog are concerns that are being raised all around this country for good reason. There is a movement, mostly by moms, to save our environment (not in the "let's recycle" kind of way, but more in the "let's keep chemicals out of farms and food sources" kind of way) and protect our bodies from companies that serve us chemicals on a platter, albeit a very tempting platter ("Reduced lines and wrinkes!" "Smoother, sexier hair!" "Vegetables in the microwave in minutes!" etc). There are things we can't control, such as wireless internet everywhere and the person smoking in front of us, but if there are ways to control harmful substances that are somehow creeping into my body, I'm going to do it 100% (I'd say 110% but my husband would give me a hard time because he says 100% is the max, there should be no 110%) :)

Onto today's topic...hair dyes. Yikes! This one is going to ruffle some feathers, especially my mother's. I remember in college, the few times I did have my hair highlighted, the wonderful feeling I felt afterwards. I felt skinnier, taller, and so gorgeous. I tried so hard to hang on to the blondeness of my youth until I just couldn't afford it anymore. It was a bit of a grieving process, but I haven't chemically treated my hair in six years, and I have to tell you, I have more people comment on how healthy my hair is than I ever did before then, although I also don't use any product on it or use a straightener/curling iron. When I had my hair cut before my wedding, the woman asked me how long it had been since I had my hair cut. When I told her at least 10 months, she gave me the speech about how often I should have it cut and that she was probably going to have to cut off more than I wanted because of split ends, etc. But once she combed out my hair and started analyzing it, she noted that I have very few split ends and my hair looked really healthy. I still don't cut my hair very often (mostly because I'm cheap), but I do understand that those with a more complex hair style have to (I just keep my straight across the bottom, nothing fancy because I'm super lazy when it comes to hair....wash and air dry, that's all I do). Plus now I LOVE my brown hair. However, in the next 10-20 years when that color starts to fade to gray, I hope I'm still as adamant about avoiding hair dyes (and I'm REALLY optimistic that they'll have improved technology by then) :)

The synthetic dyes that salons and at-home kits use directly affect our health. There are tons of research articles to support this. Two separate studies in 2005 and 2007 found that dye ingredients are cancerous, specifically leading to bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and bone marrow cancers. A study in 1995 linked dye chemicals to breast cancer. In these studies, the risk of cancer increased anywhere from 19-26%. These cancers are more present in hair care professionals who have worked with hair dyes long term than those who haven't. As I mentioned in my Safe Cosmetics post, the scalp absorbs the chemicals in the dyes and they enter directly into the blood stream, which is how the cancers are popping up in other places of the body. Most of the research claiming there is no risk from hair dyes was typically conducted by companies who have ties to the cosmetic industry. Another study from the University of North Carolina linked maternal hair dye use to elevated risk of childhood cancer, including neuroblastoma.

What strikes me as so sad is that not only have concerns been raised beginning in 1995, but that now our children, the pre-teens and teens out there, are readily using these products. Oh I just cringe when I see this. There's no need for kids to be dying their hair, which is likely so beautiful underneath all the crap they put in it. To me, this is just another symptom of an underlying message our young children are receiving: you are not good enough as you are, so let's cover you up with makeup and hair color and give you a spin. This may be a bit dramatic, considering I remember being so excited to try makeup on so I could be cool like my friends,  but my skin has never been as nice as it was before that (and I started makeup late, so I don't really think that puberty can take all the blame for my bad skin after makeup).

Okay, back on topic. Here are the chemicals you need to look out for (there are more that are considered dangerous, but there are the really bad guys):
phenylenediamine
aminophenol
ethanolamine
hydroquinone
2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol (do any of these really sound like they could be good for us?)

Sadly, there aren't really any healthy alternatives. A few "green" hair dyes actually contain chemicals as well. I haven't been able to come across any that truly are safe, but there are some that are less awful :) I hope that by the time my hair starts turing gray, we've become a society that accepts and embraces gray hair (as I think we should).

Update on BPA and food dyes

Just a quick update for you all...

BPA: one recent study found that when participants eliminated packaged foods in cans and plastics from their diet for just three days, the BPA and phthalates in their urine dropped by 66% and 53-56%, respectively. Incredible! http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1003170

Another recent study found that 70% of plastics claiming to be BPA free, are actually guilty of releasing hormone-disrupting chemicals. The also study found that 90% of these plastics release of chemicals increase with heat from cleaning. This is such disturbing research as I had felt fairly happy with using both glass and BPA free plastic bottles during my son's first year of life. We heated his milk while in the bottle, so we clearly were subjecting him to BPA. Needless to say, we are all glass and stainless steal now...goodbye plastic everything!

