Earth Day, Every Day - Tip # 22 - Happy Earth Day!

Today I'd like to recognize Shaklee Corp., a company that's been offering concentrated green cleaners for over 50 years! Their Basic H household cleaner was first introduced way back in 1960, ten years before the first Earth Day!

A few years ago Shaklee doubled the concentration of their Basic H and it's now known as Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. This super-concentrated, Green Seal Certified cleaner has 1000's of uses at a very consumer friendly price, and it's been a favorite of mine for years. Even made Oprah's list of Favorite Things!

Through May 22, 2011, you can get Basic H2 and a selection of other Get Clean prodcuts at a very Special price. Called the "Special Earth Day Healthy Home Kit" it includes Basic H2 (16 oz), Two Spray Bottles, Get Clean Super Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, Get Clean Dish Wash Liquid Concentrate, Get Clean Fresh Laundry Concentrate (32 oz), and Shaklee Energy™.

On this, the 41st Earth Day, I thank Shaklee for offering products that protect my family and the Earth... and I thank them for the special too!

Living Green and the Cancer Question...

If you knew for sure that doing "x, y and z" would make you (and your loved ones) bulletproof to cancer, would you make a change to do "x, y and z"? Even if it cost you more? More effort, more time, more money?

What started me thinking about this question is a radio telethon being done by WHUD for a local hospital, the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. They're sharing successes and the stories are both heart wrenching and heartwarming. To listen to the parents and children speak of their ordeals brings tears to my eyes. And it got me to thinking about "x, y and z."

Over the years it's been well documented that exercise decreases the risk of cancer and many other health concerns, yet many Americans are couch potatoes. It's also well documented that eating more fruits and vegetables AND avoiding pesticides and herbicides on our food is healthier for us, and the planet, yet many feel they can't afford the extra cost. HealthyChild.org, The Environmental Working Group and The National Institute of Health have shined a light on ingredients of concern, some linked to serious health issues, in many household cleaners, yet Americans still choose them over non-toxic green cleaners which are safer.

The reality is that no one knows exactly what causes cancer, especially in a child. And doing "x, y and z" won't Guarantee that you or someone in your family won't get the big C... but what if those simple changes were truly the answer to a big part of the puzzle?

I realize I'm making this all too simplistic and sadly families doing all the right things may still wind up with a member who gets cancer since there are things we simply have no control over, such as the air we breathe, the pesticides used on our neighbors lawn, or in the office we work... but what if getting a little more exercise, choosing toxin free foods, and clearing the toxic cleaners from your home are a big part of the answer?

It really can cost so little monetarliy. Exercise doesn't have to mean joining a gym, instead strap on a pedometer and go walk the track at your local high school. Try to get in 10,000 steps every day.

Choosing organic food does cost a bit more, but going green for cleaning can save you more than enough to make up for the added cost of healthier food, and the added health benefits, Priceless (even if your not bulletproof for cancer).

Best of Health,
Susan

Shaklee's Non-Toxic Cleaning Products top the list of Cleaners the Pros LOVE

Reader's Digest has a new article titled 5 Cleaning Products the Pros Love.

Personally I love their number one suggestion of Shaklee's Basic H2 concentrate and Scour Off Paste. I've used both of these in my home for over 30 years and absolutely love how easily they clean.

But I'd like to share why I choose a concentrate like Shaklee's or Mrs. Meyer's which costs more to buy, over a ready to use product which costs way less.

Simply because in the long run concentrates not only save me money, they save plastic too, and since one bottle of Shaklee's concentrate makes hundreds of bottles of powerful green cleaner, the savings in plastic manufacturing costs (oil), product shipping and plastic bottle recycling, is significant. So my initial investment of $15, saved me hundreds of dollars over the $3 ready to use product, and kept hundreds of bottles from needing to be manufactured, shipped and recycled.

Bottom line, whenever possible, if your favorite product is available as a concentrate, buy it, the savings are exponential.

Toxic Chemicals video from Healthy Stuff.org

Bisphenol-A in baby bottles, water bottles, and food cans.
Formaldehyde in furniture.
Phthalates in air fresheners, soft plastics, and fragrances.

According to research by the Environmental Working Group Body Burden study, these chemicals and many others can be found in babies (and adults alike). It's time industry put public health first!



And to avoid these toxins, chose truly green cleaners that are safe for you, your home AND especially your family!

Do you unknowingly have toxic products in your home?

This study may just be a wake up call...

Cancer Prevention Coalition Chairperson Samuel Epstein, M.D., and investigative journalist, David Steinman, compiled the "Dirty Dozen" from data on over 3,500 consumer products.

> Beef Frankfurters (Conventional)
> Whole Milk
> Talcum Powder (often labeled as "baby powder")
> Cover Girl Replenishing Natual Finish Make Up (Foundation)
> Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste
> Alberto VO5 Conditioner (Essence of Neutral Henna)
> Clairol Nice 'n Easy (Permanent Haircolor)
> Ajax Cleanser
> Zud Heavy Duty Cleanser
> Lysol Disinfectant Spray
> Zodiac Cat & Dog Flea Collar
> Ortho Weed-B-Gon Lawn Weed Killer (another Monsanto "winner")

Change may not be easy and getting rid of your favorite whatever may be difficult, but for your health and the health of your family and our planet, visit your local health food store and try a substitute. Heck, you may just love that new toothpaste!

The Dirty Truth about Cleaning Products

Interesting segment on this mornings NBC's Today Show. Consumer reporter Sloan Barnett, author of the new book "Green Goes with Everything" was interviewed by Matt Lauer, about household cleaning products in a segment called The Dirty Truth about Cleaning Products.

In the interview, Sloan talks about what lead her to write the book, as Lauer points out that Barnetts' husband runs the largest natural nutritional company in the USA. Lauer comments that of course she wants them to go green, it's good for the family business. Barnett counters that it's the family mission to tell others about the links between cleaners and children's health and that as mothers we are running to make changes that protect our children. She points out that only 7% of the more than 3000 chemicals on the market have been fully tested, so do we really want to subject our families to chemicals unecessarily - see August 15th post.