Writers:

July 2008 archive

Is It Worth It to Grow Your Own Food If You Don't Know Much?

How Tim and I manage our backyard urban farm is how we manage our lives: imperfectly. Beekeeping manuals direct you to don your protective suit and open the hives once a week to inspect them and make sure the queen is alive. Tim checks our two hives once every two or three weeks, and in the four years we’ve had hives, he has yet to identify the queen.
I manage to feed and water the chickens and move their enclosure to a new patch of grass twice a day. But I haven’t yet painted their roost or covered the exposed sharp edges of chicken wire. I haven’t rearranged the interior of the roost to make it work better now that the hens are larger, nor have I yet clipped their wingtips so they can wander more freely around our yard.
As for the vegetable garden, I do my best with weed pulling, but by most people’s standards, my best is not too gorgeous. About a third of my spinach and lettuce bolts before I get around to harvesting it.
Yet in spite of our imperfection, things thrive. Tomato plants set fruit, the kale crop produces through November, and the radishes don’t care how many weeds are in the way, they just pop their little red tops up through the soil anyway.
Even our inadequate garden is bountiful. I hope others may find inspiration in this lesson. The fact is, even if you do a crummy job of planting vegetables and maintaining them, they make food for you, and the food tastes sublime. And when I go out to harvest, the weed-surrounded tomato is NOT giving me a reproachful glare. The tomato didn’t expect anyone to remove its competition, the weeds. For a plant, competition is par for the course. The tomato is just relieved that it survived to make its version of healthy babies, its seed-laden fruit.
Sometimes it's better not to know too much about what you're getting into. Just plant. The rest will follow.

Posted on July 28, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. by Jill. Discuss (1 comment)

Is your plastic water bottle killing you?

Well, it depends on who you ask. Nalgene, probably the best known maker of the hard, plastic water bottles that adults use, says “Of course not!” but they are still phasing out their polycarbonate lines. (Polycarbonate is that rigid, clear plastic that almost all of their bottles were made of.) Nalgene, along with many other bottle companies, are phasing out polycarbonates due to consumer pressure around Bisphenol A (BPA).

BPA was also found in almost all baby bottles, and is the chemical behind the Toxic Baby Bottle headlines that have littered the news recently. BPA has been linked to endocrine disruption, acting similar to estrogen in the body. One government-funded panel of experts linked the chemical to increased risk of reproductive problems, obesity, and breast and prostate cancer. A second panel wasn’t so sure, but both agreed that there might be behavioral impacts, such as ADHD, caused by BPA that could effect children.

Almost every one in this country has BPA in his or her blood. It comes not only from polycarbonate water bottles and baby bottles, but also from almost every metal can you use (whether for food or drink). At question, is just how much BPA is enough to be dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has very recently put together an agency-wide task force to further exam the issue. Right now, however, they say “we believe [emhasis is mine] there is a large body of evidence” to suggest that exposure levels “are below those that may cause health effects.”

The National Toxicology Program (an interagency government program established by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services) says they think we should be concerned, especially for our children. “The scientific evidence that supports a conclusion of some concern for exposures in fetuses, infants, and children comes from a number of laboratory animal studies reporting that "low" level exposure to bisphenol A during development can cause changes in behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland, and the age at which females attain puberty.”

Everyone has called for more study.

In the meantime, The Center for Science in the Public Interest’s senior nutritionist says, “It makes sense for all parents, and especially pregnant and nursing women, to minimize the exposure of their kids’ developing bodies and brains to BPA.” (By the way, they have a great review of the issues at stake with BPA and the science behind it.)

Many companies, under pressure from consumers, have begun to phase-out their polycarbonate bottles. This includes Nalgene and Camelbak as well as many baby bottle manufactures, such as Playtex. Others are just releasing a BPA-free line and keeping their regular, questionably-safe, bottles as well. (Avent is one such company—boo on you, Avent.) Other companies are just continuing on with business as usual. For a complete list of safe bottles, sippy cups, and more, visit: the Z Report on BPA.

What we do in our home
I breastfed ZR and thus we didn’t use bottles all that often. However, I was pretty upset when I discovered that all of the Avent bottles I did have were littered with BPA. I have sense thrown all of them away. (They aren’t recyclable.) I also got rid of every questionable sippy cup and then just recently did the same for my own supply of reusable water bottles. I now have a wonderful selection of bottles both for ZR and for myself that are either made from a light-weight stainless steel or are made with BPA and phthalate-free plastics.

My favorite adult options are the Sigg bottles (which as both an insulated and non-insulated options) and the Think Sport which is insulated (I like the mini).

For toddlers I particularly like the Safe Sippy (it is super-functional and cute). And I also regularly use the insulated sippy cup by Thermos called the Foogo and the Sigg and Think Baby.

