You Are What You Eat... Breathe, Use, & Drink

The adage "you are what you eat" is a well-hearsed one. But a recent finding may call for an update to that old saying because everything we breathe, use, or drink can get absorbed into our fat stores.

Image credit: A Chuck & Beans cartoon by Brian from the Shoebox Blog via http://www.blabla.co.za

Just like how methylmercury clings to the fatty tissues in fish, many pollutants and toxins we encounter are fat soluble. They can't be excreted out so they reside in our fat. So what happens when someone goes through weight loss?

Mr. Trash Can is Overworked

Only 1 out of 10 plastic water bottles is recycled. Thousands of pounds of rotten and uneaten food are discarded everyday. 30 billion plastic bags end up as litter each year. All are dumped as trash instead of being diverted accordingly. It's no wonder that Mister Trash Can is so overworked!

For more eye-opening videos, check out GOOD's YouTube channel!

Body Care that Cares

During my last hair styling appointment, my stylist expressed her confusion with people who use organic shampoos and conditioners. She could understand eating organic food, but what good does organic body care do?

I couldn't help but be baffled by her comment since she works for a salon that exclusively uses a certain line of supposedly natural products . Skin is the largest organ in our bodies. It is just as alive and important as the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain.

In most stores,  shelves are filled with petroleum byproducts and estrogen-mimickers. While most research about these chemicals are non-conclusive, I would rather err on the side of safety. Besides, we might be exposed to much higher dose of them than we think since these substances can be found in almost every item in our bathrooms.

Perhaps the one who is taking the most beating from these harmful body care products is the Earth. Millions of gallons of polluted water are flushed into the environment everyday from our sinks and drains. As a result, our streams and lakes are becoming increasingly filthy and aquatic animals are exhibiting hermaphroditic activity. A vomit-inducing fact is that we're eating the mutated fish and shellfish that have lived in these polluted waters. Eww.

Here are some of my top eco- and body-friendly picks.

1. Trade Joe's Oatmeal & Honey Soap
   Little bits and pieces of oats work as a gentle exfoliator. Cleanses without stripping which is a plus especially during winter months. And at the price of $1.49 for 2 bars, they're definitely a bargain!
2. Whole Foods 365 Shower Gel in Herbal Mint
   Doesn't fair so well as an actual body wash but makes a darn good hand soap! At $3.49 for a 16-ounce bottle, it'll give you many refills for your bathroom and kitchen sinks. Family size also available. 
3. Avalon Organics Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub
   Already earned a mention here on Healing Foodie, this exfoliator deserves a repeat mention because it's effective without being abrasive. Works well for the bumps on back of arms, too!
4. Avalon Organics Extra Moisturizing Fragrance-Free Olive & Grape Seed Shampoo
   This fragrance-free shampoo contains lots of essential oils that can tame my head of tumbleweed while giving it volume. How it does that, I'm not sure. But this shampoo doesn't contain the usual"suspects" sodium laureth and lauryl sulfates that can over-cleanse hair. 
5. Trader Joe's Spa Gentle Facial Cleanser
   A newly-launched item at my beloved Trader Joe's, it's one of the best makeup remover + cleanser I've come across. It took off my eye makeup with ease and didn't irritate my skin at all. 
6. Everyday Minerals
   A family friend turned me on to this line of mineral makeup last Thanksgiving. The base, much like powder foundation, gives great coverage. Also, free samples when you make a purchase regardless of how much you spend! Mineral makeup shouldn't cost an arm and a leg and should be as skin-friendly as they claim. Everyday Minerals cares about my budget AND the health of my skin. 

Finding a more natural product that you like will require some experimentation because their formulas are so different from the mainstream rubbish. But it'll be all worth the trouble when you make the commitment to care for your body as well as our planet!

For more info on the harmful chemicals that may be lurking in your bathroom, check out Skin Deep.

Carcinogenic Baby Powder

It feels like my home has been plagued by ant problems one way or another every summer. So instead of the usual insecticide-dousing around the house, I've been sprinkling baby powder along the windowsills and on ant trails this summer. Apparently, the talc in the baby powder can deter and even kill these insects. I thought I had found a brilliant alternative to buying chemical junk from home improvement stores. Little did I know that I was in for a HUGE surprise.

Talc is a moisture-wicking compound that is often found in baby powder. It can reduce diaper rashes and keep babies dry and happy. A little known fact is that talc is actually a potential carcinogen (or cancer-causing substance)! Good grief! Although the evidence isn't conclusive, talc has been linked to ovarian and lung cancers. So while I was joyfully lining my window with baby powder, I was exposing myself to greater risk of respiratory disease. Such a kill joy. Not to mention all the babies who are regularly powdered up with this stuff. Eek.

If you're in search of some effective non-toxic methods to get rid of ants, here are just a few tips from wikiHow.com (visit the site for more ideas for terminating ants).
1. Cornmeal. Ants eat it, and the cornmeal expands in their digestive organs when they drink water. Seems like a painful death, but at least they had a good last meal.
2. Salt. Dries up the ants but is only effective in dry environments.
3. Vinegar, peppermint oil, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Deter ants with their scent but maybe harmful to pets and irritants to curious children.

To learn more about the carcinogenic effects of talc, check out cancer.org and cancer.gov.

Photo credit: re-nest.com

The Story of Bottled Water

Ever wondered about where that plastic water bottle is going after you discard it? Or how much energy it takes to produce these disposable containers? Watch the amazing Anne Leonard explain our nation's obsession with bottled water and  how silly they really are.



