Lead Bags

Hello,

My name is bwings and I use cloth bags when I shop.

Actually most times I simply use the stroller but when I'm without the beast I try to always have cloth bags on hand. Not only are they eco-friendly but they are easier on your hands when you carry home heavy groceries. I carried home 30 lbs of groceries a month back and my fingers weren't incredibly mad at me for it.

So imagine my surprise when among my e-mails I discover this inquiry from Happy Hippie.

Dear Hippie Mom, I have been using my reusable grocery/tote bags when running my errands in an effort to be more green. I admit sometimes I fail when I forget to take them in the store or place them back int he car or stroller. But I would say I use them a good 90% of the time. Here is my concern. I recently heard someone say they had seen a thing on tv claiming these bags have an unsafe level of lead in them. Before giving up and going back to plastic or paper, I decided to check with you and see if you have heard anything? Thank you so much.Trying to stay green :)Happy Hippie

Well Happy Hippie, my initial reaction is this must be a rumor started by a method similar to the 'phone game'. We all know the phone game, one person whispers one thing in another's ears and the message is passed on until it returns to the initiator as something completely different. I envision this moment something like this:

Instigator - "Oh, you use cloth bags?! Why bother?!"
Hippie - "It's better for the environment and isn't that much trouble."
Instigator - "Better for the environment? Pft we're going to hell in a cloth handbag!"
Hippie - *eyeroll and walks away*
Instigator turns to his friend and says in a joking fashion, "I bet you she'd use plastic if she knew the bag had lead in it!"
Instigator's friend doesn't have a sense of humor and takes the joke seriously and BANG instant rumor.

Honestly, that's how I see a lot of these rumors starting. BUT nevertheless it's a statement I hadn't yet heard and so now I shall do what I can to seek the truth. Cloth bag conspiracy or legitimate concern?

As I did my research into this one I found that the facts were there but there was certainly a bit of twisting. Yes there are in fact bags being discovered to have lead contaminations in them. However, and I can't stress this enough, this was in polypropelne reusable bags (plastic #5) not cloth bags. So, in short, cloth bags are still safe as far as this particular concern. Three cheers for cloth vs. plastic winning yet another battle.

Now for the scary facts as they have been presented to me. It is true that some reusable bags have been found to contain lead. These bags with lead were found to have 194 parts per million. This is below the government standard of 300 ppm. But above (nearly double) the standard allowed in children's project which is 100ppm. {Don't let your children play with your plastic bags it um...er... well it says it pretty much everywhere that plastic bags aren't play things!} 


Good news, as I've already stated, the reusable bags in question were polypropolyene (number 5 plastic). It is my not-so-expert opinion that if you are already making a step towards a greener world by using a reusable bag, switching from a plastic reusable to a cloth reusable isn't that far a leap. However, if my not-so-expert opinion is incorrect then I have some data for you. The Tampa Tribune purchased some reusable bags from popular locations and commissioned lab tests on them for heavy metals. Feel free to examine their results.

For now I shall victoriously overpack my strollers and carry cloth bags.

As always, I enjoy your e-mails happy hippie, keep it green, you friendly neighborhood hippie mom.

I plan to post

Hello,

My name is bwings and I have not turned my back on you!

I have been receiving several letters of encouragement to return. I think I shall. I miss posting and learning new things about the products I use and their impact on both me and my environment. Although I continue to research products before making any major purchases and I have continued to move towards a greener lifestyle, I feel I would be more active in this department were I still posting.

A few days after google terminated my account they sent me a coupon for $100 of google advertisements to direct people to my blog. Wasn't that nice of them? *cough* Hey, you can no longer work for us, however here's a useless coupon...um....enjoy.

Oh well, bygones.

Klanchoe - Chloe

Hyacinth - unnamed

In the past month there are several moments I have meant to blog about something I have been doing. For instance, I have added two new lovely plant additions to my household plants. A kalanchoe I have named Chloe who I introduced to the house in January. And a Hyacinth who has not yet been named. But she smells beautiful! I brought her home just a few days ago.

I have also purchased a fountain to add essential oils to. This way I can have a smog free scent in my apartment. Rather than using candles and generating petroleum pollutants in my air. Oh and it's purrrrty too.

