Whole Green Love

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) have been all the talk in recent news, especially with Proposition 37 that was battled for in California. If you are unfamiliar with GMO’s I can give you a little background on this man-made creation. GMO’s are generally plants or crops that have been specifically created for human and or animal consumption that have had their molecular structure/make-up biologically altered. These laboratory plants were developed to enhance desirable traits in a crop such as resistance to herbicides and increased nutritional content of something that naturally may not carry certain micro or macronutrients. Sounds like a good idea, right? Not so fast.

Traditionally, plant enhancement takes place with conventional plant breeding, which is a slower process and results can be less discernable when compared with genetically engineered plants that can be quickly and accurately replicated with a desired trait. Surprisingly, genes can be transferred from plant to plant and with genes from non-plant organisms. Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) is a bacterium that creates crystal proteins that attack and damage/break down the cells of the gut in insects and larvae.  B.t. genes have been added to corn crops as a “natural” pesticide. It sounds like a freak science experiment. If this bacterium is harmful to insects, you have to question what it does to humans in any amount, right?!

Reasons why companies are in support of GMO’s and the biotechnology industry:

-Pest resistance

-Herbicide tolerance

-Disease resistance

-Cold tolerance

-Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance

-Nutrition

-Pharmaceuticals

-Phytormediation (An example is a poplar tree that has been genetically modified to clean up heavy metals from contaminated soil.)

Reasons for criticism:

-Potential harm to other organisms

-Reduced effectiveness of pesticides

-Gene transfer to non-target species (i.e. superweeds…yikes!)

-Allergenicity (i.e. gene from peanut into a soybean could create new allergens in peanut allergic people.)

-Growing concern of effects on human health

-Economic concern for small farms and/or third world countries if seeds become “patented” or if they create “suicide gene technology” and seeds will be sterile after only one growing season.

I start to sweat just talking about the potential problems. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion…but GMO’s scare me. Who are we to think we can play with mother nature? When you consider the reasons companies are in support of GMO’s it all leads back to less work, more product, more MONEY. Irreversible damage to our food supply, environment, and even health could result from the continued use of these man-made “foods”.  Many products, especially processed products, contain some form of a GMO. The FDA considers GMO foods to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). The FDA views GMO foods to be substantially equivalent to the real whole food, so at this time they do not require companies to identify on a label when a GMO is used in a product.

There is SO MUCH to talk about when it comes to GMO’s, but I just wanted to do a brief introduction…I could go on and on all day. I’m sure you will be hearing us talk about this again soon, but in the meantime further educate yourself on what you are putting in your body. I don’t know about you, but I want to know EXACTLY what I am eating.  You’d be surprised at what companies (even “natural food companies”) use some form of GMO’s in their products.

The Non GMO Project has verified non-GMO companies and products you can support…along with LOTS of great information. The Cornucopia Institute also has a wealth of information to sift through. The movie Genetic Roulette is a great movie to watch about GMO’s… be sure to check it out. If you were unaware of GMO’s before this I hope you have a chance to read more about their use. It’s so important that we make informed decisions about the food we are putting in our body and are aware of the companies we are supporting when purchasing products.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and concerns regarding GMO’s.

This post and recipe was shared on Whole Foods Wednesdays, and Real Food Wednesday.

Lately, we have been grocery shopping at Outpost Natural Foods, a local co-op that has a handful of locations scattered around Milwaukee.  Their Bay View location is quite close to our house, so we find ourselves going to that one most of the time. We still make runs to a closer grocery store in the event that we forget something, but we are trying to get our staple items at Outpost. We have been spoiled with our CSA this Spring, Summer, and Fall. Nothing beats freshly picked, healthy produce. We have just a couple more pick-ups before the CSA is done for the winter season.  At that time we’ll probably have to depend more on the store for our produce.

Every time I stopped at Outpost to grab a few items I am asked at the check out if I am an Outpost owner. I continually said no, but on one of my recent trips, Ryan and I thought sheesh! We better check this ownership deal out. Annually, you’ll pay a small fee to maintain your ownership. As of now it costs $25, which I thought was super reasonable. A few of the perks of the ownership include: savings on sale items, 5% off of certain local products, discounts on pre-ordered bulk products, supplement savings, and early bird rewards, which is a points system where you can earn money back “coupons” that are mailed to you.

Not only are you supporting a local business, but it’s a local business that is involved in the community that you live in.  For 2012 their community partnerships included: Center for Resilient Cities, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Milwaukee Urban Gardens, and Milwaukee Empty Bowls. Throughout the year they also offer different educational workshops.

If I would have done more research sooner, I probably would have become an Outpost owner sooner…better late than never, right?! I all too often feel disappointed when shopping at a regular grocery store. There are SO many products that have no nutritional value…no wonder such a large number of Americans have health problems! You can feel good when walking down the aisles of a co-op knowing that all of those items have been hand selected to be on the shelves.

