Different Types of Plastic

Not all plastics contain endocrine blockers, so it is important for consumers to know the difference. There are seven different types, and they can be identified by the labels on each container. Every plastic product includes a recycling symbol with a number that corresponds to the type of plastic. Some are safe for food and water consumption while others are not. The seven types are as follows:

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
7. Polycarbonate (PC)

Plastics 2, 4 and 5 are generally safe to use around food and water. HDPE is used to make milk gallons, juice bottles and other opaque containers. Our 4 pound jars of drinking powder as well as bath clay are made of HDPE.

LDPE includes the safe type of plastic wrap, bread packaging and grocery bags. PP is used in the production of medicine bottles, condiment containers and drinking straws. Plastic #1 is safe to use with food and water only once. This type of plastic is very porous and can trap bacteria that may leach into food if the container is reused. PETE is largely used to produce soda and water bottles.

Numbers 3, 6 and 7 should be avoided, especially around food. PVC is commonly used in plumbing pipes and certain types of plastic wrap. When using PVC plastic wrap, it should never be used for cooking. PS plastics are used to make Styrofoam, a common packaging material. Styrofoam has a high rate of leaching, and most environmental agencies advise consumers to avoid it completely. All other plastics fall under the PC category. The exact contents of these plastics may not be known, so it is wise to avoid them. Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is part of the polycarbonate group and is linked to developmental problems.

Chemicals of Concern

Studies performed on animals have pinpointed some of the plastic chemicals that can cause harmful effects. BPA is probably the most alarming for parents because baby toys and feeding accessories used to contain this chemical. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that acts like the hormone estrogen. In children, this chemical has been linked to reproductive abnormalities, hyperactivity and premature puberty. This endocrine blocker is also associated with diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and liver problems. An article from Time Sciencedelves deeper into the risks of exposure to BPA and how it affects humans.

Phthalates are another cause for concern. These chemicals disrupt the hormone testosterone and can cause genital defects in boys. DEHP is a type of phthalate that is used to make plastic products more pliable. When children place toys with DEHP in their mouths, they increase the risk of developing reproductive problems. Nonstick cookware, such as Teflon, releases phthalates when heated at high temperatures. When breathed in, these chemicals can cause asthma in children. The Washington Toxics Coalition suggests ways in which consumers and institutions can avoid phthalates.

Polystyrene is extremely harmful when its chemicals leach into food. Styrofoam contains possible carcinogens that can alter a person’s genetic structure and lead to abnormal cells. Polystyrene also affects the central nervous system. Children who are exposed to PS may experience frequent headaches along with a lack of energy and depression. These children may feel more anxious than normal and develop sleeping disorders like insomnia. In rare cases, children lose part or all of their hearing. To avoid these risks, Styrofoam should never be used around food.

Pregnant women who are exposed to plastic chemicals have a risk of passing those endocrine disruptors on to their babies. By interfering with the fetus’ hormones, the child may not develop properly. Some studies have shown that contaminated plastics can cause birth defects, including brain disorders and deformations. The most common issues are associated with sexual development.

When buying plastic containers of food or water, consumers should check the label to make sure it is a safe type.Safer alternatives include glass, stainless steel, cast iron, wood and bamboo. Many baby products now contain BPA-free labels that parents can look for.

Nicola Stevens is a part-time writer with insurancequotesdotorg and can be reached at stevens.nicolaataol.com.

A lassi is a traditional east Indian beverage. Mango is the traditional flavor, due to the fruit’s abundance in that country.

Of course, you can substitute whatever fruit you enjoy, fresh or frozen. Also, traditionally, a lassi is made with yogurt, but here Lissa has substituted tofu to make the recipe vegan. Since tofu is made from soybeans and soy is one of the most heavily genetically-modified crops in the United States, be sure to use ORGANIC tofu if you want to avoid GMOs in your diet.

The original recipe calls for:

mango

silken lite tofu

almond milk

stevia

My modifications:

• substituted hemp milk for the almond milk, since I had a box on hand and open in the frig.
• used less milk and added water
• added a teaspoon of psyllium husks for added fiber
• and of course, added 1 teaspoon pure calcium bentonite clay.

Good practice is for women to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily and for men, the number is even higher! Psyllium husks are a natural, tasteless way to add soluble fiber to your diet without added sugar. Metamucil is in fact psyllium husks with added sugar and dyes…yikes!

