Which would you buy?

So last week was incredibly crazy . . . on top of my already too busy schedule, both of my daughters were in two different plays and I was doing all I could just to make sure everyone was in the right place at the right time and that I didn't get too far behind with everything else in my life. So . . . we basically ran out of fresh fruit and veggies, and I could not make it to the farmers' market, farm stand, or even a health food store during the times they were open. The only place open at 9:30 at night when I finally found a minute to shop was the local chain supermarket.

I did okay on fruit--found some organic oranges. But I wanted to make a salad for dinner the next day and my choices for lettuce were conventionally-grown heads of lettuce at $1.99 or organic, washed romaine lettuce in a plastic container for $4.99. I found the produce guy and asked if he had organic lettuce not in plastic and he said no (they go bad too quickly). So I asked if the any local lettuce--again the answer was "no." So maybe my overly-tired and stressed state had me making too big a deal of this, but I just didn't know which one to get. I picked up the conventionally-grown head and then put it back. I picked up the organic, packaged lettuce and then put it back. Did I want to feed my family pesticides or did I want to pollute the earth with yet more plastic and the energy it takes to make the plastic container--not to mention that $5 for a head of lettuce seemed a bit crazy. I went back and forth, and even in the checkout line was still questioning my decision.

So tell me . . . what which one would you buy? (I'll tell you what I did and why next week.)

Reuseable Sandwich Bags

I just heard about this product and thought I'd share. I haven't tried them so I'm not endorsing but for those of you wanting to avoid the pollution and cost of plastic baggies, this sounds like a good option.

Lunchskins are reuseable cloth bags that are dishwasher safe and free from BPA and lead. They come in snack size, sandwich size, and sub size.

I also understand there is a free shipping special right now:

Just in time for back-school shopping, you can purchase LunchSkins, the reusable, dishwasher-safe baggies with FREE SHIPPING. Just enter code BTS2011 and you’re all set to make those healthy lunches on the go.

If anyone has tried these, please let me know how you liked them. If I get some, I will post a review.

BPA from canned foods

Scientists from the Breast Cancer Fund recently published a study that showed that eliminating processed foods significantly lowers BPA exposure. BPA is a toxic industrial chemical used to harden plastic. It is commonly used in plastic food and beverage containers, lids of glass jars, epoxy lining in metal cans and dental sealants. Research has shown that BPA leaches out of the plastic and into food and can be harmful even at low doses. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have linked BPA to health and development problems, including birth defects, breast and prostate cancer, early puberty, infertility, obesity, chromosome and reproductive abnormalities, diabetes, heart disease and neurobehavioral problems. (Read more here.)

So, according to the Breast Cancer Fund, here are some tips for reducing BPA in your diet:

- Switch to stainless steel and glass food storage and beverage containers.
- Move foods to ceramic or glass food containers for microwaving.
- Consider a French press for coffee – home coffee makers may have polycarbonate-based water tanks and phthalate-based tubing.
- Eat out less, especially at restaurants that do not use fresh ingredients.
- Limit canned food consumption.
- Choose fresh fruits and vegetables when possible, and frozen if not.
- Soak dried beans for cooking (you can make extra and freeze them).

So -- as I read this, I'm thinking I've already done most of these . . . but then they have a list of the canned foods to especially avoid -- the ones high in sodium, fat, and acid - - - which pretty much covers all canned foods. Recently, I've been consciously working toward eliminating canned foods . . . for me, that means beans, tomatoes, and coconut milk. In fact, today I have a big batch of white beans in my slow cooker that I will use some of for dinner and freeze the rest (in glass containers, not plastic). Here's how--in case you're interested.

Soak 2 cups beans overnight in a lot of water. Drain the beans. Place in slow cooker with 8 cups water. Add a strip of kombu (sea vegetable) if desired--helps to soften beans and reduce gas effects. Cover and cook on low about 8-10 hours. Makes about 6 cups beans.

BPA-free plastic containers

I LOVE my new Preserve BPA-free plastic containers that I got at my local health food store. I hadn't been able to find stainless steel one I liked for my daughters and forget using glass containers in their lunch boxes (tried it once with very bad results, including a call from the school office . . . bad mother!).

