10 Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to BPA
Since our culture is obsessed with plastic you can't avoid all BPA but you can surely reduce your intake.
1. Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby
We use BPA-Free plastic bowls and plates made by Munchkin...check that packaging!
2. Give your baby natural fabric toys or wood ones instead of plastic ones
3. Store your food and beverages in glass -- NOT plastic -- containers
4. IF you choose to use a microwave, don’t microwave food in a plastic container
5. Stop buying and consuming canned foods and drinks
6. Avoid using plastic wrap (and never microwave anything covered in it)
7. Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass varieties
8. If you opt to use plastic kitchenware, at least get rid of the older, scratched-up varieties, avoid putting them in the dishwasher, and don’t wash them with harsh detergents, as these things can cause more chemicals to leach into your food
9. Avoid using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead
10. Before allowing a dental sealant to be applied to you, or your children’s teeth, ask your dentist to verify that it does not contain BPA
In the event that you do opt to use plastic containers for your food, be sure to avoid those marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7 as these varieties may contain BPA.
Containers marked with the recycling labels No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 do not contain BPA, but they do contain other unsavory chemicals that you’re best off avoiding as well. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s Smart Plastics Guide offers more detailed descriptions of the most commonly occurring chemicals in plastic products. They also offer this handy reminder:
"With your food, use 4, 5, 1 and 2. All the rest aren't good for you."
The website Mother Jones also offers a handy chart that you can cut out and stick on your refrigerator.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Plastic in the Kitchen
There's a new wave in testing people for a so-called "body burden" of industrial chemicals in their blood stream. The results should shock you. A family with two young children in Oakland, CA were invited by reporters to participate in a cutting-edge study to measure industrial chemicals in their bodies.
The parents were horrified to find that their children - a boy, then 18 months, and a five-year old girl - had chemical exposure levels up to seven times those of their parents. The baby boy had three times the level of flame retardants in his body that's been known to cause thyroid dysfunction in lab rats.
The following chemicals are in YOUR body...so lets take a look...
Phthalates:
This is a big one! Chemicals that make plastics soft and pliable. They're found in all kinds of plastic bottles, as well as plastic containers, kitchen wrap, soft toys and medical devices. Phthalates are also used as solvents for fragrances, so they're in a lot of personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, lotions, perfume, nail polish and cosmetics. Animal studies show that phthalates disrupt hormone levels, causing neurological dhysfunction and reproductive defects in lab rats. Preliminary studies on humans show that phthalate exposure may be associated with genital birth defects in males as well as male infertility.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs):
Flame-retardant chemicals. They're found in foam products such as mattresses, couches and carpets. In plastics such as casings for TVs, computers and other electronics. In building materials, motor vehicles, airplanes, and textiles. Animal studies show PBDEs cause liver, thyroid and neurological damage in lab rats. Health experts worry most about PBDEs potential harm to fetuses and children under 6, but studies on human toxicity have only just begun.
Bisphenol A (BPA):
This is a big too! A chemical used to make plastics hard. It's in polycarbonate plastic products such as baby bottles, hard water bottles and food containers, as well as in the resin lining of aluminum cans and some dental sealants. A study published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology found a link between bisphenoal A and female reproductive disorders such as cystic ovaries and cancers. In August, an expert panel from the National Institutes of Health expressed concern that bisphenol A may harm children and adults and recommended more research be done.
Perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs):
Chemicals used to make nonstick and stain-resistant products such as nonstick frying pans <-We use this all the time right?! and water-resistant materials. PFOAs have been shown to cause developmental problems and liver toxicity in lab rats. Animal studies have caused concern among health experts about PFOAs' toxicity to humans since they stay in the body for years at a time between exposures. Some studies have suggested that PFOAs are human carcinogens. A CARCINOGEN is any substance, radionuclide or radiation, that is an agent directly involved in causing CANCER.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):
Chemicals used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment as well as older models of microwaves and refrigerators. It is found in plasticizers in paints and cements, adhesives, wood floor finishes, de-dusting agents, water-proofing compounds, and surgical implants. They were banned in the US in the late 1970s, but they are long-lasting compounds that persist in the environment. The EPA calls PCBs a "probable carcinogen," meaning they probably cause cancer. PCBs have been associated with immunological and psychosocial problems in children, such as changes in motor skills and a decrease in short-term memory. In adults, PCBs have been associated with rashes, acne and liver damage.