Clay can be taken on an empty stomach or with food. What works best is up to each individual. Many people that use clay for acid reflux, take it right before eating. Others believe it’s best for them to take it when the stomach is empty, where it travels through the guy unimpeded by food.

Here’s the complete ingredient list for one large or two small mango lassis:

3 ounces organic silken lite tofu

2 small yellow mangoes

1 cup hemp milk

1 cup water

1 tablespoon stevia extract

1 teaspoon psyllium husks

1 teaspoon pure calcium bentonite clay (for internal use)

Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy!

If using fresh fruit and you want to make your smoothie cold, be sure to add a few ice cubes and blend for a bit longer to crush the ice completely.

We also created a video showing how to make this recipe as well. We welcome your smoothie tips here. Stay well!

So how does it work when taken internally? When calcium bentonite clay is consumed, its vital force is released into the physical body and mingles with whatever energy exists there, creating a stronger, more powerful energy in the host. The result is greater than the sum of the parts! Its particles are agents of stimulation and transformation capable of withholding and releasing energy on impulse. The natural, magnetic action transmits a remarkable power to the organism, helping to rebuild vim and vigor through the liberation of latent energy. When it comes in contact with the body, its very nature compels it to release its vibrant force.

In order to create health, the body must be stimulated and re-stimulated by another working energy such as calcium bentonite clay or healthy, whole food. When the immune system does not function at its best, the clay stimulates the body’s inner resources to awaken the stagnant energy. It supplies the body with the available magnetism to run well.

Does that mean you have to be sick to take clay? Absolutely not! The best-known characteristic of clay is that it “acts as needed.” Clay is believed to propel the immune system to find a new healthy balance. Reactions are not forced, but rather triggered into action as needed. In other words, clay simply strengthens the body to a point of higher resistance. In this way, the body’s natural immune system has an improved chance of restoring and maintaining health.

Living clay communicates with the body and acts as a catalyst that supports the body in healing itself, by cleansing, detoxing, stimulating circulation and balancing the body’s pH level.  Calcium bentonite clay is referred to as ‘living’ because it has an electromagnetic energy charge to it, which assists the body in regaining it’s equilibrium, and thus the normal flow of energy. This electromagnetic energy comes from our clay starting out as super-charged volcanic ash in the Mojave Desert of California. Cinder cones from millions of years ago are visible today throughout the region.

Clay does remarkable work in re-storing deficient organs and organ functions. It does not accomplish this by supplying the missing elements, but by aiding the organism to be able to fix and assimilate those elements, where previously it was failing. For this reason, although calcium bentonite clay is comprised of more than 70 trace elements including minerals, it is not a true mineral supplement. Instead, it improves the body’s ability to absorb nutrients (including minerals) from whatever sources they enter the body (food, supplements, etc.)

Read our testimonials to understand some of the many ways calcium bentonite clay has helped others. And do let us know how clay has helped you. Stay well!

Oh, and leave a comment at the end of this post and let us know what you use to brush your teeth with.

Toothpaste Terms to Know

Do you know what’s in a conventional tube of toothpaste? Here’s the surprising truth about some of oral care’s most common ingredients.

Sodium fluoride

Listed as a high hazard (9 on a 10-point scale) by the Environmental Working Group, fluoride shows evidence of organ toxicity, neurotoxicity and carcinogenic activity. The Food and Drug Administration considers fluoride an “unapproved new drug,” and the Environmental Protection Agency lists it as a “contaminant,” yet it is found in the majority of toothpastes.

Propolis
A natural substance made by bees to seal the hive, propolis has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used for tooth and gum health in a number of natural toothpastes.

Hydrogen peroxide
Used as a whitening agent in toothpaste and mouthwash, peroxide has a strong bleaching action. It is banned by the Japanese government in all cosmetics except hair dyes, and shows some evidence of neurotoxicity and organ toxicity.

Triclosan
A synthetic disinfectant and antimicrobial agent, triclosan is listed as an antimicrobial pesticide by the EPA. It is used in toothpaste to prevent gingivitis. Triclosan shows evidence of liver toxicity, and also ends up as a pollutant in rivers and lakes, where it is very toxic to aquatic life, according to the Environmental Working Group.

Hydrated silica
Found in nature as sand or quartz, silica is the most abundant mineral in the earth’s crust. It is used in toothpaste as an abrasive cleaning agent. Though dangerous to respiratory health in aerosol form, silica is safe in toothpastes, according to the EWG.

