My Journey into the Land of Natural... II.

Toothpaste.

Yeah, call me crazy. I thought I was, too. I was a girl who loved Crest and Colgate, who loved the taste and smell, who never thought twice about the poison control number on the back of the tube. And I had read it, too, but I wasn't under six, so did it matter? It never hit me that kids could get poisoned from swallowing toothpaste. I didn't have any kids, so need I worry? My teeth were clean, and my morning breath was minty. The makings of a good day, right?

Until a lady friend of mine pointed out that, According to research conducted and posted by the National Cancer Prevention Coalition, Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste was the THIRD item on the list of the Top Twelve CANCER – CAUSING Household Products. Nice, right? (If you are curious what other everyday HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS are on this list, click HERE.)

So... what does a person say to that? Honestly! I've been brushing my teeth with that same exact toothpaste for HOW LONG? Years! My whole life! You can bet I was skeptical, and was ready for some real answers... It tasted just fine to me! Though I couldn't get the fact out of my mind that liquids already begin to be absorbed into our bodies through our mouths... Ok. I'd check it out: what ingredient is contained in that tube is so terrible for me? I went digging HERE.

Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste - (Procter & Gamble. Inc.)

Labeled Toxic Ingredients:

FD&C BLUE #1, Carcinogenic.

SACCHARIN, Carcinogenic.

FLUORIDE, Possibly carcinogenic.

Safer Alternative: Tom's of Maine Natural Non-Fluoride Toothpaste

Yeah, But, in case you didn't know, Tom's of Main also contains the poison control warning.

This is gonna be gross, but after learning all this, and without an immediate alternative, I simply stopped brushing my teeth. I rinsed out my mouth with water and ate gum every once in a while. Maybe my dentist wouldn't approve, but, to me, it was better to have stinky breath than cancer breath.

Eventually a real, natural option showed itself, and I took it. My teeth and my peace of mind are grateful for it. Contact me if you'd care to know more.

Carcinogens...

Home should be the safest place on the planet! A place of refuge from - well - almost everything you want to keep on the outside. But surprisingly, a house can be a dangerous place, and we don't even know it... and it could be worse if you keep your house spotlessly clean... Please read on.

According to dictionary.com...

A Carcinogen is any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.

And... it seems that much of the typical household cleaners, and even cosmetics we buy are filled with chemicals that fit under the title of "carcinogen..."

Go Here to find a study on indoor cleaning supplies. Follow it for a question and answer of what to use and how to use it, as well as what NOT to use...

Click here to see a LONG list of Hazardous Ingredients in Household Products. Then check under your sink and compare the active ingredients on the bottles of cleaners you are using... see how many of these chemicals are used daily and weekly on your floors, in your bathrooms, on your dishes, and to launder your clothes!

Dirty Dozen Consumer Products!

The National Cancer Prevention Coalition provides a list of "avoidable" consumer products which have been linked with cancer. This list was an eye-opener to me, and was the number one reason why I switched out so many of my cosmetic and cleaning supplies. I think you are going to be shocked by what you find on this list! They offer "safe alternatives," and so does Shaklee. Check them out and see if you use any of these items!

Click here to read Article 1. Click here to read Article 2.

FOOD

1. Beef Frankfurters - (eg. Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation)

2. Whole Milk - (eg. Borden or Lucerne)

COSMETICS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

3. Talcum Powder- (Johnson & Johnson. Inc.)

4. Cover Girl Replenishing Natural Finish Make Up (Foundation) (Procter & Gamble. Inc.)

5. Crest Tartar Control Toothpaste - (Procter & Gamble. Inc.)

6. Alberto VO5 Conditioner (Essence of Neutral Henna) (Alberto-Culver USA. Inc.)

7. Clairol Nice 'n Easy (Permanent Haircolor) (Clairol. Inc.)

Indoor Air Pollution: Cleaning Up Cleaning Habits... Most people spend more than half of their lives indoors. The significance of indoor air-quality, has become more important in recent years as a result of efforts to make our homes more energy efficient. As we tighten up our homes to prevent heat exchange, we also prevent air exchange and pollutants released into the home environment are trapped for long periods of time. Second-hand cigarette smoke, gas stoves, and wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are major sources of indoor air pollution. But home products like cleaning agents, aerosols, air fresheners, and disinfectants contribute to the problem. These products may also contain hidden cancer-causing ingredients.

Q. What kinds of chemical ingredients should I be wary of? A. There are a large number of chemicals included in air fresheners and cleaning products that are suspected of causing human health problems. Cancer Prevention Alert No. 8, Hazardous Ingredients in Household Products, lists these in detail. The Safe Shoppers Bible, written by CPC Chairman Dr. Samuel Epstein and Board Member David Steinman, is also a good resource for choosing household products. Carry such a resource along when shopping for cleaning products because many products do not disclose all ingredients, claiming that ingredients are "trade secret."

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

8. Ajax Cleanser (Colgate-Palmolive. Inc.)

9. Zud Heavy Duty Cleanser (Reckitt & Colman. Inc.)

10. Lysol Disinfectant Spray (Reckitt & Colman. Inc.)

11. Zodiac Cat & Dog Flea Collar (Sandoz Agro. Inc).

12. Ortho Weed-B-Gon Lawn Weed Killer (Monsanto Co.)

13. Blue Glass Cleaner (NYCO PRODUCTS)

14. Professional Windex Concentrate Glass Cleaner (S.C. Johnson Wax)

15. Big D Concentrated Aerosol Room Deodorant (Big D Industries)

16. Heavy Duty Institutional Formula WHISTLE All Purpose Cleaner with Ammonia (Drackett Products Company)

17. Dee All-Purpose (Aerosol) Cleaner (Dee Janitorial Supply)