Now, with 3 children, I don’t get to enjoy the inside of a hair salon very often, mostly because with the amount of hair on my head, I’m never out of there before 3 hours have passed. Anyways on Saturday I went to the salon for some much needed hair care. Before long, my stylist had convinced me to skip my usual foil highlights and go for an all over permanent hair dye (to better cover the few -ah hum- ‘natural’ highlights I’ve been noticing as of late). Against my better judgement I succumbed to her persuasion and before long she had a vat of funny looking and even funnier smelling lotion type substance next to me. She began applying it to my hair and my head! Shortly thereafter, my scalp felt like it was burning, almost like something was biting at it. I was told that that is necessary for the color to take! After about 45 minutes of application (yes, I do have THAT much hair!), my stylist informed me that I had to sit and ‘process’ for about 45 minutes. Fine. After all this is peace and quiet time for me. Time for me to sit and relax and catch up on mindless Hollywood gossip!

After a few minutes, the ‘biting’ felt like it was getting more intense. I was given the end of a comb to use to scratch my scalp to help alleviate the discomfort. 45 minutes passed, then another 15. By this time I had had enough. I was taken to the sink where the gal washed out the color and on my request basically scratched my scalp with her nails during my scalp massage. MY SCALP FELT LIKE IT HAD HAD A CHEMICAL EATING AWAY AT IT!  I suppose that was my AH HA moment, because it had! Later that night, I was in so much discomfort that I couldn’t sleep. I got up and feverishly scrub shampooed my hair twice! Because I was already awake, I decided to do a little online research. I was so disturbed by what I learned:

Typically the nastiest culprit of an itchy scalp and hair dyes problem is the chemical Phenylenediamine (PPD). This is known as a contact allergen, and can result in a nasty itchy scalp…or in doctor-speak, sensitisation dermatitis. It absorbs itself into the skin causing serious irritation. If inhaled it can cause throat irritation, and bronchial asthma, and in extreme cases has led to blindness from contact with the eyes.  In France, Germany and Sweden, PPD was banned as a hair dye because it was thought to be too dangerous for health!!

I do everything I can day to day to stay healthy via diet and exercise, then I went and willingly got a toxic, chemical concoction applied to my scalp, which I can only assume got penetrated into my head! Today, 4 days later my scalp is still itchy. To a lesser degree, yes, but itchy nonetheless. I feel really stupid for having trusted in my stylist as well as the color manufacturer. It seems ridiculous that toxins such as hair dye are so readily used and available! I mean no one has their natural hair color anymore! It’s just fun to play around with different shades, but at what expense??

I have now made it my mission to source out a color that is either natural, or much less damaging that can even color some silvers. I will keep you posted, but please share anything that you know or come across.

Each year, the waste left over from burning coal generates 125 to 130 million tons of ash and sludge — enough to fill a million railcars. Currently, about 40% of that waste finds it way into new products and 60% is stored in ponds or pits, mostly on utility property.

Because there is a crack down on emitting acid rain causing chemicals into the atmosphere, most of what was once launched into our air, is now being stored on land, which inevitably leaches into our soil and water. This was the case with a spill from a coal ash pond near Knoxville, TN, just over a year ago. Thus the discussion about what to do with all this by-product. According to Dr. Mercola, “while the EPA and USDA are recommending the use of this toxic byproduct on fields, the Obama administration is also in the process of drafting the first federal standards for storage and disposal of coal wastes. The White House and the EPA are currently at odds over how to handle the more than 125 million tons of coal ash and sludge waste generated each year, reports the Wall Street Journal.”

What can we do?

The only solution that appears to be emerging is to buy local. Dr. Mercola reports that it appears the use of FGD gypsum may have trickled into organic farming as well, since it’s not considered a petroleum-based soil additive, which is forbidden in organic farming. We must therefore, bring this matter to the attention of our local, organic farmers. We must make our voices heard.