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1003220#Supplemental%20Material

And finally, the mainstream media has finally caught on to the dangers of food dyes. A recent spot on the Today Show, highlighted one family who had a child with ADD, who then removed all processed foods from their diet and switched to organic foods. They reportedly saw a significant improvement in their son's behavior and performance in school within days. The FDA recently met to address proposed issues surrounding food dyes. Although they somehow voted down the idea of having food labels provide a warning, they did at least acknowledge that some children may be susceptible to food dyes. Although there was clear disagreement among the FDA scientists, for now they have at agreed to look further into the connection between dyes and ADD. According to some research, food dye consumption has doubled since 1990.

http://www.startribune.com/nation/119009589.html

Safe Cosmetics

The world of face products and cosmetics is so huge and overwhelming that I have been putting off this very important blog. I've touched on the topic briefly in other blogs, but I'm diving in, tackling it head-on. When I refer to cosmetics in this post, it also includes face washes, shampoos, deodorants, etc.

What motivated me to finally write this post, is that I've been reading the most amazing book, "The Green Beauty Guide" by Julie Gabriel, who also has a website by the same name. I'm going to attempt to highlight the most eye-opening parts of this book, but if you are interested in natural skin care, I highly recommend reading the book (available at the library too!).

1. "Normal" skin doesn't exist. Slight dryness and oily spots are totally normal, but cosmetic companies have turned them into problem areas that need fixing. The key to remember is that when you put a product on your face (or hair) to fix a problem such as an oily T-zone or a pimple, you are simply trying to cover up the problem and not dealing with the cause.
2. Sebum is our skin's way of keeping itself moisturized. Skin care experts claim that sebum mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria to form plugs in pores. So naturally they jump to the conclusion that sebum is the enemy, instead of promoting good skin care habits that would eliminate dead skill cells and bacteria buildup.
3. Our skin absorbs up to 60% of what we put on it, meaning that what you are putting on your skin, you are also putting into your body. Many of the chemicals in our skin products are carcinogenic and therefore getting into our bodies.
4. Many of the claims made by cosmetic companies are bogus. They do have to prove or back up their effectiveness claims. When a product says "dermatologist tested" what it means is, a dermatologist looked over the ingredients and deemed them safe.
5. The European Union banned animal testing 2000, but here in the US, all we do is animal testing, and most often on genetically modified mice or rabbits, and it's the only research the FDA will stand by. As I've mentioned before, the FDA is a joke. Since it's creation (67 years ago), the FDA has banned only nine personal care ingredients. It took 20 years for the FDA to ban lead, yet it is still used in millions of toys that are let into our country. And there is a ton of research out there (quoted in the book) that supports the connection between chemicals (that are allowed by the FDA) and cancer.
6. Do NOT be fooled by the claims that a product is "natural," "eco-friendly," or "organic." You MUST read the label and ingredients. Many contain "eth" chemicals that are dangerous (see below).
7. Perfumes are FULL of toxic chemicals. I began avoided them while pregnant because I learned how dangerous they can be for a fetus and have not returned to wearing them.

