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May 11, 2018

Feeding Your Infant: Tips & Tricks for the First Six Months

May 11, 2018

 

Parenting is…
I’m going to let you “fill in the blank” with this sentence because it seems that every parent has an individual and usually quite distinct version of the “correct” answer. It does make sense for each parent to receive a different parenting experience because no child is the same. However, this in no way means that the basic process of child-rearing should be restricted to a single method. Nowadays, many new parents are faced with the dilemma of whether they should breastfeed or use baby formula. If you’re one of these parents, let me point out one small, but very monumental fact…babies are expensive. Therefore, why extend the extra money each month for synthetic baby formula when natural breast milk surpasses all products available in every single category?

It used to be commonplace for parents to feed their children natural and unprocessed foods during every stage of life. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where society has simplified food products to such an extreme level that many processed foods now contain more synthetic ingredients than they do real ingredients.

“The process of modifying cow milk for large-scale production in the 1920s represented the birth of the infant formula industry. Since then new ingredients have been added for a variety of reasons. For example, iron was added in 1959 to reduce the risk of iron deficiency in formula-fed infants (Fomon, 1993), and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) were recently added in an effort to improve infant visual and cognitive development…When considering new ingredients, manufacturers analyze every step in the production process, including materials (availability, source, and purity), processing methods, packaging, storage conditions and shelf life, methods of home preparation, and potential for misuse…These considerations continue today as manufacturers attempt to alter infant formulas to imitate human milk in either composition or performance and to address the nutritional needs of specific infant populations (e.g., those with cow-milk allergy, metabolic abnormalities, and prematurity) (Benson and Masor, 1994)” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). For all source information, please see the end of the article for a detailed list.

Translation: You may be consuming more chemicals on a daily basis than you are real food ingredients. Frightening, I know. For new parents, this disturbing reality is enough to spark a minor panic attack in even the least informed moms and dads. It is scary to think that all of the effort you’ve already extended may not be benefitting your child’s growth and development as much as you had previously hoped.

I get it, this is a new chapter in your life and caring for a fragile human being is no easy feat! Plus, you’re probably seriously sleep deprived so extending any extra effort in your daily routine is going to sound impossible. However, whether you are an experienced parent with multiple children or a complete novice with baby number one, your child’s nutritional standard should never be sacrificed for the sake of convenience in the kitchen. This applies to every stage of your child’s life, of course, but in this article I am going to focus specifically on the first six months of a baby’s diet regimen.

Step One: the milk phase. A hundred years ago, this phase was pretty cut and dry. Breast milk was your only option and because the female human body is well equipped to create the best quality breast milk for a new born baby, it has always remained the perfect option.

That is, until baby formula was created to bring convenience and simplicity to the average parent’s method for adequately caring for their child. Whenever I’m at the grocery store and I see a Mom or Dad purchasing this product, I cringe inside because I have read the ingredient labels for every brand. Even though the appearance of each label displays a multitude of differences, every product is composed of the same synthetically derived ingredients.

Baby formula is essentially designed to fill the void that human breast milk is supposed to satisfy. Therefore, it is filled with an impressive list of synthetically derived vitamins meant to promote healthy growth during the stage where the human body needs it most. If I didn’t know any better I would probably think, “Wow, my kid is getting some great nutrients from this stuff! Who knew powdered milk could be so beneficial?!” Obviously, this thought has never and will never enter my mind! But it has entered the minds of many other parents who are simply trying to care for their children, but are unaware of the true damage this product will cause.

Society has kept a large portion of the population in the dark on what should constitute a healthy ingredient. Newton’s Third Law states, “For every action, there is an equal opposite reaction” (The Physics Classroom). Society acted by promoting the idea that synthetically derived foods can be healthy if containing the right synthetic ingredients and we reacted by wholeheartedly believing these lies, purchasing synthetically derived foods more often than naturally derived foods, and began the depletion of our total-body health without even realizing it. I was never great at physics, but WOW did we fall for their false propaganda or what??? And now our reaction is creating an abundance of problems in every area of life, most especially our understanding of healthy and unhealthy products.

“Historically one approach to match human-milk composition is to add new ingredients (see Appendix B for the composition of formulas and human milk). This turns out to be a quixotic quest since human milk is a complex body fluid that is variable not only among individuals, but within an individual over time. In addition, it contains components, such as live cells and bioactive compounds, that either cannot be added to formulas or cannot survive a shelf life. Finally, not all human-milk constituents are essential; some, like LC-PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA), can be synthesized by term and preterm infants born at 33 weeks gestation (Uauy et al., 2000)” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Take, for example, our understanding of the concept of good and bad vitamins. Some people don’t realize that synthetically derived vitamins do NOT help bodily function; they act as interrupting factors because the human body is not supposed to consume synthetic vitamin sources when naturally derived sources are available. It can be the most expensive synthetic vitamin available on the market; it will not make a difference because, at the end of the day, the product was composed in a laboratory from chemicals. Once ingested, your body begins a process of sending this foreign element to a variety of different places, but it is always rejected.

“Manufacturers who wish to add some, but not all ingredients found in human milk may defeat the purpose of the added nutrients or may potentiate negative interactions. Examples include the deleterious effect on growth when eicosapentaenoic acid is added without adequate DHA (Carlson et al., 1996) and the potential negative effect of adding polyunsaturated fats and large amounts of iron without adding adequate antioxidants (Halliwell and Chirico, 1993; McCord, 1996)…For many nutrients that do not interact chemically or compete for enzymatic or receptor binding sites, the relative amounts may not be important. However in situations where there is competition for enzymes (e.g., among n-3 and n-6 PUFAs) (Brenner, 1974) or receptor binding sites in the intestine (e.g., for zinc, iron, and copper), the relative proportions may have biological significance” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

What happens next? Well, sometimes your body just rejects it altogether through your urine, stool, sweat, pores, etc. In some cases, your body will decide to hold onto the foreigner travelling around in your system. Heavy metals are an excellent example of those bad elements that your body will accumulate instead of rejecting. I don’t know why this happens, but the accumulation of heavy metals within your cells is something that can take place for years without you even realizing that it is happening. Sooner or later though, you will begin to notice the presence of heavy metals usually in the form of an illness. Epilepsy, for example, is commonly caused by an over abundance of heavy metals. As you’ve probably already realized, you do not want to wait until later to discover if you are indeed ill. I speak from experience here and I guarantee that your moment of discovery will be neither convenient nor will it be ideal for you, because that is the way life always seems to work when it comes to the unveiling of a serious medical condition. I was fifteen years old, in the middle of my spring break, and sleeping over at a friend’s house when my first seizure took place…not exactly opportune for something like that to occur and I would say that I am very lucky I was not injured due to the circumstances.

My point here is that synthetically derived vitamins are what your baby will be consuming if you choose the formula route. Who wants the substitute product for their child if the original is available??? Don’t settle for second best.

Breast feeding or using a breast pump may require more effort than mixing a scoop of powdered formula with some water, but it is ultimately the best decision you will ever make for your child’s long-term health. For starters, during the pregnancy stage the female human body spends nine months (give or take a few weeks) preparing milk that is packed full of natural vitamins, nutrients, anti-bodies, probiotics, and other helpful elements that will help nurture a newborn baby through those first couple of months by laying a superior foundation necessary for proper function throughout his or her entire life.

Breastfeeding isn’t simply a preference for how to feed your baby, it is a crucial first step in preparing your baby’s body for the rest of his or her life. So many parents are concerned about buying the right stroller and choosing the safest toys, but the best way to protect your baby begins with the diet you choose for him or her.
I understand that certain circumstances can prevent some parents from feeding their babies milk. A dairy allergy, for example, will make any mom reach for the soy-based baby formula as quickly as she can. However, there are still better alternatives to breast milk and cow’s milk than baby formula!

In most cases, health experts will recommend a “nutrient-dense” baby formula as an ideal alternative to breast milk. However, I disagree. Baby formula will only appear to be the next best option from a superficial perspective. As long as one does not delve too deep into the foundational details of a formula product, s/he will be easily fooled by the “healthy” façade. Ignorance is not bliss in this situation, therefore, I highly recommend every parent remove their rose-colored glasses and see this product for what it truly is…a very poor substitute for breast milk.

