Mindful Momma

Secret Scents: What is Hiding in Your Scented Products?

Artificial Fragrances Contain Allergens

You've been buying them forever - the lotion, the deodorant, your favorite shampoo. These products may be serving a purpose in your life but they've got a secret that you might not be happy about. Most conventional personal care, cleaning and perfume products contain artificial fragrance. You may have even seen the word "fragrance" on the label of a product you have at home. What you probably don't know is that fragrances can be made up of over 100 different "top secret" chemicals. And many of these chemicals trigger allergic reactions as well as other harmful effects in sensitive people.

Top Natural Skin Care Products

Taking good care of my skin has ranked high on my priority list for most of my adult life. I had the good fortune to learn a lot about safer, natural and organic ingredients when I worked as a buyer for a local bath and body care company years ago. My luck continued when I started this blog and skin care companies started pitching me to review their brands. Yes, I'm a bit spoiled and my skin is very happy about it!

Out of a slew of products I've either purchased myself of been sent for review, here are a few that rose to the top: 

1. Facial Cleanser

AnnMarie Gianni Aloe Herb Facial Cleanser - Having heard good things about the AnnMarie Gianni line of skin care products, I took a chance and purchased this cleanser and I have not been disappointed. The creamy formula is good for my dry skin and I love that it contains antioxidants to prevent and repair free radical damage. $24 for 50 ml

Brownie Points - Love that this line is packaged in glass instead of plastic.

Better Life Green Cleaning Product Giveaway

Like I said in my recent post about favorite green cleaning products, the chore of cleaning can be greatly improved when you use naturally fresh smelling products that you know are non-toxic and better for the earth rather than nasty chemical-laden sprays that give you an instant headache. Yes, it's still a thankless job, but it needs to be done so why not make the best of it?

You may know, I'm a big fan of Better Life and have been partnering with them to help spread the word about their brand. I'm excited to offer you a chance to win some of their eco-friendly cleaning products!

Better Life Starter Kit

If you are just getting started switching over to greener cleaning products, the Better Life Starter Kit is the perfect place to begin. The kit comes with 4 of their most popular cleaning products, along with a few handy microfiber cloths thrown in to boot.

Here's what you get:

• what-EVER Sage & Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner
• Simply Floored Floor Cleaner
• Even The Kitchen Sink Cleansing Scrub
• I Can See Clearly, WOW! Glass Cleaner
• Six compartment tote
• Scrubbing microfiber (dark blue)
• General purpose microfiber (green)
• Glass and polishing microfiber (light blue)

Top Green Cleaning Products

I'm not exactly a clean freak. In fact, I wouldn't be sorry to give up cleaning forever. That said, I have found that making an effort to use safe, environmentally friendly cleaning products does make the process a little easier. Gone are the harsh, toxic products that I used to use years ago and instead my home is stocked with naturally fresh smelling products that still are tough on dirt and grime.

My cupboards are full of many different brands (as well as my workhorse baking soda and vinegar), but here are a few newer products that I've been experimenting with lately:

Laundry Detergent

Whole Foods Organic Laundry Detergent - This newish line of cleaning products sold under the Green Mission™ label (pictured above) is USDA certified organic and garners the highest rating on Whole Food's Eco-Scale rating system for cleaning products. My first reaction was that the watery liquid (based on organic soap nuts) wouldn't really clean my clothes but I after putting the detergent to the test, I was pleasantly pleased with the results. $13.99 for 100 oz (100 HE or 66 standard loads).

Thumbs up: Full ingredient list on label. Scores well on the EWG Healthy Cleaning Database. Love the subtle lavender scent. The Organic Dishwasher Gel is a winner too.

Second thoughts: Despite the claims, a grease stain is tough to remove with this detergent even after pre-treating (stain remover is still my best friend in the laundry room). This thin liquid detergent is easy to overpour. I marked the lid with a sharpie pen to keep better track of the dosage.

