Posts Tagged ‘healthy’

Posted on September 2, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Toxicity Fight Club: Boys & Girls Edition

If ingredients linked to allergies, cancer and other ailments deserve a one-two punch in grown-up products, they deserve an extra whammy when it comes to kids’ lotions and potions. After all, the wee ones count on us to make smart, grown-up decisions (even if they do scream over washing their hair or a smart slathering of sunscreen).

Here are some highlights of what to avoid when it comes to chemical-free kiddie care…

Shampoo & Conditioner:

Avoid these ingredients…

• DMDM Hydantoin: This allergen and irritant can form cancer-causing contaminants
• Fragrance:  As we’ve pointed out before, ‘fragrance’ is code for all kinds of funky allergens that may contain neurotoxic or hormone-disrupting chemicals
• Ceteareth & PEG Compounds: These harmful petrochemicals that may contain cancer-causing impurities are far from kid-friendly.

Body Wash & Liquid Soap

Avoid these ingredients…

• Triclosan: Like we said, try, try, try for no triclosan! It’s a potential hormone disruptor which can effect the endocrine system which regulates growth and development.
• DMDM Hydantoin: See above, and keep in mind that in Japan, DMDM Hydantoin is prohibited for use in some types of cosmetics!
• Fragrance: See above and always opt for ‘fragrance-free’

Play Make-up

Kids love to play dress-up. But when it comes to trying on mom’s make-up, keep in mind that…

• Your lipstick may contain harmful impurities that your child might swallow in trace amounts
• Most nail polish contains dibutyl phthalate and toluene, both of which are linked to hormone disruption and cancer
• Cosmetics in powder form might damage lungs when inhaled

Buy organic, keep toxins at bay for your tot, print the guide to learn more and don’t forget the ultimate in full-disclosure personal care for you and the kids – Do It Yourself (DIY!).

Posted on August 31, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Snarky but Sensible: Umbra’s Shared Outrage

I’m a big fan of Grist, the green news website renowned for its catchy, Onion-esque headlines. The site’s writers churn out quippy green copy faster than Letterman and Leno non-green writers on a good day. Some recent instant Grist classics include…

• How will you celebrate global warming’s 35th birthday?
• Insulate, baby, insulate
• Paris hopes to expand car-sharing, limit car-burning

That’s why when their self-described ‘green advice maven,’ the snarky and fabulous Umbra Fisk, delivers green news that’s on the same page as my posts, I’m tickled pink.

Umbra’s Outrage

Umbra’s lastest reader reply letter covered the stinky truth about conventional, chemical-fueled perfumes, much like Napa Valley Bath did a couple of weeks ago.  Highlights from her post include:

• Clinique’s ironically entitled “Happy” perfume includes chemicals linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies, skin, eye, and lung irritation, and more
• An enlightening quote from one of the authors of No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics, which sounds like a must-buy for our personal care green library! Alexandra Spunt is quoted as saying:
  • “There’s no way for consumers to verify what’s in [perfume or cologne],” said Alexandra. “Thanks to business-friendly trade secret laws, the fragrance industry is not required to reveal ingredients.”
• Chemical-filled fragrances contribute to indoor air pollution; their additives are often composed of Volatile Organic Compounds leaving free radicals and ozone to run amuck in enclosed spaces.
• “Chanel was never meant to spice shellfish” – this is Umbra’s way of saying that the chemicals in conventional perfumes get into our water streams and pollute the environment too.
• She encourages Umbra-philes to watch The Story of Cosmetics, which yours truly also did…
• Because she’s a ‘take action’ kind of girl, Umbra ends her post by directing readers to send, read and share the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010.

Read the entire post here, and check out Umbra’s lively video clips, also available on Grist. I hope you enjoy Umbra’s singular, sarcastic style as much as I do!

Read more on NVB:

Eau de Daddy-O

Take the Ingredient Test

Posted on August 24, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Rough patch? The ‘Why’ Behind Dry

Your skin is more complicated than it looks. The average square inch of your skin holds:

• 650 sweat glands
• 20 blood vessels
• 60,000 melanocytes (pigment skin cells)
• 1,000+ nerve endings

All three main layers (epidermis, stratum corneum and dermis) work in harmony with one another. If any of the following are a part of your daily life, dry skin may disrupt your natural ability to moisturize:

• Exposure to excessive sun
• Excessive bathing
• Use of conventional, detergent-based soaps
• Low humidity
• Central air and heating

It’s time to get rid of pesky dry patches one and for all!