For babies it has become increasingly easy to find glass bottles. If you want really cute, seemingly unbreakable options, I recommend the Siliskin Glass bottles which have a cool, silicone outer layer around the glass. Green to Grow and Think Baby make nice BPA-free plastic bottles.

For reviews and links to all these and many more sippy cups, bottles, and adult bottles, visit www.thesoftlanding.com.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. by Green Mama. Discuss (3 comments)

It’s a rotten dilemma: BPA and the Dentist

I’m sitting in the dentist chair for my first checkup since having my baby (and that wasn’t so recent). “Everything looks good,” the dentist says and then he does that thing I hate: he pulls out that super close-up camera and puts my mouth on the iMax screen. “However, one of your fillings has cracked,” he says zooming in for a 3d ride through the mountains and valleys of my teeth.

“You really should have that filling replaced,” he says and then something after that along the lines of, “Or you will be a toothless hack gumming your way through your child’s birthday cake and calling out for liquor to ease the agony of your rotten gums.” Actually, that might not have been exactly what he said, but I panicked after “replace your filling or....” and I think ZR was screaming in the next room.

I’m a mother and an environmentalist. I believe in prudence. So, I willingly made the follow-up appointment. With the fantastic view, kind staff, and the chance for an hour without a crying baby, I wasn’t even totally dreading it.

Then today, the day of my appointment, I chickened out. Why? Not because of the pain, nor the expense. I got scared because over the weekend I was doing research on plastics (I know, this is not the normal persons idea of a great weekend) and I found that dental fillings are a major source of BPA (that very same chemical that lead to the scare around Toxic Baby Bottles and Poisonous Waterbottles).

Of course, I should point out, that BPA is considered probably safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The American Dental Association follows the FDA’s lead saying that “concern about potential BPA exposure from dental composites or sealants is unwarranted at this time.” However, the ADA also calls for additional research into “human exposure to BPA and any health effects it may cause.”

The National Toxicology Program, however, is the interagency government program set up the by US Dept of Health and Human Services to review that “additional research” and they say that we should have some concern, at least in regard to exposure for fetuses, infants, and children (and certain adults). They say that the scientific evidence suggests that even low levels of BPA exposure can cause changes in behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland, and the age at which females attain puberty.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest also suggests that we should be skeptical of claims that BPA is probably harmless. Their senior nutritionist urges all parents, especially pregnant and nurse women, to minimize their children’s exposures.

So, what is a mother to do?

1. Most fillings are still made from silver and contain about 50% mercury. This is obviously not a good choice as mercury is a known neurotoxin that accumulates in the body and can be passed on to your children in pregnancy or through breastfeeding. It is recommended that you and your child avoid silver or other amalgam fillings containing mercury.

2. Composite fillings are the white fillings which are usually made of glass or porcelain in a matrix of acrylic. It is these fillings that are now being linked to BPA exposure. There are some offenders that are worse than others. (apparently Delton Light Cure was found to be particularly bad according to one study). It is recommended that when choosing a composite filling, that you work with your dentist to find a composite substance that has low or minimal BPA. The Oregon Environmental Council recommends working with your dentist to review the Material Safety Data Sheet to ensure BADGE isn’t in the list of ingredients.

3. My dentist recommended that due to my concerns that I consider an indirect porcelain filling. This is done by taking out the old filling, making a mold, and then have a new filling made in a laboratory. Apparently this method allows for a more accurate fitting. My dentist also says it will last longer and the material is basically just porcelain, and thus avoids the plastic substrate, and is inert. The downsides seem to primarily be time and expense. It requires two dental visits and may or may not be covered by insurance and is almost certainly more expensive.

4. Sealants, which are common especially on children’s teeth, can also contain BPA. Avoid getting sealants on children’s baby teeth. Discuss with your dentist the cost-benefits of putting them on a child’s adult teeth. If they are really necessary, work with your dentist to find BPA-free sealants.

For better or worse, the best solution is still prevention. So brush and floss! And teach your children to do it. (I am the first to realize that this is way easier said than done.)

And now, when you see those pictures of Britney Spears’ kids drinking juice out of their baby bottles, you can feel bad for them not only because they are bound to get bottle mouth, but also because they are being exposed to BPA from both the bottle AND the future dental work they will have to have done.

Posted on July 22, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. by Green Mama. Discuss (0 comments)

Canada: Just like us only with better baby bottles

Earlier this summer, my family and I went to British Columbia, Canada, for our annual pilgrimage to this tiny island where we got married. My personal theory on Canada is that it is just like the Midwest, only with fewer people and, in the case of B.C., better views. It turns out, however, that Canada also has one other great difference, they have better baby bottles.

