Pizza Sauce

This is soooo good and easy!

I just made my own pizza sauce because when I went to the pantry there was no "already made for me pizza sauce."  I thought oops, but now I am really grateful.  :-)  And we needed a quick quick dinner.

Anyway, this was soooo easy I had to share...

Pizza Sauce
12 oz bionature organic strained tomatoes in glass (homegrown and home canned is great too)
1 6oz bionature organic tomato paste
1/4 cup chicken broth (homemade always)
Couple dashes of organic dehydrated onion (or fresh onion if you like it)
1 tsp organic brown sugar
1/2 tsp organic basil
1/2 tsp organic oregano
1/2 tsp organic parsley flakes
1/4 tsp organic garlic powder
Sea salt to taste

I put all of this in the jumbo sized cup that came with our Bullet blender and blended!  Viola!!  Yummy pizza sauce!!  And freeze what you don't use in a glass jar.

Then we used Organic 365 tortilla shells (whole wheat and white), or Food for Life Sprouted Tortilla shells, Applegate pepperoni and organic mozzarella cheese (buy the chunk and shred it yourself).  Place one tortilla shell on a hot griddle top with sauce, cheese and meat (and normally veggies) cook until golden brown and then flip so the other side is also golden brown (I use a plate for easy flipping).  Cut into wedges with a pizza cutter and that was our quick quick dinner.  Enjoy!

Food Storage

Ok.

Everything in my house, that has the numbers on the bottom of 3, 6, 7, or shows no number....is in a large shopping bag.  WOW!!  That a lot of stuff!  What am I going to do with that shopping bag full of bad plastics?....I am not quite sure yet.  :-)

I am cleaning and using spaghetti jars and baby food jars for my storage and even our new "funky" drinking glasses!!

Today, I am heading to Wal-Mart to buy the kids new sippy cups.  Ones that say "No BPA."  Luckily a few of the sippy cups we have are ok, but the majority of them have no numbers and no info etched on the bottom and they are out of here!! 

I also checked the kids plates and some were a number 5, the rest of the plates...bye bye.

Good bye plastics and hello GLASS!!

I am going to email Pyrex to make sure about their storage lids.  Pyrex storage lids are BPA free!!!  YAY!!!

And I am waiting to hear back about Tupperware products too.

FYI...all Thermos products have been BPA free since 2009!!  Good for you Thermos!!!  That's why I LOVE Thermos brand!  Especially their cold beverage bottles, we have 6 in our house!!  This cuts down on plastic bottles and it keeps our drinking cold all day.  Good stuff!

Food Storage

I am going to further do some research on dish washing and the plastics (in a dishwasher). 

I want to know if not using the high temperature wash settings helps (does less or no BPA leech out if washed at the lower temperature setting).  I have always been a "HIGH TEMP dishwasher setting girl."  I want to boil those germs and food off of my dishes.  I actually feel like hand washed dishes don't get the boil bath that I want them to have (though sometimes there are little particles of food left on the dishes...but hey they were boiled, right?  So, they are clean, germ free food particles...right???  LOL

I will get back to you on this.

Can you tell I am NOT loving handing washing my plastics.  And after I finished the blog on Food Storage and looked around my house...I have a LOT of plastic in my house!!!!

Whole Foods

Just a note that I want to make clear...when shopping at Whole Foods, try to stick to the brand that is made exclusively for Whole Foods...365.  The prices are great and I LOVE everything that I have bought from the 365 line!

Whole Foods-Heaven

If Heaven has a grocery store....I hope that it is a Whole Foods.  ;-)

Why I LOVE Whole Foods...Let me count the ways. :-)

I continually bug my friend Lynda with questions.  Questions about...is this product clean...is this product safe.  I asked her the other day if there was somewhere I could go to get this info.  She referred me to Whole Foods website http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/.  So, I just visited their web site (AWESOME recipes on there by the way) and found the following information. 

(My "lover of Excel brain" is going to create a spreadsheet that all you have to do is type in the name of the ingredient you are looking for to see if the ingredient is on WF unacceptable list.  Email me if you are interested in receiving the Excel file.  kboughman@sbcglobal.net )  Now, there is no more wondering...is this OK to buy?...I have the list of no no ingredients to follow.

We cannot depend on the Cosmetic Database http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/, they do not keep their database current and they combine natural/essential oils/fragrances with the artificial/synthetic fragrances, which GREATLY skews data.  You can still use it but research the fragrances first.  For example, Burt's Bees mostly uses essential oils for their fragrances but the Cosmetic Database lumps synthetic with the essential oils, so Burt's has some pretty bad numbers, which are not true numbers.  Make sense?

See below....see why I LOOOOVE Whole Foods...


