Make sure you know what you're putting on your body.

A recent report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that Johnson’s Baby Shampoo and other top-selling children’s bath products contain some nasty ingredients, including: formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane.

Both chemicals are known to cause cancer in animals, and The International Agency for Cancer Research has classified formaldehyde as "carcinogenic to humans" and 1,4-dioxane as "possibly carcinogenic to humans". Formaldehyde has also been designated as "toxic" under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act because of its health effects.

Good enough for me both formaldehyd and 1,4-dioxane (not to mention parabens and phalates) stay out of my home.

Tamey
Pure Know How

Are all detergents equal?

A few weeks ago our washing machine broke, and with three kids I needed to keep the washings going. Luckily my mother lives around the corner, so before a new machine arrived I took a few loads over to her place.

She has a front-end loading machine and used a mainstream laundry soap - something I haven't used in 3 years. But I reasoned that it would be OK for just a few loads of wash.

Well I was wrong.  On Monday the kids and I went up to Norway Bay to visit friends, the kids played outside all day and had a blast. When we got home later that evening, my oldest called me into the bathroom saying that Matt had a rash. Well did he ever, all areas that had been covered by his freshly washed underwear and t-shirt now had what appeared to be big ugly hives. It only took me a few minutes to realize that it was the laundry detergent most likely coupled with hot sweaty skin that caused the rash. A shower and a does a allergy medicine cleared it up - but it goes to show that not all detergents are created equal.

Tamey

Pure Know How

OK it works - New Natural Deodorant

I've been buying from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. for over a year and love their products. In particular their cream for eczema works wonders for two of my children.

However when I received their February ( I think it was) newsletter saying they had a new line of deodorants that worked - I didn't bite. I've tried many deodorants (see our reviews) since Patti and I started Pure Know How with very limited success, even from some of our favourite companies. In one case I was so stinky I couldn't stand my own smell - really it was terrible.

Then in the March newsletters they said if you spend $35.00 or more you get a free deodorant - so I got one Blossom Fresh. To my very great surprise it works really well, really no stink!! I've even used it to work-out with no issues.

So Rocky Mountain congratulations you did it!!

Tamey

Great quilts made from reclaimed denim and corduroy

Take a look at these great quilts. Whether you're looking for a unique gift for that someone who has everything, or simply love handmade items then these quilts are for you.

Made from reclaimed corduroy and denim - love them!

Take a look for yourself - blanketbox.etsy.com

Tamey

Eating Healthy

Eating healthy means something different to different people. It could mean eating more fruits and veggies and less processed food. It could mean eating organic, buying locally or following the Raw food movement. Yikes...

For many of us it's a choice that becomes difficult as there are so many choices and what is good for me as a 30 something Mom with three kids who works full time may be different than yours.

Another factor that makes healthy food choices difficult is the cost of the food. A report produced by the Heart and Stroke foundation found that depending on where we live the cost of fresh fruits and veggies can be double or even six times more expensive. This is just fresh produce - never mind organic.

Take a look at CBC's article for more detail - it really is interesting and shows how making healthy choices is not always easy. But in the long run I would suggest it is essential. So keep trying Canada - baby steps!

Tamey
Pure Know How

Nail polish confession

I might be one of the "Pure Know How Women", but I can't always live 100% "pure". I do try but really it's impossible to always do so.

Well this weekend was one of those times. My husband and I went to his work holiday party and I bought this sexy little purple dress and silver healed sandals (will I ever wear them again?). So of course I had to paint my toe nails. I did have my non-toxic polish in my hands but I just could not use it. The colour just didn't have enough punch and to get half the effect I wanted I would have had to put on 5 coats. So I went with the mainstream brand and damn did my toes look nice!

I just re-read our e-bulletin on nail polish and I think I'll just let this stuff wear off and not use nail polish remover-

Tamey
Pure Know How

New Advertising Guidelines on Greenwashing

The Competition Bureau and the Canadian Standards Association have introduced Environmental Claims: A guide for Industry and Advertisers. Basically the thought is that all environmental claims must be verified and substantiated with supporting data. This data must be accurate and readily available to law enforcement agencies, such as the Bureau, on request.