In my un-scientific study of the local population, which included a 6 hour ride on two Greyhound busses, 4 days exploring the streets of the B.C. capital Victoria, and then as many days on above-mentioned remote island; every parent I saw, of every apparent socio-economic group, used “safe” bottles and sippy cups. By safe, I mean that they used a BPA-free bottle or sippy cup.

This could be because, like in the U.S., there has been a lot of news coverage in Canada about the possible toxicity of BPA to children and the very real concern that it might leak from baby bottles and sippy cups and expose them to levels considered high enough to worry about. Or, it could be that unlike in the U.S., the government there is looking after the possible dangers to children. On April 19th, Canada began the process to ban the import, sale, and advertising of baby bottles which contain BPA. It started the process with a 60-day public comment period.

The European Food Safety Authority, which has (like it’s American counterpart, the FDA) called for further study of BPA and its safety, has also calculated that a 6 month formula fed infant using a bottle that wasn’t free of BPA could be exposed up to 13 microgram/kg bw/day. That is an estimated exposure level 10 times greater than for an adult. And, that doesn’t include the possible exposure that could come from water. (BPA can come both from the baby bottle and from formula which comes in cans lined with BPA.)

I asked one of the residents of the island about the seeming savvy nature of the moms on the island in regard to their bottle choices. She said, “We may live on an island, far from seemingly everything, but even we can figure out that water that sits around and heats up in a plastic bottle all day, is bound to have problems.”

Maybe if a country has to pay for the costs of its citizens healthcare, it is more invested in protecting its youngest members. I guess that is the other difference I’ve forgotten between Canada and the Midwest: healthcare for all.

Posted on July 16, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. by Green Mama. Discuss (0 comments)

What you can learn from the plastic recycling codes

So you’ve gotten rid of your plastic water bottles, what about those plastic yoghurt containers, plastic ziplock bags, and plastic Tupperware containers that are crowding our cupboards, are they safe? Here is a guide to help you more easily determine what is what and which one to choose.

RECYCLING CODE GENERAL SAFETY STATUS

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)   PROCEED WITH CAUTION
#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE) CONSIDERED SAFE
#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)   SERIOUS HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS
#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE) CONSIDERED SAFE
#5 polypropylene (PP)   CONSIDERED SAFE
#6 polystyrene (PS) SERIOUS HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS
#7 other (usually polycarbonate) MOST HAVE SERIOUS HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS
PLA (polylactide) A GOOD ALTERNATIVE

PLA plastics are made from renewable resources, e.g., corn, potatoes or sugar cane. The starch is converted into polylactide acid (PLA). These plant-based plastics can’t be recycled but they can be composted either in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap.

#7 plastics are often polycarbonate and thus linked to BPA, #3 plastics are made from vinyl or PVC, and #6 polysterene can leach styrene, which is another possible carcinogen and hormone disrupter.

Recent research has called into question #1 plastics too. These bottles are porous and thus absorb flavors and bacteria. Also, The National Geographic greenguide website, says “In one Italian study, the amount of DEHP, an endocrine-disrupting phthalate and a probable human carcinogen, in bottled spring water was found to increase after 9 months of storage in a PET bottle.”

Posted on July 14, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. by Green Mama. Discuss (1 comment)

Reducing, and Alternatives to, Grocery Store Waste

Are you baffled over reducing your waste at the grocery store or trying to find green alternatives to things you can’t live without, like toothpaste?

To tackle your issue for sanitary and beauty products, check out the Toms of Maine line. Yes, they’ve recently entered into a partnership with Colgate-Palmolive, but the original owners still have much to say about their product and its production. Their website very clearly explains the packaging they use , including the specific plastic number and other materials. From that you can determine if you’re able to recycle it using your local facilities. Most of the plastics they use are indeed recyclable. And, their toothpaste is in an aluminum tube that can be recycled as well.
As for other products, try to choose those that have the least packaging. Many companies for cost reasons and to be green are already minimizing packing materials; however, if you love a product but hate its waste call the company and ask them what they’re doing about it. Hearing from their consumers might actually pay off. Perhaps you can organize a letter writing campaign, or email blasts. Maybe move on your idea of saving up all the non-recyclables and mailing it back to them.

Alternatives to those Ziploc containers and others like them are plentiful. And exploring those options are beneficial not only to the planet, but to you as well. Increasingly, there are links to harmful chemicals leaching
into stored food from those plastics. An inexpensive alternative to "Tupperware" is to reuse glass jars. Surely you have a glass jar of some sort of food in your cupboard. When it’s empty, wash it well and reuse it to store your leftovers. Wrap it in a cloth napkin and tuck your kitchen fork into the pouch and ready to go! If you don’t have a supply of repurposed jars on hand, check out options in your favorite department store. There are plenty of glass containers available in many variations. Look for Pyrex quality products; this glass can be heated microwaves and ovens.

Posted on July 7, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. by Stephenie. Discuss (0 comments)