I have drastically cut down on chemical use in my houselhold. It really isn’t that difficult, but there is a small learning curve to get used to.

I removed all plastics in my house that are harmful. We bought a set of glass storage containers, which is nice to store food in the fridge…and then to heat in the microwave…I have actually been trying to use my microwave only when absolutely needed. I have been making an effort to heat things on the stove. Speaking of the stove, the next thing I need to invest in would be full-on stainless steel cookware and bakeware. I currently have the non-stick pans, which are no bueno. But stainless steel is pricey, so may have to buy one item at a time.

I clean surfaces mostly with vinegar (which ironically helps eliminate odors), lemon, and baking soda – when I need some grit. I do need to experiment with my own laundry potions, but at least I am not using the big, commercial brands that have ads on the TV at the moment.

I used up the majority of chemical-rich body washes, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, and have replaced them all with more natural, organic sources.

I stopped using nail polishes and make-up with nasty crap in them. My nails and my face love me for it.

We have stopped using those awful spray bottle air fresheners with the lengthy list of ingredients I can’t pronounce. Instead, we have a Citrus Magic air freshener solid that absorbs odors for 6-8 weeks in a 350 sq. ft. area. I have one that charms my living room with the lovely smells of peppermint and vanilla. I like.

I can surely do even more on this goal, but my family has definitely cut down on chemicals in my house. I think it’s safe to mark this as done. :)

Healthy living, everyone!!

THIS is the website that corresponds with the picture posted 2 months ago

I’ve always known about vinegar, lemon, and baking soda and such to clean this and that in the house, but there is tons more.

I just picked up a book at the library: “The Naturally Clean Home” by Karyn Siegel-Maier. It’s a little book, full of herbal formulas for: kitchen, bath, laundry, wood care, cleaning metals, walls and carpeting, clearing the air, the garage and basement, the garden and landscape, and the home office.

It’s quite the awesome little book. I can’t wait to use some of the mixes…and throw out all of the chemicals taking up space and releasing toxins in my house. 15 months ago

Yesterday I did some checking on all of the food-grade plastics in my kitchen, and within my cupboards:

1. & 2. 2 Eddie Bauer water bottles (#7)
3. a clear water bottle I haven’t used yet (#1)
4. water bottle that fits on my mom’s bike (#6)
2 kid-sized cups without any listed numbers (bad sign)
5. Starterbrand water bottle (no number listed, but the sticker on the bottom reads: “Not intended for children 12 and under”. Uhhhm, gone!
6. styrofoam coffee cups I was saving (not plastic, but still BAD)

Most of my plastic storage containers are #5 and have been found to be safe.

Today, I looked in my basement storage thingie…with more plastic, and found out that storage thingie was going to be nearly empty when I was done with it. Found:

7. one of those Rubbermaid water pitchers that lay flat in the fridge with a tap on it for easy use (#3) Worst culprit. I used to use that all the time at my last place! Ick! See ya!
8. a big (2 Liter) water jug I used to use when going around the lake (#7-listed “polycarbonate)
9. a spray bottle with a fan for use in the summer (#6)
10. & 11. I have two 52 ounce “X-treme GULPS” from 7-Eleven (#7-listed as “other”)
12. a coca-cola plastic cup my son used to use (#6)

So, that’s 12 listed baddies. Along with those, I found a medium-size garbage bag full of plastics that didn’t have ANY listing at all; serving trays, salad spinner, kid-style plates, bowls and cups, and much more! Isn’t that illegal or something? If not, it should be. I deserve to know what chemicals I’m allowing into my household. Anyways, better to be on the safe side of caution.

I’ve reduced my plastics by about 40 or so items. This is actually helping on my other goal to DECLUTTER! Woohoo! 15 months ago

^{This is really helping me get through all of my plastic products!}

We’ve all seen the little numbers living inside the telltale recycling arrows, and most of us know that they refer to the composition of the containers, which also determines whether or not they can be recycled. Recently, word has spread that some of these plastic leach toxic chemicals and nasties like hormone disruptors into whatever they are in contact with; not something you want to be putting on your lips or in your mouth. So which is which?

#1 – PET or PETE: polyethylene terephthalate is used in many soft drink, water, and juice bottles It’s easily recycled, doesn’t leach, and accepted by most curbside municipal programs and just about all plastic recycling centers.

#2 – HDPE: high-density polyethylene is used in milk jugs, detergent and shampoo bottles, and, because it hasn’t been found to leach, will replace polycarbonate in a new Nalgene bottle (more on that in a sec). It has also has not been found to leach, and is widely accepted and easily recycled

#3 – PVC: Vinyl or polyvinyl chloride is a bad, bad plastic. Soft PVC often contains and can leach toxic phthalates, and can also off-gas chemicals into the air. It’s used in some cling wraps (yikes!), many children’s toys, fashion accessories, shower curtains, and detergent and spray bottles. To top it off PVC isn’t recyclable, either.

