We have been learning about health concerns with personal products, toys, and plastics and protecting our children, but have you stopped to think about your own cosmetics?  I watched a video clip on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) web site that prompted me to check my own skin care line. If you are like me and attempt to read the ingredient lists of my personal products, I just wind up confused (and convinced that I need to take an English course because I can’t sound our most of the ingredients). Plus, as one of the scientific analysts for EWG stated, that reading the ingredients list if pointless unless you know what to look for. And they go on to say that half of our cosmetics contain an ingredient that is linked to reproductive problems or cancer.

Especially interesting from the video, was the scientist mentioning the chemical paraben.  I’ve seen it mentioned in various places, but didn’t know what the problem was.  Even at the Farmers Market last Sunday, I noticed a vendor selling non-toxic products and she was marketing them as ‘paraben free’. The simplest way I can explain the problems these two chemicals (phthalates and parabens) cause is that phthalates attack a boy/man’s reproductive system and cause an assortment of cancers and parabans attack a girl/woman’s reproductive system and cause female cancers. I thought that I only needed to worry about my boys with the problems that phthalates cause, but after watching this news video, I started checking my own personal product line and noticed many of them contain ingredients ending in ‘paraben’…isopropyl-paraben, isobutyl-paraben, butylparaben to name a few in my Paul Mitchell smoothing hair conditioner. Yikes!  I am also glad that I’ve replaced all personal care products for my girls with the non-toxic Trukid brand.  Especially after reading that parabens are reported to be carcinogens found in breast cancer tissue as well as the problems they cause with reproductive hormones.

More breast cancers in women?  More testicular cancer in men?  Are the chemicals the cause? This is the million dollar question. I’ll put in my two-bits to this debate. From the second I wrapped my mind around the issue with BPA, I knew there was something to the debate about this chemical. Why are so many young people we know battling infertility, MS, cancers, etc.? I think everyone agrees it’s environmental and I would add that the chemicals like BPA, Phthalates, and Parabens contribute to the many health issues that effect the child-bearing public. So, as mother’s especially, we are so diligent about protecting our children from harmful chemicals…maybe it’s time to look at our own personal products. You can check your products on the EWG’s cosmetic database by clicking this link. We need to make sure that we are keeping ourselves healthy as well as our children.  If you are like me, the more you learn, the more aware you are about these issues and it perpetuates around you.  I’m sure my family and friends are tired of hearing about these environmental concerns - but it’s getting us talking about it!  Spread the message of better health through your group of friends.

It’s August which means I have to face the fact that Francesco will be heading off to full days of Grade 1 in September. Everyone says how fast the years fly by, but you start to really understand this once your kids start school. My personal goal for this summer was to connect with Francesco, spend quality time, and have meaningful conversations everyday. It’s been at the forefront of my days because I know this chapter of having him home all the time will end in a matter of weeks.

Then I have my twin 2 year olds that make me wish I could speed up time some days. Those little girls can sure tantrum when they put their mind to it. But no matter what stage your children are experiencing, I heard a song at the end of last season’s The Apprentice that put everything into perspective for me. Have you heard the Trace Atkins single “You’re Gonna Miss This”? I’ve been listening to this song a lot lately and the lyrics help me focus when the girls are acting up or when I’m feeling like the boys are growing up too fast. All parents will connect to this beautiful song…here is a sample:

You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

Click here to listen to a sample of this song via Puretracks. Yes. . . Canadians can purchase music at this site too - PC users only. MAC people can go to itunes Canada.

US residents can purchase this single via Amazon.

Thanks to Tracy for forwarding me this link. A picture (or video in this case) says a thousand words.Take a look at this ad campaign for the Bluetooth headset.  Does it make you wonder what the effects of cell phones are?  I personally believe that cell phones release radiation.  Is this something you worry about?  If so, post your comments to this article.

http://www.koreus.com/video/telephone-portable-mais-popcorn.html

For more information on cell phone associated to health risks, read Father’s Day Green Gift Ideas.

