May

26

EWG’s Sunscreen Report – Helpful or Harmful?

Filed Under Skin Care | 36 Comments

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    Ok so I don’t usually do this but I am going to write an opinion piece here today.  As you know I recently released my 2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet where I check out various natural brands of sunscreen, inspect the ingredients, write to the manufacturers to confirm information and compile my list of recommendations.  Yes, I recommend these brands because I feel they display exemplary ingredients lists and are far less harmful than most commercial brands.

    The EWG releases their own Sunscreen Report each year and this year was no exception.  Each year I am a little surprised by their choices and I was a bit flabbergasted by their report this year and I’m going to tell you why.  Most importantly, I am challenging you, my readers to not take one organizations word for it.  I try to provide my cheat sheets to save you time, yes.  But I firmly believe it’s in everyone’s best interest to take time when you have it to question things and learn more about what you put on your body.  So moving on…

    I do not agree with some of the EWG’s Top Sunscreens. You’re probably thinking “Who does she think she is? she’s just a MOM, they are scientists, she has no clue.” And you are partially right.  Except for the clue part.  I’ve been inspecting sunscreens for years and while I have never been in a laboratory to test the effectiveness of any sunscreen, I do know that there are ingredients we should avoid and ingredients I do not allow in any products I recommend.  What bother’s me about some of the brands EWG selected to put in their Top Sunscreens list is two fold.

    1. They use the words “top-rated”. If they lumped it all into one list and said “Here you go, make your own decision!” which is basically what they told me when I asked them about their choices in their live chat on Facebook yesterday, I wouldn’t be so picky.  But they listed these brands as Top Sunscreens citing they are the “right choice”.  That leads me to believe (and others who trust them I’m sure) that they support those brands and the ingredients in them.  I think this is a reckless thing to do for an organization who has so much available to them and such a wide audience listening.  When I pressed them about including a product (Blue Lizard) that contains 3 parabens, fragrance/phthalates, PEGs, propylene glycol and other chemicals they informed me that “Sunscreen ratings differ from other Skin Deep ratings in that sun protection accounts for 2/3rds of the score, and ingredient hazards for 1/3. This is because of the known harmful effects of UV. We show the health score on every product page so people can incorporate this information into their decisions.” I feel that this should be more apparent to the readers looking over their lists.  Had they not singled a selection of products as a “top-rated” list I might not argue too much.  Let people decide based on the ingredients for each product.  Which leads me to my next point…
    2. Many people trust them and their recommendations because they share so much useful knowledge. Their sunscreen report is the one everyone is looking to (save for the handful of people who use mine!) and the one everyone refers to, including big timers like Healthy Child Healthy World.   Some people might assume, that because one Blue Lizard product is on their Top Sunscreen list that the entire brand is “safe”.  People tend not to read through pages and pages of material before making decisions.  They should but let’s be real.  They don’t – which is why I try to keep things on SafeMama as compact and accessible as possible. So my fear is that someone perusing the Top Sunscreens list will go on to assume that all Blue Lizard products are safe because that product was recommended by the Environmental Working Group. The products in question are the only mineral sunscreens in the entire line of products – the rest of Blue Lizards brand uses the chemical that EWG has blacklisted –  oxybenzone and other non-mineral sunscreens. Another example is the BabyGanics sunscreen which contains phenoxyethanol, PEG’s and has a few chemical sunscreening ingredients as well.

    Now, I am not disparaging the entire report.  They do say the list is for “people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor“, so they aren’t right out saying “these are the safest products over all”  But what is the point if there are other hormone disrupting ingredients plaguing the contents? Doesn’t that negate some of the purpose? It’s confusing to me, so someone who is not familiar with looking for safe products, or deciphering ingredients, will make other assumptions.  I think it’s only half of the story and they are missing an opportunity to really promote products that are safe all around.

    There are some GREAT brands on the list, brands that I support and list on my own Cheat Sheet so all is not lost.  I just think they should be a bit more selective. They have a WEALTH of valuable information in the report and they explain their methodology and provide far more information than I ever could alone.  They are an awesome resource for those who want to know more and I support the organization.  But some of their picks are confusing to me based on what they are telling us is safe.

