What seafood is safe???

With the BP oil spill going on way too long, it makes one wonder how it is going to impact the seafood industry. A few weeks ago we traveled to the Pittsburgh Zoo and happened to see a new exhibit that featured information on seafood. It showed what was good to eat, good for the environment, etc. We were really surprised to see that and they even had pocket handouts from seafoodwatch.org to help you decide what seafood you should eat.
This information may change now that the BP oil spill is wreaking havoc on the Gulf.

I was watching a nightly news program over the weekend and happened to see that a fisherman was asked by a company he sells his seafood to, if they could market his product as "being from TEXAS"!!! Ok, the fact that I saw this on the news and furthermore that companies are permitted to do this tells me that we can't trust where our food comes from. If you have seen Food Inc, you know why to buy organic and not trust what officials say all the time. I don't know about you, but I would not eat something from anywhere near the spill. Seafood is what I'm concerned about primarily. What if there are farms in the area??? The well water supplies??? There is bound to be so much more devastation than we see at this moment. Very sad.

A few weeks ago I mentioned a movie Crude and how the people in Ecuador were sickened by oil on their land. My fear is that this could happen in Louisiana. I wouldn't let my baby girl, who is now standing, trying to walk, and has her top teeth coming in go anywhere near a hazardous area or eat any food that may be in question. In my opinion, you can't be too safe. Now that my baby is keeping me so busy that finding time to blog is difficult, I need to keep her health number one priority. If that means we are extremely choosy about our seafood, that is what we must do. What officials may say about safety, I don't always believe. Call it mothers intuition or a hunch, but I wouldn't eat a fish or shrimp from the Gulf or anywhere near there. Alaska and the Northeast are where I will get my seafood until further notice.


photo © Daniel Steger
for openphoto.net CC:Attribution-ShareAlike

BPA can cross placenta during pregnancy!!!

If you have a baby, you know to choose BPA free products. What no one has warned against is for expectant mothers to steer clear of it as well.
A new study finds that it does cross the placenta during pregnancy. Now that I'm trying to recollect what I did during pregnancy, it could drive me nuts. However, if you are pregnant or thinking about it, be aware of what you ingest because food exposure seems to be what puts mothers and their babies most at risk for this harmful chemical.

What to do?
Don't drink from plastic bottles of any type, use a stainless reusable bottle or buy glass beverages. Don't heat or store foods in plastic containers, use glass. (sorry Tupperware fans) While you should be eating healthy, if you must have a microwave meal, remove it from its container to heat in a glass container. Don't eat canned food unless it is Eden organics which have BPA free cans. Always wash your hands after handling receipts because they contain BPA. Dental fillings have BPA as well, so avoid during pregnancy.

As if pregnant women didn't have enough to worry about!!! With any luck maybe BPA will be banned altogether in products. That would take one more harmful chemical out of our lives!!

Have a GREEN PARTY OR PICNIC!

Now that BBQ season is in full swing, why not have a get together that doesn't make such an impact on the environment? For instance, why not invest in reusable cups and plates that are BPA free which can be recycled instead of throw away paper or styrofoam cups and plates. I purchased the cups and plates pictured at Whole Foods and they are reusable.

If you are going to have a larger party, I found greenpartygoods that even has compostable products made from corn!!! They have such a great variety of napkins and party decor. Even biodegradable cupcake liners which Mom's could really use for their next Birthday BASH!!! And Biodegradable Crepe paper and Beeswax candles!!! I see a party being planned in my future now that it is so easy to go green!!!

Another website has more throw away items at greenpartysupply or greenevent. Don't forget about clean up with biodegradable trash bags. We use Green Genius and Biobag. You can find other eco-friendly products at your local store as more companies go green.

Soon "being Green" won't be thought of as a trend, but a way of life. Big steps are being made as California is now banning plastic bags. Hopefully it will be styrofoam take out containers as well! Do your part and throw a party that shows you have a small carbon footprint! Who doesn't love a party???

Organic Doggie Dinner!!!

Our pets are also family so treat them well by feeding them organic food. I hear so many stories of pets getting cancer these days. They are susceptible to toxins as humans are and maybe more so due to their small stature. There are no regulations on dog food either. You may remember the dog food scare where dogs died because there was melamine in the food!!! Read more about contaminated dog food.

