How to celebrate a safe 4th of July

Independence Day brings lots of great activities but also lots of opportunities to come into contact with toxins. Pregnant women and parents with young children might want to pay some extra attention to the additional toxins their little ones are exposed to at this time of year. While no one likes a Debbie Downer, being mindful of our health is not the same as denying yourself and your family a fun time. Getting sick is certainly no fun!

Most kids and adults can handle occasional treats, but toxins do accumulate in all of us. We know from the Environmental Working Group that babies are born now with over 200 chemicals in their umbilical cord blood, including BPA. Adults and children who are already compromised in some way or who have poor detoxification for genetic reasons, liver issues, or unhealthy diet would be served well by paying attention to their choices this holiday.

Although most things in moderation can be tolerated by most people, here are some of the issues those with young children and compromised systems might want to consider to stay safe and healthy

Toxins in Fireworks

It’s best to see them from afar to limit what you breathe in and skin exposure as well. See articles about the chemicals in fireworks from Holistic Help and Newsweek and more thoughts on safe firework use from Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Lead in sparklers

Breathing in lead fumes can cause permanent damage so best to avoid those sparkly sticks. See this article from Lead-Safe America.

Air quality

Most large metropolitan areas get an F for air quality and you can look up your city in the American Lung Association analysis. If the air is especially unhealthy, it really is best to stay inside.  Limit outdoor activity to morning when there is less ground-level ozone, or smog. See AirNow.gov  for real-time levels and the American Lung Association for general information about air quality at its State of the Air website.

Face Painting

Some face paints have lead and other chemicals that you would not want to eat. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so best practice is to treat it like another mouth! Check out these articles on face paint from A Child Grows in Brooklyn blog and Baby Center.

Temporary Tattoos

Yes, there are some chemicals there, too! Learn more at The Stir, Eco Child’s Play and from the FDA, which cautions against using them.

Plastic

Whether it’s food storage or trinkets from the dollar store, plastic seems to be everywhere. But there seems to be ample reason to avoid it when you can. There is evidence that BPA-free is not good enough and that its alternatives have issues too. See related articles at Mother Jones and Scientific American and a guide to plastics from Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Many dollar-store trinkets are health hazards. See this NBC News report for starters and “1 in 3 Toys Contains Toxins, Study Finds” a great recap on Healthy Child, Healthy World of the research from The Ecology Center’s Healthy Stuff project.

Even knockoffs of Loom Bands may be problematic. See this article by Mother Jones that talks about cancer-causing phthalates.

Beads and decorations

All kids like to dress up, but many of them also like to chew on things that could be filled with bad chemicals. Check out this article from Alternet on the toxins in Mardi Gras beads with lead and endocrine disruptors. Plastic flags and the like could have a host of other problems.

Food

The less healthy our food choices, the more work our body has to do to detoxify from all the chemicals we come into contact with. When possible, choose local or organic. Some foods, like sweet corn, should be certified organic or else are likely to be genetically-modified. Other foods that are harder to grow in certain places may be polluted with pesticides if not organic. See the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists from the EWG. Seek out local produce grown by farmers who, even if not able to pay for organic certification, tell you they do not spray with pesticides and/or use Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Quick Tips for a Safe, Healthy & Non-Toxic 4th of July … and the rest of summer!

• Play outdoors in the morning and away from highways.
• Consult the EWG’s 2015 Guide to Sunscreens
• Watch fireworks from afar and avoid home fireworks or sparklers
• Eat healthy foods of lots of colors, including fresh berries rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients
• Do your best to say “No, thanks,” to trinkets and beads. A disarming smile and “We are swimming in stuff right now and trying to purge” may do the trick. Or try “I can’t keep things out of their mouths, so we’d better pass, but thanks for the offer!”
• When possible, use metal and glass containers to serve and store food. Some local health food stores carry great options, and many are available online through numerous retailers, including Reuseit.com
• Try to pass on the face painting or bring your own non-toxic paints
• Limit temporary tattoos in number and tell kids they will stay on for only one day
• Smile, breathe, and drink a lot of water!

Favorite Homeopathic Remedies for Traveling with Children

Summer time schedules are often rife with traveling. Family reunions, vacations, camps, and other road trips can keep us on the go during these busy months!

Today, I want to share my most essential homeopathic remedies for road trips especially with young children.