    My last issue is the intense focus on sunscreen this time of year.  I get more email and comments about sunscreen than anything else.  And unless you live in an area where you use it year around, I think people’s concern is misplaced. We should be focusing our “paranoia” on the products we use on our skin every single day.  Not something that we use for a couple months out of the whole year. Is it important to scrutinize our sunscreens? Yes! But I think we should be this riled up about all body care products as much as we are about sunscreen.

    I welcome your comments and criticism of my opinion.  As a disclaimer, I don’t know everything and I don’t claim to.  But I know enough to want things to be better.

    May

    21

    Ditching Waste In Baby Steps with Glass Dharma (Giveaway)

    Filed Under Eco-Mama, Food Safety, Product Safety | 152 Comments

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      My iced coffee with Glass Dharma straw

      I was at the Palm Beach Zoo a few weeks ago with my boys – it’s something I do with them on a regular basis.  We stopped for lunch at the “cafe” before heading over to the Tiger exhibit and we ordered waters for the table.  When they were delivered they were in tall cups with no lids or straws because the zoo doesn’t use them.  It’s safer for the animals and it’s wasteful.  I was thrilled and found myself thinking “Why isn’t it like this everywhere?“.  Something so small as a plastic straw fills up so much un-recycled trash.. think about how many are used at sports stadiums, restaurants, airports… we protect the environment and the animals at the zoo, why not every animal everywhere?

      The cost of convenience is contributing to a trash filled earth where there are literally islands of garbage the size of Texas floating in the ocean.  That’s purely disgusting.  I’m not perfect, but I make an effort to recycle, to buy things with less packaging and to reuse what I have rather than buy something new.  I am working on giving up wasteful things in my home and trying with all my might to educate my kids to be aware and respect the planet we live on instead of treating it like our own personal dump.

      Enter Glass Dharma into my life. I had heard of glass straws before and never took the step to try them because I had a very distinct vision of how they were.  “Glass straws? And kids? That is never going to work.“  But I tried, and I changed. Glass straws are a brilliant solution.  Glass is non leaching and is my favorite material to use for food. There is something that makes your meals and drinks special when you use glass and using a glass straw, makes your afternoon iced tea feel like an indulgent treat.  It’s a pampered feeling!

      Glass Dharma’s straws are durable and feel good in your hand. they have a nice weight to them and not in a negative way.  This is my STRAW! They come in a few fun varieties but I have to admit my favorite is their Beautiful Bends straw which essentially is a plain glass straw with a subtle angle.  I’ve been using it daily.  They also come in varying lengths ranging from 6 ¼ inch to 10 inch.  The daintier sizes (7mm thickness) are fun for cocktails but my kids like them with the decorative dots.  The dots also prevent them from rolling which is key with kids. Plus they look cute.

      You can purchase a hemp sleeve for carrying your straw in your bag (I’ve been carting mine around for 2 weeks and no breaks.)  I’ve gotten a couple compliments on it while out and about too… people are more open to the idea of a reusable straw than I originally thought.

      I want to share them with you!  Glass Dharma is giving one of my readers $25 worth of Glass Dharma straws!

      Buy Your Own: If you don’t want to wait to see if you win, You can purchase Glass Dharma in a number of places: On GlassDharma.com or from my dear friends at  TheSoftLanding.com.

      Here’s How To Enter (Required):

      Visit Glass Dharma and tell me which straws you would get if you win!

      For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

      • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
      • Fan/Like  Glass Dharma on Facebook (first name, last initial)
      • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
      • Follow @GlassDharma on Twitter (Twitter name)
      • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
      • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
      • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN glass straws from @GlassDharma on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 5/30 http://tinyurl.com/4ypymsl

      One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until May 30, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

      Congratulations commenter #25 Brittany!

      May

      17

      2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet is Here!

      Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Skin Care | 5 Comments

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        It’s here, the 2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet!  Each year this task gets tougher for many reasons.  One is the development of new ingredients and formulations.  Another is that there are now many natural sunscreens on the market from big and small companies that fit the bill.  I don’t have EVERY natural sunscreen out there in my list but I try to provide a wide variety of products at varying price points.  The biggest problem for some is the lack of availability in stores.  Sunscreen’s are not cheap  and paying shipping on top of a big price tag can set you back a handful. But the sunscreen’s I find to be the best performing are usually worth the few extra bucks.

