yogi

Two Mondays ago, I went to Yoga during the office lunch break. Weekend before that, I have this achy neck-right shoulder. But after Yoga, it was all fine now. Not sure if it healed on itself or I'm just linking it to Yoga. Just glad, that it is not bothering me now.

So while my neck-shoulder are all okay, I am now sore on my back and abs (look at that, abs!). I don't know. I'm sure I don't have abs, but maybe it is there after all. Hiding underneath several layers of fats. Do fat cells hurt when you exercise?

It was just a 45 minute yoga, but boy, oh boy, my non-existent abs hurt even when I'm just coughing. But that is the kind of hurt that I brings a smile on my face. Because that means I did something good for myself. He he he.

I think I'm going to do regular Yoga again. Too bad, this week's Monday was a holiday. The instructor said we can practice at home by ourselves. It's just that ... I know I can't do it at home, with the kids and all that. I am not that kind of super mom.

10

Woo hoo!

I did it! Kinda! Ha ha ha!

Last Sunday was my last day for this 4 week diet program better body system that I got myself into. But since Friday, I kind of started to slip away from it. Cheated here and there but not cheat like in a big way. Well, the program is not asking one to be hungry, it's just that, I kind of indulged a wee bit. Like, I wasn't supposed to eat this group of food and I kind of munched a couple of coconut macaroons (Coconut is good, milk is okay. It was the refined sugar that is a no-no).

Anyway, after 4 weeks, I weighed myself today, and I lost 10 lbs.! Hurray for me! Woo hoo!

I'm still 20 lbs. away from my target weight. But to be realistic, if I lost another 10 lbs., I would be very, very glad.

I'm still kind of continuing the program but not strictly. Like I'm having fruits everyday now. Whereas with the program, I am only allowed during Meal Days (Days 3, 5 and 7). I can say that I am now on the trying-to-stay-below-the-1200-calories-per-day diet, hoping to lose some more pounds.

For transparency, the program is Yoli Better Body System. I bought it.The Transformation Kit (T-Kit) will include protein shake, a juice (which I think is equivalent of coffee), alkalizing capsules and digestive capsules (no, it did not alter my regular bowel habit) enough for four weeks. If you search the net you will find amazing testimonies of people who are into this program. But if you search more you will also find studies and comparisons about how effective/ineffective this is. You can also read about acidity/ph level/alkalinity.

Honestly, before I bought this, I did not research that much. Was this a waste of money? I can't tell, I lost weight. Would I lose the same weight even if I just followed the diet plan, without buying the T-Kit? I don't know. But since I'm done with the program, I am only taking now the alkalizing capsules and still trying to follow the recommended diet plan, I will know if I will keep shedding the weight. They are not really trying to pass on as a Diet Program, because diets don't work. It is supposed to be a healthy lifestyle program, and lifestyle change works. But for my sake, let's just call it diet, okay?

I believe, anybody can still use their program without buying the kit. Maybe you can try the Military Diet Plan. It is somewhat similar to this. But below is the weekly diet plan that I did, I just removed their proprietary products (the juice and capsules). The main rule of the diet is to eat protein that is the equivalent of half of your weight and to drink water equivalent of half of that weight.

For example, if you're 160 lbs., you divide it by 2, so that's 80. So everyday, the goal is to eat 80 gm of protein and 80 oz of water. For meals or menus, just search the net and you'll find lots of options. And download the my fitness pal app, it is a helpful tool.

Side note:
Last night, I was having frozen yogurt as my dinner (plain greek yogurt, natural organic almond butter, organic vegan brownie, blueberries, some nuts and seeds, agave nectar) and it looked yummy, But it wasn't (Even I did not like it, I'm not having it again). Kid #1 wanted to try it and he did. I told him it wasn't good. After washing his mouth (inside out!) because it tasted awful for him, he told me this: I feel sorry for you, Mommy, that you have to eat that food.

There you go.

