Ever wondered why people are making such a big fuss about toxins in this and that? Why do itty bitty amounts of harsh cleansers and fragrances in shampoos, or minute pesticide residues in food, or trace amounts of chemicals that seep into our water, really matter? In fact, forget the why. Perhaps the better question is do they even matter?
This is a video that I've been aching to show you all ever since the Baby Purity Conference back in October. Grab a hot cup of something and sit down for 20 minutes to watch this engaging and extremely worthwhile video (while you're at it, ask your husband to watch it, too- Ryan and I watched it together a few nights ago and he said it made an impression on him).
This video was put together by EWG (Environmental Working Group), an incredible non-profit organization, dedicated to researching toxic
chemicals and contaminants, informing us (the consumers and parents) of
what they are finding, telling us how to avoid these toxins and even
lobbying to help change legislature and put protective bills into place
(in the USA, where they are based, though most of their information and
research is entirely relevant to those who live outside the USA as
well).
Sometimes I am so grateful that there are others out there, doing the research so that I don't have to. I'm a busy mom, and I simply can't read up on every new toxic chemical or brand of toothpaste or how to keep my baby as safe as possible. I wish I could, but I can't.
If you've never done so before, please check out their incredible resources:
Skin Deep Beauty Database (an extensive database of most major brands of toiletries and beauty products, their ingredients and their safety levels)
Shopper's Guide to Pesticide in Produce
Their Website (full of research articles, pollution solutions and more)
Enviroblog (where they keep us up-to-date on the latest news on environmental and health related concerns)
While we're on the topic of EWG, can I just make a quick plug for something they've got going on right now?
EWG is offering this fantastic Pollutions Solutions Green Bag for donors of $135, who make their contribution before the end of the year. Included in the bag are a 27 oz Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle, a 6 piece Pyrex glass food storage containers (I have a couple of these and adore them!), other goodies and coupons, and the book Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet
(for first 500 donors).
If you feel that your family is benefiting from the research and
resources they provide, would you consider supporting them with a
donation before the end of 2008? To donate or find out more, click here.
While discussing this with my husband, he asked me whether I would personally be willing to donate this amount of money (supposing that I was actually American, which I'm not), and why I would want to ask you to do this yourself (because this isn't the type of thing I usually promote) . The answer is yes, I would do it and here's why. When you take into account that you receive a tax deductible receipt (for $85 of the $135), that's basically $50 to support an organization that is doing valuable research to help you, as a mom, keep your family safe, as well as pushing for crucial bills like the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act to pass in the senate (make sure to sign the declaration, stating that you want the Kid-Safe Chemical Act to be supported). Not to mention, get a gift bag worth what you paid, with some useful products inside.
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m SO glad you posted this…I’m a bit behind, but my husband and I just watched it, and it was awesome! I’m just getting started learning about all this (it can seem overwhelming at times!), but this video is very well put-together and easy to understand – I’m passing the link on to my friends as well.
Good- I’m glad you’re all enjoying it! I was really impressed when I first watched it!
Lisa, you’re so welcome! Thanks for being a part of such a great organization, and for all the hard work that you do. I agree that together, we can make (and are starting to make) changes!
Wow, Stephanie! Thank you for the very kind words. I would say that as much as you are thrilled that we (and others) are working on these issues, we are thrilled that you (and others) are so capably and thoroughly writing about and taking up these issues in the midst of everything else you have going on. Together we can make the needed changes, don’t you think??? I do!
Wow. Thanks for sharing this – it will make explaining things to my family a lot easier. They just don’t ‘get’ why I do some of the things I do. ; )
Awesome… thanks for sharing!
I just found that video a couple weeks ago and have been trying to find time to watch all of it. So far I’ve seen about half. Amazing really.