It's a toxic world-let's educate each other

Octobergirl

Sorry, I didn't post the link. You all understand . Hope it posts as a live link.....

  http.//inspirationgreen.com/bpa-free-cans.html

October 

althea

Microwaves -- my ex took the microwave with him when he moved out.  Been better off ever since with both of them gone. 

Merilee

LOL

Merilee

What about those old blue pots with the white speckled enamel on them? They seem to never scratch. I wonder if they are safe.

GramE

I also wonder about gas versus electric stoves.   The heating element on electric gets so hot, a lot hotter than gas stove/flame.     And aren't aluminum pans, fry pans, bad news?    

One thing I wanted to add is to never refreeze or freeze in plastic bottles, such as water or juice comes in.  (bad grammar, but you get the idea...)    And how about freezing in "freezer bags" ?    

At my age (65), it may be too late to undo all the chemicals, additives, exposure, etc, but if I can eliminate any more exposure, I am going to try.     

Kay_G

Someone, please educate me.  I thought it was okay to freeze in plactic, but you shouldn't heat up in it.  I thought the plastic getting hot released chemicals into the food.  I am no expert, so if I am wrong about this, someone please correct me.  I don't want to be doing something bad for my family.  Thanks.

GramE

Not being any kind of expert, I have a chemist friend or 2 who firmly state that all plastic breaths - like it has teeny holes, not solid like glass.   Because of this, it will absorb odors, leech and sometimes break down.   (not very technical explanation, sorry...).   Like when you have a bottle of water and it kind of collapses over time - it has leeched some of the inside air.    Because of this, the original content of the plastic bottle has begun to break down, thus making it "unhealthy" to reuse.    But, there are different kinds of plastic - thickness, etc.     So, if I have confused anyone, sorry, but this is the best I can do for now.

GramE

Here is a link explaining it a bit better:

http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/plastic_bottles.htm 

Kay_G

Thank you!  I am glad you set me straight.

GramE

Kay, you are very welcome.   There are so many things in our environment that "can" cause harm, why encourage them.   

Merilee

So much to learn. I feel like the more I learn the more questions I have.

I was just reading that the inside of microwave popcorn bags are lined with PFOA same chemical used in making Teflon. The chemical merges easily with the oil in the bag. Which of course then touches your popcorn which is usually full of pesticides if it is not organic.

Merilee

Here is a little saying to help remember which plastics are safe in contact with food. It comes from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy "with food 4,5, 1, & 2, the rest are not good for you."

In other words 3,6 & 7 are the worst in this regard. Guess which one is in disposable plates and carry out containers made of Styrofoam? #6

Dilly

Merilee, you asked about the blue and white (or other color) speckled enameled pans. Enamel is like glass and non-reactive. As long as the enamel isn't chipped, I believe they are all right to use.  It's the same 'covering' as the newer enameled cast-iron pans.  (I've never owned teflon)  Once the enamel chips, then the metal beneath will "react". (I just wore out a big blue & white canning kettle - it chipped, and I replaced it with a new one.

I also am concerned about the newer silicon or "heat-resistant" plastic utensils and pretty much stick to wooden spoons when using enamel pans. 

Merilee

Lost creek- thanks for the info

How are you sanitizing your wood utensils?

Merilee

Looks like we have exhausted plastics. Now for Parabens. Do you know that I could not find one 100% organic body lotion at the Better Health Food store in my area. Many said " Organic" then when you read the fine print, you learn that it contains organic ingredients along with some that are not. I read for over an hour and did not find one that  was actually 100% organic.

The amount of cosmetic and body care items we use is just staggering when you think of all of it. Shampoo, conditioner, then added goop in our hair, then hairspray. Body wash, lotion, face lotion, make up nail polish perfumes, deodorants, on and on. All of them can contain  dangerous things and we just take for granted that if a store is allowed to sell it, it must be safe.. Not true.

JoanDavies

Is glass always glass? I drink out of a glass as much as possible, but have some cheapie glasses from Walmart and have started wondering if they are made out of any inferior products or with toxins, in order to be available inexpensively? Is there a code or number on glass we should be looking for, similar to the coding system mentioned at the beginning of this thread for plastic?

