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

Ceeztheday

Thanks Sherry.

SheriBell

I am another Sheri that takes Biotin.  I embarrassed to say  I got it from Andrew Lessman off HSN but it says it is a specific hair and nail formula.

Omaz

I just noticed something - I am buying organic milk in the cartons, but now I wonder if the 'cartons' are really coated in plastic on the inside, does anyone know?

dancetrancer

Hi all, this is a great thread!  

Has anyone read about BPA free plastics not really being safe either?  After reading the article below, I decided not to purchase BPA free plastics at all.  We switched to all glass bowls and stainless steel.  I've still been using a teflon frying pan, though...didn't think of that...will be looking for an option.  DH wants to switch to cast iron vs aluminum.  Is the cast iron hard to clean?  

"This week, scientists from PlastiPure and its sister company, CertiChem, published a study of more than 450 plastic products, including many labeled BPA-free. It found that more than 90 percent released chemicals that mimic estrogen."  http://www.npr.org/2011/03/04/134240436/plastics-new-frontier-no-estrogenic-activity?sc=17&f=1001

Omaz

Here is a link to the can test results - LINK

encoremom

I like the "yes to" products that Sarah mentions.  Their "yes to blueberries" line for older skin has even been writen up as better than alot of other "anti-aging"  lotions. 

Sheribell, you mentioned tea tree oil and not sure if you know but tea tree oil isn't good for women with hormone positive breast cancer.  My oncologist told me to stay away from products with it and lavendar in them.

SAOIsenberg

encoremom - I had NO idea about tea tree oil - and I would consider myself well-read! Thanks for mentioning that.

dancetrancer - cast iron is not hard to clean - and the more you use your skillet, the easier it will get. Lodge brand is made in the US and is reliable - I have a couple and use them ALL THE TIME. For sweet & savory and everything in between. They are great. (but heavy!) And yes, some of the BPA alternatives are no great shakes - we use mostly glass or stainless steel - Kleen Kanteen water bottles are food-grade stainless - for us better than glass water bottles. I even use a KK at the gym.

Sarah 

SheriBell

Encoremom - I asked my onco about that and soybeans and he said he has not seen any evidence to support that conclusion.  He has been an onco for 30 years and has had colon cancer himself.  He is very conservative too so I feel comfortable with him.  I guess doctors form opinions too and make suggestions based on their experience.  I may do some more research too!

MariannaLaFrance

Have any of you ladies had luck finding cooking pots and pans that are not made in China? I am very leery of anything manufactured there, as the FDA doesn't regulate much that comes into our country, and since the pans are made of metal, I am worried about lead / heavy metal contamination.  I have a few pots that are made in Germany and Italy, but have a hard time finding a brand that is manufactured in a country that uses a modicum of regulation........

Sherryc

 I had asked about Lavender and ER+ BC and was told topically it was ok but not to ingest it.  Luckily I did not have any more tea with it in there.

SheriBell

Yes I just called an old friend who had breast cancer 28 years ago (she's my moms age) and she said tea tree is fine as long as not ingested.  

SAOIsenberg

Marianna - All-Clad manufactures in the U.S. - it's expensive, but it's what I have and it is fantastic.

Sarah 

encoremom

Hi.  i did some checking on tea tree oil too after my doc told me and found this from NIH.  The findings specifically relate to its effects on boys but it does conclude in the article that tea tree oil mimics estrogen.  I find myself trying to pick and choose what I worry about since trying to stay away from everything would drive me crazy.  i'm just offering this info as another thing to consider. 

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/niehs-31.htm

SheriBell

Yea I saw that article about the boys growing breasts from using either lavendar or tea tree in their soaps.  That does seem like they must be getting estrogen somehow from those elements doesn't it?

Encoremom - I agree you have to choose what you are gonna worry about- like even though my dr said small amounts of soy would be fine - I am not eating it at all -  

cp418

Hike in Camp Lejeune male breast cancer cases expected

http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/veterans/article1203436.ece

Kay_G

I purchased all clad pots and pans six months ago and love them as well. I was afraid they'd be so much harder than non-stick pans to clean, but they clean up easily.

Merilee

An investigation into trace amounts of arsenic found in bottled juice has prompted advocacy group Consumers Union to urge the Food and Drug Administration to lower its standards for arsenic levels in juice drinks.

The results of the study released Wednesday indicate that 10 percent of juices tested had total arsenic levels greater than the FDA's standard for drinking water of 10 parts per billion (ppb), while 25 percent of juices also had lead levels higher than the FDA's bottled water limit of 5 ppb.

Consumer Reports tested 88 samples of popular brands of grape and apple juice sold in the United States, including Mott's, Minute Maid and Welch's. Most of the arsenic detected in Consumer Reports' tests was a type known as inorganic, which is a human carcinogen.