P.S. If you want to try the Yoli  BBS T-Kit, let me know, I can help you get one.

The Daily Meal Plan (one can start any day, I mean Day 1 doesn't have to be on Monday, this just what works best with me)
Day 1 - Monday Protein Day	Day 2 - Tuesday Protein Day	Day 3 - Wednesday Meal Day	Day 4 - Thursday Protein Day
Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
1 Protein Shake	1 Protein Shake	1 Protein Shake and fruit	1 Protein Shake
Mid-morning snack	Mid-morning snack	Mid-morning snack	Mid-morning snack
2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch (500-600 calories)	Lunch
2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein	complex carb, 4-6 oz of protein	2-4 oz protein
		and vegetables and fruit
Mid-late afternoon snack	Mid-late afternoon snack	Mid-late afternoon snack	Mid-late afternoon snack
2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein and veggies	2-4 oz protein
Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
1 Protein Shake	1 Protein Shake	1 Protein Shake	1 Protein Shake
Day 5 - Friday Meal Day	Day 6 - Saturday Protein Day	Day 7 - Sunday Meal Day
Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
1 Protein shake and fruit	1 Protein Shake	1 Protein shake and fruit
Mid-morning snack	Mid-morning snack	Mid-morning snack
2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein
Lunch (500-600 calories)	Lunch	Lunch (500-600 calories)
complex carb, 4-6 oz of protein	2-4 oz protein	complex carb, 4-6 oz of protein
and vegetables and fruit		and vegetables and fruit
Mid-late afternoon snack	Mid-late afternoon snack	Mid-late afternoon snack
2-4 oz protein and veggies	2-4 oz protein	2-4 oz protein and veggies
Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
1 Protein shake	1 Protein Shake	1 Protein shake

the days go slow but the years go fast

Don't want to make a big fuss out of it but this year is kind of big because I'm hitting the big 4-0. Yeah, my waist line (Hope not!). Mid life. Where has all the years gone by? I can still remember when I was about to turn 18 and planning for my debut party. Oh well...

So to celebrate me being 4 decades old, I plan to take control of my health, specifically, my weight. I have been into this 4-week program since January 11 and now on my last week. Of course, it is hard. First week is the hardest. But I have seen improvements and so far I am liking it. Still not sure if I would continue until I've reached my target weight but we'll see. I am just so happy being able to wear non-maternity clothes a year after giving birth.

You can read a whole bunch of information and tips and what have you about dieting, exercising and losing weight. But here's what works for me:

1. I like that I am doing it with a buddy (or buddies). I have 2 co-workers who were also trying to lose some weight (they did it a week ahead of me, they're done now!). Sharing this journey with them makes me feel accountable and made me really push for it. Also, it makes it easier when there's 3 of us who are not eating desserts and not snacking come mid-afternoon slack!

2. I have my fitness pal app in my phone. I know some people find it so cumbersome to log your food intake but it really made me careful in choosing what I eat. It made me re-think of that 3rd slice of pizza!

3. Meal Prep works. It takes time, really. I mean planning for your meal for the whole week and then preparing your whole week's meal, there goes my weekend. I guess this is where most people fail. It is just so easy to grab what is available (which often than not, is not a healthy choice) than to choose and prepare what really is good and healthy.

Honestly, I don't think I would continue the Meal prep after this final week of the program. What icks me is that I have to prepare food for myself that is different from what the rest of the people in my household are eating. So I am planning to do healthy family menu that all of us can eat. And since I am more aware now of what is healthy and yummy, I will try to incorporate those healthy snacks and dishes into our daily menu. Try. I will try, okay? The problem with this kind of set up is all the cooking will be left on to me!

