Toxic Tuesday

Toxins in your Mouthwash and Better Alternatives

Are Toxins in your Mouthwash?

We were all taught to brush, floss and use mouthwash. Is mouthwash helping your mouth or hurting it? The two main ingredients found in mouth are Chlorexidin and benzidamine. Both these ingredients are suspected to be damaging to DNA. Altered DNA has shown to initiate degenerative diseases including cancer.chemical_free_mouthwash_toxins

Although mouthwash is not swallowed, it is absorbed into the mouth tissues and does enter the blood stream. In addition residue can be swallowed causing good gut bacteria to be destroyed. Other studies have shown that mouthwashes with a lower pH can cause enamel erosion. If you are using a low Ph mouthwash it should never be used prior to brushing as you will soften enamel and brush it away.

The goal of mouth wash is supposed to be to eliminate bad breath caused by food and bacteria stuck in your teeth. While mouthwash will temporarily accomplish this, the high alcohol content dries your saliva glands making them unable to wash away bacteria-thus causing more bad breath.

A better solution? Oil pulling. Personally I add clove and peppermint essential oils for their benefits.

Coconut Oil Pulling Benefits & How-to Guide

Toxins in Carpet Fresheners

What Toxins are in your Carpet Fresheners?

If you have carpets chances are that is one of the main places you are sitting, laying and playing with your children. Children themselves spend most of the time sitting and playing on the floor.

You want your carpets to stay clean and healthy, which is often a feat in itself if you have pets or children. There are many carpet deodorizing powders on the market to “help” with this solution. But are they Toxins in Carpet Cleanershelping or hurting?

Carpet deodorizing powders are meant to be completely vacuumed up after application. Unfortunately, the powder or its residue can easily be left behind.  It may have sunk too deep into the carpet fibers, meaning that even high-powered vacuums won’t be able to pull it out.  Carpet deodorizers contain many unsafe ingredients linked to lung damage, kidney damage, nervous system damage, hormone disruption and blood disorders along with probably carcinogens. Chances are they also contain a lot of “fragrance.”  Fragrance is the protected trade secret of as many as 3,600 ingredients, many of which are toxic or have never been tested for safety. Once the residue has been left behind it will continue to be inhaled.

Sometimes you still need a solution for your carpet and the smell it has acquired. Like many safe cleaning ingredients, baking soda is your answer.

  • Grab a glass jar;
  • Fill it with baking soda and some drops of a deodorizing essential oil.
  • Sprinkle on your carpet (this works best in a shaker/salt jar) let set.
  • Vacuum.
  • Your carpet will be safe and smell amazing, and no one will be inhaling toxins.

 

Toxins in Eyeliner

Toxins in Eyeliner?

You want everything you put on your body to be as safe as possible knowing that those ingredients do get absorbed into your skin. So what’s lurking in your eyeliner?

Carbon Black. What is it? Often labeled as D & C Black No.2, acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, Toxins in Eyeliner lamp black or thermal black. It has been identified as a carcinogen.  Concerns include cancer, and organ toxicity. Reading your label can help you avoid that one. Sadly, there is a larger problem.  Testing has found levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, beryllium and nickel in all the products analyzed. You will not find these on your label since they are considered “impurities” and are not intentionally added.

If you really love your eyeliner you can still find brands without the Carbon Black in them.  The more toxins you eliminate the less that can accumulate in your body. If you aren’t doing anything special-skip it that day! The fewer toxins you put into your body the safer you are!

 

Insect Repellents and Sunscreen

What comes first – the Sunscreen or Insect Repellent?

Such a conflict for summertime!  You want to avoid mosquito bites and sunburns. You want to make applying the needed sprays and creams as easy as possible, but what is safest? We have outlined some basic rules of thumb to help make your summer easier.

  1. We discussed sunscreen toxins previously, but an extra reminder comes into play here. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone (a toxin) can enhance the absorption of DEET. IfInsect Repellant and Sunscreen you have chosen products with these ingredients you should be aware that they enhance the problem together.
  2. Insect repellents can reduce the SPF factor to your sunscreen by one third (insect repellents continue to be as efficient when combined)
  3. Insect repellents do not need to be reapplied as frequently or as generously as sunscreen. By combining the two you would be either “over using” insect repellent or “under using” sunscreen.
  4. In most cases mosquitoes are not an issue at the same time sunscreen is needed so you would not need to use both products at once.
  5. Long clothing when possible is still a good rule of thumb for sun and insect protection.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/sun-exposure

Dealing with Weeds Without the Toxins

Non-Toxic Weed Killer?

