Full plate

Ok so our crazy DIY renos finished yesterday! With the exception of insults thrown back and forth, Gene and I survived yet another project. If you really want a true test of your relationship, honestly, do a renovation! We have done plenty before but now with time not on our side and 1/2 a helper (me) cuz of baby...boy oh boy! I don't know how couples can say they "love it"- they're either just always on the same mind path (that's just swell), or one is always the boss or yes man, or they actually are just choosing what needs to be done vs. having to actually do the work and be stuck together for long periods of time in cramped messy quarters! Ok, enough rambling hehe


Poor little Max is experiencing a large outbreak of eczema. I think I saw patches here and there about a week and a half ago but I think I woke up and was like "WTF is that rash on his face?" It is reddened, some parts pimply looking some are more clustered, down both sides of his cheeks like sideburns, around eyebrows and some on eyelids, all over forehead and temple area extending to scalp. I'm not sure if he is itchy but it looks itchy. He isn't scratching per say but rubbing his eyes and usual face rubs like before. Hmmmm....not sure what caused it as with most eczema cases:

Did I use too much heat and dried out his skin?
Was it because of his immature immune system?
Were we wearing something that caused this?
Did he rub his face on our clothing that had crud on it from renos?


Did I eat something wrong? Am I eating something wrong?

So many questions not enough answers! Currently prescribed some steroid cream but I didn't fill the rx. Seeing how aveeno eczema will affect this...

Top 10 Worst Foods of All Time

Got this from this green living website, click HERE to view it.  Sadly, I have eaten/drunk about 100% of this stuff, but in a given two weeks, I eat about 3/10 of the listed foods.   In my opinion, it's not like i'm eating this every single day or even really more than once in a week so I don't think it's that bad to indulge in these "goodies."  And what if you made some of this stuff yourself? I really doubt it can be compared to the store bought stuff.  I'll give this article a "nice to know" rating as these are obviously bad-for-you foods, but I like the fact that it gives us WHY they're bad, based on this person's opinion, with somewhat basic explanations.  Something to consider right?

Top 10 Worst Foods of All Time in Descending Order:

10.  Ice Cream—Sorry, I know just about everyone loves ice cream, but today’s ice cream is not only full of sugar, most of it is also loaded with trans fats, artificial colors and flavors, many of which are known neurotoxins (brain- and nervous-system damaging chemicals).  Of course, there are healthier varieties, but most ice cream is hazardous to your health.

9.  Corn and Tortilla Chips—Since the advent of genetically-modified foods, most corn we eat is a health-damaging frankenfood. Corn causes rapid blood sugar fluctuations, which you may notice as mood-swings, weight gain, or irritability, among other symptoms. Most are fried in oils that have turned rancid and are linked to inflammation.

8.  Pizza—While not all pizza is bad, most of the commercially available and frozen pizza on the market is full of artificial dough conditioners and preservatives.  It is made from white flour that has been bleached and reacts in your body just like sugar, causing weight gain and blood sugar imbalances.

7.  French Fries—Not only do French fries typically contain trans fats that have been linked to a long list of diseases, they contain one of the most potent carcinogenic substances in food—acrylamide.  Acrylamide is formed when white potatoes are heated at high temperatures.   Additionally, most of the oils used for frying turn rancid in the presence of oxygen or at high temperatures, resulting in foods that cause inflammation in the body.  And, researchers are discovering that inflammation is a factor in many serious health conditions, including:  heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

6.  Potato Chips—Potato chips offer all the health benefits (none) of French fries, but according to Health Canada, potato chips typically contain the highest levels of acrylamide, which is a carcinogen.

5.  Bacon—Yes, bacon!  Sorry bacon lovers.  According to research in the journal, Circulation, daily consumption of processed meats like bacon can increase the risk of heart disease by 42 percent and diabetes by 19 percent.  A study at the University of Columbia found that eating bacon 14 times a month was linked to damaged lung function and an increased risk of lung disease.

4.  Hot Dogs—A study at the University of Hawaii found that consumption of hot dogs and other processed meats increased risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent.  One of the ingredients found in both bacon and hot dogs is sodium nitrite.  This carcinogen has been linked to leukemia in children and brain tumors in infants.   Other studies show that sodium nitrate also promotes colorectal cancer.

3.  Doughnuts—Most doughnuts are 35 to 40 percent trans fats—the worst kind of fat you can eat.  Trans fats are linked to heart- and brain-diseases as well as cancer.  That’s before you consider the sugar and artificial dough conditioners and food additives many doughnuts contain.  The average doughnut also contains about 300 calories.

2.  Soda—According to research reported by Dr. Joseph Mercola, “one can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites.”  That alone should make you rethink your soda habit.  But, soda is also extremely acidic.  It takes over 30 cups of pH-balanced water to neutralize the acidity of one cola.  This acid residue can be extremely hard on the kidneys since they have to filter it.  Additionally, the bones act as mineral reservoirs.  Alkaline minerals like calcium are dumped into the blood to help neutralize acidity, which can weaken the bones over time.  For more information on pH balance, check out my book, The Ultimate pH Solution.  In studies, soda is also linked to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay, and heart disease.