Perhaps one of the most disturbing foods that may contain GMO is Baby Formula in the form of corn syrup, corn syrup solids, or soy lecithin. Yes, breast is best, but it’s not a viable option for many and I think it’s irresponsible of formula manufacturers to allow anything impure to enter the bodies of our innocent children. Parents pay dearly for a container of formula and expect quality for their children. The Institute for Responsible Technology has compiled a list of GMO and Non GMO products that are found everyday in supermarkets across this continent. As part of this list baby formula is listed:

As they say in the documentary, we can vote for proper nutrition 3x/day. We as a society need to demand good quality food by voting with our hard earned money. We need to spend our money on quality and demand that our supermarkets supply our demand.

…that is all for my rant today.

It’s probably naive to believe that following these tips will create a bubble around you so that you will never get the flu. From experience I can say that keeping your body healthy will protect you from many illnesses, even many variations of the flu/cold. Sometimes however, the flu or a cold will get through, but you will experience fewer symptoms and a much shorter duration because the little army within your body was ready for battle

Pink Mac & Cheese (measurements are at your discretion)

Water

Macaroni noodles (I used organic Kamut)

Butter

Flour

Milk

Cheddar and Mozzarella (grated)

Steamed Beets and Carrots (pureed)

Boil water and cook macaroni. While the noodles cook, melt butter in a saucepan on low heat. Add flour and stir until butter is absorbed. Slowly add milk and whisk until there are no lumps. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese until melted then add pureed veggies and strained pasta. Serve immediately and await fanfare.

WHY YOU SHOULD REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO TOXIC FIRE RETARDANTS.

Scientists have found that exposure to minute doses of toxic fire retardants such as PBDEs at critical points in development can damage reproductive systems and cause deficits in motor skills, learning, memory and hearing, as well as changes in behavior.

The PBDEs in everyday items like furniture, computers, televisions and other electronics migrate into the home environment and could expose children to concentrations exceeding the EPA’s recommended safe level. EWG tests found much higher concentrations of these chemicals in young children than in their mothers - because children ingest more PBDEs. The chemicals migrate out of products and stick to kids’ hands, toys and other objects they put in their mouths.

Until all PBDEs are banned from consumer products (including imports) and fire safety regulations are revised to promote safer solutions, American families - especially our children - will continue to be needlessly exposed to harmful chemicals.

WHICH HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONTAIN BROMINATED FIRE RETARDANTS.

PBDEs are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products (like couches and upholstered chairs, mattresses and pads, futons, pillows, children’s car seats and carpet padding, among many others), but are also in hundreds of other everyday products, including electronics equipment (like TVs, remotes, and cell phones), lighting, wiring, building materials, textiles, furniture and industrial paints.

Foam products made before 2005 are more likely to contain PBDEs. The type of PBDEs used in foam products has not been manufactured in the U.S. since 2004 and cannot be imported for use in the U.S. (through a loophole, imported foam products may still contain PBDEs since continue to be manufactured and used in other countries). Fire-retardant pajamas are not treated with PBDEs.

YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR FAMILY’S IN-HOME EXPOSURE.

PBDEs contaminate the bodies of nearly every American and widely contaminate common foods. Some exposure to these toxic fire retardants is unavoidable. But if you take these simple precautions around household foam products and electronics - the two home items where fire retardants are most commonly found - you can minimize your exposures:

1. Avoid PBDEs in foam.Newer U.S.-made foam items (purchased after 2004) are unlikely to contain PBDEs, because the chemical is no longer made in the U.S. and cannot be imported. But older products and imported foam furniture may contain PBDEs.If you can’t replace older items likely to contain PBDEs, you can still take these simple steps to reduce your family’s exposure:
   • Inspect foam items. Replace anything with a ripped cover or foam that is misshapen and breaking down. If you can’t replace these items, try to keep the covers intact. Beware of older items like car seats and mattress pads whose foam is not completely encased in protective fabric.
   • Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter. These vacuums are more efficient at trapping small particles and will likely remove more contaminants and other allergens from your home. High efficiency “HEPA-filter” air cleaners may also reduce particle-bound contaminants in your house.
   • Don’t reupholster foam furniture. Even those items without PBDEs might contain other, poorly studied fire retardants with potentially harmful effects.
   • Be careful when removing old carpet. The padding may contain PBDEs. Isolate your work area from the rest of your home. Clean up with a HEPA-filter vacuum and mop to pick up as many of the small particles as possible. Remove all scrap foam from your home and yard immediately.
   • When purchasing new products, ask the manufacturers what type of fire retardants they use. Avoid products with brominated fire retardants and be aware that “natural” latex foam will also likely contain fire retardants. Because the replacement chemicals for PBDEs in foam are not fully tested for their health effects, opt for less flammable fabrics and materials, like leather, wool and cotton.
   • Support efforts to reform fire safety laws. Toxic fire retardants are often added to consumer items even though there is little evidence that the benefits outweigh the risks. For example, SB 772 in California seeks to exempt 4 items—breastfeeding pillows, strollers, infant carriers and bassinets—from the requirements that they be made fire resistant. Elsewhere activists have pushed for “fire safe cigarettes” which would dramatically reduce fire-related injuries without the use of toxic chemicals.
2. Avoid PBDEs in electronics.
   One form of PBDE (known as Deca) is still used in computer and television monitors and other electronic products. It’s not subject to any use restrictions on the federal level. Recently, it has been banned in Maine, Washington and Oregon. To reduce exposures, we suggest that you:

More…

Chocolate Banana Shake

3 cups frozen diced bananas

2 cups nut milk or 30 Second Nut milk* (I always use the 30 second version -* see below )

1/4 cup agave nectar (I always use 1 tsp of coconut sugar)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 heaping tsp organic cocoa or carob powder

pinch of sea salt

Puree in a blender until smooth and creamy.

30 Second Nut Milk

2 heaping tbsp raw almond or cashew butter, or any other raw nut butter (I use cashew)

2 cups filtered water

Pinch of sea salt

2 tbsp agave nectar (I don’t add any)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp coconut butter (optional)

In a blender, puree all ingredients until smooth.

Here’s an example of an inexpensive meal according to dietician Suzanne Farrell:

whole wheat pasta, garlic spinach, and cannellini beans will serve seven and only cost $7. In fact, she said you don’t have to go any further than the perimeter of your grocery store to find the 20 healthiest foods all under $1 per serving:

* Oats
* Eggs
* Kale
* Potatoes
* Apples
* Nuts
* Bananas
* Garbanzo beans
* Broccoli
* Watermelon
* Wild rice
* Beets
* Butternut squash
* Sardines
* Spinach
* Tofu
* Whole grain pasta
* Milk
* Pumpkin seeds
* Coffee

The list is made up of mostly plant-based foods, which are known to decrease rates of cancers and heart disease.

“Try to do plant-based two to three times a week,” Farrell said. “Fish try to do twice a week.”

And since none of the foods on the top 20 list are prepared or processed the key to eating healthier on a budget is investing a little more time in the kitchen.

And don’t worry if you don’t see many foods on the list that appeal to you. Dieticians suggest you simply look for foods you like in the same area of the grocery store where these items are stocked.

Chikutan Charcoal Stirrers

Think of Chikutan as the ultimate swizzle stick. This white charcoal is made from Japanese Bamboo. White charcoal is naturally activated through a controlled burning process based on traditional Japanese methods. Use these to stir your beverage and the charcoal will absorb impurities in alcohol, tea or water for a pure taste. In Japan, you will find Chikutan sticks at high-end bars. Before use, rinse sticks under hot water. 3 piece set ($22).

I’m not sure how many times you can use each stick, but I’m intrigued by the simplicity of this concept.