        Award Ceremony

        Best Overall Sunscreen goes to Purple Prairie this year for their SPF 30 Sun Stuff.  They just reformulated their SPF 30 lotion and after trying it out I think this one is the best bang for your buck.  It works in every sunny situation, doesn’t leave you looking ghostly and has a great ingredients list.  Plus, your purchase supports small businesses.  A little goes a long way and after testing it out in sun, surf and swimming pools I think it protects great minus the greasy.  Double thumbs up.

        Best Ingredients goes to Badger for all their sunscreens.  Every year Badger sets the bar for safe ingredients and this year is no exception.  It’s truly all natural and organic.  They have also gone a step further to up the ante on their sunscreen ingredient and are now using non-nano uncoated Zinc Oxide. Badger’s sunscreen is a top performer in protection especially with rough or lengthy swimming.  It’s the most water resistant sunscreen I’ve used and protects even after hearty swimming.  Badger is always a safe bet.  Totally worth the money, especially if you have swimmers.

        Best Solid/Stick Sunscreen goes to Babo Botanicals for the Clear Zinc Sports Stick! This is a new product for the company and it doesn’t disappoint.  It smells like apples and goes on CLEAR.  I can’t stress enough how fabulous that is.  It protects, it stays on, it smells good and you don’t look like a channel swimmer gearing up for IronMan.  I don’t leave home without it.

        Go ahead and check out this years sunscreen contenders.

        May

        12

        Catamount Glass Microwave Popcorn Popper (Giveaway)

        Filed Under Food Safety, Giveaways Coupons, Product Safety | 203 Comments

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          We wrote here before about microwave popcorn.  I know, I know… always the bearer of bad news. I’m settled in my role of letting you know things that cause you cancer.  I’ll gladly be the messenger that everyone wants to shoot. Anyway, as we wrote back in 2008 (wow time flies), microwave popcorn is many things besides delicious.  The liner of microwave popcorn bags are lined with a coating that is known to break down into a substance known as PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic. (Say it with me… greeeeeat.)  This was a blow for me.  I love my nightly popcorn ritual.

          My friends at MightyNest have just announced their brand spanking new Kitchen Essentials section which provides the safest options for cooking and serving.  From aluminum free muffin pans to silicone spatulas, they have you covered.  Luck would have it that they now carrying a glass popcorn popper by Catamount.  It sounds pretty genius and no pesky carcinogenic chemicals screwing up your popcorn.  To use it you simply pour your kernels into the container, place your butter (if you like) in the silicone melting lid, and microwave for 2 minutes and 45 seconds. That’s it. Easy peasy.  What’s even cooler is that as the butter melts, it drips down through the lid and coats your popcorn for you, while its popping. I totally need this thing.  It’s made of borosilicate (laboratory glass) and is dishwasher safe.  How cool. And guess what? I’m giving one away to one lucky reader.  (You are lucky… even I don’t have one of these yet. )

          Here’s How To Enter (Required):

          Visit MightyNest’s new Kitchen Essentials section and tell me in the comments what you need for your non-toxic kitchen.  What are you dying to replace?

          For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

          • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
          • Fan/Like  MightyNest on Facebook (first name, last initial)
          • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Follow @MightyNest on Twitter (Twitter name)
          • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
          • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
          • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN a glass popcorn maker from @MightyNest on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 5/19 http://tinyurl.com/6cbcctk

          One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until May 19, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck!

          Congratulations Kim, commenter #17!

          May

          11

          Guest Post: 411 On Mattress Off-Gassing (Giveaway)

          Filed Under Healthy Home | 304 Comments

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            Kate Ferry of SacredBee.net is providing her debut guest article for SafeMama.com on the topic of Mattresses and Off-gassing. Please read on to learn more from our knowledgeable writer!

            The term “off-gassing” has become a hot-button topic when it comes to considering clean air in our homes and environment.  Off-gassing, or outgassing as it’s also referred to, is the release of gas that was dissolved, absorbed, frozen or trapped in a material.  It usually refers to noxious or harmful chemicals and is particularly worrisome when it occurs in a closed environment with stagnant air.

            One of the most common household items that gives cause for consideration to many concerned parents and adults is the bed mattress.  Infant and children’s mattresses are particularly important because of the length of time and extended periods that little ones spend sleeping.

