Mommy Goes Green

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?

Belli Skin Care is all about mothers.  They carry a line of skin care products specifically designed for pregnancy, motherhood and babies.  The founder, a medical doctor, was concerned about chemical absorption through the skin so he designed the line for his (then) pregnant wife so she would have safe products.    Belli Pregnancy products are screened for any ingredient that has been linked to birth defects, using a technology called teratology which searches through 16,000 medical research articles.  The Belli Motherhood collection is screened through LactMed to help exclude any ingredient that may have harmful effects while breastfeeding.

While the Belli line is not exclusively organic, Belli does purchase from organic farmers when a natural ingredient is needed and the entire Belli line is paraben and phthalate free.  The Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database only has 4 of the Belli products in it, rated from 1 to 3.  From looking at the ingredients in some of the other products, I can see a few that are rated higher such as lactic acid and phenoxyethanol.  For answers to other questions about the ingredients Belli uses, check out Dr. Rubin’s FAQ.

I’ve been using the Belli Facial Suncreen with SPF 25 and I have to say that I’m loving it.  It’s super lightweight with just a hint of tint to even out skin tone.  I can’t even tell I’m wearing it.  If they removed the phenoxyethanol, the product would be near perfect! 

Belli is celebrating their 3rd birthday online and through September 3rd, Belli will be offering 30% off store-wide discounts and free ground shipping for purchases over $75.00. Use the code ‘BELLIBASH’when checking out.  Visitors will also have the opportunity to enter a daily drawing for prizes including: Happy Family Foods, Swaddle Designs, JP Lizzy, Lerba, Plain Mary and many more.  Today, you can win a $40 giftcard for Pediped.

Y’all know I’m a big of fan of Seventh Generation.  We use several of their products and the company is always pursuing better and more eco-friendly products and production methods. 

I’ve used Seventh Generation diapers for 4 years.  I started using them because I thought I’d do cloth diapers but they just didn’t work out for us.  So I wanted something a little more eco-friendly than the conventional choices and found Seventh Generation diapers.  They were the first Seventh Generation product I used and just the beginning of a more eco-friendly lifestyle for our family.

I used the diapers first for our daughter and now for our son and 4 years later, I couldn’t be happier.  I’ve encouraged friends and family members to try them out but one by one, they’ve reported that they leak too much.   I don’t have any leakage problems  – but if they do leak, I know it’s time to move up to the next size.  I do have skinny little babies so maybe they just fit better for a particular child, I’m not sure. I’d love to know if they do or don’t work for you.  When I look at the reviews on Amazon, only 20% of reviews are negative.

If they do work for you, the best place I’ve found to purchase them is on Amazon through their Subscribe & Save program.   Not only do you automatically receive delivery of the diapers at any interval you choose (we get a new shipment every month) but you also get a great discount and right now it’s 30% off!  And the shipping is free, can you beat that?

So we’re currently using size 3 diapers and the normal price is $39.99 per box of 140 diapers.  With the Subscribe & Save program, they are $27.99 per box or .20 per diaper.  The cheapest box of Huggies I could find was the same: .20 per diaper.  So you can’t argue that eco-friendly diapers are more expensive

If you haven’t used them, I definitely recommend you do and if you are already using them, order them through Amazon.  Cheapest price, free shipping and they show up on your doorstep just when you’re about to run out – no late night runs to the drug store for diapers! 

What brand of diapers do you use?  Have you tried any eco-friendly brands?  What have you liked and not liked?

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!

Several months ago, Earth Friendly Products sent me their products to try out and  I’ve incorporated many of them into my daily routine.  The Dishmate Dish Washing Liquid is made with purified water, 100% natural anionic coconut kernel oil-based surfactant, salt, almond and cherry oil.  It comes in 4 scents – all created by essential oils – but I prefer the Free & Clear which is scent free.   It works just as well as any other dish washing liquid I’ve used and I’d buy it for regular use in our home.

I have mixed feelings about the Parsley Plus All Surface Cleaner.  It does work well on many surfaces. I’ve used it to clean my car, tables and granite countertops.  It doesn’t leave streaks on the dark countertops – something I can’t say about every green countertop cleaner I’ve used.  The parsley scent has grown on me.  At first, I was overwhelmed by it but now I’ve come to like the scent, it’s ‘fresh’ and it’s a nice change from the traditional lemon or orange scent.  The one thing I don’t like about this cleaner is how sudsy it is.  Even if I use just a little, it takes a lot of wiping and rinsing before all the suds are gone.  I don’t find this to be an issue with other cleaners I’ve used.

