The Fight Against Aluminum: Finding a Natural Deodorant That Actually Works

Deodorant. It’s one of those things that many of us cannot live without (and for good reason). We use it on a daily basis, and yet, conventional deodorants are also arguably one of the most unhealthy substances we voluntarily apply on our bodies every morning.

Aluminum and parabens (chemicals used as preservatives) are two of the most common ingredients in most antiperspirant/deodorant products. Unfortunately, these chemicals (as well as many others used in these products) are toxic and harmful to our bodies, especially in large doses. The small dose we’re exposed to on a daily basis by applying deodorant is probably not what we need to worry about; the concern is with the cumulative effect of long-term consistent exposure.

[Sidenote: Please choose to use a deodorant over an antiperspirant! Sweating is a normal healthy process that detoxifies your body. Plugging your sweat glands (especially with a substance that contains aluminum and other harmful chemicals) is probably not the best idea.]

The research on the link between the chemicals found in deodorants/antiperspirants and the risk of breast cancer is mixed, but studies have hypothesized that parabens and aluminum can accumulate in breast tissue and have estrogenic effects, which may stimulate the growth of cancerous cells in the breast. [1] 

Many argue that the risks posed by aluminum present in deodorant are minuscule, especially when you consider all of the other sources of aluminum present in our environment that we are exposed to on a daily basis. Perhaps that is true, but why take chances and further expose yourself to this toxin when alternatives to aluminum-based deodorants exist and are readily available? You may be thinking that these natural alternatives are nowhere near as effective as chemical-based deodorants; it's true that the quest for a good natural deodorant can be a difficult and involved process. However, I urge you to invest the time and look for a natural deodorant that works for you. All bodies are different so what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. 

A few years ago, I began making my own deodorant using alcohol, water, and essential oils. Here’s how I did it: combine two parts alcohol (grain ethyl alcohol is best, but I used vodka since that’s what I had on hand) to one part water into a small refillable spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil if you'd like (I used lavender).

You can also use baking soda and coconut oil: http://wellnessmama.com/1523/how-to-make-natural-deodorant-beating-the-b-o-with-natural-deo/ . 

My homemade deodorant worked well, but truthfully, it wasn’t very practical. I had to let the liquid dry before putting on a shirt, which took some time and was hard to do when I was in a hurry to get out the door.

So, after a few months of using the homemade stuff, I began the quest for an effective and easy-to-use natural deodorant that was free of aluminum and parabens. It took a while for me to find something that worked with my body, but I am happy to report that I found one and I’m never going back. It’s called Primal Pit Paste (http://www.primalpitpaste.com/). Besides having a hilarious name,  it also has stellar reviews, suggesting that it probably works well for a lot of people. The ingredients? Organic coconut oil, non-aluminum baking soda, raw shea butter, arrowroot powder, and lavender essential oil (there's also a fragrance-free version, if you prefer). That’s it. No aluminum. No Parabens. No chemical-based fragrances.

 I ordered Primal Pit Paste online (opting for the strong version of the paste with the lavender scent), and after using it for over a week, let me tell you, this stuff works! It may cost $9 a pop, but I think it is well worth the expense. I’m also estimating that the jar will last me for at least 8 months, if not longer.

Remember, what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body, especially if we’re talking about a substance that you use every day. So pay attention to the products you use regularly, and don’t assume that the chemicals in them are safe simply because the cosmetic industry says they are.

Happy deodorizing! :)

  [1] Darbre PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, Coldham NG, Sauer MJ, Pope GS (January–February 2004). "Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours". J Appl Toxicol 24 (1): 5–13

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Steps for Limiting Exposure to Harmful Chemicals in our Environment

For several years now, I've been working hard to reduce my exposure to the dangerous chemicals found in food, cosmetics, cleaning products, plastics, and, well, nearly everything. When I found out I was pregnant I became especially concerned with ways to reduce my (and my baby's) contact with these harmful substances. Of course, you can never be completely free of exposure to chemicals and pollutants, especially if you live in a city, but there are ways to reduce your exposure and protect your health.