Anyway, these are great and not very expensive. I love the screw-on lid that doesn't leak and is easy for the kids to take off and put back on.

Suffolk County Bans BPA Plastics

Bisphenol A (BPA) —a chemical found in the linings of cans and in many plastic products, including sports bottles, food-storage containers and baby bottles—has potential links to a wide range of health effects. BPA has been linked to a variety of diseases including an increased risk of diseases or disorders of the brain, reproductive, and immune systems; recent studies have linked BPA exposure to problems with liver function testing, an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease, and interruptions in chemotherapy treatment; and BPA exposure has long been linked to hormonal disturbances. A study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has shown that 93% of Americans excrete some BPA in their urine. New studies also show that BPA seems to stay in the body longer than previously believed. 

According to a press release from Consumers Union, New York's Suffolk County Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee passed legislation to protect babies and toddlers from ingesting BPA from beverage containers. BPA is found in the hard plastics used to make baby bottles and “sippy” cups, as well as in epoxy resins of many beverage containers. The decision makes it the first jurisdiction in the nation to ban BPA!

Consumers Union has repeatedly called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the use of BPA in infant and children's products and food and beverage containers. The FDA already has enough scientific data to support such a ban but they continue to allow the products to remain on the market while they do further research. Several states, such as Oregon, Washington and California, and cities, such as Chicago are also considering the ban. In 2008, the Canadian government banned BPA use in baby bottles.

In August 2008, the FDA said BPA was safe for humans. But the agency only considered studies that had been financed by the plastics industry. At a recent Science Board Hearing, FDA tacitly acknowledged the serious health concerns regarding BPA, but the agency continues to defend their position that no public health safeguards should be implemented at this time.

CU was one of the first organizations to test and report on consumer products with BPA, and warned consumers about the potential risks almost a decade ago. Since CU's first study, more than a hundred studies have been published showing a wide range of adverse effects in animals at low doses of BPA, doses that approximate current levels circulating in the human population. CU recently tested "BPA-free" claims on bottles and has also published advice on how consumers can reduce their exposure to BPA. For more information, please visit the food section of http://www.greenerchoices.org.

Non-plastic water bottle review--REVISITED

Well, it's been about a year since I received and reviewed a selection of non-plastic water bottles from  Sigg, Klean Kanteen,  and Thermos. Now that we've been using them for a year, I have a lot more insight into what we like and don't like about them--what worked and what didn't. I also have a new nonplastic water bottle to tell you about. For those who didn't read my first review, you can refer to it here. You'll also find the Web sites and product information for each bottle.

Klean Kanteen

The two silver stainless steel bottles in the left of the photo are from Klean Kanteen. The tall bottle we usually use with the sports top lid. However, since all of their lids are interchangeable (a nice feature) it is pictured with the flat screw in lid. The smaller bottle has the toddler sippy cup lid. Okay so --- here's the deal. I really liked the small bottle because it's perfect to fit in my kids lunch boxes, however, it hasn't worked out so well. The problem is the covers. The screw top lid is too hard for my kids to get off and the wide mouth of the bottle makes spills inevitable, especially if used in the car. I started putting the sports top lid on the bottle which unlike other sports top bottles I've tried this cover has not leaked (YAY!) however, my daughter kept coming home upset because it squeaked when she drank from it. For someone who hates to stand out, making this noise in the cafeteria was mortifying to her. She actually likes the sippy cup lid (even though she's to old for it) but of course would never bring it to school that way. She keeps it next to her bed, however, for water during the night and it's easy to use and doesn't spill so works great. My husband has been very happy with the taller bottle with the sports top which he takes biking (the squeaking doesn't bother him!)

Sigg

The tall purple bottle is from Sigg. It's aluminum and very light. It does however dent really easily though the manufacturer assures me that this does not affect anything. I don't really care for the Sigg bottles. They're too big to easily drink from or to fit in a cup holder or bag but my husband LOVES these. They are his favorite. He loves how light they are for hiking or carrying around and he loves how big they are because he likes to have a lot of water around whether hiking or on the road for work. I wasn't given any medium size bottles to test, maybe I would have liked them fine.

