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

Merilee · October 2011

Hi everyone

I know there has been lots of discussion about supplements and organic eating and exercise. I would like to start a discussion about how all of us are working to eliminate toxins from our environments.

For example what have you learned about Plastic? Look at the bottom of the bottle/or dish. See the number? 1,2,4,& 5 are safest. 3, 6, & 7 all leach toxic chemicals. #7 is Known to leach hormone receptor disrupters, especially when heated. Particularly important for ER/PR + women to be aware of.

Ok, your turn, what do you know/do?

Kay_G · October 2011

I got rid of all my non-stick pans and replaced them with stainless steel. If the non-stick pans get scratched, the chemicals on the pan will get into the food you cook.

Merilee · October 2011

Good one Kay, I have been slowly getting rid of my nonstick as well. Have some class and some Iron as well as stainless. Thanks for sharing, we need to get the word out!

Teflon pans emit a chemical called PFOA. Animal studies show that it can build up in the body and cause, cancer, liver damage, growth defects and immune system damage. In 2007 Researchers at John Hopkins checked blood samples in 300 baby umbilical cords and found this toxin in 99% of them. The toxic fumes from when these pans heat up have been known to kill pet birds.

Octobergirl · October 2011

I replaced all of our plastic storage containers with recycled glass containers. It has been fun to collect a variety of sizes and shapes. Besides storing leftovers, I can always find a sweet glass jar to fill with chocolate covered coffee beans or homemade hummus, etc for small gifts.

Also replaced plastic grocery bags with cloth/woven bags. They stay in my car and I trained myself to use them by always making the trip back to the car when I forgot to take 'em in the store. Just a little more exercise, I tell myself. It's all good.

Merilee · October 2011

Octobergrace, good one. I also have started collecting little glass jars with lids. I go to the GoodWill and can get them there. I like the kind that have a seal, but the ones with any kind of top is good for storing stuff in the frig or cupboard. Pyrex makes some pans that have lids too and I have a few of them. Does anyone know if Pyrex is good? I have a set of blue glass canisters that I use for different things. One of them has become the treat Jar, one is in the frog with home made pickle stuff in it, and the other two are empty at the moment.

I am going to try to remember to bring my own bags to the store next time.

althea · October 2011

I've been steering clear of plastic for a long time. Started with fabric bags for groceries, and even though I never forget them, I still end up with a drawer full of plastic bags at every moment.

I drink out of glass probably 99% of the time now. I have a collection of 4-litre glass jugs, which is just a tad bit more than one gallon. I buy filtered water and collect it in glass. They're 3 lbs empty and 12 lbs full, so I hope to be keeping osteoperosis at bay in the process.

Next frontier was what to use for the freezer. I had been using empty yogurt containers (usually a type one plastic intended for single use), when finally a light bulb went off and I thought, duh, single use, not a good choice for the freezer. Pyrex is an excellent choice. It's oven safe AND freezer safe. The lids are plastic, and I hope that's ok since there's no direct contact between the food and the lid.

I do have a metal drinking bottle that I use while travelling. Bisphenol A (BPA) is highly undesireable, and also banned in Canada and England, so look for BPA-free containers. BPA is also used in a lot of linings of canned goods, so I try to avoid canned goods as much as possible. BPA disrupts the endocrine system, and it can usually be avoided by steering clear of #7. Plastics in general typically contain xenoestrogens, which is like estrogen on steroids -- not something us er/pr+ gals want to come in contact with.

And I completely agree with ditching the teflon. The fumes don't occur until the pan reaches very high heat, but then there's the inevitable scratch that keeps getting bigger, and flakes of teflon is not what I want in my food. I have 3 different sizes of iron skillets and two soup pots (stainless steel and enamelware) that covers pretty much everything that comes from my stovetop.

kira1234 · October 2011

althea I love your idea of using pyrex in the freeser. I will be getting myself some to use.

I agree with getting rid of the teflon. I use iron almost all the time now.

I think I will take a glass to school, I have been using a plasic glass, but really feel uneasy about it now.

Anonymous · October 2011

I didn't know we COULD use Pyrex in the freezer. Great to know, thanks.

I just bought an Autumn Harvester Dehydrator. I loved dried fruit, especially during the winter, instead of "candy" for snacks - but couldn't stand all the additives in the ones even in the Health Food Stores. Plus, they're so expensive. Visiting a friend the other day, she gave me a small piece of dried apple she had just taken out of her dehydrator. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS! I ordered my own as soon as I got home.