1.  Diet Soda—Diet soda is my choice for the Worst Food of All Time.  Not only does diet soda contain most of the problems of regular soda, it contains aspartame, now called AminoSweet.  According to research by Lynne Melcombe, author of Health Hazards of White Sugar, aspartame is linked to the following health conditions: anxiety attacks; binge-eating and sugar cravings; birth defects; blindness; brain tumors; chest pain; depression; dizziness; epilepsy; fatigue; headaches and migraines; hearing loss; heart palpitations; hyperactivity; insomnia; joint pain; learning disabilities; PMS; muscle cramps; reproductive problems; and even death.  Aspartame’s effects can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, Epstein-Barr virus, Huntington’s chorea, hypothyroidism, Lou Gehrig’s disease; Lyme disease, Ménière’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and postpolio syndrome.  That’s why I give Diet Soda the Worst Food of All Time award.

Adapted with permission from The Vitality Diet by Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, PhD, RNCP, ROHP.

Skin Deep: Cosmetics

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I'm at somewhat of a toss when it comes to choosing cosmetic products.  The fence is always between choosing awesome cosmetics vs. so-so cosmetics.   Why not choose the awesome cosmetics you ask?  Simply because of the dreaded "Dirty Dozen" - a group of nasty, possibly health and life altering chemicals that are present in these "awesome" cosmetics!  Ok, then why not choose the so-so cosmetics?  In gist, because most cost an arm and a leg to just "try" as well, some really suck in terms of color and amount payoff so what's the point of buying them right?  Why not go au-naturel then?  Not an option hahaha

According to the David Suzuki Foundation, there are 12 notorious toxic chemicals present in our everyday cosmetics (ie. shampoo, foundations, lotions, creams etc).  These chemicals can't just be classified as "carcinogens," although that word should probably scare me off already, these not-just-rash-producing chemicals  not only can cause allergic reactions but can also affect your hormone/endocrine system, reproduction system, brain function, respiratory system! Furthermore, when you wash this stuff off, it goes down the water drains and starts affecting the wildlife! And on top of it all, not everything is regulated or has to be fully revealed to the consuming public in the jargon-filled ingredient label!  Crazy sheit hey?!

The Dirty Dozen (find a very detailed pdf description HERE)

1. BHA and BHT
2. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" followed by a five digit number
3. DEA-related ingredients
4. Dibutyl phthalate
5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
6. Parabens (this sheit is everywhere!)
7. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance) - also everywhere
8. Polyethyline glycol (PEG) compounds
9. Petrolatum
10. Siloxanes (chemicals ending with "-siloxane" or "-methicone")
11. Sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate
12. Triclosan

Anyone else feel itchy after reading that?  Or how about feeling cross-eyed?  Did you have a similar reaction to mine- "WTF, how the heck am I supposed to remember all of that?" LOL!  Luckily, the researchers thought of everything!

*******Useful Links*********

• Download the David Suzuki Pocket guide here (pdf) ---> Dirty Dozen Pocket Guide (another awesome option is ordering them from the website for your group or event- so fab!)
• Another notable pocket guide is by gilldeacon.ca, click here (pdf) ---> Gill Deacon Cosmetics Guide
• Any more questions?  See David Suzuki Foundations FAQ page! Click Here
• If you want to check if your current cosmetics are safe, check out the Cosmetic Data Base
• For a patriotic flavor, offering Canadian links, check out Love the Label
• And for a couple of Vancouver store that has at least an aisle dedicated to safer cosmetics, visit your local DONALD'S MARKET or WHOLE FOODS MARKET

***************************************

I'm just a link lover on this blog post hey?  Anyhow, I can't say i'm a product queen, but this really opens up my eyes about a lot of issues.  From what i've read, just because it says organic DOESN'T mean it's all that clear and free from some of these chemicals!  I'm going to try use up what I have instead of flushing it down the drain(!!), and really start up on a journey into becoming a non-obsessed-psychopath cosmetic label reader (omg, food label reader is ANOTHER story that I might just attempt to post on one day).

 I really don't know if I can give up everything considering everything in this world seems to cause cancer anyways (even breathing for goodness sakes) but I will definitely reduce my exposure to these carcinogens!  Our SKIN is the largest organ in our body!  And you know what? It's very POROUS! 

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque!

                                          Photo Credit

I started using this masque around early December after I showed my work friend about this makeup reviews site, and the first thing she wanted to search for was this "mint julep mask" I had never heard of.  A night shift gone by, I ended up buying the mask for myself based on the reviews from Makeup Alley . 

An excerpt from the Queen Helene Website:

• "...help dry up pimples, rinse away blackheads, and shrink enlarged pores."
• "...draws out impurities from your pores."
• "...natural.."

Sounds good hey?