Thermos

The bottle on the far right is from Thermos and this is my absolute favorite of the bottles. It holds just the right amount of water for a hike or the gym. The thermos insulation keeps my water cold even in the car all day and the pop top is so easy to use. My kids use the smaller thermos bottles (not pictured here but check out the link to see them). They are also easy to use and I love that their water stays cold all day at school (one of my daughter's backpack is right in the sun at school all day and she used to complain of warm water). The only thing I'm not so thrilled with is that the kids ones have a plastic straw to drink from. They like it and it works fine, but it needs to be replaced periodically. I much prefer the pop top and spout of my larger bottle.

New on the scene - - Sesen Glass Water Bottle

The bottle is glass and is dishwasher friendly. It fits in a car cup holder and also comes with a carrying bag (made of recycled water bottles). It even comes with an ice pack (filled with water) to keep your water cold in the bag. The stopper is very--and I mean very--tight. There is no way this thing is leaking. 

My experience: I love drinking out of glass and always feel that my water stays the freshest in glass so I really like this bottle. The bottle is really strong so unlike the bad luck I've had using recycled juice bottles, this bottle is much more durable. It's not for kids though and not for bike riding, but for the car and the gym where I mostly carry water, it works just fine. For more information and videos, check out the Sesen Web site.

Eco Lunch Boxes!

As much as I love my kids laptop lunch boxes, I hate that they're plastic--even though they are not the kind of plastic with lead or phylatales . . . . Anyway, here is a new lunchbox on the scene. Stainless steel lunch box with stainless steel water bottle. It doesn't have those nice compartments like the laptops, but it does come with a nontoxic reusuable plastic sandwish wrapper.

Check it out at: http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/schools/the-eco-healthy-lunchbox-kit

BPA-free cans

Many cans are lined with plastic containing BPA. Since I buy a lot of canned beans and tomatoes, I asked at Trader Joe's today whether their cans were BPA free. The rep there told me that the cans are not lined and are BPA-free. Products packaged in plastic may not be however - though they are currently looking for alternative packaging.

Grassfed beef and plastic water bottles

Check out the latest issue of Hopedance Magazine to see my article about grassfed beef and Hearst Ranch in San Simeon, CA. Also my article on plastic water bottles - what's wrong with them and what are the alternatives.

Check out these articles and more here.

non-plastic water bottle reviews

For The Whole Family column for VegFamily this month, I tested and reviewed several non-plastic water bottles for kids and adults. Check it out at: http://www.vegfamily.com/whole-family/plastic-water-bottle-safety.htm

Safe baby bottles

Here's a link to info about non-plastic or non-bpa plastic baby bottles:

http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/07/z-report-bisphenol-in-polycarbonate.html

I've written several posts about the toxic chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) leacheing from plastic baby bottles, but a new investigation by Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals that BPA is also used to line nearly all infant formula cans. BPA levels found in liquid formula are likely to be far higher than those that leach from bottles under normal use.

EWG contacted company officials at Nestlé, Ross-Abbot (Similac), MeadJohnson (Enfamil), Hain-Celestial (Earth's Best), and PBM (sold under various names at Walmart, Kroger, Target and other stores). Each company's policy was documented a minimum of three times; twice through detailed phone interviews, and once by an e-mail questionnaire. The results reveal that all manufacturers use BPA to line the metal portions of all infant formula containers, including powdered varieties.

"There is mounting scientific evidence that BPA is toxic, especially to children," said Aaron Freeman, Policy Director with Environmental Defence. "Governments should be acting quickly, starting with a ban on BPA in food and beverage containers."

Previous formula testing by EWG and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shown that BPA leaches from the plastic lining of metal cans into liquid formula, exposing formula-fed babies to potentially harmful concentrations that are higher than levels leaching from the bottles. BPA levels in powdered formula sold in the United States haven't been tested, but this formula is diluted with water before being fed to babies, and thus poses less risk to babies.
In light of these findings, EWG has created an online guide for parents to help them make the most informed decisions about how they feed their babies.http://www.ewg.org/babysafe

Safe todder sippy cups

I've posted a lot of info about the dangers of drinking from plastic - here's a great link to reviews of BPA-free sippy cups for your toddler:

http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/05/sippy-cup-showdown-safer-bpa-free-sippy.html

alternative to plastic bottles

If you read my earlier post about the dangers of plastics and now you want to switch from those plastic baby bottles or water bottles, check out this site that I just found out about: http://www.glassforhealth.com/

I'm still on the lookout for stainless steel water bottles THAT DON'T LEAK for my kids to take to school - I found some aluminum ones but I'm not crazy about aluminum either - though I'm not sure if it's just founds heated in alumimum that cause problems or if water stored in them is bad too. Anyone know?

