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.

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

What does your Mommy Machine look like today?

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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?

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This post may contain affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy.

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.

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

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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. 

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

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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.

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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.

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