Green Travel Tips

Planning a vacation this summer? Would you like to minimize your exposure to chemicals and/or mold while enjoying your hotel of choice?

New construction, plug-ins, dryer sheets, new carpeting, and cleaning products all require the use of harsh chemicals. If you want to "go the extra mile" and call ahead to see if the hotel is a fit for you, consider asking these 10 questions before placing your reservation. Most hotels will not be able to answer yes to all of these, but some may be willing to make changes to help you avoid some of those unwanted environmental challenges.

1. Is your property smoke-free?
2. Is your property pet-free? Do you offer rooms that are guaranteed pet-free?
3. Do you use natural cleaning products? Would your cleaning service be willing to clean with white vinegar only?
4. Are there windows in the room that open easily for ventilation?
5. Do you offer allergy-friendly rooms with hypoallergenic bedding?
6. Are towels and linens unscented? Would your staff be willing to eliminate dryer sheets for bedding in our room?
7. Are there plug-ins on the property? Are there fragrance-free rooms available?
8. Is there a history of flooding or water damage?
9. Has the property been sprayed for pesticides recently? How about individual rooms?
10. Do you have any rooms with brand-new carpeting? How recently have the carpets been cleaned?

Two hotel chains that might be particularly favorable to this list are Hyatt and Fairmont, according to this New York Times article.

My chemically-sensitive daughter traveled to New Mexico recently and requested unscented bedding, and the hotel left out the dryer sheets. They also cleaned with white vinegar. With some ventilation and a diffuser, she did great! Keep in mind, you're the customer—and you never know until you ask!

For more suggestions on low-toxic travel, see the Safer Travel Directory, which is downloadable for a cost of $17.

Homemade Deodorant Powder That Works

One of the toughest personal care products to replace with a natural alternative is deodorant. Our family has tried virtually every option. Some of us have successfully used Tom's of Maine brand, while others like our homemade version combining arrowroot, beeswax, and coconut oil. Others, like our teenage son, have found no suitable option.

I've continued to try various blends, however, determined to stay away from the harsh chemicals and aluminum found in many deodorant products, which are easily absorbed into the lymphatic system.

We had a breakthrough last week when our son gave a thumbs-up to our newest homemade option: a deodorant powder. I adapted this recipe from the book Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles, substituting arrowroot for corn starch and adding zeolite powder. I can't say enough about this powder! The thyme and rosemary have wonderful antimicrobial properties, and the baking soda helps contain the body odor. It offers a nice "earthy" scent easily appreciated by both men and women.

Homemade Deodorant Powder

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. arrowroot (an edible starch derived from the roots of the West Indian plant known as arrowroot)
• 1 c. baking soda
• 1/4 c. thyme, finely powdered
• 1/4 c. calcium bentonite clay
• 1 tbsp. zeolite powder
• 100 drops rosemary essential oil
• 50 drops thyme essential oil

Combine all but the essential oils in food processor or large bowl. Whisk by hand or blend in food processor for 15 seconds. Slowly add essential oils to 7 tablespoons of the powder mix by using mortar and pestle. Add oil mixture to remaining powder and whirl in food processor for 15 seconds. Allow the mixture to sit for 3 days to allow the oils to permeate the powder. Place in small jar or shaker jar for individual use.

Nighttime EMF Protection

Little is known about the long-term implications of Wi-Fi, cell phones, and other electronic/electrical devices. With our world revolving around these gadgets, how do we use these devices wisely?

One way is to pay attention to the EMF exposures at night. It makes sense to allow time for the body to rest from the constant assault of wireless technology during the day. According to this article by natural health advocate Dr. Joseph Mercola, there are five ways to create a sleep sanctuary:

1. Use battery clocks near bed.
   Research has shown that exposure to high magnetic fields while sleeping can cause severe long-term illness. Many electric clocks produce high magnetic fields.
2. Turn off bedroom circuit breakers.
   A restful sleep is necessary for health and a strong immune system. Electric fields affect the bio-communication system, keeping you from sleeping soundly.
3. Eliminate or shield from RF.
   Radio frequency (RF) signals from portable phones, cell phones, and wireless devices have been shown to interfere with the body's immune system.
4. Use beds without metal.
   Metal frames and metal box springs can amplify and distort the earth's natural magnetic field, which can lead to a non-restful sleep. Use natural materials.
5. Make sure there are no elevated magnetic fields.
   Magnetic fields from appliances and building wiring can penetrate walls into a bedroom and disrupt the body's communication system.

