If you want to switch to organic food, but are afraid to because of the price tag, this is what I suggest: Look at what you and your family eat/drink the most of on a daily basis and pick just one thing to switch. It may be that you drink gallons of milk, in which case, make the switch to organic milk. Do you eat chicken almost every day (some families do!), if so - buy organic/hormone-free chicken. Remember, if your local grocery store doesn’t carry the organic foods you want, have a word in the manager’s ear - they want your continued custom and you are voting with your dollars too.

Okay every one - time for a Victory Garden! During the second world war in England, everyone grew their own vegetable garden regardless of their circumstances and as we face an equally serious crisis in terms of gas prices going through the roof (so food prices will follow), it only makes sense to grow your own. As Summer is upon us, it’s time to plant tomatoes, squash, pole beans, eggplants and more. If it’s still cool where you live, get planting some salad leaves as they are the easiest seeds to grow. You don’t even need to have room for a garden - I grow cherry tomatoes, lettuce, basil and peppers in planters and window boxes. The great news is that you can produce your own organic vegetables for next to nothing. Please share any great gardening/growing tips with us - we’d love to hear.

GMO means: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM. It basically means that the the seed, as nature intended it to be, has been messed with! Whenever possible, I choose not to eat GMO foods. They have only been around since the 1990’s and there has been insufficient testing on their long term health effects. The annoying thing is that genetically altered foods are not labeled in the U.S. We do know that one quarter of all agricultural land in the U.S. now grows GMO crops, so it likely shows up in virtually every processed food you buy. If you want to avoid being a guinea pig in this mass human experiment, it’s best to only eat foods that have the USDA Organic Stamp on them: by definition this means that the food must not be genetically modified. So another its another great reason to buy organic food whenever you can.

One FAQ I get is: “Can I afford to eat organic food?”. The answer is yes, if you follow these guidelines:
- Try to buy cereals, grains, rice etc from the bulk bins.
- Buy organic when it counts the most: berries, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, grapes, raisins, spinach and apples are most heavily sprayed with pesticides.
- Base your meals on cheaper staples like rice, beans and grains.
- Cut coupons from free magazines at health food stores.
- Join a food coop or buying club.
- Eat less meat
- Only buy produce that is in season.

Remember that the extra cost is worth the long term health benefits. Organically grown food contains a more of the valuable nutrients that you need to help you stay healthy and gorgeous for years to come.

You may have heard of the term “locavore”, which describes someone who is trying to only eat locally produced food. It’s a really great idea. There are 3 big reasons to eat locally produced food>
1. It takes an average of 1,500 miles to get the food from the farm to your grocery store. That’s a lot of pollution going into our air.
2. When food has to travel a long way, it requires extra packaging for storage.
3. The nutritional content of produce greatly diminishes during the long transit and storage hours.
I make it my business to always think about where everything has come from. I am not an extremist, however, I buy locally whenever I can because on top of the reasons listed above, locally produced food always tastes better.
Here’s your challenge for today: when you’re in the grocery store, if you don’t see too much locally grown produce, ask to speak to the manager and tell him/her that you (and hundreds of people you know!!), would love to see this store carry more locally grown food. It will take you just a few minutes and your voice willbe heard.
Check out these two excellent websites:
www.100milediet.org
www.slowfoodusa.org

Those tingly lip-balms that many of us have been using for years, may be a lot more toxic than you think. Some of the best-selling lip balms contain a shocking number of chemicals! The labeling might say “effective moisturizers”, but what’s behind this label? In the trade, these moisturizers are called “oleochemicals” - basically animal or vegetable fats that have been hydrogenated (energy intensive and polluting process), to make these natural oils feel more like petroleum-derived oils - this is green-washing, as they put on the label “naturally derived”, HELLO - there’s nothing natural about a chemical process that turns a healthy fat into a toxin. Be mindful that we tend to swallow lip balms too (especially kids!).
Also be wary of the following ingredients: hydrogenated polyisobutene, triundecanoin, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, hydroxystearic acid, trimethylopropane tricaprylate and propyl paraben.
If you can’t be bothered to do all that laborious label-reading, just go for one of the following safer brands:
www.badgerbalm.com
www.hemp-sisters.com
www.aubrey-organics.com (gorgeous lip balm with a hint of color)

We all have our favorite deodorant - I did for years until I discovered exactly what was in it - I was horrified! The first worrying ingredient is Aluminum Chlorohydrate. This is supposed to clog your pores, so the sweat can’t leak through. It can cause skin irritation and worse - mental decline! Aluminum is absorbed through the skin and a lifetime’s use may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Other ingredients to watch out for are:
14 butyl ether, BHT-butylated hydroxytoluene and parfum.
To avoid the mental angst, play safe with the following great and effective deodorants:

Herbal Magic www.evitamins.com

Miessence Ancient Spice roll-on http://www.mionegroup.com

You might want to think twice before spraying yourself with any old perfume (even your most cherished ones). Regular perfume can contain Pthalates, which are hormone disruptors that can eventually lead to a myriad of diseases. Perfumes can also contain a plethora of toxic chemicals that can be affect your central nervous system. Since I adore lovely smells, I use essential oils instead of perfume. One of my favorites is Wyndmere Natural’s “Anxiety Release”. People always ask me what scent I am wearing and it’s a fraction of the price of any perfume on the market. I just put 3 or 4 drops into the palm of my hand, rub my hands together apply to my wrists and neck. www.wyndmerenaturals.com
I also like a company called Tsi-la. Their perfumes come in gorgeous tiny roll-on bottles, that easily fit in your purse.www.tsilaorganics.com

Today is toothpaste day! Most regular toothpastes contain really harsh chemicals that we need to avoid. Children are particularly vulnerable as they tend to swallow while brushing. Toothpastes can contain saccharin and artificial colorings and flavorings (all potential carcinogens). I remember being thrilled to pieces as a child when toothpaste with lurid aqua and white stripes first came out!
Also, the issue of fluoride is extremely controversial.
Look to avoid the following ingredients: Sorbitol/Glycerin, PVM/MA Copolymer, sodium hydroxide, sodium fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, C142090 (blue coloring), Carageen, C147005 (yellow coloring), triclosan and saccharin.
Here are some great alternatives
The Natural Dentist www.thenaturaldentist.com
Jason www.jason-natural.com
Some Tom’s of Maine Toothpastes (check the label as they all contain different ingredients)
www.tomsofmaine.com

SUNSCREEN
This week I’m going to blog about a different personal care product everyday. Since summer is on the way, let’s think about sunscreen today. Sunscreen encourages a false sense of security as we typically put on less than we should (and miss certain areas!) and we stay out longer than is safe.
The chemicals that provide sun protection can also be irritating to the skin and irritated skin is more susceptible to sun damage.
Recent research suggests that these chemicals are hormone-disruptors that persist in your body and the environment.
There are some great alternatives as follows:
Lavara has a great line of suncreams: www.lavera.com
Aubrey Organics has a great selection too: www.aubrey-organics.com
I also love Ecolani chemical-free sunscreen, available at: www.itssimplynatural.com