Ah, organic apples I can peel, and dry, with NO SULFATES! Yeah! Looking forward to doing cranberries too.

kira1234 · October 2011

robo47 where do you find cleanser that is Paraben free

BarbaraA · October 2011

Great thread! I have been using glass for the freezer as well and for leftovers. Gone is the teflon. Using stainless steel and iron. I have a stainless steel percolator with all steel innards. I carefully research the soaps/cosmetics/detergents I use.

I don't know how you all feel but I am beyond horrified that Komen is marketing a perfume called Promise me with hormone disruptor Galaxolide and the neurotoxin Toluene in it. WHAT?????

Please go there and protest!!

althea · October 2011

I have a suggestion for this thread, so that it might grow large and userfriendly. There's a new page every 30 posts or so. I suggest we focus on one topic per page. We've started with plastic. How about page 2, focus on parabens. There's sooo many topics to discuss and they're all important.

I have another way of avoiding plastic at this one produce store I frequent -- I load up a handbasket and then ask for a box instead of plastic at checkout. They always have stacks of various cardboard boxes used for shipping produce, and I carry the produce home that way. It's catching on. I see others doing the same thing now too.

Dilly · October 2011

You can also freeze in glass canning jars. I recommend only pints or half-pint jars, not quarts. Wide mouth is better.

I use vinegar as a household cleanser.

kira1234 · October 2011

I started using vinegar as well. It does a great job on the floor, and doesn't leave a dullness.

Merilee · October 2011

There are cans that have BPA in the lining as well. That way the food does not touch the can and start to degrade it, nice right?

Merilee · October 2011

Good tip robo

Kay_G · October 2011

My new fridge has a carbon water filter on it. Saves on water in the store and reduces the amount of plastic bottles purchased. Looking into getting a filter for the whole house. There are a lot of things in the water that shouldn't be.

Merilee · October 2011

I agree about the water. Our local health food store has an ionizer and you can refill a jug for 39 cents, My jugs are #2 plastic . They also sell a water that is a ph of 10 which can help balance your ph if needed. You can buy test strips to test at home.

I was wondering what you all might have learned about the plastic in microwaves Also heat pads, the kind used for a sore back. Anyone know anything about either of these?

Merilee · October 2011

As I read these posts i realize how much plastic I am surrounded by. I do have the cutting boards, never would have thought of it. My wastebaskets are plastic, some of my storage drawers are plastic, Vynal windows and parts to things in the kitchen, shampoo and food bottles, shower curtain, even my toilet seat is vynal LOL. Holy Moly, it's everywhere! Look at the inside of the fridge, plastic! What the heck do we do about that? Coffeemaker...on and on

somanywomen · October 2011

Since diagnosis about 2 years ago, I have been doing research on bpa, phylates, formaldehyde, you name it!..I have slowly changed just about everything that goes in and on my body....Just wanted to share a few wonderful websites with all of you to do some of your on curiousity research...I have made my own cheat sheets to take shopping with me......

www.ewg.org/skindeep/..............this is a great website to check the products you own now and a guide to choose better ones......

planetgreen.discovery.com..below is an example of info on your BPA topic......

The researchers tested food from 50 cans (collected from pantries in 19 US states and one Canadian province) for BPA contamination and found it in 46 cans (92 percent of samples). Detected levels of BPA ranged from below 1 parts per billion (ppb), to over a part per million, with an average of 77.36 ppb. The study authors say that consuming BPA at that level for three meals a day every day could easily add up to levels associated with cancer and reproductive problems in lab studies.

Canned Foods With the Highest Levels of BPA (above 100 ppb):

• DelMonte French Style Green Beans: 296.2 ppb (store) and 1,140 ppb (pantry)
• Great Value (Walmart’s in-store brand) Sweet Peas: 329.3 ppb (store)
• Healthy Choice Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup: 323.6 ppb (pantry)
• Healthy Choice Old Fashioned Chicken with Rice Soup: 172.4 ppb (store)
• Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup: 130.4 ppb (pantry)
• Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup: 120.7 ppb (pantry) and 127.5 ppb (store)

Merilee · October 2011

Somany- Great list, and very helpful info. I also read that baby formula in cans tested very high. And also Ravioli but I will have to look back to see which brands.

I can't remember the last time I ate anythng from a can.

somanywomen · October 2011

There are topics for baby products on both websites, I was just back at the planet green and copied this info...I have just learned the info about wine #5...There is still so much to learn...You will be fascinated by what you will learn and keep a little black book to remind yourself for the better items in your purse, it is easy to forget...I have each section of my supermarket listed as to like the best fish (least mercury to choose) and other products...

