Are the Chemicals in Your Facial Moisturizer Harming You?

Don’t you love that fresh clean feeling just after you wash your face?

Then you may put on a moisturizer (especially if you are maturing like myself (:)

It makes your skin feel smoother and it may even give you a glow?

We are doing this so our skin is healthy and moisturized to keep it looking young and less wrinkled.

But do you know what chemicals you may be putting in your body? Do you know they may be doing you more harm then good?

Before getting into learning about health – I never thought about it.  I used whatever lotion I had, thinking I was doing my skin a favor.  What I didn’t know was how awful for me the chemical filled lotions were.

Here are a few examples of common ingredients in moisturizers:

• Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol. These are petroleum plastics that easily penetrate the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. PG is a solvent so powerful it dissolves through a stainless steel tank in 48 hours so it has to be stored in plastic drums. The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles. However, Propylene Glycol is used in some products in concentrations of up to 20%. It is also the main ingredient in certain types of Antifreeze. How’s that for good skin care?

• Mineral Oil. A petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. It interferes with the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. It slows down skin function and cell development. Note: Baby Oil is 100% Mineral Oil!

• DMDM Hydantoin. Just one of the many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which may cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep.

• Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. Do you really want to take the chance that they might do so? In the July 2002 issue of the Archives of Toxicology , Dr. S. Oishi of the Department of Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health reported that exposure of newborn male mammals to butylparaben “adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system.” If that is not enough to avoid a product that can easily be avoided, I don’t know what is! There are a lot of other reports available all over the internet, but most of them are all related to reproductive health in some way or another. Not really something to mess with, huh?

Does this information surprise you? Remember the primary reason a cosmetic company is in business is for profit. These synthetic ingredients are plentiful and inexpensive therefore allowing more room for profit. Even products claiming to be natural often bury the few natural ingredients in a long list of synthetic chemicals. There is no legal definition for the word natural, so don’t be fooled. Read the labels carefully and verify for yourself.

Why does the FDA allow ingredients like these in products that are applied to the largest organ we have – our skin?

Most consumers would be surprised to learn that the government does not require health studies or pre-market testing for cosmetics and other personal care products before they are sold. According to the government agency that regulates cosmetics, the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “…a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA” (FDA 1995).

Lovely!  Any ingredients.

The toxicity of product ingredients is scrutinized almost exclusively by a self-policing industry safety committee, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel. Because testing is voluntary and controlled by the manufacturers, many ingredients in cosmetics products are not safety tested at all. Environmental Working Group’s analysis of industry and government sources shows that:

*  Eighty-nine (89) percent of the 10,500 ingredients FDA has determined are used in personal care products (FDA 2000) have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable institution (FDA 2000, CIR 2003).

The absence of government oversight for this $35 billion industry leads to companies routinely marketing products with ingredients that are poorly studied, not studied at all, or worse, known to pose potentially serious health risks.

Well they wouldn’t knowingly add harmful ingredients – right?

One of every 120 products on the market contains ingredients certified by government authorities as known or probable human carcinogens, including shampoos, lotions, make-up foundations, and lip balms manufactured by Almay, Neutrogena, Grecian Formula, and others. An astonishing one-third of all products contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens.

Nearly 70 percent of all products contain ingredients that can be contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other health problems. Studies by FDA and European agencies show that these impurities are common, in some cases occurring in nearly half of all products tested (FDA 1996, DTI 1998). Some manufacturers buy ingredients certified by an independent organization called United States Pharmacopeia (USP). These ingredients may contain lower levels of harmful impurities, but the criteria for certification are not public. There are no federal standards for ingredient purity. While it seems likely that some companies purchase or manufacture refined, purified ingredients, it is equally likely that many do not. Consumers and government health officials have no way to know.

Facial moisturizers are put on your face 1-2 times a day!  I know I don’t want to take the chance….

For woman who are thinking of having children, according to this study,  will most likely affect your unborn children.

Look at this study:

World Wildlife Fund (UK)

• 30 new-born babies
• Blood tests taken from the umbilical cord
• Analyzed for the presence of 35 chemicals
• Every baby tested positive for chemicals
• Chemicals found have suspected links to birth defects, genital abnormalities, and certain types of cancer
• All babies contained at least 5 of the 35 chemicals
• Some contained as many as 14 of the 35 chemicals

If you want something that moisturizes and much more and it only contains three ingredients that are so natural you eat them – give Sateen Facial Oil a try!