#4 – LDPE: low-density polyethylene is used most plastic shopping bags some cling wraps, some baby bottles and reusable drink & food containers. It hasn’t been found to leach, and is recyclable at most recycling centers (and many grocery stores take the shopping bags) but generally not in curbside programs.

#5 – PP: polypropylene can be found in some baby bottles, lots of yogurt and deli takeout containers, and many reusable food and drink containers(you know, the Tupperware- and Rubbermaid-types). It hasn’t been found to each, and is recyclable in some curbside programs and most recycling centers.

#6 – PS: polystyrene is used in takeout food containers, egg containers, and some plastic cutlery, among other things. It has been found to leach styrene-a neurotoxin and possible human carcinogen-and has been banned in cities like Portland, Ore. and San Francisco. Still, it persists and is not often recyclable in curbside programs, though some recycling centers will take it.

#7 – Everything else, and this is where the waters get a bit murky. First, and perhaps most notably, #7 includes PC, or polycarbonate, which has been making headlines lately because it’s used in Nalgene’s reusable water bottles and has been found to leach bisphenol A, a hormone disruptor that mimic estrogen; as such, Nalgene is switching to HDPE, a less harmful plastic.

But that’s just the tip of the #7 iceberg; though you’re less likely to see them in the grocery store than some of the others, the burgeoning crop of bioplastics (made from plant-based material rather than the usual petroleum base for plastic) also falls under this umbrella, for now, at least. Most common of these is PLA, or polyactide, which is most commonly made with corn, these days. It isn’t easily recycled, though it can be composted in industrial composting operations—your kitchen composter most likely doesn’t create enough heat to help it break down. doesn’t create enough heat to help it break down.

So, while cutting back on plastic packaging is probably the greenest way to go, when it comes to accruing new, we recommend you stick to the less toxic, more recyclable numbers.

(This article can be found here from TLC Home) 15 months ago

^{We have mentioned the dangers of gender-bender chemical bisphenol A from polycarbonate bottles, baby bottles, as well as in our Detox Your Home series in the kitchen and the nursery. In fact, it can leach from a number of surprising sources, including the linings of canned food and even wine. Journalist Joyce Nelson has compiled a number of steps that one can take to reduce the exposure to you and your children:}

^{1. Limit your use of canned goods or choose canned foods from makers who don’t use it.}

^{2. Learn how to cook your own foods that you typically buy in cans, such as beans or chickpeas.}

^{3. Eat fresh foods in season to reduce your consumption of canned goods.}

^{4. Throw out any old and scratched plastic bottles or plastic containers.}

^{5. Buy organic wine since many commercial wines can have up to six times the amount of BPA than canned goods.}

(This article is from TLC Home) 15 months ago

I recently was searching google for alternative treatments for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and it brought up a video on YouTube that I thought to be quite interesting. It is from Dr. David Clark entitled, “How To Prevent Autism-Avoid THIS Chemical Like The Plague.”

Included with Dr. Clark’s title:
•Functional Neurologist,
•Diplomate College of Clinical Nutrition,
•Functional Endocrinologist,
•Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist,
•Board-Certified Chiropratic Neurologist.

Wow. I wish he lived near me, and NOT in Texas, where his practice is located. Anyways, I found this video (along with many other informative videos of his.)

This particular video deals with the topic of the chemical BPA. Within the video, Dr. Clark speaks about a British study from October 2011; “Impact of Early-Life Bisphenol A Exposure on Behavior and Executive Function in Children” found here, in which the study suggests that women who are exposed to high levels of BPA (Bisphenol found in plastic numbers: 5, 6, and 7 and in can food liners) while pregnant adversely affects the child’s behavior.

In males, it was suggested that boys have higher levels of anxiety, and are more withdrawn-which is pretty much just a dysfunction in the right side of the brain. In fact, Dr. Clark stated that 99% of ASD cases have a right-brain delay. Which makes a lot of sense! Dr Clark actually has another video in which he mentions why electronics (television and video games) are very bad for kids with ADHD and ASD because all the stimuli does is power the left hemishphere even further, which harms the already weakened right hemishphere—making symptoms and behaviors worse! That video is here

In females, it was suggested that girls (as young as 3 years) have more masculine/aggressive play.

Dr. Clark suggested that pregnant women (and everyone) should stear clear of BPA-containing products, and never microwave in plastics. He mentioned buying glass storage containers to microwave food in and store food in. He said to not use plastic water bottles, but use plain stainless steel water bottles. I have a few of those. I knew most of this information, but I didn’t realize BPA was in most canned goods.

I wonder if making a change in BPA-containing products will help to ease my son’s ASD symptoms now. Even if it doesn’t make a difference in his behavior and symptoms, it will definitely make a big difference in his general overall health! Which is great!

I plan on throwing out all of my plastic containers and water bottles, and lessening consumption of canned products. I want to buy some glass containers, but they’re a bit spendy, so I’ll have to wait to throw everything out until some new containers can be used instead. Fyi: BPA plastics (#s 5, 6, and 7) are not able to be recycled. Why even make them if they leak chemicals and are not recyclable? Sheez! 15 months ago