            When I was pregnant with our first child, I hadn’t delved deep into an eco-conscious lifestyle or avidly perused every known article on toxic chemicals and children’s exposure.  I couldn’t reason the need for an expensive mattress or a certain thickness when it wasn’t possible to poll the one who would be sleeping on it and ask her preference.  So, the crib mattress we purchased was the “blue light special” on Aisle 8 and it was sufficient.

            But, then Beckett was born and our lives changed forever.  This life, this shining light, was ours to raise, protect and nurture; and every decision – no matter how minute – was analyzed.  Including her exposure to potentially harmful substances and chemicals.  Our family embarked on a life-altering journey in January 2010 and began to make our lives and our home “greener”.  I began feverishly looking for a replacement mattress.  But, the price tags of all-natural and organic mattresses made me shudder.  As luck would have it – I snagged a name brand organic, all-natural crib mattress on Craigslist for less than half of the normal retail price and it was brand new!

            Here’s the thing – I know I’m not alone when it comes to considering mattress safety and our children.  And, I know that I am not the only one that lives on a budget and spends dollars wisely.  So, where’s the middle ground between affordability and safety?  Is there really a need to consider and spend bigger bucks on all-natural and organic when it comes to mattresses?  Is it possible to buy cheaper and off-gas the noxious chemicals?  These are questions I’m considering and hope to answer here for you.

            Why is off-gassing in mattresses a concern?

            There are two portions of a mattress that can off-gas.  The first component is the foam and synthetic materials that the mattress is composed of.  These include the polyurethane foam, icynene foam and biobase foam.  The make-up of polyurethane foam is the primary foundation in almost all mattresses because of its unique quality to remain bouncy almost indefinitely.  The polyurethane foam off-gasses “isocyanate” – a key agitator in the making of polyurethane that creates the foam bubbles.  Studies have shown the exposure to isocyanate results in headaches and other irritations, but does not have a proven health risk.

            The second component are the chemicals used to glue, stain and coat the mattress.  Mattresses manufactured in the United States are required to be fire-retardant and the industry standard for complying with these regulations is a mixture of known carcinogenic chemicals.  These chemicals include boric acid (used in rat poison and roach killer) and antimony trioxide.  Carcinogenic chemicals by definition are known cancer causing agents.

            The final component is an indirect result of the fire-retardants and the polyurethane make up of the mattress.  The chemicals used in both processes are magnets for fungus and bacteria.  These organisms can off-gas some of the most toxic byproducts as they consume these very materials and chemicals.

            One of the assumptions people often make about off-gassing is that the “new product smell” is an indication of whether or not a mattress needs to be or has been properly off-gassed.  I contacted and perused the websites of five major mattress manufacturers and only one of them acknowledged “a new product smell”.  Taking the chemical make-up and potential exposure to toxic substances out of the equation, it would be foolhardy to say that new mattresses do not have a smell.  What that smell is and what you do about it are two different questions and at the bare minimum, the idea of “airing” the mattress should be addressed by the companies.

            TEMPUR-Pedic, one of the leading memory foam mattress companies addresses the “new product smell” with the following explanation.  I certainly wouldn’t call it reassuring.

            “Some people notice a slight odor to their new mattress – this can come from our TEMPUR material manufacturing process.  This smell is normal and usually disappears before the product reaches you.  Sometimes, however, this smell may still be noticeable.  It usually disappears after a few weeks.”

            What can you do to avoid off-gassing exposure?

            There are three different ways to limit your and your child’s exposure to off-gassing chemicals.  Each one fits into a different budget and works within your personal level of concern and vigilance towards your exposure.

            Keep reading to win this mattress!

            The first is to purchase an organic mattress that utilizes natural materials, including wool, to meet the fire retardant regulations set forth in the U.S.  The waterproof barrier used in these mattresses is a food-grade polyethylene that provides more than adequate protection against accidents and leaks.  The number one choice for organic and natural mattresses out there is Naturepedic.  With materials that are safe and non-toxic and a price point of between $250 and $400, the mattresses are relatively affordable.

            The second option is to purchase a standard mattress that utilizes polyurethane foam and traditional chemical-based fire retardants.  If you choose this option, your best choice is to allow your mattress to off-gas before you sleep on it.  How long you choose to off-gas the mattress is up to you.  It is impossible to know when the exposure level to the toxins is safe and/or has tapered off because each individual mattress has a different make-up of materials and chemical treatments.

