'Non-Toxic' Scented Products Emit Toxins

12:52 PM Posted In , , , , Edit This 2 Comments »
"From hair products to laundry detergents to diapers, we live in a world of fragrance that might be making us sick, suggests a new study, even when those scents come from products that claim to be natural and pure.

In an analysis of 25 of the most commonly used scented products -- including ones labeled "organic," "natural" or "non-toxic" -- scientists identified at least 133 chemicals wafting off of them. A quarter of those chemicals were classified as hazardous or toxic. Virtually none were listed on product labels."
Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise. This is why I always read the labels of even the organic products I buy.

Strawberry Spice Cake Recipe

3:41 PM Posted In , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
I made this for Beltane, along with a quiche, but this was the better of the two.
A package of Dr. Oetker’s White Cake Mix with an applesauce cup, some lemon juice, and some cinnamon thrown in. Since I didn’t replace the oil with the applesauce (never done it before and was afraid to try), I added a bit more flour to compensate.

I baked it in two layers. I made the cream cheese frosting from a recipe inside the Organic Valley package, it involved maple syrup (I was lucky enough to have the real thing on hand) and I tossed in some more lemon juice. Frosted the bottom layer with it and stuck sliced strawberries all over. Repeated with the top layer.
I ran up to the Portland area to meet with a couple of Ravelers and shared it (seriously, an entire cake? I may be fluffy, but not that fluffy). There wasn't any left, and now they're threatening to keep me locked up in a kitchen. Evidently the trick is to let it sit overnight and then bounce it around in a car for about an hour.

Blessed Imbolc!

3:54 PM Posted In , , , , , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
I am not big on ritual as of late. Needing more simplicity in my life, I have been leaning towards hedge-witchery. I am wearing bright red, baked a bread, and plan on lots of knitting this evening.

Once it gets dark, I will light a candle that I will keep going all night (the trick is to put it in the bathtub or sink) and perhaps do some divination, most likely Tarot.

I feel in a culinary mood, so for lunch I had bread with some gourmet cheddar. Then I’ll probably make some honey cakes and a potato stew. And my partner came up with the perfect idea of making cookies’n’cream milkshakes, now you see why I keep him around. ;P We’re big on dairy products, especially cheese in this house. Hrm, perhaps my recent trend towards simplicity might explain my urge to don an apron and bake barefoot in the kitchen.

Do not trust your corn.

11:32 PM Posted In , , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
"In a study released by the International Journal of Biological Sciences, analyzing the effects of genetically modified foods on mammalian health, researchers found that agricultural giant Monsanto's GM corn is linked to organ damage in rats.
According to the study, which was summarized by Adam Shake at Twilight Earth, "Three varieties of Monsanto's GM corn - Mon 863, insecticide-producing Mon 810, and Roundup® herbicide-absorbing NK 603 - were approved for consumption by US, European and several other national food safety authorities."
Monsanto gathered its own crude statistical data after conducting a 90-day study, even though chronic problems can rarely be found after 90 days, and concluded that the corn was safe for consumption. The stamp of approval may have been premature, however."
That's right. Corn that is genetically modified damages kidneys and livers in rats. The conclusion of the study is:
"However, in the three GM maize varieties that formed the basis of this investigation, new side effects linked to the consumption of these cereals were revealed, which were sex- and often dose-dependent. Effects were mostly concentrated in kidney and liver function, the two major diet detoxification organs, but in detail differed with each GM type. In addition, some effects on heart, adrenal, spleen and blood cells were also frequently noted...
We therefore conclude that our data strongly suggests that these GM maize varieties induce a state of hepatorenal toxicity. This can be due to the new pesticides (herbicide or insecticide) present specifically in each type of GM maize, although unintended metabolic effects due to the mutagenic properties of the GM transformation process cannot be excluded [42]. All three GM maize varieties contain a distinctly different pesticide residue associated with their particular GM event (glyphosate and AMPA in NK 603, modified Cry1Ab in MON 810, modified Cry3Bb1 in MON 863). These substances have never before been an integral part of the human or animal diet and therefore their health consequences for those who consume them, especially over long time periods are currently unknown."
They are not entirely certain whether it's all because of the insecticides and herbicides used, the mutations of the corn itself, or some combination of both. Oh joy. And by the way, Monsanto's corn is used in Dorito's, among many others.
At least the company's response was somewhat entertaining:
"the research is "based on faulty analytical methods and reasoning and do not call into question the safety findings for these products.""
In other words, "We don't like what you found, so we question your Science!" Not to mention that they responded immediately with denial, rather than, "Oh no, can this be? We shall research this right away." Kinda makes you wonder what they already knew to try and make this go away so quickly?
But theirs was quite classy, as well as essentially being a bitchslap.