Unacceptable Ingredients for Food

Generated on September 8, 2010
 The following list contains ingredients that Whole Foods Market finds unacceptable in food products.  (We reserve the right to change this list at any time. Please note that creating a product with no unacceptable ingredients does not guarantee that Whole Foods Market will sell it. This list is intended for illustrative purposes only. If you are interested in selling your product to Whole Foods Market, please contact a WFM buyer.)


acesulfame-K (acesulfame potassium)
acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides
ammonium chloride
artificial color
artificial flavors
aspartame
azodicarbonamide
benzoates in food
benzoyl peroxide
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
bleached flour
bromated flour
brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
calcium bromate
calcium disodium EDTA
calcium peroxide
calcium propionate
calcium saccharin
calcium sorbate
calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
caprocaprylobehenin.
certified colors
cyclamates
cysteine (l-cysteine), as an additive for bread products
DATEM (Diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono and diglycerides)
dimethylpolysiloxane
dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)
disodium calcium EDTA
disodium dihydrogen EDTA
disodium guanylate
disodium inosinate
EDTA
ethyl vanillin
ethylene oxide
ethyoxyquin
FD & C colors
foie gras
GMP (disodium guanylate)
hexa-, hepta- and octa-esters of sucrose
hydrogenated fats
IMP (disodium inosinate)
irradiated foods
lactylated esters of mono- and diglycerides
lead soldered cans
methyl silicon
methylparaben
microparticularized whey protein derived fat substitute
monosodium glutamate (MSG)
natamyacin
nitrates/nitrites
partially hydrogenated oil
polydextrose
potassium benzoate
potassium bisulfite
potassium bromate
potassium metabisulfite
potassium sorbate
propionates
propyl gallate
propylparaben
saccharin
sodium aluminum phosphate
sodium aluminum sulfate
sodium benzoate
sodium bisulfite
sodium diacetate
sodium glutamate
sodium nitrate/nitrite
sodium propionate
sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
sodium sulfite
solvent extracted oils, as standalone single-ingredient oils (except grapeseed oil).
sorbic acid
sucralose
sucroglycerides
sucrose polyester
sulfites (sulfur dioxide)
TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)
tetrasodium EDTA
vanillin
(82 ways.  LOL)


OK, now for our body care products....hold on to your hat....
Whole Foods Market - Quality Standards



Unacceptable Ingredients to Premium Body Care
Generated on September 8, 2010
 C12-15 alkyl lactate