Some dogs develop allergies and need special food. Others develop rashes and scratch which could also be from a food allergy or some mystery substance in their food used as a filler. EWG Research on Dog Food.

Our dogs love their organic food!!! My friend makes her own dog food too and has offered her recipe for those that want to try something new for their furry friend. I recommend using organic or hormone free beef, chicken or turkey as well as organic veggies. See the "Dirty Dozen" list and watch Dr Weil's video as to which fruits and veggies should definitely be organic.

Dana's Doggie Dinner:

Start with about 3/4 chopped carrots that I cook in about 2 cups of simmering water until soft (add any other fresh veggies you may want to throw in if you don't want to use frozen)
Do not discard the water.
Add about 1/2 cup of rolled oats and 1/4 cup of ground flax seeds to the water until absorbed.
At this point, I add about another 1/2 cup to a cup of frozen veggies ( fresh vegetables can be added when the carrots are cooking)

Add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan along with
1 and 1/2 to 2 pounds of ground beef, chicken or turkey.

Mix together and cook through (I leave beef rare).

When the mixture had cooled I add a bunch of chopped parsley, which is great for dogs.


If you don't have the time to make your own dog food, buy organic and protect your furry friends by feeding them the best. Organic Dog Food

Gotta get Greener

If you watched CNN's TOXIC CHILDHOOD last night, you know enough is enough. Time for a change to become GREENER people. The BP disaster should also be a wake up call. When will companies become responsible for their actions??? We as consumers have a choice. My husband and I refused to go to a BP station while on our trip to Pennsylvania last week. You could do the same. We all need to work towards getting rid of our dependence on oil. Don't buy plastics, walk or use public transportation if available, install solar panels and tankless water heaters. Reuse, recycle, compost, grow your own food.

If you've been reading for a week or a month, let me know. Please become a follower. Comment and let me know what you would like to learn more about to become GREENER in your life. You can start out with small changes that lead to totally GREENING your life and then teach your children to do the same!!! If Ed Begley can have the electric meter on his house go backwards, WE ALL CAN!!!

Toxic Childhoods can be Prevented!!!

Children are innocent. Tonight at 8 PM on CNN there is a special report called "Toxic Childhood". Please watch it!!! Information you need to know as a parent or if you are thinking about becoming a parent. There are numerous toxins in our environment that are harmful to adults, but especially children. This is a wake up call!!!

Last night on CNN they exposed a town in Louisiana where there are several chemical plants. Many, many people are sick with cancer and other problems. These chemicals are used in plastics and BABY PRODUCTS. It is time for a change. Read more from Environmental Working Group.


If you buy a baby product for your child, be cautious. There are no regulations as of yet, but there is legislation in the works for a "Kid-Safe Chemical Act." It is so hard to avoid buying things with plastic, why not choose wood or organic cotton toys for your children instead. There are too many sick children in this day in age that need to be protected from companies trying to make a quick buck with their latest and greatest product. This also includes cleaning products, remodeling chemicals, fabric softener, carpets, baby cribs with stain and varnishes that are toxic. The list goes on and on. The children are the ones who need to be protected. Sign the petition to make chemicals safe for children.

Lead in Children's Books before 1985

We have all heard the alarm bells go off about lead in children's products. Did you know the legislation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect children from lead exposure involved children's books??? There is a ban by the Consumer Product Safety Commission on distributing Children's Books printed before 1985. Why you ask?? The ink contains lead. Children are notorious for putting things in their mouths so this makes sense to me. Unfortunately libraries and thrift stores are unhappy about this ban. In a tough economy libraries don't have the money to restock newer books. Next time you buy a book, why not buy a second and donate it to your local school or library.

Some people believe the risk is small, but an investigative reporter in Seattle proved skeptics wrong.
The new guidelines on LEAD safety can be confusing to consumers. To see if you can make sense of it READ MORE.

I happen to have some of my old childhood books in storage. I will be sure to dispose of them. Apparently older books aren't the only ones to be watch out for now. There have been recalls on newer books as well. There was a recall in January on the book 'Big Rex and Friends'.


Here is another link to find out about other recalls from parents.com After all, we don't want our children to get sick. You can learn more about lead risks from Healthy Child Healthy World.

Also watch tonight on CNN about Toxic America. As parents, we need to be knowledgeable.