The purpose of the guide is to "provides businesses making environmental claims with guidance on how to comply with the laws under the Bureau’s jurisdiction by outlining best practices and guiding principles based on international standards. It will serve as the reference used by the Bureau when evaluating whether a claim is false or misleading under the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, or the Textile Labelling Act."

Certainly a step in the right direction, take a look at Pure Know How's e-bulletin on Greenwashing. But our best defence is still to get educated on ingredients to avoid and always read labels.

Tamey
Pure Know How

One Million Acts of Green community

The One Million Acts of Green was created by cbc.ca, along with with George Stroumboulopoulos as a place where you can record your Acts of Green by selecting an act of green from a category.

This is what the organizers have to say, "This season, CBC and The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos want to mobilize Canadians to do One Million Acts of Green. In partnership with Cisco, the idea behind the campaign is that one small act can make a big difference."

The site is sponsored by several well know environmental groups including the David Suzuki Foundation and Environmental Defense. So why not take a look and sign-up and add your act of green to make a difference!

Tamey
Pure Know How

Bisphenol A Regulations

According to a news release from Health Canada the regulations surrounding Bisphenol A will centre around infants (those under 18 months).

'The Government of Canada today announced it will immediately proceed with drafting regulations to prohibit the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A (BPA). The Government will also take action to limit the amount of bisphenol A that is being released into the environment."

I think this is wonderful news but it's really too bad that the rest of us weren't taken into consideration. I for one am very carefully about keeping BPA away from all in my family.

The government also announced that it will spend 1.7 million on research projects. Hopefully after that amount of money a clear and decisive answer will be had. I wonder if other governments around the world are also working on similar studies and if we could not all work together. The we could use some of that money to clean up the environment. Just a thought!

"The Government has allocated an additional $1.7 million over the next three years to fund research projects on bisphenol A. This research, in addition to major studies currently underway at Health Canada and Environment Canada, will help to address key knowledge gaps in both the Canadian and international scientific community, and inform Government decision-making should further actions be required."

Tamey
Pure Know How

Bisphenol A (BPA) a toxic substance

Yesterday the federal government put forth a proposal to declare BPA a toxic substance. At this point it doesn't seem clear what the outcome of this proposal will be but officials did say,

"It is concluded that bisphenol A be considered as a substance that may be entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health..."

So let's all keep our fingers crossed and see what the outcome is, we should here more later today and we'll blog again.

If you are interested in this subject take a look at our ebulletins on Plastic Water Bottles and Plastics - BPA

Tamey

Pure Know How

Cold weather and our skin

Fall is here and with the colder weather comes for many of us dryer skin. For me the second the humidity ends (even before the furnace is on) my skin becomes dry - that lovely stretched itchy feeling - love it!

If you also have dry skin and need to purchase new lotion and want to try something more natural take a look at our skin care product reviews.


You may also want to read over our ebulletin on face lotions (same really goes for any lotion).

Tamey
Pure Know How

Baby carrots and chlorine

The below comes from one of our readers - Thanks Jennifer.

Subject: Here is a link to information about baby carrots and chlorine.

The following is information from a farmer who grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc.
The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are made using the larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put through a machine which cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots . most people probably know this already.

What you may not know and should know is the following: once the carrots are cut and shaped into cocktail carrots they are dipped in a solution of water and chlorine in order to preserve them (this is the same chlorine used your pool) since they do not have their skin or
natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine.
You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots, this is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables which are practically plastic?

We do hope that this information can be passed on to as many people as possible in the hopes of informing them where these carrots come from and how they are processed.

Chlorine is a very well known carcinogen.

Please let us make this information available to as many people as possible.

If you care about your family and friends, pass it on.

Hair Styling Products and your Hair

I came across this great article written by someone who has been in the hair care business for thirty-seven years. The article in large part discusses the damage these products have on your hair, the hair you are trying to make look nicer. Here is a small excerpt from the article:

"I have been in the hair care business for over thirty-seven years and have seen everything that could possibly go wrong with a head of hair. Without question, the most damaging commercial hair styling preparations on the market today are gels, mousses and sprays. "

If that didn't get you thinking this one may:

"It is almost guaranteed that with continued use, these products will result in hair loss."