1,2 hexanediol

AA2G-Ascorbyl Glucoside

acetamide MEA

acrylates copolymer

acrylic acid/vp crosspolymer

aerosol sprays

AHAs

alcloxa

aldioxa

alkyl benzoate

alkyldimethylamine oxide

alpha arbutin

alpha hydroxy acids

aluminum glycinate

aluminum hydroxide

aluminum oxide

aluminum powder

amino-guanadine

aminomethyl propanol

Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate

ammonia

ammonium alum

ammonium laureth sulfate

ammonium lauryl sulfate

ammonium polacrylate

ammonium xylene sulfonate

AMP

Aqualance

artificial colors
Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate
atelocollagen
avobenzone
babassuamidopropalkonium chloride
behenalkonium chloride
behenamidopropyl hydroxyethyl dimonium chloride
behenoxy dimethicone
behentrimonium methosulfate
benzalkonium chloride
benzethonium chloride
benzophenone
benzyl PCA
betaine
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
Bis Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl
Dimer Dilinoleate
bismuth oxychloride
Blue WS 1430
boron nitride
Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
bronopol
bumetrizole
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
butylene glycol
butylene/ethylene/styrene copolymer
butylparaben
Butylphenyl methylpropianol
C 11-15 Pareth 12
C 12-14 Olefin Sulfonate
C 12-15 Alkyl benzoate
C 12-15 Alkyl octanoate
C 13-14 Isoparaffin
C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
C18-38 alkyl hydroxystearol stearate
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate Silica
capryl isostearate
carbomer
Carbowax (see polyethylene glycol)
carmine
castor oil/IPDI copolymer
Castoryl maleate
CDE (see cocomide DEA)
ceramide 2, 3
ceresin
certified colors
ceteareth 2 ¿ 100
ceteareth 5 - 20
Cetearyl Ethylhexanote
cetearyl isononanoate
cetearyl methicone
Ceteth -20 Phosphate
cetrimonium bromide
cetrimonium chloride
cetyl betaine
Cetylpyridinium Chloride
chlorphenesin
Chromaveil
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride
cocamide betaine
Cocamide DEA
Cocamide MEA
cocamide MIPA
cocamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride
cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate
Cocamidopropylamine Oxide
cocamine oxide
cochineal
coco betaine
coco phosphatidyl pg-dimonium chloride
Cocoamphocarboxyglycinate
Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice
Protein
colloidal anhydrous silica
colloidal minerals
colloidal silver
Copolymer
Copper disodium EDTA
corn glycol
Cyclomethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
cyclotetrasiloxane
diazolidinyl urea
dicaprylyl carbonate
dicaprylyl ether
dicetyldimonium chloride
diethanolamine (DEA)
dihydroxyacetone
diisopropyl dimerate
Diisostearyl Malate
dimethicone copolyol
dimethicone crosspolymer-3
Dimethicone glycereth-2 cocoate
dimethyl capramide
Dimethyl oxobenzo dioasilane
Dimethyl Phenyl 2-Butanol
dimethylpolysiloxane
dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)
dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline
Dipentaerythrityl
dipetaerythrityl
hexahydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate
dipolyhydroxystearate
dipropylene glycol
disodium EDTA
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate
disodium oleamido succinate
Distarch Phospate Acetate
distearate 75
Disteardimonium Hectoride
DMDM hydantoin
EDTA
EGMS
emu oil
Equine oil
ethoxydiglycol
ethoxydiglycol oleate
ethyl acetate
ethyl diglycol (see polyethylene glycol)
ethyl methoxycinnamate
ethyl vanillin
Ethyl Vanillin
ethylene glycol
Ethylhexyl isononanoate
Ethylyhexyl Salicylate
FD & C colors
fragrance, synthetic (botanical fragrance, parfum, etc.)
Fullerenes
gelatin
germaben
germall
Glycereth-2 cocoate
Glycereth-26
glycereth-7 cocoate
Glyceryl
(tetradecanoate/hexadecanoate/octadecanoate/rici
noleate/eicosadioate)
glyceryl isostearate
glyceryl polyacrylate
Glyceryl rosinate
glycolic acid
Guaiazulene
Hexadecanol
Hexadecyl Isononanoate
Hexahydroxystearate/ Hexastearate/Hexarosinate
hexyl laurate
hexylene glycol
homosalate
human placental protein
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl
Silanetriol
hydroquinone
hydrotalcite
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl
Taurate Copolymer
Hydroxyethyl Soyamide
Hydroxyethyl urea
Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane
imidazolidinyl urea
iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
IPDI
Iselux LQ
Isobutane
Isoceteth-20
isocetyl isostearate
Isocetyl Stearate
Isododecane
Isohexadecane
Isononyl Isononanoate
Isopentane
isopentyldiol
isopropyl methylphenol
isopropyl myristate
Isopropyl phenyl dimethicone
Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate
Isostearyl Isostearate
kojic acid
lactamidopropyl trimonium chloride
lactic acid
Lauramide MEA
Laureth-7
laurethsulfosuccinate
Lauryl Amidopropyl Betaine
lauryl glucoside betaine
Lumiskin
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Magnesium Myristate
MEA-containing ingredients
Melanin
methoxycinnamate
Methyl Gluceth-10
methyl glyceth-20
methyl glycol
methyl nicotinate
Methyl Propanediol
methyl rapeseed extract
Methyl soyate
methylchloroisothiazolinone
methylisothiazolinone
methylparaben
methylsilanol mannuronate
microcrystalline wax
mineral oil
myristic acid
myristyl alcohol
myristyl ether sulfate
Myristyl Lactate
myristyl myristate
nanotechnology ingredients
nitrocellulose
nonoxynol 10
Nylon-12
octadecanol
octinoxate
octisalate
octocrylene
Octyl dimethyl PABA
Octyl Dodecyl Neopentanoate
octyl methoxycinnamate
Octyldecanol
Octyldodecanol
Oleamidopropyl dimethylamine
Olefin Sulfonate
oleth (2-50)
oleth-20
oleth-3-phosphate
oleyl betaine
Oleyl Oleate
oxybenzone
P-phenylenediamine
PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid
panthenyl ethyl ether
panthenyl triacetate
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (see PABA)
parabens
paraphenylenediamine
parfum
parsol
PCA-ethyl cocoyl arginate
pearl powder
PEG (see polyethylene glycol)
PEG 35 (stearate) castor oil
PEG-10 Sunflower Glycerides
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
PEG-150 distearate
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate
PEG-20, 100 stearate
PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Peg-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric glycerides
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
PEG/PPG-20/15 dimethicone
pentaerythrityl distearate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl
Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl
Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
pentaerythrityl tetrastearate
Pentasodium Pentetate
pentylene glycol
petrolatum
phenyl-butyl-nitrate
phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid
Phenylpropanol
phenyltrimethicone
phthalate
placental protein
polaxamer 335
polyacrylamide
Polyacrylate-13
Polybutene
Polydecene
Polyethylene
polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Polyglyceryl -10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
polyglyceryl -2 dipolyhydroxystearate
Polyglyceryl Methacrylate
polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
polyglyceryl-3 stearate
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
polyimide 1
polyisobutene
polypropylene glycol
Polyquaternium 7, 10, 11
Polyquaternium-51
polysilicone-11, -15
Polyurethane-14
polyvinylpyrrolidone
potassium alum
Potassium C12-13 Alkyl Phosphate
potassium iodide
Potassium Myristate
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
PPG-15 stearyl ether
PPG-30
propanediol
Propyl Gallate
propylene carbonate
propylene glycol
propylene glycol alginate
Propylheptyl Caprylate
propylparaben
Providone (see polyvinylpyrrolidone)
PTFE (teflon)
pvp/eicosene copolymer
pvp/va copolymer
quaternium-15
quaternium-18
Ricinoleylpropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
salicylic acid
Silanetriol
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
silica silylate
silver citrate
simethicone
soapstone (see talc)
sodium acrylate
sodium bisulfite
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
sodium cetearyl sulfate
Sodium coco-sulfate
sodium cocoyl sulfate
Sodium Erythorbate
Sodium fluoride
sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
sodium isostearoyl lactylate
sodium laureth sulfate
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Sodium Lauryl Glucosideoxyacetate
sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
Sodium metabisulfite
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate
sodium myreth sulfate
Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
sodium polyacrylate
Sodium sulfate
sodium sulfite
Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
sorbitan isostearate
soyamide DEA
soyamidopropalkonium chloride
squalane
stearamidopropyl dimethyl amine
Steardimonium
Steardimonium Chloride
steareth-2, 20, 21, 100 etc
Stearoxytrimethylsilane
styrene-pvp copolymer
Styrene/acrylates copolymer
Sulfated Castor Oil
Synthetic Beeswax
synthetic fragrance
Synthetic Wax
talc
tallow
TEA-Carbomer
TEA-Lauryl Sulfate
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine
tetrasodium EDTA
Thiotic Acid
tin oxide
Tri Alkyl Citrate
tribehenin
Triclosan
Trideceth-12
Tridecyl Neopentanoate
tridecyl salicylate
triethanolamine (TEA)
triethoxycarpylysilane