The testing and analysis has led Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, to urge the federal government to establish a standard of 3 ppb for total arsenic and 5 ppb for lead in juice.

"We're concerned about the potential risks of exposure to these toxins, especially for children who are particularly vulnerable because of their small body size and the amount of juice they regularly consume," said Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., director of safety & sustainability at Consumer Reports.

Although federal standards exist for arsenic and lead levels allowed in bottled and drinking water, there are no limits defined for fruit juices, a mainstay of many children's diets.

In a statement to ABC News regarding the new Consumer Reports data the FDA -- which stated in September 2011 amid public controversy that apple juice consumption poses little or no risk --  said it is now gathering further information.

SheriBell

That is just unbelieveable - why should any amount of arsenic be ok??

Merilee

I know, right? The truth comes out and we are all victims of it. Not just this but the food industry in general has been poisoning us for years. Arsenic is a known cancer causing agent. Despicable is not a strong enough word.

dancetrancer

That is truly scary.  Here's another report:  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45491242/ns/today-today_health/

FLwarrior

A conventional apple from blossom to harvest gets sprayed with pesticide an average of 19 times!  Apples are #1 on the "Dirty Dozen" list and imported grapes are #7.  For that reason, I always buy organic apples.  So my question is what about arsenic levels in organic apple juice or organic grape juice?  Should be much safer, right?  I sure hope so!

dancetrancer

That makes sense intuitively to me FLWarrior...I was thinking the same thing about apples and them being on the dirty dozen.  

Makes me wanna move to the country and grow all of my own stuff, LOL!  Guess I'll have to settle for my veggie container garden.   

Merilee

Dancetrancer-I live in the city and am slowly turning my back  yard into an edible estate.

dancetrancer

That's cool Merilee!  We live in the suburbs, but in a townhouse, so no land.  However, we have an awesome back deck with great sun exposure.  I grew tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, green beans, basil, dill, cilantro, squash, broccoli, lettuce, and brussel sprouts...plan on more next year!  Nothing better than having your own fresh produce without pesticides! 

Merilee

Dancetrancer, Good job with what space you have, I am impressed!

MariannaLaFrance

Guess where approximately 90% of our apple juice comes from?  Just check any juice box container and you'll see. Lack of foresight, lack of regulation, and lack of safety standards, I am telling you. 

MariannaLaFrance

And I applaud you that are growing gardens. If I could squeeze just a couple more hours into my week somehow I'd be joining you!! Feeling inspired now, maybe I will see how I can fit this in, as it's really looking like it will be the only solution to avoiding some toxins in our vegetable/food supply. 

Sherryc

Dancetracer what great use you put to your space.  I also started a garden this spring and then added another bed for the fall.  For next spring I am adding two more beds.  DH made me nice raised beds with walkways in between so it also has cut our some of our grass so he does not have to mow and water it.  I have a very large yard and we have been in a drought here in Texas so trying to also take out some of my grass.  I figure a garden was the best way.

Marianna-I do the larger planting jobs on weekends and during the week does not require alot exept in our drought I was having to water just about every day in August with the Texas heat. I am hopeing I can talk DH into installing a drip irrigation for the garden.

FLwarrior

I really miss growing a garden in the ground!  I sold my house 9 1/2 years ago and moved to the beach...I wasn't sure where on the west coast of FL I wanted to grow roots so I have been renting. The first house I rented and lived in 6 years had an awesome backyard and on a Saturday, I could garden sun-up til sun-down.  I moved to a new area 3 1/2 years ago and don't have that backyard oasis any longer, so I have tried to make the best of it by learning to container garden...sigh!  I did not have any luck with tomatoes or cucumbers in (regular) containers this past summer.  The plants grew and flowered, but just wouldn't fruit. By the middle of summer, I learned about the "city pickers patio garden".  I saw several of these during growing season and it was amazing!  The plants were so big, thick, healthy and had tons and tons of veggies. I bought one (and all the supplies organic) to plant.  I was just waiting for the heat of summer to pass, to get started. I am sad to say that due to all my uncertainty, bc treatment, loss of job, unstable housing and not sure where I will live next month...Thanks bc...I have not planted it yet.  I am trying very hard to look forward to NED, having a job and stable housing and being able to plant it in the spring!!!  In the mean time, I do have some organic parsley, lettuce, chives, mint, oregano and thyme which are all doing very well in regular containers. You ladies with backyard gardens are fortunate!  Enjoy them!  If any of you lived close enough, I would come and play in the dirt with you.

Merilee

FL- I will trade you my back yard for your beach, just know that we had about 8 inches of snow yesterday