Okay, here's the list of chemicals you want to keep an eye out for because they have been shown to be carcinogenic:
1) Anything containing the word "ethanol" including DEA (diethanolamine)
2) 1,4-Dioxane; banned in Cali and a by-product of ethoxylation which is an attempt by companies to provide mildness to harsh ingredients. It has been proven by EPA to lead to cancer and yet it is not required to be listed on the label. Look for products with ingredients "eth" in the name--sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), oleth, myreth, ceteareth.  PEGs are very often found in baby wipes (which is why we use cloth wipes, except when on the road).
3) Phthalates: disguised as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP commonly in nail polish) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) DEHP in perfumes). The word "fragrance" should also be a red flag for you, unless it specifically says that it comes from essential oils. Fragrance is a disguise for phthalates, which changes our hormones, making males and females more feminine. Research links phthalates to rising incidence of hormone-related conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, and breast cancer. Recent research links phthalate use to early puberty in girls. The CDC found that phthalate levels in young women were 20x above average. Unborn baby boys are also susceptible to phthalate use. Increased phthalate levels have been shown to damage the developing testes, but also have been shown to have more systemic affects such as low sperm count, sexual dysfunction, and hormonal problems. Increased phthalate presence has also been linked to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. And yes, phthalates are in our children's toys, and yes, Europe banned them two years ago....and the US is behind the ball again...
4) Aluminum has been linked in research to breast cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. It is most commonly found in our deodorants, because it helps to clog the pores and not let sweat out. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin and it can alter the blood-brain barrier.
5) Glycol: these are in everything, from aircraft deicer fluid to baby wash. The two most common are propylene glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). PGs are generally recognized as safe by the FDA for use in food, cosmetics, and medicines, however it was banned from cat food...hmmmmm. PEG is used in a lot of "natural" products that have to be delivered in a slippery, syrupy form. These chemicals have not been linked to cancer, but change the body's chemistry by increasing the amount of acid present, which results in metabolic problems. There has been evidence that PEGs have impurities that lead them to be toxic.
6) There are also many, many preservatives used in cosmetics that increase their shelf life. There are many natural preservatives that could be used to replace these, but aren't. One natural cosmetics expert stated that if a product is made poorly and diluted with water, then it needs a preservative, but a well made product would not need such strong preservatives.
7) Parabens (a preservative): again, these are in EVERYTHING. When rubbed into the skin, the parabens are rapidly absorbed and metabolized and stored in the body. A major study in 2002 linked parabens to proliferation of two estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells. Parabens have also been found in breast milk and breast cancer tumors. Parabens mimic estrogen and can therefore affect our ovaries and thyroid. They are disguised as benzoic acid, isobutyl p-hydroxybenzoate and p-methoxycarbonylphenol and are strictly regulated in Europe.

So here's my latest finds that are about as natural as you can get:
Natural Being, using Manuka honey from New Zealand
Suki, the latest rage among celebs but have very good natural care products, with the exception of 1-2 products.
Dr. Hauschka: the end-all and be-all of healthy cosmetics. It falls WAY above my price range, but maybe someday :)
Origins is pretty good in eliminating the major players like DEA, parabens, phthalates, but still have a few questionable ingredients, usually low on the ingredient list, but nonetheless they are there. Many of their simple products, like "Checks and Balances" facewash, are fairly safe.

And if you have others you love, let me know!

If in question about any of your cosmetics and skincare products, please consult www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. It allows you to type in products as well as ingredients to find out how safe or unsafe they are. It also tells you why a chemical is unsafe.

This book has been a fabulous read, and I'm going to try a few new strategies (found in her book), on how to improve my skin. If you struggle with your skin, it is worth your time. I'm hoping for good results!

Toothpaste

Nothing is more refreshing than a good toothbrushing each morning and night. You get the wonderful fresh breath that's hard to get any other way. However, very few people realize that dangerous chemicals are lurking in their toothpaste. I'll tackle them one-by-one, starting with fluoride.

Fluoride: please see my previous blog on this, but I've stumbled across more research to support my concern. A study of the University of Michigan in 1997 found that the use of fluoride actually increased tooth and bone decay. This was supported by another research study in 2008. A research study at the National Center for Toxicological Research reported correlation between decreasing fertility rates in women and increasing fluoride levels. There is so much more research out there, but I won't bore you. Just realize that fluoride may not be all it is cracked up to be.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate: ANYTHING containing the word "sulfate" should be avoided. It is a serious irritant. Also, "laureth" indicates that a process call ethoxylation occurred, which releases carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane into the product, although it does not have to be reported on the label because it is released during manufacturing.

Sodium saccharin: This is a sweetener that is used to make toothpaste taste better, even though there are studies that date back as early as 1970 that link saccharin to cancer in animals. There have been recent studies that link it to bladder control issues as well.

Dyes: Most of the toothpastes on the market have multiple dyes in them to make them visually appealing.

I haven't used a fluoride toothpaste in over a year and haven't heard any complaints from my dentist yet! My favorite is Tom's of Maine, their fluoride-free, sulfate-free version. Do not be fooled, not all of the Tom's brand are safe, in my mind. Most of them contain sulfates, so read the label.

If you feel the need to use a fluoride rinse, please consider using one that is free of artificial dyes. I was so excited to finally find one at PCC made by Natural Dentist. Yes, the price is a bit high, but my husband's dentist insists he use one, so we budget for it.