Here are some important facts about exposure to toxins and chemicals in our environment (taken from the book HappyBaby: The Organic Guide to Baby's First 24 Months by Robert Sears & Amy Marlow):

• Asthma and lung disease: "Toxic chemicals released into the air as pollution--indoors and outside--irritate the lungs and can contribute to asthma. For children with asthma, air pollution can make their condition worse and increase their risk of other lung problems like bronchitis. Children who live on farms where pesticides and herbicides are sprayed have an elevated risk of asthma. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in certain cleaning supplies, craft supplies, air fresheners, and other household chemicals vaporize into the air and are potent lung irritants."
• Autism: "...We suspect that it's not genes alone that cause the condition. A growing field of study is focusing on possible environmental triggers that may increase a child's risk of developing autism. Studies have found that when pregnant women live or work very close to areas have been sprayed with certain pesticides, especially during the first trimester, their children have an increased incidence of autism. Researchers don't know if environmental triggers may only contribute to the condition if a child is exposed at a particularly susceptible stage of development or if perhaps it only affects children who already have the genetic tendency toward the disease."
• Reproductive development: "Many of the toxic chemicals found in consumer products are known to be endocrine disrupters, meaning they interfere with a baby's hormones--hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which influence a baby's reproductive development. Endocrine disrupters may affect a baby when she's still in the womb because they cross into a baby through mama's placenta. They also accumulate in breast milk. Plastics tend to be the most common sources of exposure to these chemicals."
• Intellectual development and behavior: "The National Academy of Sciences estimates that 1 in 4 developmental behavioral problems in children may be linked to either genetic or environmental factors like exposures to lead, mercury, and pesticides. The chemical flame retardants called PBDEs cause permanent brain changes that lead to behavior problems like hyperactivity. Lead exposure is one of the more common toxic exposures of childhood. This metal, found in contaminated soil and dust, causes behavior problems, leaning disabilities, and memory deficits."

We also know of many substances that can cause cancer, including parabens (found in beauty supplies), formaldehyde (found in furniture, chemical sealants, and some beauty products), Bisphenol A (BPA) found in certain plastics, and others.

In an effort to reduce my exposure (and my baby's exposure) to these toxic chemicals, I have:

1. switched to a mostly organic diet (around 60-70% of the food I buy is organic)
2. reduced the amount of makeup I use on a daily basis and now try to buy cosmetic brands that are safer (for me and for the environment)
3. started to pay closer attention to the ingredient list on products I buy (if it's an ingredient I can't pronounce, it's probably not good for me!)
4. switched to safer cleaning products for my home (we use Seventh Generation for most things)
5. opted for cloth diapers as opposed to disposables (besides creating tons of waste, many disposables are also bleached with chlorine, which pollutes our air and waterways, and contain VOCS--volatile organic compounds--and perfumes, which may irritate a baby's lungs)
6. continued using a water filter mounted to our sink (to filter out some of the nasty chemicals found in our waterways) rather than purchasing plastic water bottles, which may contain BPA
   
   

What are some other ways we can avoid harmful chemicals and toxins in our environment? What steps do you take to do so? 

 

"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."— John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day

A Home Away From Home

One thing I have truly missed since moving out to California has been the yearly visits I used to make to our family cabin in Wisconsin while I was living just two and half hours away in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jorge and I would always go up at least once in the summertime to indulge in bonfires, warm swims in the lake, and 4th of July fireworks off the dock. Sometimes I joined family there for the holidays in the winter as well (when I wasn't flying back to Idaho) to enjoy the pristine frozen lake, snowy walks through the forest, and cozy conversations by the fireplace.

