Reducing Exposure to Carcinogens and Other Harmful Substances

Cancer has been on the rise in recent years, with a growing concern as to why and how we can stop this horrible and usually fatal disease.

While some cancers are hereditary and in some parts, unavoidable, we can still reduce our exposure to cancer causing chemicals and substances (known as carcinogens).No one is expected to avoid all of these substances, it does seem beneficial to be aware of those which are harmful so we can do our best to at least reduce their presence in our daily routines.

Below are 5 areas to consider, though the list is so much bigger than this. Chemicals are everywhere you look and on most everything you touch.

Household Cleaners: Many cleaners are full of harmful chemicals. We use these products in our house and the residue remains on our floors, counter tops and cupboards. As we touch these surfaces, our bodies absorb, in minute quantities, these leftover chemicals.

Phthalates: Believed to be an "endocrine disruptor" because they mimic our bodies hormones, phthalates are in many products such as deodorants, shampoos, personal care lotions, baby products, nail polish and many items where "contains fragrance" is displayed. Educate yourself to be able to recognize potential phthalates and avoid them at all costs.

Personal Care Products: Never before have we been as sensitive to what we put on our skin. From the time we were babies we were being lathered in soaps, shampoos, baby powders and more, all smelling nice. Today is a new era and we must be cautious of what is put on our skin. We absorb everything into our body, be it from shampoo to lotions. Makeup for girls, deodorants, skin creams, soaps and perfumes are just some of the products used in our daily routines. Try to find more "Natural" products out there to use. For girls, there are a few lines of "Organic" Makeup solutions, including "Piggy Paint" for nail polish. Look for body lotions, shampoos and deodorants which contain Natural Ingredients, usually plant-based. Some stores have natural based products and if all else fails, visit Watkins Products to find healthier products for you and your family.

Heating up Foods and Drinks: You have probably heard about not heating up anything in plastic containers and for good reason - during the heat up process many carcinogens are released directly into the foods you are about to eat. Cover food with paper towel, not saran wrap, when heating up food. Transfer food or drink into a glass or ceramic dish or cup when heating. Those quick and easy dishes you can take to work and make in the microwave may be convenient, but think about what chemicals are leaking into your food and going directly into your system.

Aromotherapy: We live in a day and age where everything needs to smell nice. Keep in mind many of these air freshners include "fragrance" - see Point 2 above. Air Fresheners, Candles and Potpourri contain fragrances which are actually harmful to us. Find Natural Air Freshners and make your own potpourri from actual fruits,herbs and spices.

We live in a chemical world, where most everything we find in the stores is synthetic and not healthy for us. Only now are some of these products finally being recalled due to recent health risks. Being mindful of what we let our bodies come in contact with is a good step to a healthier future.

Making natural ingredients products is possible, but more costly for companies. So long as we don't complain or demand change, manufacturing companies will continue to make these harmful products.

We do have a choice and can educate ourselves to make smarter choices. We can pass this knowledge onto our children and their children's children. Living a "convenient" lifestyle was the trend 10 years ago and now we are starting to realize the ill effects of such a lifestyle. It is now up to us to put more effort into our health and do what we can to reduce cancer-causing substances from entering our bodies.

For more information on healthier products for home care and body care, visit my website (Listed below) and view the pdf documents.

Tamara Laschinsky and her family are big on healthy products and a healthy environment. Graduating Business Administration with a degree in both Marketing and E-Commerce, Tamara has turned her "side business" into her main source of Income and loves promoting her Watkins Business to customers and new associates across Canada and the USA. She is now at the Manager level of Watkins Indep. Associates and works hard to provide other associates on her team with the tools they need to succeed!

As for Tamara's thoughts on Watkins: "Watkins has been around since 1868 and is a strong and stable company. People have joined for many individual reasons. Some want a little extra income, while others just want the 25% discount on their favorite products. More and more people who are joining are looking for a business to help support them in their retirement years and a few have started this business for their Children to learn from and eventually run! Watkins has been providing Quality Natural household products for over 140 years and expanding their product line to include Body and Home Care products which are made from "Natural" Ingredients. I fully stand behind this company as I have a strong desire to reduce the amount of chemicals myself and my family are exposed to!"