It is not only important to take care of our teeth, but also our little one's. We primarily use a fluoride-free paste for my son, but because my naturopathic pediatrician does feel that a small amount of fluoride won't hurt him, I compromise and give him fluoride toothpaste 1-2x/week. And the amount is the size of a lentil. And I still feel guilty. But I'm trying to not be overly paranoid and still protect my son's teeth. I had serious fluorosis (damage to the teeth from excessive fluoride) until I had veneers put in, and I don't want him to have to go through that.

I'm off to brush my teeth and say goodnight....

Microwaves

I was doing some reading online tonight about the chemicals in plastic and came across an article discussing the use of microwaves. I don't like microwaves. When I was pregnant I avoided them like the plague. If I absolutely had to use one, I'd hit start and book it to the next room. While many scientists claim that we are not to be concerned about the radiation from microwaves, there is some research to indicate otherwise. But this is not my latest concern.

New research is now indicating that microwaves affect the quality of our food. Several studies have indicated that microwaves convert particles in our food to carcinogens. This is very controversial, but when you think about, injecting waves of radiation into our food, can't be go, can it? I've already discussed how radiation affects our brains, which are at least protected by bone and CSF fluid. Our food is right there on the plate, with no protection. One study found that 93% of nutrients were lost with microwaving. It is also important to know that the risks of microwaves increase with packaged foods, such a popcorn (which typically has palm oil on it, which is bad enough for you, without also placing it in the microwave). And of course we all know not to put plastics in the microwave, but popcorns bags contain BPA and release it during popping. We invested in an awesome air popper last year because my husband kept bugging me to buy popcorn which I wouldn't because of the bag issue. The air popped takes a bit to get used to, but with a smidge of real butter and salt, I swear it's better than the packaged product. Additionally:

• A 1999 Scandinavian study of the cooking of asparagus spears found that microwaving caused a reduction in vitamin C[6] .
• In a study of garlic, as little as 60 seconds of microwave heating was enough to inactivate its allinase, garlic’s principle active ingredient against cancer[7] .
• A Japanese study by Watanabe showed that just 6 minutes of microwave heating turned 30-40 percent of the B12 in milk into an inert (dead) form[8] . This study has been cited by Dr. Andrew Weil as evidence supporting his concerns about the effects of microwaving. Dr. Weil wrote:
• “There may be dangers associated with microwaving food... there is a question as to whether microwaving alters protein chemistry in ways that might be harmful."
• A recent Australian study[9] showed that microwaves cause a higher degree of “protein unfolding” than conventional heating.
• Microwaving can destroy the essential disease-fighting agents in breast milk that offer protection for your baby. In 1992, Quan found that microwaved breast milk lost lysozyme activity, antibodies, and fostered the growth of more potentially pathogenic bacteria[10] .
• Quan stated that more damage was done to the milk by microwaving than by other methods of heating, concluding: “Microwaving appears to be contraindicated at high-temperatures, and questions regarding its safety exist even at low temperatures.”
  • Another study about breast milk/infant formula by Lee in 1989[11] found vitamin content becomes depleted by microwaving, and certain amino acids are converted into other substances that are biologically inactive. Some altered amino acids are poisons to the nervous system and kidneys. (Numerous authors mention this study, yet I was unable to find the original article/study, so I cannot personally validate.)
    Although many of the above studies are not new, there is certainly ample evidence that microwaving is NOT good for your food.

Other research from Russia has found the following:

• Russian investigators found that carcinogens were formed from the microwaving of nearly all foods tested.
• The microwaving of milk and grains converted some of the amino acids into carcinogenic substances.
• Microwaving prepared meats caused the formation of the cancer-causing agents d-Nitrosodienthanolamines.
• Thawing frozen fruits by microwave converted their glucoside and galactoside fractions into carcinogenic substances.
• Extremely short exposure of raw, cooked or frozen vegetables converted their plant alkaloids into carcinogens.
• Carcinogenic free radicals were formed in microwaved plants—especially root vegetables.
• Structural degradation leading to decreased food value was found to be 60 to 90 percent overall for all foods tested, with significant decreases in bioavailability of B complex vitamins, vitamins C and E, essential minerals, and lipotropics (substances that prevent abnormal accumulation of fat).

These particular findings are especially controversial, because even though they are cited in multiple articles and websites, the actual source is not traceable.

There is a study that I will conduct when I get home from vacation and share with you: take two identical plants and feed one with purified water (which is all we use in our house, except for washing dishes) and feed the other with microwaved water...can't wait to see the results for myself.