Yet more reasons why I'm glad I'm going organic.

11:00 PM Posted In , , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
Antibiotic resistant fecal bacteria is found in nearly half of all soda fountains.
Then there's this lovely ad for KFC in Australia. Blacks like fried chicken, har, har, har! *Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink.* Say no more, say no more.

Organics For Dummies

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In accordance with my own New Year's resolutions, I donated all of the conventional food in my kitchen. Now I hate shopping. Especially for shoes. Going to the supermarket has been known to give me nightmares. I know, I know... A woman who doesn't like to shop? What's the world coming to?

Bearing in mind my tendency to assume the expression of a deer right before 35 tons of steel plow through its cranium while trying to calculate how many ounces are in a pound to determine which spaghetti noodles are the cheapest (not to mention the Regular vs. Whole Wheat debate), I asked a friend to accompany my partner and I.

Now our friend, Christopher, has been organic for about four years now due to multiple chemical sensitivity. Before you go and Google that, yes, some believe it to be "all in your head." Let's just say that in just a few weeks, I have found that the difference is I used to spend a chunk of a typical evening in the bathroom with a good book. Organics mean that I do not have to ensure that the nearest restroom is within 50 feet. "All in your head" my butt. So we figured that it was best to learn from his mistakes rather than making our own.

That is how I found myself reading store codes (initial digit of "9" indicates organic) in the produce section and pawing wistfully at the ice cream freezers. I remember when the only organic products you could find were of a granola variety and tasted like bark and twigs. Imagine the happy dance when I discovered that there are organic oreos, no more high fructose corn syrup! There is even organic ice cream, whereas before you were lucky if you got pureed fruit on a stick. Not only are there more and more varieties of food being offered, but there are even options between a handful of companies for most products. (Personally, I don't need fifty choices of brands for canned corn).

We only got one very strange look, but I suppose a woman asking the opinion of two men concerning hair care products warranted that. While I am not fairly loquacious in public, I do tend to be the odd one who never learned not to talk to strangers. I told her about my New Year's resolution and joked that, "There is no Organics for Dummies book."

Here are some main points that I learned, so hopefully you won't have to learn the hard way:
  1. Read the label backwards. A product is required to be at least 95% organic for certification, and if you remember from home-ec the ingredients are listed in descending order of overall percentage. If the final ingredient is "organic spice extract" you are good to go.
  2. Just because it says organic does not mean that it actually is. Chips, for example, may have been made with organic corn, but the oil might not be. While this has not yet *knocks on wood* been a problem for me, your mileage may vary. When doubt look for the little green and white symbol, it will become your friend.
  3. If it contains anything you cannot reasonably pronounce, don't eat it.
The down side was when I hit the register. Yes, each item was a little more expensive, and it adds up. The way I figure it is this: it's cheaper than cancer, easier this way to support local businesses, and, quite frankly, I save on toilet paper.

Do not trust your beef.

8:54 PM Posted In , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »

"Restaurant chains and beef processors defended their products' safety Thursday after a report that an ammonia treatment thought to kill harmful germs in meat isn't as effective as the industry and regulators believed.