The name of the article is Mousse Abuse: Getting Educated to the Dangers of Styling Aids take a read.

Also please let us know what styling products work for you.

Tamey
Pure Know How

Other Blogs

A Pure Know How subscriber shared her blog on natural and environmentally friendly options called Our Health. If you have your own blog or know of a "go to" resources, please share it.
Thanks
Patti
Pure Know How
www.pureknowhow.com

Natural Bug Repellants

I just sent my son off to summer camp - with both a natural bug spray and a DEET-based bug spray. The idea is to use the natural spray for time-limited activities such as evening campfire and dusk time activites and the more chemial based products for the overnights - when he is outdoors 24/7. See our e-bulletin Bug Off and a full list of several natural bug sprays as rated by The Daily Green.

Patti
www.pureknowhow.com

Formaldehyde Found in Baby Furniture

For those of you that receive the dailygreen you may have read the article that references a report produced by Environment California - Toxic Baby Furniture: The Latest Case for Making Products Safe from the Start . If you haven't read it and have a baby or young child at home read on.

"Furnishings containing formaldehyde – a toxic chemical linked with allergies, asthma, and cancer – can contaminate indoor air within California homes. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to harm.

To evaluate the potential dangers children face, EnvironmentCalifornia Research & Policy Center purchased 21 products intended for use in a baby’s nursery and hired a professional laboratory to test them. We found that six of the products produced high levels of formaldehyde vapor. In particular, several brands of cribs and changing tables emit formaldehyde at levels linked with increased risk of developing allergies or asthma."

For those that are pregnant and have young children take a look at the brand of furniture you have.

Tamey
Pure Know How

Tamey's rant - cleaning products

Just after I finished writing this months e-bulletin on bathroom cleaning I sat down to watch a bit of TV. The first commercial was about a very toxic cleaning product that has teamed up with another company who that is in the scent business - a toxic soup.

This commercial was all bright and sunny with the whole family cleaning with this product. What makes me crazy is that this company is so big and so wealthy that they can spend tones of money on an advertisement that aired at 9:00 pm. They are bamboozling people - What they failed to show is one of the kids having an asthma attach from the artificial scents.

Imagine if they invested the same amount of money in creating products that were not harmful to us and the environment. You never know. Right?

Tamey
Pure Know How

Welcome!

We just wanted to say a quick welcome to our new subscribers. We were on the A-Channel Morning show and have had great response from its viewers.

Thanks Kurt and A Channel.

Tamey and Patti
Pure Know How

Dangerous "organic" products

As reported in the last issue of Organic Bytes, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) found carcinogens in various products misleadingly labeled as "organic" and "natural". Several brand name "natural manufacturers" like Jason’s, Nature's Gate, and Kiss My Face, among others, labelled their products as “organic,” despite the fact that a number of their products tested positive for the cancer-causing synthetic ingredient 1,4-Dioxane, including . The OCA is demanding that these companies reformulate their products to remove petrochemicals and 1,4 -Dioxane or else remove "organic" label claims from their packaging. Offending

To avoid tainted products, OCA recommends that consumers look for the “USDA Organic” seal on body care products and cosmetics. If you don't see the seal, it may not be truly organic.

To see a list of body care and home cleaning products tainted with 1,4-Dioxane, as well as a consumer guide for finding safe personal care products, go here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm

Pure Know How
www.pureknowhow.com



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Painkillers, other drugs found in drinking water

Drink up! Six to eight glasses of pure water daily - don't wait until you are thirsty as you are already dehydrated by then.

The above is one of the points mentioned in our "Drink Up" e-bulletin back in November. In that e-bulletin we discussed tap water vs bottled vs filtering. We received many emails from subscribers who were confused and wondering what direction to take.

It's really a personal choice, and I'm sure you'll still be as confused as before once you read the CBC article.

Tamey
Pure Know How