Triethylhexanoin

Trihydroxystearin
trimethylsiloxysilicate
trisodium EDTA (see tetrasodium EDTA)

Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate

tromethamine stearate
tropolone
Ultramarines
urea
vanillin
Vanillyl Butyl Ether
Water Caprolactam/VP/Dimethylaminoethyl
Methacrylate Copolymer
Wheat germamidopropyl betaine
Wheatgermamidopropyl Dimethylamine
willow bark extract
Zinc pyrithione
(423 ways. LOL)

For the Cliff Notes version that you can print and cut out go to http://www.ewg.org/files/EWG_cosmeticsguide.pdf 

Food Storage

I have to get a bit technical for a minute...bare with me.  :-)

Definition-Bisphenol A, commonly abbreviated as BPA, is an organic compound with two phenol functional groups used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, along with other applications. 
Known to be estrogenic since the mid 1930s, concerns about the use of bisphenol A in consumer products were regularly reported in the news media in 2008 after several governments issued reports questioning its safety, thus prompting some retailers to remove products containing it from their shelves. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raised further concerns regarding exposure of fetuses, infants, and young children.[1]


Ok, now for the results of what high exposure to BPA may do to you or your kids...
cause obesity
cause negative effects on fetal and infant brain development and behavior
alter memory
alter learning
alter mood
ADHD
alter thyroid function
increase risk of cancer
alter breast development
increase breast cancer risk
may reduce sensitivity to chemotherapy treatment of specific tumors
increase in prostrate cancer
increase heart disease in women
preeclampsia
miscarriage
premature labor
colon problems
enhances allergic sensitization
bronchial inflammation (asthma)
heart disease
diabetes


So...in a nutshell...you get it...BPA can be BAD STUFF!!


Now...where do we find BPA.  Hold onto your hat.  BPA is found in...
the plastic lining inside canned foods
polycarbonate plastics, especially those that are cleaned with harsh detergents or used to contain acidic or high-temperature liquids (Plastics 3, 6, 7)
canned soft drinks
in our air
through skin absorption
thermal paper (paper found in adding machines, cash registers, and credit card terminals, airline tickets, event and cinema tickets, certain labels)
carbonless copy paper (like in your check book or some hand written receipt paper)
infant liquid formula (BPA was rarely found in infant powder formula)
formula fed in polycarbonate bottles (must use glass bottles with baby formula!!!)
pacifiers
our kids sippy cups, plates and utensils


How you can you lower your exposure to BPA???
Avoid all canned food (frozen is better for you anyway)
Avoid polycarbonate plastic (any plastic labeled on the bottom with "Other, 3, 6, or 7")
Do not microwave in plastic containers
Do not freeze liquids or foods in plastic containers (or at least when food or liquid is hot)
Avoid putting plastics in your dishwasher
Buy General Mills organic brand of canned tomatoes "Muir Glen"


If you Google BPA, you will see there is some controversay.  But from the reaseach I have done, there is way more research that shows BPA is bad.  So, we are trying everything we can to stay away from it.  I think frozen fruits and veggies taste better than canned anyway.  Or shop for your foods and beverages in glass containers.  I have always thought things taste better in glass rather than in a can anyway, don't you?


I LOVE Pyrex!!  I have been slowly transforming my food storage cabinet into glass food storage for a while now.  After researching this, I think the "slowly" will become an "immediate" final transforming of the food storage cabinet.  You can buy Pyrex very reasonably priced at Wal-Mart and in all shapes and sizes.


You do understand that I am not saying "GET rid of all of your plastic containers!"....right??  I am saying stay away from as many canned foods and drinks that you can and any plastic containers with the recycling code of "Other, 3, 6 or 7."  And please don't microwave or freeze foods or beverages in plastic.  If you have to freeze and use plastic, the plastic MUST be made with Plastics 1, 2, 4 or 5 and allow the food you are putting in the plastic container to cool first before placing the food into the plastic storage container.  And hand wash plastics only!!