Moisturizing Madness to the Rescue!

Napa Valley Bath’s Moisturizing Madness gift set includes 3 steps to moister, smoother skin:

1. 8oz. Lavender Lotion – Certified organic herbal extracts, the highest-quality natural food-grade safflower vegetable oil, nourishing seaweed (algae) and healing aloe vera blend with four lavenders selected from around the world. Decadent, delightful…and mortal enemy of dry skin.
2. 4 oz. Body Butter - Combines the highest quality shea butter from Uganda, healing herbs, health-food-grade fresh vegetable oils, natural vegetable waxes, and soothing aromatic lavender water from the Aromatic Plant Project. A must-have for cracked, callused and parched skin.
3. Hoof Cream – This tin of rich balm revitalizes your hands and feet with a blend of olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, tocoperol, orange essential oil, lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil

…given the prices of typical department store brands (which are chock full of synthetic ingredients, toxic fragrance and may even be tested on animals) the Napa Valley Bath Moisturizing Madness package is a steal at $58 – order yours here!

Posted on August 21, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Holistic Mom Power!

Bringing a new face into the world makes it a whole lot brighter…but a lot more worrisome too.

What’s in that bubble bath? Is that burger grass fed? Is that car seat in correctly? Is he/she eating/drinking/sleeping/smiling enough?

Mamma mia is right!

Holistic Moms to the Rescue!

Holistic Moms Network is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization connecting parents who are interested in holistic health and green living. (Dads are welcome too by the way!).

For $45 a year, you gain access to a Holistic Moms Network chapter meeting near you. This network of like-minded people beats at the heart of your membership. Membership includes a slew of benefits, but I particularly like the FREE digital subscriptions to Mothering and Organic Spa Magazines in addition to the Wise-E Mom E-Magazine that HMN publishes. The HealthE Mama News is free to all.

What is Holistic?

Here’s how HMN puts it:

Holistic living is the art of living in balance with ourselves and our environment. Understanding and respecting that all things are interconnected is at the heart of a holistic lifestyle.

Holistic living is about taking responsibility for our actions and choices in the knowledge that these choices have consequences for all living things on the planet.

If that sounds good to you, consider the Holistic Moms Network. And as always, we welcome your ideas and comments on living life naturally, organically and happily right here!

Read More: Baby Love: Keeping Toxins at Bay

Posted on August 14, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Seek Out Essential Green Clean!

In our 3-part lifestyle series, we’ve covered clothing (organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and more!) and bedding (those marvelous organic mattresses). Less fabulous – but equally fundamental – is green cleaning.

Whether you scrub up at home yourself – or hire someone to do it – you should know that when it comes to clean, you could be living the ultimate irony: spreading dirty chemicals around in the name of clean. One example: antibacterial cleaning products are actually registered with the EPA as pesticides. Does that sound like healthy clean to you?

Western cultures spend up to 90% of our time indoors, so clean indoor air really counts. A clean green home is free of dirt and germs – but also free of toxic pollution. You can use the following ingredients – many of which you may already have in your cabinets – to create powerful DIY cleaning products (great cleaning recipes are easily found using a simple google search):

• White distilled vinegar: Use white distilled vinegar with 55% acetic acid; vinegar disinfects, deodorizes, loosens dirt, removes mineral deposits and more…
• Baking soda: Look for baking soda that is “pure” or 100% sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda is abrasive enough to scrub off dirt and stains; deodorizes carpets, drains and fridges; and softens fabric in the wash cycle.
• Borax and washing soda: These alkaline minerals are stronger than baking soda so wear gloves. They brighten your wash, can be used to scrub stubborn stains from counters or bathtubs, kill mold and make toilet bowls sparkle.
• Soap and water: Experts agree that soap and water are less harmful than antibacterial products – many of which include triclosan – and are just as effective. Good old soap and water can clean everything from counter top to carpet to fabric stains. Don’t forget the basics when it comes to building your green cleaning arsenal!
• Vinegar: Kills 99% of bacteria and is not registered as a pesticide (afterall, you can cook with it too!). Use it in laundry, household filters, cutting boards…pretty much anything, safely and easily!
• Lavender Oil: Self-promotion aside, lavender is truly one of your critical green cleaning ingredients. Add it to all-purpose or glass cleaner or dilute with water to make a lovely antibacterial spray and spread aromatherapeutic love all over your home. 100% essential oil comes in dark glass containers; be sure to avoid the synthetic versions!

