It wasn't until I had kids that I began to look at the world around us. I mean really look.
What is in the food they're eating?
What is in the cleaners I'm using around them?
What is in the air they breathe? Or the water they drink?
Gradually, I have been making some changes in what comes into the house. I can't control every toxin that they are exposed to, but I can make small steps in my home that could have a pretty big impact on our overall health.
Once I started the process I was pretty motivated to keep going. I felt like I was not only making a positive impact on my kids' health, but also on the environment.
[Yay, me]
So when Mother Talk announced this month's book tour, I waved my virtual hand in the air at the chance to read Healthy Child Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan.
Pick me! Pick me!
And they did.
I read the book cover to cover in about two days.
Scary? Yes.
Motivating? Definitely.
It can be overwhelming to learn of all the different toxins we come into contact with everyday. Very. Overwhelming.
The book does a pretty good job of emphasizing how to make small changes. One step at a time. And to really just be more aware of our surroundings. It touches on everything from indoor air pollutants to organic crib mattresses to safer carpet choices.
I think it would be unrealistic to expect to follow every suggestion the author makes. There are, for most of us, cost issues. Buying organic everything is expensive. I wish it didn't cost more to live healthy, but it does.
So Brian and I pick and choose what we focus on, and each year we become a little bit greener than we were the year before.
Brian is more environmentally conscious than I am. But I'm coming around.
He's convinced me that we don't need chemical lawn treatments because, you know, the kids roll around in the yard all summer. Hmmm. Yeah, never thought about that. I just wanted a nice yard like the neighbors.
And so I've learned to appreciate the beauty of crab grass.
Last year we ditched all of our Teflon cookware for stainless steal and cast iron.
This year I've transitioned my cleaning and laundry supplies to non-toxic products. Ever wonder why the big brands don't disclose their ingredients? I did. And the more I thought about it, the more uneasy I was using a product with unknown, but dangerous ingredients.
Despite already being pretty aware of the dangers in the environment, I found this book eye opening.
Here's a quote that did it for me: "The American Cancer Society estimates that 75% of cancer is due to environmental factors...".
Yowza.
That scares me.
I'm going to keep chipping away at making our environment, the one they spend most of their time in, as green and healthy as possible.
And I'm going to keep reminding myself not to get overwhelmed.
Even small changes make a difference.
But you know what? There are times when we need the chemicals. When, despite everything I have just written, I want to shout "ALL HAIL THE TOXIC CHEMICALS". Like when on April 1st (NOT REALLY EVEN FULL FLEDGED SPRING YET) I have already killed 4 f'ing ants in the boys bedroom. Four. Where the hell are they even coming from?
If anyone knows of a safe, non toxic method to rid a house of carpenter ants (I think that's what they are) then, please, do tell.
Because so far nothing has worked except a call to The Bug Man.
Thankyouverymuch.
26 comments:
I really want to stop the lawn service because I worry about the kids and the chemicals - I can't convince DH though!
I'll have to check out that book. I too have switched my laundry detergents - and I'm using vinegar much more in cleaning (and for laundry) - there's something to be said for how our grandmothers and their grandmothers did certain things.
It is scary to think about all those chemicals... I don't use them a lot because I don't clean (a lot). Just kidding, but you're right, once you have kids, you get more green. I was so stressed this morning when I missed the recycling truck!!!!
We just tossed our plastic water bottles for stainless because of all the BPA talk.
Great post!
We have been trying a bit to be more "green" over the past year or so, but it is hard. I try to buy organic, but like you said, it's expensive, so since we are trying to watch the budget, I can't do it all the time. We are in process of switching to cloth diapers. We tried to drop the bug guy too, but fire ants run rampant around here, and after the 5th time of finding trails of fire ants running across the same living room carpet that my kids were laying on,and then finding them all over Pook's crib, I had to call the bug guy back - ant poison or ant bites?? I am not sure which is worse right now.
I also read and reviewed this book and loved it and got terrified and bought organic cotton pajamas for LP.
As for your ants, I've heard of borax working, but I really don't know. Somethings it is hard to figure out how to change.
I know so many people with cancer--when I was a kid in the 60's and
70's my parents just did not know the number of people with cancer that I do.
Thanks for sharing this. I have never done the chemicals on the lawn thing for the very reason your husband gives.
Good for you! (I hate to do this, but on ecowomen.wordpress.com we posted on this today...could you leave a comment and link to your blog? It would be cool...) I agree, some of the more zealous changes (new furniture, new mattresses, etc.) are expensive and wasteful to throw away perfectly good into a landfill. But the gradual, little changes like cleaning products and lawn care add up and make a bigger difference! On the ants, I have no good advice, other than call the bug guy.
Well done!