Sateen is a proprietary, organic, and all-natural citrus blend of Orange and Lemon Oils in a base of Sweet Almond Oil that works as an effective all-in-one facial product.

You are worth it.  Your face deserves it.  Your skin will thank you.

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Is Fish or a Can of Tuna REALLY THAT Bad for You? Your Kids?

If you are a 140 lb woman eating 1 6 oz can of Albacore Tuna = you are getting 140% of the EPA limit of Mercury exposure!  For a 65 lb. child eating 3 oz. = 150% of the EPA limit of ’safe’ mercury exposure.

In other words, there is way too much mercury to consider it “SAFE” to eat in my opinion. (Which sucks because I love tuna. And so does my daughter – which was something different to give her besides the daily PB & J.)

So about 4 years ago when I got into eating ‘organic’ & ‘healthy’ foods – I quit buying tuna and most foods from the typical grocery store.  I am delighted to see that a lot of stores these days at least have a small section with organic choices, although I look forward to a time when that is how most food is sold!

At first, I thought the can of Tuna on the shelf in the ‘healthy’ whole food store must be OK, Right?

It made me wonder what the difference was.  So I did a little searching online.

My first great discovery – a website called GOT MERCURY? – (very cute.. )  It has a ‘Mercury Calculator‘ so you can put in your weight and the type of fish (even differentiating between albacore, yellow fin, and light tuna) to find what your mercury exposure is.

There is even an ‘Advanced Calculator’ for people who consume more than 1 serving a week!  Brace yourself – you will be shocked at how much mercury you may be consuming!

Here is what I found for myself and the fish I like -

• Tilapia -  0%
• Salmon – 0%
• Scallop – 20%
• Flounder – 20%
• Crab/Shrimp – 20%
• Cod – 30%
• Light Tuna – 50%

Now the NOT so good list -  (I ate occasionally and will now be avoiding!)

• Mahi Mahi – 60%
• Halibut – 90%
• Lobster – 110%
• Yellow fin Tuna – 120%
• Albacore Tuna – 130%
• Orange Roughy – 200%

I did find this interesting the sight about Tuna -

How do I know if my tuna is chunk light or albacore? Most tuna cans are labeled as either albacore or chunk light. Albacore tuna, according to recent testing by the FDA, contains 3 times as much mercury as does chunk light. You should avoid albacore tuna if you wish to keep your blood mercury level low. There are exceptions, however. Some companies sell albacore that is troll-caught. These species are younger fish and therefore contain lower levels of mercury. According to a recent study from Oregon State University, troll-caught albacore mercury levels are similar to chunk light levels (on average. 0.14 parts per million). Data for troll-caught data in the mercury calculator above is from the OSU study. Cans of chunk light tuna typically contain skipjack tuna which is a smaller species of fish and therefore contains lower mercury levels (on average. 0.123 parts per million). You can compare the mercury levels between the two in the mercury calculator above.

For some reason – I always thought Albacore was the good one to get  – wow was I wrong!

Then I found in a Dr. Mercola article  – that Mercury is NOT the only worry-

Other Contaminants include:

• PCBs
• Radioactive substances like strontium
• Toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, chromium and arsenic

Think that Farm Raised means cleaner healthier fish?  Think again!

Factory-Farmed Fish

If you eat fish in a restaurant, it most likely came from a fish farm. Almost half of the salmon, 40 percent of the mollusks, and 65 percent of the freshwater fish consumed today are raised on fish farms. Not surprisingly, fish farming, a multimillion-dollar industry, has become one of the fastest-growing sections of the food production market.

What many people don’t know is that farmed fish face many of the same health issues as factory-farmed animals. In order to be profitable, fish farms must raise large quantities of fish in confined areas, and the overcrowding leads to disease and injuries to the fish. The fish are given antibiotics and chemicals for the parasites like sea lice, skin and gill infections and other diseases that commonly affect them.

The fish are also given drugs and hormones, and sometimes are genetically modified, to accelerate growth and change reproductive behaviors. Farmed salmon are also given chemicals, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin, to turn their flesh pink in order to make them more marketable. Wild salmon eat a diet of shrimp and krill, which contain natural chemicals that make the salmon pink. Farm-raised salmon do not eat a natural diet, so their flesh would be gray if they were not given the additives.