Take the impressive list of vitamins and minerals found on nearly every canister of the majority of brands of baby formula. Potassium, Manganese, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, and Selenium are just a few of the names you’ll find included in this list. When derived from natural sources, these vitamins and minerals can be very beneficial for the human body. If you ask any baby formula brand if their product’s nutritional qualities have been derived from natural sources, the answer is most likely going to be “No” because synthetic sources are a heck of a whole lot cheaper and easier to attain!

The focus on quality has been lost over the years…the concern is no longer for the well-being of the consumer, it is for the well-being of the manufacturer. Even corporations that are willing to spend a bit more for a healthier, organic product still remain prone to choosing synthetic ingredients over natural ingredients.

At the end of the day, the only “green” they care about is going into their pockets instead of their product. And we, the consumer, are the ones suffering from these decisions concerning product quality. So, even though formula may be the easier choice in the moment, it will always fail to help build the crucial nutritional foundation your baby desperately needs in order to function properly as a toddler, a young adult, and (eventually) as a grown adult.

This perspective changes things a bit, doesn’t it? My hope is that it helps all of you parents out there to think twice before automatically supporting the formula industry. Truthfully, we’ve all been there, but whether you’re wearing the title of “Mom” or “Dad” (maybe both for all of the single parents out there) just put the formula canister back where you got it from and back away slowly. This is literally the best advice I can give to any parent debating using formula as an alternative to breast milk.

The unfortunate reality of those months of preparation is that things don’t always go according to the plans we make. For example, a mother’s milk may not “come in” completely, leaving any parent with a stressful dilemma: a hungry baby. And like most adults, hunger makes for a very grumpy little human being. An ideal solution for this problem in the past was a wet nurse. You could hire someone with the proper resources to come in and feed your baby for you…on paper this is a simple solution. However, babies are already expensive enough on their own and hiring a wet nurse is not an option for the majority of parents.

Plus, I feel like using another person to feed your baby takes away from the special emotional bond that will form during the time you spend personally feeding your child. Whether it is Mom breast-feeding or Dad bottle-feeding, the intimacy of these moments will have a large impact upon the type of relationship you develop with your child. It is important not to dismiss this time as a waste of your own time, nothing can be more important than the attention and time you devote to your little ones.
So, since wet nurses are too expensive an option, detract from your relationship with your child, and no longer serve as a practical option…What do you do instead to avoid baby formula?

If you’ve read my blog before than you know how much I love the natural route of just about everything, especially food. Baby food is no exception! Babies are at a crucial step in their development process during the milk phase, therefore, choosing the right breast milk substitute is incredibly important and has a lot of potential to be either beneficial or detrimental to your child’s future health.

Here’s why: Dairy products are a prominent food group that is frequently prone to synthetic additives such as hormones and antibiotics, which is why finding a healthy product at the local grocery store can be such a challenge. Sometimes we may not even realize we’re purchasing an unhealthy product.

Take the “Vitamin D Additive” found in many milk products, it’s not a beneficial characteristic at all! It’s actually a synthetic additive that, once ingested, only creates problems for the human body. Most synthetically derived ingredients have been chemically engineered in a lab rather than collected from natural sources within nature. Because of this, our bodies aren’t sure what to do with these ingredients or where to send them. There is no appropriate location for these imposter ingredients because, truth be told, no human being should ever consume this kind of garbage.

During the digestion process, these synthetic ingredients really do get lost in translation because they are essentially composed of a foreign language breed of ingredients that have no proper place of “belonging” in the body. Unfortunately, these foreign ingredients are occasionally stored in the cells of our bodies when consumed. This is only one of the many reasons why they should be avoided in every stage of life, but most especially in the early years when key development is occurring on a daily basis. You can read more about ingredients and ingredient labels here.

So how do we avoid synthetic ingredients in the foods we feed our children when the majority of products being sold by our local grocers are full to the brim with these exact ingredients? We’re living in an age when reading an ingredient label is necessary to determine the true quality of a product. Personally, I’ve reached a point where I no longer buy the majority of my dairy products from a commercial vendor. Instead, I purchase Raw Dairy Products from a private farm where every product is guaranteed to be Organic, free from all additives, and derived from grass-fed animals (a very important detail for those of you with soy allergies and looking to avoid the soy feed commonly used as the “healthier” option by many companies).

***Side Note about Soy: “Soy-based formulas were developed for infants perceived to be intolerant of cow-milk protein. The first soy formulas were commercially available in 1929 (Abt, 1965). These formulas were made with soy flour and were not well accepted by parents, who complained of loose, malodorous stools, diaper rash, and stained clothing. In the mid-1960s isolated soy protein was introduced into formulas. These formulas were much more like milk-based formulas in appearance and acceptance. However the preparation of isolated soy protein resulted in the elimination of most of the vitamin K in the soy, and a few cases of vitamin K deficiency were reported. The occurrence of nutrient deficiencies in infants fed milk-free formulas contributed to the development of federal regulations concerning the nutrient content of formulas (Fomon, 1993). Soy formulas now account for about 40 percent of formula sales in the United States…Manufacturers who wish to add some, but not all, ingredients found in human milk may defeat the purpose of the added nutrients or may potentiate negative interactions. Examples include the deleterious effect on growth when eicosapentaenoic acid is added without adequate DHA (Carlson et al., 1996) and the potential negative effect of adding polyunsaturated fats and large amounts of iron without adding adequate antioxidants (Halliwell and Chirico, 1993; McCord, 1996)” (Institute of Medicine (US); ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

If you are interested in the private farm I mentioned above, please email me directly at Katie@seizethedayblog.com for more information.
Raw dairy products are, hands down, the best alternative to natural breast milk. Raw goat’s milk is the real hidden gem in this situation. The goat’s stomach and overall digestive system are the most similar to a human being’s. Therefore, their milk is easiest to digest.

“According to the Journal of American Medicine, ‘Goat’s milk is the most complete food known.’ It contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein, and fatty acids that are utilized by your body with ease. In fact, your body can digest goat’s milk in just 20 minutes. It takes 2-3 hours to digest cow’s milk” (ROSEOFSHARONACRES.COM).

Researchers have actually found that people who struggle to digest cow’s milk have slim to no trouble during the digestion process when consuming goat’s milk. This same difference also applies to babies and young children, as well. Cows do have four stomachs, after all, making cow’s milk quite the challenge to digest. The best way to describe goat’s milk is as the gentle alternative. Goat’s milk is both under-rated and under-appreciated because our society is so used to considering cows as the primary source and societal “norm” for dairy products.

“Americans have been ‘culturized & advertised’ into associating milk with cows when in fact, goat milk is far more healthy for humans” (Roseofsharonacres.com).

You can never completely plan for the future in a way that will make you fully equipped for every unexpected twist and turn that is “Life.” If this was possible, maybe I would have gotten a clue a whole lot sooner when I was first diagnosed with epilepsy instead of wasting my time going down numerous rabbit trails that weren’t helpful or healthy for my long-term state of health. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I am 100% sure that although I have learned a lot from my experience with epilepsy, I also have a lot of regret in my past. Whether it is the way I handled certain situations or the approach I chose to manage the challenges I faced thanks to my health there is and always will be a part of me that wishes I did “this” or “that” differently. One of these wishes is that I tried the holistic path immediately. I constantly wonder where I would be at this point in my life if I had. I am confident in the fact that I am exactly where I am meant to be, but I also do not want to see this same regret I have acquired to be a part of your journey as a parent.

It makes sense to feed your children foods that are from-scratch, Organic, and Non-GMO. Skip the baby food aisle altogether and visit the produce section instead. In this way, you can try and become equipped for some of the challenges that are parenthood in a nutshell. Take the milk problem, for example. It is excellent to have a “Plan B” in the back of your mind so that you aren’t scrambling to handle another challenging, but totally worth it, moment of parenthood.

Goat’s milk is your alternative to formula, but what about when your baby graduates to the soft food stage? Do you turn to jarred foods that are filled with preservatives, additives, and many other synthetic ingredients? Of course not!!!!
You get to know your basic fruits and vegetables again! By steaming or boiling veggies, you can easily reach a texture that is appropriate for babies. You can safely begin this stage after your child reaches 6 months of age. Prior to 6 months, it is recommended by health experts that your baby maintain a strict diet of milk.