You can visit Tamara's website at http://www.NaturalProductsOnline.ca or subscribe to her blog at http://NaturalProductsOnline.wordpress.com

Reducing Harmful Chemicals in Our Everyday Products

Did you ever stop to think about what we put into out bodies when we put products ON our bodies?

More and more products are being discovered as having harmful chemicals in them which, over time, penetrates to the inside of our bodies. Studies now are finally being done to link many health conditions to these chemicals such as:

* Increase in Cancer

* Decrease in sexual re productivity

* Changes in hormonal activity

* Neurological Disorders

But "going natural" isn't that easy. First, you have to find some good and truthful information on exactly what chemicals are bad and what potential side effects they have.

Then you need to determine what chemicals can be substituted when making products.

Consider these chemicals, be familiar with these chemicals and try to avoid - these chemicals:

* PARABENS (Methyl-Propyl-Ethyl-Butyl)

Common preservative used in cosmetics to length shelf life - Possible endocrine disruptor - potentially causing birth defects and cancer

Alternative: preserved with phenoxyethanol - found in nature and derived from essential sage oil

* CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS (Oxybenzone/Avobenzone)

Synthetic Sunscreen made to absorb UV rays instead of block the rays - potentially disrupt hormone balance

Alternative: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide

* PETRO CHEMICALS (Petrolatum, mineral oil, parrafin)

Used as emollient to smooth skin but are non-renewable crude oil by-products and have potentially dangerous impurities

Alternative: Use oils found in nature: Beeswax, Apricot kernel oil and coconut oil

* PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Humectant, absorbing watker from the air, it is a petroleum derived synthetic chemical and can potentially draw chemicals into bloodstream. It is a known skin and eye irritant; causing allergic reactions and acne

Alternative: Use Glycerin, and Natural Humectant - keep moisture in and other chemicals out

* PHTALATES

Used to blend oils & liquids - very common in fragrances. Known irritants and more studies being done to link Phthalates to possible carcinogenic properties

Alternative: Look for "Phthalate Free" on products, especially those with fragrance added or perfum added.

* DEA/TEA

Adjusts PH levels, but reacts with other nitrates. Reactions can lead to nitrosamines which have been linked to potential carcinogens

Alternative: Use Sodium Hydroxide in small amounts to balance PH

* FORMALDEHYDE

Preservative- in many personal care products. Very strong skin irritant (eye, nose & throat) EPA has classified this as a "Probably Human Carcinogen"

Alternative: Use preservatives that do not release formaldehyde or irritants. Peppermint oil can be used for antibacterial

* 1, 4 DIOXANE

No purpose in products but is produced as a "by-product" of certain manufacturing procedures - it is a suspected carcinogen

Alternative: Find a company that vows to avoid any processing which may produce this by-product

* ACRYLATES

Thickening agent and reduces feeling of "greasiness". Known to be a strong irritant.

Alternative: Use Natural Gums "Guar Gum" or "Xanthan Gum"

* CARBOMER

Thickening agent and emulsion stabilizer - can contain hazardous "by-products"

Alternatives: Again, use Natural Gums "Guar Gum" or "Xanthan Gum"

* PVP

Cosmetic Industry uses these as thickners but again, they can contain hazardous by-products.

Alternatives: as noted before - use Natural Gums (Guar or Xanthan)

* CHEMICAL PRESERVATIVES

Used to kill any imposing bacteria - can contain formaldehyde (see point 7) and some are known to be irritants

Alternatives: Use Natural preservatives such as Vitamin E and select essential oils

* SILICONES

Protects against water evaporation but hazardous by-products can result from the manufacturing process

Alternatives: Natural Oils - Apricot Kernel oil, avocado oil, coconut oil and jojoba oils are just some of the alternatives

*QUATS

Preservatives and adds a bond within conditioners. Can produce hazardous by-products in manufacturing process and known to be skin irritants.