There is good news though! Using the conventional oven does not damage the food in the way that microwaves do. Microwaves damage the DNA in food whereas heating alone via an oven does not.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/18/microwave-hazards.aspx

Vaccines are being linked to breast cancer

It seems like an unlikely connection, doesn't it? I was skeptical when I first read the headline...and I will also let you know that I did try to track down any other research on this connection, but I found only one other site and it only briefly mentioned the connection. Here's the claim: a large number of studies have shown the connection between free iron concentrations in breast tissue and stimulation of aggressive, deadly cancer cells, thus the claim that iron is needed for cancer development. In addition, a recent study found that women with breast cancer had 4x the amount of aluminum in nipple fluid (I'll save the overuse of aluminum for another post). These women with breast cancer also had 5x the amount of ferritin, which is an iron transport protein. BUT iron intake does not necessary correlate with free iron in the body. Stay with me....so what is important to know, is how free iron (iron not being used for other bodily functions) comes to be (it is this iron that has the potential to cause cancer). A few ways have been determined: 1) alcoholic intake greater than 20g alcohol/day resulted in a significant increase in free iron in women's breast tissue 2) excessive estrogen in the body (don't forget that soy is an estrogenic and imitates estrogen) 3) both alcohol and aluminum can displace iron, raising levels of free iron. SO I hope you are now asking, where are the levels of aluminum coming from? Well, it is likely coming from your antiperspirant, but more alarmingly, aluminum is in almost all vaccines. Yes, the same aluminum that has been linked to Alzheimer's...A recent study that is currently being published, found that infants have 20x the amount that FDA deems safe and that a six month old has 50x the amount deemed safe. Yikes!

Does that make sense? I just tried explaining it to my husband and it took a few tries, but I think I finally made sense :)

This if fairly new research, but I'm hoping we hear more about this in the next few months, but I have such little faith in mainstream media so we'll see.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/18/vaccines-increase-cancer-risk.aspx

I saw the sun today!

Okay, it was a fleeting moment, but thoughts of sunscreen, bug spray, and hats came swirling through my brain. The sunscreens that are readily available on the market are so unhealthy. They contain a vast array of chemicals, including parabens. The FDA has failed to regulate sunscreens, although this is reportedly supposed to change this summer. The chemical of most concern is benzophenone-3 (BP-3). Some studies have reported that it is an estrogenic mimic and therefore affects the hormones in your body. It causes the release of free radicals when it comes in contact with the sun. Free radicals are one of the causes of cancer. I copied the below from: http://www.skinbiology.com/toxicsunscreens.html. These are some of the critical things I want to get across:

Chemical sunscreens have three primary defects: 

1	They are powerful free radical generators.	Their free radical generation increases cellular damage and changes that lead to cancer. Psoralen - such a compound that is used to treat psoriasis increases skin cancer rates 83-fold.
2	They often have strong estrogenic activity.	Estrogenic - "Gender Bending" - chemicals interfere with normal sexual development - Engendering a host of secondary medical problems - see more below.
3	They are synthetic chemicals that are alien to the human body and accumulate in body fat stores.	The human body is well adapted to de-toxify biologicals that it has been exposed to over tens of millions of years. But it has often has difficulty removing new and non-biological compounds such DDT, Dioxin, PCBs, and chemical sunscreens.

Chemical Sunscreens Include:

Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone)

PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB,  glyceryl PABA, p-aminobenzoic acid, padimate-O or octyl dimethyl PABA)

Cinnamates (cinoxate, ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate)

Salicylates (ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octyl salicylate)

Digalloyl trioleate

Menthyl anthranilate

Avobenzone [butyl-methyoxydibenzoylmethane; Parsol 1789] - This is the only chemical sunscreen currently allowed by the European Community. However, its safety is still questionable since it easily penetrates the skin and is a strong free radical generator. 

Europe is always leaps ahead of the US. So if something is banned there (as most of the above chemicals are), I won't touch it with a ten foot pole. For example, the banned BPA years before the US even began to debate it. 

An interesting statistic from the above site is this: the highest rate of melanoma occurs in the countries of heaviest sunscreen use...

For you parents out there: I love California Baby sunscreens. For us and babies, I love the Badger brand which can be purchased online.

