November 28, 2008 | Food & drink, Health

 

All right moms and dads. The news that melamine has been found in US baby formulas was indeed disturbing. But how worried should you really be? When you compare it with September’s news about infants in China getting sick and some dying from melamine-tainted formula, it seems grim. But the fact is, the problem here in the US is of a different sort.

The trace amounts of melamine in one out of 77 samples tested (in Enfamil Lipil with Iron, in fact) is thought to be a byproduct of the production process, since melamine is in use in can linings. On the other hand, infant formulas in China had melamine added to them in to mimic high protein additives. They removed proteins from the formulas and replaced them with artificial chemicals. Melamine can combine with other agents in the urine causing kidney and bladder problems, but the trace amounts in the US formula sample should have no adverse health effect.

Read the headlines only and you might get a different idea - I’ve seen everything from “Fatal chemical in infant formla” and “Chinese baby-killing chemical found in US formula” to “Where’s the recall?” The thing is, American companies are super-sensitive to lawsuits. If there was enough melamine to even cause concern, you can be sure American companies would err on the side of caution, isolate the problem, and issue a recall. On the other hand, the situation seems so insignificant (trace amounts in a minimal percentage of formulas tested) that we can feel safe that our formula is far from the rat poison news headlines would have you believe, and since the news about Chinese formulas in September, our formula is going through rigorous testing.

Over 90% of formula comes from 3 manufacturers, and all 3 of them found trace amounts of either melamine or cyanuric acid (a chemical related to melamine). If you’re breastfeeding your infant this would be one more reason to continue - in addition to things like lower risk of childhood obesity, diabetes, lower risk of maternal breast cancer, and on and on and on. But if your child takes formula, rest assured that the FDA and formula manufacturers themselves are testing their products well to ensure they’re safe for our babies. Make your decision based on good old fashioned reason, not on scary headlines meant to sell papers.

November 25, 2008 | Outdoors, Food & drink

 

I just came across this site, and what actually drew me in was the 1950s communist style illustration of happy workers headed off with their hoes and rakes, with a backdrop of a suburban neighborhood. Something about the illustration and the propaganda-esque name (”Freedom Gardens”) put me off a little to start with. But maybe I’m just overly critical…

As I surfed around the website I came to love it. Here’s what they say about themselves: “Freedom Gardens is an online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.” Who wouldn’t love that? An online community for people who like locally-grown, super fresh yumness straight out of their backyards. They have a little disclaimer - not all the buttons on the site are operational yet as they’re a new site and still working on the details. But go ahead and check out the forum - you may even find something special to bring to the Thanksgiving table!

November 24, 2008 | Plastics

I was way behind on technology until my birthday a few days ago, when I was given a gorgeous pink iPod nano with video (Wow!). Since I got it I delved into iTunes and found all sorts of things I’ve been missing. Did you know that you can learn Japanese, watch a Broadway show, and listen to excerpts from Anna Karenina in the original Russian?

I also found 60-second Earth podcasts from Scientific American (which you can also find here), with a recent episode on BPA (bisphenol-A).  They also have an episode on wine made from tiger bones, the goods and bads of chocolate, and the toxicity of my newly beloved iPod.

How about you? What do you do on your iPod?

November 19, 2008 | Plastics

Click below to see why microwave safe products aren’t so microwave safe.

‘Microwave Safe’ Plastics Leach Bisphenol A - thedailygreen.com

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November 17, 2008 | Reviews, Bleach alternatives, Cleaning products

I’ve seen a whole lot of ‘enzyme’ cleaners lately - laundry detergents, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, hardwood cleaners. It seems like they’re all invading my path all of a sudden. They sure sound nice - kind of sciencey, but a little zany and green too. Enzyme. I just like to say it. But is it the real deal or just hype?