Alternatives: Use specific quats not hard on the skin and monitor manufacturing process to ensure no hazardous by-products are contained within

* TALCS

Absorbent, used in many cosmetic products to add softness as well. Closely related to asbestos, talc posses health risk when exposed to lungs and genital areas. Has been linked to both lung and ovarian cancer.

Alternative: Corn Starch - 100% Natural

It's not easy to find products which are Natural, and even if they say Natural - you have to be careful. Especially since not all ingredients will tell you if there are "Phthalates" or "Petro Chemicals".

Finding companies who are dedicated to production of "Natural" products is a good way to minimize your risk. Look for the NPA (Natural Products Association) Certification on products and do your research.

There are so many products out there full of chemicals we haven't even begun to realize how harmful they are on us and the environment. The standards are quite flexible and very few studies are done to protect us, our children and our environment.

It is up to us - to protect ourselves. It is up to us, to educate our children, family and friends, so that they too can educate others. We need to make healthier choices and those choices must be educated and well informed choices. It's not about why we should avoid these products - but HOW to avoid these products.

Consider these everyday items and try to find Natural Alternatives.

* Cosmetics

* Nail Polish

* Skin creams, lotions, bath products, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, scrubs

* Hairspray, perfume, candles, air freshners, deodorants

* Laundry detergents, fabric softners (which release a chemical compound that attaches itself to the fabric and will Never come off - suspected carcinogen)

Tamara Laschinsky is the owner of Expressions by Tamara and leader of TeamExpress - a Watkins Independent Consultant Group. Making the environment a better place to live in, Tamara promotes Watkins products as a "green" choice and promotes other local "green" companies in her monthly newsletter. Mother of two, Tamara uses her college degree to run her own business from home and to help others do the same. Active in her community, Tamara puts much emphasis on family time and community events. In her own words, " Work is only work when you don't enjoy it! Find something you love to do and find a way to get paid doing it! My choice to sell Watkins and grow my business team was easy - I already use the products everyday and they are the same price as store-bought brands. Joining Watkins made sense for me and has allowed me to use better products in my home which are safer for my family and the environment! I enjoy doing what I do and helping others do what they want to do. As an Indp. Watkins Manager I do what I can to help increase education in today's world of avoiding harmful chemicals for a healthier today and tomorrow.

Melaleuca Review - An Expert Overview of Melaleuca

Amazingly, one of the fast emerging wellness and Health Company today is Melaleuca. The company, continuously growing on a very fast phase, offers consumers a variety of products which are tediously researched by experts to aid health related problems and even provide personal and cleaning care products. It seems to be a good company, so to speak. Yet, behind all that, some stories are still claiming that the said company is a scam. In relation to that, I conducted some research to gather enough information about Melaleuca.

Let me start laying the information... The company, what is it all about?

Melaleuca is considered as the "wellness company" and what they offer obviously concerns about healthy lifestyle. True, more and more people are now endowed into maintaining their bodies youthful and healthy, that's why the company sells not just for our personal care but also products which will help us maintain our home pleasant and free from harmful chemicals. Well I must say that Melaleuca has been in the business industry for many years and have reached wide network of independent representatives who have gained impressive full-time incomes through diligent selling and constant recruiting as their referrals to introduce and sell these amazing products.

Now, let me state information regarding the product.

Melaleuca, The Wellness Company, offers variety of products. One of their products is the Access Bar which is prominent for it helps people lose fat and improve muscle and performance. Another thing, Melaleuca has a line of vitamins and minerals which can be taken by both men and women. Actually, special formulations for kids and adults are available. With regards to their food and weight loss products, the company offers softdrinks, sports bars, cereals, protein shakes and bar and organic cookies and crackers. Also, in their bath and body line, the company features dental care, hair care and skin care products. Lotions air freshners and candles are available too.

