Let's talk about numbers: PLASTIC

Have you ever wondered what each of the different numbers found on a plastic bottle mean? Well, in this post, we'll talk about just that-- turns out they really do mean something!!!

The numbers on the plastic we use, from bottles of water we drink from to bottles of shampoo, all have a number categorizing their type of plastic, which in turn, rates their safety level in regards to the leaching of toxins.
Most of the plastics we use have these numbers. The Society of Plastics Industry and The Federal Trade Commission have created rules and guidelines in regards to labeling plastics.

Hopefully, this information will help you to choose wisely the plastics you use and do not use.

# 1: PET---polyethlyene terephthalate: Soda/water bottles, medicine containers, vinegar, etc.

# 2: HDPE---high-density polyethylene: Laundry detergent, milk, shampoo, some toys

# 3: PVC--- polyvinyl chloride: PVC pipes, meat containers, shrink wrap

# 4: LDPE ---low-density polyethylene: sandwich bags, grocery bags

# 5: PP--- polypropylene: Tupperware, diapers, yogurt

# 6: PS/PS-E--- polystyrene / expanded polystyrene: Styrofoam, plastic silverware, packing peanuts 

# 7: OTHER--- resins or multi-materials: OTHERS

So what is the safest??? Plastic numbers 2, 4, and 5 are the safest to be using. When using a product that is labeled as #1, please only use it once. This plastic is intended for a one time use only. Try to stay away from the other numbers as often as you can. Watch out for plastics that may leach BPA (Bisphenol A), a toxin that can cause serious health problems linked to cancers, neurological problems, and thyroid problems. Look for items that say "BPA Free". 

Of course, the safest option is to try to stay away from plastics as often as possible by using glassware and tin. For example-- instead of buying a plastic water bottle, buy a metal reusable water bottle. Store foods in glass containers instead of plastic wear. Use tin foil as a covering instead of plastic wrap.

And don't forget to RECYCLE!!!!

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For more information, please visit the following awesome links!!

Trusted MD

Plastics Info

The Daily Green

The American Chemistry Council

DIY Laundry Detergent

So, I've talked with a bunch of people who make their own laundry detergent and decided I would take a go at it! It's a much cheaper alternative to regular detergents found on the shelves of grocery stores. An average 1.5 gallon of Tide is somewhere around 18$ and you get around 110 loads. The cost of all the ingredients used for this do-it-yourself homemade laundry detergent was around 10$ and can get almost 375 loads.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

1/2 Cup Borax

1/2 Bar of grated Fels Naptha bar soap

3 Gallons of Water

A 5 Gallon Bucket

First add 4 to 5 cups of water to a pot and bring to a boil. Grate your soap.

Add the shredded soap to the boiling water and bring down temp to a gentle boil/simmer. Don't throw it all in once so it doesn't clump. Stir and allow the soap to dissolve.

After the soap has dissolved, leave on stove and fill your 5 gallon bucket up with 3 gallons of water (LUKEWARM). Now add your 1 cup of washing soda and 1/2 cup Borax and stir so it all dissolves. Then add your dissolved soapy water from your pot on the stove to the 5 gallon bucket and stir.

At this point, you are good to go! If you would like, you can add some essential oils for an added aroma. I added 15 drops of Lavender oil to my mix.

 Let your mix sit for 24hours. The consistency will be a somewhat jello-like substance the next day. Add 1 cup or less to your laundry load for clean and clean smelling cloths!! 

(Some people make the recipe a little different. Feel free to experiment with different types of bar soap. Some people do not add borax, and feel free to try different essential oils for aroma!) 

Paleolithic

So, many of you know I had a baby in May. I've never been more happy with my life, but, my body has certainly changed since being pregnant and giving birth. I know it will never go back to looking like it did when I was 18 years old, but, I wanted to try to change my diet and exercise a little more. When looking into diets, my husband came across the "Paleo Diet". At first, I just went with it because it sounded good, but I wanted to talk about it because it really isn't just about "dieting"; its about lifestyle and changing eating habits to become healthier.
Originally I started this diet to lose weight, but since reading more information about it, and being on it over the last three weeks, it's no longer become a weight loss issue-- its more of a lifestyle change.

So, what is this "Paleo" diet? Well, its called the Paleolithic Diet because it's a diet purely on what we think cavemen ate. This includes the following: Anything a caveman could hunt and kill, and anything a caveman could gather and collect:

Meats (especially game meats)

Fish

Fruits

Vegetables

Some nuts

This eating habit restricts all processed foods, most dairy (because the caveman didn't realize he could milk a cow right away), beans, potatoes, etc. Its a very LOW CARB, HIGH PROTEIN diet. I like it because it gets rid of all the crap that we as Americans have introduced into our bodies-- fast foods, processed foods, high sugar foods, etc.

Pros: Yes, you will experience weight loss because you are no longer ingesting processed foods and high carb items such as pasta, breads, etc. You will gain more energy because of the high protein in your diet. More nutrients from fresh green leafy foods (so, its really not just ice burg lettuce haha). A lot of these foods are available organically, so you are eliminating many chemicals from your body. Overall positive increases in general well being.