Creating healthy, from-scratch meals for your baby can often seem like a daunting task. However, these meals are actually going to be considerably easier than the meals you cook for the rest of your family. You are going to be cooking a lot of steamed veggies, which means meal prep is going to be a breeze! You are definitely going to want to take advantage of the perk of meal prep.
Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, steamed carrots, steamed broccoli, bananas, and many other fruits and veggies are excellent options for homemade baby food.

I would even try to coordinate meals so that you’re not making what feels like 2 separate meals. For example, try planning side dishes like mashed potatoes or steamed carrots, maybe both for a more balanced meal if you happen to be serving a main dish such as chicken or another healthy protein. Though your baby may not yet be able to chew a more solid dish like chicken, if he or she is 6 months old your little one can certainly be fed the mashed potatoes and steamed carrots (mashed). This way you only have one meal to prepare instead of two. This is hands down the best part about moving on to the soft food stage…you no longer have to feed your baby a completely separate meal.

So what are you waiting for? Simplify already! The majority of what you eat, your baby can eat too, so long as it is properly prepared. Think minimal seasonings when you’re preparing those potatoes, carrots, or any other side dish.

“Cinnamon is generally regarded as safe to give to your baby in small amounts after they turn 6 months of age. Cinnamon doesn’t commonly cause an allergic reaction in children or adults. Heavy exposure to cinnamon can cause stomach upset, skin or mouth irritation, and possibly problems with bleeding due to decreased blood clotting. But a sprinkle of cinnamon on your baby’s food probably won’t cause a problem.
If your baby appears to have an allergic reaction to foods containing cinnamon, or they appear fussy and agitated after consuming cinnamon, call your doctor right away” (Healthline.com).

Being aware of those seasonings, such as cinnamon, is imperative for your child’s health, but the good news is there are few seasonings as inflammatory as cinnamon. Usually you can just going the minimalist route and simply sprinkle a little pink Himalayan salt for flavor. Your baby will probably prefer less seasoning anyway since a newborn’s palette is undeveloped. Basically, I’m trying to promote the convenience that is this form of baby food…it will always be the ideal route because it is simple and healthy. You can make a healthy, no-fuss meal for your baby that is 100% free of synthetic additives and it can be made using real ingredients. This is clean-eating at its finest. And the earlier you introduce clean foods into your baby’s diet, the better it is for his or her ability to develop that foundation, which will serve as a key component during the critical stage of growth that is the first six months and, if we’re being really honest with ourselves, the first twelve months.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

SOURCES:

1. Enfamil Premium Infant Formula Powder – 12.5 oz: https://www.target.com/p/enfamil-premium-infant-formula-powder-12-5-oz/-/A-12849663?sid=1958S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=1013549&gclid=CjwKCAjw4sLVBRAlEiwASblR-xSmAL2MNop2_N3IiYHWl2pxOqAShHgjDO_zEJRaBVcKnQoGJAsvuhoC_gkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
2. Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/can-babies-have-cinnamon
3. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Evaluation of the Addition of Ingredients New to Infant Formula. Infant Formula: Evaluating the Safety of New Ingredients. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2004. 3, Comparing Infant Formulas with Human Milk.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215837/
4. Livestrong: https://www.livestrong.com/article/536769-when-do-babies-stop-jar-food/
5. The Physics Classroom (Newton’s Third Law): http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-4/Newton-s-Third-Law
6. Rose of Sharon Acres: https://www.roseofsharonacres.com/raw_goat_milk_benefits

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Articles Tagged: antioxidants, baby formula, bottle-feeding, breastfeeding, chemical food ingredients, cinnamon, clean eating, cow milk, diet, epilepsy, first six months, first year, from scratch, goat milk, infancy, infant, ingredient label, ingredient labels, long term health, milk, minerals, minimal ingredients, non-GMO, organic, Polyunsaturated Fats, probiotics, raw dairy products, seize the day, seize the day blog, seizethedayblog, soy formula, synthetically derived ingredients, unhealthy products, vitamin deficiency, vitamins

May 9, 2017

Let’s Talk About Petroleum Part 2: Cosmetics

May 9, 2017

The cosmetic industry is a no-brainer when it comes to products containing petroleum-derived ingredients; therefore it was an obvious choice for my mini-series on petroleum. Deciding which petroleum-polluted products to analyze, now that was a bit more challenging. “In 1907 Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, meaning it contained no molecules found in nature” (ChemHeritage.org) so the world has had an abundance of time since then to creatively sneak petroleum into virtually every industry in existence. Plastics were just the beginning of a thriving career for Petroleum and cosmetics have been an inevitable stop along the way.

For Part 2 of the “Let’s Talk About Petroleum” series, I’m going to analyze 3 primary cosmetic products most people come into contact with on a daily basis. Though I was tempted, investigating every single cosmetic product under the sun was out of the question. Petroleum has become too prevalent in our world to be able to complete that endeavor in one lifetime. So, the three cosmetic products I will be analyzing are Lotion, Lip Balm/Lipstick/Lip Gloss, and Toothpaste.

As complicated as most ingredient labels have become these days, the majority of people probably aren’t even aware of its presence in these products let alone the entire cosmetic industry. Be prepared for some pretty shocking insight into the world of cosmetics.

I know that the word “cosmetic” is most often translated as meaning “makeup” only, but it actually includes a variety of products that can pertain to both men and women. Even though the Lipstick and Lip Gloss sections of this article are entirely directed at the female demographic, I can guarantee that an equal amount of discussion is devoted to lip balm, which easily pertains to both genders. Who knows, you might even find a good alternative product to the one you’re using now (I certainly hope so!). So don’t tune out just yet, boys, you might be interested in what I have to share.

Both men and women alike use each product listed on a daily basis, yet the majority are unaware of what every ingredient label actually contains. Truthfully, I could analyze each ingredient present on the labels of multiple specific products and shed some serious light on their true quality, but for the sake of this mini-series, I’m only going to highlight petroleum-derived ingredients.

Unfortunately, all three of the previously mentioned products have been produced with petroleum derivatives thanks to a multitude of brands. Here we are in the supposedly advanced 21st Century yet it is more difficult to find clean, healthy products at your average retailer than it is petroleum-laden products.

Personally, I believe this to be the saddest part about the cosmetic industry nowadays. These massive corporations make poor quality products, some even carcinogenic (cancer-causing), readily available to the consumer and yet the good-quality, organic products are frequently banned by the FDA for illegitimate reasons!

Despite this unfortunate reality, I am happy to announce that I have found clean, natural solutions to each of the 3 cosmetic problem products I am discussing in this article (the majority of these solutions have been tested by your truly). I can’t point out a problem and then do absolutely nothing to help fix it, especially when finding a truly good product is such a struggle. I want each of my readers to know that avoiding carcinogens (like petroleum) is not impossible if you know where to shop and what to buy.

After 8 years of research, I have had plenty of time to not only understand the very relevant problem at hand, but to reverse it entirely in my own life, as well. My goal in writing this article is to help others learn how to reverse it too. All it takes is the motivation to make the necessary changes and the drive to stay consistent with it in every aspect of their life. This may sound overwhelming, but it is actually much easier than you might think if you take it slowly…‘one product at a time’ is a good strategy to have when handling the cosmetic industry.

Let’s begin by analyzing a product necessary in the everyday lives of men and women alike…Lotion.

Whether it is hand lotion, face lotion, or body lotion, we all need it if we don’t want dry, cracked skin! But, before you use some random product you need to make sure petroleum isn’t a component of the ingredient label.

***Side Note: If you use a lotion product not discussed, please comment below and I’ll be more than happy to help you determine whether or not you should switch brands.

Three lotion brands I see most often advertised and stocked by retailers here in the U.S. are Neutrogena, Lubriderm, and Jergens (although I feel like these are pretty universal companies). And yes, all three contain at least one petroleum-derived ingredient. Neutrogena Body Lotion contains an ingredient called PEG-100 Stearate, which despite its complicated name is actually “a synthetic polymer made by combining Oxirane (Ethylene Oxide) and fatty acids (source)” (Truth in Aging). If it’s synthetic, you can pretty much guarantee that it’s bad for you. Oxirane (Ethylene Oxide) is a petroleum derivative and occurs in the form of “a flammable colorless gas with a sweet odor. It is used primarily to produce other chemicals, including Anti-freeze…The ability of Ethylene Oxide to damage DNA makes it an effective sterilizing agent but also accounts for its cancer-causing activity…Lymphoma and leukemia are the cancers most frequently reported to be associated with occupational exposure to ethylene oxide” (Cancer.gov).