So after all that....We use glass in the kitchen. I bought some Pyrex at Walmart and some mason jars. Britney at http://www.4littlemenandgirlytwins.com/ did a post about using certain plastics so I will just copy and paste it after this post because it's so great.
We also replaced our cookware with Todd English's Green Pan. It does not contain PFOA. You can find it at http://www.hsn.com/
But I bought my set on EBAY for a lot cheaper. The pots are fantastic but the pans are hard to keep looking new. I'm thinking I'm going to buy a large cast iron skillet instead but keep the pots.
The parents were horrified to find that their children - a boy, then 18 months, and a five-year old girl - had chemical exposure levels up to seven times those of their parents. The baby boy had three times the level of flame retardants in his body that's been known to cause thyroid dysfunction in lab rats.
The following chemicals are in YOUR body...so lets take a look...
Phthalates:
This is a big one! Chemicals that make plastics soft and pliable. They're found in all kinds of plastic bottles, as well as plastic containers, kitchen wrap, soft toys and medical devices. Phthalates are also used as solvents for fragrances, so they're in a lot of personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, lotions, perfume, nail polish and cosmetics. Animal studies show that phthalates disrupt hormone levels, causing neurological dhysfunction and reproductive defects in lab rats. Preliminary studies on humans show that phthalate exposure may be associated with genital birth defects in males as well as male infertility.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs):
Flame-retardant chemicals. They're found in foam products such as mattresses, couches and carpets. In plastics such as casings for TVs, computers and other electronics. In building materials, motor vehicles, airplanes, and textiles. Animal studies show PBDEs cause liver, thyroid and neurological damage in lab rats. Health experts worry most about PBDEs potential harm to fetuses and children under 6, but studies on human toxicity have only just begun.
Bisphenol A (BPA):
This is a big too! A chemical used to make plastics hard. It's in polycarbonate plastic products such as baby bottles, hard water bottles and food containers, as well as in the resin lining of aluminum cans and some dental sealants. A study published in the journal Reproductive Toxicology found a link between bisphenoal A and female reproductive disorders such as cystic ovaries and cancers. In August, an expert panel from the National Institutes of Health expressed concern that bisphenol A may harm children and adults and recommended more research be done.
Perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs):
Chemicals used to make nonstick and stain-resistant products such as nonstick frying pans <-We use this all the time right?! and water-resistant materials. PFOAs have been shown to cause developmental problems and liver toxicity in lab rats. Animal studies have caused concern among health experts about PFOAs' toxicity to humans since they stay in the body for years at a time between exposures. Some studies have suggested that PFOAs are human carcinogens. A CARCINOGEN is any substance, radionuclide or radiation, that is an agent directly involved in causing CANCER.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):
Chemicals used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment as well as older models of microwaves and refrigerators. It is found in plasticizers in paints and cements, adhesives, wood floor finishes, de-dusting agents, water-proofing compounds, and surgical implants. They were banned in the US in the late 1970s, but they are long-lasting compounds that persist in the environment. The EPA calls PCBs a "probable carcinogen," meaning they probably cause cancer. PCBs have been associated with immunological and psychosocial problems in children, such as changes in motor skills and a decrease in short-term memory. In adults, PCBs have been associated with rashes, acne and liver damage.
So after all that....We use glass in the kitchen. I bought some Pyrex at Walmart and some mason jars. Britney at http://www.4littlemenandgirlytwins.com/ did a post about using certain plastics so I will just copy and paste it after this post because it's so great.