Well, it seems like the company has a great line of products. Does it mean they offer a great compensation plan too?

In different and wide range of some organizations, the company's mainstream in compensation plan is common with those multi- level marketing industry, where one is paid through various levels of organizations and whereas there would also be commissions through sales by retailing products to consumers. The company's minimum number of orders each month from the costumers should be acquired by a representative to gain adequate profits making the most out of the opportunity.

Melaleuca is likely and desirably a company that offers great products and success opportunity. Nevertheless, like all other businesses, what's very vital is ones' strategy in terms of marketing. No matter how great the compensation and products are; the effectiveness of how well one can market will truly indicate his or her success and the success of the company. It is important in marketing for an individual to consider sponsoring at least 10-20 people a month. Reaching your goal is not far for those who are determined to reach it. So better equip yourself with right set of knowledge and skills to become one of the successful individuals of the future.

To learn how to recruit 20+ distributors a month in a MLM like Melaleuca, visit Jim Chao's 6 figure Marketing blueprint

A Bag of Gold Or the Golden Goose? Which Do You Want From Your Party Plan Company?

Is your dream to quit your job and stay home with the children or to provide extras for your family? Are you a stay at home mom who would like to do something for yourself? Perhaps you are looking for a career with flexibility? Then it is time to look at party plan companies.

When searching for the company that gives you the perfect fit, look for the golden goose instead of the bag of gold. Remember Jack and the Beanstalk? In this fairy tale Jack traded the family cow, which had quit giving milk, for a bag of magic beans. His mother, deeming that the beans were worthless, threw them out the window. When Jack awakened the next morning, a huge beanstalk had grown to the top of the sky. Jack raced up, curious to see what was at the top. Jack ends up stealing a bag of gold from the ogre and his wife who lived in a mansion at the top of the sky. The gold provided for Jack and his mother for quite some time, but it eventually ran out. Jack climbed up the beanstalk again. This time he stole a goose that laid golden eggs on command. The next time Jack climbed the beanstalk it wasn't because he was broke.

Kimberly built a business with a 'bag of gold' party plan company. She shows her wares, takes orders, and delivers them to the hostess. She isn't likely to see her customer again unless she hosts a party or shows up at a party that someone else is hosting. She is successful in her sales and has steady income as long as she steadily works.

Stefanie has found the goose that lays the golden egg. She sells home air freshening products. Her golden eggs are the reorders she gets for additional fragrance. She has found that she makes almost four times more on the reorders than she does the original party orders in one year's time.

There is no trick to this other than her own organization. She hands out catalogs regularly. Each guest at her parties, whether they order or not, is given her business card with the website of her company and her advisor number on it. She is making money day and night whenever her customers go to the website, enter her number, and place their orders.

As they begin the party, each of Stefanie's guests fills out an entry for a drawing. These forms are her source for further contact. She enters each email address into her computer's address book. At the end of the month she sends a mass email that contains a short message from her and lists the next month's specials. The customer can click on a link and be taken to her replicated website where they place their order. For the small cost the company charges, the replicated website brings her large returns.

For those customers who don't use the computer or whom she hasn't heard from for a time, Stefanie uses phone calls. When she began her business, it was part of her plan to spend a certain number of hours a week working it. She decided then that her time with family is valuable and wouldn't be traded for finacial reward. But, she also realized that the financial reward helps determine what her family can do during family time. There was a way she could have the financial benefits without compromising the time with her husband and children. She hired a high school girl at a low hourly wage to make the calls. More often than not, when she tells them why she is calling, she is greeted with an "Oh, I was just thinking I needed to call."

Stefanie's sales are consistent year round, not because her phone is ringing off the hook. She is the one that takes the initiative to incorporate the programs that her "golden goose" company provides for her. Like the goose that would lay golden eggs on command, Stefanie's customers buy when they are greeted in an email or phone call, "Hi, this is Stefanie. Just calling to let you know the specials this month are...." Now that is a golden egg!