I also purchased my very own pedicure kit and put anything with EDTA back on the shelf. This was hard as some of these smelled oh so delicious! I chose instead to go with a more natural foot scrub and so far so good.

These are all the little things I've done in my absence. I now must filter through my Hippie Mom e-mails and answer some questions. I see Happy Hippie has written me a few questions and shall respond as soon as I finish this post.

See you all tomorrow, your friendly neighborhood hippie mom. 

Manic Make-Up Monday

Hello,

My name is bwings and I'm examining my make-up kit ....again!

After that letter from Happy Hippie I decided it was time I reexamine my make-up kit. I've examined it before for Parabens but what about the hazard rating? Also, what should I try as a replacement? This would take many posts I imagine and so I have decided to break it down over a few Mondays.
Today I am taking a look at my Mascara. I have always used CoverGirl Lash Exact Blue. I find it really lifts my lashes and the color makes my blue eyes pop.
After seeing the hazard rating of 7 though I have decided that I will be checking into alternatives.
The main concern is the carcinogens and their high absorbency levels into your flesh. It is my understanding that if you want something to go straight to your bloodstream your eye is certainly a fast path there. 

Considering how rarely I actually use my make-up I will continue to use this one until it is finished. After which I will look into buying a new mascara from "the good" list. When that day comes I will post an update of whether they are any good as far as visual and textile goes.

For now, all I can offer you is a list. Well, two lists, one of the good and one of the bad in the Mascara department. This is based purely on a hazard rating with no details aside, alas this is a simple list with no extreme research currently. 

The Good:

Coastal Classic Creations Whispering Seas Mascara (0) - $25 {Yikes}
Cleure Mineral Mascara (1) -$25 {YIKES!}
Jane Iredale PureBrow Fix & Mascara (1) - $20-$35 {YIKES YIKES YIKES!}
Rejuva Minerals Lengthening & Thickening Mineral Mascara (1) - $10 -$16 {That's a little better, also has introductory price}
Suncoat Products Natural Mascara (1) - $14 {Much better than $35}

The Bad:

CARGO Mascara (9)

Covergirl Exact Eyelights Mascara (9)
Covergirl Lasblast (9)
Christian Dior (8)
Neutrogena Weightless Volume (8)
Scott Barnes Super Luscious Lash (8)
Vincent Longo The Curl (8)
Yves Saint Laurent Everlong Waterproof (8)

So all-in-all Covergirl seems to be pretty high on that hazard rating. When I'm in the market for those other products I'll do even further research. Until then I'm doing some Christmas shopping because on the 7th day of Christmas a hippie gave to me a triple razor tra la la la la and then on the 8th day of Christmas a hippie gave to me a splaff thin recycled tube belt! Because I'm losing weight and my pants won't stay up. ;p

Happy Shopping, your friendly neighborhood hippie mom.

Happy Hippie - Scar Tissue

Hello,

My name is bwings and I can't put make-up on the inside of my bottom eyelid.

It just gives me the hippy hippy shake to even think of it. Something about anything rubbing up against my eyes every time I blink makes me squeamish. It's something my fiancée is always teasing me for, "Everyone else does it! It's hot!" Talk about peer pressure, geez!

He is right about one thing though, a lot of other people do it. In fact, I am now curious if my dear friend, Happy Hippie, also does.

Dear Hippie Mom,

This one isn't so much for being a Mom, as for the Woman who is the Mom. I had an extremely bad experience getting my hair dyed last year. Someone who is supposed to be a professional, dropped a HUGE glob of dye in my eye. The best part was as I am in EXTREME pain from the lovely chemicals burning, I was the one who was calm enough to get myself water and flush it while the hair dresser freaked out. Anyway, since this incident I have noticed I have an issue with eye makeup remover. I like to dress up now and then and wear eye makeup but like most women, I wash it off before bed to head off the raccoon eye look that is so sexy! I have noticed that every time I use the makeup remover I can not see out of my injured eye. It goes cloudy for over an hour which results in a migraine :( I know that it is not a reaction to the remover in general since it does not bother my unharmed eye. I am guessing the one eye is sensitive now to chemicals. Soooo I was wondering if you had any research on something more natural to use? whether it is something I can make myself or I can buy. Soap and water just does not cut it. Thank you so much

Once again

The Happy Hippie ♥

WOW, Happy Hippie, I have so many questions! First, have you seen an eye doctor yet? I know that if untreated damage like that might get worse with time. I'm no eye doctor so I can't offer much in that department. So I will focus instead on the eye make-up remover.