I am constantly looking for local, healthy, food options in our area that don’t lead me to a regular grocery store…it may be a bit of an obsession. Healthy, of course. Ha. Farmers’ Markets, local farms, and shops are quite appealing to me these days. Outpost Natural Foods is just one way I found access to healthier food options. I wanted to share this with you today, so that you can research what food options are in your community. You may have a co-op right down the road that you never knew about. Or you may drive past one frequently, but finally decided to stop and check it out. I encourage you to explore local food options in your community. Not only will the food taste good, but you can feel good about putting money back into the community you live in.

A co-op ownership or membership could be a great gift giving option for friends or family this holiday season. A little less traditional, which makes it fun, but a healthy gift that will continue to give all year long. Bonus!

My challenge to you is to get out and explore the food options in your community. Happy hunting!

There is no better way to start my day than with a hot, relaxing shower. Just to sniff in the fresh scents and deep breath the wonderful steamy air is calming, yet still invigorating enough to psych myself up for the day. As I was lathering up the other morning, I thought to myself just how many decisions we make that impact the health of our shower experience.

A lot of times it’s hard to know how to prioritize the non-toxic/sustainable/eco-friendly changes to make in your life. Since you can’t do it all, sometimes it’s best to start with the things that can impact your life the most. The things that affect your body every day. So, let’s start with this: Is your shower dangerous to your health? Let’s assess the situation!

1.  Does your shampoo, conditioner, and face wash contain toxic chemicals? What types of products are you using on your kids?

Look for products that are free of parabens, mineral oil, dye, fragrance (essential oils are okay), phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate. We could talk all day about the problems these chemicals cause, so I won’t get into the details, but some chemicals in our body products are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Not good to be slathering on your skin and breathing in each morning!

It’s best to skip products that are promoted as being anti-bacterial. In general, it’s best to choose bar soap over liquid soap because bar soap is usually made with fewer chemicals. Instead of using a traditional shaving cream when I shave my legs, I use the same conditioner I use on my hair and just smear it on my legs. It’s already passed my test of being free from chemicals is is just the right consistency for shaving.

Need some non toxic DIY shower product ideas? Try our recipes for an oatmeal and sea salt scrub, hair conditioner made with baobab oil, olive oil body scrub, and lavender honey body scrub.

2.  How do you keep your shower clean?

If you are using the any traditional cleaning sprays, you could be coating your shower walls and blasting your bathroom air with toxic chemicals. Did you know that in 2000, cleaning products accounted for 10% of all toxic chemical exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers?

Even if you use a non-toxic cleaning product to shine up your shower, be sure to give it a rinse off with water when you are done. If the next time you use the tub is to run a bath for your little one, you want the surface as clean as possible, without any product residue. Visit our posts on homemade shower spray.

 3.  Do you use toxic chemicals to clean out the shower drain?

If you are pouring chemicals down the drain to clear a clog, know that the fumes will enter the air in your bathroom to haunt you and it will likely also bubble up into your tub. Do your kids play by the drain? Lyla does. She loves spending time near the faucet to feel the water coming out. The last thing I want is her cute little butt cheeks to be covered in toxic chemicals! Check out our post on how to make your own drain cleaner or better yet, get your hubby to fish the dreadlock of hair that formed in the pipe exiting your shower. Sick! Not my hair…

 4.  Do you need to have your water tested?

Sure, you’re not supposed to take swigs of soapy water while you’re in the shower or bath, but I have caught my daughter taking little sips out of the cups she plays with in the bathtub. Yuck. The risk is not just in drinking the water, but also in the steamy air that comes out of the hot faucet. If there are chemicals in your water, you’ll breathe them in.

I’m certainly not an expert on water testing, but here are some items that we have tested our well water for recently: coliform bacteria, nitrate, VOCs, fluoride, lead, chlorine, and arsenic. The water-testing lab we went through gave us the option to test for a whole panel of heavy metals.

Ask your local health department what are common problems in your area, at least for a place to start. Based on what you find you can decide to take the next step of a filtration system, if necessary.

5.  Is your shower curtain bad for your health?

If your shower curtain is made of PVC, replace it today. That PVC shower curtain is emitting toxic chemicals and VOCs into the air in your home.  VOCs can affect your nervous system, respiratory system, lead to kidney and liver problems, promote allergic skin reactions, and induce nausea, among other awful things. On Dr. Weil’s website, he mentions that over the course of seven days, one new PVC shower curtain releases VOCs that exceed the guidelines for indoor air quality established by the U.S. Green Building Council. Imagine if you move into a new home and throw up more than one of those toxic shower curtains?!

PVC-free shower curtains are easy to find, just be sure you are reading labels. I found a great shower curtain at Home Goods. When it gets grimy and is in need of a good cleaning, I throw it in the washing machine with a cup of vinegar, laundry detergent, and a big bath towel. Does the trick every time!