The New York Times reported Thursday, citing government and industry records, that E. coli and salmonella were found dozens of times in testing for the federal school lunch program on ammonia-treated beef from Beef Products Inc. The meat was not served."

The ammonia disturbs me just as much as the e. coli and salmonella does. E. coli and salmonella have been around as long as bacteria has, and up until recently, we humans have dealt with it just fine. It's once we started screwing around with antibiotics and other fun stuff that we are getting the kind that are resistant to drugs and strains that can actually survive in the dirt itself.

I'm breaking an old New Year's resolution...

9:02 PM Posted In , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
I brag that the only New Year's resolution that I've kept is to never make another one again. This year, I'm breaking it. My resolutions? To be greener by doing the following:
1. Go organic.
2. Eat local.
3. Compost more.
4. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
I already recycle, compost some, try to keep the heat down, and avoid chemical cleaners, but I obviously can do more.

Do not trust your meat.

10:54 PM Posted In , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
"The mystery started the day farmer Russ Kremer got between a jealous boar and a sow in heat.

The boar gored Kremer in the knee with a razor-sharp tusk. The burly pig farmer shrugged it off, figuring: "You pour the blood out of your boot and go on."

But Kremer's red-hot leg ballooned to double its size. A strep infection spread, threatening his life and baffling doctors. Two months of multiple antibiotics did virtually nothing.

The answer was flowing in the veins of the boar. The animal had been fed low doses of penicillin, spawning a strain of strep that was resistant to other antibiotics. That drug-resistant germ passed to Kremer.

Like Kremer, more and more Americans - many of them living far from barns and pastures - are at risk from the widespread practice of feeding livestock antibiotics. These animals grow faster, but they can also develop drug-resistant infections that are passed on to people. The issue is now gaining attention because of interest from a new White House administration and a flurry of new research tying antibiotic use in animals to drug resistance in people."

Now before anyone goes off the deep end and says, "But it's for the health of the animal." No, it is not. Antibiotics are being fed to them en masse, which is the problem. There is a reason why you shouldn't take antibiotics without a doctor's supervision. Animals shouldn't either.

"Farmer Craig Rowles remains unconvinced.

It's afternoon in one of his many rural Iowa pig barns, roaring with snorting and squealing pigs. Some snooze in corners, while others hustle toward their troughs, their slop laced with a steady supply of antibiotics.

"If there was some sort of crossover between the use of the antibiotics in animals and the antibiotics in humans, if there was in fact a real issue there, wouldn't you think we would have seen it?" said Rowles, also a veterinarian who sells 150,000 hogs a year. "That's what the science says to me.""

Sir, you are a vet. Not a doctor, and certainly not a biologist. Drug resistant strains of various diseases are becoming more of a problem than ever before. That's what the science is saying.

"Back in Missouri, farmer Kremer finally found an antibiotic that worked on his leg. After being released from the hospital, Kremer tested his pigs. The results showed they were resistant to all the same drugs he was.

Kremer tossed his hypodermic needles, sacked his buckets of antibiotic-laced feed, slaughtered his herd and started anew.

"I was wearing a syringe, like a holster, like a gun, because my pigs were all sick," he recalled. "I was really getting so sick and aggravated at what I was doing. I said, 'This isn't working.'""

Most companies/producers are betting that people don't know/won't care what goes into their food as long as it's cheap, especially in this economy. But when you weigh the cost of organic food against the cost of cancer, which is cheaper?

Do not trust your food.

2:26 AM Posted In , , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
I firmly hold that it is deplorable that the government has to certify our food as organic because we cannot trust the companies that grow our food to be honest with us. Case in point, went to a local, somewhat questionable meat market and the following conversation took place.