I am realizing now that I sometimes took the cabin for granted while I was living so close to it. I miss the peace of mind it provided, the relaxing warm atmosphere, the family gatherings, and the beautiful forest and lake. The sanctuary it provided was nourishment for my soul and so healthy for my well-being. I was reminded of this after reading a short vignette in a magazine sent to me by my cousin, Nadia, about a cabin by a lake:

 "We're not so different from elephants. We travel in groups, we prioritize family, and like the elephants of Sri Lanka, we migrate annually toward water. Every year during the dry season, these elephants congregate with their families on the shores of Minneriya Lake. Researchers have noted that here, by the lake, the elephants renew old friendships and play together. They eat and flirt and bathe and drink. They are lazy. They swim in the sun, and rest in the shade. Like us, they are social and ritualistic and proud. 

In many ways, our annual migration out of our urban lives to a familiar shore can be understood scientifically: the air is hot, the water is cool; the cities are smoggy, the country is fresh; human eye muscles are most relaxed when settled on the horizon line; swimming is physically redemptive and psychologically meditative; beer tastes better on a dock. Perhaps, though, there is much that can't be so systematically reduced. Were we to be observed the way elephants are, by researchers from a distance trying to better understand our peculiar habits, would they notice that we open up to each other when we spend a few days in a cabin? How conversation gets easier and relationships strengthen? Would they notice how lying on our backs on the dock at night reminds us of when we were kids? Would they notice that we fret less about what and when we are going to eat, but more regularly and eagerly gather around food? Would they notice that our tendencies change: that we read more, sleep more, fuss less over details?

At the lake we don't mind that the shower keeps breaking or that the stove never works properly--we have affection for the dumpy and rusty and rickety things because we associate them with last summer, with childhood, with feeling small and content in a big and slow-moving world. We love the lake partly because it is not our home. Like the elephants, we accept that our life cannot always be so idle, leisurely, and peaceful. We accept that we can't always play cards until 2 a.m., skinny dip under the stars, and live off avocado sandwiches and pickles. Yet, like the elephants during dry season, we indulge for a couple of weeks each year in this necessary luxury, and return to ordinary city life more at home and more alive."

From Kinfolk: A Guide for Small Gatherings (Vol. 4)

Food Cures From the Garden

I picked up a wonderful book at the library the other day called Rx from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You can Easily Grow Now written by Kathleen Barnes. Though the only gardening space I have right now is on my small deck (using containers), I still want to get an idea of what I would try to grow if I had a yard. I also would like to learn more about which foods can be used to treat--or at least alleviate the symptoms of--certain common health issues. The first half of the book outlines the different foods and herbs you can use to treat ailments such as arthritis, high/low blood sugar, headaches, stress, depression, hair problems, eyesight deterioration, and more. The second half of the book provides instructions on how to grow the corresponding vegetables and herbs in your own garden.

Garlic and onions are two of the most prominent players in this book, which is no surprise since they are so loaded with many health-giving nutrients. Garlic is a powerful antibiotic and both garlic and onions have been shown to stop or slow the growth of a variety different cancerous cells.

I was also glad to see chili peppers listed as valuable vegetables in treating a variety of health problems because I love cooking with them! Chili peppers contain capsaicin, "...a powerful painkiller that is relatively unique in the plant world because it provides quick relief. In many ways, it works like aspirin without the potentially harmful side effects and it temporarily blocks a compound called 'substance P' that transmits pain signals along the nerves to the brain" (p. 24). Some of the ailments it is supposed to help with include: osteoarthritis, back pain, bronchitis, and colds/flu.

I recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn more about how certain foods can serve as medicine. Why not first resort to natural cures before loading ourselves up with the potentially harmful toxins and side effects found in most conventional Western medicine?