I will try to be back on yoga too. That is the only form of activity that I did prior to having Kid #2. And after giving birth, I only did one session of hot yoga. I will try to do it again on a weekly basis and maybe, hopefully, do it more than once a week. My diet buddy and car pool buddy is asking me to join her in the gym, to just run or do something. I don't know. I am not really an exercise kind of person. I'll just do yoga and see if I wanted to do more.

baby stuff

I have posted before I gave birth some of the baby stuff that we were planning on investing on: crib and mattress, milk, bath and skin care. Just wanted to finish what I have started (for once?) so here's the rest of it.

Milk/Feeding
We gave the baby whatever kind of milk that were given to us. Yeah. We're cheap. He was breastfed primarily so any other milk sufficed (Nestle Good Start, Enfa and Similac). But we mostly gave him Enfa after all of the freebies were gone and after he has stopped liking Mommy's milk. Now that he's a toddler, we are giving him homo.

For feeding bottles, we used Avent. Did not try any other ones. Avent were also the brand that we used with Kid #1. We used Dapple and Greenworks for the baby bottle dish soap. We also received Babies R Us sterilizer from the Baby Shower and that's what we are using until now. For Kid #1, we used Chicco.

Skin Care
I bought a lot of baby skin care before having the little one. Usually got the sample size if the brand has one. I bought Dr. Bronner's, Mustela, Wedela, Badger and Earth Mama Angel Baby. I've tried all of them. What stuck? I like Dr. Bronner's in washing his baby bums, specially when going out? It smells nice and it rinses easily well. But for total bathing and washing, I like Mustela the best. And that's what we are using still until now. For shampoo, he uses J&J. For moisturizer, we also stick with Mustela.

For diaper rash, I tried Badger and even Lanolin. But still went back to Desitin. Desitin worked with Kid #1 and still what worked with Kid #2.

Clothing/Bedding/Garment 
At first, I only used organic textiles for him. Bought them from Under the Nile, Sckoon, Aden & Anais, Perlimpinpin, Little Bamboo. We got gifts that came elsewhere and we used them also. Now, mostly all of his clothes are from major commercial retailers. But I must say that those initial investments I've bought were all great. They were really, really soft. Even the nurses from the hospital made a comment that, those were the softest swaddling cloth they have ever touched.

Stroller/Car Seat
We got the Graco Click Connect Stroller and Car seat combo. I forgot the actual Model/Type. We are still using both. The car seat is up to 35 lbs. Although Kid #2's legs and feet are now dangling outside the car seat, since he's still within the weight limit, we are still using it. We will get a new car seat once winter is over. We brought the stroller with us when we went back to the Philippines but it is not public commuter friendly, so we bought a slimmer stroller from Chicco and brought it back here, we will not buy umbrella stoller anymore once Kid #2 is too big for his baby stroller.

Diaper
I bought Naty diapers online to try on. It was okay. But  they were expensive. I believe they are also available on our local grocery store. But since J was the one doing the grocery while I was at the house with the baby, and he will not look for it at the store and he will not buy it since, it costs more, we used Pampers swaddlers. That's the best compromise that we can afford.

Toys
I tried to limit our purchase of toys. We have enough clutter at home and I don't want bins and bins and bins of toys overtaking our house. The toys that I bought were Sophie, 2 wooden toy cars and a teething dinosaur from Etsy, wooden Catterpillar from Begin Again, wooden Grasping beads and wooden Fish rattle from Haba, Uncle Goose's wooden alphabet blocks, Janod Animal Alphabet Cards, and Share Sorter and Stacking Cups from Green Toys. I highly recommend these toys because they are safe for babies and kids. I purchased some mainstream toys too, a soft book from Skip Hop and a few soft toys and stroller toys. We have received a couple of battery operated toys too, mostly from Fisher Price.

So far, he enjoyed Sophie, the Grasping beads, wooden blocks, alphabet cards, shape sorted and stacking cups. He still enjoys them except for Sophie. But he likes Sophie Books.