Reformulated Tide and Other Changemaker Stories

Lori's Tide Petition Brings Change

Last February my friend Lori who blogs at Groovy Green Livin started a petition asking Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Tide to remove the cancer-causing chemical 1,4-dioxane from its laundry detergents. The petition went viral and garnered almost 80,000 signatures. Less than a year later, Proctor & Gamble has agreed to reformulate Tide products to reduce levels of 1,4 dioxane to below 25 parts per million!

This is such an excellent example of how a regular person can be a changemaker by simply reaching out and sharing an idea with their community. It can be as easy as starting a petition or organizing a group in your neighborhood. It can be as simple as educating your friends through Facebook and Twitter. It can be as big or as small as you want it to be.

Do You Want to Be a Changemaker?

As many of my loyal blog readers know, I've been championing safer chemical laws for awhile now. Last spring I had the opportunity to go to Washington, DC and be part of a Stroller Brigade to support the Safe Chemicals Act. I even got to go to the Senate office building and meet with both of my Senators! It was such a thrilling feeling to be part of a big rally on Capitol Hill pushing for much needed change in our chemical laws!

If you had asked me when I was a younger if I thought I was the activist type, I would have said no way. Sure, I had participated in a few marches for causes I believed it but I still didn't consider myself a true activist. What I didn't realize is that you don't need to live and breathe a cause to be an activist. We can all be changemakers in many small ways.

Lobbying for the Safe Chemicals Act in Washington DC

Someone pinch me. I never thought I'd have any reason to enter the United States Senate buildings on Capitol Hill but this past Tuesday, I had the chance to meet my Minnesota Senators - Senator Al Franken (yes, the former SNL actor and writer) and  Senator Amy Klobuchar to talk about the importance of the Safe Chemicals Act and thank them for their support. Martha from Learning Disabilities Association Minnesota joined me as the other half of the Minnesota delegation!

We were there for the National Stroller Brigade organized by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families as a way to bring national attention and support to the important cause of updating our sorely outdated Federal chemical laws with the Safe Chemicals Act bill introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. Needless to say, I was thrilled to be part of the event and to get a tiny taste of what it's like to be a lobbyist!

Over 200 of us met on the Capitol lawn for a press conference where Senators Lautenberg and other supporters spoke:

Then we marched down the street to the Senate office buildings so we could meet with our Senators:

And finally, it was incredibly fun to spend time with my green blogging buddies, some of whom I met for the first time and others who I don't see often enough:

(Shane from EnviroBooty, Diane from Big Green Purse, Lori from Groovy Green Livin, me and Anne from Flour Sack Mama)

Have you ever lobbied your members of Congress or marched for a cause?

 

Join me for the Safe Chemicals Stroller Brigade!

Next Tuesday, May 22nd, I will be in Washington, DC rallying for safer chemicals. Will you join me - either in person or in spirit? We'll be gathering on the U.S. Capitol lawn at 9:30am, with a press conference starting at 10:00. After our "stroll" will will be meeting with members of Congress to ask them to pass the Safe Chemicals Act, legislation that would take meaningful steps to protect American families from harmful chemicals.

As many of you know, I have done a lot of work for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families over the last year or so. This cause is so important to me because I don't think we should have to worry about toxic chemicals in the products we buy and use every day.

If safer chemical laws are important to you, please join us - either at the event in Washington, DC or online using the Twitter hashtags #StrollerBrigade and #SafeChemicalsAct and by linking to Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families on Facebook and Twitter.

Event Details 

When: May 22nd, 2012 – 9:30 AM

Where: U.S. Capitol Lawn, Washington D.C.   

Between Constitution Avenue NE and 1st Street NE   Senate side of the East Front Lawn of the Capitol.

What:  Press conference at 10:00 AM, “Stroller Brigade” and meetings with Members of Congress to follow.  

To register please sign up here: RSVP for Safe Chemicals Brigade 

Hope to *see* you there!

 

Making Sense of Personal Care Product Labels

Detective needed. Aisle 3. Body Care Products.

Think about the last time you went shopping for lotion or eye shadow. Did you feel like a detective, looking for clues to solve a mystery in the body care aisle? Trying to find safe, natural personal care products can be confusing, no doubt about it, but who wants to play detective on every shopping trip?

