One of my friends posted this video on Facebook so I wanted to share it. It has some very good facts about eating real and local food. It talks about how so much of our food is currently imported and what to do to combat it. Click here to see the video. For the record I'm not a big fan of it coming from Hellmann's Mayonnaise (since its a product that I don't think ever expires and is the furthest thing from real) but in this case it is the message that counts not necessarily the messenger.
Buying local helps stimulate the economy in the area. When buying from huge grocery chains the money spent on food can get pulled out of the local economy because these large corporations use it to buy their products and support their business needs in other areas besides where you live. By taking the initiative to buy locally that money will help to support farmers, jobs and small businesses around where you live.
Speaking of buying local. I went to a Eco-Beauty Market a few months ago that was put on by Environmental Defense. As the name suggests it was all healthcare, baby/youth, cosmetics, and skincare products that are free of known toxic ingredients.
I thought I would share the names of the businesses who had booths there. The ones in blue are places I bought products from and really liked.
worldProducts - www.world.ca
Brian Phillips (the product visionary) made a commitment to health and beauty with his cutting-edge responsible style.
I use both the shampoo and conditioner and I love it! It can be used as bodywash and lotion and is also safe enough for babies as well.
Escential Wellness - www.escentialwellness.com
This organization formulates products using scientific evidence and crafts them by hand in small batches because this ensures freshness. They create lip balms, shower gels and other treatments. They also create gift baskets.
One of the products I picked up was a hand sanitizer made with lavender and mint. It actually hydrates my hands instead of drying them out like many other run of the mill alcohol based sanitizers do.
Basic Elements - www.etsy.com/shop/thebasicelements
They specialize in vegan and organic skin and hair care. They make clay cleansers and facemasks as well as all sorts of different lip balms. I love the facemask I got from this booth.
Green Beaver - www.greenbeaver.com
The founders of this company both have science degrees and worked in the pesticide and pharmaceuticals industries. They had well-founded concerns about the chemicals being used in personal care items. They created this company to bring healthy products to the market.
I have some lip gloss I picked up from them and I also plan to be testing out some of their other products as well so I will keep you posted.
Here are other companies that were there that I haven't had a chance to check out their products yet:
Alma Natural Spa - www.almanaturalspa.com (nailpolish and skincare)
Awaken My Senses Inc. - www.awakenmysenses.com (petcare and skincare)
Beaulance - www.beaulance.com (facial and hand/body products)
Cocoon Apothecary - www.cocoonapothecary.com (perfume and organic botanicals)
Consonant - www.consonantbody.com (award winning skincare and they give samples)
Eautrois - www.eautrois.ca (skincare)
EcoExistence - www.ecoexistence.com (house hold products and babycare)
Elabloom - www.elabloom.com (facial oils and body lotions)
Graydon - www.clincalluxurybynature.com (facial products, pet stuff, and aromablends)
Green Beauty - www.greenbeauty.ca (spa, salon and products)
Jaydancin - www.jaydancin.com (makeup products and household)
Keeki Pure & Simple - www.keekipureandsimple.com (products for young girls, lip balms, nail polish, and lotions)
Miniorganics - www.miniorganics.com (organic skin care for moms, babies and infants)
Sappho Organics - www.sapphocosmetics.com (cosmetics and recyclable packaging)
Sweet Pits - www.sweetpits.ca (deodorant)
Thera Wise - www.therawise.com (ointments for acne, diaper rash, cold/flu, and skin healing)
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Monday, 14 January 2013
What goes on your body gets absorbed into your body
There are over 1,700 known cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting, and allergy inducing substances in many of the personal care products you may be using every single day. Many people don't realize the products they are using to make themselves beautiful/handsome could have toxic elements that may be putting their long-term health at risk.
Europe has already banned some of these horrible substances that are still found in many Canadian products. Environmental Defense is a great website to review products that are risky to our health. They have a little pocket guide of the Toxic Ten that can be printed off and referenced when shopping for personal care items such a makeup, shampoo, lotion, etc.
Of course you are well aware that skin is the largest organ of the body. So, please realize that what goes on your body gets absorbed into your body. Meaning that skin is very pourous and since it is the defense between our inside and outside worlds limiting the exposure to toxins really does matter. Some estimates state that skin can be absorb as much as 60% of the substances put on it. When we shower or bath that water is absorbed as well (which is why our fingers get wrinkly). I remember reading somewhere that we may absorb more water in the shower than some of us drink daily.
I have just started to switch over all of my personal care products in the last few months. I have to admit it is quite the undertaking to find products I like that are natural and on par with the product quality I am currently used to. The process reminds me of when I was a teenager trying to find a skin care regiment that stopped my breakouts. Here are some helpful tips I have found during my transition:
1) At first the process is very much trial and error. But, this is what I have found really works. Start switching over products when you still have some of your current products left. It reduces the pressure for that product to HAVE to work. It has helped me to evaluated the products more objectively knowing that I have something I know works until I find a suitable replacement.