Xylitol
A naturally occurring sweetener usually derived from birch trees, xylitol also shows a preventive effect in reducing cavities and tooth decay.

The vast majority of our customers use calcium bentonite clay to cleanse and detoxify. Drinking clay isn’t for everyone and there are detoxifying alternatives available. One such method is BodyPure+ DetoxPads. These are worn at night, one foot at a time to stimulate reflexology points, enhance circulation, remove toxins and combat fatique.

The first active ingredient in DetoxPads is high quality, distilled bamboo vinegar. This makes it 30 times more effective than ordinary vinegar. It contains rich minerals with strong absorption capabilities that accelerate the elimination of impurities through the soles of the feet. The second active ingredient is tourmaline, one of the few minerals in nature that emits far infrared energy. This stimulates and enhances the cells functions and promotes healing.

What we love about these pads is that for $15 you can send in a pad after you’ve worn it overnight and have it tested for 7 elements. For $25 they will test your pad for 15 elements. We are in the process of trying these before deciding if we will carry them. If you’ve used these and have comments, please share them here.

The Veggie Bed

Andrea Vincent was inspired to make a difference in the world when she saw a photo of a baby stork enveloped in a plastic bag on  Oprah. She came up with this reusable produce bag which is designed to fit in the child seat or base of your grocery cart. They’re very sturdy and very reasonably priced. While we reuse our produce bags until they tear, this is a great idea for people that want to do away with produce bags altogether.

What’s also cool about Andrea is that her story actually got her a seat in Oprah’s biggest fan show – the season premiere with John Travolta. And yup! She got to go on the trip to Australia with Oprah, Gayle and 300 of her (then-newest) best friends. When we spoke to Andrea at the show, she had an appointment with an editor at O Magazine about being featured in an upcoming issue. We’re crossing our fingers that they feature The Veggie Bed!

What do you use for produce bags? Do you carry reusable shopping bags in your car? Let us know your thoughts on how to reuse every day items.

Su-Jok
First up is a self-care tool that falls within the realm of su-jok acupuncture therapy. Su-jok is a method of addressing health conditions by stimulation of the hands and the feet with a combined use of acupuncture, medical treatment aids like moxibustion, finger pressure therapy and others. The belief is that energy meridians within the body are represented in different places in the hand (and feet). Since parts of the body are represented in the hands, stimulating parts of the hand can yield results in the body.

This ingenious su-jok finger massager is put on each finger (including thumbs) and rolled up and down each digit and stimulates different areas in the body. And it feels great! We placed an order for these, so check our online shop in a couple weeks to order one.

*Truly* Eco-Friendly Laundry Soap
We were first introduced to Eco Nuts^TM Natural Laundry Soap several years ago at Earth Day right here in San Diego. Eco Nuts^TM are certified organic, sustainabley grown dried fruit shells from a tree grown in Nepal. They are the *only* soap nut on the market that go through a sterilization process to ensure they are safe from pathogens. In addition, they are fragrance free, hypoallergenic, biodegradeable and non-toxic. Eco Nuts^TM are gentle on both clothes and skin, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies and psoriasis. Because they are so mild, they are perfect for baby clothes and cloth diapers. The antimicrobial properties of Eco NutsTM also make them great for septic and grey water systems.

The founder of Eco NutsTM is an enthusiastic young man, with very good energy. We hope to do a profile story on him soon. He’s quite an inspiration!

If you like these products, share them on social media using the links to the left. And check back for Part 2 of our article on cool things at Natural Products Expo West!

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT HAS MANY BENEFICIAL USES AS A HOME REMEDY

Antioxidants are valuable in combating damage caused by free radicals, which have been shown to cause cancer in animals and laboratory research. Antioxidants protect cells by interacting with free radicals and stabilizing them, thus lessening their impact.

There are many uses for grapefruit seed extract both internally and externally. NEVER use grapefruit seed extract full strength. It should always be diluted in a carrier first. It’s not inexpensive, but a little bit goes a long way and lasts a long time, making it an inexpensive home remedy.

