The Dangers of Dryer Sheets

I read a startling and shocking article that posed the question as to whether fabric softeners laced with chemicals contribute to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). According to Dr. Ron Harper, of the UCLA Medical School Brain Research Institute, he believes that an anaphylactic reaction (hypersensitivity to a foreign substance) is responsible for some SIDS cases. He further states that fabric softeners with their array of chemical components could not be ruled out as possible causative agents.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry-generated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), there is a mind-boggling list of dangerous petrochemicals in these products, many of them used in untested combinations, there are many chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets such as Alpha-Terpineol, Benzyl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Camphor, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate and others. These chemicals have been found to cause various health problems including central nervous system disorders, irritation to mucous membranes, pancreatic cancer, irritation to upper respiratory tract, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and the list goes on and on.

With this information, it makes sense to begin using more natural and safe fabric softener for the health of your family. I have listed a few healthy tips for you to consider as you keep your home a "healthy home."

What To Look For

• AVOID fabric softeners that contain benzyl acetate, formaldehyde, camphor, chloroform, ethyl acetate, pentane, linalool and limonene.
  
• Fabric softeners made with natural ingredients not chemicals.

Healthy Tips

• Add baking soda to your rinse cycle.
  
• Vinegar is a natural fabric softener - add ½ cup to your wash cycle.
  
• Wash and dry cottons and synthetic fabrics separately.
  
• Synthetic fabrics contribute to static cling so consider not using your dryer for nylon, rayon and other synthetic fabrics.

Linda Bricco Schalk • linda@handswithseeds.com • 608.314.4004

Protect Kids from Toxic Chemicals

Children are more affected by toxic chemicals for many reasons. Children eat, drink, and breathe more than adults in relation to their body size. This means they are at greater risk for health problems from toxic chemicals.

Adults need to be careful around toxic chemicals too, especially women who plan to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are nursing. Some toxics are stored in the body and build up over time. A woman can pass toxics to her developing fetus which may affect the brain and health of the developing baby.

Watch this great video!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j10fctMsPkc

Get a great eBook to help you make your house a safe and healthy home!
http://maven.toxinchecklist.com/

OK...one more video...this is so wonderful. Life is all about the JOY!

www.mymakegreengogreen.com 

APPS TO GET YOUR KIDS INTO THE GARDEN

by Meg Sperring
With the arrival of summer, you want to get your kids outdoors, but all they do is play, talk, and listen on their electronic devices—indoors. Get them into the fresh air with apps that lead them into the garden.

There are a number of gardening apps and outdoor apps for children. The first thing to do is to channel their curiosity with game apps and story apps, and then download further apps that will help them to practically apply what they have learned.

Roo's Fabulous Edible Garden. A free game app that will spark your kids' interest in growing fruit and vegetables, with the side benefit of learning how yummy this produce is to eat. The game takes them through preparing the ground and planting their own virtual garden, harvesting their crop, and finally cooking their produce. During the growing season, they weed their plot, remove harmful insects and learn about the good ones, and water their plants. Suitable for Grades 1 to 3 and up, this gardening app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (iOS 3.0 or later), and was developed by UNC-TV.

Green RADventures of Nico. A fun story app that teaches kids about growing plants that you can eat. Your children will plant seeds, learn about growing processes of plants, and sing along with the Green Minstrel. Suitable for children ages 4 to 12, this app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (iOS 4.2 or later).

Star Walk, Star Chart, or Night Sky (compatible with iOS and Android) are other great apps that will get your kids into the garden. These outdoor apps allow kids to explore the night sky above them, and are easy to use. Your children will have access to fascinating information about the celestial bodies that they see, and the apps enable them to move back in time to view the sky of years ago. Apps like these make kids aware of the infinite potential of nature, and help them to understand how the rhythms of the natural world control the activities in it.

Plants and Plants Pro. This reasonably priced gardening app helps kids organize and schedule their gardening activities and to tag plants that need individual care. An icon alert lets them know when they need to water or fertilize their plants. The app gives information about various plants, and kids can add plants to the library whenever they want. Suitable for ages 8 to 99. The app was developed by Tuparev Technologies, and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (iOS 4.2 or later). Upgrades to the app are free.

Audubon Wildflowers, SMM Wildflowers, or Wildflowers of Central Texas all provide information about wildflowers. Choose an app that covers your area, and you can download them onto iOS and Android devices. Take the kids on a walk, identify the flowers that you see, and then source them from your local plant nursery. Indigenous plants thrive in gardens, and are easy for youngsters to grow because they're in their correct climate zone.

Gardening apps and outdoor apps are great for encouraging your children to get outside and enjoy themselves. Once they're in the garden, they can continue to use their apps and will realize that they've found a fun and interesting place to be. Why don't you join them?
www.mymakegreengogreen.com  

Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 introduced in Congress

Posted on June 28, 2011 on Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (see my Fav Links on right)

All of our hard work is paying off! The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families supporters have been building the momentum for safe, nontoxic products, and elected leaders responded last week by reintroducing the federal Safe Cosmetics Act in the House of Representatives!