I'm Jess Brandt, a label-reading Mama on a mission to find the safest products on the market!
10 Apr 2013 2 Comments
in Resources
The best deodorant I’ve ever used= this simple, homemade recipe! I work in hot, humid greenhouses, and make it all day without reapplying. Even the “natural” deodorants still have undesirable ingredients, although not as bad as the mainstream ones. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=537190792963232&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater.
07 Apr 2013 1 Comment
in Resources
http://www.naturalnews.com/039384_organic_food_carrageenan_additive.html#ixzz2PP4FzVnU
Shopping Guide to avoid Carrageenan in organic foods: http://www.cornucopia.org/shopping-guide-to-avoiding-organic-foods-with-carrageenan/
What is Carrageenan? Food Additive and Aircraft De-Icer: http://blog.nutri-living.com/?p=672
Does your coconut or almond milk contain a known carcinogen? http://www.happy-mothering.com/05/health-2/nutrition-health-2/carrageenen-carcinogen-coconut-almond-milk/
07 Apr 2013 1 Comment
Glow Sticks – Hidden Dangers: We recently had a question about glow sticks, and wanted to share what we found out- Jolene did some excellent research! Question: I saw a post about bubbles made to glow by mixing in the contents of a glow stick. I’m concerned about the safety of this as my cousin had one of them break open on her table and it ate the varnish right off. I’ve found info saying the chemical in them is dangerous and then in the same paragraph it says they are safe.”
Glow sticks are a popular choice for summer holidays such as Fourth of July, as well as stock piling our emergency kits in our houses and schools. While they are pretty, fun, and many parents think of them as harmless, there are first a few things that you should know about before giving them to your kiddos, such as the ingredients inside.
Glow sticks have the following ingredients inside: dibutyl phthalate, Hydrogen peroxide, Phthalic ester, phenyl oxalate ester, and small shards of glass. When you ‘break’ or ‘crack’ a glow stick, you are literally breaking the small pieces of glass inside and causing a chemical reaction. When you start to shake the glow stick to let it ‘glow’ you are mixing around that chemical reaction in order to let the ingredients travel the entire length of the stick. The ingredients themselves have a long list of horrible health hazards and concerns. Among some of the most concerning are infertility, negative effects of unborn child, cancer, and endocrine disruptions. We will go through each one and explain the hazards of the chemical.
Dibutyl Phthalate is used, in general, as a fragrance ingredient, plasticizer, and solvent. It is found in over 300 products according to the EWG including nail polish, wart remover kits, inks, dyes, leather, and glue. In the case of glow sticks it is used to make the plastic flexible. It is the chemical that has the highest concern for toxicity not only to you but your unborn child. There are known reports of reproductive toxicity for men and women, as well as clear evidence of endocrine disruption. Also it should be noted that this ingredient is banned in several countries and is on California’s Prop 65.
Hydrogen Peroxide is something that is familiar with all of us, and is sold over the counter in a much diluted solution. When it is used in the glow sticks it is much, much more concentrated. This concentration is poisonous for your skin, nails, and lungs. There are moderate concerns (according to EWG) of organ system toxicity and highly corrosive when used in this concentration.
Phthalic Ester is a substance that is added to plastics to increase flexibility, durability and transparency. Phthalates are being phased out in many products due to health concerns. It is another ingredient part of California’s Prop 65 and has been known to cause fertility issues as well as cancer. It also has a high concern of being passed to an unborn child. Phenyl Oxalate Ester is responsible for the luminescence in a glow stick. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide causes the liquid inside a glow stick to glow. There is no information on EWG about this specific ingredient however, being that it is responsible for the luminescence in the glow stick, we can assume that it is no safer than the preceding three ingredients.
Glow sticks are a fun way to enjoy many activities but there are some safety precautions that are suggested if you are going to let your children play with them. First, inspect them and make sure that there are no leakages or cracks. You should also never let a child put them in their mouth, chew on them, continue to ‘break’ them after they are already glowing and keep a careful watch on them. If you get these substances on your skin immediately wash off with cool water and (personally) would contact your doctor or even poison control to be safe. Our skin is the largest organ we have and things that get on our skin, wind up in our body at an alarmingly fast rate. It is recommended that only older kids use this product and be told of the potential dangers if they are used incorrectly. Even though this is sold as a ‘non-toxic’ product for young (3+) children, it is clearly not ‘non-toxic’ and clearly not for young children – at least not unsupervised. Keep your children safe this summer and be aware of the potential hazards that are out there. While some parents may think that it is silly to try and ‘ban’ everything that has a potential hazard for their kids, especially when it impedes on them having fun, it is great to be at least aware of the dangers so that you can act appropriately if an emergency occurs.
14 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Easy DIY recipes for homemade products
Things we use vinegar for– what can you add to the list?!
1st, here’s an article discussing the general differences between white & apple cider vinegar: http://www.differencebetween.net/object/comparisons-of-food-items/difference-between-white-vinegar-and-apple-cider-vinegar/
For those that don’t like the smell of vinegar, here’s a simple idea for using a by-product of your kitchen: Orange-peel infused vinegar: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=494009793947999&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
White Distilled Vinegar (WDV) (most often used for cleaning)
• Put in washer as a water softener
• Also can run through washer to clean and get off stains
• Glass Cleaner
• Use to shine silver pieces/toilet/sink in kitchen/bathroom
• Deodorizer (laundry, sinks, etc)
• Put in Dishwasher for clear glasses and to eliminate odors
• Get Bumper sticker residue off cars, various surfaces (undiluted)
• Weed killer (undiluted)
• Shines showers/shower doors
• Dilute WDV and run through coffee maker to clean
• Mix with milk to make buttermilk (works great in a pinch!)