Enzymes made up of amino acids (proteins) and they’re totally biodegradable, non-toxic, and harmless to the environment and marine life.   They’re a type of chemical that speeds up natural processes. They act as catalysts for chemical processes, sometimes speeding it up millions of times faster than the reaction would happen on its own. Each enzyme is designed for a specific reaction, so for cleaning multiple enzymes are typically combined for a purpose, like a kitchen cleaner would use enzymes targeted to what you find in a kitchen. Got it? In general, they speed up the break down of soap, oils, detergents,  and organic matter. In fact, they break them down into earth-friendly components like oxygen and carbon. Once the organic matter is gone there’s nowhere for bacteria to grow. So, that’s how they do the dirty work.

The same way they attack oils and organic matter, enzymes can also break down odors, contaminants in water, and all sorts of other things. What else? They’re pH neutral, meaning they’re safe for natural stone (granite, marble, travertine, etc.) as well as hardwood floors & furniture and other sensitive surfaces.   We tried out the kitchen cleaner here by NaturallyClean and loved it. Our only caution is to watch the other ingredients in a cleaner, as usual. A truly green product will make the list of ingredients available to you, so look for plant-based surfactants and solvents without artificial scents and what-not.

November 15, 2008 | Cleaning tips

Did you know that vinegar (or water or other liquids) can damage the finish on your mirrors? The delicate spot is the edges where the mirrored finish hits the black edges. That area is susceptible to water damage, so be careful when you’re cleaning mirrors not to let water or vinegar or anything else sit there. Of course, if you’re trying to antique your mirrors, slather on some vinegar and let it sit…

Kids, Food & drink, Health

 

Studies have shown honey to be more effective to treat a cough than OTC cough medicines. When I first saw the report last year I wondered how I’d get honey into my kids - would they really lick super-sweet honey off a spoon? Mine are too young to stir it into hot water as some people suggested.

This week I got my answer. 2 parts honey mixed with 1 part lemon juice liquifies it a bit and the acidity of the lemon juice makes a spoonfull of honey easier to swallow.  I tried it this week - first on two of my kids (and it worked like a charm) and then on myself when coughing kept me awake. It’s like magic! Honey has the double impact of being high in antioxidants and also being effective at killing certain microbes.

In fact, my Moldovan mother-in-law suggests that I slather some on the kids’ backs and cover it with a raw cabbage leaf to make them feel better. If someone else wants to experiment with that I’d love to hear the results…

Please note: Do not give honey to babies under a year old.

November 14, 2008 | Food & drink

A few days ago I named my breadmaker as one of my favorite things and promised to share with you my favorite bread recipe. It’s nothing sophisticated, but the bread is moist and flavorful, but also crusty and substantial. Mmm…

Ingredients:

3 cups flour (I use 2 C. whole wheat flour + 1 C. bread flour or unbleached white flour)

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 TBS milk powder

1 TBS brown sugar

1 1/2 TBS butter

1/2 C. plain yogurt

13/16 C. water

1 TBS yeast (I use 2 TBS and put the setting to rapid bake)

Put the ingredients in according to your breadmaker’s instructions. On my breadmaker I put it on the rapid bake, whole wheat, medium size loaf setting.

That’s it! 5 minutes to throw it all in, and 3 hours later I have toasty warm fresh bread and my house smells amazing!

November 13, 2008 | Kids, Health

 

Parents of infants take note! The Mylicon drops so many of us use to soothe our babies when their tummies are upset have been recalled. There’s a possibility that they could contain metal fragments from the manufacturing process. Click here for more information about the recall. It effects only the non-staining (”good”) drops that are free of dyes, sold in 1/2 oz. and 1 oz. bottles. They say the medical risk is low, but contact your healthcare provider if you’re concerned. Instructions are given at the link above for how to contact Johnson & Johnson.

Laundry, Being Green, Cleaning products

We found this great post on making your own laundry detergent over at Cozgroovy - they’re a green maid service just like we are, but they’re  up in snow country (cheese country?) Wisconsin.

 

Has anyone ever tried this? It looks like it might be fun!