We also replaced our cookware with Todd English's Green Pan. It does not contain PFOA. You can find it at http://www.hsn.com/
But I bought my set on EBAY for a lot cheaper. The pots are fantastic but the pans are hard to keep looking new. I'm thinking I'm going to buy a large cast iron skillet instead but keep the pots.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Desires Of Your Heart
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:4,5
My in-laws bought some property a few years ago in the middle of nowhere. It's only two hours away from us so we visit once a month. We live here everyday but our hearts are really on the ranch. There is such peace, purpose, and a sense of freedom on the land that it gets harder to come home to the busyness of life. Not that we are not busy there. There are houses to restore, grass to plant, gardens to work, and tumbleweeds by the field full. It's work up there and it looks a bit run down but it'll get there soon enough.
We know that the Lord will move us there and at times we feel anxious for it. We've never felt rooted somewhere and have always seen friends, churches, living space, etc. as seasons in our life. Everything has felt temporary even if we've really enjoyed it. So now that all makes sense. We grew up in this town but our kids won't. They'll be country kids and that sounds great to me!
Anyways, where I'm going with this is......
My in-laws bought some property a few years ago in the middle of nowhere. It's only two hours away from us so we visit once a month. We live here everyday but our hearts are really on the ranch. There is such peace, purpose, and a sense of freedom on the land that it gets harder to come home to the busyness of life. Not that we are not busy there. There are houses to restore, grass to plant, gardens to work, and tumbleweeds by the field full. It's work up there and it looks a bit run down but it'll get there soon enough.
We know that the Lord will move us there and at times we feel anxious for it. We've never felt rooted somewhere and have always seen friends, churches, living space, etc. as seasons in our life. Everything has felt temporary even if we've really enjoyed it. So now that all makes sense. We grew up in this town but our kids won't. They'll be country kids and that sounds great to me!
Anyways, where I'm going with this is......
I was talking to the Lord about moving and he brought to mind when I was little I used to tell my grandparents I wanted to be a police officer, live on a ranch, have a few dogs, and horses. They would laugh it off and say 'All on an officer's salary huh?' Of course I didn't know what a 'salary' was at the time {Grin}And I don't want to be an officer anymore. But this scripture came to mind and I had to laugh to myself. God gave me this desire 20 years ago and here I am really nearing it. I came to the Lord 9 years ago and I know that My Father loves me, wants me, and has great plans for me. And soon he'll give me and my family this every day.
What desire has He given you?
Friday, October 1, 2010
Will this Harm us or Help us?
**There is a bread recipe after this rant so just make it through...it's worth it! lol
I was in the grocery store today and I observed two things that kindda made my heart sad. I was in the bulk section (unbleached flour for .28 a lb!) and I noticed a family with four (yelling) children. One of the girls says ,'Mom! I'm getting some beef jerky!' She walks near me and picks up a handful of Slim Jim things. And yes I mean things. I turn back around and think...'Oh sweetheart that is not beef jerky.' Then I get in line and a mom and her five children are in front of me and I'm thinking...'How fun a big family would be.' Then she starts to load their food and I see 3 huge boxes of Pop tarts, fruit cups...processed food and more processed food.
I'm not judging these people. They just don't know what they are feeding their family. The mom in front of me probably thought fruit cups were a healthy choice. But she doesn't know that they contain High Fructose Corn Syrup which harms your immune system. So when her kids get sick she'll wonder why their little bodies take so long to recover.
Every time I'm at the grocery store I am reminded why we eat the way we do. And don't get me wrong we don't eat perfectly...my weakness is chocolate {grin}. We have been slowly changing our habits over the past year or so and we have a ton more to learn and change. This is what I've learned so far...question everything's ingredients before it goes in our basket. Will this item help us or harm us? Then make your decision.
It comes down to... I want to know what I'm feeding my family.
So we have stopped buying a lot of items we used to. I have started cooking from scratch instead of a box. We try to stick with organic foods as much as we can afford. And we are trying lots of new things...good and bad (lol). Ex: Don't make homemade doughnuts with whole wheat flour...they are horrible!
One of our newer things is homemade bread. You can buy real bread at Trader Joes or Lassens or whatever health food store you have but this can be expensive depending on how much bread you go through a week. So I tried a whole wheat bread machine recipe for a couple months and slowly but surely my family stopped asking for toast or sandwiches. So back to the internet I go and find a recipe for oven baked white bread. My husband loves the bread and that is a big deal! I used to be afraid of bread but it's so easy. So I don't feel like I'm always checking on it I just set my timer for the rising times. There are 6 ingredients in this bread. Take a quick look in your pantry and see how many are listed on your bread...surprised?? Me too.