 "One of the biggest tragedies of human civilization is the precedent of chemical therapy over nutrition. It's a substitution of artificial therapy over nature, of poisons over food, in which we are feeding people poisons trying to correct the reactions of starvation."  
 -Dr. Royal Lee, January 12, 1951

The Spread of Diabetes and Obesity

Diabetes is on the rise, even among adolescents. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics and outlined in the New York Times, "Two-thirds of American adolescents ages 12 to 19 are of normal weight, 16 percent are overweight, and another 18 percent are obese" (to read the full NYT article, go here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/diabetes-on-the-rise-among-teenagers/?ref=health). That means 1 out of 3 American adolescents is now overweight or obese. Also, according to this specific study, nearly 1 in 4 adolescents now has Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

These astounding statistics are difficult to tackle because we know there are a number of different factors that are likely to be the cause of rising rates of diabetes and obesity among young people. A sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and the increasing use of technology (leading to inactivity) are thought to be the main culprits in this epidemic. As the article explains, the increase in diabetes could also be due to higher numbers of minority adolescents, who are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. For instance, Mexican-Americans are two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans of the same weight (http://www.public.asu.edu/~squiroga/azhar.HTM).

Still, regardless of the reasons for these increases, the fact that rates of diabetes and obesity are rising so dramatically in this age group is a scary finding that ought not to be dismissed. School cafeterias need to do a better job with the kinds of meals they serve to young people. We need to push for healthier alternatives that include more fresh fruit and vegetables, the consumption of water rather sugary drinks, and a reduction in the amount of frozen and/or highly processed foods that are available to students. Parents also need to take a stricter stance when it comes to healthy living and teach their children how to make healthier choices in relation to eating and exercise:

• Encourage involvement in extracurriculars and limit time spent in front of the television and computer. Children do not need technology to be entertained, so teach your child how to play by themselves and how to be entertained with regular toys instead of screens. Many public schools are resorting to cutting time out of recess or P.E. classes (or getting rid of them all-together), so it is absolutely crucial for parents to keep their children active after school and on the weekends.
• If your child doesn't have access to quality food at school, take the time each day to prepare healthy homemade lunches for them. Once they are old enough, teach them how to make their own healthy portable meals to bring to school. Even doing this just a few times a week can make a noticeable impact on overall health. At the vegetarian preschool where I work, I get to see all of the awesome healthy food that the director prepares for the kids (there is a salad every day and lots of beans, rice, tofu, tempeh, etc.--the kids love it!). I can only hope that these kids will have access to such healthy foods for the rest of their school years.

The fight against the spread of diabetes and obesity requires a joint effort from parents, schools, legislative bodies, and the community at large. We can all play a role in creating healthier environments for our children to develop in, so let's start now.

"It seems that some consideration should be given to the cause of our mounting physical disabilities, but instead of going to the root of our troubles--wrong habits of eating and drinking--we rush to the medicine shelf and smother our uncomfortable and distressed symptoms under an avalanche of pills, potions and palliatives." -Brother Roloff
 

The Importance of Leisure

Relax. Take a deep breath.

We tend to live in an accelerated state of being. Our lives are way too hurried, hectic, and over-scheduled. Oftentimes, we pack so much into a single day that we forget to enjoy the simple things in life: a good book, an unhurried home-cooked meal shared with a loved one, a lazy carefree afternoon with good friends. I have met people who become stressed out when they have "too much free time" or do not have their lives scheduled down to the very minute. These people become so accustomed to being constantly on-the-go that they often do not even realize that such a fast-paced lifestyle can have dire consequences on their mental and physical health. Here's a great resource with more information about the physical and emotional effects of stress--which is often the byproduct of an overly busy lifestyle--on the body: http://www.stress.org/topic-effects.htm

Don't forget to give yourself time every day to relax, meditate, read, or just sit and think. If you can, use this time to do whatever it is you love but never seem to have the time to do.

Start now:
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRAvTGYt0P8

"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some."
- Robert Fulgham

Allowing Nature to Support and Heal You

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” –Einstein

Nature is my religion. That is what I often tell people. Anytime I am out in nature, whether it be hiking through a forest, walking along the beach, or laying on the grass looking up at the sky, I am always immediately overcome with feelings of calm, peace, and acceptance.

