I came across this crazy advertisement today while reading through the growing list of chemicals implicated in hormone disrutpion on OurStolenFuture.org. The ad was part of a series run widely in the 1990’s recommending that people think of plastic as “your sixth basic food group.” It’s amazing to think about what the chemical industry spends to convince people of the safety of their products – whether load with bisphenol-a or not!
The ad copy is a little hard to read, so here’s the full text:
Plastics: An Important Part Of Your Healthy Diet
“You could think of them as the sixth basic food group.”
Oh, you certainly wouldn’t eat them, but plastic packaging does help protect our food in many ways. To help lock in freshness, plastic wrap clings tightly to surfaces. To help lock out moisture, resealable containers provide a strong seal. And plastic wrap helps extend the shelf life of perishable produce, poultry, fish and meats. To prevent spoilage and contamination, some varieties of plastics help keep air out. While others let air in to help the food we eat stay fresher longer. Plastics also let you see what you’re buying, taking the mystery out of shopping. All of which makes them versatile, durable, lightweight and shatter-resistant. To learn more, call the American Plastics Council (APC) at 1.800.777.9500 for a free booklet. Plastics. One part of your diet you may never break.
If you’ve spent any time looking for PVC-free Christmas gifts, then you know how difficult it is to find them. PVC-free “rubber” duckies are very rare, but Boon, Inc. has you covered with Squish, Slim, Bob and Jane. They’re perfect for stocking stuffers and will be 30% off during our Christmas Bath Toy Sale starting Monday November 23, 2009. Use the code “christmas1123″ at checkout by November 25, 2009.
It’s time for more Twitter Tuesday fun! Today we’re giving away a Squish Odd Duck to one lucky winner via a live giveaway on Twitter at 3pm EST and another via 2nd Chance Drawing here on our blog.
How to enter our live giveaway via Twitter (#TuesGiveaway)
We’ll send out a contest announcement on Twitter at 3pm EST, and you’ll be entered automatically when you copy/paste that announcement and re-tweet it. Our tweet will look something like this: “RT to WIN: @thesoftlanding is giving away XYZ to the 50th person to tweet this!” (the tweet will be sent out right at 3pm EST and will not look exactly like this one – so be watching on Twitter)
The lucky tweet(s) will win! We’ll notify everyone by tweeting the winner(s) Twitter ID when the contest ends. Please check our profile page at http://www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding.com for updates
The winner(s) will contact us at info@thesoftlanding.com with their full name and shipping address to claim their prize
If you’ve won in the last 30 days, you will not be eligible to win today
*NOTE* Please be considerate of others by keeping your Twitter entries at a reasonable level (2-3 tweets). That way everyone will have a chance to enter
How to Enter the Blog Contest
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to our Twitter Tuesday Giveaway today, because you can enter here on our blog too for a chance to win another Squish Odd Duck! Simply leave a comment right here on this blog post by midnight on November 19, 2009. One entry per person. Open to all blog readers worldwide!
Women’s Voices for the Earth has released a report that debunks the myths surrounding the s0-called benefits of using disinfectants to clean our homes, daycares and schools. They discuss chlorine bleach, ammonia, triclosan and triclocarban, ammonia quaternary compounds and nano silver, explaining the true consequences of our cultural obsession with their routine use.
Powerful antimicrobial chemicals (also known as disinfectants) are increasingly found in household cleaners, from laundry detergent to kitchen cleaners to handy wipes. Yet research has shown that some of the most common antimicrobial chemicals used in cleaners could have serious health consequences. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to potential health impacts from simple irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system to hormone imbalance, immune system impacts, asthma, and potential reduced fertility. The overuse of disinfectant chemicals also contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, more commonly known as “superbugs.”
The truth is that in most households, the need for routine disinfection is rare. Scientists agree that soap and water are effective for most routine cleaning jobs, and research has demonstrated that safer alternatives, such as vinegar and borax, have antibacterial properties that may be used in place of harsh chemicals. Also, other steps can be taken to prevent the need to disinfect in the first place.
The report offers recommended actions for reducing your exposure to these potentially hazardous chemicals, as well as information on non-toxic cleaners with antimicrobial properties.
The guys in my family have responded with equal shock and dismay after watching me drink coffee from my double-walled stainless steel mug, “Why are you ruining the ultimate beer mug with your coffee?!”
It may sound strange, but I enjoy sipping from a heavy duty mug that keeps my coffee hot – even without a lid! My husband insists that he get to use it for his frosty beer too – and I’m willing to share, but he has to put in a reservation ahead of time. And it’s only available in the evenings
Our Favorite Features
Its double wall design keeps drinks cold and hands comfortable, while preventing condensationThe air pocket created by the stainless steel double wall keeps cold drinks cold, and hot beverages hot
Brushed exterior, polished interior and a large comfortable handle make it handsome and comfortable
Skip disposable plastic cups and go eco-friendly
Holds a hearty 15oz and measures 6″ H x 3″ W
Dishwasher safe
This mug can survive any beating Dad can dish out! It’s the perfect Christmas gift and will be 30% off during our 2-day Holiday Specials on Coffee and Tea Mugs from 11/16 through 11/18. Use code “christmas116″ at checkout. Not valid with any other offers. While supplies last, no rainchecks.
