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

Ok, I have a question for you ladies...What do you use to clean/disinfect your tub and toilet that isn't toxic?  Thanks in advance.

Happy New Year everyone!  Has anyone heard that glycerin is bad?  My sis in law is insisting it is so bad for you but I have only heard good things.  My hubby has sensitive skin and that is the only soap he can use.  Additionally my aunt is a dermatologist and she prescribes things with glycerin in it - I think my sil is wrong.  Any comments apprectiated!

There are people who feel strongly on both sides of the soy issue. The evidence on the good side is that Asian women have a lower incidence of BC and eat more soy than American women. Also they have a lower incidence of recurrence. One thing I have read is that some believe it s okay to eat soy if you have been eating it since adolescence, but if you haven't, you shouldn't start now. I have also heard women say their doctors said not to worry about soy in food, but not to eat tofu or soy milk and such. That is pretty much what my doc recommended. He said not to worry about a cup of miso soup once in a while, but not to switch to soy milk or tofu. I am avoiding where I can, but it's in everything.

I work for a water treatment company, but don't have anything in the house right now except a filter on the fridge where we get all our drinking water. I was asking in work about getting a whole house filter. To get a whole house reverse osmosis unit is the best thing to do, but quite expensive. He told me I could put a carbon tank on the whole house. That is what is on the fridge, a carbon filter. But he said that would get rid of chemicals that might be in the water, but might increase the chance of bacteria in the water at the sinks. I forget his explanation, but he thought a carbon tank for the whole house is relatively cheap and then an under sink filter at the sinks were an economical and really good solution. For what it's worth. Also, don't believe anyone who tries to sell you anything based on magnets. There is a company out there saying they can fix your water ths way, but it's not true. It doesn't do anything. At least according to the people I work with.



Don't know about the cookware. I thought stainless steel was good? That is what I switched my Teflon for.

Oh and welcome Sara - I'm still looking into cookware options, too! 

just found this thread. Great thread. I have Lodge cast iron cookware and have been using it for 30 years. I still love it and the longer you use it the more seasoned it becomes so foods do not stick That has been my experience. I never put cast iron in the dishwasher either.



I'm concerned about our well water. Need to look into getting a filter for the water. Already getting rid of the plastic dishes, got Pyrex for my birthday and use canning jars. We put out a garden every year and I always can our food.



I keep hearing how sugar is bad. Does this include all sugar or sugar substitutes and processed foods. I try to make most of our food from scratch including cookies and cakes. What is bad about the sugar if taken in moderation.

Sheri I had to go without anti-perspirant when I went through radiation.  It was not easy at first but when things got a little smelling I would use hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes.  I found the longer I went without anti-perspirant the less smelly I became.  Now I don't have a problem.  Sometimes in the summer I might reaply my deodorant at lunch.  Normal times I will reaply when I change into my workout clothes just for a little more protection.  I have been using Tom's and I like it but will be trying the Melaluca one soon.

saralmom- I use stainless steel pots, but I wanted a different frying pan. I bought a ceramic pan that has a non stick coating from Germany, but it is free of some of the bad stuff. Here is the amazon link. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CSXMP6/ref=oh_o04_s00_i00_details

I have gone back to using my casto iron skillets and now wonder why I ever quit using them in the first place.  I think because they are heavy but know I see it as just another little workout.

I don't know if I will ever go completely anti=perspirant free but I have been using deodorant with just a little antiperpirant. Kinda use a little of both.

 Another question - what about pampered chef stoneware - like the pizza stone. Is that pretty safe?  Also from what I am reading- non-stick=bad  is that correct - so just use plain stainless steel?

Someone asked about laundry soap a while back...I am using Ecos. 

http://www.ecos.com/ecosliquid.html#spec

I get it at Costco.  I am also in the process of looking into changing cleaning solutions.  Just the thought of not bleaching things like kitchen surfaces and bathroom makes me feel like there will be bacteria all over...ewwww!  I have been using "greener" cleaning products but I have not researched that yet.  I will let you know what I find out once I read about it.

As far as cookware - I got rid of all non-stick pans except one small pan for eggs only.  I don't eat eggs often so I am not going to worry about it.  I use stainless and also enameled type cookware (Chantel) and I have some Le Crueset and cast iron skillets.  I also changed to XOX brand cooking utensils and wooden spoons.  XOX is BPA free at least and it is plastic so it won't scratch my enamel cookware.  I got rid of plastic containers and use Anchor Hocking glass containers with BPA free plastic lids.  I love them and want to buy even more of them for freezing foods.  These containers are microwave safe and oven safe too.  I am also considering a water filtration system.  I have not looked into that yet...it's on my 2012 plan!  As far as sugar - my naturopath said agave, Stevia and honey are OK.  I don't bake with sugar...just agave, honey and stevia.   I still try to keep things low on the sweet side when I bake.  For deodorant I am using Nature's Path.  That has worked well for me and I exercise a lot.  I have tried a few others with not much success.  I just bought all new organic make up and face creams that a

re chemical free.

I love this website:

www.cincovidas.com

It has lots of good articles about what to avoid in body care products, cleaning products, etc...

For BPA free canned food - Pomi Tomatoes come in cartons and Eden Organics has BPA free cans.  All the other organic canned products have BPA lined cans.....kind of defeats the purpse of organic once you put it in a can lined with chemicals.

mdg, thanks for all the excellent tips!

When I'm working I get up at 6 a.m. and work out before the kids get up. It's the only time I can fit it in. I need to get back into the habit of doing that again before I go back to work in the spring.

I work out right after work, but I don't have any children.  Our facility has childcare so many of my friends with children have their children go to that while they work out.