I recently purchased this simple gauss meter to check for elevated magnetic fields. There are also several smart phone/Android apps available for free, including Micro Lab's EMP Detector.

I used the meter to check the walls in our home, paying careful attention to the ones near our beds. Only one wall elicited a meter response—the wall backing up to the dehydrator. Since the dehydrator often runs during the night, we moved the bed.

The following video demonstrates the use of this meter and how simple it is to protect yourself.

Type 1 Study

It's been five years since Colin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of seven. As I look back, I stand amazed that no medical professional connected the onset of his illness with the toxicity of our home. No doubt a variety of factors play a role in this disease; however, the factor of toxic load, particularly toxic mold, is rarely discussed.

What if the connection between environment and health was common knowledge? What if our son's case could contribute and help others?

With these questions in mind, we have agreed to participate in a study connecting the onset of type 1 diabetes with exposure to toxic mold. The study is being led by Dr. Luke Curtis, along with Dr. Allan Lieberman of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Dr. Curtis has an MD as well as an MS in public health. He has published eight papers on mold-related health problems, including this one. He has also completed two courses on mold identification and has 20 years experience in mold sampling and remediation. He is one of the few medical doctors in the country who is also a certified industrial hygienist.

According to Dr. Curtis:

I am working on a case series describing children or adults developing type 1 diabetes following documented heavy indoor mold exposure. We are looking for more cases to include in a case series which will be submitted to a diabetes or environmental journal.

Publishing a case series might be very useful in understanding triggers for type 1 diabetes and planning more research on type 1 diabetes prevention.

If you or someone you know might be interested in participating, we would love to hear. Email me directly at andrea@momsaware.org.

Toxic Talk Tuesday... on Friday!

Don't miss today's special edition of Toxic Talk, as Chris and I discuss summer skin care. What do we need to know before we use commercial sunscreens? How about bug repellents? Are there natural alternatives? We'll also highlight 10 questions to ask before making your hotel reservation for that summer getaway. Join us live at 2:00 p.m. Central on Moody Radio's Chris Fabry Live!, or visit the website to listen via stream or podcast.

Celebrating the Freedom to Choose

I doubt John Adams thought much about food traditions when he predicted that the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 would be marked with "shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Adams was right. The parades and fireworks are still with us. As are the backyard barbecues and picnics. Hot dogs, corn on the cob, and potato chips are as celebrated as the Declaration itself, it seems.

It's startling, however, to think about the changes in these foods over the years. The genetic modification of food is staggering. Nearly 80 percent of non-organic processed foods contain GMOs.

Sir Albert Howard, the father of organic farming, predicted the escalation of chemical agriculture. He fought against synthetic fertilizers (artificial manures) during the 1930s, contending that "artificial manures lead inevitably to artificial nutrition, artificial food, artificial animals, and finally to artificial men and women." (From his book An Agricultural Testament.)

Can there be anything more artificial than taking the DNA of one organism and inserting it into another organism in order to create a desired trait? I don't need long-term studies to prove what my gut tells me. Food in its original, God-given packaging is far superior to food created by humans.

The United States does not require that GMO foods be labeled as such. More than 40 other countries do.

The organization Just Label It exists solely to see this law changed. They have petitioned the FDA to require the labeling of GMO foods, saying that Americans have a basic right to know what they're eating and the right to make informed choices about what they eat.

More than 92 percent of Americans surveyed agree that GMO labeling ought to be mandatory. If you'd like to join the Just Label It Campaign and learn how you might make a difference, visit their website.

The good news is that we have a choice about the food we eat. Admittedly, it costs more to eat organic and avoid foods that are genetically altered. But can we afford to do otherwise? What are the hidden costs of processed, refined foods?

This July 4th I'm celebrating by eating some grass-fed beef and organic vegetables. I'm grateful I live in a country that celebrates freedom in all of its forms—including the right to choose and to change.