            A third option, and the most price conscious is to wrap your standard mattress.  You can purchase a barrier that envelopes your mattress completely and blocks, to a certain extent, the chemicals being released during off-gassing.  One of the most reputable companies for a mattress cover is BabeSafe.

            Off-gassing in mattresses is a very real concern and one that is of particular interest to parents with little ones and those who are expecting.  It is a gray subject matter, to say the least, because every single person is different and every single mattress is different.  There is no clear evidence or concrete data on the health hazards towards humans from specific exposure to certain brands of mattresses.  Tests conducted in Europe have shown serious health effects on animals and they have chosen to phase out traditional fire retardants completely.  The single indisputable fact is that carcinogenic substances are being put onto and into standard mattresses as fire retardants.  If and how you choose to protect yourself against this exposure is up to you.

            WIN!

            Want to win a Naturepedic Organic Ultra Crib Mattress? Kate of SacredBee.net has coordinated a lovely giveaway for one of our very lucky readers to win a Naturepedic Organic Ultra Crib Mattress.

            Here’s How To Enter (Required):

            Leave a comment here telling us something you learned from Kate’s article on mattress off-gassing.

            For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count and you must have already completed the required entry method above):

            • Fan/Like  SafeMama on Facebook (first name, last initial)
            • Fan/Like Sacred Bee Blog on Facebook (first name, last initial)
            • Follow @SafeMama on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Follow @SacredBee on Twitter (Twitter name)
            • Subscribe to SafeMama.com via feedburner email
            • Follow me on Google Friend Connect!
            • Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments):  Enter to #WIN a @Naturepedic Crib Mattres on @SafeMama! #giveaway ends 5/24 http://tinyurl.com/6ypazmk

            One US winner will be selected at random using Random.org.  Entries will be accepted until May 24, 2011 at midnight EST.  Good Luck! Thank you in advance to Sacred Bee and Naturepedic for this fabulous giveaway.

            Congratulations to Toni commenter #170! Thank you everyone who entered and tweeted the giveaway.  I wish we could give an organic mattress to everyone!!!

            Didn’t win a Naturepedic?

            Stop by MightyNest.com or Lullaby Organics to buy your own. Both offer a 10% off coupon on their ads above! That’s a decent savings combined with free shipping.

            Lullaby Organics has a good deal going on right now:  Use your coupon code for 10% off (code: SAFEMAMA), plus get free shipping and a free organic cotton crib sheet with crib mattress purchase or free organic cotton complete sheet set with mattress set purchase (twin-queen size).

            Please welcome our new Guest Writer Katy Ferry! Kate Ferry is a freelance writer living in Custer, Washington.  In 2010, her family made the choice to support a more eco-conscious lifestyle by supporting local, buying organic, reducing their waste and eliminating their exposure to toxic chemicals in the home.  When she is not at her full-time job number crunching for a local school district, she can be found tending to her beehives, knee-deep in the garden, wrangling in her two-year-old daughter or relishing in the joys of pregnancy with the expectant arrival of her second child in October.  You can find more of her work and information on her family’s project on her website, www.SacredBee.net.

            May

            5

            5 Phases Glass & Plastic Hybrid Baby Bottles

            Filed Under Food Safety, product finds | 4 Comments

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              I saw these recently on The Glass Baby Bottle and had to share because I thought it was a pretty neat solution to the glass bottle vs plastic bottle debate.  Many people want the safety of a non-leaching glass bottle without the fear of shattering it.  I have broken a couple of glass bottles in my day (well actually, my husband has broken them, not me) and the glass is an issue, the cost of losing one is my biggest beef. These new bottles from 5 Phases seem to have it covered with one bottle.

              It works similar to those old school plastic bottles with the insert bags only instead of plastic, it has a removable 8oz glass insert, encased with a polypropylene (and therefore probably recyclable) outer bottle.  The liquid sits in the glass portion and is protected by the plastic outer sleeve.  I just think it’s a nice idea for those who worry about using glass.  There are many other glass options of course, and they are great too, but this is definitely a new way of handling it.  The price point is a little high, but in reality you don’t need that many bottles to feed a baby… especially if you primarily breastfeed and need one for when Dad takes a turn.

              Get It: You can pick up a 5 Phases bottle and nipple accessories on The Glass Baby Bottle.  Tell them I said hi!

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