Unfortunately, my fish consumption is rare because of this information which is a shame because it is so good!

I didn’t realize how unhealthy Tuna was so I wanted to share what I’d learned.  We all hear that our oceans are contaminated but I was shocked at how badly.

Why this continues to happen?  Another blog….

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Will the Swine Flu Get You?

I sure hope not … there are some steps you can take to help lower your risk.

A really easy one that I heard President Obama say last night on TV

WASH YOUR HANDS! And like I told my daughter, DON”T PUT YOUR HANDS IN YOUR MOUTH, NOSE, Or EYES! Easier said then done I know… you get an eyelash or something in your eye – that goes out the window unless you are very conscientious about it.

Plenty of rest, eat healthy (omit sugar), drink plenty of water, and take quality supplements like KRILL OIL (for omega 3’s), and PROBIOTICS (for the ‘good’ gut flora which is a natural anti-viral)!

Sound familiar?  Same thing you hear when it is the winter ‘flu’ season.

If you’d rather not try the natural ways to avoid it and if you do end up with the Swine Flu – Plan on getting some Tamiflu?

Per Dr. Mercola’s article -

Remember, Tamiflu went through some rough times not too long ago, as the dangers of this drug came to light when, in 2007, the FDA finally began investigating some 1,800 adverse event reports related to the drug. Common side effects of Tamiflu include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Cough

All in all, the very symptoms you”re trying to avoid.

More serious symptoms included convulsions, delirium or delusions, and 14 deaths in children and teens as a result of neuropsychiatric problems and brain infections (which led Japan to ban Tamiflu for children in 2007). And that”s for a drug that, when used as directed, only reduces the duration of influenza symptoms by 1 to 1 ½ days, according to the official data.

But making matters worse, some patients with influenza are at HIGHER risk for secondary bacterial infections when on Tamiflu. And secondary bacterial infections, as I mentioned earlier, was likely the REAL cause of the mass fatalities during the 1918 pandemic!

I think I’d rather try to avoid getting it if possible.

Hoping for a vaccine in the near future?  You might not ever want a flu vaccine again after you watch this!- What Ingredients are in Your Flu Shot? You’ll Be Shocked!

So all this media coverage got me thinking… Where the heck did this come from?

Supposedly, they don’t know…. but the Health Freedom Alliance has stated -

“It appears this strain was created in a lab and “escaped.” Take necessary action now to boost your immune system.

Wondering more about this “escape” – I found more about this in Mercola’s special report -

The UN expert believes that Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and the current A-H1N1 swine flu virus are biological warfare agents.

In addition, Army criminal investigators are looking into the possibility that disease samples are missing from biolabs at Fort Detrick — the same Army research lab from which the 2001 anthrax strain was released, according to a recent article in the Fredrick News Post.¹³ In February, the top biodefense lab halted all its research into Ebola, anthrax, plague, and other diseases known as “select agents,” after they discovered virus samples that weren”t listed in its inventory and might have been switched with something else. (click here to ready the full theory.)

Wow, what a mess…

I’ll be ordering extra Vitamin C, Probiotics, and drinking a lot of water after washing my hands and not touching my face!

My best to you!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Money Is Tight so What Fruits & Veggies Should I Buy Organic & Which Can I Buy Conventionally Grown?

In today’s economy you may be feeling the pinch.  Even if you aren’t, you may be more aware of how much you are spending.  Either that is what is happening to me, or food prices just continue to climb!  Probably both.

But I am a believer in eating organically.  It is a fact that organically grown food has a higher vitamin/mineral content than conventionally grown produce.

Besides that I prefer to eat my fruits & veggies without all the pesticides and insecticides that conventionally grown produce offers you.  If you want to know why it is better to NOT consume these dangerous chemicals – that is a whole other blog!

So what to do when my shopping list is bigger than my budget and I’m out of coupons?  Buy some stuff that isn’t organic.  It doesn’t thrill me but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

What then is the ‘must have’ organic produce?  Which are OK to buy non-organic?

Announcing a new update to an old favorite: it’s the 5th edition of EWG’s classic Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, now with the latest government data. This handy guide shows you the fruits and veggies with the most and least pesticides, so you know which to always buy organic and which are pretty clean even when conventionally grown.

