Second-Hand Smoke and Mental Disorders in Children

Second-hand smoke is not only bad for your child’s physical health, but a new study shows that it has negative effects on their mental health as well. A study published April 4, 2011 in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine shows that there is a possible correlation between second-hand smoke and mental disorders in children aged 8-15. The researchers examined cotinine – a biomarker produced when the body metabolizes nicotine- levels in children and adolescents aged 8-15 years and found that levels were positively associated with several symptoms of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and conduct disorder. Second-hand smoke exposure has already linked to physical health effects including sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory complications, dental decay, metabolic syndrome, otitis media, and asthma. However, this is the first study to examine a nationally representative sample and mental disorder symptoms. Just one more reason not to light up around children!

For more information, see the Los Angeles Times article.

For more information on smoking and the facts, see the CDC website.

Apples and Endocrine Disruptors

What are you ingesting with that apple besides nutrients?

A study published February 10^th, 2011 shows that many chemicals and fungicides used on fruits and vegetables are acting as male hormone disruptors. The study was funded by the European Commission and was completed by the University of London. The scientists studied 37 pesticides that are in heavy use in Europe. Many of these are also widely used in the US. 30 of these 37 pesticides were found to alter male hormones.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a program known as the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, which requires some chemicals found in food and water to be tested to understand if they interfere with estrogen, androgens, and thyroid hormones. However, this program has been slow to produce results due to pressure from the chemical industry and controversy over the testing methods. Additionally, a number of the pesticides that the University of London researchers found to be hormone disruptors are not currently in the EPA program. The researchers state that much of the current research on pesticide use is focused on chemicals that are no longer in use, and more research is needed to understand important links between reduced male fertility and testicular cancer.

What does this really mean?

Even though it has been shown that these chemicals are indeed male hormone disruptors, it is unclear how the pesticides will behave in the human body at the quantities ingested on fruits and vegetables. It is likely, however, that fetuses and infants are more at risk due to exposure in utero and through breast milk because their reproductive systems are rapidly developing. For more information on the endocrine system and endocrine disruptors, you can visit the Natural Resources Defense Council website.

So what can you do?

Obviously we want to purchase organic produce whenever it is available, but not only is not always available, it is usually more expensive than conventional produce. We have all become accustomed to being able to purchase whatever produce we want, no matter the season. I can be terrible about this! I love berries and oranges, and during the winter it can be nearly impossible to find organic strawberries or oranges. My solution during the winter when farmers markets are closed is to buy frozen organic produce. It obviously doesn’t taste the same, but it is a close second.

Also, if you, like me, and most others are on a limited budget for food, refer to the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list that outlines the 12 items of produce you should try to consistently buy organic. Think apples, peaches, pears, berries, bell peppers to start with. They have a handy shopping guide found here that you can keep with you until you know them by heart. >For more information, please see here.

PS – per my best friend’s request, I am supposed to be working on a similar pocket guide to help you avoid the worst chemical offenders in cosmetic products – more on this soon!

Vegan Valentine Comfort Food

GOOD cheese enchiladas.

That is all I wanted last night. Well that, my bed, and some Lucy re-runs. As many of you know, I am a vegan, and have been for some time. Actually this February marks my two year anniversary of being a vegan. Veganism brings a ton of sustainability to your life, but that is for another post.

Being pregnant and vegan brings challenges unknown to someone whose body has not been taken over by hormone surges that make you say and do crazy things. Now, I haven’t had cheese for two years, but my pregnancy has brought more cravings for this substance that would undoubtedly wreak havoc on my intestines than you can imagine, and last night after my sweet husband said the wrong thing, all I wanted was cheese.

Ooey- gooey- cheese.

He ended up making a great vegan potato-broccoli-kale soup, and I made a vegan carrot cake, and by the time I went to bed, I was no longer craving the cheese enchiladas, but getting there was a different story.

Our Potato soup:

1 small/medium bag of organic yellow potatoes

2 small organic red onions - chopped

4-5 small organic garlic cloves - chopped

Organic broccoli - chopped

Organic bunch of kale - chopped

Organic bunch of dill - chopped

Organic vegetable broth

1/4c. – 1/2c. oatmeal (uncooked)

1/4c.- 1/2c. soy creamer

2 tbsp canola oil

1. Scrub potatoes and cut into small chunks. Add vegetable broth until potatoes are covered. Bring to boil in vegetable broth and reduce heat. Cook until soft.

2. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add all ingredients to potatoes and broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat 10-20 minutes.

3. Use immersion blender to blend. Add soy creamer. Let simmer over low heat 10-20 more minutes.

I got the recipe for the vegan carrot cake here. I made a tofu-cream cheese frosting that didn’t set up quite like I wanted, but everything did taste amazing. I also substituted half of the oil in the recipe for applesauce

I know most of you would say why don’t you just cheat once, and have some cheese? But this is a very slippery slope. I have to admit that the reason I haven’t cheated in the past two years has more to do with all my wonderful friends, co-workers, and family members that have supported me in my decision to go veg. I have amazing people in my life who have gone out of their way to make sure they respect my decision by having vegan choices available for me. In the beginning I felt extremely guilty about people going out of their way to make something special for me, but now I just realize that these meals are the best comfort food anyone could ever ask for.

And we won’t talk about how all Terra wanted when I woke up this morning was a piece of that carrot cake.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Tragic and True

Babies suffocating in the crib because of the crib bumper. The story posted today in the Chicago Tribune is why we will not be using a crib bumper for our little one.

Even if the risk is small, it seems senseless for something that isn’t necessary – even if they are so darn cute!

There is more to a safe crib than not having a bumper, though. As promised, some more of my favorite eco-friendly (and very safe) cribs that weren’t included in yesterday’s post.

Oeuf – made in Europe from FSC certified wood – non-toxic, water-based finishes, and no-VOC finishes

Q Collection– made in the U.S. from sustainably sourced wood with non-toxic, water based finishes and zero or low-VOC finishes

Stokke - Manuctured in Slovenia from sustainable sources with non-toxic and low or no VOC finishes

Bloom – “all bloom products are independently tested and certified to be lead free, phthalate free, PVC free, heavy metal free, and AZO dye free - products are free of wood PCP and other toxic wood preservatives, fiberboard (MDF) free,use formaldehyde-free adhesive, low voc finishes and originate from certified sustainable beech and birch wood forests”

Spot on Square –“we use low VOC non-toxic paints and MDF made of 100% recycled/reclaimed content and formaldehyde-free glue. Additionally, we use FSC certified birch, Plyboo bamboo and locally sourced walnut”

Structured Green – I think the Oops crib is the best looking crib in the whole bunch! The crib is made from sustainable or reclaimed sources in the U.S. with non-toxic finishes

A Natural Home- The Livvy crib is unique! Made in the U.S. from sustainable with non-toxic finishes

In closing, when thinking about your baby's crib - where they are going to spend sooo much time - think about all the different features of the crib, and just leave that cute bumper at the store!