By Deborah J Merrill
Co-founder of Cierra Ashley-Fragrance for Life, a very successful party plan business.

Air Pollution - A Distressing Reality

Today, air pollution has become a distressing reality in most parts of the world. Ecologists never tire to remind us about the need to maintain the delicate environmental balance between humans and plants to ensure the healthy survival of the human species. Plants and trees, nature's natural mechanism to purify the air that we breathe, have been successfully doing the job of air-purification for us for the last thousands of years. Our symbiotic relationship with them ensures that they cleanse our air of carbon dioxide, which they use for their survival, in exchange for oxygen, which is a necessity for our survival.

However, mankind's progress in the last hundred years has hindered this long standing arrangement with our natural environment. Mankind's progress towards an industrialized society has led to more machines which in turn have led to more pollution. The invention of automobiles and the smoke they collectively emit has contributed to the overall degradation of the air quality. Governments over the world are trying to control the air pollution by introducing regulations on permissible emission levels of industries.

Today we've reached a threshold where it has become necessary to invent and design appliances that will lend a hand in maintaining a healthy environment for humans to live in. These gadgets are commonly known as are air-purifiers.

Development of home air-purifiers

You will be surprised to learn that there are many sources of indoor air pollution. These include combustive sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood; cigarettes and other products made from tobacco; building supplies such as paint and asbestos; furnishings such as wet and damp carpets and certain pressed wood furniture; household cleaning agents, like air freshners, personal care and cosmetic products; central heating and cooling systems such as air conditioners; outdoor sources such as pesticides all contribute to air-pollution. Some release pollutants in the air continuously while others like cleaning solvents and paint strippers do so intermittently.

Many homes are designed to let in and out as little outside air as possible. Unless they are built with special mechanical means of ventilation, in such homes pollution levels can build up to injurious levels giving rise to allergies, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis colds or other viral diseases

Thus, manmade air-purifiers have today become essential to enhancing indoor air quality.

Jack Smith writes about various health, allergy and air purifier topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intact, the bio remains in full and the rel="nofollow" tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you - Please visit allergy-relief-now.info [http://www.allergy-relief-now.info] for more air purifier information and resources.

Non-Toxic Cleaning & Treatment

Extensive reading has borne this article. Having tried and tested the numerous methods on the internet, I consolidated different surveys and tips.

Personalisation.

Amazing how the eco movement has evolved, especially the rate of its coverage. Below is a summary of how everyone's little action is a huge step towards eco friendly cleaning and a safer environment.

Products made at home are safer for health of the family and pets.

They are environmentally friendly compared to toxic chemical products on supermarket shelves.

Making your own cleaning aid will immediately & positively impact the shopping list i.e. drastically reduce the amount of money spent. Its is easy and straightforward to make products.

The most common ingredient to various cleaners are:

? lemon juice - This can be the natural lemon fruit or the concentrate in a bottle

? baking soda - the same as bicarbonate of soda

? white vinegar

The one item I found I had to buy (as it was not sitting in my kitchen) was lavender oil. I have since used it as air freshner. A few drops in the moping bucket, on the radiator, massage, etc amazing stuff.

Below are a few examples of how to clean your environment in a green way, using the common household ingredients.

Lemon juice

Apart from use as a great ingredient in your margarita....

? After using fresh lemon for food/cooking, you can use it to pedicure your feet. Rub it on your heels, wait 5minutes then pumice away. Summer feet ready.

? Equal parts of lemon juice and water in a cup will a steam a microwave clean. Put it in there and blast for full 4 to 6minutes. Wipe with a wet cloth and then with a dry cloth.

Baking Soda

Same ingredient in making cupcakes.....

? Vacuum clean the carpet in the evening - prepping the carpet. After everyone is in bed, at night, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on the carpet. In the morning, vacuum clean the carpet. Carpet will smell and look fresher and brighter.

? Make a paste with bicarbonate and some water. Rub on the inside of the oven. For tougher stains, mix bicarbonate of soda with vinegar.