A word of caution - we went totally organic, totally un-toxic....then we went to stay at somebody else's house - and we all got sick...
...we've discovered that if you keep a little bit of rubbish in your diet, it's possible to weather the storm of being exposed to the toxic stuff!
All of which leaves me with the realisation of quite how much toxic stuff there is out there...
without most people realising it.
As for the ants - pour boiling water on their nest - sorry not very antimal friendly...but it works!
it's super easy & CHEAP to make your own cleaners, typically a mixture of vinegar, water, and essential oils if you want to lose the smell. Baking soda is a great scrubber as well.
I hate lawn chemicals, and my ugly yard proves it!
The Terminix guy told us there's really no getting rid of carpenter ants unless they're nesting in the house. He said they swarm seasonally or when it rains and to just keep the house free of loose food and crumbs. He set traps and smear some goo around the outlets, but that's about it.
I hate those chunky suckers. They make me sick to my stomach.
This book sounds fantastic. I need small ways to continue the path towards a greener future for my family (and yours...).
Thanks for the recommendation.
I'm gonna check this book out. I like the idea of taking it one step at a time. My next step is checking out cleaners...I hear Target has some good ones...
I've sprinkled chili powder or cinnamon around the areas where they enter the house, and the ants avoid it like the plague. Seems to work.
Not sure what to tell you about the ant problem. When you find something that works though, please let me know!
I think it is great that you are taking this on. Impressive!
This is kind of scaring me! Thanks for the insight. It's a lot to think about!
Great! I'm happy to hear about this book, I'll have to get a copy. Good for you, making all these changes.
Okay. I'm scared. Once both boys are in school a few hours a day, I will try and be better.
As for the ants, cinnamon is supposed to keep them away. If you know the crack where they're entering, place cinnamon sticks in that area.
The cheaper if not greener solution to Terminix is to buy the spray stuff at Home Depot. Spray it outside, all around the foundation of your house. They really do stay away!
It wasn't until I had my girl that I too became more conscious of what I was eating, what she was eating, what sort of chemicals were in this cleaner or the tap water.
I reviewed this for Mother Talk as well and loved it-so much information in that book that you can really use.
I use vinegar a lot instead of cleaning products. It isn't as stinky and works better, especially for water stains in bathroom. As for the ants? OMG, I hope they're not carpenter ants; it will take an act of God and all the toxic crap in the world to kill them. We had a nest in our former home and last I heard, the new owners were still getting monthly treatments to get rid of them (they were aware of the problem before they bought it).
Corn gluten meal will stop crabgrass and most other weeds pre-emergence. If it's already up, it won't kill it, but it will stop it from spreading. We've used it for several years and it works wonders. Completely non-toxic. And yeah, that chemical stuff is horrendously toxic!
I've found that just reading labels and buying whole foods instead of fast and convenience foods makes a huge difference. Also, if you know which foods take on the most pesticides (the dirty dozen), you don't need to buy everything organic.
The best book I've read regarding food is Nourishing Traditions.
The ants are looking for water. Be sure to keep all wet towels out of the tub, bathroom and bedrooms. They do have a new spray on the market that is made from Cedar Oil. I am not sure how good it works but its new and green!
Unfortunately for us we live in sucha wooded area we call Griggs and Browne to spray the OUTSIDE of our house. They come 3 times a year and it keep the Carpenter ANts out of the house. So far.
It's always inpiring to hear about families going green. Baby steps are THE WAY to do it. You are much more apt to stick with your changes if you make them one at a time.
I wish I were more on top of my "greeness" this year. (Too focused on the "white" :))
Anywho, I see someone already mentioned corn gluten for the yard. We heard about that this year and we're going to give it a shot.
Oh I'm with you on this. That book is frightening as in enlightening. I've learned the most basic items (vinegar, baking soda) are far safer and healthier!
I am a chemical junkie, so I'll have to check this out.
To really terrify you, I heard an interview on NPR a few months back, with Devra Davis talking about her book "The Secret War On Cancer".
She said that 9 out of 10 women who get breast cancer are born NOT genetically predisposed to it.
So how are we getting it? No one knows.
My mom is really into that stuff. Bought me all these organic cleaners when the kids were born. God help me if she sees something on Oprah... :-)
Oh, by the way, I tagged you for the seven random things meme. Ignore it if you like... :-)
I know whereof you speak, sista! I have changed many things but there are some time when we just need chemicals :) ...(in small doses)
I know what you mean about "going green" I recently posted about this same thing on my blog. Check out http://www.foodnews.org they have a pocket guide and the top 42 food items that contain pesticides and they have a top 12 that if you purchase them organic you can cut almost 90% of pesticides out of your diet. A lot cheaper than buying ALL organic!
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