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Hawaii Takes The First Step With Sun Screen Ban

I am sure everyone has always wondered if their sun screen is actually safe for them to use. For something to protect you from something as powerful as UV rays from the sun, it must come with its own set of risks. What most of society didn’t consider was how a product like sun screen could be so damaging to the ocean and its inhabitants.  This is why Hawaii has become the first state to put their foot down and ban the chemicals that have been directly linked to harming and killing the coral in their ocean: octinoxate and oxybenzone.

Oxybenzone is the primary culprit when it comes to damaging the colorful, living rocks. Not only is it very clear that it is killing coral but also mutating its DNA which can lead to infertility. One of the biggest issues is that the holes where coral release their seeds so they can reproduce often get clogged from the negative effects of this chemical. Once these pathways are closed off, the coral can no longer reproduce and it will even have trouble taking in new food. This starves the coral and leaves nothing but a skeleton behind since the seeds remain trapped inside until they wither away after death. What is clogging these vital pathways though if the oxybenzone is merely poisoning and altering the DNA of the coral?

This is where octinoxate comes in. This chemical when taken in by the coral creates “bleaching”. This is a process where the coral begins dumping all of its stored food and nutrients out from its openings. It is a similar process to when we throw up to remove whatever may be causing us to become ill. It is meant to be a way of purging it’s system, but with a constant supply of octinoxate, it has no chance to ever store food and nutrients. Instead, it just continues trying to flush its system of a toxin it has no chance of fighting off.

With this ban, it makes the statement that we care about what we put in our oceans and waters and that we don’t want to see sea life that we love disappear. An even better question to ask ourselves is that if this is what is happening to coral in the sea, then what is happening to us as we rub that same poison into our skins? A great way to avoid being poisoned by these chemicals is by searching for a mineral based sun-screen, just always check the label to make sure that what you are buying is safe for you and for the ocean!

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Using Cleaning Products Is Like Smoking A Pack Of Cigarettes A Day

We have always used the same brands of cleaning products since the day we were born. You probably used for the same reason that all of us use them, and it isn’t because of their clever ad campaigns. We purchase these products simply out of habit as our parents bought them because their parents did as well. A long time ago these cleaning products were the only thing we had so no one ever thought to questions what might be in them and how could they be affecting our bodies.

Well someone finally took the time to see just how harmful ingredients like ammonia and bleach can really be and it turns out that the two key ingredients for making mustard gas are dangerous for you no matter what amount of the chemicals are used. The study followed over 6,200 people for 20 years and specifically studied the effects of cleaning products on both the deterioration of lung capacity and the obstruction it causes to your airways.

So how bad can it be? It turns out that cleaning your home once a week with these products is the equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for an entire week. The damage doesn’t stop there though as others that are living in the house experience side-effects, just not as bad as the “first-hand” cleaner. Women tended to be more affected than men were and it appears that those that used the products periodically was more damaging than someone who worked with them on a regular basis. The speculation on this is that cleaning professionals are away of the dangers of cleaners and often wear protective masks.

The scariest part about this is that the evidence appears to be concrete. Normally studies like this can be shaken off due to a short period of research time or a lack of subjects being tested, but over 6000 people for the course of 20 years is a lot of evidence to ignore. In fact, major networks and publishers from CNN to The New York Times have acknowledged the article and it is published in the most credible of sources. To learn more, check out the actual study at http://www.thoracic.org/about/newsroom/press-releases/resources/women-cleaners-lung-function.pdf

So how do we combat this? We still have to clean our homes, but obviously we don’t want to continue poisoning our families and ourselves! There are natural ways to clean that are anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, so don’t give up hope. From Tea-tree oil to vinegar, switching to a natural cleaner can make your home safe from the germs without constantly burning out the aioli in your lungs!

