Is your Drinking Water Safe?

I'm not a doctor or a scientist, but I've always suspected the danger of added fluoride to our drinking water. I'm always a little suspicious when chemicals are forced on me, and usually rightfully so.  In this case, most municipal water suppliers have been adding fluoride to our drinking water since the 1940s in order to help "prevent" tooth decay. Unfortunately, over exposure to this potent neurotoxin can lead to health problems such as lowered IQ, thyroid issues and surprise, surprise, cancer.  Sadly, there are several studies showing that the ingestion of fluoride doesn't improve cavity prevention. I can guarantee, though, that is has put millions of dollars in the pocket of its manufacturer, Dow.  


Although, he's a bit of an alarmist, here's what Dr. Mercola has to say:

"The conventional wisdom has been that topical application of fluoride can help strengthen your enamel and help prevent decay. If that's untrue, then the case against water fluoridation—the ingestion of fluoride—becomes even stronger than it ever was before.

There's just no doubt that ingesting fluoride has no beneficial effect on your teeth. In fact, there's overwhelming evidence indicating that fluoride is a potent toxin that can cause a wide array of severe health problems once ingested.

When evaluating the issue of water fluoridation it is also important to understand that fluoride is a drug. You can't get fluoride without a prescription. Yet it's being added to your water supply on a mandatory basis at various levels that may or may not be safe for various individuals, especially children, the sick, and the elderly. Water fluoridation is a major assault on your freedom of choice – to be drugged or not.

Sodium fluoride, which is a far simpler toxin than the fluoride compounds used for most water fluoridation, has also been used for rat and cockroach poisons, so there is no question that it is highly toxic.

Amazingly, the United States is only one of eight countries in the entire developed world that fluoridates more than 50 percent of its water supply. (The other seven are: Australia, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.) In Europe, Ireland is the only country that fluoridates more than 50 percent of its drinking water, and England fluoridates 10 percent. Most of mainland Europe is not fluoridated, and yet, according to World Health Organization data, their teeth are just as good, if not better than Americans'."

Read the full article here: Does Fluoride Really Fight Cavities

All this talk about chemicals in our water made me curious about mine. After a little digging, I found this great database through Environmental Working Group that gives water reports for many cities in the U.S. and helps you find water filters to eliminate specific chemicals.  EWG Tap Water Report

You can also check out the widget on my sidebar and enter your zip code to get your EWG water report. Of course, this report doesn't have fluoride listed for some reason. I did find that Baltimore City's fluoride average is .9 ppm (parts per million), which is just above the new Health and Human Services proposed maximum limit of .7 ppm. Here's a link to Baltimore City's most recent water report: Baltimore City Water Report

Unfortunately, most water filters, except for reverse osmosis systems, don't remove fluoride, so we're basically stuck with it until the levels are reduced or eliminated by the government. 

In a nutshell:

• It is recommended that you filter your water to help reduce chemical contaminants. Don't forget to cook and make coffee with this water too. It appears that carbon block filters are more effective than the granulated activated carbon. Ideally, a reverse osmosis filter is the best, but they are expensive and a major pain to change (I've learned this from personal experience). This one seems pretty good after looking at Baltimore's contaminants: Clear 2O Water Pitcher

• If you're on-the-go, carry a safe, re-usable water bottle. Hard plastic bottles (#7 plastic) can leach a harmful plastics chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) into water. Carry stainless steel or other BPA-free bottles. Don’t reuse bottled water bottles. The plastic can harbor bacteria and break down to release plastics chemicals.

Blend It

We've had many discussions in our household over the years about having a liquid diet.  I'm not talking about coffee and beer here. Although, I know that's what you were thinking.  In our cottage, as in most, we struggle with ways to eat all of our fruits and veggies.  We're reminded constantly about the benefits and pure need for our bodies to ingest 7-10 servings a day.  That being said, it's not easy.  My father always said he had to retire in order to eat all of his fruits and veggies and drink his daily allotted water.  He's right, in a sense, it's hard to fit it all in. I'm lucky if I floss once a week and I snicker when the dentist tilts his head with that mask on and says in a muffled voice, "are you flossing every day?" I usually reply, "no, I'm lucky I showered today", and that's true!  