There is controversary when it comes to the plastic containers that say they are safe to be microwaved or frozen in.  "Microwave safe" may just mean the item won't melt in the microwave, not that it is "safe."  I am done all together with plastics when it comes to the microwave.  And since I am not a fan of hand washing....it looks like I am only keeping my tupperware (for food storage not cooking or freezing) items and hand washing them...the rest of my plastics...SEE YA'!  In the past, if I stored food in a plastic container, I would transfer it to a glass container before reheating anyway.  So...why not just put the food in the glass container in the first place??


Ironic thought......Maybe if we would not have had this shift to plastics, Ball Corp and Kerr would still be in business!  Just a thought!  Think of the number of jobs that were lost.  If we take action, we may see these businesses open their doors again!  How cool would that be?!

wowgreen!!

I am in LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For years, I have had these tiny little bumps on the outsides of my arms (bicep area and around the back of my arms).  I never knew what they were.....they were just.....always there!

I have been using wowgreen laundry detergent for a few weeks now and GUESS WHAT I discovered this wonderful morning???

The tiny bumps, that I have come to accept in my life............ ARE GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     YAY!!!

The detergent is really amazing.  We have a HE washing machine.  One bottle of wowgreen laundry detergent will do 128 loads (64 loads in a regular washing machine)!  That is crazy!!  You use 1/2 oz per each load of laundry.  The cost is around $0.18 per load in a HE washing machine and around $0.36 per load in a regular washing machine.  And you don't use softener with the wowgreen detergent!  That saves us a ton of money right there!!

My detergent history......
Many years ago I had to stop using Tide.  Every time I would do laundry and then wear the clothes right after washing, I would get a rash and itch.  So, I changed to a different detergent and things got better.

Then after a few months the same things started happening again.  If I wore clothes that had been washed a few weeks ago, it was better, but if I wore clothes that were fresh out of the dryer I would itch like crazy.  I did some research and found out that scented Downy has fiberglass in it.  So, when I put my shirt on and my back started to itch, it was the fiberglass pressing on my skin.  FIBERGLASS!!  Are you kidding me?  It felt the exact same way it felt when I has a kid and would help my grandpa up in the attic with all the pink panther insulation to keep us warm.  I don't think that should be in our detergent, that we use on our clothes that we wear on our skin every day.  Do you??

So, in a nut shell..................I LOVE wowgreen laundry detergent!!! 

Check out my wowgreen website at www.wowgreen.net/147848

If you don't detergent from wowgreen please find a safer detergent than the one you are currently using.  :-)

Getting Personal

I am feeling a little sentimental right now.

I love my boys so much.  When I look at their pictures I feel like I am in a dream.  I don't want to wake up if I am dreaming.  Being a mom is the best thing I have ever experienced.

E and T, mommy loves you forever.  (Even on those days when I seem a little grumpy.  :-) )

Candles and Air Fresheners-anything with a scent

Well, I will be honest.  For many of you this post will make you very sad.  For some of you this post will make you mad.  But....here we go.

Candles, air fresheners, plug ins, anything that is made with artificial or synthetic fragrance is very very very bad.  There is a lot of evidence that artificial fragrances are related to a lot of problems including headaches, nausea and prepare yourself....birth defects.

Let me explain.  Artificial fragrances are made up of phthalates.  Phthalates are actually chemicals that are used when scientists are working with plastics and chemicals.  WHAT?!?  This stuff is in my favorite candle!!

Phthalates "are present in every synthetic fragrance and are linked to a variety of serious health disorders, including severe allergies, asthma and even cancer.  Phthalates give off volatile organic compounds, known as VOC's, which are also found in vapors emitted from products like toxic solvents, wood preservatives, pain strippers and dry-cleaning chemicals (Green Babies Sages Moms, Lynda Fassa pg 53).  There are also studies linking the phthalates to childhood obesity.

Lynda's book goes much more into detail about VOC's....basically....THEY ARE BAD!!!!!

Phthalates are found in many items like, hair spray, deodorant, nail polish and perfume.

Here is the kicker....this is what REALLY caught my attention.  When it comes to our kids...."in the medical journal Environmental Health Perspectives researchers found a link between premature breast development in young girls (under the age of 9) and phthalates in the bloodstream......The phthalates we have identified have been classified as endocrine disruptor's."  Which would explain why our girls keep developing at an earlier and earlier stage of life. 

"A study by the Harvard University School of Public Health found a link between sperm damage and monoethyl phthalate, a compound used to maintain the color and scent in many cosmetic items such as perfumes, colognes and hair spray."  Which explains why infertility seems to be on the rise. 

Remember, when we look at the labels to find the word phthalate....we won't find it.  Makers of such products are not required to disclose this info. Go to www.nottoopretty.com for a list of cosmetics and fragrances and a system that grades the toxicity levels. 