There.

review: 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream

I recently bought this body cream or lotion or moisturizer from 100% Pure upon the recommendation of one of the organic/non toxic blogs that I have been reading. I am always in the look out for great non toxic beauty products, don't ask why, and I am willing to try anything as long as my budget permits.

image: 100% Pure Canada

But first let me share what other products I have tried before this.

We have been using Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion (J is loyal to this) for the longest time and it's working just fine with me. It scored 5 in Skin Deep, with a 10 on PropylParaben, 8 on Fragrance, and 7 on DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde releaser).

image: Jergens Canada

I also have the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (score: 4, with a 5 for Benzyl Alcohol and 4 for Petrolatum) but I am finding it really hard to apply.

image: Cetaphil Canada

As I have said I have tried Body Shop's Body Butter but I only liked the Almond. Last time I checked, Almond is not being offered anymore (But I checked today and it's back on stock!!!!), I have tried the Shea, Mango and Honey Mania. And half jar of the latter is still sitting on my dresser for about a year now. They all scored 6, because of the paraben ingredients and fragrances.

image: The Body Shop Canada

The Curel Moisture Lotion Daily Moisture Lotion for Dry Skin, Original (scored 4 because of paraben, fragrance and petrolatum) works fine with my skin too.

image: Curel Canada

I have tried Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Creme but I didn't like the smell and how it felt on my skin. I think I have only used it twice. I can't seem to find it in the Skin Deep database, though.

image: Burt's Bees Canada

I still have my first travel tube of L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream in my bag (scored 7: paraben, alcohol, fragrance).

image: L'Occitane Canada

The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion I have on my desk works wonder on my hands. I have been using for about a year now at the office and I am liking it. I will be buying a bigger size and will try it as a whole body lotion. It scored 2 overall on EWG with a 5 on Benzyl Alcohol as the ingredient with highest concern.

image: Aveeno Canada

Back to 100% Pure's Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. It scored 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database so it is safe and natural. I have been using it daily for about 3 weeks now. I chose the almond because I really loved the soft scent of Body Shop's Almond Body Butter. And 100% Pure's almost smells the same way. The consistency is thick and I really have high hopes for this product.

It came in easy to squeeze container and is also easy to apply. I must say it really moisturizes my skin. But sadly, only for a few minutes. Maybe it is my skin, maybe it's the pregnancy hormone making my skin really, really dry, maybe it's the weather here in Canada. But I don't think this is the right body moisturizer for me. My skin feels okay after applying it but immediately feels parched after just a few minutes of applying. As if I haven't applied any at all. It's not even winter yet, we are still above the normal fall temperature so I guess I shall stop using this for now and use it again come summer. Hopefully I can write a more favorable review when that time comes.

review: 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon

I am a lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, lip shimmer, lip-whatever-kind-of person. I have tubes of those products that I have only used once or twice. Why do I keep buying? Because.

I don't usually wear make up and the eye brows and lips are the only parts of my face that I can confidently put products on, on a daily basis. If I have something on them, I already feel made up.

And we all know that lip products are either a hit or miss. You have to buy it and try it to truly determine if it's going to work for you (unless you're comfortable on trying the testers at the store). Amongst all those that I have tried, these are the memorable ones:

DuWop Lip Venom (ca 2000):

image: DuWop

The Body Shop's Lipstick (only using it for occasions wherein I have to appear to be truly made up), I forgot the exact shade but it's reallyyy RED:

image: The Body Shop

Skin Food Tomato Jelly Lip Tint (just found out that they are still available up until now!):

image: The Skin Food

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.

image: Kiehl's

All of which I can't seem to find in Skin Deep database. 

And the latest that I have been using for about a year now is the Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Spicy Honey and Black Honey.

image: Clinique

I have also bought Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Strawberry but as usual, didn't work out fine.

image: Clinique

Clinique's Almost Lipstick works fine with me, specially the Spicy Honey. Although Black Honey has a lot of rave reviews, I find it too dark for me for everyday use. But I see it is a good Fall/Autumn shade. 

