"Green" Centerpieces (with a Purpose)

Here is the link to a Guest Blog which posted on July 16, 2013. The Sweet Christian Bride. You can apply the concepts of "Green" centerpieces to any event from a wedding, engagement dinner, family reunion, anniversary dinner, holiday dinner...the list goes on!

Is Toxic Triclosan hiding in your hand soap???

Washing hands is extremely important for toddlers and babies as well. When I am out I use my Clean Well hand wipes or sanitizer that is non-toxic. Sometimes I forget and need to wash my hands and use the soap from the restaurant or wherever we happen to be and regret it later. I sit in the car with a headache and finally remember that the smell from my hands is what is giving me a headache. The scented, chemical ridden soap that I used on myself and maybe my child is what is making me ill. The toxins of fragrance are bad enough but would you believe that there is a toxic ingredient hiding in hand soaps that causes endocrine problems? That ingredient is Triclosan. It can cause a whole host of issues from interfering with muscle function to interfering with thyroid regulation. What is even more frightening is that triclosan was first registered as a PESTICIDE!!! It apparently was even added to lunch boxes, socks and even toys! It is thought to be antimicrobial but is doing more harm than good. Read more about triclosan. Some manufacturers are phasing it out of their products but others will still use this dangerous chemical until it is officially banned by the FDA. Research is currently being done...so they say. For now, check your soap and avoid products that claim to be antimicrobial unless they state that they do not use TRICLOSAN.

Artificial Colors banned in Europe but US food is filled with them!

When you go to buy food you probably think the food is safe. If you are buying something prepared that has a list of ingredients, take a close look at those ingredients. You are more than likely to find an item that contains one or more artificial colors than has been banned in Europe. When I think of something with an artificial color I think of the obvious bright candies and drinks. Unfortunately this includes things such as pickles and ice cream to practically anything that comes in a package. The US is way behind in food safety regulations when it comes to artificial color/dyes. The colors that are banned in Europe have been linked to ADHD, cancer, allergic reactions and headaches just to name a few symptoms. What can you do? Do not purchase anything with a color such as these: FD&C Blue No. 1 – Brilliant Blue FCF, E133 (blue shade) FD&C Blue No. 2 – Indigotine, E132 (indigo shade) FD&C Green No. 3 – Fast Green FCF, E143 (turquoise shade) FD&C Red No. 40 – Allura Red AC, E129 (red shade)** FD&C Red No. 3 – Erythrosine, E127 (pink shade, commonly used in glacé cherries) FD&C Yellow No. 5 – Tartrazine, E102 (yellow shade)** FD&C Yellow No. 6 – Sunset Yellow FCF, E110 (orange shade)** The more fresh food you eat, the better you will feel! Try to avoid these colors at your Fourth of July picnics and you may avoid that headache. Food should be made as nature intended, not artificial!

Organic berry picking without pesticides!!

Last Saturday my daughter and some of her friends went to pick strawberries at Golden Earthworm Organic Farm, although I think she ate more than she picked. Since strawberries are on EWG's dirty dozen list, I knew we had to find an organic farm. Ordinary strawberries contain high levels of pesticides so if you plan to go picking berries this month, look for an organic farm. We picked strawberries to make homemade jam and some to freeze and use for smoothies. Strawberries contain antioxidants and Vitamin C. They are oh so tasty when they are fresh from the field and a great treat for the kids!

Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray may be a safer option

After seeing a friend's stainless steel ice cube tray I decided this was something that needed to be added to my non-toxic kitchen. They are BPA free, aluminum free and free of plastic. The grips are made of silicone so your fingers don't freeze. This reminded me of a tray from the 50's that our grand-parents or great-grandparents may have had. I suspect the older metal trays may have been made of aluminum which now should be avoided. There are concerns by some that stainless leaches out lead and cadmium while cooking. Since the water is freezing I don't feel there should be cause for concern. Stainless is a better option than silicone or plastic by far. I found mine on http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Silicone-Comfort-Grips/dp/B007279MR6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370027106&sr=8-2&keywords=stainless+ice+cube+tray

Sambazon Organic Juices...yum! And a Giveaway!

We were so excited to try the Organic Sambazon Juices. They are also gluten free, Non-GMO certified, vegan and Fair Trade! All of those wonderful designations on a product are hard to come by these days. Never having tried Acai juice we were not sure what the taste would be like. The Acai Original flavor tasted like a mild blackberry juice. The Blueberry Pomegranate tasted like a mixed berry. They also have an array of other flavors that can be found at http://www.sambazon.com https://www.facebook.com/sambazon I would have liked to try the other flavors but since I am allergic to soy...I could not. These Sambazon juices are a great treat or for a snack when sugar levels are running low. My husband is actually mixing the Blueberry Pomegranate in with goat yogurt for homemade popsicles. Acai berries have many antioxidant properties and are known as a "superfood". If you are watching your sugar levels, use caution because there are 24 grams of sugar in the Original Acai flavor. Thanks Mom's Meet for connecting me to the Sambazon sampling!#momsmeet www.greenmomsmeet.com Look for the Sambazon juices and smoothies in your local market! The first reader to respond to this blog post will win 3 free product vouchers plus a wooden bowl and spoon valued at $45. Open to US residents only. Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet Blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

Organic Spring Clothes for Tots!

Organic clothes are hard to find for toddlers in stores other than Hanna Anderson. When I came across organic cotton t-shirts, leggings and shorts at H & M I had to stock up! With multiple wardrobe changes throughout the day because of water spills, dirt from outside or a "I don't want to wear this anymore" I always need to have extra clean clothes. The benefits of organic cotton are great. The cotton is grown without the use of pesticides which means it is safer when it touches your child's skin and good for the environment! Organic cotton may also help if your child has allergies or chemical sensitivities to conventionally grown cotton. Hanna Anderson also has Oeko-tex certified clothing which is tested for harmful chemicals. With all of the health problems children now face, better safe than sorry. Click the ad above to the current sale at Hanna Anderson! Have fun shopping for spring deals!