• Vinegar + baking soda = great unclogging recipe (unfortunately have had to do this one often)
• Use it undiluted to get rid of mildew
• ½ c WDV + 2 tbsp baking soda + soaking silver for 2-3 hours = shiny silver! Great to clean other jewelry too!
• Wash yucky scissors with vinegar (not water, it’ll rust!) *Use this for kids scissors a lot!
• Wash walls, baseboards, etc to help get smoke and other ‘smells’ off/out of rooms
• Use to remove carpet stains (2tbp salt + ½ c. WDV)
• Disinfect cutting boards
• Clean out fridge
• Remove water stains and water rings (furniture, pots, pans, etc)
• Use in marinades to make meat super tender
• And of course, homemade vinaigrettes
Apple Cider Vinegar (beauty and health…a couple others too)
• ACV + water = great no poo conditioner
• ACV in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, poke holes…trap fruit flies: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=532575443424767&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
• 1 part water, 2 parts ACV to balance pH of your skin, use like a toner
• Use undiluted to remove stains from teeth, use towel to apply
• Rub onto pet’s skin to get rid of fleas
• 2 tsp + 16 oz of water is supposed to help with weight loss
• Can also be used to clean kitchen and bathrooms the same as WDV can
• Can be used to disinfect, polish, and deodorize
• Known to cure sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout.
10 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Easy DIY recipes for homemade products
Oatmeal & Sugar Bath Scrub!
This super easy recipe leaves your skin feeling marvelous! Use in bath or shower, but best in bath as soaking in the coconut oil & oats is wonderful for the skin. Coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer & sugar is a great exfoliator! Pat dry with a towel after getting out & you’ll have no need for additional moisturizer. A little bit goes a long way!
Did you know?
•Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties and is perfect for most skin types, even the most sensitive skin
•Oatmeal contains saponins, a cleansing agent, and can therefore be used as a mild soap
•Oatmeal is moisturizing and helps remove dead skin cells.
•Oatmeal can help treat acne, eczema, rosacea and rashes
This is my recipe for a 4 oz. mason jar:
**I fill my jar 3/4 full of coconut oil, you don’t have to melt it, just be able to stir it.
**Add 2 TBSP each raw turbinado sugar & oats (I use quick oats)
**Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils (lavender or orange are my favorites- of course this is optional)
**Blend well, & go enjoy a bath!
Yes, coconut oil can leave a bit of grime behind in your tub, but I don’t mind it one bit. I gave a jar of this as a gift to several friends & family members for Christmas, and all are enjoying it!
FB comments, Q & A: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=627514937264150&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
10 Mar 2013 1 Comment
in Easy DIY recipes for homemade products
Homemade Febreeze without nasty, synthetic fragrances!! I’m use just essential oil & water. Baking soda is great to include if you are spraying on fabric, like a dog bed or something you want the baking soda to absorb into, as it’s a natural odor absorber. Or, just shake baking soda on 1st, spray & let sit an hour or so & then vacuum up. I keep one spray bottle in both our bathrooms w/ just the oils & water, as I just want that nice, fresh smell. Right now we have one orange scented, one lavender-scented, and one rose-scented in the kitchen. Very cheap, using a reusable bottle, and avoiding synthetic scents which are NOT good for us!!
FB comments, Q & A: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=530198776995767&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
10 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Easy DIY recipes for homemade products
My alternative to paper towels, kleenex & napkins. These are old t-shirts that I cut into various sizes & keep in the kitchen, and my husbands shop. My co-op has a community free clothes closet, which I help sort clothes for once/month. Although we ask for no ripped or stained clothes, we always get them. I toss them aside, and bring them home for rags. They get washed & reused, unless hubby uses them for an oil change or something nasty. Haven’t bought paper towels, Kleenex or napkins in nearly 1 year. Saves money, and more than 1 tree 🙂
FB thread with comments, Q & A: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=508224375859874&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
10 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Easy DIY recipes for homemade products
The only cleaner I use. Soak the peels of 3-4 oranges for ~2 weeks in white vinegar & remove peels. Dump into spray bottle & dilute (some do 50%, I do 25% water) and use for an all-purpose cleaner. Can use lemon, lime or grapefruit peels, oranges are my favorite & the only fruit we consume by the bag which is why I use it.
For TONS of Q & A, please visit the Facebook thread here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=494014640614181&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
10 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Easy DIY recipes for homemade products
Homemade deodorant- the BEST natural deodorant I’ve ever used!! Photo taken from Google images- I’m a lousy photographer, and just couldn’t get a good shot of my jar, but this is the consistency it should be, and that’s about how much I apply to each pit.
For a perfect 4 oz jar-full follow this recipe:
**Fill your 4 oz glass jar 2/3-3/4 full of coconut oil, set on stovetop to melt.
**Add 1 1/2 TBSP each organic arrowroot, cornstarch, baking soda.
**Add ~5-10 drops your favorite essential oil. I use Tea Tree oil for it’s beneficial antibacterial properties, and either orange or lavender for a pleasant scent
**Consult this list for oils to avoid during pregnancy, or oils that have other concerns: http://www.cherylsherbs.com/Essential_Oil_Safety_Information.htm
THAT’S IT!! Mix together & stick in fridge or let sit out to harden!!
AND, this is finally available for you to purchase, for those who don’t have the time/desire to get the ingredients and make your own. Here’s the note with all the info: https://ecofriendlyusa.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/jesss-homemade-deodorant-body-scrub-are-now-for-sale/
There are TONS of Q & A in the original thread on Facebook, here’s the permalink to it: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=537190792963232&set=a.494009763948002.128085.397517646930548&type=3&theater
Eco-Friendly Mama: Safe product recommendations with a focus on organic and Made in USA! 