Lynda gives a list of some clean and healthy alternatives that will still make you smell all so pretty.
www.kuumbamade.com  (I have bought these at Whole Foods and they smell great.  Don't buy any musk scents.  They are made with synthetic fragrances.)
www.sunrosearomatics.com
www.homespaorganics.com
Revlon and L'Oreal have some phthalate-free products
Aveda products
The Body Shop
Essential oils are the best (Organic essentials oils are the very best)

See my deodorant post for the 2 deodorants I use that are phthalate free (the crystal and Tom's of Maine).  Lynda also suggests the Green Salt Stick, Desert Essence and Weleda for your deodorant choices.  I bought my Tom's of Main Deodorant at Wal-Mart south.  (See Deodorant post for more in depth info.)

Plus, I have always heard that the aluminum in the anti-perspirant of deodorant is very bad.  Researchers are trying to tie aluminum in anti-perspirant deodorant to breast cancer. 

Now for the candles and air fresheners. 
Candles-metal wicks....very bad.  Some wicks have a lead core, which when burning is very dangerous (obviously, lead should not be in the air we are breathing).  The fragrance, if synthetic will be filling your home, office wherever you are with phthalates!  The wax in the candles is made of paraffin which is made from petroleum which releases carcinogenic toxins into the air you and your family are breathing.

"Experts from the American Lung Association say that candles are fast becoming one of the most common unrecognized causes of poor indoor-air quality."  "According to Jerome O Nriagu, PhD, a professor of environmental chemistry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, burning as little as four metal-wick candles for two hours can result in airborne lead concentrations that pose a distinct and direct threat to human health."  NOT GOOD!!

What can you buy???

Beeswax candles- (make sure it is 100% beeswax) Whole Foods sells a rockin brand called tru melange www.trumelange.com which are scented with 100% pure essential oils and made in the USA.  Another clean line of good beeswax candles is from Bluecorn Naturals candles. www.beeswaxcandles.com 

Diffuser-you can buy a good diffuser for $20.00 and then buy your essential oils to use with the diffuser.  I have one in my bathroom and I love it for smaller rooms. 

Nebulizer-I bought a nebulizer with my birthday money online and I buy my essential oils at Whole Foods (the nebulizer was pricey.)  Right now I have spearrmint in mine.  Yummy!

Soy candles.  But you still have to check your labels!!  Some candles are still being made with synthetic fragrances.  Always read your labels, do your research and ask questions. 

I am pretty passionate about this one....especially when it comes to my 2 boys and their health.

In a nut shell......essential oils are the best in everything you buy....organic essential oils are the very very best!!!!!  Stay away from synthetic and artificial fragrances (which is most of the things we buy everyday).  No aerosol sprays.  I would rather you and your house stink than harm you and your children's health.  Just being honest.

Hair Spray

Well....here it goes....I am making my own hairspray as I type.  :-)
Taken from http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/prom-hair.html

1 orange or lemon (I picked orange because lemon can sometime dry out your hair)
2 cups of boiling water
Strainer
Knife
Coffee filter
1 bottle (I bought a small spray glass bottle from Whole Foods for $2)

Peel and cut the orange or lemon into wedges.  Place into 2 cups of boiling water.  Start your timer and let the orange boil in the water for 8 minutes.  You want to stop when you have 1 cup of water left in the pan.  Allow liquid to cool in pan and then strain in a colander first and then again in a colander lined with a coffee filter, allowing it to drip into a bowl. 

Carefully pour into your spray bottle of choice.

You have to store this hair spray in the refrigerator, which is kind of funny.  It will last 1 week in the refrigerator.  To make it last 2 weeks add 1 tbsp of rubbing alcohol. 

My house smells wonderful.  Yum!

Check back later to see how it works on my frizzy hair.  :-)

Ok, so this recipe seems to be a "light hold" hair spray.  I have to do more research for my curls.  I have always had to buy the "extra hold" hairsprays.  I will post when I find more info.  :-)

**Sad to say...I gave up and now I buy my hairspray from Whole Foods.  :-)

Products In My House

Here's a list of what we buy..........

Shower
365 Shampoo (Whole Foods) $4.99 for 32 oz.
365 Conditioner (Same)
365 Body Wash (Same)
Dr. Bronners Shaving Soap Gel USDA Organic (Target)
Burt's Bees Bar Soap Milk and Shea Butter (Wal-Mart North or Target)
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Body Wash (Wal-Mart North or Target)
Burt's Bees Bubble Bath (Target)
(Still using up Arbonne face wash)

Toiletries
Tom's Deodorant Apricot and Unscented (Wal-Mart South) 2.25oz
Crystal Body Deodorant Stick (Whole Foods)  $6.99 last a year
Baby Bees Buttermilk Lotion for Kids
365 Unscented Lotion (Whole Foods) $4.99 for 32 oz (great to use in a lotion dispenser)
365 Herbal Mint Lotion (Whole Foods) $4.99 for 32 oz (too thick for a lotion dispenser)
Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme (Wal-Mart North)
Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser (Target)
Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Cream
Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer Clear Color
Burt's Bees Radiance SPF 15 Day Lotion (Target) 2.0oz

Tom's of Main Toothpaste Peppermint (Target) 5.2oz
Tom's of Main Toothpaste for Kids Strawberry (Target) 4oz
Burt's Bees Acne Solution (Target)
Orly fingernail polish (Sally's)
I will be trying an apple cider vinegar toner solution shortly (Thanks MK!)

