| Pam Arnold
Helping you live a toxin-free life
April - May 2010 |
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The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing (of birds) is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." Solomon 2:12
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Note from Pam
This photo was taken while my daughter, Cynthia, and I were on a Mother-Daughter vacation just days ago.
It has been said that April showers bring May flowers.
If we look at the rain as the problems of life, we look to the future for the promise of a brighter tomorrow -- it is then we find the rainbow.
However, a rainbow needs the rain before it can appear and remind us of the promise made thousands of years ago.
A promise of a brighter tomorrow.
It is my desire you will remember rainbows come after the rains, shining beauty after the storms and clouds. Just as the flowers of Spring, life will bloom anew.
With warmest regards,
Pam
"An optimist is the human equivalent of spring."
Susan J. Bissonette |
April showers bring May flowers
(but also moisture from Spring rains,
can increase your risk of mold growth) Prevent Water Damage
Review your water bill. Big fluctuations between months may mean a leak.
Warm spots on the floor are another indication that there could be a hot
water leak under the slab.
Test your home's water pressure yearly, which can place excessive pressure on your plumbing system. Normal water pressure should be between
45 -65 psi. Buy a pressure gauge and attach it to the hose faucet to test the
pressure.
Inspect around your water heater, washer, dishwasher, sinks, toilets, and refrigerator icemaker. If any hoses appear worn, replace them . Stainless steal braided hoses with threaded steel connectors on both ends are the best. It's an inexpensive way to protect your home.
Make sure the main sewer line is clear of buildup and roots. If there is an obstruction, it can affect the way other drains in the house flow and could
eventually lead to a bigger problem.
When you go on vacation, consider shutting off the water to the house. In many cases, you can find a separate shut-off valve for the home that leaves the irrigation on. |
9 Ingredients to avoid in processed foods
by Brett Blumenthal
If you use processed food for a snack or dinner (anything canned, packaged, etc.), try to avoid those that contain the ingredients listed in the following chart. Although this isn't an exhaustive list, these ingredients are some of the most highly processed and least healthy of all:
| Ingredient | Why it is Used | Why it is Bad |
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| Artificial Colors |
- Chemical compounds made from coal-tar derivatives to enhance color.
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- Linked to allergic reactions, fatigue, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity and headaches.
| | Artificial Flavorings |
- Cheap chemical mixtures that mimic natural flavors.
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- Linked to allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity and asthma
- Can affect enzymes, RNA and thyroid.
| Artificial Sweeteners
(Acesulfame-K, Aspartame, Equal®, NutraSweet®, Saccharin, Sweet'n Low®, Sucralose, Splenda® & Sorbitol) |
- Highly-processed, chemically-derived, zero-calorie sweeteners found in diet foods and diet products to reduce calories per serving.
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- Can negatively impact metabolism
- Some have been linked to cancer, dizziness hallucinations and headaches.
| | Benzoate Preservatives
(BHT, BHA, TBHQ) |
- Compounds that preserve fats and prevent them from becoming rancid.
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- May result in hyperactivity, angiodema, asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis, tumors and urticaria
- Can affect estrogen balance and levels.
| | Brominated Vegetable Oil
(BVO) |
- Chemical that boosts flavor in many citric-based fruit and soft drinks.
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- Increases triglycerides and cholesterol
- Can damage liver, testicles, thyroid, heart and kidneys.
| High Fructose Corn Syrup
(HFCS) |
- Cheap alternative to cane and beet sugar
- Sustains freshness in baked goods
- Blends easily in beverages to maintain sweetness.
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- May predispose the body to turn fructose into fat
- Increases risk for Type-2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer
- Isn't easily metabolized by the liver.
| | MSG
(Monosodium Glutamate) |
- Flavor enhancer in restaurant food, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, soups and other foods.
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- May stimulate appetite and cause headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, edema, change in heart rate, burning sensations and difficulty in breathing.
| | Olestra |
- An indigestible fat substitute used primarily in foods that are fried and baked.
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- Inhibits absorption of some nutrients
- Linked to gastrointestinal disease, diarrhea, gas, cramps, bleeding and incontinence.
| | Shortening
Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils
(Palm, Soybean and others) |
- Industrially created fats used in more than 40,000 food products in the U.S.
- Cheaper than most other oils.
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- Contain high levels of trans fats, which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, contributing to risk of heart disease.
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Have you checked your ingredient lists recently? Do they contain any of the above? Have you tried cutting some of these ingredients out?
Excerpted from "GET REAL" and STOP |
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T I P S F O R T E E N S
 This month, I'm going to try to give you ideas on what to do with your used up wooden pencils, so here goes:
I found a neat site that sells pencils made of recycled newspapers instead of wood! They are sold in packs of 10 for $5 and since each one is made out of a different newspaper page, they are all "one of a kind".
Use the graphite part of the pencil to rub on keys to help locks that are sticking and also on zippers that are sticking.
You know all those shavings you get when you sharpen a pencil? Well, you can pour perfume or scented oil over them and put them in a pretty bowl and you've made potpourri!
You can also add the shaving to a compost pile for your garden.
I have a pet hamster and I use wood chips for the bedding....well, now I'm thinking that I could add the shavings to the wood chips!
I sure hope these ideas can help some of you! "See" you next newsletter!
Ashley |
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to cut emissions from gold ore processing and production facilities, the sixth largest source of mercury air emissions in the country. |
Children First Symposium October 1st
This groundbreaking one-day symposium will highlight a range of interacting factors that influence child health and development, including nutrition, education, socioeconomic status, exposures to toxic chemicals, and access to preventive health care. Hosted by CHE, the Whole Child Center and the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, the symposium will feature leaders on these topics who will also describe model programs and concrete steps toward creating optimal and sustainable environments in which children can thrive and reach their full potential. Registration is now open. Visit the website. |
For Your Benefit
EPA proposes adding more chemicals to Toxics Release Inventory list.The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add 16 chemicals to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list of reportable chemicals, the first expansion of the program in more than a decade.
To check for toxins on the list, I went www.EPA.com then in the search box, I put in ToxRefDB. If you have concerns about any particular toxic exposure, this is
a good place to look for answers. |
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|  "Upside Down Rainbows" Written by Pam Contact this web site for discounted purchase price
for newsletter readers. |
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