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Toothpaste Versus Tooth Polish

Do you know what is inside your toothpaste? We all want that pleasant white bright smile, but not by using Titanium Dioxide, Fluoride, sugar, and many other harsh ingredients that have harmful effects on your body. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are able to penetrate into your gums and have toxic reactions in your brain and cause nerve damage. It is also widely regarded as carcinogenic to humans, which means it has the potential to cause cancer.

Now yes, it is true, Fluoride does have the power to help better protect your teeth from cavities, however is it really worth the calcifying your Pineal Gland when there are so many other better and natural alternatives out there? Fluoride is known for causing severe headaches, stomach pain, and inducing vomit from patients and customers alike. With so many oral care companies and products out there with their false claims and convincing marketing, it can be hard to find the right one for you.
Here are some things to look out for when buying tooth paste.
– Stay clear of toothpaste and mouthwash formulas with artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.
– Part ways with Tricloson in case you haven't heard, this antibacterial compound is banned in soaps but not in toothpaste.
– Say goodbye to propylene glycol. This mineral oil is also used in antifreeze, not exactly something you want to put in your mouth, is it?
It’s really best to avoid anything artificial at all costs, like preservatives such as parabens. Always go for a mouthwash that is alcohol free. These can be very drying and irritate your soft tissues. When it comes to controlling oral bacteria, only whitening tooth polish brings together a combination of natural and non-harmful ingredients to prevent plaque, tartar, and gum disease for a lifetime of healthy smiles. The tooth polish we recommend is made of unique natural ingredients for a naturally healthy smile.
Our number one contains:
T40-C3 (Melaleuca oil)
Papain ( Natural Enzyme )
Myrrh ( Resin )
Xylitol ( Fruit and Veggie fibers )

This special combination of botanicals put into a formula with ingredients is proven to tackle the mouths toughest issues! That includes eliminating plaque, controlling tartar build up, preventing cavities, preventing gingivitis AND whitening your teeth WITHOUT peroxide or chipping away at your enamel!

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Essential Oils, Aromatherapy, and Holistic Health, Oh My!

Essential oils have been used and experimented with since the age of the Ancient Greece. Hippocrates was the first to experiment with the oils, claiming that aromatic baths were a key component to health. The Bible actually references these fragrances over 180 times throughout the course of its text claiming they had healing powers for the body, mind and spirit. These concentrated aromas didn’t reappear in Western medicine until the 1930s during WWII where a French surgeon had great healing success with essential oils with patients recovering from surgery. At this moment in time, Aromatherapy was born.

This holistic method of treatment has had a lot of success due to their ability to relax a patient. Being in a calm state is key when minor to severe injuries are healing or when trying to recover from an illness. If you are stressed, cortisol will be released and will cover the cells in charge of running your immune system. There reaction to cortisol is to shut down all functions and sends the message to let the system be. Having a calming scent in the room could make the difference in a patient fighting a nasty infection!

Some of these essential oils are more then just crushed flower pedals that smell really good. Melaleuca is a natural disinfectant and can be used to clean anything, from you wounds to your kitchen counter. The best part is, unlike most chemical cleaners like ammonia and disinfectants like alcohol, Melaleuca won’t destroy every cell and will instead target the infection or the bacteria on your kitchen counter.

Don’t be fooled by charlatans peddling their “Therapeutic Grade” oils that are two to three times the price of normal oils. When it comes to aromatherapy and disinfecting your cuts, the only thing that matters about your essential oil is that it is 100% pure! The benefits of each aroma varies on the person and certainly the quality of your oil will be the decider on how well it cleans any abrasion. A perfect example of a high quality product that is cost friendly and 100% pure is PURE Essential Oils. Make sure you do your research before you make any purchases.

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From Liquid To Pods: Does Convenience Come At A Price?

We all know laundry pods are far more convenient than traditional bottled detergent; you just put one in your washing machine and go on about your day. However, parents all over the world are learning the hard way that convenience comes at a very high cost.

