Earth Day, Every Day
Friday, April 22, 2011

April 22 is Earth Day. Beginning in 1970, Earth Day was used to engage the public in environmental events and hopefully societies wrong direction would make a turn for the better. Since 1970, public participation in Earth Day has increased-- but the risk of climate change that was trying to be prevented back in 1970 has unfortunately become the dangerous truth.

What is climate change? In a nut shell, solar radiation comes in through the atmosphere, bounces off the earths surface and back into space. Some of it stays in the atmosphere to keep the earth warm. Carbon/Green House Gas emissions from human activities are creating a layer trapping the heat and warming the planet. Weather patterns are changing because of this, and the long term change in weather patterns are referred to as climate change.

We've all seen this happen first hand: Hurricane Katrina, the earth quake's in Haiti and Japan and a large Tsunami in the Philippines... these are just some of the most recent, devastating disasters that have occurred on our planet.

As we have seen in Japan, it doesn't matter how prepared we are for a natural disaster, the unexpected can happen, and the rich and the poor will suffer(and possibly die) from it.

It costs millions to rebuild destroyed cities (countries almost) and families and communities are torn apart.

We do not have to give up everything we love to prevent climate change from happening, but if we continue with our lifestyles, one day we will be forced to because we allowed climate change to happen.

If you do not believe in climate change then I ask you to change little things in your lifestyle simply for a healthier future.

* Minimize your waste so your children will have playgrounds to play tag on.
* Recycle so we can continue to come up with interesting ways to create products.
* Ride your bike to work so you can maintain your health and live longer.
* Purchase natural and organic products to prevent the amount of harmful toxins your body is taking in.

There is nothing that upsets me more than hearing

a) "climate change isn't real"
b) "we're all doomed anyways"
and the one that really grinds my gears
c) "I'll be dead by the time that happens"-- actually jokes on you, it's happening right now.

If you are not willing to stand up for the planet, at least be willing to stand up for yourself, for your health and for your rights to nature-- and if not for yourself, for your children. Get off the couch, put down the video game and head to the park.

Bring back classic family dynamics, picnics at the park and fishing at the local stream-- who knows, you may actually enjoy the simple things in life.

Take home note: Earth Day is used to bring awareness, but should celebrated every day. Leave the car at home once a week, grow veggies in your backyard during the summer-- go back to the simple things in life when you can and everyone can benefit.

Makeup Messes and Shampoo Secrets (men, this is for you too!)
Saturday, April 16, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen-- Did you know that manufactures in the cosmetic industry are not required to disclose fragrance ingredients on their products? Or that your morning lather up in the shower may be causing you cancer?

For some this may not be a surprise, but for others, you may want to run to your collection of cosmetic goodies and check the labels directly after reading this. Coal tar dyes and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, these are 2 of many toxic ingredients that can be found in your cosmetics, shampoos/soaps, perfumes and deodorants.

Lets go over a quick list of what you should be searching for, and the scary results of using products with these toxins.

On the David Suzuki Foundation website they list 12 Dirty Dozen toxins that you can encounter during your daily routines. These are just a few, but for more information visit the foundations website, for a wallet size ingredient list, so you can compare ingredients while making your purchase. (http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/reports/2010/whats-inside-that-counts-a-survey-of-toxic-ingredients-in-our-cosmetics/)

1. BHA and BHT-- Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).. these don't sound very natural to me, and they're not. These two chemicals can be found in many moisturizers, and can cause cancer. Definitely not something you would want to be placing on your body.

2. Coal Tar Dyes-- These are usually found in hair dyes, they cause cancer and are linked to heavy metals which are toxic to the brain. Why would companies place chemicals toxic to the brain in products that will be used on the head?!

3. DEA Related Ingredients-- diethanolamine, is the ingredient that makes your soaps and shampoo into a nice lather, however they have been linked to cause cancer.

4. Dibutyl phthalate-- can be found in nail products, usually polishes and harm reproductive systems.

5. Formaldehyde releasing products-- this speaks for itself, cosmetics that have this chemical in the ingredients list slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which also cause cancer.

This list is only 5, of 12 identified harmful toxins in 80% of cosmetics on the shelf today! It is no surprise that with all of these cancer causing chemicals in our every day products, that cancer rates are on the rise. When out shopping look for these 12 toxins and try purchasing products with natural alternatives. Not only do these products harm humans, but they have been shown to be harmful to fish and other aquatic life. As Canadian consumers we should be demanding the industry to put a stop to these loopholes and be forthwith with information. We deserve the right to know what we are putting into our bodies and ingredients should not be hidden from us. Hopefully with this list provided, you can successfully make the safer choice while purchasing your cosmetics and other hygienic products. Natural alternatives work just as effectively and are not harmful to humans, wildlife, or the environment! Now that you have the information, make the safer choice and happy shopping!