Green Products

I've been trying different environmentally and non toxic products as the need for them arises. Here are some of my findings:

Burts Bees More Moisture Raspberry and Brazil Nut shampoo and conditioner-
The shampoo smells nice, and gets your hair clean, but tends to dry the hair, and leaves it in tangles. So, overall, I did not like it too much. I won't buy it again. The conditioner is fair, helps with the tangles, but just doesn't quite do the job I want it to do. I am using the leftover to shave my legs-works Great for that, leaves your legs nice and soft. You can use any conditioner for this.

Kiss My Face olive oil bar soap-
We love this soap, and use it all the time. It lasts a long time, and doesn't dry out your skin, or leave it oily feeling. I give this one a "10".

Seventh Generation automatic dishwasher gel:
Not so great at getting the dishes clean. You have to pre-rinse the dishes or they just aren't clean. I won't buy this one again.

Clorox Greenworks natural laundry detergent:
I love this! It smells good, gets the clothes clean, and the clothes don't have a strong smell when they come out of the washer. I'll keep buying this one!

Info on handsoaps and sanitizers

Soaps, Etc. Can Harm Pregnant Women
UF Researchers: Too Much Of Chemical Could Harm Developing Baby

POSTED: Friday, November 5, 2010


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Your family probably uses anti-bacterial products like soaps and sanitizers to avoid getting sick, but a new study by researchers at the University of Florida says one common germ-fighting chemical in those products and things like certain toothpastes could be harmful to pregnant women.

The chemical called triclosan is found in hundreds of household products to help prevent bacteria from growing.

UF researchers have discovered that too much triclosan can cause some serious problems to a developing baby.

Researchers said the chemical hinders an enzyme that helps break down estrogen. Estrogen plays a critical role in a fetus' brain development and regulating genes in the growing baby.

Estrogen also effects how much oxygen a baby gets from his or her mother.

This latest study isn't the only one worrying health experts. Six months ago, the Food and Drug Administration started taking a closer look at triclosan when other studies raised the same concerns about the chemical and what it does to the enzyme that breaks down estrogen.

Triclosan is a material that is all around people in low levels. The question now is: How much of it does it take to cause problems in developing fetuses?

UF researchers said more research is needed.

51,000 Mile Maintenence

Another birthday. 51 years old now. Time to get the annual maintenence done.
Got my teeth cleaned. That was strange. The dentist I've been going to since I was 18 was who I scheduled my appointment with, was out due to "cardiac problems". So, in walks his son. Last time I saw him, he was still in school. He was very good, and complemented me on my "home care". Told me my old silver fillings were still in good shape. I told him to tell his dad, as he's the one who put them in! No major problems, but he did recommend a bite guard, which is $500, and not covered by dental insurance. Because I clench my teeth at night. If life wasn't so stressful, I wouldn't be clenching, I'm sure. Since I don't have a spare $500 lying around, I'll take my chances, I guess.
Next day, my physical. Good blood pressure. Nothing obvious wrong. Felt a little smug writing on my paperwork that I am taking my Calcium,vitamin D, and fish oil, along with my probiotics. Since they didn't ask how long I had been taking them, I didn't have to day it was only a few weeks!
Next comes the diagnostics. Lab work. I have lousy veins, so that's always at least 3 tries, and lots of bandaids. Then the mammogram, and a bone density. I have to have those done at the hospital because of my crappy insurance. No nice outpatient clinic, zip in and out for me. Nope, ironically enough, nurses get crap for health insurance.
Next is the colonoscopy. I had to schedule that for September, I guess there's a waiting list, if you can imagine that. Right before my vacation! yay! But, I know it's necessary, we have a strong family history of colon problems, along with high cholesterol, and diabetes.
I would rather have inherited money, or real estate, even nice jewelry, but no, that's all I got. More's the pity.
Still trying to use non-toxic products, not coloring my hair, trying to make better choices every day. Win some, lose some....salad instead cheesburger, tea instead of cola, fruit instead of cookies, whole grain instead of white...but sometimes I indulge. Yesterday I had chocolate cake.
My next health related goal is to check into Biodentical Hormone Replacement. Have an appointment in September for that as well. I'll let you know how that goes.
I'm going now, to fill my glass with water, instead of Diet Coke.

The News

What the heck happenned to the News?? Who else is sick and tired of hearing about the spoiled 20-something celebrities like that brat Lindsay, and her troubles with the law? We would have already had most of our sentence served by now. I don't want to hear about Bristol, and whether or not her mom knows she is engaged. Or which celebrities went bald. Or which stars have lost their looks, or gained weight, or heaven forbid-have cellulite. I don't want sneak peeks of bony superstars on vacation in bikinis. I don't want to hear what weird names they gave their kids, or where they buy clothes.