Because I don't put anything in my eyelid I don't use eye make-up remover personally. Sure I might not get all of it off all the time, but I get most of it off most of the time. If you are in need of options though, that I can provide. Of course the first thing I've found is people swearing by baking soda paste. As you can imagine, I haven't tested this, anything going in my eyes makes me shiver. But I have also found an organic and natural eye make-up remover that some others swear by. Earth Science Chamomile & Green Tea Eye Make-Up Remover - $9 or less - Fragrance-free, paraben-free clear gel, non-greasy. Made with Decyl Polyglucose and Vitamin E.

A list of other eye make-up removers to try, these are ranked 0 on the health hazard score. Just in case you were wondering 0 is the bottom of the scale while any number higher is more hazardous.

• Andrea Eye Q's Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads - $4 for 65 pads. - main complaint by reviewers is that it tends to be oily. However another states the oil comes off easily. at $4 that's not too much for a test run.
• Ava Anderson Nontoxic Eye Makeup Remover - No PEGs, no phthalates, no parabens, no SLS, no 1,4 dioxane, no fragrance. Couldn't find much for reviews or cost unfortunately.
• Be Natural Organics Rose Hip Seed Facial Cleanser and Eye Makeup Remover - $18 - Rose hip for overexposure to sun and seaweed to hydrate the skin
• Coastal Classic Creations Coastal Moon Olive Oil Pre-Wash, Moisturizer & Eye Makeup Remover - Shelf life of 3 years, $27 a bottle
• Gi'ovane Italy Eye Makeup Remover - $15 - Made with Organic Sesame Oil, Organic Argan Oil, Organic Pomegranate Extract
• Glam-Nation, LLC Natural Perfection Organic Eye Makeup Remover - $30 a bottle - Long list of al natural and organic ingredients! 
• Healing-Scents Eye Makeup Remover - $9 for 2 oz. - from what I've read these are the ultimate hippies, they believe if you wouldn't eat it you shouldn't put it on your skin. Not a terrible belief but certainly a hard one to follow. Again, not as much information on this as some of the others. But as far as health goes...well it checks out.
• Nothing Nasty Tender Eye Makeup Remover - £18.50 Based upon the ingredients given this is the UK version of "Healing-Scents" 
• Real Purity Eye Makeup Remover - $9 for 2 oz bottle - another oil based one. all natural.
• Skin Apricot Eyes, Eye Makeup Remover - $17 for 1 ounce - Similar ingredients to a few of the afore mentioned products. Honestly, if any of the above worked for you it seems you could easily concoct one yourself out of essential oils 

One to avoid would be Environ Skin Care Interactive Eye Makeup Remover which ranks a 7 out of 10 on the hazard radar. 

I hope this helps some in finding a product that works for your poor eye.
In the meantime GET YOURSELF TO AN EYE DOCTOR a quick search tells me that it can be bad news to get that in your eyes. Especially if you are so clearly having adverse reactions. I don't need a blind hippie typing me letters...for one thing, if you are a one fingered typer I would have difficulty making out what you typed. ;)

But while you can still see to read I thought I'd continue with the last two posts for the 12 days of Christmas of this week. For instance, on the 5th day of Christmas a hippie gave to me a wind up universal remote! and all that other stuff. On the 6th day of Christmas a hippie gave to me a tie fold wallet .

Variety, the spice of life

Hello,

My name is bwings and I started with the basics.

When it comes to cloth diapers I am a first time user and didn't want to throw a bunch of money into something I wasn't sure I'd be able to do. Although pretty certain, it's still an investment. So I started with the basic of all cloth diapers, the prefold cloth diaper. What is a prefold and what are the other types? I thought you'd never ask...I suppose you didn't ask. Nevertheless I will tell you.

I had a rather flustered mother hippie respond to my previous post on cloth diapers.

Dear Hippie Mom,

I am coming at you with flaming torches held high lol. I agree that cloth diapers are better but more of a pain in my trying to be green A**. With daughter one I did disposable until training began. Pull-ups were easier for quick trips and my cloth diapers have the pins. With daughter 2 i am using disposable for now but will go back to cloth once i am settled into the new house and unpack. Disposable really hurts the wallet but you get extra hours due to absorbency. I agree this is one of those things that there is no right answer when you weigh the pros and cons of environment vs mommy hours!!!