And since, I have been reading about organic/non toxic products, I decided to try 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze Watermelon,

image: 100% Pure

I ordered it together with the Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream. And came with sample products in sachets: shampoo and 2 other nourishing cream of which I gave to somebody else to try on to. 

I first used it when I attended a wedding. The color is rich and the feel is creamy and non-drying. However, the stain didn't last long and and it clumped on my lips. Again, maybe it's just my lips or pregnancy hormones. Our body chemistry reacts distinctively with each product. It doesn't mean that we'll have the same results so you have to try it yourself to see how it's going to work for you. Given, it didn't deliver the way I have expected it. But I still think it's a keeper and I plan to use it in replacement of the Body Shop Lipstick. I find the shade too festive for everyday use so I will use it on need-to-be-fully-made-up-occasions. I don't want to buy a tamer shade for everyday use because the price is a bit too expensive for me at C$22. 

I have bought 2 lip balm from Burt's Bees last week and I have been using it alternately for days now. I will write a review too after a couple more weeks but I am loving it, I want to buy another shade. At $8 a piece, not bad.

baby stuff: bathing and skin care

You know, sometimes, I get tired of looking into baby stuff? Spending time researching the best products to use, reading all about it, comparing products, debating with myself how far should go ... ? It's exhausting. Though, it's a good thing to know about these and that there are LOTS of sources to be familiar with these health stuff,  I know I can't be a full blast dedicated organic earth friendly person. And I am okay with that. I'll just have to do with what I can do.

One of the baby stuff that recently dived into is the area of skin care. They say the skin is the largest organ so we should be very cautious on what we put on our skin. Well, I think I have been for quite some time. But not really what you call "strictly" into it. I buy products that I believe is less toxic than the others. But I haven't reached the point of researching each ingredient in it or calling the company/manufacturer to really inquire about their ingredients/sources.

There are lots of option for toxic free and baby safe skin care (even for adults), one just have to google. My work friend is teasing me the other day, why don't I just use the regular store bought baby products. Anyway, I won't be able to sustain to keep on using those toxic free products on the baby. I jokingly told her,  I will use the regular products on to the new baby maybe after a year. Maybe by then his young body can handle the toxins. She told me, why not introduce it right away so he can adjust easily? I just smiled.

There are websites that I found credible and those are ones that I constantly consult with, they are in my Useful Links page. I read about their recommendations and ratings. And I would like to believe that they know what they are talking about.

After all that reading and deciding which products to use, the next hurdle is to see if those are available in Canada.

You see, my poor assumption before, is that, Canada and US are like sister countries. And since (almost) everything is available in US, I assume that it is also readily available in Canada. Right? Well, no. Some companies do not have a Canadian store and do not ship products in Canada. But as they say, seek and you shall find. I found Canadian retailers that offer those products that I would like to try. I just compare prices and shipping fees to see which is cheaper.

And below are those products. I got all of them from Well.ca. I got the photos of the products from their respective websites. You can click on the photo and it will redirect you their specific website, if you want more information.

Shampoo and Body Wash

Baby Lotion 

Diaper Cream

Sunscsreen

(will be used on Kid #1, too) 

I also bought sample/travel size of these ones. So that I can see and try why they have good recommendations too. 

Shampoo and Body Wash 

Body Cream

Natural Soap

I am hoping I can do my own review on these products. I have tried "organic" products before (remember, A'kin?), And if I remember it right, they are not really like the regular products that I am accustomed of using. Like they are not that bubbly or soapy as I expected it to be. So, we'll see. But don't expect my reviews to be "scientific". My review will surely be superficial and just in comparison with the regular store products, you know. 

baby stuff: mattress

I am hardly having a good night sleep these past few weeks. We are on our 3rd trimester, that's why. I remember the joy of having slept on my back again after Kid #1 was born. Can't wait.