Merilee

What a great question. Anyone know the answer?

Ceeztheday

Check this out...Sensible Foods Organic Crunch Dried Snacks. They are available on amazon or their own website. They have berry, tropical, orchard, and sweet corn. Sounds weird, but the sweet corn is really tasty. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EYRBTK

Merilee

3 things to watch out for in bodycare and cosmetics products:

Parabens ( mythyl, propyl &butyl)-all hormone disrupters

Phthlates-hormone disrupter

DEA-can react to other ingredients casusing MDEA a strong carcinogen linked to cancer

Merilee

Joan

the only thing I found when I googled your question is a warning about storing food in Lead crystal.

Dilly

Merilee, sorry I missed your question about wooden utensils.  Besides soap & hot water washing,  I throw the lot of 'em into a vat of boiling water from time to time. A minute or two in boiling water.

Kay_G

My son told me not to put my wooden utensils in the dish washer.  Is he correct about that?  Wouldn't that sterilize them?

Dilly

I'm not sure about that -- I don't put anything wooden into the dishwasher.  I have also read not to put different types of metals together at the same time in the dishwasher because of reactions between differing metals (I think there's an ingredient in the soap that causes it).  I know the new Revere-ware pans have a caution that dishwashers cause the handles to change texture - from smooth to a rougher texture and I believe that's true. 

I'm not sure what all is in dishwasher soap, but I stick to glass, stainless utensils, dishes, and what few plastics I have used. (I don't use the dry cycle). 

Kay_G

Thanks, my son is an expert on a lot of things.  I will ask him for his reasoning.  He told me not to put my knives in the dishwasher either.  I am going to question him again about this.  I thought I had bought a really nice set of All Clad stainless steel cookware.  (My teflon stuff really needed to be replaced. It was scratched and I think it probably contributed to the BC.  I hope no one else in the family will be hurt from it.)  Any way, my son is away at grad school, and I don't see him much.  He came home for a visit in July.  I thought he was going to like my new pots and pans.  No, he would have gotten copper they heat more evenly.  I should have checked with him before buying.  Oh well, I am happy with them.

Dilly

Kay, I'd be happy with All-Clad too! Enjoy!!

I never-ever put my good knives into the dishwasher and don't even know where I got the info - maybe it was imprinted into my dna... but all of them have wooden handles and that's part of why not.  Again, I just scrub them well with hot water and soap, and dry them. Sometimes when I want to really clean wooden handles or cutting boards, I'll use some diluted ammonia & a brush & hot water. 

I also do like my grandma used to do, and often "scald" the dishes that are in the dish-drainer by boiling a kettle of water, setting the dish-rack into the sink and pouring the hot water over everything.  That's what I do when somebody in the house is sick, too. Just an extra precaution. Grandma learned from USDA extension courses back in the early & mid 1900s, and she knew a lot too.

Kay_G

Sounds good.  That is what worries me about now putting them in the dishwasher, not killing all the bacteria.  I like the idea of pouring boiling water on them.  And now that you mention it, I think the wooden handles were why he said not to put the knives in the dishwasher.  Thanks.

Merilee

I am using coconut oil as a moisturizer. Some, where in all the reading I have don,e someone said " it you  wouldn't put it in your mouth, then don't put it on your body." That made it easy for me to view it  with a new paradigm and make changes.

Other people said almond oil is good too. Anyone using it that can say

Merilee

In 2008 Minnesota was the first state to ban Mecury in cosmetics. Currentlly the federal government allows  a small amount as a preservative in eye liner, mascara, skin shitening creams and freckle creams.

Merilee

In 2008 Minnesota was the first state to ban Mercury in cosmetics. Currently the federal government allows a small amount as a preservative in eye liner, mascara, skin whitening creams and freckle creams.

MamaV

Just did a clean sweep of all products with Paraben - I've got nothing left ha ha!  Found my aveeno body lotion is paraben free thank goodness or I'd dry up like a raisin!