Notice at the end of this quote, the National Cancer Institute cites ‘occupational exposure’ as a main cause. Translation: industrial factories with dangerous amounts of this chemical present in the environment. What leaves me completely shocked is the fact that while factory workers are forced to face conditions with ethylene oxide exposure, Neutrogena is purposefully using PEG-100 Stearate in their product, therefore exposing all of their consumers to a dangerous and potentially life-threatening chemical. The icing on the cake is the fact that despite extensive research, the only discovery scientists have been able to make about this particular ingredient is that it does not serve any beneficial purpose for the human body. Whether PEG-100 Stearate is sitting by itself in a lab test tube or mixed together with a bunch of other chemicals in Neutrogena Body Lotion avoid at all cost if you value your health! Also, be wary of PEG-100 Stearate/Ethylene Oxide in other cosmetic ingredient labels, it tends to be a frequently used ingredient.

The next lotion product is Lubriderm Daily Moisture, a product my entire family has been using for years. Unfortunately for us and anyone else who has used this product, it does contain a petroleum derivative among many other nasty ingredients. If you noticed with the Neutrogena petroleum derivative, many companies like to hide their petroleum ingredients behind code-names that the majority of everyday people like you and I aren’t going to even begin to comprehend or go the extra mile to try and understand its true nature.

The most common code-name used by the cosmetic industry for petroleum-derived ingredients? Mineral Oil. Not as complicated as “PEG-100 Stearate,” but still just as vague. The 2nd ingredient listed on the label of the Lubriderm bottle? Mineral Oil.

Truth be told, it is hard to find any beneficial ingredients in the entire list except for maybe water and even that is questionable because we do not know the source. Basically, Johnson & Johnson made watery petroleum, mixed a few extra synthetic chemicals in to create their desired texture and somehow interpreted the concoction as lotion. No joke, this sounds more like an experiment gone wrong from my high school chemistry class than it does an FDA approved skin care product that is actually recommended for daily use.

Obviously, Mineral Oil is terrible because it is petroleum based and, therefore, contains carcinogenic qualities. But, did you also know that Mineral Oil cannot be metabolized by the human body? Naturally your body is incapable of breaking down and utilizing a synthetic ingredient like Mineral Oil. Alternatively, it gets trapped inside your body by accumulating in your cells and tissues until it can be discarded from your body entirely. Typically, this “discard process” would happen through the passing of urine and stool, but since it can’t be metabolized, your body does not send Mineral Oil into your digestive system to be broken down and passed out of your body.

Instead, your body stores it and accumulates this toxin until it begins causing other problems that just might be detrimental to long-term health. The real issue begins when this accumulation starts to negatively impact those around you. Pregnant women, for example, should take extra care to avoid Mineral Oil and all petroleum derivatives during and after pregnancy (in general and for breast feeding purposes) if they do not want their newborn babies exposed, as well.

“Researchers removed fat specimens from 142 women who were undergoing C-sections, and collected milk-samples from them post-delivery. Scarily they found that both the fat and the milk were contaminated with mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons. The authors concluded: ‘The increase in MOSH [Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons] concentration in human fat tissue with age suggests an accumulation over time. Cosmetics might be a relevant source of the contamination’” (Beauty Editor).

Notice the word Beauty Editor uses to describe Mineral Oil and its presence in the human body…‘Contamination.’ The largest organ in the human body is the skin and it is covered in countless amounts of pores just waiting to absorb those toxins and/or nutrients your body comes into contact with on a daily basis. Long story short, petroleum derivatives contaminate your body just like they do the poor quality products they’re found in.

Lastly, we have Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion. I’d really like to know who is in charge of naming these products. It can’t be the scientists creating the formulas because there is no way they would consider the product they created in the lab to be ‘Ultra Healing’ no matter who the user is. Jergens’ ingredient label is much like Neutrogena’s and Lubriderm’s in that it also contains petroleum-derived ingredients. However, its level of toxicity is a bit greater due to the fact that the fourth ingredient is just straight up Petrolatum.

The biggest difference between Petrolatum and other petroleum-derivatives is the chemical makeup of the ingredient. Ingredients such as PEG-100 Stearate, Mineral Oil, etc. are formulated with many other ingredients, thereby diluted by extra additives and chemicals. Petrolatum happens to be a “byproduct of petroleum refining” (Safe Cosmetics) so there isn’t much to it other than petroleum. Some sources claim that when properly refined, Petrolatum is safe for use. Personally, I seriously doubt this statement because petroleum based ingredients never serve any beneficial purpose for the human body. I am yet to find one that is actually good and I have thoroughly researched a multitude of ingredients!

Safe Cosmetics also points out an alarming fact about the refining process: “With an incomplete refining history, petrolatum could potentially be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. PAHs are byproducts of organic material combustion, commonly stored in fats upon exposure due to its lipophilic properties. There is no way to confirm proper refinement unless a complete refining history is provided.”

So basically, unless Jergens forks over the refining history for the Petrolatum included in their ingredient label, all we know is that they may or may not have an ingredient in their lotion that is contaminated with toxic chemicals.

For obvious reasons, I am not convinced that the Petrolatum used by the Jergens Company is safe. Not to mention, this particular body lotion also contains Laureth-3 and Ceteareth-20, both of which are derived from ethylene oxide, a petroleum-derived ingredient found in PEG-100 Stearate and Neutrogena Lotion. If they’re willing to also use these poor-quality ingredients in their product, my guess is that their refining process is not quite to the standard required for non-contaminated Petrolatum.

If this information is not convincing you of just how bad this cosmetic product truly is, check out its product listing on the Jet website. Right below the Add to Cart button, you’ll notice a warning link for California Residents (although it pertains to residents across the globe) about Proposition 65.

Let’s shed some light on Prop 65…“California Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase. Proposition 65 entitles California consumers to warnings for products that contain chemicals known to California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm if those products expose consumers to such chemicals above certain threshold levels” (Jet.com). As a Californian, I appreciate the warning, but I also believe that potential consumers around the globe should be extended this same courtesy.

I’ve reached a point where I’m seriously wondering if there is any good news about Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion. Also, is it just me, or does naming a product with a Prop 65 Warning attached to it “Ultra Healing” seem like a bit of an oxymoron?

A few honorable mentions that should also be avoided like the plague are Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (contains Petrolatum), Aveeno Anti-Itch Concentrated Lotion (Petrolatum), Nivea Smooth Daily Moisture (Mineral Oil), and a new, but highly sought after product called Fasáli Unicorn Essence (Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Red 40, Red 33, Blue 1, Ethylene Oxide).

Even though I’m already aware of the extreme poor quality of the majority of products, it still shocks me the amount of just plain BAD ingredients that have been approved by the FDA and incorporated into everyday cosmetics. It has reached a point where I’m shocked when a petroleum derivative isn’t listed. Rock bottom doesn’t even begin to describe the current state our standards have reached; this includes both the consumer and the manufacturer. The consumer should never have to sacrifice their health when purchasing a product and manufacturers should never prioritize company income above merchandise quality.

Do not be put into a position where you have to choose between good or bad health just so you can have nourished skin…take the initiative to choose the right products the first time, starting with your lotion. The smallest step can have the largest impact on your long-term health, so why wait? Here is a list of clean alternatives, most of which are made from Organically grown ingredients. If you know of a product that you think should be included in this list, please comment below and I’ll check it out!

 

HEALTHY LOTION ALTERNATIVES:

 

 

100% Pure extra gentle baby lotion

100% Pure vanilla bean nourishing body cream

Calypso Glow coconut water 

Kopari coconut melt

Osmia Organics vanilla shea hand cream

S.W. Basics cream

White & Elm intense hydration cream

 

Lip Balm/Lipstick/Lip Gloss is a necessity for anyone wanting hydrated lips so I obviously had to dissect this product. It is a particularly important product in my day to day routine due to the fact that I live in a desert-type area of Southern California where it is insanely dry no matter the time of year. I definitely don’t leave the house without my lip balm! The biggest challenge, when it comes to this product, lies with the manufacturers and the ingredient label they produce.

More often than not, a product promising “moisture” and “protection” is actually delivering petroleum-based formulas that offer no benefit to the human body. So much for those kissable lips you were hoping for. In reality, you are exposing your body to petroleum derivatives by applying the lip balm to an area that, like the skin, also contains innumerable pores waiting to absorb whatever they come into contact with. And, to make matters worse, your body also ingests a portion of the petroleum-derived ingredients due to the location of the application area and its close proximity to the tongue and mouth. It’s a double whammy when it comes to this particular product.