Mixing 3 drops in a glass of water, it can be used as a throat gargle. An ear rinse can be made by adding 3 to 5 drops of the extract to one tablespoon of glycerin. People suffering from nasal infections can mix 1 drop of the extract with 4 tablespoons of warm water and put one full eye dropper in each nostril and tip the head back to release the solution. Force the solution into the nasal passages by moving the head forward and down. Allow passages to drain while breathing through the mouth. Try a deep-cleansing facial by wetting face with water and massage 2-3 drops into the skin with a circular motion. Rinse and pat dry. For nail infections on the hands or feet, dilute 5-10 drops to a tablespoon of water and apply directly to affected area or soak nails twice per day. I make a veggie wash by mixing 1 cup purified water, 1 cup white vinegar, 20 drops of extract and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Add the baking soda slowly and store in glass jar. Spray on non-organic produce and rinse after 5-10 minutes. See my YouTube video for more on this remedy.

Grapefruit can interact with certain drugs, so check with your pharmacist before including it in your diet if you take any prescription medications.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit_seed_extract

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/antioxidants

A year and a half ago I suddenly developed a dreadful skin condition that has been recently biopsed and diagnosed as Pleva…a condition which has no known cause and presents itself as a chicken-pox like rash … Itchy in nature and often blistering. The spots can be small or up to a half an inch in diameter, blister badly and leave brown scars! I suffered my outbreaks mostly on my lower legs but many other places as well.

The most effective treatment is UV treatment but also in some cases liver damaging drugs are prescribed! An anti inflammatory diet is also recommended! I followed all protocols for my condition and was able to in some manner keep things calm but my skin was always in constant eruption. I believed in my heart that this inflammatory condition was a sign that I had an overload of toxins in my body perhaps metal…which lead me to investigate heavy Metal Toxicity. I was fully intending to get tested but stumbled upon a world of information about Clay! I had nothing to lose in trying a regime of Clay and it certainly was hugely less expensive and less stressful than a regime of tests and Chelation therapy so I began with Bentonite hydrated clay every day and then 2 weeks later added Clay Baths to my routine!

For the first time in a year and a half my body is clear of all the Pleva spots! Wow! I am singing from the highest mountain to all who will hear… Clay is a Must-Have for all of us! We are bombarded with toxins and metals every day and we desperately need to cleanse ourselves of these invaders so we can heal naturally! I am a living example that it is possible to go beyond treating the symptoms and get to the underlying cause!

And…in closing I must say how amazed and perplexed I am how few people know about Healing Clay! I guess I’ll sing louder!
——J.W.

Geography

To the west, the Mojave is bound by Tehachapi, CA and the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. These mountain ranges are distinct, having been created by California’s two largest faults: the well-known San Andreas and the Garlock.  It is bound to the south by Joshua Tree National park. In fact, the presence of Joshua trees is one way to determine if a given location is within the Mojave Desert. It is the *only* location where Joshua Trees are known to grow. To the east, the Mojave Desert ends at Zion National Park.

The Mojave Desert makes up a significant portion of Southern CA and to a much smaller degree, parts of NV, AZ and Utah. It is named after the Mohave Native Americans and consists of approximately 54,000 square miles. The Mojave Desert is North America’s smallest, driest desert defined by its geology, elevation and characteristic plants such as Joshua trees. Not surprisingly, the Mojave Desert gets less than 6” of rainfall annually. High winds – up to 50 miles per hour -  contribute to the erosion of the desert landscape and are more common in the western end of this desert than in the eastern part.

Geology

In contrast to a more typical desert, the Mojave Desert has abruptly rising mountain ranges alternating with low, flat basins with an occasional sand dune. By definition, land basins have no outlet for water so that any rainfall evaporates in place, leaving behind alkaline dry lake beds or playas. Playas are among the flattest land forms on earth. The Mojave Desert also contains dry river beds or arroyos as well.

History

As far back as 225 million years ago, the Mojave was covered by shallow seas. These seas left thousands of meters of sediment, visible as different color bands in the mountains. From then to approximately 65 million years ago, the Mojave Desert region experienced tectonic plate activity and the entire area was uplifted. The weather became warmer and drier and bodies of water evaporated and left behind crusts of evaporate minerals. From 65 million years ago to present day, the tectonic plate activity and movement of faults was accompanied by volcanic activity. In the Death Valley area in particular, this plate activity created mountains and caused the land to drop, creating an enormous below-sea level bed or valley.