Earth Friendly Products has a laundry detergent specifically for babies. I don’t usually wash my kid’s laundry in separate ‘baby’ soap.  I always use a mild, non-toxic, eco-friendly laundry soap anyway so I feel safe washing my kids laundry with the same soap I use for the rest of the household laundry.  But, I know some moms use a conventional laundry detergent and then wash their children’s clothing in a safer, non-toxic detergent like Earth Friendly Products,  Baby Laundry Soap.  The liquid soap is lavender scented and I’d personally prefer a scent-free version since I’m not a big fan of scents for household products but it’s not overwhelming so if you don’t mind scented laundry soap then I wouldn’t pass this by.  I rarely use stain remover and wash almost everything in cold water so the  laundry detergent I  use has to do most of the heavy lifting.  The Baby Laundry Soap does not disappoint. I haven’t had to re-wash anything as it has easily removed spit up, poop, grass stains and marker.  If I did regularly use baby specific laundry detergent, I would use this product.

If you are looking for affordable, eco-friendly household products, give Earth Friendly Products a try.  They are easily found in local mass retailers and tend to run on the lower end of pricing for green cleaning products. For extra savings, print out coupons for $1 OFF most of their products..

Seventh Generation has a column called ‘Ask the Science Man’ and I often find answers to questions that have been lingering in my mind.  One of the most recent Q&A columns was about VOC emissions from paint, new carpet and cleaning supplies.  As a reminder, VOC (volatile organic compounds) are toxins that are emitted into your home from many products.  A huge concern is that not only are they emitted the instance they come into your home but they can constantly emit VOCs over time – some products emit VOCs into your home for up to 3 years!

Browse the archives to find answers to other burning questions such as non-toxic nail polish, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) in products, plastic shower curtains and organic tampons.  If you don’t find the answer to the question on your mind, then Ask the Science Man yourself!

It’s hard to believe but on March 20, when the clock struck midnight, spring officially began in the Northern Hemisphere.

I don’t know about you but when spring arrives and the sun comes out – I want to open the windows, get some fresh air and clean like crazy. 

If you weren’t reading Mommy Goes Green last year, now is a great time to get caught up on the 8 week series we did on spring cleaning.  Click on the link for the week and you can find detailed information on cleaning the eco-friendly and non-toxic way. 

WEEK 1 – Green your cleaning products. 

WEEK 2 – Clean the oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher. 

WEEK 3 – Dust EVERYTHING. 

WEEK 4 – Clean your window treatments. 

WEEK 5 – Wash all your windows, inside and out.

WEEK 6 – Touch up scratched walls or old nail holes with non toxic, zero VOC paint. 

WEEK 7 – Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

WEEK 8 – Replace the air filter in your home.

Today, you can join the WORLD by taking part in Earth Hour.  At 8:30 pm (in whatever time zone you are in) – turn off your lights for just 1 HOUR.  Government facilities, national landmarks, museums, organizations and celebrities are all joining the movement for action on climate change. 

It’s one simple way to talk to your kids about the importance of taking care of the resources we have.  Make it fun by getting out flashlights to play hide and seek or board games.  My kids will be in bed by then so I plan to light some candles and have a glass of wine.  Aaaah.

Last night, I watched Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution with mixed emotions.  Jamie was in Huntington, West Virginia – the city named as the unhealthiest in America because over 50% of the occupants are obese.  During this episode, he visited an elementary school to prepare fresh food lunches and teach the children and parents about healthy eating habits.  

Jamie demonstrated to several children what is in “chicken” patties.  He took a whole chicken and cut off the breasts and wings.  Then he cut up the rest of the chicken – including skin, bones, and all the other yucky stuff – and put it in a food processor.  Once blended, he made a patty out of it and covered it in bread crumbs.  He then asked the children if they wanted to eat it and they all said YES.  It was disturbing.  ( “chicken” patties will never cross the threshhold of this house again )

He showed a classroom of first graders basic vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes and the children could not identify them. I was part angry ( with the parents ) and part sad ( for the kids ).

Jamie was required (by school guidelines) to have both rice and bread with the lunch he was serving the children – I’m not a nutritionist but doesn’t that seem a little unbalanced?

Seriously – these children only had spoons to eat their lunch.  They didn’t even know how to eat with a knife and fork.  Is that unreasonable?  My 3 year old can use a fork and knife to eat.

The bottom line is that these problems are not just with one school, in one city in America.  It’s a problem in every school, in every city in America.  It’s also a problem in our homes.  It’s just easier to cook boxed, canned, and processed food.  Food isn’t given the priority that it should be and it’s making our bodies sick. 

I’m currently reading a book from Dr. Sears titled, ‘Nutrition Deficit Disorder’ (NDD), and it parallels the concepts in this show about the relationship between food and health in children.  It talks about the connection between NDD and all the other ‘D’ diseases like ADD, ADHD, and OCD.  I’m only a couple chapters in but I will definitely be sharing with you what I’m reading as I think you’ll be amazed at how much what you feed your children affects their ability to learn, control their behavior and overall health. 

I absolutely recommend you check out Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution – there are 4 more episodes so tune in Friday, April 2nd for the next one.

Here’s a great way to get your plants watered AND reuse empty wine bottles (or any long necked bottle).  Just put the Wine Bottle Plant Nanny stake into a container and insert the filled bottle of water.  Provides a steady supply of water as the plant needs it – perfect for those of us who forget to regularly water our plants!  Makes for a unique gift, too.