Ignorance is never bliss when it comes to petroleum-based products. Exposing everyday brands for the true, poor quality of their products is the first step toward understanding so you can begin avoiding these products in the future.

To start, I’m going as basic as it gets with the Chapstick brand of lip balm. The marketing team put the same amount of effort into naming their product as the company itself put into the quality of their formula…zero! The ingredient label contains only 15 ingredients, which is a positive surprise. However, 14 of the ingredients are synthetic. Eight of which are considered carcinogenic. Another three of those ingredients are petroleum-derivatives. Those are some pretty scary ingredients used to create a product designed for application on the lips!

The complete ingredient label for Chapstick Moisturizer Original is as follows: aloe barbadensis leaf extract, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, fragrance, isocetyl stearate, isopropyl lanolate, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, methylparaben, mineral oil, paraffin, propylparaben, tocopheryl linoleate/oleate, vitamin E acetate, white wax.

The only ingredient with even the slightest chance of being non-synthetic is the aloe barbadensis leaf extract. However, the Chapstick Company does not reveal enough about their source to be 100% sure whether it is or is not synthetically derived. For now, we’ll just hope for the best and assume it came from a natural source.

Cetyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil, Paraffin, Propyl Paraben, Tocopheryl Linoleate, and Tocopheryl Acetate are all considered carcinogenic ingredients with contributing factors toward breast cancer, skin cancer, and lung cancer (Cancer Institute). Chapstick Original Formula contains three petroleum-derived ingredients. After listing off the 15 synthetic ingredients and 8 carcinogenic ingredients this doesn’t sound too bad. But, it is. Many times, cosmetic products will have only one petroleum-derivative, not three. Add in the fact that this product is for your lips, a very sensitive region for absorption, and it suddenly makes so much sense why cancer-rates have dramatically increased over the years.

In my personal life alone, there have been a multitude of cancer diagnoses just in the last two years. All have come as a complete shock. Every time I hear about a new diagnosis, I can’t help but wonder if it could have been prevented if healthier products, diet, and lifestyle were utilized.

Don’t wait until you’ve hit rock bottom to make a change. Don’t make the same mistake I made 8 years ago and wait for a serious diagnosis to make you rethink your current lifestyle. Make the change while you’re still healthy enough to do so. Make it now (with the supervision of a doctor, of course)!

Some of the smallest changes can have the most significant effect in the long run. Don’t make the same mistake I made 8 years ago and wait for a serious diagnosis to make you rethink your current lifestyle.

The next product on my list, EOS Lip Balm, is actually one that has done a very successful job at posing as a healthy product. However, by digging a little deeper into the ingredient labels of EOS Lip Balm products, one will discover the same synthetic ingredients that happen to be present in previously discussed poor-quality products also present in every flavor EOS has to offer. The standard 6 count pack of EOS Lip Balm includes the following flavors: Blackberry Nectar, Coconut Milk, Vanilla Mint, Vanilla Bean, Organic Pomegranate Raspberry, and Organic Sweet Mint. Although the EOS brand poses as “organic” and “healthy,” their product actually has a few dirty secrets.

All six flavors contain an ingredient called “Tocopherol,” also known as a Vitamin E derivative. Slightly lesser known as a petroleum derivative when procured from a non-organic source. Now, the ingredient label on the EOS product itself gives no indication whether the source is synthetic or natural. In fact, it happens to be lacking an asterisk, which typically classifies ingredients as organically derived. Based on this information, I can only assume that the origin for the EOS Company’s Tocopherol is definitely filled with pesticides and most likely raised as a synthetic product, therefore a petroleum derivative, as well. “Synthetic Vitamin E does not come from natural food sources and is generally derived from petroleum products” (Poulin-Grain).

In addition to Tocopherol, the EOS Lip Balm products also contain Natural Flavor (a code name for Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)), Plyglyceryl-3 Diiostearate (synthetic ingredient), Ascorbyl Palmitate (synthetic ingredient), Raspberry Leaf Extract (common Estrogen-increasing ingredient), and Sunflower Seed Oil (synthetic ingredient).

On the Walmart website, EOS Lip Balm is advertised as 100% Natural and 95% Organic, as if this is a healthy product. Unfortunately for EOS, the ingredient label they created contradicts both of these claims. In conclusion, the idea of this product is good, but the actual execution is nothing short of disappointing.

The next lip balm product is one that should be avoided at all cost. Carmex Lip Balm is more widely known as a medicated treatment for cold sores, but it also acts as a solution for dry, chapped lips. Unfortunately, Carmex has been a very popular product around my household for years. Once I began researching this product, I discovered that almost half of the balm is made from White Petroleum (45.3% to be exact (Carmex.com)), while the other half contains 1.70% Camphor (an ingredient also used in nail polish) and 10 other synthetic ingredients, including Paraffin and Phenol (Carmex.com).

As I discussed earlier, Paraffin is a petroleum derivative and serves no beneficial purpose to the human body. Phenol is a new discovery for me, but just its name alone sounded synthetic so I did a little research and actually discovered some pretty scary information!

According to PubChem, “Phenol is a toxic, colourless crystalline solid with a sweet tarry odor…Exposure of the skin to concentrated phenol solutions causes chemical burns which may be severe.” PubChem’s analysis sums up the ingredient as “Highly toxic and corrosive to the skin.”

Cosmetically, Phenol is used to remove layers of dead skin (PubChem), a convenient ability for any lip treatment most especially Carmex, but at what cost to the long-term health of the user? In conclusion, Carmex is a very toxic product that shouldn’t be used if you want to avoid petroleum-derivatives.

***Side Note: Please remember, I am not a doctor so any suggestions I make in this article should be viewed as my own personal opinion. It is always important to consult a doctor before making any changes to your daily routine.

 Okay, so this facet of the “Lip Balm” section is more for the ladies, but men should pay attention too because lipstick can make a nice gift and you want to make sure you get your lady a good-quality product. The only issue is that this can be a very difficult feat to accomplish. The majority of brands nowadays create a product filled with synthetic, carcinogenic, and petroleum-derived ingredients.

After researching three specific lipstick products, I noticed a recurring trend. Each product contains ingredients that, when viewed on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website, issue the same warning to users: ‘Organ System Toxicity (non-reproductive).’ The “non-reproductive” detail they include as an afterthought jumped out at me when I first read this article. I’m not quite sure if including this particular information is supposed to make the entire situation better somehow in the eyes of the EWG, but it still results in potential internal damage for us (the user) so that just seems silly.

Yet scientists at the FDA sit back and give it their stamp of approval because it doesn’t affect the reproductive organs. What about the other organs??!

The product may slowly kill its user, actually the organ system as a whole might take a hit from the consequences of this ingredient, but no worries on their part, they label this detail as a “Moderate” concern. We’re talking about people’s internal organs; I think it deserves to at least be marked as a “Critical” concern!

If you were ever curious about where the consumer ranks on the manufacturer’s list of priorities, this should shed some light on the reality of the situation…the consumer and his or her health is a moderate concern and is therefore treated as such when the chemical makeup of a product is being determined.

I don’t know about you, but this definitely makes me re-think some of the products I use and the companies I support when I purchase their products. Truthfully, I own a lot of lipstick and lip gloss…definitely more than I need because I still haven’t used half of them. After researching ingredients, I really just want to throw every single one of them away at this point. I know, I know, this sounds wasteful, but once I share with you what I have discovered, you’ll want to help me fill my trashcan with these products!

While I have quite the variety of brands and products, there are three somewhat unexpected products in particular that I have chosen to examine. For lipsticks, I have chosen to analyze Butter London Moisture Matte Lipstick, Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick, and BareMinerals Pop of Passion Lipstick.

 

 

To me, Butter London has always seemed like a healthier company than most. Their nail polish is free of a lot of the common toxic chemicals; I guess I hoped their lipstick would be formulated with the same effort and care. Unfortunately, I was wrong…Butter London’s lipstick contains nine (Yes, nine!) petroleum-derivatives: Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Red 27, Red 30 Lake, Red 33 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, and Blue 1 Lake. Each of these ingredients has also been deemed safe for use in food products, so be careful when purchasing products with artificial dyes because they just might contain one of these petroleum derivatives.