Motion sickness :

For children’s motion sickness, letting them have a dose of cocculus indicus every half-hour makes sure you don’t have to deal with them vomiting.

SafeCareRx Nausea and Motion sickness works well and is a water base pump spray.

MBi Nutraceuticals Nausea Drops European is in a dropper format.

Ginger is known for its ability to reduce nausea and we have it in a herbal extract for capsules.

Peppermint essential oil can have a calming effect on upset tummies, reduces nausea and vomiting and it smells wonderful. Put a few drops on a wet towel for soothing effect.

To sooth or reduce tension:

Chamomilla vulgaris 200k is a must have remedy for every mother with babies and young children! It can be used for everything from teething and irritability to restlessness and exhaustion after a busy vacation or a long trip. The herbal extract can sooth and relieve tension.

For boo-boos, bruises, cuts and general first aid:

Nelson Bach Arnica Cream is an ideal first aid application, effective for all types of bruises resulting from injuries, bruises and falls.

Arnica Montana 30K granules has ability to soothe “boo boos”, prevent bruising, and soothes sprains and swelling.

Make sure you also have the Sovereign Silver or Argentyn 23 travel sizes for pink eye, swimmers ear, cuts, throat, sinus, food poisoning and so many other applications.

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Gifts for Dad (And Other Men Too)

Amrita has something for all kinds of dads / men:

• Bugs BeGone is a DEET-free natural insect repellent, made with six different oils whose aromas, so pleasing and attractive to humans, keep the bugs away. The essential oils are combined in a synergistic way to magnify their effectiveness and then blended into a base of water, aloe vera, and polysorbate. The main essential oil is Eucalyptus Citriodora, or Lemon Eucalyptus, which has a fresh, sweet, lemon-like fragrance. The Center for Disease Control states Eucalyptus Citriodora is effective against mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus and Zika virus. The other oils are Rosemary, Sweet Lavandin (Grosso), Eucalyptus Citriodora, Peppermint and Catnip. It effectively repels mosquitoes, ants, fleas, chiggers, ticks, gnats and other insects. Also consider the Bugs BeGone Synergy Blend to make your own mixture.
• Muscle Tension Roll-On Relief is packed with anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving essential oils. It is a convenient and cost-effective way to keep muscle pain under control with no side effects. Keeping fit can result in sore muscles and (if we’re not careful) sprains, strains and soreness. This blend is excellent for easing occasional aches and pains that come from living life. It contains Birch, Eucalyptus Radiata and Lemongrass essential oils. Birch is anti-inflammatory and said to be excellent for massaging sore muscles, sprains and painful joints. It is also said to be anti-spasmodic and antiseptic. Eucalyptus Radiata is said to be warming and pain-relieving. It is traditionally used for arthritis, muscle and joint pains, rheumatism, sports injuries and sprains. Lemongrass is soothing and helps to warm and relax tense muscles. Together, the essential oils in this roll-on will help tense bodies feel better.
• Muscle Tension & Cold Relief Body Oil is a warming, analgesic blend of Amrita’s fine body oil base with luxurious essential oils. Birch is traditionally used to reduce pain, whereas Eucalyptus Radiata is used to increase blood flow to the tissues, and Lemongrass to warm and relax tense muscles. This body oil is ideal for the cold and flu season and helps relieve stress.
• Certified Organic Sandalwood Perfume is easy to use. It can just be rolled on. Sandalwood is like taking a deep breath in a luscious forest. It is said to clear the mind of superficial concerns, provide a sense of higher purpose and remove anger. According to Ayurveda, it is cooling, so it’s good to use during summer.
• Deep Rest Roll-On Relief is a blend of essential oils for sleep. It contains Red Mandarine, Lavender Extra, Sweet Marjoram and Mandarine Petitgrain Essential Oils. Red Mandarine and Mandarine Petitgrain are said to be mood-enhancing and tension-relieving, and give the blend its sweet citrus scent. Lavender is known for its relaxation effects and it is said to help dissolve negative thoughts and the worries of an overactive mind, thereby preventing insomnia and enabling sleep. Sweet Marjoram is said to be calming and stress-relieving. This blend may also be used during the day as a secret weapon against times of intense stress. Consider the Deep Rest Synergy Blend as well.