In the eyes of a child, they appear as if they might be a tasty treat. They are also more heavily concentrated than traditional detergent. The combination of these two factors has lead to the sickening and even deaths of thousands of children across the United States who end up eating them.

The study on the dangers of laundry pods, published in the journal Pediatrics, discovered that 17,230 children younger than 6 years old, an average of one child every hour, swallowed, inhaled or suffered skin or eye injuries from the pods between 2012 and 2013. Another study conducted by researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, found 769 children in the U.S. were hospitalized and one child died after ingesting a laundry detergent pod. Thirty of the children went into comas and 12 suffered seizures. Consumer safety groups started warning that laundry detergent packets could be easily eaten by children who might mistake them for candy.

In 2013, a 7 month old boy in Florida passed away after eating a packet of All detergent. More than 5,000 children have been sickened by the products since they appeared on the market, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. In response to the injuries, makers of laundry pods tried to make them safer in September 2015, the companies voluntarily agreed on a set of safety standards.

The pods now have a stronger film with an additive that makes them taste repulsive. The containers they come in are no longer see-through and require more skill to open. The product features warning labels and safety information about the dangers of ingesting the pods. The researchers say they’re keeping a close eye on how the new regulations affect the number of exposures.

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Flavored Water: What’s In Your Beverage?

Do you find the taste of water to be bland and gross? Are you guilty of using flavored water enhancers in order to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day? If you are you’ll want to keep reading to see what you’ve been really putting in your body.

Now for those who are unfamiliar with water enhancers, they are usually found as liquids or powders that can be added to water, most commonly water bottles, to change the flavor. Common ingredients in this product are sugar, various flavorings and even artificial flavors. Even though these are approved by the FDA does that consider them as safe? While a lot of those ingredients seem common in most foods you eat there are still other ingredients involved in this process that are most certainly NOT common.

A couple of things that can be found in water enhancers are Propylene glycol, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and artificial colors. Propylene glycol serves as a solvent in items with added colors and flavors. It’s also used in some paints and plastics, which raises some eyebrows about its safety. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener 600 times sweeter than table sugar. Some watchdog groups say “not so fast!” because of reports of negative effects in rodents (leukemia and effects on the thymus gland). Although lots of evidence says sucralose is safe for humans, these animal studies may lead some to prefer to shy away from it. Acesulfame potassium (a.k.a., “Ace-K”), an artificial sweetener that’s 200 times sweeter than sugar, was also approved as safe by the FDA after a review of nearly 100 studies. But, some food safety advocates have pointed out that a lot of those studies were done back in the ‘70s and had some serious design flaws. Artificial colors are used in a huge variety of foods and beverages, and each one ranks differently in terms of safety. A few key points: Blue-1 and Yellow-5 can cause allergic reactions in some people and it’s suspected that some dyes may cause hyperactivity in some children; more research on the safety of the dyes is needed, as they are so commonly used.

A few drops of water enhancer is UNLIKELY to expose you to enough of these harmful ingredients listed above, however why take the chance when there are safer alternatives out there that don’t run this risk! Making a decision about a water enhancer may come down to weighing the pros and cons of what matters most to you. Our health matters greatly to us and that is why we use Sustain® from Melaleuca to make our water taste delicious! What Makes It Different? Sustain® Sport is the only performance drink with four electrolytes and just 10 calories per serving to help you rehydrate, rebound, and recover. Why Is That Important? Electrolytes are crucial minerals that are lost when you sweat, and water alone can’t put them back. Electrolytes perform three key functions: help maintain proper muscle function, help ensure proper communication between the muscles and brain, and also supports energy and water absorption into the body.

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What Does Bleach Clean Really Mean?