3 cups of warm water
3 TBS yeast
3 tsp salt
4 TBS oil
1/2 cup organic sugar
8 cups of bread flour
*Tip* So you don't have to buy different flours just buy the one you like and find Gluten Flour in your bulk section and add 1TBS per cup of flour. Ex: This calls for 8 cups of bread flour so I used 8 cups unbleached flour and add 8 TBS Gluten Flour to make it bread flour.
Combine water, yeast, salt, oil, sugar, and 4 cups of flour. Let rise until double. (Mine takes about 30mins)
Now remember that this bread has no preservatives so you need to eat it or freeze it. This lasted us a week and a half. I kept 2 out and froze the other until we needed it. I looks like a lot of work but it's really not and it's delicious! For us this is one more step to self sufficiency...I'm never buying store bread again {Grin}
I was in the grocery store today and I observed two things that kindda made my heart sad. I was in the bulk section (unbleached flour for .28 a lb!) and I noticed a family with four (yelling) children. One of the girls says ,'Mom! I'm getting some beef jerky!' She walks near me and picks up a handful of Slim Jim things. And yes I mean things. I turn back around and think...'Oh sweetheart that is not beef jerky.' Then I get in line and a mom and her five children are in front of me and I'm thinking...'How fun a big family would be.' Then she starts to load their food and I see 3 huge boxes of Pop tarts, fruit cups...processed food and more processed food.
I'm not judging these people. They just don't know what they are feeding their family. The mom in front of me probably thought fruit cups were a healthy choice. But she doesn't know that they contain High Fructose Corn Syrup which harms your immune system. So when her kids get sick she'll wonder why their little bodies take so long to recover.
Every time I'm at the grocery store I am reminded why we eat the way we do. And don't get me wrong we don't eat perfectly...my weakness is chocolate {grin}. We have been slowly changing our habits over the past year or so and we have a ton more to learn and change. This is what I've learned so far...question everything's ingredients before it goes in our basket. Will this item help us or harm us? Then make your decision.
It comes down to... I want to know what I'm feeding my family.
So we have stopped buying a lot of items we used to. I have started cooking from scratch instead of a box. We try to stick with organic foods as much as we can afford. And we are trying lots of new things...good and bad (lol). Ex: Don't make homemade doughnuts with whole wheat flour...they are horrible!
One of our newer things is homemade bread. You can buy real bread at Trader Joes or Lassens or whatever health food store you have but this can be expensive depending on how much bread you go through a week. So I tried a whole wheat bread machine recipe for a couple months and slowly but surely my family stopped asking for toast or sandwiches. So back to the internet I go and find a recipe for oven baked white bread. My husband loves the bread and that is a big deal! I used to be afraid of bread but it's so easy. So I don't feel like I'm always checking on it I just set my timer for the rising times. There are 6 ingredients in this bread. Take a quick look in your pantry and see how many are listed on your bread...surprised?? Me too.
3 cups of warm water
3 TBS yeast
3 tsp salt
4 TBS oil
1/2 cup organic sugar
8 cups of bread flour
*Tip* So you don't have to buy different flours just buy the one you like and find Gluten Flour in your bulk section and add 1TBS per cup of flour. Ex: This calls for 8 cups of bread flour so I used 8 cups unbleached flour and add 8 TBS Gluten Flour to make it bread flour.
Combine water, yeast, salt, oil, sugar, and 4 cups of flour. Let rise until double. (Mine takes about 30mins)
Add 4 cups of flour and knead until smooth (I used my Kitchen Aid). Put into greased bowl and cover with damp cloth until double. (about another 30mins)
Punch down and let rest a few mins. Divide into 3 parts, shape (just make the top look nice and smooth), and place in 3 greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise until double. ( about another 30 mins)
Finally!! Bake 35 mins set on 350* And you get these beautiful loaves....
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