The Full List: 47 Fruits & Veggies

RANK	FRUIT OR VEGGIE	SCORE
1 (worst)	Peach	100 (highest pesticide load)
2	Apple	93
3	Sweet Bell Pepper	83
4	Celery	82
5	Nectarine	81
6	Strawberries	80
7	Cherries	73
8	Kale	69
9	Lettuce	67
10	Grapes – Imported	66
11	Carrot	63
12	Pear	63
13	Collard Greens	60
14	Spinach	58
15	Potato	56
16	Green Beans	53
17	Summer Squash	53
18	Pepper	51
19	Cucumber	50
20	Raspberries	46
21	Grapes – Domestic	44
22	Plum	44
23	Orange	44
24	Cauliflower	39
25	Tangerine	37
26	Mushrooms	36
27	Banana	34
28	Winter Squash	34
29	Cantaloupe	33
30	Cranberries	33
31	Honeydew Melon	30
32	Grapefruit	29
33	Sweet Potato	29
34	Tomato	29
35	Broccoli	28
36	Watermelon	26
37	Papaya	20
38	Eggplant	20
39	Cabbage	17
40	Kiwi	13
41	Sweet Peas – Frozen	10
42	Asparagus	10
43	Mango	9
44	Pineapple	7
45	Sweet Corn – Frozen	2
46	Avocado	1
47 (best)	Onion	1 (lowest pesticide load)

Note: We ranked a total of 47 different fruits and vegetables but grapes are listed twice because we looked at both domestic and imported samples.

GET THE GUIDE

Find out what changed about bananas, carrots, and spinach (among others), and get a printable version of the wallet-sized guide.

Hope this helps you in making decisions when shopping!

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Could Taking A ‘GREENS SUPPLEMENT’ Help You?

For most people – DEFINITELY!

Why?

Because Western diets that are typically high in meat [protein] and carbohydrate consumption are highly acidic [because acid is needed to break down proteins and carbohydrates]. Greens food are plant based so they help keep the body’s sensitive pH balance in an alkaline and healthy state.

Unless most of your diet consists of vegetables and fruits with an emphasis on eating them raw – you are probably lacking some of the nutrients your body wants!

Less than 11 percent of all Americans meet the USDA minimum recommended guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption.

With our hectic lives, it’s never easy to squeeze in all of those servings of fruits and vegetables, but getting balanced whole food nutrition is vital for optimal health!

Diets high in fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of obesity and some chronic health diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Are you missing out on the health benefits of a nutritionally-rich diet?

It’s easy to increase your daily consumption of nutritious whole foods with our amazing Green Garden formula.

If you are looking for a raw vegetable blend to super-charge your diet look no further!

One of the best parts about Frequency Foods Green Garden Formula is that it comes in both powder & capsules!

There are quite a few Greens on the market – yet it is hard to find them in Capsule form for those who prefer it – especially kids!

Another reason you should choose Green Garden from Frequency Foods….

Green Garden contains NO fillers, flowing agents (many manufacturers use talcum powder…ugh!), and absolutely no synthetic additives or preservatives. All the raw materials used in Green Garden are analyzed for purity and vitality before AND AFTER manufacturing. The product quality is unsurpassed!

Why Not Give it a try – see how you feel!

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net

Feeling Run Down this Holiday Season? Probiotics Can Help!

It is that time of year again!

The holidays, family gatherings, and parties are upon us and we find ourselves busier than ever. Unfortunately, during these times our bodies become more susceptible to illness.

To avoid colds, the flu, and viral infections, start taking Probiotics from Frequency Foods.

Why?

Because this patented friendly flora blend of Probiotics is an all-natural, non-toxic product that helps you say goodbye to viral, bacterial, and fugal infections! It kills pathogenic viruses, which lead to colds and the flu.

It is also a natural antibiotic, which kills the bad bacteria in your system without harming the ‘good guys.’

There are numerous other benefits to taking this product, but I want to tell you why Frequency Food’s Probiotics is superior when compared to other brands.

• First, it is combined with a whole food source for optimal viability and absorption.

• Secondly, most probiotics supplements on the market are improperly freeze-dried so the good bacteria are actually killed before you even take the product.

Frequency Food’s Probiotics are preserved through a proprietary and specialized technique during processing to maintain the viability.

Learn more about Probiotics from Frequency Foods at  www.GreenLifesaver.net.

Don’t Your Pets Deserve to be Healthy Too?

The word ‘Probiotics‘ has been finally getting some coverage over the last year.