2) Take it slow. Learning about parabens, triclosan, petrolatum, phthalates (pronounced thalates), sulfates, cyclomethicone, and all of these chemicals that are toxic can be very overwhelming. I equate it to being similar to learning another language. Just when you think you have it figured out it's possible that not all the ingredients are even listed on the product in the first place. (In our current laws not all the ingredients need to be listed.) So take it easy and think of it as turning up the volume start out slow and stay conscious.
3) Start at a healthfood store because chances are the personal care products they carry are safer to begin with. They seem to have strict guidelines to even be able to make it on the store shelves in the first place.
4) Trial sizes are helpful to get a feel for whether the product is going to be able to suit your needs while being economical.
5) Give products to friends as gifts to try or have them buy some too so you can compare notes on what you liked or didn't like about the items. It helps when you are learning the process with other people as well.
6) Research, research, and research. I know this is the time consuming part but if you are like me health is important! Although as consumers there are so many things we need to be informed about I always think it is better to be know what is going consciously than to ignore the facts. I like to read books, use google to find out about certain ingredients and find helpful websites to guide me through this process.
7) Shake hands with the people that make the products you are buying (or at least know who they are). By that I mean, it is nice to be able to look someone in the eye that has a vested interest in your health. Many people have created local companies because they are concerned about these very same issues. Your money helps them to find a solutions and their products help you to be healthy. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Until next time!
Healthfully yours,
Marbles
Europe has already banned some of these horrible substances that are still found in many Canadian products. Environmental Defense is a great website to review products that are risky to our health. They have a little pocket guide of the Toxic Ten that can be printed off and referenced when shopping for personal care items such a makeup, shampoo, lotion, etc.
Of course you are well aware that skin is the largest organ of the body. So, please realize that what goes on your body gets absorbed into your body. Meaning that skin is very pourous and since it is the defense between our inside and outside worlds limiting the exposure to toxins really does matter. Some estimates state that skin can be absorb as much as 60% of the substances put on it. When we shower or bath that water is absorbed as well (which is why our fingers get wrinkly). I remember reading somewhere that we may absorb more water in the shower than some of us drink daily.
I have just started to switch over all of my personal care products in the last few months. I have to admit it is quite the undertaking to find products I like that are natural and on par with the product quality I am currently used to. The process reminds me of when I was a teenager trying to find a skin care regiment that stopped my breakouts. Here are some helpful tips I have found during my transition:
1) At first the process is very much trial and error. But, this is what I have found really works. Start switching over products when you still have some of your current products left. It reduces the pressure for that product to HAVE to work. It has helped me to evaluated the products more objectively knowing that I have something I know works until I find a suitable replacement.
2) Take it slow. Learning about parabens, triclosan, petrolatum, phthalates (pronounced thalates), sulfates, cyclomethicone, and all of these chemicals that are toxic can be very overwhelming. I equate it to being similar to learning another language. Just when you think you have it figured out it's possible that not all the ingredients are even listed on the product in the first place. (In our current laws not all the ingredients need to be listed.) So take it easy and think of it as turning up the volume start out slow and stay conscious.
3) Start at a healthfood store because chances are the personal care products they carry are safer to begin with. They seem to have strict guidelines to even be able to make it on the store shelves in the first place.
4) Trial sizes are helpful to get a feel for whether the product is going to be able to suit your needs while being economical.
5) Give products to friends as gifts to try or have them buy some too so you can compare notes on what you liked or didn't like about the items. It helps when you are learning the process with other people as well.
6) Research, research, and research. I know this is the time consuming part but if you are like me health is important! Although as consumers there are so many things we need to be informed about I always think it is better to be know what is going consciously than to ignore the facts. I like to read books, use google to find out about certain ingredients and find helpful websites to guide me through this process.
7) Shake hands with the people that make the products you are buying (or at least know who they are). By that I mean, it is nice to be able to look someone in the eye that has a vested interest in your health. Many people have created local companies because they are concerned about these very same issues. Your money helps them to find a solutions and their products help you to be healthy. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Until next time!
Healthfully yours,
Marbles
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen
One of the biggest obstacles of buying organic consistently is often the price. So I thought I would type out this list. The Clean 15 is a list of the foods that isn't much of a risk to have high levels of persticides.
The dirty dozen list is the fruits and veggies that is most often contaminated by pesticides. So if you are going to buy organic those are the foods you might want to focus on. The list changes on a consistent basis so I have included the ones that have appeared consistently over the last few years. The order often changes as well but it is consistently the same foods that are listed.
I know sometimes when I go grocery shopping the organic food is sometimes the same price or only a slightly higher price than genetically modified food. I am happy to spend a little extra knowing that the organic food is safer. So it doesn't hurt to take a look and compare quickly before just automatically choosing what is cheapest and what is in your comfort zone.
Clean 15
1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avacado
5. Cabbage
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Cantoloupe - Domestic
12. Sweet Potato
13. Grapefruit
14. Watermelon
15. Mushroom
Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet Bell Pepper
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Nectarines - Imported
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Blueberries - Domestic
12. Potatoes
+ Green Beans
+ Kale/Greens
+Grapes
The dirty dozen list is the fruits and veggies that is most often contaminated by pesticides. So if you are going to buy organic those are the foods you might want to focus on. The list changes on a consistent basis so I have included the ones that have appeared consistently over the last few years. The order often changes as well but it is consistently the same foods that are listed.