Cosmetics
Mineral Fusion Mineral Powder (Whole Foods or on line)
Mineral Fusion Mascara
Mineral Fusion Cheek color
Mineral Fusion Eyeliner
Mineral Fusion Eye color

Miscellaneous
Dreft stain remover (will soon be replaced with wowgreen fabric pre-wash)
And of course there are a few items of other brands that I do not promote using that I am using up.  :-(

Products I still need to research...
Marrakesh Oil (sounds like I may be able to use Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil here.  Thank you MK!)
A safe hand soap-this is coming from wowgreen!!!!!
A safe hair gel-I am hoping that my new organic unrefined coconut oil is going to be my fix here!
A safe, deep conditioner
A safe hairspray

I am going to make my own hairspray next week (or least that is my goal)!    From oranges!!

Babies and Kids

This is an area, I get really fired up about!!  And I am going all out on this topic!!  If I come up missing you know that the big companies have made me and my blog disappear!!

I, like everyone else (practically that I know, with the exception of a few of you) have used Johnson and Johnson products since my babies were in the hospital as newborns.  Then, one day I hear, something about Johnson and Johnson having chemicals in their products that are actually harmful to my kids (thank you JV).  WHAT!!!!!  The company that I have trusted, is actually HURTING my babies!!!!!!!?????  Ticked would not be an adequate way to describe how I felt.  So.......the research began.

The book Green Babies Sage Moms changed my life (thank you JB and JG).  I mean CHANGED my life.  You HAVE to buy this book.  The author is the real deal.  Her name is Lynda Fassa and she is actually someone I call my friend.  I message her through Face Book and I have asked her 1000 questions and she answers every single one of them in detail.  She is an amazing woman.

Anyway, when I bought her book, I skipped straight to page 24...."How cosmetics and skin-care products may affect your developing baby."  Keep in mind this book is written, that we are supposed to read it the first time when we are "thinking" about getting pregnant.  For me, not the case.  My 2 babies were already here...born...breathing....healthy.....how, I ask??.....when I realized all the crap I put into and on my body while I was pregnant?!?!  A healthy baby is already a huge miracle, but to learn all the things I did while I was pregnant that were highly unacceptable...well let's just say I am a FIRM believer now (as if I wasn't before) that my boys are miracles for sure!!!

We only buy Burt's Baby Bee products for the kids.  ONLY!!!!  I am sure there are others out there that are ok.....BUT do your research before you buy.

Method Baby at Target says it is natural and clean....it is not!
Johnson and Johnson is supposed to be a trusted name....it is not!  I really don't like putting formaldehyde on my children.
Earth's Best says it is natural and organic...it is not USDA approved organic.

Just do your research before you buy.  I have not researched everything but I do know that Burt's Bee's Baby line is one of the cleanest....so that is what we buy.  And I am still reseaching.  :-)

Remember if you research through the cosmetic database, they do not separate artificial and natural fragrances when they rate products.  Burt's Bee's baby line is all natural fragrances.  They are working on the adult line to make it just as clean.

Ingredients to STAY AWAY FROM!!!!
Any paraben
methylparaben
propylparaben
ethylparaben
butylparaben
FD&C
D&C

Also, check out Burt's Bees website.  They have a guide that is a MUST read.    www.burtsbees.com  or http://www.burtsbees.com/wcsstore/Bee2C/upload/cmsimages/BurtsBeesGuidetoWellBeing.pdf for the guide.

More to come on the ingredients to stay away from!

wowgreen!!

I am in LOVE.

WowGreen cleaning products are AWESOME!!!

So far I have used the carpet cleaner (it removed black sharpie from our cream carpet upstairs!!), the laundry detergent (you don't have to use softener!!  and your clothes are SOFT!!), the all purpose cleaner and the glass cleaner.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!! 

I will continue to post more on wowgreen as I use the products.

I LOVE wowGreen sooooo much, I signed up to be a distributor.  You can get the products shipped right to your house!!  www.wowgreen.net/147848 and fill out my id # as 147848  Happy shopping for clean and GREEN cleaning products!!!


Product List
Super stain remover-removes clothing stains, carpet stains, permanent marker, ballpoint pen, grease and oil, spray paints, graffiti, tire marks, black heel marks, printer ink, restores blackboards, nail polish, hair dye and so many more stains!
Floor Cleaner-clean base.  restore your floors natural shine and remove unsightly dirt and dust, all with one rinse-free application.
Toilet bowl-wipe out.  clean and remove unsightly stains.
Dishwasher detergent-coming soon
Stain pen-write on.  spot remove any accidental stains from fabric.
Wood and Dust-natural shine.  restore the natural luster of wood surfaces.
All purpose-whole house. free your home of dust and dirt. 
Fabric pre-wash-first step. spray on fabric stains before they set or in-between washes.
Laundry detergent-clean machine. remove the everyday stains and odors from your favorite clothing items.  designed to work in all types of washers--even high efficiency.
Hand Dish Soap-hands on.  gently and effectively loosen and remove the grease and grime from your dishes and all kitchen and cooking utensils.
Glass and Stainless-see clearly.  provide your windows and stainless steel items with a sparkling shine.
Carpet and Upholstery-spot on.  spray spot-cleaner to remove those unfortunate spills and splatters.
Tile and Bath-clean up.  remove the mold, mildew and build-up plaguing most bathrooms
WowGo-FEEL the WOW, WOWGO - (1) 750ml bottle. WOWGO is the first and only beverage to be able to harness the effects of blue-green algae/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (AFA) and Phenylethylamine (PEA) with a proprietary super Fruit concentrate in a shelf stable beverage,

Recycling

Ok, now we are on a topic that many of you know is VERY near and dear to my heart.   RECYCLING!!!!