Yours Truly,

Happy Hippie :)

P.s A shout out to the Beast, from the Monster!

Well, Happy Hippie, glad to see you are still with us. How did your microwave hunt go? I hope my microwave findings were helpful, since then I have been considering trying out stovetop popping with a pan for the first time. Stay tuned, I hear it's quite difficult so should likely result in another attempt at cleaning a burnt pan with baking soda, but I digress.

I agree, in some cases they can certainly be more of a pain. I think, however, this depends on what type of diaper you are using. For instance, I am currently utilizing the basic prefold (sounds like you are using the same) and while it's delightful for her when she goes in the potty, it's a pain for both of us when she has an accident. It's absorbency level is lower than a dollar store disposable and it doesn't come fitted or with attaching pieces to hold it up. This was my own doing though, I could have purchased the higher end models but they were an investment and I am cheap and poor.

I imagine having two children you likely know of some, if not most, of the other varieties but just in case I'll go into more detail.

For types there are:

The flats

The Flats, Prefolds, Fitted, All-inOnes (AIO'S), Pocket Diapers, Pocket Diapers, Doublers & Liners.

• Flats - one-layered diaper, generally 100% cotton gauze, can be used as a doubler or stuffer for pocket diapers. Absorbent, economical, easy to clean, fast to dry. Flat & Prefold are least expensive choice $15-$20 per dozen but you get what you pay for as it's a 3 piece diapering system (Diaper, Cover, Fastener) they are more challenging to fold and pin.



Prefolds

• Prefolds - Similar to flats but with multiple layers with focus in layering the middle. Referred to as 2x6x2's, 4x6x4's, 4x8x4's etc. The numbers is of course the layers side,middle,side. Come in variety of sizes, come in bleached (BCPF) or unbleached (UBCPF). Need to be pinned, don't come with cover. Hemp prefolds are more absorbent but also more expensive. Store easily, dry quickly, less pieces for wear and tear. Again Flat & Prefold are least expensive choice $15-$20 per dozen. But you get what you pay for as it's a 3 piece diapering system (Diaper, Cover, Pin/Snap) Can be used as a doubler or stuffer for pocket diapers.

Fitted

Pocket

• Fitted - Have elastic at legs and back, resemble disposable diaper, requires a cover. Often come with fasteners, easy to use, babysitters have little problem, range in price from $10-$20 each.
  
• Pocket - Has layer of fleece/PUL (Polyurethane laminate) with opening in back to stuff with a doubler/stuffer/prefold or some use handtowels. This way you can decide the absorbency level. Less bulky depending on stuffing. Can come with cover, outer layer is often waterproof.
  



AIO (All In One)


• AIO's - Absorbent diaper with cover all in one just like disposable, easy to use. SUPER EASY for babysitters! Harder to clean, takes longer to dry and they are the expensive option. Most start at $18 a piece but again, you get what you pay for.
  
• AI2 - Has everything of an AIO and the absorbent material can be removed making cleaning and drying faster. Easy to use and stuffer can be replaced. More expensive. 
• Doublers & Liners - Used to improve absorbency to diapers. Best in cases of naptime or overnight. 

I purchased the Pre-fold variety with intentions of taking them for a test run and then seeing if I couldn't modify them. I can easily see myself sewing them, adding elastics if need be and just generally making them more easy to use. For now, my clever self, I simply take those cute diapers covers that you are supposed to use under a dress and stuff it with the prefold. Lazy or creative you be the judge. It works for this hippie mom. Of course if she has an accident it means the whole shebang needs to be washed. But that's the joy of potty training isn't it?

If none of the above works for you and you still hate disposable diapers too you could always go diaper free. There are hoards of parents out there who have potty trained their child by the age of two or three months. If you ask me this is more a case of the infant training the parents as the child is certainly not capable of carrying themselves to the potty. However, I'm sure if it works for them it's certainly better for the environment. No diapers has to be a positive result of early training.

Hope your diapering becomes easier for you, Happy Hippie, and if not, may your first daughter soon be completely potty trained and then you'll only have on set of diapers to contend with. :)

Have a good weekend!