Next, we have Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick. As a drugstore brand, Maybelline made me less than hopeful for a good quality product. And though they do use eight petroleum derivatives in their product, it is still better than the Butter London formula! There is a $14.00 difference between the two lipsticks (Maybelline being $7.99 and Butter London being $22.00 (ulta.com)), yet the more expensive product is of poorer quality than the cheaper product. Apparently both products have been formulated without an incredibly vital ingredient…Logic.

The Maybelline lipstick contains the following petroleum derivatives: Microcrystalline Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Red 7, Red 28 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 22 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, and Blue 1 Lake. When you combine this list with the synthetic nature of every ingredient included on the label, you get a hot mess of a product that offers no real benefit to the consumer.

Lastly, we have BareMinerals Lipstick, which also contains eight petroleum derivatives. These are Hydrogenated Polyisobutane, Blue 1 Lake, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Red 27, Red 28 Lake, and Red 22 Lake. I feel like BareMinerals is another company that has tried to advertise as one with healthier aspirations, but missed their mark a bit when it comes to their follow through. My research only further confirms this observation.

If you’ll notice, the integrity of all three lipsticks is sacrificed when they begin adding synthetic dyes. It takes numerous “Lake” chemicals to reach that perfect shade they’re aiming for.

***Side Note: If you find any product (cosmetic or not) with “Lake” ingredients, keep in mind their petroleum base. They’re toxic and harmful to the human body regardless of form so it is best to avoid these whenever possible.

 Some other lipsticks with toxic/carcinogenic/petroleum-derived ingredients are Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Créme, Makeup Forever Rouge Créme, Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick, and NARS Cosmetics Lipstick.

Lip gloss is very similar to lipstick when it comes to chemical makeup. I know this article is pretty lengthy so I’ve only analyzed one lip gloss product. But the product I chose is one that should be made of the highest quality ingredients available based on price and brand name. Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour, though very effective as an “intense lipstick” (Nordstrom) or lip stain, contains fifteen petroleum-derived ingredients.

The ingredient list for Chanel Rouge Allure Ink (petroleum-derivatives only): Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isohexadecane, PEG-8, Tocopheryl, Parfum (Fragrance), Red 36, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 33 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 22 Lake, Red 28 Lake, and Red 30 Lake.

After reading through the product ingredient list, I’m tempted to return the lip gloss and get my $37.00 back. At the time of purchase, I had the mindset that good quality was guaranteed just because it was Chanel. Wrong again! The only thing you need to know about this lip gloss is that it’s toxic! Save yourself $37.00 and skip this product if you’re considering buying it. Simply based on Chanel’s synthetic formula, it is clear that this product belongs better in the trashcan than it does on your lips.

As a lipstick and lip gloss user myself, I understand the dilemma faced by any woman trying to cleanse her current stock of products. Replacing petroleum-laced products with natural products is no simple task! Let’s face it, we all need a good lipstick or lip gloss for work and play, but where do you find one?? All of those synthetic dyes (such as Red 6, Blue Lake 1, etc.) are standard ingredients in the majority of mainstream brands. So where are the healthy products with natural ingredients that work just as well as the synthetic ingredients?

Lucky for those of us trying to make a healthy change to our lipstick and lip gloss game, fruit pigmentation rather than synthetic pigmentation has recently grown in popularity. I’m certainly a fan! One brand in particular has done a marvelous job at utilizing the benefits of fruits and veggies within the cosmetic industry. It is called 100% Pure and they use fruit pigmentation in the majority of their makeup products, including lipstick. This immediately eliminates all synthetic dyes and guarantees a much better quality product right from the start. After in-depth research, I can confirm that no petroleum derivatives are used in 100% Pure lipstick products and all pigmentation is derived from Organic fruits (no need to worry about pesticides).

My only criticism for 100% Pure products is their use of “Organic Tocopherol.” You’ll notice with previously discussed lip products, I listed Tocopheryl/Tocopherol as a petroleum-derivative. So why is Organic Tocopherol so different from non-organic Tocopherol? Believe it or not, the chemical makeup is completely changed when it is produced organically because companies like 100% Pure derive their Tocopherol from soy instead of petroleum. While soy is a much better alternative to petroleum, it still isn’t a stellar ingredient to expose your body to on a daily basis. Contrary to popular belief, soy can actually be considered a very unhealthy ingredient due to its synthetic production process.

For epileptics, soy can irritate the brain and interrupt brain activity, which ultimately results in more seizures. So, although I do recommend 100% Pure lipstick, I also caution all of my readers to be wary of the soy-derived Tocopherol present in the product, especially those with a soy sensitivity.

S.W. Basics is another “natural” brand that excels at creating products with good quality ingredients and a very short ingredient list. For example, their Organic Lip Balm in Peppermint contains Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Beeswax, and Organic Peppermint Essential Oil…that’s it! Don’t believe me? Check out their full product listing here. S.W. Basics has quickly risen to the top of my list of favorites because every one of their products is exactly what it claims to be…basic. Not only is the brand USDA certified Organic, but they’re also Cruelty-free, which I love to see in every company I choose to support!

 

Healthy Lipstick Alternatives:

 

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lipstick 

100% Pure Cocoa-Butter Semi-Matte Lipstick

S.W. Basics Chapstick

S.W. Basics Salve

Tropical Traditions Lip Moisturizer

 

Once again, if you know of any healthy alternatives for lip balms, lipstick, or lip gloss please comment below. I am always interested in finding new products!

Lastly, I would like to discuss toothpaste. We all use it, but we all don’t necessarily know what products to buy that are healthy for your teeth, gums, and long-term health. Keep reading to discover some truly good quality products!

White teeth, something we all want but sometimes struggle to maintain. The Crest brand addressed this struggle when they created their Crest 3D White Toothpaste. However, Crest and the FDA fail to mention the fact that certain ingredients present in their toothpaste formula are also present in products such as Rat Poison and insecticides.

You’ll notice below in my list of sources I cite an article titled “5 Harmful Ingredients in Toothpaste” (which is a worth a read, by the way). Well, Crest 3D Toothpaste contains 4 out of 5 of those ingredients: Sodium Flouride, Blue 1, Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate, and Hydrated Silica.

Sodium Flouride, the only “active” ingredient in this toothpaste, is also a prime ingredient in rat poison. Fluoride is commonly misconstrued as a beneficial ingredient for teeth. Many toothpaste brands like to advertise the inclusion of this ingredient in their product, but your main goal when choosing a toothpaste brand should be finding one that is Fluoride-free.

“There are two types of fluoride: calcium fluoride and sodium fluoride. When taken in excess, both types can be harmful to health. Calcium fluoride is found naturally in underground water sources. In sufficient concentrations, it can actually weaken bones and teeth rather than protecting them. However, it is less toxic and damaging to health than its counterpart. Sodium fluoride is much more insidious. Created as a synthetic waste byproduct from fertilizer, aluminum and nuclear industries, this type of fluoride is added to many public water supplies. Already laden with lead, aluminum and cadmium, sodium fluoride has the ability to combine with other toxic materials and increase their potency. Far from healthy, the side effects of taking fluoride may have far-reaching negative effects on health as you will see, yet until recently it was advocated by both the American Dental Association and the US Public Health Service” (Dr.Axe).

As you’ve probably already come to realize, going Fluoride-free is both the healthier and safer option for your dental health. However, please remember that with a Fluoride-free product you aren’t necessarily “out of the woods” quite yet when it comes to the ingredient label, but it’s a good start.

Blue 1, a petroleum derivative and synthetic coloring agent is made entirely from petroleum and/or coal tar. It has also been deemed carcinogenic by the EWG. Basically, because of ingredients like Blue 1 you have to take your life into your hands just to brush your teeth.

Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate has been “linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation and endocrine disruption” (Livestrong). You know that foamy texture toothpaste gets while you’re brushing your teeth? It’s not because you have brushed for the right amount of time or even because you did a “good” job brushing. The only reason why there is any foam at all is because of Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate. I’m not trying to burst your bubble (no pun intended), but you’re getting synthetic foam when brushing with toothpaste brands like Crest. Watch out for this foaming agent in other products such as body washes, soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergent (Livestrong).