Talking about sleep, as I have said from my previous post about baby stuff, that it seems rather best to have the baby sleep on the papag and banig. Why? Because the crib mattress is another baby necessity that is stirring up controversy in the "baby products" world.

There has been a study released by Cockrell School Engineers that "Crib Mattresses Emit High Rates of Potentially Harmful Chemicals".

Excerpt:
Analyzing the foam padding in crib mattresses, the team found that the mattresses release significant amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), potentially harmful chemicals also found in household items such as cleaners and scented sprays.

In summary, there are chemicals in the mattress composition (foam, the glue, the covering) that might trigger allergic reactions (lung complications, asthma) or may cause long term effects (hormone disruption) to the baby sleeping on it after inhaling all those fumes.

There is also a theory that SIDS is caused by the toxic chemicals released by conventional crib mattresses. They said that the chemical fumes being inhaled by the baby just shuts the baby's system off and might have causes the SIDS. Read here.

So parents, what to do?

Here's a link on How to Buy Non-Toxic Crib Mattress

And here's another list of Recommended Crib Mattresses

Other suggestion is to air out the new mattress months before the baby uses it (we won't be able to do this anymore).

Or opt to use an old mattress (crib mattress or your own mattress) but be sure that it has no molds as molds are known to eat up chemicals and release toxic gases, increasing the risk of -- you're right -- SIDS.

A New Zealand scientist, Dr. Sprott, have discovered and invented a crib mattress cover -- the BabeSafe® crib mattress cover, which is a non-toxic plastic cover that seals the crib mattress inside resulting of no gas generation occurring in the mattress that can reach the baby.

Of course, we have already bought the mattress before I have read all about this. And here's what we bought.

Simmon's Peaceful Slumber 2-sided Crib Mattress from Sears

Description from the website:

Featuring healthy support with lightweight sleep technology, this two-sided Simmons crib mattress gives growing babies a restful and supported sleep 

Thermo bonded polyester core; Recycled polyester fibres are compression packed for firm and uniform support 

Polyurethane foam free

100% certified organic cotton cover is cool in the summer and warm in the winter; Phthalate and PVC free -- but not necessarily VOC free. There are lots of chemicals that are considered VOC. Not just Phthalate and PVC. There's phosphorus, arsenic and antimony, to name a few.

Innovative two-sided design; one side for baby and one side for toddler for just the right amount of support

I believe it is made in Canada.

We haven't picked it up so I guess we still have time to change our mind because it is not on the "Recommended" list? I don't know. Or should I buy the said mattress cover/protector?

I have talked about this with J and he said that too much reading is giving me more anxiety and more things to worry about.

I guess I still won't be having a good night sleep even after the baby is born.

Non-toxic is toxic

I have been buying stuff for the new baby, and boy, was I in a blur! There are lots of things to consider!!! I didn’t know that when I had my first son (all I know then was BPA and parabens).

I was online shopping and then I saw this ‘organic’ stuff. So I started reading about it.  The more I read about it, the more new words I get to encounter: phthalates, harmful polyester, chemicals in flame retardants, VOC, carcinogen, lead, nickel, chlorine – every and any chemical that might be harmful to a newborn (or humans, that is). In short there are lots of toxic chems that can be found on baby stuff!!!

And if you know me, I am so gullible. If I could only put my first born inside a bubble (BPA Free of course) to protect him, I would. Right then and there I decided to just buy stuff that is only pure and organic and non-toxic. But…… they are expensive.

Trying to find safe and reasonably priced baby products is no easy feat. Why are they making these things so expensive??!!! One could easily shell out $5000 buying non-toxic necessities for a new born, JUST the necessities. This is stressing me out, making me toxic.

Seriously, I admire those families who are really into this. There are a lot of websites and blogs that you can find and read about this stuff. I am no expert here. Just google it and you can spend your entire day reading about it. 

