Mommy Goes Green

One of the best things I’ve found about blogging is the amazing community of women you meet (okay, I’ve mostly met women but there are lots of men out there, too).   You find immeasurable support, commitment and friendship. 

Today, at The Creative Mama, a blog I’m so fortunate to contribute to, they are asking for support for Chele.  She is a mother of 4 who recently found out she has cancer, amongst other health issues.  Her husband is currently unemployed and their are uninsured -  you can imagine the financial pressures coming their way with cancer treatment.

For more details on her story and to contribute, please visit The Creative Mama.  I’ve seen these types of requests on other blogs, for other heartbreaking stories, and the community that comes together to support someone they will likely never meet is amazing.

Some days, I feel like a “laundry folding, kitchen cleaning, diaper changing, bottle making” machine. 

What does your Mommy Machine look like today?

I’ve seen the preservative, phenoxyethanol, on many cosmetic bottles so I finally took the time to find out what it is.  According to Wikipedia, it is an organic chemical compound, a glycol ether often used in cosmetics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals. 

Chemical of the Day says that phenoxyethanol is commonly used as a fragrance ingredient so if you don’t see ‘phenoxyethanol’ in the ingredient list but you do see ‘fragrance’, it could be in there anyway.  The Green Beauty Guide says these are ‘nicknames’ for phenoxyethanol:

IS IT SAFE?

Skin Deep considers phenoxyethanol a ’4′ or ‘moderate risk’. 

Numerous studies have shown it to be a skin irritant and the FDA warned consumers not use a nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers because the phenoxyethanol in it “can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration in infants.” 

The Environmental Medical Division at Oregon Health Sciences University reported 3 cases of phenoxyethanol neurotoxicity:

2-Phenoxyethanol, used as an anesthetic for handling small fish at a salmon hatchery, caused three women to experience headache and symptoms of intoxication during use, followed by diminished sensation and strength of hands and fingers, worse in the preferred hand. Persistent neuropathy did not develop in any of them. After 1 to 2 years of exposure, the women manifested gradual onset of symptoms of cognitive impairment with an inability to work. Neuropsychologic testing verified that all three had focal cognitive impairments that persisted. One also had documented labyrinthine hypofunction, which originated during this exposure.

Phenoxyethanol is considered a “safer preservative” so I bet if you look at many of the skin care products labeled ‘natural’, you’ll find phenoxyethanol as an ingredient. I’m constantly looking at the ingredients on products at the store so I see it all the time.   Up until this point, I haven’t specifically avoided it but I probably will going forward, as much as I can. 

Do you read ingredient lists on cosmetics?  What chemicals do you specifically look for to avoid?

Head on over to The Creative Mama today for my monthly post, today it’s all about ‘Confessions from a Green Mom’.  Have a great weekend, talk to you Monday!

Hey mamas, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be contributing to another fabulous blog, The Creative Mama.  If you haven’t stumbled upon it, head on over there to find “everyday living with a touch of creativity”.  With 13 other contributors, you’ll find a wealth of knowledge about home, kids, photography and DIY and of course, green living.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this April, PBS KIDS GO!’s Design Squad is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition on April 5th. Kids across the country ages 5-19 are challenged by the award-winning series to recycle, reuse and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions. Three young innovators will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and have the process chronicled for an upcoming episode of the engineering TV series. 

For a video about last year’s winner and his Home Dome invention check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAaMQuEFl8

I’m not normally a resolution type of gal, but this year I felt compelled to make a few resolutions for 2010. While my husband and I made several family resolutions, I made just one personal resolution – to take better care of myself. 

I know, it’s general, but it leaves room for the many things it may encompass and is flexible to accommodate my changing needs.  I am a better mother if I “put the oxygen mask on myself first”.  This year, for me, this means:

• Taking my vitamins EVERY day. 
• Drinking a glass of water every time I nurse my son. 
• Kicking my soda addiction - so far, I’ve mostly given up Coke but have switched to a different bubbly drink.  At least it’s caffeine free and free of high-fructose corn syrup.  
• Eating more fruits and vegetables – not hard to do since I’ve been averaging about one a day. 
• Eating lunch before 3 pm - for some reason I get lunch for my daughter at a reasonable time but then get busy with something else before I make my own.
• Exercising regularly – I’m not going to saddle myself with some ‘lose X pounds’ resolution (although I am still working on losing that baby weight!)  I want to exercise for the great ‘high’ I get from finishing a 5 mile run or completing an hour of kickboxing and for the example I provide to my children. 
• Washing my face every night – I just feel better getting up in the morning with a clean face. 
• Skip the razor and just get a bikini wax – I’m so done using a razor.

While these are mostly related to my health, that’s because 2009 was filled with health challenges.  What about you?  In what ways do you take care of yourself?  It could be spending more time with your girlfriends, establishing a regular date night with your spouse, getting a monthly pedicure, or simply being content with what you have.  I think I’ll add that last one to my list, too. 

I apologize for the lack of postings the last two weeks.  What started out as a short holiday vacation turned into forced time off due to a broken computer.  I should have it back in the next couple days and will be back in the swing of things. 

In the meantime, enjoy the last of your holiday vacation and I look forward to going green with you in 2010!

FREE is a great word, especially in this challenging financial times.  The good news is that there’s a lot of free stuff out there – you just need to know where to find it.  All of these sites endeavor to reduce landfill waste by encouraging members to give away their unwanted goods to others who can use it. 

The Freecycle network is comprised of local groups where you post a message containing the things that you want to give away.  You can also search for things that you’d like to get – for FREE!

Listia is an online auction site where you use credits to bid on free auction items.  You get credits by posting your own free items.  Join now and get 100 free credits to get started.  I found all kinds of different items from electronics like an LCD television and Kindle to Amazon and Starbucks gift cards. 

Kashless is also an online auction site where use you reward points to bid on free items.  You can earn reward points by listing items, inviting friends to participate, creating saved searches and more.  Currently, there are over 650,000 items in 100 metro areas.

The EarthCare Challenge will chronicle the challenges of 6 contestants aspiring to live more sustainable lifestyles – in reality game show style.  During the 45 day Green Makeover, green lifestyle experts will guide the finalists.  The contest will take place entirely on the Internet, through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and fans will be able to vote for their favorite contestants.  One grand prize winner will be awarded with their own personal collection of eco-friendly home furnishings, worth $5000.

Interested in being a contestant?  Submit a 3 – 5 minute video answering these questions:

1.  Would you consider yourself to be Eco-Oblivious as opposed to EcoChic?

2.  Show three examples that demonstrate why you are the most Eco-Oblivious or EcoChic contestant.

These ‘guidelines’ allow you to be as creative as you can.  For more information, check out the EarthCare Challenge website.