Our Clay’s Intense Origin

In a nutshell, Earth’s Living^TM  calcium bentonite clay is ancient volcanic ash that’s been charged with energy from the volcano from which it was spewed.  Volcanic eruptions in the Death Valley area dispersed clouds of volcanic ash over the dry, inland rivers and lake beds, filling the enormous valley with what has become calcium bentonite clay. The intense heat of the volcano burned off any impurities within the ash, transforming it into supercharged trace minerals.  Over time, these deposits evolved into veins of what is now known as calcium bentonite clay. The purity of our Mojave Desert clay is due to  a thick layer or ‘cap’ of zeolite above it. Zeolite forms where volcanic rocks and ash layers react with alkaline groundwater.

Our clay contains far more magnesium than other clays in the smectite family. One possible explanation for this is that the valley where the volcanic ash was deposited was a dry sea bed. As described above, when the rivers, lakes and basins dried, they left behind evaporate minerals. It could be that the seas in this area of the West had a higher concentration of magnesium than other areas. In fact, Earth’s Living^TM calcium bentonite clay is nearly twice as clean mineralogically-speaking, as another clay marketed as an ionic mineral supplement, derived from the Colorado desert (the original Colorado River delta). That clay has been in part, weathered by the Colorado River, accounting for the difference in ‘cleanliness’ between the two types.

Summary

Not all clays are created equal and not all clays are intended for internal use. Find out about the origin of your clay so you can have confidence in its content and purity. Check out our YouTube channel for a short video shot recently in the Mojave Desert, showing mountain ranges and a dry lake bed with evaporate minerals. We’ve also posted lots of pictures of the Mojave Desert on Flickr as well.

Foot Bath

A foot bath can be a very relaxing experience at the end of
a busy day or part of a quiet night at home in preparation for a good night’s
sleep. Fill a small, plastic dishpan halfway with hot water from the tap. (Plastic
dishpans can be found at discount department stores as well as $.99 stores for
less than $2.00 in most areas.)  Do NOT use metal containers! Add 4 ounces (1/4 cup)
of calcium bentonite green clay for external use to the pan of hot water. Place your
feet in the dishpan and swirl the water. Feel the clay surround the tops of your feet
and in between each of your toes. Keep feet submerged until the water begins to cool.

To finish the experience, be sure not to rinse your feet. You may wish to rub
cold-pressed coconut oil or hexane-free castor oil on the bottoms of your feet before
putting socks on. These can become your ‘foot bath socks’. The coconut oil will soften
like nothing you’ve ever tried. The castor oil will continue to pull toxins out of the feet
overnight. In the morning, wash feet with soap and water. If needed, baking soda can be
rubbed on the soles of the feet to remove the castor oil.

Clay Bath

A clay bath should become a weekly ritual for general health  and wellness and cleansing.
Many people report profound and deep sleep after a clay bath and there are testimonials on this website regarding clay baths and psoriasis. As the bathtub is filling, add 8 ounces of calcium bentonite green clay for external use under the spout. Some people prefer to mix the clay with water first then add it to the bath, but I find that unnecessary. (I enjoy feeling the small lumps of clay in between my fingers and toes and take pleasure in melding them into my hands.) Just because the clay is doing its job externally via the skin does not mean it’s less effective. Adults have reported experiencing a healing crisis from a single clay bath, so do listen to your body and start with just 8 ounces of dry clay per bath.

Clay baths for children are becoming more popular as the results people experience are written about. Since children are smaller than adults, the amount of clay used in the bath and the amount of time in the water needs to be adjusted accordingly.
Find specifics on this on our FAQs page.

Drinking Clay

A great way to detoxify from the inside out is by ingesting pure calcium bentonite clay for internal use. If you’re a regular consumer of clay, you can add an ounce or two daily to your routine for additional detoxing. If you are new to clay, add one ounce of pure calcium bentonite clay for internal use to 8 ounces of purified water in a glass or food-grade plastic bottle. Shake well and drink one ounce daily until gone. Be sure to drink at least 64 ounces of purified water daily. You may continue a second week with two ounces daily.  As with anything, you must listen to your body and heed its signals.

The most common side effect with drinking clay is constipation. This is likely the result of putrefied fecal matter being pulled
from the crevices of the entire intestinal tract. While you want to remove such toxic matter, you don’t want to be uncomfortable. Your options are to add flax seeds, prune juice, psyllium husks to your diet along with lots of purified water. Or you can cut back on the amount of clay you’re consuming.

Whichever method you choose to detoxify, cleansing the body with clay is a great way to start a new year and sets the stage for healthier choices in the months to come!