For holiday breakfast, packaged pancake mix beyond the expiration date should be discarded. There have been serious health incidents, including one death, due to toxic mold formed from the yeast in the mix as it lapsed beyond the safe shelf life. Four dangerous toxic molds, not visually detectable, were found in the mixes. By the way, this could be true for all mixes of this type --- biscuit, bread, muffins, etc.
Dry cleaning your clothing for special holiday gatherings --- use an organic or green dry clearners. The traditional dry cleaning chemicals are strong, harsh, and toxic. The off-gas is a risk to the workers, a risk to you, and loved ones who share your home. Check your local listing of cleaners. Cost should be no more than the traditional method.
If items of winter or holiday clothing were stored in mothballs, consider natural cedar shavings for future storage. Remember the old days when homes had cedar chests? Moths hate cedar. Moth- balls contain paradichorobenzene, which causes cancer in lab tests.
While we are on the subject of mothballs, toilet bowl cleaners and deodorizers contain the same poison as mothballs. Instead, consider using vinegar, baking soda, or citrus juice (lemon or orange) for cleaning and to freshen the room. Less expensive too!
Another reminder of the winter season is the humidifier, which helps balance the humidity in homes that are drier due to indoor
heating. It is recommended that humidifiers be replaced at the
beginning of each winter due to difficulty in detecting
micro-organism which may have been missed in spring cleaning. In addition to your humidifier, it is recommended to use a humidity monitor as a way to gauge the level of moisture ---- low (too low can create dry throats and sinus conditions), as well as high (too high can become a nutrient for mold)---in your home. You can read more at
www.Humidifiers-MayoClinic.com
Fragrances---- chemically compounded fragrances contain toxins that have been shown to cause cancer, nervous system disorders, abnormalities in the brain, as well as other adverse conditions. This goes beyond "an allergy" to fragrances. A point to consider in giving fragrances as a gift, as well as wearing the toxic scents yourself. I know someone may say a little on your skin shouldn't hurt you, but think about transdermal patches used to treat a variety of health issues. It has been proven, if it is on the skin, it is absorbed by the body. ( Watch for more detailed reports on fragrances in future writings on this web site. )
Holly leaves and berries make beautiful decorative additions to your
home, but beware --- eating more than 3 berries can cause severe and prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. While you may know not to eat the berries, pets and young children will find them bright, shiny and tempting.
Speaking of the children. There has been much said about safe
toys. Some of the
toys on the shelves for Christmas purchases will no longer be legal by February of 2009. If in doubt, there is a web site which allows you to check your toy list.
www.HealthyToys.org
That lovely mistletoe, which elicits a kiss, can also cause some serious health reactions ranging from stomach upset to visual disturbances and convulsions when ingested. Distance the mistletoe to keep it away from children and pets, ----- but
you don't have to give up the kiss.
Spread love, not toxins. Healthy holidays.
Christmas! That time of year when our thoughts turn to the ones who touch our daily lives, the ones we love and the ones we cherish. The list changes from year to year. It expands as we open our lives to those who bring the joy of newness, while we marvel at the treasure of those who hold reflections of days gone by.