We're all busy and need to find a balance in our lives to keep ourselves healthy.  Regular exercise and a healthy diet are so important, and if you're one of the lucky ones, flossing.  With fruits and vegetables, an easy rule to follow is eat the rainbow.  Of course, if there was a pot of chocolate at the bottom we would have an easier time following through.  Fortunately, I am back as a proud blender owner. My brief 3 month hiatus due to an attempt to remedy my leaking blender was a huge waste of time.  Good old, "Fifty Years of Quality", Waring, has not redeemed themselves. I've moved on and am back in the smoothie-making saddle. Here's the great thing about smoothies, fruit contains just as many nutrients as vegetables, and tastes better too. So, you could go on a liquid diet with a good old fashioned blender. At least you can squeeze part of rainbow into a good blender drink.  Cheers!


Here are a few of my favorites:


High Protein Peanut Butter Banana

• 1/2 cup low fat milk
• 1/2 cup 2% greek yogurt (I prefer this yogurt since it's higher in protein)
• 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 tsp honey (go for raw honey if you can)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 banana

Kid's Favorite

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup of Trader Joe's vanana yogurt (yes, vanana)
• 1 carrot
• orange juice (pour enough to cover the other ingredients) 

Tamara's Early Morning Energy Smoothie

• 1 cup low fat milk
• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
• 1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter 
• 1 frozen banana
• optional--1 scoop of protein powder

Ditch the Scented Candles

As the holiday season swiftly approaches, I was thinking "didn't we just do this?" Did I actually say that? What I meant to say is, "ditch the scented candles."  Once again, I'm not an expert here, but it doesn't take an expert to know that something is wrong when you get a splitting headache after walking past the Yankee Candle shop. Now to put things into perspective, I am a bit sensitive, some might even say neurotic. I'll stick with sensitive.  However you want to slice it, maybe my neurosis is like the canary in the coal mine; a good litmus test for all things bad. Fragrance oil scented candles are nasty little pillars of wax. I admit, some of them do smell good.  It's hard to get a natural candle that smells like fresh baked cookies. There's a price, though.  Did you know that fragrance oils consist of hundreds of synthetic chemicals. As stated in one article, "95% of the chemicals found in these oils are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, and include chemicals such as benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and others capable causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions."


In an effort to have a healthy home, eliminating fragrance oil scented candles makes sense. Who knows, you might get wild and crazy and eliminate scented laundry detergent and bath and beauty products too. There is an alternative to synthetic fragrance oils. You can make sure to buy products that contain essential oils. These are oils that are mostly steam distilled from plants and flowers to create a very intense, pure oil. When used correctly, these oils can smell amazing and actually have therapeutic and medicinal benefits. Fortunately, I have an addiction to Etsy and was able to locate a soy candle maker who sticks with essential oils only. I also love that they are eco-friendly! Happy shopping...

Zap Those EMFs

A healthy, green home is a healthy home period. It may not be happier, but it's important considering the barrage of unhealthy things we're exposed to when we walk out the door.  My home is far from perfect and I'm frequently plagued with "green guilt" from not composting those orange rinds from lunch, since the composting bucket wasn't under the sink. A walk outside to the compost pile is sometimes just a little too far on a day when my mental list is already making me mental. To add to my guilt, the cats insist on drinking out of the faucet. This requires sporadic tap drippings of fresh chlorinated water to quench their voracious thirst. Apparently, the filtered water I refresh several times a day isn't delicious enough. 


As I said, my home is far from perfect. I do know a few things, though. I know that many homes have hot spots of EMFs (electromagnetic fields) that should be avoided; especially while sleeping. Number one, the digital clock. Not your friend for many reasons, I agree. Your clock emits a very strong EMF field that drops off once you're about a foot away. You certainly want to make sure it's well away from your head while sleeping. Why? EMFs mess with our melatonin levels and we are most vulnerable while we sleep. Low melatonin can affect your sleep, mood and has even been linked to cancer (surprise, surprise). All electronic devices emit EMFs. The important factor, is that the EMF levels are low where you spend most of your time; sleeping, reading, watching TV, etc. One easy way to do this, is to make sure that these places are several feet from the closest electronic device. Keep in mind that walls don't protect you. If your refrigerator backs up to a wall and your favorite chair is on the other side, you could be sitting in a hot spot. For a little more reassurance, you could purchase a gaussmeter for $35 and test your house. Who knows, maybe you'll find some ghosts lurking around too. 


If you want a more thorough exam, call your local electricity provider. They don't advertise this, but they will come to your house and give you a full inspection with their super duper gaussmeter. Just make sure you tell them that you're concerned about the EMF levels in your home when you call. You'll find that their "acceptable" levels are way higher than they should be, but just take note of the hot spots and move your furniture accordingly. 


Making your home a clean, healthy environment is one small part you can do to protect your health and the health of your family. Certainly, more ramblings to follow...