Many of you will first think...."I don't have time to recycle!"  But think of it as one step at a time.  Just pick one thing that you want to recycle and start there.  Build up to recycling more as time goes by and you realize how easy recycling is.

1st Let me say, I don't have it easy where I live.  We do not have recycling pick up along with our garbage pickup.  We had to get creative.

So, at first I was bugging my friends (you know who you are....thank you!!!) and taking my blue plastic bags full of recycling to their house the day before their trash and recycling was picked up.  Crazy I know.  A lot of work....I know....but worth it.  Then during a bible study, a friend revealed to me what happens when you put your blue bag in your trash can along with your other trash.  She had taken a tour of where her recycling goes and was quite disappointed.  If a blue bag came open, there was no effort to recycle those items that fell out, they were just placed with the garbage.  So, she did her research and found the Muncie Mission.  The Muncie Mission accepts all recycling except for plastics.

So, I created a little recycling system in our garage by using cardboard boxes, blue recycling bags and labels.  And when the boxes get full....off to the Muncie Mission we go!  The Mission recycles glass, cardboard (all cardboard, cereal boxes, pop tart boxes, etc), soup cans (steel), pop cans, miscellaneous paper, magazines, newspapers, office paper.  They also accept clothes, toys, household items, etc to sell in the Attic Store.

So, in a nut shell the recycling is converted into money and the money goes to help the Muncie Mission.  THIS IS A NO BRAINER PEOPLE!!!!  You help the planet and the Muncie Mission at the same time!!!

As far as our pop cans and plastic go, we take our pop cans to Union Chapel.  There is an area behind the bus garage where you can throw your pop cans in a bag.  The money goes to Blood N Fire and Christian Ministries to buy food.

Plastic, I take to Eastern Central Indiana Recycling.  They have a bin out front that you can throw your blue bags with your plastics in.  East Central Indiana also takes, broken appliances and electronics.  You can call them at 765-282-1900 if you have any questions.  They are located on Centennial. 

So, do your part my friends....why place something in a landfill that can be recycled and turned into something new?  Think about the footprint you are leaving on this planet.  We must do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle.  :-)

Fruits and Veggies

You have to check out my friends blog at http://www.justtryingtolivebetter.blogspot.com/

I just washed all of our fruits and veggies in a vinegar water solution (2 tbsp white vinegar for every 1 pint of water and approximately 1 tbsp salt) in a white dish pan.  Scrubbed with a veggie brush and rinsed with cool water.  And needless to say I am grossed out!!!!  You should see all the yuck floating in the water!!!  I love this recipe!  And we will be eating very clean fruits and veggies!!  Look at these pictures, that water was crystal clear at the beginning!  Yuck!!

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15 (taken from http://static.foodnews.org/pdf/EWG-shoppers-guide.pdf You will want to go this and print off the card to carry with you.)

It has been said to me......"would you spray an apple with Raid, rinse it off, and then give it to your son to eat?"  NOOOOOOOOOOOO is the answer!!!  Well....this is basically what we are doing to ourselves and our families.  Conventional fruits and vegetable that were sprayed with pesticides, developed to kill insects, are what line the isles in the produce section.

OK.  Now we are going to talk about what fruits and veggies you should either buy organic or don't eat.  Along with a list of fruits and vegetables that it really does not matter if you buy organic or conventional.  Here we go.... 

Dirty Dozen (Conventionally grown foods you most want to avoid due to high levels of pesticides or buy Organic.)

1.  celery

2.  peaches

3.  strawberries

4.  apples

5.  blueberries

6.  nectarines

7.  bell peppers

8.  spinach

9.  cherries

10.  kale/collard greens

11. potatoes

12.  grapes (imported)
13.  carrots (my addition)

Clean 15 (fruits and vegetables that even when grown conventionally, expose you to fairly low levels of pesticides.  BUT STILL WASH THESE BEFORE CUTTING!!!!!!)

1.  onions
2.  avocado
3.  sweet corn
4.  pineapple
5.  mangos
6.  sweet peas
7.  asparagus
8.  kiwi
9.  cabbage
10.  eggplant
11.  cantaloupe
12.  watermelon
13.  grapefruit
14.  sweet potato
15.  honeydew melon 

I have actually seen Meijer, Marsh and Whole Foods sell their organic and their conventional at the same price!  But on average organic runs about $1.00-$2.00 more than conventional, depending on where you shop.  So, we have adapted the attitude, that if we can't buy the Dirty Dozen in organic......we don't buy it.