No More Plastic Bags

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According to Greenpeace around 100 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year. Somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year. Who many to you use each year?

In these plastic bag facts you can read that just 6 bags a week adds up to 22,176 bags in a lifetime.

You can find cloth bags in most stores today. But if you if you’re looking for something special, like the eyecatching tote bag on the image. Go to Reusablebags.com. Of for a more eco-minimalistic look try GreenKit .

The Black Sheep of the Organic Industry

When will we start putting REAL demands on the cosmetics and skin care industry?

The organic industry is booming. We buy more and more organic foods. We search for organic clothing, and organic gardening is becoming really popular.

One industry that has been left out is the cosmetics industry. Sure there is mineral makeup and products that are called “natural” or “organic”.

But what do the words “natural” or “organic” mean to the cosmetics industry?

Read more

Fake Organic Skincare

Now who do we trust?

I just read that the Attorney General of California has filed a lawsuit against:

• Avalon Natural
• Whole Foods Market California
• Beaumont Products
• Nutribiotic

This because they have failed to give clear and reasonable warning of the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in their products.

Under the states Proposition 65 consumer products should not expose consumers to chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity without giving clear and reasonable warning. And when adding 1,4-Dioxane in their products Avalon Natural and the others failed to follow the law.

Is 1,4-Dioxane bad?

Water containing 1,4-dioxane causes cancer in lab rats.

Studies in animals have shown that skin contact with 1,4-dioxane can result in liver and kidney damage.

Even big companies that market themselves an natural and better are not to be trusted.

I always thought that natural meant existing in or formed by nature -not artificial.

But the industry standard has become that natural is any ingredient derived from something natural. Derived with a synthetic process. They can make “natural” vanilla aroma from cow dung. I wish natural could be not artificial and stop having to feel like I need to check and double check everything I buy.

Popular organic clothing coming to the US

Hessnatur makes really nice organic clothing. They have something for everyone in the family including the cutest organic baby clothing in their baby shop.

So far they have only been active in Europe but now they are opening an ONLINE shop in the US.

Make sure to check out their site at:
Hess-natur.com

Another online eco-store well worth visiting is Factory Green. The shop is run by two pre-med college students at the University of Missouri who setup the store in their free time.

Also make sure to visit their blog.

Is your nail polish making your son infertile?

Did you know that that the average sperm counts have decreased significantly since the 1940s?

Could this be caused by toxins?

There is a substance called phthalates. They have been linked to problems of the reproductive system, including decreased sperm motility and
concentration in men. They can also cause genital abnormalities in baby boys.

Phthalates are added to plastics to make them more flexible. And they are used in nail polish, air refreshers and fragrances.

Stuff we have around us all the time.

Read the full article here

There are safe and natural insect repellents

I love summer but sometimes the mosquitoes take away the pleasure.

They are not only annoying. With more diseases spreading through insects they are potentiality dangerous.

Luckily, the number of human cases of West Nile infection in the US dropped to 3630 in 2007 after the peak of 4269 in 2006. What will happen this year?

It is a though call. We need to protect ourselves from mosquito bites but insect repellents are toxic.
Most insect repellents contain DEET. DEET is toxic and potentially fatal if swallowed. As we apply DEET it is absorbed through the skin.

When using conventional toxic insect repellent. I highly recommend that you put the repellent on your clothes instead of on your skin. Wear long selves and pants and apply the mosquito repellent on the clothes before you putt them on.

Even better is of course to use a safe natural insect repellent instead.

I’ve found an insect repellent which is not just natural and organic. It is certified organic to food standards. Buzz Free Zone Personal Spray uses powerful essential oil such as tea tree, citronella and catnip.
It is even safe to use on small children. Just don’t use it in the face and, as with any product, pay close attention in case it does not agree with your child’s skin.

Did you know that research has shown that the essential oil of catnip is 10 times more effective as DEET?

More natural ways to avoid mosquito bites are:

• Eat a lot of garlic. It does not only repel mosquitoes it is also great for your overall health.
• Do not use perfumes as they attract mosquitoes. Remember that you shampoo, deodorant and skin care probably also contain perfume.
• Plant natural repellents such as marigold, lavender and rosemary around the yard, especially around your deck.
• Don’t use clothing with contrasting colors. Then the mosquitoes will see you better.
• Get a bat. If you build or buy a bat house, a bat may move in and start killing thousands of mosquitoes every night.

Do you want to make your own chemical free bug repellent? Check out this article on Garden Mandy.

And check out this really cool mosquito repellant to spray in your garden.

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