Cons: It can be very limiting and some what time consuming. In a society like today, where all we search for is quick fixes such as McDonalds or Subway (I wont lie, I have to fight the temptation to eat at places like these), eating like this is not just a diet, it becomes a lifestyle, where you must plan your meals, shop ahead of time, and YES, spend some time in your kitchen cooking!! May experience some bowel irregularities at first.

CBS Caveman diet article-- Great local news story in San Francisco

EJCN Article (Scientific study)-- This article is from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, where a study was performed on people who were eating paleolithic and experienced significant drops in their high blood pressure and cholesterol.

 Their conclusion was this: 

"

Conclusions: 

Even short-term consumption of a paleolithic type diet improves BP and glucose tolerance, decreases insulin secretion, increases insulin sensitivity and improves lipid profiles without weight loss in healthy sedentary humans."

My experiences: I've noticed an increase in energy, especially when I take in a lot of dark leafy vegetables (like Kale and Spinach). I've noticed some weight loss taking places (which I also attribute to the exercise I've been adding into my week). And, this might be TMI, but that's okay-- my bowel movements have changed-- I no longer go several times a day (due to my Ulcerative colitis), but am now only going once and it's much more consistent.

So, try it out, even if its an experiment for a couple days or a week! Let me know how it fares you!! 

White Vinegar and Diapers

Thank goodness for WHITE VINEGAR.

So, many of you know that I have been using cloth diapers with Lucas. Well, a couple weeks ago I noticed a familiar smell. It smelled like the litter box. HAHA But really, I noticed a smell coming from my used diaper bin. It smelled like AMMONIA. 
What a horrible smell. I washed my diapers, but would notice that after they were soiled, the smell came back quite strongly! So, I did some investigating about ammonia. I came across some people saying that white vinegar does wonders for getting rid of vinegar-- so I tried it.


My wash cycles now goes as such:
Cold Pre-wash/rinse with 1cup white vinegar
Hot pre-wash/rinse
Full wash and rinse cycle with detergent
Cold Rinse with 1/2cup vinegar
Cold Rinse

Well, ammonia is basic, and vinegar is acidic, so they cancel each other out, so to speak. Since I've started using vinegar in my wash the ammonia smell has not come back after Lucas soils his diapers. Thank God for vinegar because ammonia smells awful! And if there is anything else I've learned, RINSE, RINSE, RINSE your load. Detergent build up not only can lead to your diapers repelling urine, but it can lead to ammonia. So, add some vinegar to your wash and make sure you rinse your detergent out well!!!

CONT.

Thanks to Brian McCarthy for this!!!!

What you should and shouldn't buy from the produce dpt.

So, today I met a friend at Forest Park in Springfield, MA and we went for a walk and caught up in each others lives. While we were walking and talking, I told her about my alternative lifestyle actions that my family and I were taking and she was very supportive of what we talked about (Thanks Julie!). She was telling me about a chart on her friend's refrigerator that had a list of produce items you can buy from the grocery store that are "safe" and a list that you should try to buy organic because of heavy pesticide usage. I thought that was very intriguing! She was going to send me a copy, but I've researched the topic tonight because I liked it so much and wanted to share it with you all.

*The topic of why pesticides are bad for human consumption will be posted soon!

Things that are safe to buy non-organic and why:
These fruits items are safe to buy non-organic because they have a thick skin that is usually not ingested:
Papaya
Pineapple
Kiwi
Banana

These veggie items are safe to buy non-organic because they have naturally strong defenses against insects, therefore, farmers use less pesticides:
Cabbage
Broccoli
Asparagus
Cauliflower
Onions

Things to purchase organically:
Any fruit that has a skin that you ingest, or a thin skin that may allow for pesticides to seep through:
Peaches
Nectarines
Plums
Grapes
etc.

Any veggie that has skin to directly ingest:
Bell peppers
Lettuce
Zucchini
Squash
etc.


More information about the topic HERE

Tea Tree Oil

Lets talk about Tea Tree Oil.

Tea Tree Oil (TTO), also known as melaleuca oil, comes from the Narrow-Leaved Tea Tree found in Australia. It's a natural, essential oil that can be used for MANY medicinal and household purposes.

1. Anti-fungal: Tea Tree Oil can be used against conditions such as Athletes foot and other fungal infections. Just rub the oil on the affected area after a proper cleaning of soap and water has been done. Apply every couple days.
2. Antiseptic: Apply to wound after a proper cleaning to promote healing and to reduce infection.
3. Acne: Tea Tree Oil has been known to be a natural equivalent to 5% benzoyl peroxide.
4. Antiviral and antibacterial: known to kill MRSA and other bacteria.
•  To make an all purpose cleaner to use around your house:
•  place 2 drops of TTO
• 2tbs of white vinegar
• 1tsp of borax 
• spray bottle with 12oz of water
• Use on counters, floors, bathroom sinks, etc. 

Tea Tree Oil has many many other uses, of which can be found HERE.

Tea Tree Oil can be bought from any health food store and online.

!!DO NOT INGEST TEA TREE OIL!!

Tea Tree Oil is meant for topical uses on the body.