What have you changed in your shower to reduce yours and your family’s exposure to toxins and harmful chemicals?

These tips were shared on Whole Foods Wednesdays, and Real Food Wednesday.

With the holiday season beginning, it’s going to be important to try and keep that balance within your day. Who am I kidding?! Life in general any time of year can get out of balance if you don’t take time out of your day for a little “you time”.  It is too easy to get wrapped up in the events of the day and next thing you know you are doing it all over again the following day. This is a bud of encouragement to remind you to not forget about yourself. Making a conscious effort to do something special for yourself every day can help you find your “zen” amidst a whirlwind day.

Now you may be thinking you don’t have time to commit to “you time”, when in fact even the simplest thing can bring your day back into balance. I have been on a licorice mint tea kick lately and I must say it has been the perfect cup of tea to wind down with at the end of the day. The licorice in this tea is so sweet you don’t need to add any honey or sugar to sweeten it. Nothing beats cozying up with a warm mug of a soothing, caffeine free tea. Not only do you enjoy tasting it, but you can sit and breath in the warm steam from it as well.  Those few quiet minutes while you sip can help you wind down and re-group before your nights slumber.

A cup of tea may be just what life ordered in the middle of the day as well. Sometimes you just need to step back for a second and let your brain rest. I like to bring a baggie of different teas to work with me so when I get a mid-afternoon or 3:00 a.m. fog I can choose a tea to fit the bill and enjoy every warm sip of it. There is truly something therapeutic about a cup of tea. If you aren’t a tea person I encourage you to try some different flavors until you find one you like! With all of the tea varieties out there you are bound to find one that fits your palate.

I decided to add something to my tea routine at night…and I’m pretty sure I’m going to bring it to work with me as well. The last time I was at outpost I was admiring a few different brands of essential oil body mist spritz bottles.  I tested a few out and liked how refreshing they felt. The soft droplets not only felt good landing on your face, but they smelled fabulous too. The only problem was I couldn’t justify spending money on something that would be so easy to make. Instead of purchasing one, I decided to buy a $2 spritz bottle that I could refill whenever I wanted with whatever essential oil spritzer I created. My bottle holds 3/4c. liquid so I made a 1/2c. spritz solution to fill it.

Lavender Mist

1/2c purified water

1 tsp pure aloe vera

15 drops of essential oil (I used lavender, but you could sub in any essential oil.)

I used a small glass vase to shake these ingredients together and then I used a funnel to pour my lavender solution into my small spritz bottle. There you have it…super easy! You can mist yourself when you snuggle up to have your cup of tea at night and even keep it on your nightstand.  When you are going through your nighttime routine you can give your face and pillow a mist before you turn the lights out. Depending on what essential oil you are using you can make your mist calming, like my lavender mist, or you can make it rejuvenating with lemon or even a eucalyptus scent. Since you are making it yourself, you can get as creative as you want with misting scent combinations. I’m planning on making one to keep in my work bag as well!

Sometimes even the smallest changes in your daily routine can help you regain your sense of  “zen” in an oh-so busy world. Don’t forget to take time out of your day to help you regain that balance. Even if it’s a cup of tea or a spritz to the face with a scented mist, those tools can greatly impact your sense of well-being.

Want to know what caught our eye in the month of October? Here is a little reflection and a beautiful photo that we thought screams October…

Thank you to Sheets Studios for this beautiful picture.

• I love cooking butternut squash, but sometimes roasting it in the over is a pain and it heats up my kitchen. I like the idea of throwing together crockpot butternut squash.
• I love seeing recipes that call for using the ENTIRE chicken! On my meal planning menu this week is Honey Glazed Chicken. I love the idea of garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and balsamic flavoring delicious pieces of chicken.
• I love kefir. And do you know what I love even more? The idea of making it myself, so I can’t wait to make homemade kefir soon.
• I have plans to make elderberry syrup this month to boost the immune system during this cold and flu season. I’m also adding fermented cod liver oil as a cure for the common cold in case we come down with something.
• There is nothing better than a beautiful egg dish. I love the idea of a frittata with cauliflower and bacon.
• I love the idea of a savory sweet potato casserole, whether its for breakfast or on the Thanksgiving table.
• Something I need to try when I have some time off over the holidays – How to make a sourdough starter
• You know we can’t get enough of those fall flavors, so why not make another roasted butternut squash recipe?
• I made this natural homemade bleach and love it! Homemade non-toxic bleach + sun dried clothes on the line = Love.
• I have a week and a half off of work over the Christmas holiday this year and we aren’t going anywhere, besides visiting our families to celebrate the holiday. Vacation Goal: Culture fruits and vegetables at home. I’ve been wanting to start fermenting foods for a while now. And make kombucha. It’s time.
• I always love a good article that encourages breast feeding, offers practical advice, and gives great breast feeding tips.
• I neeeed to make homemade mascara! So cool.

Can you believe it’s November already?!