How to avoid BPA:

Use glass baby bottles or bottles made of #5 plastic.
Limit your canned food consumption and buy from companies who make BPA-free cans.
Buy soups and milks packaged in cardboard (as opposed to plastic or cans).
Can your own fruit in jars.
Check out your winemaker. Winemakers that use vats lined with epoxy resin can contain six times the BPA of canned food.
Choose a BPA-free reusable water bottle.

michelleo13 · October 2011

I've switched from anti-perspirant to a natural aluminum-free deodorant. I was a bit leery about doing that at first but I find it works just as well.

somanywomen · October 2011

I promise this is my last post this morning, don't want to overstay my welcome..but I just learned this about making your own perfume and will definately try it since I am so reluctant to use store bought...

designer perfumes out there aren't that green. You could do better by making your own perfume or cologne out of plants that you can grow in your very own garden. This is how:

Find a flower or flowers that you want to smell like. 1-1 1/2 cups of flower petals will work best. Make sure these flowers are pesticide-free.
Wash the flower petals, removing all dirt and other possible contaminates.
Put two cups of distilled water in an aluminum pan. You can make your own distilled water. All you have to do is boil water and collect the steam. The steam will turn into distilled water.
Put the petals into the pan. Work the water into a just-below-boiling simmer. You don't want to cook the flowers. This will ruin the scent.
Let contents simmer for about two hours. Check periodically to make sure that pot isn't boiling over and that you haven't run out of water.
Turn off the heat. Let the contents cool.
Strain contents through cheesecloth until all the solid bits are gone.
Put the perfume in a bottle or other storage device.
You are done. Use as normal.

Merilee · October 2011

Love it and will try it. I am also a fan of essential oils as opposed to perfume.

Kay_G · October 2011

This is really informative, thanks! Thinking of what I buy in cans: tuna fish, beans and tomatoe products. I will have to check them on that list.

I have been going without anti perspirant to avoid the aluminum. I don't sweat that much unless I'm really exercising and then I get a shower right after. Won't work for my DH, he perspires much more easily. And I don't really think deodorants without anti perspirant do much for me, so this is a very economical ecological savings.

GramE · October 2011

Website to search for paraben, petrolatum, and toxic ingredients in cosmetics:

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/?nothanks=1

I agree that the world has gone plastic crazy. However, I remember my brother running with a glass baby bottle, like 60 years ago, falling, and cut his hand pretty bad. The only drawback for glass containers. And glass in the dishwasher comes out very clean and sparkly, even "sanitized" if you have that setting.

Kay_G · October 2011

robo47, LOL, I thought that too and it made me think whether the canned organic beans I have would fare any better. Not much benefit to buying organic if there is going to be BPA in them.

somanywomen · October 2011

Organic frozen vegetables are a better choice, just make sure you transfer them to glass for microwave or stainless for stove top....I used to use "Campbell's Mushroom Soup" all the time until I realized not only the 850 MG SODIUM, the BPA but that stuff also has MSG in it!!!...I READ ALL LABELS NOW!!

INGREDIENTS
WATER, MUSHROOMS, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN AND/OR COTTONSEED AND/OR CANOLA), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, WHEAT FLOUR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, CREAM POWDER (CREAM [MILK], SOY LECITHIN), YEAST EXTRACT, SPICE EXTRACT, DEHYDRATED GARLIC.

Fighter_34 · October 2011

My list could go on too.

I am not totally free but I have cut down on my toxic exposure. But hey just getting up and breathing in the morning brings toxins into our lives. I am just doing the best I can.

I have totally slashed my body care products in half. I use oatmeal soap from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's (about $1.49 to 1.99 a bar not too bad and it last me for about a week and a half), and pure coconut oil for my hair and body.

Merilee · October 2011

Love this collective mind thread. And Fighter I love your signature, I so agree!

Octobergirl · October 2011

Here is one link listing BPA-free cans. Organic Eden Foods canned products are all BPA-free. I have read that Trader Joe's canned water-packed tuna is sold in BPA-free cans so it is the only canned tuna I buy. Aso, Hunts plain tomato canned products. Seems Glen Muir has played a public relations game for a few years now, saying their "next harvest" of canned tomatoes will be in BPA-free cans but the BPA-free next harvest has never arrived so I won't buy them if/when they do.

Gals, I spent several hours on Etsy.com this week and was surprised to see all the health and beauty products there. I found so many interesting Paraben-free and organic products using natural ingredients and essential oils. Many are in BPA-free/glass containers. Organic is important to avoid sprays/toxins. Also, remember small portions often go a long way when products aren't loaded with fillers and preservatives. I put several in my favorites list...great for holiday gifts. I love Etsy!

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

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How to avoid BPA:

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