Let us know what all-natural, toxin free cleaner you use at home, right here!

Read More: 

Get Your Healthy Home Checklist Here

Three Ways to Avoid Toxic Air Fresheners

Posted on August 10, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

The Case for Organic Clothing, Bedding & Cleaning Products Too!

Since skin is our body’s largest organ, it truly matters what – exactly – is in our personal care products (and why organic and natural products from companies like Napa Valley Bath help us breathe easy).

In addition to all natural and organic personal care, other daily use items that effect our health include:

• clothing
• bedding
• cleaning products

Over the next series of posts, I’ll delve into each one of these areas and share why it’s worth considering the organic options of each.

Clothes Horse?

Billions of pounds of synthetic pesticides are used in non-organic cotton production every year. Sadly, the cotton industry’s ‘fabric of our lives’ purity message is simply false. Cotton pesticides:

• Find their way into the soil and water systems
• Threaten soil health and clean water supplies
• Negatively effect biodiversity
• Expose people who buy clothing and textiles to toxic chemicals with known health risks

Choosing organic clothing and textiles is one way to ‘vote with your dollars;’ you’ll help reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and contribute to better personal health and the health of the planet.

Worry-Free & Fabulous Fabrics

In addition to organic cotton, here are some other sustainable fabrics (sustainable fabrics = natural, organic or made from recycled content) to look for:

• Bamboo (some varieties of bamboo can grow up to 3 feet a day!)
• Hemp (yes it’s illegal to grow in the U.S. – but not to buy!)
• Flax (used to make linen, flax requires fewer pesticides and fertilizers than cotton)
• Soy (made from the by-products of tofu manufacturing!)
• Lyocell (made from wood pulp from fast-growing trees)

Learn more about organic agriculture here.

Posted on August 5, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Michael Pollan Says Invest in Organic!

“Don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”

Simple, smart advice like this is why I’m a fan of Michael Pollan, a writer who covers the politics and pleasures of eating with a passion.  Several generations ago, no one would recognize the foods commonly found in today’s vending machines…or pretty much anything pre-packaged for that matter.

Pollan was interviewed recently in what looks like the Greenmarket Farmers Market in Union Square, NYC. At Napa Valley Bath, our focus is on personal care products, but I thought I’d do a ‘tip of the hat’ to our sister site, St. Helena’s Olive Oil Co. and share some of Pollan’s top sound bites (pun intended!):

• “Food is too important to economize on.”

• Organic is always a better choice for the environment:  buying organic helps contribute to keeping pesticides out of land and water supply.

• If economizing, buy organic when it comes to delicate skin foods – peaches, apples, grapes. They tend to have more residues than thicker skin fruits and veggies (oranges, bananas, pineapples).

• Organic food is harder to grow – hence why it’s more expensive.  More weeds means more work (vs. labor-saving chemicals/pesticides).

• One way to economize with organic meat is to buy in bulk and freeze what you don’t use.

• Organic junk food is still junk food – don’t fall for it.

• When it comes to organic milk, make sure it comes from grass-fed dairy cows. Ditto for buying beef.

What are some of the healthy food choices you live by? Share them with other readers here!

Check out Michael Pollan’s interview in its entirety at NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

Posted on August 3, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

The Cold Coal Truth

Coal tar, a thick liquid or semisolid obtained from bituminous coal, is an oft-used ingredient in:

• Anti-dandruff shampoos
• Hair dyes
• Topical treatments for psoriasis and skin rashes
• Moisturizers
• Most of the synthetic colors and dyes found in our cosmetics

Why the Goal Should Be No Coal

Coal tar is a…

• known human carcinogen
• contributor to lung and urinary tract cancer
• potent skin irritant

The European Union banned coal tar in 2004. But yep, it’s still in play here in the U.S., even though it scores a 10 (highest hazard rating) in the super helpful Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database. And the Centers for Disease Control recommends that coal tar simply should not come in contact with your skin.

Coal tar can also be listed on ingredient lists as:

• Tar
• Coal
• Coal tar solution

What to do? Invest in organic personal care products. The Organic Trade Association says it best with their campaign Organic: It’s Worth It. I love this title since it frankly admits that yes, organic is more expensive…but it is a worthy investment in order to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.

Posted on July 13, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Explore the New Safe Chemicals Act

“Chemical safety reform is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it is a common-sense issue and I look forward to building bipartisan support for this measure.”