More on plastic

I've been getting a lot of questions about plastic - why exactly is it bad; are any types safe. Here's some information:

Although the FDA has approved all plastics currently being used to package food, they might not all be safe - like the softer plastics, called thermoplastics, including polyester, polystryrene (styrofoam), nylon, teflon, and PVC. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is of the greatest concern because it is used for water pipes and many types of food packaging, including plastic cling wrap.

PVC's molecules are know carcinogens that affect the liver, have been linked to birth defects, and interfere with hormonal activity. Some researchers believe they're also linked to increased incidences of breast and prostate cancers.

Now if those molecules stayed in the packaging, there would be no problem - however, they leach from some types of plastics into our food and drinks. With heat or fat, even more chemicals are released.

There are seven types of plastics used in packaging and fortunately, there is a recycling number on the bottom of containers to identify which type is being used.

PLASTICS TO AVOID:

#3 PVC or vinyl: Used in plastic wraps, food containers, soft bottles, wrappings for meat and cheese. It is made with chlorine and releases dioxins which have been linked to cancer (including breast and prostate), hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, heart disease, autoimmune disease, weight problems, and chronic fatigue. Phthalates, which make the plastic flexible and used in products ranging from shampoo to floor coverings, have recently been cited in a study that linked their exposure to smaller genitals in infant boys and an increase in testicular cancer about adults.

#6 Polystyrene or styrofoam: Used as takeout containers, plastics cups, and cutlery. Its components leach into fatty foods and are believed to interfere with hormones.

#7 Misc. category that includes polycarbonate (PC): Used for most clear-plastic bottles, including 5-gallon water bottles and baby bottles. When heated, they release BPA, a hormone disrupter that imitates the femail hormone estradiol which may be linked to breast and ovarian cancer. The US Centers for Disesase Control and Prevention found BPA in the urine of 95% of Americans tested.

PLASTICS CONSIDERED SAFE (SO FAR):

#1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
#2 High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
#4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
#5 Polypropylene (PP)

But to play it really safe, go for non plastic options like glass or stainless steel as much as possible.

And if anyone discovers a stainless steel water bottle that DOES NOT LEAK - please let me know.

Danger of plastics

While scientists and environmental activists have been concerned about the dangerous effects of chemicals in plastic for some time, finally an official goverment agency may recommend action. According to an article in the August 9th LA Times, a federal panel of scientests concluded that an estrogen-like compound in plastic could be posing risks to the brain development of infants and children. BPA, a component of polycarbonate plastic, can leach from baby bottles and other hard plastic containers, food can linings, and other consumer products (including water bottles.)

The biggest risk, according to the panel, is for fetuses, pregnant women, infants, and children. Low doses of BPA cause structural changes in the brain that trigger learning deficits and hyperactivity. There is also some concern that it harms the prostate gland and causes premature puberty. Some studies found altered brain development, precancerous changes in prostates and mammary glands, low sperm counts, and damage to the uterus but Plastics industry reps say the experiments were flawed and inconclusive. Many animal studies that found reproductive effects were rejected because the animals were exposed through injections rather than diet.

Hopefully, the final report will trigger a review of BPA by California officials under Proposition 65, which requires warnings on consumer products that pose risk of cancer or reproductive harm.

In the meantime, avoid using plastic food containers as much as possible. Never put hot food in plastic or use plastic dishes in the microwave. I don't use plastic to store any liquids. I use glass or stainless steel - even for water bottles. I also try not to purchase any liquid food packaged in plastic but that continues to become harder and harder to do. Foods like juice, peanut butter, and ketchup are more and more frequently available only in plastic containers.