In an effort to help you solve the mystery before you head to the store, I thought it would be useful to explain a few things about personal care and cosmetic products labels. First of all, it's critical to know that the words "natural" and "organic" are completely unregulated and therefore have no true meaning on their own.

Fortunately, there are a number of seals and certifications to help identify products that can legitimately be called natural or organic. When I see one of these seals, I know that someone has already done the detective work for me. I can trust that the products meet strict standards for certification. Each certification means something a little bit different, so take a look and decide which ones are most important to you and your family.

USDA Organic

• Personal care products must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, excluding water and salt
• Must meet the same stringent guidelines as agricultural ingredients
• Remaining ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances or nonorganically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form, approved on the National Organic Program's National List
• Certifying agent's name and address must appear on the label
• Most likely to be found on lip balms, body butters, massage oils and other products that do not need preservatives or emulsifiers
• Example: Bubble & Bee
• Learn more

Drawbacks:

The standard was created for food products. The USDA has no authority over the production and labeling of cosmetics, body care products, and personal care products that are not made up of agricultural ingredients.

Natural Products Association

• The product must be made up of at least 95 percent truly natural ingredients or ingredients that are derived from natural sources, excluding water
• No ingredients with any suspected human health risks 
• No processes that significantly or adversely alter the natural ingredients 
• Ingredients that come from a purposeful, natural source (flora, fauna, mineral) 
• Processes that are minimal and don't use synthetic/harsh chemicals
• Transparency and full disclosure of ingredients
• Example: J.R. Watkins
• Learn more

Drawbacks:

Certain synthetic ingredients are allowed when a non-natural substitute is not available but only when there are absolutely no suspected potential human health risks.

NSF/ANSI 305

• "Contains Organic Ingredients" standard developed specifically for personal care and cosmetics
• Formula must contain at least 70% organic content by weight
• Ingredients must be USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certified
• Companies required to state exact percentage of organic content on label
• Limited chemical processing typical for personal care products (but not allowed for USDA Organic), such as saponification to make products lather, is allowed
• Example: Dolphin Organics
• Learn more and more

Drawbacks:

 Some synthetic chemical processes/ingredients are allowed.

EcoCert

• Minimum of 95% naturally derived, plant-based ingredients and 10% organic ingredients (including water, salts and minerals, unlike USDA Organic and other certifications)
• Popular European certification
• Example: The Organic Skin Care Company
• Learn more

Drawbacks:

Can be misleading as only 10% organic ingredients are required for the organic cosmetic designation. Some synthetic ingredients are allowed.

Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care

• Stringent guidelines for ingredient safety, environmental impact, source and efficacy
• Over 400 unacceptable ingredients including parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates, artificial fragrances and many more
• Used for both private label and independent brands sold at Whole Foods Market
• Example: Andalou Naturals
• Learn more

Drawbacks:

Only available on products sold at Whole Foods Market. Some synthetic ingredients allowed.

COPA - California Organic Products Act

• Product must contain a minimum of 70% organic content, excluding water and extracts
• Labels must include an asterisk to identify organic ingredients
• Example: Juice Beauty
• Learn more

Drawbacks:

Can only be regulated in California but has effects nationwide. Some synthetic ingredients allowed.

Do you look for any of these seals when you shop for personal care products and cosmetics?

 

 

(this post is linked up on Your Green Resource)

Non-Toxic Art Supplies

As a parent, there is nothing quite as special as the drawings, paintings and other artwork made by my children. I proudly display them on the walls and tables in our home and finally tuck them into a box to save for later, when childhood is just a memory.

The power of children’s artwork is why Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families is holding an art contest this month.  It is a great opportunity to get creative with our kids and also send a powerful message to our Senators.  We need Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act, so let’s create artwork with our children to show our nation’s leaders how our children see a healthy and safe future.

The best way to encourage artistic creativity for this contest is to talk with your kids about people, places and things in their life they want to be safe and healthy - then ask them to paint or draw something that helps to show that. 

To do this fun project with your kids, you’ll need to have plenty of art supplies at the ready. But before you run out and stock up on supplies, keep in mind that not all art supplies are created equal. Many popular art materials contain toxic ingredients and may actually be detrimental to your child’s health.