And who the hell are the Kardashians, and how did they get famous? I don't care how many kids Brad and Angelina adopt, or from where, as long as they take good care of them. I don't care to hear every time they have an argument. I don't want to hear about the I -phone and it's new apps.

If you want to hear something newsworthy-lets hear about these 20-somethings. The ones who have done something of worth and valor. The ones who gave their life to serve and defend us this week. Have you heard of them???

Justin Allen-23

Brett Linley-29

Matthew Weikert-29

Justus Bartett-27

Dave Santos-21

Chase Stanley-21

Jesse Reed-26

Matthew King-23

Christopher Goeke-23

Sheldon Tate-27

I wish I could personally thank their loved ones for their sacrafice, and have them on the news.

That would be something worthwhile to see.

Self Improvement Dr Oz style

I was recently in a doctors waiting room , waiting, and reading a magazine. I read an interesting article by Dr Oz. Why can't all our family physicians be like him, anyway??? It was a sort of "how to improve your life" article, and he always seems to know what he is about, so I took notes. (plus, I was bored). So, for anybody interested, here is how to start improving your health in little steps. This was the goal for the first month, anyway.
1.Walk 30 minutes a day.
2. Brush and floss your teeth everyday.
3. Drink 2 cups green tea.
4. Sleep 7-8 hours a night.
5. Spiritual-I though this was interesting! Meditate, do Yoga, or Pray-at least 5 minutes per day.
Then the vitamins-
DHA Omega 3's-400 mg
Vitamin D 1000 IU
Calcium 1000 mg

So I decided then and there to try it. So far, I've been doing the walking (most days-especially since I have to walk the dogs anyway). I've also been brushing and flossing. I always brush, but I will do really well with the flossing for a while, then I fall off the wagon and let it slide, then I have to start over. I try to get enough sleep, but struggle with bouts of insomnia. I went to the chiropractor the other day, and got the added side effect of sleeping much better. That was a surprise. I have always prayed at night before I fall asleep, so that was a no brainer. I haven't made it to the store to get the vitamins yet. I don't know why I seem to be putting it off, but I need to get cracking. Especially the calcium and vitamin D. I don't want to wind up with awful osteoporosis. I don't like green tea as much, so I've been drinking the black. I sneak in green tea occasionally.
So, goal for the week, get the vitamins-and get started.

kids in restaurants

Dear Parents,

The only people who think your kids are as cute and charming as you do are their grandparents.

If I decide to go out for a meal, and I go to an adult restaurant-(you can tell because they have a bar!!!), I want a relatively quiet meal. I do not want to hear your child shrieking. If they are tired and cranky, get a take out box and leave. They need to go home to bed if they are tired. And please do not let them stand up in the booth and turn around and touch my hair with their dirty little hands. And for heavens sake, don't let them wander around bothering other people, or run through the aisles where the poor waitstaff are trying not to spill drinks or hot food on them.

I was actually in a restaurant where a group of kids ( who were being ignored by their parents) were running around playing hide and seek among the tables and booths. They tried to crawl in under our legs as we were eating. I loudly explained to them that we had paid for a babysitter for our children, so we could enjoy our meal in peace and quiet. So they ran out the door, and were chasing each other up and down the sidewalk, next to a relatively busy street. I was the only one who seemed worried they would get hit by a car. The group of parents were oblivious to it all. The other patrons looked grateful.

I know babies and small children sometimes cry, but for heavens sake, take them to the bathroom or outside, so we don't all have to put up with it.

Now, if you are in McDonalds, or Chucky Cheese, or some other kid oriented place, that kind of thing is expected to happen. If the grown ups don't like it, they can leave.

Stuff you wanna do-vs-stuff you gotta do.

Part of my new philosophy on life is that every day, I'm going to do something fun, something I like, or something that relaxes me and feeds my soul. Or maybe something that makes me really laugh. It doesn't have to be big or grand-today I went to the thrift store. It's like treasure hunting, and it's relaxing just to poke around and see what you can find. I had a friend with me, which made it more fun. And there was a lady there that I didn't know, but she kept coming up and showing me stuff she had found, and we laughed and talked about it. Later, she kept popping out of the dressing room and making me tell her if stuff was too tight, or if it looked okay. She tried on this ridiculous shirt from the 70's that was off the shoulder with big sleeves, psychadelic print, polyester nightmare! We got a great laugh out of that one. I brought home a couple of small treasures, and was pleased for the rest of the afternoon.
On the flip side, I also decided I will do at least one thing that needs doing every day, whether I want to or not. Today I picked up all the dog toys from all over the house, paid bills, swiffered the kitchen and breakfast nook, and replaced the cover on the mattress on the pull out sofa bed, that I had washed after Brian's Army buddy left to go back home.
So far it's going pretty well, coming up with ideas for "me time".