If you are pregnant and use a cell phone, you might want to read this article from Seventh Generation.

Please note, www.mommyfootprint.com now has a subscription option. If you would like to be notified with a brief summary email when new articles are placed on the site, please scroll to the top of this page and subscribe with your email address.

~~ update.  This program is only open to US residents ~~

Thanks to Laura who forwarded me this information regarding the Whirlpool Mother of Invention Grant Program.  Check out this program from Whirlpool - details below:

Whirlpool brand has recently kicked-off the fourth annual Mother of Invention Grant Program. In the past three years, Whirlpool brand has recognized and helped more than 15 moms turn their innovative ideas into reality.

The Whirlpool brand Mother of Invention Grant Program provides seed money and expert guidance to moms to turn their invention, business or service ideas into full-fledged businesses.  Contest winners receive:

-A $20,000 grant for the grand prize winner

-$24,000 in grant money for the four runners-up

- Appliance prizes

-Invitation to business boot camp where winners will receive guidance from Whirlpool and industry experts

This year, Whirlpool is greening the program by adding a new category focused on moms who create an environmentally friendly product/service or use natural/recycled materials to create their invention. 

More information and entry forms can be found at www.whirlpool.com/moms. Entries are accepted through July 31, 2008.

Another inspiring day in the life of hanging with mom entrepreneurs.  I met so many lovely, Eco driven, knowledgeable moms at Mommies On Main today.  They’ve all created products that blossomed from their natural talent and passion from becoming a mother.  I got to spend a few minutes talking to Sarah, one of the talents behind Meals for Mums.   Is this company ever something!  The idea was ‘born’ when two Vancouver moms realized shortly after having babies, that friends and family stop bringing healthy, home-cooked meals by about week 4.  Working with two other women specializing in culinary arts and holistic nutrition, their company was started.  The goal is to create convenient food that is healthy, made from fresh, local, and when possible, organic ingredients.  So you can focus on being a busy mom (and wouldn’t this be amazing for mom’s that work outside of the home?) so you don’t have to feel guilty about quick and easy foods that are not healthy, but something we all do when schedules get busy.

They have incorporated so many other wonderful messages into this company.  Sarah mentioned that the majority of their clients opted to have their meals delivered in glass Pyrex dishes rather than plastic.  Concerns about plastic with food storage and thinking about reducing waste in the environment made this a standard feature of Meals for Moms.  Kudos on this environmentally responsible initiative by these moms - what a powerful message for other food establishments to hear.  When given the option, customers want to reduce waste for the environment, even paying extra to help our planet.

When you visit the Meals for Mums’ site, you can feel their passion for nutrition.  Like my nutritionist reference Jen, you can tell promoting healthy eating is their passion.  There is a section on their site that talks and educates customers about healthy eating.  I personally found the feeding a fussy eater article a good read!  Also, there’s a section that features a food of the month (spinach, rhubarb) with a description about why that item is healthy with an easy recipe to follow.  What an awesome feature for those of us who never think to try new ideas with our family (we just rotate the same 7 meals around here).

To begin ordering, you simply create a profile and start ordering meals.  This service is only available to certain areas of Vancouver, but I believe if you email about a surrounding area, Spud can assist with the delivery.  They have orders for large plates, kids food, lighter plates, and gift certificates!  Yummy…the smoked wild BC sockeye salmon pasta plate must be mine. The description and picture looks amazing. Wow - next time you visit your friend in the hospital with a new baby (or anyone facing a new challenge in life), take them a gift certificate instead of an expensive bouquet of flowers..wouldn’t that be the BEST thing ever?  Baby shower gift?  Helloo!  Offer your friend or loved one great nutrition as a way to send your congratulations.

I left this Mommies On Main symposium today, recharged that everyday moms are creating these magical businesses that help other families lead more sustainable and healthier lives.  A wonderful event that is well worth checking out for folks local to the Vancouver area.