And Now for the Giveaway
It’s time for more Twitter Tuesday fun! Today we’re giving away a RSVP Stainless Steel Mug to one lucky winner via a live giveaway on Twitter at 3pm EST and another via 2nd Chance Drawing here on our blog.
How to enter our live giveaway via Twitter (#TuesGiveaway)
We’ll send out a contest announcement on Twitter at 3pm EST, and you’ll be entered automatically when you copy/paste that announcement and re-tweet it. Our tweet will look something like this: “RT to WIN: @thesoftlanding is giving away XYZ to the 50th person to tweet this!” (the tweet will be sent out right at 3pm EST and will not look exactly like this one – so be watching on Twitter)
The lucky tweet(s) will win! We’ll notify everyone by tweeting the winner(s) Twitter ID when the contest ends. Please check our profile page at http://www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding.com for updates
The winner(s) will contact us at info@thesoftlanding.com with their full name and shipping address to claim their prize
If you’ve won in the last 30 days, you will not be eligible to win today
*NOTE* Please be considerate of others by keeping your Twitter entries at a reasonable level (2-3 tweets). That way everyone will have a chance to enter
How to Enter the Blog Contest
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to our Twitter Tuesday Giveaway today, because you can enter here on our blog too for a chance to win another RSVP Stainless Steel Mug! Simply leave a comment right here on this blog post by midnight on November 12, 2009. One entry per person. Open to all blog readers worldwide!
Monday: A little background on why I left nursing to research endocrine-disruptors found in food storage, baby teethers and toys
Tuesday: What is BPA?
Wednesday: What are Phthalates?
Thursday: What is PVC?
Friday: How to Avoid BPA, PVC and phthalates
We’ll be offering all of these new updates and how-to’s in a downloadable format soon, so you can take it with you to share with friends and family members who need a little more convincing
2009 brought an amazing number of new BPA-free products to the market, so we’ve updated our BPA-free Sippy Cup Guide. You can find the complete list with background info on bisphenol-a on Squidoo (you can easily print the page for shopping trips on the go). Be sure to let us know if we missed any of your favorite BPA-free sippy cups and we’ll add them!
Folks are ditching plastic containers by the droves and stainless steel has become the trusty standby. Kids Konserve was at the forefront, providing common sense products before the shift even began. So today we’ll be giving away one of their most versatile products – the round stainless steel container with BPA-free lid.
Our Favorite Features
Its perfect 8oz size can handle many different kinds of food: tuna, pasta, chicken salads, veggies, pretzels, grapes, strawberries, yogurt, applesauce, crackers and more!
Heavy duty non-toxic plastic lids keep food fresh and well-contained
High grade stainless steel is made to last longer than typcial plastic containers
Dishwashwer safe for serious convenience
Kids Konserve just released the Nesting Trio too, which is a set of three stainless steel containers of various sizes. It’s a fantastic way to be sure you always have the perfect fit on hand! But don’t rush out to buy them just yet, because we’ve included all stainless steel containers in our Christmas Specials. You can save a whopping 30% on everything from Nov. 9 – Nov. 11!
And Now for the Giveaway
It’s time for more Twitter Tuesday fun! Today we’re giving away a Kids Konserve Round Stainless Steel Container to one lucky winner via a live giveaway on Twitter at 3pm EST and another via 2nd Chance Drawing here on our blog.
How to enter our live giveaway via Twitter (#TuesGiveaway)
We’ll send out a contest announcement on Twitter at 3pm EST, and you’ll be entered automatically when you copy/paste that announcement and re-tweet it. Our tweet will look something like this: “RT to WIN: @thesoftlanding is giving away XYZ to the 50th person to tweet this!” (the tweet will be sent out right at 3pm EST and will not look exactly like this one – so be watching on Twitter)
The lucky tweet(s) will win! We’ll notify everyone by tweeting the winner(s) Twitter ID when the contest ends. Please check our profile page at http://www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding.com for updates
The winner(s) will contact us at info@thesoftlanding.com with their full name and shipping address to claim their prize
If you’ve won in the last 30 days, you will not be eligible to win today
*NOTE* Please be considerate of others by keeping your Twitter entries at a reasonable level (2-3 tweets). That way everyone will have a chance to enter
How to Enter the Blog Contest
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to our Twitter Tuesday Giveaway today, because you can enter here on our blog too for a chance to win another Kids Konserve Round Stainless Steel Container! Simply leave a comment right here on this blog post by midnight on November 5, 2009. One entry per person. Open to all blog readers worldwide!