Hydrated Silica is a whitener that actually damages tooth enamel. In the “5 Harmful Ingredients Article,” this chemical is described as “an abrasive in toothpaste…scratching the surface of the tooth with an abrasive such as hydrated silica harms the enamel and prevents re-mineralization, much like using sand to clean glass.” Not only is Hydrated Silica a threat to your overall dental health, but it also offers no beneficial properties for long or short-term enamel health. It really is crazy to think that the product meant for the purpose of preventing dental decay could actually be accelerating this process.

Some other toothpaste brands to avoid are Colgate Optic White (3 petroleum derivatives), Sensodyne Fresh Gel (1 petroleum derivative), Arm & Hammer Toothpaste (2 petroleum derivatives), and Tom’s of Maine Natural Toothpaste (2 petroleum derivatives).

 

Healthy Toothpaste Alternatives:

Truthpaste Toothpaste

Coral White Toothpaste

Krista’s Natural Products Toothpaste

 

I used to trust commercial companies and the products they created wholeheartedly. I never gave it a second thought to check the ingredient label on the toothpaste I used or the lotion I kept on my nightstand because I had faith in these companies to provide me with something clean and beneficial. It took a diagnosis of epilepsy to wake me up to the fact that toxic formulas are more prevalent than healthy formulas these days. Whether it’s lotion, lip balm, or toothpaste, always be sure to scrutinize every label. You never know what ingredient might be hiding amongst the others.

If you’re looking to further cleanse the cosmetic products you are currently using, I suggest beginning with your deodorant. It is applied in a highly absorbable area and often times contains Aluminum. We get plenty of exposure to heavy metals on a daily basis; therefore, the last thing we should be doing is purposely applying one to our skin! Thanks to Reviews.com and their top ten list of all-natural deodorant products making this change has become even easier. The choice is yours, but please remember one very important fact…only you can make these beneficial changes to your beauty routine. The sooner, the better!

Please contact me via Instagram & Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or email me (katie@seizethedayblog.com) with any all-natural beauty products you are currently using! I love learning about new products! Thank you!

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Article Sources:

About Propylene Glycols: http://www.dow.com/propyleneglycol/about/

Arm & Hammer Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste / Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arm-Hammer-Sensitive-Whitening-Toothpaste-with-Baking-Soda-4.5-oz/20850557#about-item

BareMinerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil-Balm: http://www.bareminerals.com/offers/last-chance/pop-of-passion-lip-oil-balm/US74669.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwrYbIBRCgnY-OluOk89EBEiQAZER58iE3lFDed62wz00HAPnateGLqHesTxqRghzpZpzk3XQaAikk8P8HAQ&cm_mmc=g-_-bm-ecom-_-allscreen-_-pb_g_bm-ecom_low_sall_shopping_allages_usa-nat_broad&cm_ven=Google&cm_ite=all&campaign=pb_g_bm-ecom_low_sall_shopping_allages_usa-nat_broad&cm_pla=74669&kw=-&cm_cat=GPS&device=c&gclsrc=aw.ds&adgroup=lips%20%7C%20makeup

Beauty Editor: http://beautyeditor.ca/2014/10/16/petroleum-mineral-oil-skin-products

Blue 1: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702408/FD%26C_BLUE_1/

Carmex Product: https://www.mycarmex.com/classic-lip-balm/original-jar/

Ceteareth-20 / Truth in Aging: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/ceteareth-20

Cetyl Alcohol / Truth in Aging: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/cetyl-alcohol

Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Collection / Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/o/chanel-rouge-allure-ink-collection/4483169?origin=leftnav&cm_sp=Top%20Navigation-_-ROUGE%20ALLURE%20INK

Chapstick (Ingredient Label): http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=2590

ChemHeritage: https://www.chemheritage.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics

Cocoon Apothecary / Petroleum Derivatives List: https://blog.cocoonapothecary.com/2010/06/25/get-petroleum-out-of-your-bathroom/

Coral White Toothpaste / Vitacost: https://www.vitacost.com/coral-llc-coral-white-toothpaste-mint

Dior Addict Lip Gloss / Makeup Alley: https://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=21043/Addict-Lip-Gloss-(All-Shades)/Dior/Lip-Gloss

Disteardimonium Hectorite / The Personal Formulator https://www.personalformulator.com/wvss/product_info.php?products_id=155

Dr. Axe:

– (Propylene Glycol) https://draxe.com/propylene-glycol/

– (Fluoride) https://draxe.com/avoiding-fluoride-and-how-to-detox-it-from-your-body/

EOS Lip Balm: https://www.boxed.com/product/551/eos-lip-balm-6-count-variety-pack?pf=3&gid=551&gclid=Cj0KEQjwioHIBRCes6nP56Ti1IsBEiQAxxb5Gyw_gMA8oDnEuNONQWLbwJemR5QhjV5bO43y8_Z8X2MaAqtE8P8HAQ

EOS Product: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Eos-.25-Oz-Balm-Moisturizing-Lip-Balm/132995508?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227049168522&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=146710557823&wl4=pla-259089918642&wl5=9031467&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=132995508&wl13=&veh=sem#about-item

Ethylene Oxide: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/ethylene-oxide

EWG:

– (Fragrance Ingredient) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702512/FRAGRANCE/#

– (Red 7 Lake) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701826/D%26C_RED_7_LAKE/#

– (Red 27) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701793/D%26C_RED_27/

– (Red 30 Lake) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701802/D%26C_RED_30_LAKE/

– (Red 33 Lake) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701805/D%26C_RED_33_LAKE/#

– (Microcrystalline Wax) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/703957/MICROCRYSTALLINE_WAX_(CERA_MICROCRISTALLINA)/

– (Dimethicone) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702011/DIMETHICONE/

– (Blue 1) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702408/FD%26C_BLUE_1/#

– (Propyl Paraben) http://www.ewg.org/research/propyl-paraben

Farsáli Unicorn Essence: http://www.sephora.com/unicorn-essence-P417141?skuId=1931526&icid2=products%20grid:p417141

Josie Maran Argan Lip Sting Plumping Butter: http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/argan-lip-sting-plumping-butter.html#.WQ5bThi-Lwd

Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion: http://www.jergens.com/products/daily-moisturizers/ultra-healing-extra-dry-skin-moisturizer.aspx

Krista’s Natural Products Toothpaste: http://www.kristasnaturalproducts.com/products/cinnamon-toothpaste

Laureth-3 / Cosmetics Info: http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/laureth-3

Live Strong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/256783-list-of-skin-care-products-that-contain-parabens/

MethylParaben / Truth in Aging:

https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/methylparaben

Paraffin Wax Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/274566-the-side-effects-of-paraffin-wax/

PEG-8 http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics—peg-compounds-and-their-contaminants/

Petrolatum / Safe Cosmetics: http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/petrolatum/

Phenol Ingredient: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/phenol#section=Top

Polyisobutene / Paula’s Choice Skincare: http://www.paulaschoice.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/polyisobutene

Polysorbate 20: https://www.annmariegianni.com/ingredient-watch-list-polysorbate-20-it-may-be-contaminated-with-carcinogenic-14-dioxane/

Poulin Grain (Vitamin E): https://www.poulingrain.com/blog/vitamin-e-synthetic-or-natural/

Proposition 65 / Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion: https://jet.com/product/detail/3479b125ba16458ba7f73b652c126513?jcmp=pla:ggl:JD_cons_Cwin_Health__Beauty_a3:Health__Beauty_Skin_Care_Body_Moisturizers_a3:na:PLA_786357252_41412387112_pla-306115865200:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&gclid=CjwKEAjw3KDIBRCz0KvZlJ7k4TgSJABDqOK7vQBy5ddoXeJ7WYfBY-SHsDUBGZFtWuS8AuZFlVrrxRoCvJbw_wcB

Red 33: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701803/D%26C_RED_33/

Red 40: http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-red-dye-40-toxic

Reviews.com: http://www.reviews.com/natural-deodorant/

S.W. Basics Lip Salve: https://store.swbasicsofbk.com/collections/face/products/3-pack-salve

S.W. Basics Organic Lip Balm: https://store.swbasicsofbk.com/collections/face/products/beeswax-lip-balms

Sensodyne Toothpaste / Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/248944-ingredients-in-sensodyne-toothpaste/

Sephora:

– (Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick) http://www.sephora.com/amuse-bouche-lipstick-P405057?skuId=1823277

– (Makeup For Ever Aqua Rouge Liquid Lipstick) http://www.sephora.com/aqua-rouge-P374940

