We Have A New Blog Address

Please visit us at our new address for more up to date blogs … Thanks!

www.ecofamilynews.blogspot.com

Adventures On the Sea: Girlfriends enjoy a spontaneous day

I am usually someone who likes to plan for a day of adventure, so when my girlfriend Jeri called Friday night to see if I wanted to sit in for her son on a Santa Cruz Island kayak trip, my immediate response was, “I need to sleep on it.”

Protecting Children From Insect Bites and The West Nile Virus – Naturally

With all the weather changes that global warming brings, so changes the patterns of seasonal pests. Today many geographical areas are plagued with flying insects and bugs all year round, as opposed to just in the spring and summer. With the spread of the West Nile Virus in recent years, mosquitoes are a big concern when it comes to keeping kids bug-free and pesticide-free.

Creative Ideas For Saving Water

About six months ago, I met a man named Buzz Boettcher www.reusegraywater.com who had designed this amazingly elaborate grey water system – currently installed at Ed Begley Jr’s house.

Natural Products Expo West

Last weekend I went to the 29th annual Natural Products Expo West. Expo West is the largest trade show of its kind housing approximately 2,000 exhibitors (this year drawing 54,000 attendees), where retailers come to see what companies, or products are new to the natural products and eco-friendly market (caution – not everything there is so natural and healthy). A place where deals and negotiations are taking place in every corner, old friends get to see each other and parties are happening … kind of like the stock market floor on a good day. For me it is four days of non-stop networking, walking, learning and playing … gotta love my job.

Toxic Tub Alert – Kid-Safe-Chemicals-Act

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics team is working hard to keep our kids (and us) safe from toxic exposures to chemicals in bath and personal care products. There is a new report out this week about toxic chemicals found in traditional bath products.  Most people don’t know that personal care and cosmetic companies are not required to list all ingredients on the label, so even the most ingredient-conscious parents wouldn’t know whether the product is safe and free from cancer causing chemicals. Many bath products are labeled as “gentle,” “pure” or “naturally refreshing”, which can be deceiving because label laws for personal care products is unregulated and these alluring words can be a hook for even the most conscientious parent.

In this new study, an independent lab tested 48 kids’ products for 1,4-dioxane and found it in 67 percent of the products. Of the 28 products tested for formaldehyde, 82 percent were positive. Seventeen products were contaminated with both 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde, both linked to significant health effects. You can read more about this report at http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=414. There is also a safety guide to children’s personal care products on that page as well.

Beyond the findings of the study, I feel it is important that parents know that current regulations don’t require chemicals to be proven safe to get on the market, or stay on the market. The Toxic Substances Control Act is what is suppose to be protecting us, however, when it was passed back in 1976, most of the chemicals slated as safe were never tested, but rather grandfathered in at the time. This Act is the weakest of all major environmental laws we have today. Under federal law EPA does not have the authority to demand the information it needs to evaluate a chemical’s risk, and neither manufacturers nor the EPA are required to prove a chemical’s safety for use in these products. I consider this to be a huge problem that truly falls short of protecting us, especially protecting our children. This year the Environmental Working Group needs our help – they are working hard to reform this safety hazard, please read about the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act – http://www.ewg.org/kidsafe – and sign their declaration.

Hazing Among Our Youth

I just saw a segment on Good Morning America about hazing amongst our youth. What a horrifying act of rage and hate. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our youth were inspired, honored and celebrated during their learning phase of life? What if instead of pouring alcohol down each others throats, and yelling ‘you’re worthless and disgusting’ while performing degrading disrespectful acts of violence, they filled one another with positive loving affirmations of their greatness, while massaging each others feet with essential oils and writing messages of abundance on pretty ribbons, tying them to a walking stick that supports them on their path? What if they told the chosen ones how much they were loved, and that their tribe of warriors would be there to support them over the years, and throughout their lives? While I know a lot of moms are concerned about the younger crowd, how can we encourage and implement new games of hazing amongst our older youth, perhaps creating more of a spiritual haze? I would love to hear your thoughts.

An Amazing Woman’s Day Experience

As a journalist I attend many events every year that are educational, inspirational and usually quite remarkable in some way. This blog is the first in a series of event reviews where I will share 5 things I learned, or loved about the event.  Amazing Womans day – igniting the power of feminine leadership – produced and hosted by Marsh Engle, and her tribe of amazing women. www.amazingwomansday.com

I am a health and environmental writer/activist, and have authored two books – The Complete Teething Guide, and Bach Flowers for Children. I produce the Whole Children, Whole Planet Expo the premier natural parenting and family expo: Creating empowered parents and balanced families in a safe, natural, non-toxic, nurturing environment.

I am also the editor, host and producer of Eco Family News – a free e-newsletter, website and radio show that is a respected, reliable resource for consumers and families about important health and environmental issues, as well as a leading authority on authentic green vs. green-washed products and services.

Eco Family News, in its three components, offers people a comprehensive resource and overview, introducing them to top quality eco-products, services, companies, sustainable practices, organizations and enrichment learning programs.

Eco Family News Radio inspires dialog about important health and environmental issues and provides relevant information for protecting families and the planet. The show airs on the third Wednesday of every month at 11:00 a.m., PST, and is archived and available 24/7 at http://www.iamhealthyradio.com. My passion is to empower people through education so they can make informed decisions.