Weeds, the never ending battle between time and a good looking yard. Garden or not, they pop up Garden weed poking through the groundeverywhere, especially when we are really busy or company is coming over. Not everyone has the time to spend pulling weeds, and we all want quick solutions so we can get back to enjoying our families and free time.

The concerning number of harmful chemicals that offer quick solutions ‘weed killers’ are not worth the harm they place on ourselves, our families, and the environment. Those on the market these days contain glyphosate, which is toxic and linked to cancer, birth defects, reduced fertility, miscarriages and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Polythoxylated tallowmine, the substitute, tests to be even more toxic.

So what’s the solution to having a nice yard and staying free from harm?

  • Weeds can be pulled easily after a rainstorm when the ground is still wet.
  • Cover them! Some cardboard or newspaper blocking adequate sunlight will eliminate them in a few Weed Killer Alternativesdays!
  • Pour boiling water or vinegar on them. Vinegar will change the PH in the soil, so be cautious in garden beds.
  • Weed killer recipe: 1 gallon of vinegar, 1 cup of salt, 1TBSP dish soap (be careful! This will also kill your grass so spray accordingly!) You will still need to pull the weeds, as the roots are still alive.
  • Learn to be okay with them-after all, the dandelion is not a bad plant!

 

Learning why the weeds showed up in the first place is another way for prevention. Dandelions thrive at a pH level of about 7.5, so this is a sign to lower the pH. Clover and medic signal that your lawn may be nitrogen poor, and needs compost or a nitrogen. You can get an inexpensive soil testing kit that can tell you what your soil needs. In addition, Corn Gluten is a great natural way to control weeds in your lawn. Just look for a certified organic and non-GMO.

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Toxins in Sunscreen

Toxins in Sunscreen

☠Toxic Tuesday☠
Sunscreen comes with a lot of misconceptions and sometimes a lot of toxins ☠
People often think an SPF 30 means you can stay out twice as long as with an SPF 15. ☀️☀️The fact is an SPF 15 protects against 93% of UVB rays while SPF 30 provides 97% protection. Anything above a 30 is considered a maSunscreen Toxinsrketing ploy. 😔

SPF ratings only includes UVB rays. You should look for a sunscreen that also states “broad spectrum”, and contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for UVA protection.
The general issue is most people do not apply enough sunscreen for proper coverage, nor do they reapply often enough. (Every 2 hours and after getting wet!) Read your labels, apply generously and reapply often!✔️

Sunscreen with Moisturizer

☀️Does it matter which you apply first sunscreen or moisturizer?❓❓❓

The answer is yes!✔️

 

Know Your Barcodes

Barcodes for Fruit and Veggies☠Toxic Tuesday☠
Most people know organic is best, especially when it comes to produce, but if it is not organic how do you know what you are getting?🍎
Fruits and veggies all have a 4 or 5 digit code.
4 digits: conventionally grown/with pesticides 🍎
5 digits: if it STARTS with a 9 it is organic. ✔️🍏
5 digits: if it starts with an 8 it has been genetically modified☠🍎☠

❌☠washing produce can help with pesticides but NOT GMO’s! They penetrate every cell of the food❌☠

Deet Alternative: Toxins In Your Insect Repellant

Deet Alternative: Toxins in your insect repellant

Looking for a Deet Alternative?

It’s that time of year! The bugs are out, and the myths and wives tales start about what actually works. 
This one is tricky. Being toxin free is a goal, but mosquitos carry diseases and no one enjoys being covered in bites regardless. 


New this year? The CDC has stated that lemon eucalyptus is as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitos!  Depending on your area, amount of exposure and time of day (after dusk is peak) use your judgement on what is best for you! 

Mosquitos carry diseases so protection is warranted. Your risk is determined by your length of exposure and location. You should determine what is best for you and your family.

Toxins Found in Insect Repellent: 

DEET: Risks include damage to brain and other organs.

Icaridin: (Saltidin) Still considered a toxin, but proven as effective and less toxic than DEET.

Wristbands: Some studies show effective for only 18 seconds.

Electronic Devices: Shown not to work.

Options:

  • Wear long clothing
  • Avoid scented soaps and fragrance items.
  • Essential Oils: Geranium, Peppermint, Lavender, Citronella, and Lemon Eucalyptus are effective for short amounts of time.

CDC (Center for Disease Control) Statement :http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/protection-against-mosquitoes-ticks-other-arthropods

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