? This same paste can be used for cleaning silverware.

White Vinegar

? Mix water and white wine vinegar for cleaning floors. Depending on the degree of dirt, the parts may vary. Also how regular the floor is cleaned will lift dirt quicker/easier. Getting on your hands and knees also goes some distance.

? Window and mirror cleaning also just need a drop of vinegar in a little water. Its like magic. With a dry cloth.

Don't get me wrong, at times, some sort of agent is necessary. In this circumstance, I highly recommend using eco friendly products. There is a wide range of brands and firms out there now.

Cleaning regularly guarantees you less elbow grease. Its not always possible and that's when cleaning agencies come in. Its always difficult to know which one to choose and contract.Takes credentials and most importantly, in my opinion, recommendation.

Kiki Muganda started up a cleaning business; Niki Edwards Services are based in London. They provide eco friendly services and aim to be best rated with exceptional results that suit individual circumstances. Only an email and phone call close.

http://www.nikiedwardsservices.co.uk

Natural Products For a Healthier Home

Every effort we make as consumers to avoid buying and using toxic chemicals will help our family's and our environment. Please protect the health of your loved ones by limiting your exposure to toxic chemicals by using natural alternatives to commercial house hold & personal care products whenever possible.

You can have a fresh, clean and healthy home without all the chemicals. This article will share with you the safe alternative products that you can use to make your home fresh. They are safe & gentle but work well. See for yourself.

Discover the pleasure of using fragrant essential oils to create perfumes, bath salts and body lotions. Compare these natural ingredients found in some personal care and house cleaning products that you buy at the store.

Natural Alternatives

Air fresheners -Most air fresheners and deodorizers work by masking the unpleasant odor with synthetic fragrance. This coats your nasal passages with an oily film, or desensitizing your sense of smell. Use essential oils instead. Lemon oil helps to remove unwanted odors from the air. Use an Aromatherapy scent ball plug in diffuser.

Gentle Air Freshener

Drop 6 drops of lemon and 2 drops of clove essential oil onto the scent pad in the diffuser and plug it into the wall. This is a delicious combination to make your home feel both fresh and cozy.

Citrus Room Deodorizer

9 drops lemon

7 drops pink grapefruit

6 drops red mandarin

2 ounces of purified water

Combine oils and water in spray bottle. Shake well and spray to combat odors and infectious microbes.

Stress-Be-Gone Bath Salts

This combination is relaxing and rejuvenating. It's the perfect pick me up to use before a festive night out. Combine salts in a large glass bowl, add the essential oils and mix thoroughly. Spoon into glass jars. On your gift card add ¼ to ½ cups of salt per bath. Enjoy. Decorated the glass jars with holiday material & bows.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup sea or table salt

¾ cup of baking soda

10 drops of essential oil of lavender

8 drops of essential oil of ylang-ylang

12 drops of essential oil of bergamot

Natural Jasmine Perfume

1 drop of Jasmine essential oil

2 drops of clove essential oil

1 drop of Sandalwood essential oil

10 ml vegetable oil or grape seed oil

Surface Clean up

Use baking soda on a wet sponge to remove crayon stains from washable walls, It will take off most marks including grease, pencils and markers.

Glass and Plastic- Make crystal really sparkle by giving it a short soaking in baking soda and warm water. Make scratch marks in stoneware less visible by applying a thick paste of baking soda and water

Let sit for a few minutes before washing. Freshen your dishwasher by adding 1/2 box of baking soda. Just run the normal cycle. Use can also use baking soda to clean your coffee pot.

Hello,

My name is Jody Kelly. I live in the state of Illinois & have been a certified natural health professional since Dec. 2001. I have studied alternative health for 25+ years. I'm very interested in Nature & herbs. Through my herblogy classes, I have learned to formulate my own products such as herbal skin care for those stubborn rashes, natural body butters, bath salts, cough syrup, upper respitory oils, massage oils & many more helpful items for natural health.