Not only are bottled water an unnecessary modern convenience, millions of bottles from sports drinks, "enhanced" waters, and iced teas also contribute to this problem everyday. As Annie said during an interview, "Let's have a little more appreciation and reverence for the stuff we have instead of this mindless consumerism."

To learn more about The Story of Bottled Water and other Stuff, visit thestoryofstuff.com.

The Green Paradox

The definition of "green" and "natural" has no legal bearing. So when companies slap those words onto their packaging, it's up to the consumer to determine that with subjectivity. Not only is this true for cleaning supplies, this is also the case for food.

While it's a good trend that companies like Clorox are manufacturing less harmful cleaning agents, the purpose is defeated if synthetic dyes and fragrances are still allowed to be in these "green" cleaners. Not to mention that such marketing is absolutely deceptive to the public.

Toxic chemicals surround us everyday, and chances are they're lurking in our cleaning supplies too.Our planet is counting on us to vote with our dollars and support companies that are truly green, not the ones that are just paying us lip service.

Product Prop: Prepara Table Top Mister

After some research, I learned that nonstick cooking spray is an inhalant drug of abuse that can double-duty as ant poison. The fact that nonstick sprays can be recreational drugs that also function as pesticide worries me- what does it do to me when I use it on my kitchenware... and then eat the food?!?

Cooking sprays are highly wasteful (a tiny amount of oil and a whole lot of nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide as propellant) and sometimes leave a funny odor after each spray. Not to mention that the coating on some pans and pots can be damaged by commercial cooking spray. 

Alas, a rescue for the environment and our health! This nifty Prepara Table Top Mister is made of glass and BPA-free plastic. It eliminates unfriendly aerosol sprays with its "suction" mechanism. My superficial understanding of physics doesn't allow me to explain what's going on inside the pump. But as long as you have the top and bottom piece, the pumping action will allow the spray to work time after time.

For $17.95, you can make your own herb-infused oils, replace cans after cans of nonstick spray, save your beloved cookware, and have a neat piece of gadget in the kitchen that is actually useful! You can use it on baking sheets, muffin tins, grill pans, for marinating meats, and spritzing salads! The possibilities are endless! Visit Crate&Barrel.com to get your own table top mister!

EARTH DAY!

Tomorrow will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. As a supporter of a healthier planet, I hope everyone  will make one change in their daily routine that will help conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.

Here are some ideas that are less talked about but equally effective at helping our planet!
[-] Recycle beyond the kitchen!
Don't forget about cardboard from toilet paper rolls and paper wrappers from tea.

[-] BYOT!
Bring your own Tupperware if you know you're going to doggy-bag part of your dinner. This can save lots of Styrofoam containers and plastic bags.

[-] Buy in bulk!  
Many grocery stores sell grains, cereals, and nuts in bulk. Buying in bulk can reduce unnecessary packaging.

[-] Eat less processed foods!
Foods like luncheon meats and snack items are usually highly processed and prepackaged. Eating less of these foods can reduce the fossil fuel used during processing and packaging.

[-] Clotheslining!
Weather-permitting, drying clothes in the sun can save electricity and reduce carbon emission. UV rays from sunlight can also have some bacteria-killing power. An added bonus is that clothes last longer when they spend less time in the dryer.

[-] Unplug the plug!
As long as an appliance is still plugged into the outlet, small amounts of electricity is still being used to keep it on "standby". Unplugging hair dryers, computers, cell phone chargers, etc. when not in use can save 6% to 26% annually on your electricity bill.

[-] Glass please! 
Instead of buying plastic containers to hold food and drinks, try reusing glass containers that some juice, honey, and spaghetti sauce come in. Glass is less reactive than aluminum and plastic and can last for a very long time. And it's BPA-free!

What planet-friendly change(s) will you commit to on Earth Day? Please share your eco-friendly ways on Healing Foodie!

Photo from thegogreenblog.com

Countdown to Earth Day with Meatless Monday!

It is exactly 1 month until Earth Day. And what better way to start counting down to this important celebration than committing to Meatless Monday?

Out of the 3 R's of "going green", reduce seems to get the least attention although it's the most effective for helping our planet. There are many ways to reduce, and one of those is by eating less meat. Raising livestock is an incredibly energy expensive process, and Earth's resources are being pushed the brink to raise meat for human consumption. Aside from being kind to the planet, eating less meat can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and a slew of chronic illnesses. Skipping meat at least one day a week is a sure-fire way of reducing pollution and LDL ("bad") cholesterol! Now that is a win-win situation.

How will you be counting down to Earth Day? Share your thoughts on Healing Foodie!

Product Props: Ecos Laundry Detergent in Lavender

This detergent is available in family size at my local Sam's Club. At $13.88 per 210 oz, it just screams "GOOD DEAL". Plus, this product combines detergent AND softener in one! It's basically saving us money on detergent, softener, and water because we don't need the extra rinse cycle!


This product deserves my props not only for being affordable but also for being phosphate-free. Phosphate can leach into the environment in a number of ways, and one of them is from dish and laundry detergents. This chemical disrupts  aquatic life by encouraging the growth of algae and duckweed. Over time, these plants use up all the oxygen and make it difficult for sunlight to penetrate. Other sea life die due to the lack of oxygen. With this detergent, you can reduce pollution, save time and money, and stop having skin irritations from fragrances and colorants. 


Ecos Laundry Detergent is one of the most affordable organic products in the market these days. Whether you're concerned about the environment, fed up with allergic reactions to fragrances in your current detergent, or simply want to save a few bucks, I highly recommend this product to you! 
For all your laundry needs, check out their full line of products at here.
Photo: from Ecos.com