Like I said, I bought this mask around December 2010 and i still have about 1/3 of the tube left.  It comes in a big 8oz. tube, and squeezes out like a toothpaste.  To use, get all the hair out of your face and then wash your face.  Or if like me, I use this just after my final night shower so I know i'm going to bed without the dirt of the day clogging my pores.  I would use only one finger to apply this on (like the middle finger) and you just need a few blobs.  Smells minty, apply it on (spreads super easily) so it looks like a mask but not LAYERED like FROSTING on but also not so cheaply thin that you can see your skin color under it.  The first time you use it, it might feel like burning or tingling but that's just the mint in it that's giving you that sensation.  After multiple treatments, you don't feel it anymore. 

After about 15 minutes, it's DONE, take it off your face.  It'll be a pale green mint color (as opposed to a darker wet green look) and there will be some signs of cracking.  Just wash with warm water and or washcloth.  I capitalized DONE because if you leave it longer than 15 minutes, it'll suck your skin dry and might actually cause more breakout than prevent breakouts (too dry of skin --> more oil to compensate--> pimples).  My skin feels awesome, soft, clean after this mask!  I follow up with a night moisturizer to lock in the moisture before my pores close.

I use this treatment about once a week, especially after my work set to clean off the grit left from whatever splashed on my face after work. 
If I spotted a pimple, I use this as a spot treatment and leave it on my face for a LONG time (but not overnight as it stains your pillow case) and let the chemicals suck out the excess oil.  Pimples don't stay in their "angry" stage for very long if I use this.

I can't say I see mind blowing results with this product, but for the price, the quantity, ease of use, and the results I see over time, I will repurchase over and over again.

Ingredients:
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur. Chromium Oxide Greens, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben

Where to buy in Vancouver:
ALIVE Health store for around $9 tax inc
and
Chinese health store beside T&T at metro for like $6 tax inc



Foods and Things to Avoid While Pregnant

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There are sadly foods that one should avoid while being pregnant.  Just for 9 months right? And if that's what it takes to ensure better chances of having a healthy happy baby, like Nike says, "JUST DO IT!"

Firstly, What are the bad food bacteria?

• LISTERIA- causes listeriosis.  Causes miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn.
• CAMPYLOBACTER- source food poisoning.  Causes diarrhea, cramps, fever.  Detrimental to the mom and babe if liquids and electrolytes aren't replaced.
• SALMONELLA- source of fod poisoning.  Causes diarrhea, cramps, fever.  Detrimental to the mom and babe if liquids and electrolytes aren't replaced.
• TOXOPLASMOSIS- parasite found in cat poop, and may be found in dirt in unwashed fruits/veg, undercooked meat.  click here for more info Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy
• High doses of VITAMIN A- high doses can cause liver toxicity and birth defects.

Here is a small compiled list of foods to avoid from HealthCastle.com:

• Raw Meats and Seafood including sushi - all uncooked and rare meats and seafood should be avoided due to high risk of listeria and salmonella poisoning.
• Deli meats including hot dogs - these deli meats might be contaminated with listeria bacteria which may result in miscarriage or even a stillbirth. It's safe to eat deli meats if you reheat them until steaming hot.
• Refrigerated smoked seafood - for the same reason of listeria contamination. It is safe if they are contained in cooked dishes. Canned and shelf-stable versions are safe to eat.
• Raw eggs - raw eggs may contain salmonella. Some Caesar salad dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream and custards as well as Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs. It is best to check with your server in a restaurant; if in doubt, it is best to avoid it. In addition, unpasteurized eggnog should be avoided.
• Fish high in mercury - avoid high-mercury fish such as Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tilefish. Also limit fish intake to no more than 2 servings per week.
• Soft cheese - avoid the following soft cheeses: Feta, Brie, and Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses, queso blanco, queso fresco and Panela. They are safe to eat if they are labelled pasteurized.
• Refrigerated pâtes or meat spreads - for the same reason of listeria contamination. It is safe to eat the canned or shelf-stable versions.
• Liver - liver is a rich source of iron. However it contains a high level of Vitamin A. Large amounts of Vitamin A can be harmful to the baby.

Unpasteurized milk and juices Alcohol - many documented fetal abnormalities and birth defects have been associated with alcohol use during pregnancy.

More foods to avoid not listed above from various websites are:

• Caffeine (affects the iron absorbing ability of the baby)
• SMOKING (for obvious reasons)
• Various medications (check with your doctor or pharmacists before using anything, even over the counter stuff)
• artificial sweetners (aspertame, sucralose etc)
• Shellfish (just make sure the stuff is cooked, ie. no raw oysters)
• Raw sprouts (alfalfa, radish, clover as they may contain bacteria such as E. coli)
• Pre-prepared salads (coleslaw, potato salads that are pre-packaged for listeria risks)

of the foods above, i'm really sad about SUSHI!  I'm hungry just thinking about it!  Even if you don't eat the raw sashimi, I wouldn't be 100% trustworthy that the sushi maki rolls are ok as they must cut those rolls on the same cutting board as the sashimi.  Sad!