–Senator Frank Lautenberg, one of the initiators of the Safe Chemicals Act, April 15, 2010

It’s been over 30 years of same old, same old when it comes to the safety of chemicals used in consumer products.

While red tape and over-regulation in D.C. can seem a bit much at times, chemical regulation is something that we do need – for the sake of our health and the health of our loved ones.

Enough to Throw a Toxic Tantrum!

Consider the facts about the current and outdated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):

• The main federal law designed to ensure the safety of chemicals used in consumer products in the United States hasn’t changed in 34 years.

• The original Toxic Substances Control Act requires testing on only about 200 out of 82,000 chemicals entering the market since 1976

• Under this outdated law, the EPA has only partially restricted five out of 80,000 chemicals on the market

• The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) – which considers the toxic topic “high risk area of government,” says that the original TSCA ‘places significant burdens on those most likely to be affected by these chemicals, requiring them to research products for themselves to determine risks, identify, and test the safety of alternatives.’

Those who manufacture safe, natural products — like Napa Valley Bath and others — are already keeping toxins out of personal care products like soap, lotions, bath products and more. But sadly, they don’t make up the broader product stream indulged in by the majority of the public.

Out with the Old, In with the New!

The new law would correct existing flaws in consumer regulation and would require safety testing of all industrial chemicals.

This testing would rightly put the burden on industry to prove that chemicals are safe in order to stay on the market. Highlights include:

• Provides EPA with sufficient information to judge a chemical’s safety.
• Requires manufacturers to develop and submit a minimum data set for each chemical they produce, while also preventing duplicative or unnecessary testing.
• Gives EPA full authority to request additional information needed to determine the safety of a chemical.
• Prioritizes chemicals based on risk.
• Calls on the EPA to categorize chemicals based on risk
• Focuses resources on evaluating those most likely to cause harm.
• Ensures safety threshold is met for all chemicals on the market.
• Places the burden of proof on chemical manufacturers to prove the safety of their chemicals.
• Ensures all uses are identified and determined as safe for the chemical to enter the market or continue to be used.
• Requires EPA to take fast action to reduce risk from chemicals that have already been proven dangerous.
• Empowers EPA Administrators to act quickly if any chemical poses an imminent hazard.
• Creates open access to reliable chemical information.
• Establishes a public database to catalog the information submitted by chemical manufacturers and the EPA’s safety determinations.
• Empowers the EPA to impose requirements to ensure the information collected is reliable.
• Promotes innovation and development of green chemistry.
• Establishes grant programs and research centers to foster the development of safe chemical alternatives, and brings some new chemicals onto the market using an expedited review process.

2 Things You Can Do Now

• Vote with your dollars – First and foremost, you can opt out of buying products made with harmful chemicals. Chose organic products that include natural ingredients like lavender, honey, aloe and check ingredient lists for bad chemical components.

• Write to Congress – Those who really know their stuff (like the folks at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families) say that while the legislation is one huge step in the right direction, it could be improved upon. Check out their letter to congress and if you agree, send it to your senator. Tell other concerned friends and family too.

We’ll be keeping an eye on this legislation and report back as we know more. Until then, keep reading your ingredient lists and be an informed, intelligent, and chemical-free consumer!

Posted on July 8, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

And the #1 Natural Antioxidant for Sun Protection is…

In a recent post, we told you what nasty ingredients to avoid when seeking a healthier, non-toxic sunscreen when lazing surf-side.

But what about the rest of the time?  You’re skin is exposed to sun radiation every day – not just on those gloriously long weekends. When you combine sun radiation exposure with any one of the following…

• toxins in the environment
• a weak immune system
• a so-so diet
• stress

…you’re skin may not be able to tap into it’s natural ability to protect itself from the elements, including the sun.

Tea Time!

Green tea to the rescue!

The polyphenol called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea has been proven in studies to prevent DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation.

Opt for iced green tea this spring and summer. Here’s one fun way to wrap the sun’s power into the very beverage you’re using to offset its ‘dark side.’

Sun-Soaked Green Iced Tea

In a glass jar or pitcher, place 1 teaspoon of loose green tea or 1 tea bag per pint or tap water (with sugar or honey, if you wish). Cover and set in the sun for 1 hour or so. Timing is not critical – because the water doesn’t boil, the tea will not get bitter.

Adding EGCG: An Alternative

If green tea – hot or cold – isn’t your thing, you can buy EGCG in a concentrated extract or powder form. Add it to your sun-protection moisturizer and prevent DNA damage from ultraviolet radiation that way!