We love Christmas and we’re celebrating in big style this year! We called a family meeting and hatched a plan to offer you 8 weeks of healthy Christmas savings with a little added bonus – FREE Shipping Fridays throughout November and December! You’ll find a unique code on the homepage of our store each Friday morning.
We’re offering a HUGE 30% discount on various styles of eating gear, toys and gift certificates. Each weekly code is valid from Monday through Wednesday. Download the whole schedule now to plan for your shopping needs! Just click on the image below.
Organic cotton + Canadian Maple wood = a truly chemical-free teether by RiNGLEY! The original RiNGLEY teethers have been such a hit with babies, that the company recently introduced two new designs to their teething arsenal: the Ball and the Junior. Both boast a new velcro features which allows you to remove the cloth and throw it in the washer without the wood teether!
Our Favorite Features
RiNGLEY’s Newest innovation allows you to un-velcro the cloth and throw it in the washer
Shape allows your child to easily grip the ring and cloth
Can be used wet or dry and easily reaches around a child’s gums and teeth (we use ours frozen)
Since infants learn through tactile stimulus, touching and putting things in their mouths, the need for a product made without harmful chemicals and dyes is important
Natural materials means a truly safe toy for babies to chew and teethe on
Handmade in Toronto, Canada
And Now for the Giveaway
It’s time for more Twitter Tuesday fun! Today we’re giving away a RiNGLEY Natural Ball Teether to one lucky winner via a live giveaway on Twitter at 3pm EST and another via 2nd Chance Drawing here on our blog.
How to enter our live giveaway via Twitter (#TuesGiveaway)
We’ll send out a contest announcement on Twitter at 3pm EST, and you’ll be entered automatically when you copy/paste that announcement and re-tweet it. Our tweet will look something like this: “RT to WIN: @thesoftlanding is giving away XYZ to the 50th person to tweet this!” (the tweet will be sent out right at 3pm EST and will not look exactly like this one – so be watching on Twitter)
The lucky tweet(s) will win! We’ll notify everyone by tweeting the winner(s) Twitter ID when the contest ends. Please check our profile page at http://www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding.com for updates
The winner(s) will contact us at info@thesoftlanding.com with their full name and shipping address to claim their prize
If you’ve won in the last 30 days, you will not be eligible to win today
*NOTE* Please be considerate of others by keeping your Twitter entries at a reasonable level (2-3 tweets). That way everyone will have a chance to enter
How to Enter the Blog Contest
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to our Twitter Tuesday Giveaway today, because you can enter here on our blog too for a chance to win another RiNGLEY Natural Ball Teether! Simply leave a comment right here on this blog post by midnight on October 22, 2009. One entry per person. Open to all blog readers worldwide!
P.S. Watch for a HUGE announcement about our 8 weeks of outrageous Christmas Shopping Specials this coming Thursday! Friday will mark our first special, so get ready to make quick work of your non-toxic Christmas Shopping. Here’s a little preview for you
Have you ever wondered if it’s okay to wash plastic food containers in the dishwasher, even if they are BPA-free? That’s a great question that requires a two-part answer, because not all plastic containers the same . . .
Most Reusable Bottles and Dishes are Dishwasher Safe
Many plastic containers are specifically intended for reuse and are usually clearly marked. The dishes in this category come from two main categories:
Heavy duty everyday reusables (dishware, utensils, baby bottles, sippy cups, etc.) are dishwasher safe and will withstand heat and detergents for many years. Some examples would be Frostware and Preserve Everyday Tableware
Take and toss style reusables are dishwasher safe but don’t stand up well in the long run, so keep an eye on them and recycle them when they begin to warp. Some examples would be Nuby Wash or Toss and Gladware Food Storage
Some Food Containers from Grocery Stores are Not Dishwasher Safe
Most yogurt, cream cheese or peanut butter containers are made from polypropylene (#5) which is great in regard to the absence of toxic chemicals. But many are made with very thin plastic walls that just won’t hold up when exposed to dishwasher heat and detergents. You’ll have to be the judge: if the plastic container is too flimsy and ends up warped, it’s probably not meant to be reused.
Also be careful to check your take out containers, as most are made from a firm polystyrene plastic (#6) that looks and feels an awful lot like polypropylene. You’ll never want to reuse these containers and you should even consider using your own on-the-go containers instead. An easy way to check for polystyrene is to look for a lack flexibility in the container. Polypropylene will be slightly squeezable.
Don’t Forget to Wash Them on the Top Rack
Always place plastic dishes on the top rack to reduce heat exposure and hand wash large dishes that won’t fit up top. And while we’re on the topic of heat and plastics, we don’t recommend microwaving plastic at all either.