Ideally, in my perfect world, I really wanted to go this way, but in reality, I know that I can’t. We can’t. Even if I buy all those non-toxic stuff for our new baby, it doesn’t end here. I can buy a crib and a mattress for him that is so, so, so very safe. But our bed isn’t. The couch isn’t. Our clothes are not. What about the entire house? Flooring? Paint? It doesn’t start and and end with just the baby things. It has to be all of us, our way of living, our lifestyle.

I will just have to keep on telling myself that, alright, alright, I will exert an effort to buy only good and safe products but I don’t have to stress myself out if I can’t. I just have to be calm and believe that everything is going to be okay the way it was with the previous generations. I mean they don’t know a thing about this before, right? 

top ten toxic products that we don't need - last of 2 parts

after reading this from yahoo! news, how safe can we be?

(contents are all from yahoo! news, summarized and edited to fit my blog)

the top 10 toxic products you don’t need

5. dry-cleaning - the chemical used to do it, perchloroethylene, has been linked to cancer as well as nervous system, kidney, liver and reproductive disorders. EPA studies have found that people who reported visiting a dry-cleaning shop twice as much perc (OR TETRACHLOROETHYLENE OR CHLOROCARBON) in their breath, on average, as other people. EPA also found that levels of perc remained elevated in a home for as long as one week after placing newly dry-cleaned clothes in a closet.

alternative: try wet-clearning, co2 technology or even handwashing.

(OR BUY CLOTHES THAT ARE WASHINE WASHABLE OR THOSE THAT DO NOT REQUIRE DRY CLEANING. TSK, I JUST SENT 5 GOWNS FOR DRY CLEANING AND THEY ARE ALL NOW IN OUR CLOSET)

6. bottled water - bottled water can be just as, or even more, contaminated than tap water. in fact, some bottled water IS tap water - just packaged (in plastic that can leach chemicals into the water) and over-priced. also, from manufacture to disposal, bottled water creates an enormous amount of pollution - making our water even less drinkable.

alternative: Do yourself and the world a favor and invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle and a water filter.

7. rubber duckies - when it's made from PVC - the poison plastic. banned in over 14 countries and the european union, PVC, also known as vinyl, is still legally sold by U.S. retailers although it threatens environmental and consumer health at every stage of its product life cycle, according to the center for health, environment, and justice (CHEJ). when it's in your home, PVC can leach phthalates (linked to hormone disruption) and lead (a potent neurotoxicant) - contaminating air, dust, and eventually you. Go PVC-free by reading packages and avoiding the #3 in the chasing arrows symbol (usually found on the bottom of a product).

(I JUST BOUGHT A BAG MADE OF PVC! WAH!)

8. couch cushions - avoid cushions, pillows, and anything with foam labeled as meeting California TB 117, as it is likely to contain toxic fire retardants. these chemicals migrate from the foam to dust to people. in animal research, these chemicals are associated with cancer, birth defects, thyroid disruption, reproductive and neurological disorders such as hyperactivity and mental retardation.

alternative: look for foam and cushions made with polyester, down, wool, or cotton as they are unlikely to contain toxic fire retardants.

9. perfume and cologne - perfumes and fragrances can consist of hundreds of chemicals. among the chemicals of concern is diethyl phthalate (DEP) that is absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in human fat tissue. Phthalates are suspected carcinogens and hormone disruptors that are increasingly being linked to reproductive disorders. phthalates are claimed as a part of trade secret formulas, and are exempt from federal labeling requirements. find out if products you currently use contain phthalates and find safer ones on Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.

10. oil-based paints and finishes - there are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil-based paint, according to a John Hopkins University study.

alternative: look for water-based options - ideally those that are low- or no-VOC. You could also explore natural finishes like milk paint and vegetable or wax based wood finishes.

.

top 10 toxic products we don't need - first of 2 parts

after reading this from yahoo! news, how safe can we be?
(contents are all from yahoo! news, summarized and edited to fit my blog)

the top 10 toxic products you don’t need

whether there's a warning label or not (usually not), many of the things we buy have associated health risks.