You may think that you’re keeping your child safe by cleaning the counters and floors with bleach so as to kill the germs that could harm your child, meanwhile you’re the one harming them without meaning to. It’s not your fault, most of us are raised to reach for the bleach when cleaning is involved, but do you know what actually resides in that small bottle? We’re not saying bleach doesn’t clean stains like nobody’s business, because it does, but that does not by any means make it safe. Bleach is considered a chlorine-based CORROSIVE substance, and the label doesn’t try to hide that. You would assume with a chemical powerful enough to kill bacteria in it that it would be seen as a danger to anyone exposed to it. WRONG. It is actually one of the most common and most relied on cleaners.

The most obvious danger can be found right on the label as we brought up earlier. It is a heavy corrosive material capable of irritating and potentially burning the eyes, skin, and sometimes even your respiratory tract simply by inhaling the gas when using. It is important to note that as of right now there is no organization like the FDA that regulates the cleaning products you are bringing into your homes. Even diluted bleach can still cause burns. Another common household ingredient found is Ammonia, when combined with bleach the effects could be devastating resulting in nosebleeds, neurological disorders, headaches, shortness of breath and chest pains. Basically every parent’s worst nightmare is sitting underneath your sinks right now.

As helpful as the safety tips can be when using these products, why don’t we just stop using it all together? We are in the 21st century where you can find plenty of healthy alternatives to not only chlorine bleach but many of the other toxic chemicals found in your home as well. Our personal favorite is SOL-U-MEL. Set a bottle of SOL-U-MEL where your old cleaners used to sit and you’ll be getting rid of a lot more than just stains! Here’s a list of things SOL-U-MEL does NOT have in it like other products; NO ammonia, NO chlorine bleach, and NO petroleum distillates. In other words, NO gloves, NO toxic ventilation, and NO toxic ingredients!

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Coffee: Is It Really Good to the Last Drop?

Coffee in the morning is a ritual for many – the aroma of a fresh brew, the warmth on a chilly morning
and a chance to wake up at your own pace. This is the face of coffee as seen in television and online
ads. But, wait a minute. It is really that rosy?
For you it is. Coffee is a great source of anti-oxidants, provides stimulation and alertness and helps us
get off to a good start to the day. But this is not the complete picture.
Coffee is an industry with a dark under-belly. Large plantations are known for exploitative labor
practices. It is hot, back-breaking work for less than minimum wage. In fact, the quotas are so high that
many workers in third-work countries bring their children to work – off the payroll. These children are
subject to intense heat, heavy loads, sharp tools and exposure to pesticides. They are also denied their
education and a chance to just be children.
Further, farming practices are not good for the environment. Forests are cleared; soils are not
protected. Harsh chemicals, pesticides and herbicides use is rampant and little concern is given to long-
term sustainability.
But, there is good news. A new brand of coffee, Mountain Cabin Premium Coffee, has overcome these
undesirable practices. Mountain Cabin relies on small batch coffees using 100% arabica beans (the best
available). These small farms are located at high altitudes (at least one-mile above sea level) to ensure
better quality. Fair labor practices are demanded and sustainable farming methods are used. It
provides a variety of blends, both in bags and single serving cups. It also uses water-cooled, roller-milled
grinders to ensure taste, aroma and freshness is maintained during production.
Next time, you visit the grocery store, look at the coffee you are buying. Make sure it comes from
sustainable farms and uses fair labor practices. If you are not sure, then check out Mountain Cabin
coffees, available online for your convenience.

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The Facts About Disinfectant Cleaners

Everyone uses disinfectant cleaners in the home. But have you checked the ingredients? First, you can’t
pronounce them. Then, you have few clues as to what most of them are. If you are at all concerned
about the health and safety of your family, you need to pay attention.
Cleaning products contain chemicals that cause asthma, lung inflammation, asthma-like symptoms and
other respiratory problems. They also contain endocrine disrupting chemicals. Plus, many of the
ingredients in cleaning products evaporate easily, polluting your indoor air.
Most of the time, however, you don't really know the specific chemicals in your cleaners. That's because
manufacturers aren't required to list the ingredients on the labels. Sometimes they'll list vague
categories like surfactants and fragrance that could be any of hundreds of different chemicals.
Most of what is known about the chemicals in cleaning products comes from researchers. For example,
a 2014 study found 132 chemicals in the 105 cleaning products that were tested. The main groups of
chemicals that were identified in the cleaners included fragrance, glycol ethers, surfactants and
disinfectants.
Each of these chemical groups exposes you to toxins when you inhale them while you’re cleaning your
home and for hours afterwards. They can also enter your body through your skin.  Is this crazy or what? Here are a few, but not all, of the chemicals to look out for:

Ammonia

Vapors may irritate the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs. People with asthma may be particularly sensitive to
the effects of breathing ammonia. Ammonia may also cause kidney and liver damage. If ammonia is
mixed with products containing chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite), highly poisonous chloramine gas
is formed.
Coal tar dyes

Derived from petrochemicals and may be contaminated with trace amounts of heavy metals like arsenic,
cadmium and lead. There is concern that synthetic dyes may cause cancer and that heavy metals can
harm the nervous system and cause other adverse health effects. They are completely unnecessary to
the cleaning function of the product.

Phosphates

Function as a fertilizer in water. High concentrations of phosphates in bodies of water can promote
harmful algal blooms and increase weed growth. New regulations took effect in 2010 that limit
phosphorus concentration in household cleaning products to 0.5 per cent — a big improvement.

 

Phthalates

They are found in many fragranced household products, such as air fresheners, dish soap, even toilet
paper. Because of proprietary laws, companies don’t have to disclose what’s in their scents. Phthalates
are known endocrine disruptors. Men with higher phthalate compounds in their blood had
correspondingly reduced sperm counts, according to a 2003 study conducted by researchers from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Harvard School of Public Health.
This is not a complete list, so beware. One great way to avoid chemicals and other toxic substances in
your home is to use a clean, green, non-toxic cleaner. One such is a product called Sol-U- Guard, a
disinfectant made by an American green manufacturing company. This product has citric acid and
thyme oil as active ingredients, which are both safe and pure.

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The Real Story Behind Skin Lotions

Finding safe, reliable skin care products can be a challenge. In the case of skin lotions, often called skin
therapies and other exclusive sounding names, it is important to look at the ingredients. And more may
be needed for you to be the type of informed consumer you wish to be. Why? Most ingredients are
unknown items, with scientific labels. So, unless you are a chemist, you may need to do some research.
We recently did some label research on skin lotions. A bit scary, to be honest.
Did you know that most leading skin lotions, even one called a ‘baby lotion’ have parabens? Parabens
are common preservatives found in skin and cosmetic products. They provide protection against micro-
organisms. To be fair, the Food and Drug Administration has no opinion or regulations on the use of
parabens. But, concern is growing over potential health side effects. This is worth checking out.
According to Cosmeticsinfo.org, data indicates that certain types of parabens may interfere with the
functioning of the endocrine system. It may be that they disrupt glandular activity and hormone
production. And this may especially be true of infants and children.
As another concern, research has found that parabens accelerate the aging process. It’s ironic that they
are in products designed to enhance the youth and beauty of the skin.
Another ingredient found in a major body lotion product is myristyl myristrate. It is a thickening agent,
which, according to the Environmental Working Group, can irritate skin, lung and eyes.
This is not to scare you, but to increase your awareness of chemicals found in common, popular skin
lotions.
Take heart, there are healthy options. One product, called Renew™, is free of these chemicals. Further,
it has been clinically tested for safety and purity. The USA based green manufacturing company that
makes it, claims that this lotion is also good for treating eczema and relieving psoriass , rosacea and
diabetes skin problems. And there are many anecdotal claims to support this. Historically, steroid
creams have been used for treatment of these conditions. While such creams reduce inflammation,
they also interfere with the immune system – making them potentially dangerous.
Take a close look at what you are using in and on your body. And in this age of concern for the
environment, it is essential that we start with our bodies and our home.