Enjoy the sun this spring/summer, but also don't forget the best way to get vitamin D is 15 minutes of direct sunlight without the sunscreen :)

a few resources:
http://greenlivingideas.com/2008/06/03/chemical-free-sunscreens/
this is a really interesting article on sunscreen

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/
my go-to website! It let's you check the sunscreen you have to make sure it is safe to use.

http://www.ewg.org/newsrelease/whichsunscreenssafest
the science on the sunscreens

Processed vs Natural Foods

I've been putting off this blog because I knew that it would take me time to organize my thoughts so that I wasn't just rambling off gibberish. But I just read about Weight Watchers, who is changing their tune on calorie counting, and I was motivated to get my thoughts onto out.

After years of struggling with my weight, I can tell you that no amount of calorie counting helped. All it did was make me crazy about the amount of foods that I was eating. And I was enticed by low calorie foods...but then just ended up eating the whole bad and still not feeling satisfied. As I became more well-read and spent time researching organics and healthy foods, it came to may attention that it was not about how much you are eating (well, that is important, but not as important) as what you eat. Processed food is the enemy. Literally. It contains large amounts of sodium and additives. Even organics, which I am a HUGE proponent of, contain unnecessary preservatives and additives when processed. As I started reading labels, I started realizing that I had thought I was eating well because I had been buying organics and shopping at Trader Joes, but turns out, I was consuming a bunch of crap along with my snacks.

So now, we have almost no processed foods in the house. We have bread and pasta, and of course cereal and milk for my husband, but that's about it. Every once in awhile I'll buy chips or crackers, but only ones with minimal ingredients that I can pronounce. Even after years of shifting how I eat, I STILL read my labels anytime I buy something in a box or a bag.

Nothing proved to me that I was onto something as much as when I moved in with my husband a few years ago. Prior to that, he lived on Subway, sandwiches from Safeway, and takeout Teriyaki. And peanut and butter sandwiches. Prior to having me cook all his meals, his resting blood pressure was 122/80, which used to be considered healthy, although now is considered borderline high. Within a month, his blood pressure was 110/70. That's a HUGE shift and is in the healthy range.

My take home point is this: all calories are not created equal. Meats should be grass-fed, organically raised to avoid antibiotics which mess with our metabolisms. Fish should not be farm raised--again, these animals are fed grains (that are genetically modified--see previous post on this!) and are not healthy and are bad for our bodies. Be careful with protein powders. Many of them have artificial sweeteners which also have a bad effect on our bodies and our metabolisms. Grains should be whole and as unadulterated as possible: quinoa, barley, whole grain rice, etc. These are more filling, healthier for our digestive tracts and don't raise our blood sugars. And I have a sweet tooth. So I even converted our sweets to less processed and organic. We started enjoying Alden's Organic Ice Cream out of Oregon. It is minimally processed and delicious. At first, I was nervous. I was a Dreyer's Light kind of girl; 120 calories or less please! These new ice creams were much higher in calories, coming in at 180+ calories. But I will tell you this: I was much more satisfied with my little scoop of a high quality ice cream than a half-gallon of the Dreyer's Light (or other similar ice cream which is mostly air, by the way). (And yes, embarrassingly enough, I could put away a whole half-gallon if I was really in the mood). But now, I'm satisfied with so much less because there are less chemicals telling my body that I want more (this is real, btw--chemicals are added to processed and fast foods so that they are more appealing to our bodies and signal us to crave more). Also watch out for Weight Watcher packaged foods, or foods marketed for weight loss. Read those labels...there is an INCREDIBLE amount of chemicals in those foods. And once you start eating whole, natural foods, these foods taste gross!

There is also research out there that supports the fact that our bodies read different calories differently. Our bodies are meant to consume whole foods. A 100 calorie apple is a better choice than a 100 calorie bag of cookies. The apple provides all sort of nutrients and is more filling than anything processed. Don't go overboard, but you can eat more food when it's unprocessed than if it is. I can attest to this. I initially lost 12lbs when I shifted the way I ate.

That said, we're not perfect and of course we order out pizza once in a while. But that is the exception. Our investment as a family is in our health (and Jackson's college education). Pay for it now or pay for it later. I think the state of our healthcare would be very different if we focused on pushing for healthy foods instead of trying to figure out how to pay for our rising costs. Ah, but that's another post for another day.

Please let me know if you have questions. I feel VERY strongly that eating this way will change our health and our lives, and the lives of our children.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/09/weight-watchers-finally-recognizes-calorie-counting-doesnt-work.aspx
http://www.drgreene.com/blog/2011/01/05/dr-greene’s-parenting-predictions-2011