Because of the lax regulations governing the use of chemicals in our country, untested, dangerous chemicals are allowed in many products that we use every day, including art supplies. Children are especially vulnerable to these hidden health hazards because of their small size and immature immune systems.

Lucky for us, there are plenty of non-toxic art supplies available to keep our little artists in business! Keep these tips and suggestions in mind next time you purchase art supplies:

Paints

Beware of oil based paints containing chemical solvents like methyl alcohol and toluene that emit dangerous volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Also avoid paints colored with pigments made from highly toxic metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead. Children should always use water-based paints instead of oil based paints.

Safer alternatives:

• Glob – Water based paints made with pigments found in vegetables, fruits, roots, herbs and spices.
• Clementine Art - Tempura paints made with Mayan mineral earth pigments.
• Eco-Kids  - Finger paint made with fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, carrots, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach, and other natural ingredients.

Markers

Many markers contain highly toxic chemical solvents like xylene or are alcohol-based. Stick to water-based markers for kids.

Safer alternatives:

• Clementine Art - Markers made from naturally derived ingredients.
• Liqui-Mark – Non-toxic water-based markers made with 25% recycled plastic.
• Note: Water-based markers are safer and easier to clean up too!

Crayons

Conventional crayons are made with petroleum based paraffin wax and artificial, chemical-based colors.

Safer alternatives:

• Clementine Art – Natural soy and beeswax crayons colored with mineral pigments.
• Stockmar - Beeswax crayons made with food-grade pigments that pass tests for detection of pesticide residues, PCB's and heavy metals.
• Earth Grown Crayons – Etsy shop selling fun-shaped crayons made with natural soy wax and nontoxic mineral pigments.

Colored pencils

Traditional colored pencils use chemical based pigments and may be coated with toxic varnish.

Safer alternatives:

• Artemis - Cedarwood pencils with natural, plant-based colors.
• Trimax – Natural pencils made from reforested wood with a safe lacquer finish.

Modeling clay and play dough

Polymer clay, used for modeling, is typically made with PVC material and softened with toxic phthalates. Most play dough, although labeled non-toxic, is colored with artificial colors.

Safer alternatives:

• Pastilina – Vegetable based modeling clay
• Clementine Art - Modeling dough from made with simple ingredients plus natural colorings like turmeric and spinach.
• Eco Kids – Handmade eco-dough colored with real ingredients like blueberries, beets and carrots.
• DIY play dough – Here’s a recipe from Katie at Non-Toxic Kids.

Glue

Avoid rubber cement and model glues that emit toxic VOCs. Stick to water-based glue instead.

Safer alternatives:

• Clementine Art – Washable, natural glue
• Eco Kids – Rice flour and corn starch are the base of this non-toxic eco-paste for kids.

Art Smocks

Skip smocks made with toxic PVC vinyl material.

Safer alternatives:

• Mimi the Sardine – Organic cotton with a water-based acrylic coating in adorable prints.

Drawing Pads

Choose eco-friendly art pads to go along with your non-toxic art supplies.

• Eco Kids – “treeless” paper made from banana fibers and recycled materials
• Glob – Art pad made from 100% post consumer, recycled, chlorine-free paper.

Resources:

Clementine Art http://www.clementineart.com  

Glob – paints -  http://www.globiton.com/index.html

Hazelnut Kids - http://www.hazelnutkids.com/cgi-bin/category/art_supplies

ChildTrek - http://www.childtrek.com/arts-crafts-toys.html 

Eco Kids http://www.ecokidsusa.com/index.html

Eco Art Works http://www.ecoartworks.com

Stubby pencil studio http://www.stubbypencilstudio.com

Nature of Art Kids http://nature-of-art-kids.com

Mighty Nest http://mightynest.com/shop/toys-art-supplies/art-supplies

Note: It has come to my attention that P'kolino paints contain a toxic para-formaldehyde ingredient. Because of this, I have removed P'kolino products from my list of recommendations.

(Image credit: jdurham via MorgueFile)

(FYI - this post is linked up over on Your Green Resource and the Green Moms Carnival hosted by Groovy Green Livin)