I know sometimes when I go grocery shopping the organic food is sometimes the same price or only a slightly higher price than genetically modified food. I am happy to spend a little extra knowing that the organic food is safer. So it doesn't hurt to take a look and compare quickly before just automatically choosing what is cheapest and what is in your comfort zone.
Clean 15
1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
4. Avacado
5. Cabbage
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Cantoloupe - Domestic
12. Sweet Potato
13. Grapefruit
14. Watermelon
15. Mushroom
Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet Bell Pepper
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Nectarines - Imported
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Blueberries - Domestic
12. Potatoes
+ Green Beans
+ Kale/Greens
+Grapes
Monday, 7 January 2013
Changing Lifestyle
So, I have decided to convert to a vegan lifestyle over that last couple of months. I have been transitioning because I was really tired of eating edible foodlike substances. I am convinced that food is a form of medicine and want to get better informed about what to eat as well as how to fuel my body in the best way possible.
We are marketed to that we need vitamins A, D, C, etc... but the thing is that nutrition isn't provided in capsules it is provided in food and it isn't exactly clear how these vitamins and nutrients work together in the form of the fruits and vegetables that we take in. The synthetic chemicals of the vitamins that are provided in capsule form are not the same as those that are found in food. Lab made chemicals may not be able to be understood by our bodies at all and may be stored in fat cells to protect us from their affects. Synthetic chemicals aren't from a living source and so taking in the vitamins this way may do more harm than good. It's possible they may become risk factors for disease at a later point as well.
We are eating more and more and more but getting less and less nutrition. I have read some amazing books, watched some informative movies and found some really great recipes that I can certainly share. The first thing I would suggest is to take a look at books by Brian Clement on health. They are:
Raw for Life
Supplements Exposed
Living Food for Optimal Health
Food IS Medicine: The Scientific Evidence
Hippocates Institute - http://www.hippocratesinst.org/
It seems that anything that is cooked over 48 degrees C (118 degrees F) loses a great deal of its nutritional value because it is baked right out of the fruits and vegetables as they are heated up. Water and oxygen are important things that we get by eating living food. Living food is the best way to go because it helps to kick start the body in a way that is natural. For centuries our bodies have known how to interact with living food but due to marketing we start to believe that lab created food trumps Mother Nature. We start injesting and become addicted to sugar and salt because it tastes good. Food choices now have a longer shelf life than we do because of a companies desire to be profitable. So upon examining labels you may begin to see how much sugar, fructose and corn syrup are in so many things.
To me this is wrong! So, I am choosing to get back to a simple diet by making living food choices. Our bodies want to heal and detoxify naturally if we give it the substances necessary to succeed we will but it is really important to consciously work on not taking more toxins in.
Just an interesting statistic to think about that I got from the movie Hungry for Change... Since the 1940's more than 75,000 synthetic chemicals have been created and they have infiltrated our environment, food sources and nature on so man different levels. It may already be too late but I look at the optimistic side of life and am deciding that real changes can start with me.
We are marketed to that we need vitamins A, D, C, etc... but the thing is that nutrition isn't provided in capsules it is provided in food and it isn't exactly clear how these vitamins and nutrients work together in the form of the fruits and vegetables that we take in. The synthetic chemicals of the vitamins that are provided in capsule form are not the same as those that are found in food. Lab made chemicals may not be able to be understood by our bodies at all and may be stored in fat cells to protect us from their affects. Synthetic chemicals aren't from a living source and so taking in the vitamins this way may do more harm than good. It's possible they may become risk factors for disease at a later point as well.
We are eating more and more and more but getting less and less nutrition. I have read some amazing books, watched some informative movies and found some really great recipes that I can certainly share. The first thing I would suggest is to take a look at books by Brian Clement on health. They are:
Raw for Life
Supplements Exposed
Living Food for Optimal Health
Food IS Medicine: The Scientific Evidence
Hippocates Institute - http://www.hippocratesinst.org/
It seems that anything that is cooked over 48 degrees C (118 degrees F) loses a great deal of its nutritional value because it is baked right out of the fruits and vegetables as they are heated up. Water and oxygen are important things that we get by eating living food. Living food is the best way to go because it helps to kick start the body in a way that is natural. For centuries our bodies have known how to interact with living food but due to marketing we start to believe that lab created food trumps Mother Nature. We start injesting and become addicted to sugar and salt because it tastes good. Food choices now have a longer shelf life than we do because of a companies desire to be profitable. So upon examining labels you may begin to see how much sugar, fructose and corn syrup are in so many things.
To me this is wrong! So, I am choosing to get back to a simple diet by making living food choices. Our bodies want to heal and detoxify naturally if we give it the substances necessary to succeed we will but it is really important to consciously work on not taking more toxins in.
Just an interesting statistic to think about that I got from the movie Hungry for Change... Since the 1940's more than 75,000 synthetic chemicals have been created and they have infiltrated our environment, food sources and nature on so man different levels. It may already be too late but I look at the optimistic side of life and am deciding that real changes can start with me.
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