1. air fresheners - most mask odors with a synthetic fragrance or numb the sense of smell with chemical anesthetics. aerosol air fresheners spew out tiny droplets of chemicals that are easily inhaled into the lungs (WE HAVE THIS! BUT I NEVER USE IT. DADDY IS THE ONE WHO USES THIS, SELDOMLY).

alternative: choose natural deodorizers, such as zeolite or baking soda, which contain minerals that absorb odors.

2. drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners - the lye and acids found in cleaners are the most dangerous cleaning products because they burn skin, eyes and internal tissue easily.

alternative: to clean extra-greasy ovens, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda (WHAT IS A WASHING SODA?), add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let soak overnight. next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; and rinse surfaces well

to de-grease and sweeten sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; let bubble for 15 minutes; rinse with hot water. repeat if necessary. this same mixture can be used prior to scrubbing your toilet bowl to deodorize and scour away grime.

3. canned food - food cans are lined with an epoxy resin that contains bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is being linked to hormone disruption, obesity, heart disease, and much more. eden foods is currently the only company with BPA-free canned foods

alternative: opt for fresh, frozen, dried or jarred foods.

4. pesticides: they are extremely toxic. they're made to be. that's how they kill things. pesticides may leave you with another problem - residual poisons that linger on surfaces and contaminate air.

There are so many non-toxic ways to eliminate pests and weeds - next time you need to get on the offense, check out the recommendations at Beyond Pesticides or locally, go to messy bessy.

(MY MIL HAS SENT US A MIXTURE THAT KILLS ROACHES AND ANTS. IT'S SAFE AND EFFECTIVE BECAUSE IT USES, I THINK, BAKING SODA. I'LL ASK DADDY WHAT IS THE FORMULA)
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3rd hand smoke

it's not enough that we, non-smokers, suffer from second-hand smoke. now, there's 3rd hand smoke. i've read it a few months back from reader's digest. now it's on yahoo news.

~o~

When a cigarette burns, nicotine is released in the form of a vapor that collects and condenses on indoor surfaces such as walls, carpeting, drapes and furniture, where it can linger for months, said the study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

"Our study shows that when this residual nicotine reacts with ambient nitrous acid, it forms carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or TSNAs", said Hugo Destaillats, a corresponding author of the study.

"TSNAs are among the most broadly acting and potent carcinogens present in unburned tobacco and tobacco smooke", he said.

The most like human exposure to TSNAs is through either inhalation of dust of the contact of skin with carpet or clothes -- making third-hand smoke particularly dangerous to infants and toddlers.

Opening a window or turning on a fan to air out a room while a cigarette burns does not eliminate the hazard of third-hand smoke. Smoking outdoors doesn't help much either.

"Smoking outside is better than smoking indoors but nicotine residues will stick to a smoker's skin and clothing", said Lara Gunder, a co-author of the study.

"Those residues follow a smoker back inside and get spred everywhere. The biggest rish is to young children", he said.

"Dermal uptake of the nicotine through a child's skin is likely to occur when the smoker returns and if nitrous acid is in the air, which it usually is, then TSNAs will be formed."

Substantial levels of TSNAs were also found in the truch of a heavy smoker, the study s ays, adding that most-vehicle engines emit some nitrous acid that can infiltrate the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory led the study, which they say, is the first to quantify the reactions of third-hand smoke with nitrous acid.

-- sourced from Yahoo!Health

~o~

honestly, minsan i'd like to put aquim na inside a bubble ball. hay. jason and i don't smoke. but we live in an apartment and our next door neighbor smokes. that's why nga our house is always close nowadays. it triggers his asthma attacks. both his lolos smoke. not while aquim is around, but if this study is true, then it affects aquim din pala. kaya pala feeling ko nagsmoke pa rin ang ang mga smokers kahit tapos na sila mag smoke.

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