I have gone on a hike every weekend for the past month and half or so. Usually it is in one of the many parks and nature preserves nearby, but still far enough that I am removed from urban life for a while. I find that these weekly outings are incredibly beneficial for my wellbeing. Not only do they provide me with beautiful scenery, fresh air, and quietness, but I am also in the company of good friends, which make these trips all the more pleasant and rejuvenating.

Though I enjoy experiencing the wonders of nature with others, it is also important to experience nature by yourself sometimes. The universal connection we share with all living beings and the grandeur and beauty of life are often best absorbed when you are completely alone in a natural setting (of course, we are hardly ever “alone” in nature since we are surrounded by so much life). I strongly encourage you to take a walk in nature by yourself every once in a while, even for just a few minutes. It is impossible not to feel revitalized when doing so. Journeys into nature help to quiet the mind. If you allow them to, these outings will bestow you with a sense of serenity that is rarely achieved elsewhere, especially in our hectic urban lives.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” –Emerson

How often, when walking around outside, do we actually use our sense of touch to physically feel our natural world? If you can, try to experience nature in the most “natural” way possible. This does not necessarily mean stripping off your clothes and running around naked (though you are certainly welcome to try that, too!) but giving yourself the opportunity to experience the outdoors the way nature intended us to. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot for a while. Lose the hat and sunglasses and allow the sun’s rays to penetrate your skin for a few minutes. You may suddenly feel very vulnerable, but these sensations will make you realize how disconnected with are from nature a lot of the time. Allow yourself to touch the various textures of the outdoors (bark, stones, grass, dirt, leaves, etc.). Lay on the ground and feel the reassuring support of the strong earth beneath you. 

We have a lot to learn from nature. Let mother earth support you and guide you through times of hardship, pain, and suffering. If only we would let it, nature would provide us with all we really need to live happy, peaceful, and healthy lives.

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." -Anne Frank

A Holistic Approach to Health

In holistic medicine, the emphasis is placed on healing a person as a whole, rather than treating a specific symptom or problem. When you become sick, it is often the result of some imbalance in your life, and rather than focusing on just one or two symptoms, it is best to view yourself as one whole that is made up of interrelated parts (emotional, social, physical, and spiritual aspects), all of which affect your overall health and depend on one another for your well-being. When one part is disrupted, it affects the other parts.

• "The physical you requires good nutrition, appropriate weight, beneficial exercise and adequate rest.
• The emotional you needs to give and receive forgiveness, love and compassion; needs to laugh and experience happiness; needs joyful relationships with yourself and others.
• The mental you needs self-supportive attitudes, positive thoughts and viewpoints and a positive self-image.
• The spiritual you requires inner calmness, openness to your creativity, and trust in your inner knowing."
                     Wellness from Within: The First Step, 2003, American Holistic Health Association

Of course, a holistic approach to health is most usefully applied when one isn't sick or, more specifically, as a way to avoid getting sick in the first place. Once you already have a sore throat, for instance, you're much more likely to resort to treating that one specific soreness rather than worrying about any other part of your self (and with good reason!). The trick, then, is to think about keeping your whole self in balance when you are healthy, rather than waiting until you are sick to address the problem(s). This, naturally, is much easier said than done, especially in a fast-paced society that values short-term solutions instead of long-term lifestyle changes.

The beauty of a holistic understanding of health is that it gives you so much power over your body and your well-being. You become an active part in your own health and healing process.

The American Holistic Health Association has a really great publication available online for free called Wellness from Within: The First Step that explores how to achieve wellness using a whole-person approach. To read it, follow this link: http://ahha.org/ahhastep.htm.

"We can be sure that the greatest hope for maintaining equilibrium in the face of any situation rests within ourselves."
  -Francis J. Braceland