"Hi, I'm looking for organic meat, what do you have?"
"Oh, you mean free range?"
"Um, no. Organic."
Shrugs dismissively. "There's no difference, it's all a marketing ploy. Where've you been buying yours?"
"Insert name of another local, reputable meat market that only carries local, organic meats."
"Yeah, we're really the same thing."

*Facepalm* First of all, the clerk obviously had no idea of what he was talking about, or was hoping to make a sale by outright lying. Then tries to convince a potential customer that they carry the same products as a completely different store, despite being ignorant of organics. Yes, organic meat usually does equal free range. But free range does not equal organic. (Someone must have been sick that day in math class).

Guess where I am never shopping again?

How to make cheap,

1:05 PM Posted In , , Edit This 0 Comments »
There are all sorts of cheap, easy, quick, and eco-friendly ways to remove toxins from your home and still keep it clean. And they work.
Liquid Detergent
1 quart water (boiling)2 cups bar soap (grated)2 cups borax2 cups washing soda
1. Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
2. Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the borax and washing soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
3. Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
4. Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Once it's cool, add 5 - 7 drops of your favorite essential oil per gallon. Stir the soap each time you use it (it will gel).

Powdered Detergent
2 cups finely grated soap1 cup washing soda1 cup borax
1. Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
2. Use 2 tablespoons per full load.
From Green Planet

The laundry additive to remove stains that I picked up, inspected the ingredients and was surprised to find that it was little more than baking soda and an anti-caking agent. In fact, our grandparents added 1/4 of baking soda to the laundry to remove stains.

Hippy hierarchy

12:34 PM Posted In , Edit This 0 Comments »
I live in Eugene, OR, sometimes dubbed "Hippyville." Now what people don't understand is that there are levels of hippydom, often layering with each other.

For example, you have your dreadlocked hippies that tend to fit the stereotype of wearing patchouli and not bathing/shaving. Usually with tribal piercings/tattoos and have been known to hit a rave or two. Possibly firedances and would most likely smoke anything you put in front of them. Most likely to be vegetarian. Shops only at second-hand stores for clothes.

Then you have the organics "all chemicals are evil," but they often smoke. The smoker organics are typically dreadlocked. Non-smoker organics wear only non-bright colours, all natural fibers, and can talk extensively on the benefits of herbs other than weed. Often makes their own clothes, most likely to be vegan. Might or might not shave. This type is known to bathe, preferably in Dr. Bronner's soap.

And there's the yippies. Yuppy + hippy = yippy. They won't shop at the local natural foods stores, but instead prefer the upscale Whole Paycheck type of markets. Drives hybrids, attends winetastings, and bathes in expensive organic shower gels. Wears expensive, organic, hand-woven, hand-dyed cotton and other natural fibers. Would not be caught dead smoking anything, legal or otherwise. Does not shave, but instead most likely sugars or uses organic waxing methods. Will eat anything as long as it contains one or more of the following terms: organic, free trade, local, recommended by. Definitely falls into the "elitist liberal" class.

My answer to any situation requiring prolonged interaction with snobby hippies is to out-hippy them.

  1. Wear all natural clothing in neutral colours, bonus points if you make it yourself.
  2. Bathe. No makeup, very little work put into your hair. If anyone comments, rant and rave about the commercialization of women and our appearance for the sake of being eye candy.
    If you have a significant other, do not refer to them by name, title, and certainly not in a gendered manner. Simply call them "significant other" or "partner."
  3. Bring your own granola, again bonus if you make it yourself. When challenged on bringing your own food, pontificate on how it's the only way you can ensure it's organic, local, not going into the pockets of big businesses, and how our society has denigrated/disassociated itself with the creation of food.
  4. Bring your own water/tea/coffee in a reusable container, bonus points if it's loose leaf tea or coffee you ground yourself, double if it's in sturdy glass. Again, when questioned, lecture on the benefits of free trade, organics. Doesn't matter if the beverage in question is not actually free trade, organic, they couldn't tell unless you hand them the packaging. If container is not plastic, rant about the evils of plastic food containers.
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