Sodium Lauryl Stearate/Sulfate / Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/174367-dangers-of-sodium-lauryl-sulfate/

Sunflower Oil / U.S. News: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2014/01/03/the-shocking-truth-about-sunflower-oil

Tropical Traditions Lip Moisturizer: https://healthytraditions.com/tropicaltraditions/skin-care-products/lip-moisturizers.html

TruthPaste Toothpaste: https://www.truthpaste.com/products/truthpaste

Truth in Aging: https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/peg-100-stearate

Ulta Beauty:

– (Butter London LIPPY Moisture Matte Lipstick) http://www.ulta.com/lippy-moisture-matte-lipstick?productId=xlsImpprod10991289&sku=2277734&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&cagpspn=pla&CATCI=pla-18283950120&CAAGID=18002902230&CAWELAID=330000200000187669&catargetid=330000200000190441&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQjwrYbIBRCgnY-OluOk89EBEiQAZER58o8RuceR33mIwosLWjnzaJqxxwo7ZtIZPFjp_laFf-EaAq4-8P8HAQ

– (Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick) http://www.ulta.com/color-sensational-creamy-matte-lip-color?productId=xlsImpprod11351217

100% Pure Cosmetics: https://www.100percentpure.com

5 Harmful Ingredients in Toothpaste: http://www.ebay.com/gds/The-5-Harmful-Ingredients-in-Toothpaste-READ-THIS-/10000000003239604/g.html

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Alternatives, Articles, Epilepsy Tagged: 100% pure, alternatives, carcinogens, clean products, color pigmentation, cosmetics, epilepsy, ingredient list, ingredients, lip balm, lip gloss, lipstick, lotion, mineral oil, non-GMO, non-organic, organic, petrolatum, petroleum, petroleum derivatives, seize the day blog, seizethedayblog, synthetic dyes, synthetic ingredients, tocopherol, toothpaste

April 8, 2017

Your Best Defense Against Springtime Fruit Flies

April 8, 2017

When spring is in the air more often than not it seems like insect-life is too. Everyone always talks about how quickly rabbits reproduce, but they never seem to mention the incessant rate at which the pesky fruit fly reproduces, most especially during springtime.

I much prefer the cute little cotton-tails hopping around the desert surrounding my house to those tiny insects that somehow always end up inside. First and Foremost, I have to point out the advantage of rabbits remaining outside my house and in such a discreet manner. Whereas, fruit flies prefer to exist inside people’s homes, demanding their attention by clinging to their food and, worst of all, their faces. They practically invented both the concept of “personal bubble space” and the invasion of it! Anyone who has dealt with these annoying insects knows that “pesky” is an understatement when your home becomes overrun by their presence. Let’s be honest, 1 is already too many, add to that number and you have an absolute nightmare on your hands.

Instinctively, we consider pesticide products (typically the strongest there is) to be the most effective solution to our bug problem. And, maybe pesticides do kill off those intruders successfully, but how many other problems are the pesticides creating for you and the other people in your home? You’re basically filling the air with petroleum-laced poison. When is this ever beneficial for the human body? The answer is Never. Especially when you have other homeopathic options available that are just as successful at solving the same problem (even more so, in my opinion)!

The natural solution to your fruit-fly invasion is a product that contains zero poison, zero petroleum, is safe for human consumption, and is available as verified Organic and non-GMO by certain brands!

It is called Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and it is amazing! I like using Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with The Mother because is it such a good quality brand of ACV. A real Godsend for a multitude of problems, including fruit flies. Check out FOUR COMMON PRODUCTS WITH “SUPER” ABILITIES for some more ideas on how to use ACV in other creative ways. For now, we’ll focus on how to utilize this product to get rid of those fruit flies permanently!

First, it is always best to start by eliminating the root of the problem, which in this case is the stage of reproduction. Fruit flies love to mate in garbage disposals and drains, in general. So, every night before you go to bed, be sure to pour a 1/2 cup of white vinegar and a 1/2 cup of hot water down each of your sink, tub, and shower drains (focusing on the kitchen drain). I recommend doing this before you go to bed so that the vinegar/hot water will be able to idly sit in each of the drains all night long without being washed down by water. This will kill any and all fruit fly life within the drain thereby preventing any growth in population. If you have a stopper for your kitchen drain, it would be a good idea to put that in place after you pour the vinegar and hot water completely down the drain. In my opinion, this is the most crucial part in eliminating the problem.

Okay, so we’ve taken care of their place of reproduction, let’s now tackle the existing population. Fruit flies are particularly attracted to spoiled foods, especially fruits and veggies. This explains why it is most common to find fruit flies floating around trashcans, refrigerators, and those over-ripe bananas still sitting out on the counter. So, it is always a good idea to use up those types of foods before they have the chance to over-ripen or rot.

This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but until it becomes a priority to monitor those little changes happening inside and outside of the fridge, most people forget altogether. I am definitely guilty of this! How easy is it to tuck foods away in various drawers or gradually push them to the very back until there is literally no room left to push?

It is as if we’re asking those types of foods to grow their own legs, get up and walk out all by themselves! I know life is crazy, but this is just plain demanding.

Unless you take the initiative to keep your fridge, freezer, and cupboards free of spoiled foods, you will be creating the perfect environment for fruit flies. I’m speaking from experience here; this is something you want to do. Plus, it keeps your kitchen smelling nice too!

Finally, to eradicate that fruit fly population you’re going to need ACV, a spoiled piece of fruit (I prefer strawberries), a glass jar (Mason or Ball jars are an excellent choice), and plastic-wrap. The instructions to build your own fruit fly trap are as follows:

 

Step 1: Put the spoiled piece of fruit in the bottom of the glass jar.

Step 2: Pour a small amount of ACV into the jar. I usually like to pour enough in so that ½ of the fruit is covered by the liquid, leaving the other half still exposed. If the piece of fruit is completely submersed in the ACV, it will not be able to decompose and attract the fruit fly to your trap so make sure to be careful with your liquid to fruit ratio.

Step 3: Place a piece of clear plastic-wrap over the mouth of the jar, making sure it completely covered and sealed.

Step 4: Using a pencil or pen, poke a small hole in the center of the plastic-wrap. It needs to be large enough for the fruit fly to enter, but small enough so that it will not be able to get out. The diameter of a pencil or pen makes the perfect sized hole.

 

 

Once you have completed all 4 steps, place the sealed jar containing the ACV and fruit where you believe the largest fruit fly population to be. It is wise to make multiple jars so you can spread them around your home. Chances are, the fruit flies have migrated to other rooms, as well. In my experience, the use of multiple jars accelerates the extermination process thereby returning you to a fruit fly free home once again.

It may sound a bit strange, but this DIY fruit fly trap truly is effective and efficient! The trick to drawing the flies in lies with both the piece of fruit and the ACV. Although the fruit is an inevitable magnet for the flies, the sweetness from the apple component in the ACV also draws the insects into the trap. This is quite helpful in killing the fruit flies trapped in the jar, as well, because once they fall into the liquid there’s no escaping. The plastic-wrap also prevents them from leaving. You see, they can find their way through the small hole, but the flies aren’t smart enough to find their way back out. The see-through quality of the glass jar and clear plastic-wrap also help to further confuse the trapped fruit flies. And just like that, you have yourself a very inexpensive, yet incredibly effective fruit fly trap.

 

 

***Tip: I usually like to wait at least 3-4 days before emptying the jars and refilling them, if necessary. By doing so, the fruit flies will already be dead (no chance for any stray survivors to escape) when you dump out the ACV, rotten fruit, and floating insect carcasses. Due to the smell of the rotting fruit, I wouldn’t wait any longer before changing out the trap.

 

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The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Alternatives, Articles Tagged: acv, apple cider vinegar, avoid pesticides, Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with The Mother, catamenial epilepsy, diy fruit fly trap, fruit, fruit flies, healthy, healthy living, insecticides, non-GMO, organic, pesticides, seize the day, seize the day blog, seizethedayblog, springtime, veggies

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About Me

Hi, I'm Katie! I was diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy when I was 16 years old. What started out to be an impossible struggle has now become a journey toward healing thanks to natural/Holistic methods.
For the last 6 years, I have continuously gone through a trial and error period where I have been discovering for myself the true quality of various foods, products, and lifestyles.
I am going to share everything I have learned with the hope that it will help you to begin your healthy lifestyle that much faster. Read More…

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