If you are not familiar with Probiotics – they are the ‘friendly‘ or ‘good‘ bacteria that live in the digestive tract. They help by ‘eating up‘ the bad bacteria that can lead to ill health.

Antibiotics and environmental toxins are just two of the ways the ‘good’ gut bacteria can be reduced, resulting in suppressed immune system function.

Don’t forget your animals and pets – they need nutrition too.

Frequency Foods understands the nutritional needs of your pets and include a superior blend of friendly flora (good bacteria) specifically produced for their health needs.

Don’t your beloved pets deserve the same benefits you get from taking probiotics?

Click Here to learn more about Creature Comfort Probiotics today!

Still Need a Reason to Give Up Diet Soda?

While reading my weekly Dr. Mercola newsletter – I came across this article – One Woman’s Astonishing Experiment With Aspartame.

As curious as I am about how toxic substances affect the body, I never thought of performing my own scientific experiment on rats. However, I do have to say ‘good for her’. By seeing the disgusting effects of Aspartame, it may have saved her family a lot of health problems. Take a look at the article and especially the picture of the tumors on the rats and remember it whenever you reach for a diet soda!

I know there is nothing like a diet soda especially to those of you who consume many of them. But there is a way to substitute, making the transition off of them a little easier. Check out my previous post – Miss Soda? You Don’t Have To!
for a healthier version of soda.

Years ago, before my eyes were opened to the truth about food, I dumped Aspartame in my iced tea. After viewing this article, I am thrilled that artificial sweeteners are no longer a part of my diet. It is definitely worth the few minutes it will take you to read it!

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net 

Would You Put Poision in Your Child’s Mouth? Are You Without Even Knowing It?

Fluoride IS a poison! The 1984 issue of Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products lists fluoride as more poisonous than lead and just slightly less poisonous than arsenic. It has been used as a pesticide for mice, rats and other small pests. A 10# infant could be killed by 1/100 of an ounce and a 100# adult could be killed by 1/10 of an ounce of fluoride. The Akron Regional Poison Center indicates that a 7 ounce tube of toothpaste contains 199 mg. of fluoride, more than enough to kill a 25# child. Even Procter & Gamble, the maker of Crest, acknowledges that this is true “theoretically, at least.” There are documented deaths of infants and children caused by “normal dosage” of fluoride tablets or treatments.

This is just ONE example of cited research that tells us that fluoride is not what we thought it was. Many other examples cite the dangers and how it can lead to a host of health problems.

I for one will not take that chance. My daughter has not used a fluoride containing toothpaste for over 4 years. She has NEVER had a cavity and always has wonderful 6 month checkups!

If you are looking for an alternative, check out the benefits of Glacial Blue Tooth Oil:

*Natural toothpaste alternative - contains NO toxic chemicals or harsh abrasives.

*Proprietary blend of great-tasting peppermint, spearmint & almond oils - works long after brushing and keeps breath fresh for hours.

*Powerful healing properties nourish and support teeth and gums - helps fight cavities, remove plaque and stop painful tooth caries.

Click here to learn more about the amazing benefits of Glacial Blue Tooth Oil!

To Your Health!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net 

How Did I Get My 11-yr-old Daughter to Eat Raw Cabbage and Like it?

By using a recipe I just learned from my to-be-mother-in-law, called ’salad.’ Luisa was visiting from Ecuador and made her infamous ’salad’ that my other half grew up on. Always trying to find new ways to get different vegetable in, I watched her and gave it a whirl myself.

My 11-yr-old daughter not only ate it but she loved it and wanted more. She prefers it over traditional salad. It is pretty quick and relatively easy…

All you need is:

• head of cabbage
• a tomato or two
• olive oil
• lemons or lemon juice
• garlic
• salt & pepper
• fresh cilantro

Of course, I used all Organic Ingredients.

I did not measure anything, just what looked good.

1/2 of the cabbage shredded is more than enough for a family of four. A diced tomato.

Then toss it with the desired amount of (olive oil approx. 1/4 cup, juice from a couple of lemons, a pressed clove of garlic, salt & pepper to taste and the ingredient I believe makes it – fresh cilantro chopped.)

Viola! Raw cabbage that my 11 yr old loved!

Cabbage is high in Vitamin K & C and is known for detoxifying the body. You can get all the details about cabbage at a great new site I just found called “World’s Healthiest Foods.”

Enjoy!

www.GreenLifeSaver.net