Your friendly neighborhood hippie mom.

P.S. The beast says a chipper "hi" to the monster. Followed by a "mommy, dat ball!" and footsteps off down the hall.

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Dear Hippie Mom - My Zapper's Zapped!

Hello,

My name is "Bwings" and today I'm answering an e-mail.

Dear Hippie Mom,

I have to replace my microwave since it is making some wierd noises and then there is a burnt smell. Not so good. So we are heading off to the store to buy one that hopefully won't burn down my house. I was wondering if there is any eco stuff i should know about appliance shopping? and also how to safely dispose of the one I have? Normally if I replace I give away the old one, but not such a good idea in this case lol

Yours, Happy Hippie

Dear Happy Hippie,
That's an excellent question, I have honestly questioned my possession of a microwave in the first place but when I did some research I discovered it's better on energy than your standard electric stove. Ergo as long as I'm okay with the small amounts of radiation it might emit I shouldn't have a problem using it. That and Asmerus is opposed to ever getting rid of it ;)

So what to do when homemakers best friend bites the electric bullet? A lot of people would just throw it in the garbage and not give it a second thought. But often your local trash disposal company will recycle them for you and if not they may know of a location that will. Another option, if you reside in the US of A is to go to Earth911.com where you will find a search engine to seek out appropriate recycling facilities in your location. Unfortunately I couldn't find much in the way of contact for Canada outside of B.C. in any case you still may be able to use the # 1-800-667-4321 to request a location. Of course you can also check to see if there is any good-will location nearby that might repair it and sell it or use it for parts.
Sadly there is not much in a microwave that is recyclable so if you've tried all your options I don't think you'll have any heavy amount of bad Karma if you do just toss it. I'd put it on Craig's List or Kijiji for a week nonetheless for free and needing repairs and see if maybe anyone has the parts and know how. Might give you piece of mind.

Now for the sticky business of finding a new one, you want to seek something durable with a good warranty it will cost you less in the long run. You'll also want to consider just how big you need it. The smallest size you can get away with will save energy. That is your main basis for energy consumption comparison as Energy Star doesn't rate microwaves. There isn't much else you can look at when buying a microwave as far as eco-friendly and practical use goes. Obviously there are a lot of other personal options that await you, child locks, pretty colors, you name it, but you'll figure out what you want I'm sure. Just don't boil your distilled water as mythbusters proved it can be quite dangerous if super heated
{See below}




Another microwaving no-no is plastic containers, take out containers and microwaved popcorn. I too am making a sad face right now. The plastic containers go without saying, you want to make sure if's microwave safe. Yet, even a microwave safe plastic container will leach into your food. It's best to just avoid them. Take out containers aren't usually microwave safe and you'll have melted styrofoam in your food.
Lastly and I feel more importantly, the microwave popcorn uses PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) to line their bags. PFOA is a carcinogen, leads to liver, developmental and immune system problems. It can also exert hormonal effects including altering your thyroid hormone levels.  that is also used in nonstick coatings of cookware and water-repellent fabrics. PFOA is to be phased out by major manufacturers by 2015, for now, make your popcorn on the stove in a pot with a little oil. Or one of those old popcorn poppers. I remember them when I was child. It was so loud and it took a few moments to heat up but then one kernal would fly out, it seemed it only took a few seconds after that and they were all flying. The extra positive is the unpopped kernels will stay in the machine so it'll be less picking. Mine also came with a tray for heating the butter while it popped your popcorn.

Now I've made myself hungry for popcorn and nostalgic for that old, loud popcorn popper.

So I'll leave you with a checklist of other things you might want to know about one of the most common household companions since the early 70's.

• Food cooked in a microwave does not become radioactive. 
• Radiation leakage is at a minimum and must meet FDA approval. If you are concerned about radiation you needn't run from spinning glass plate, simply step back. FDA research shows that radiation at 20 inches would be 1/100th of the value at 2 inches distance. 
• Microwave's ability to cook quickly in little to no water helps food retain vitamins and minerals. 
• Microwave's don't heat up the air, a welcomed relief in the summer months.
• They use far less energy (up to 80% less) than conventional ovens. Saves your electric bill. 

That's all for this week, I'll be back with more Monday. Until then, have a good weekend, your friendly neighborhood hippie mom.


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