How to replace toxic cleaning products with essential oils

March 14, 2016 · 10 Comments

How to replace toxic cleaning products with essential oils

I love using essential oils for cleaning!

As well as being incredibly effective, they also smell amazing and are not toxic unlike many commercial cleaning products. Of course, you still have to use them with safety and in the correct amounts.

Many cleaning products are very toxic and harmful to our health when in contact with skin or inhaled – things you normally do when you clean!! These toxic chemicals also end up in our oceans and waterways and can cause havoc to our marine and sea life.

If you want to read up about the harmful ingredients, check out this article by Dr David Suzuki.

I use essential oils alongside other natural things like bicarbonate of soda, castile soap and vinegar. Oils provide not only the awesome aroma (which by the way you also benefit from inhaling while cleaning) but the grunt behind the cleaning with their antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

I always use 100% pure and natural oils (like Thursday Plantation) with no synthetics or fillers, even for cleaning. Not only will they do a better job, you don’t want to be inhaling cheap, nasty oils.

My top three oils to use for cleaning are eucalyptus, tea tree and lavender. They all have antiseptic properties and eucalyptus and tea tree kill 99.9% of household germs.The bonus is that these oils have multiple purposes and you can also use them for all sorts of first aid treatments as well.

The power of mother nature!!

Here are some ways you can use essential oils around the house for cleaning.

Make sure you do a quick spot test on surfaces first!
1. Straight eucalyptus oil on a cloth is great for removing stains and scuff marks from walls and floors.

2. A few drops of eucalyptus oil with some bicarb in the toilet bowl will clean it, remove odours and keep your loo smelling fresh.

3. A very easy to make, budget friendly all-purpose spray is simply to combine 1 cup water with 1/2 cup of vinegar, 2 teaspoons castile soap and 20 drops of either tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil or lavender oil.

HOT TIP: I am not a fan of plastic, so I use glass spray bottles, sourced from the health food store. You can also easily make your own by using old glass bottles and fitting an old spray nozzle onto the top. It might take a little trial and error to find a perfect match!

4. Put a few drops of essential oil in your vacuum cleaner bag for a lovely fresh smell.

5. Pop a few drops of essential oils into your mop bucket with hot water and a good splash of vinegar. It will disinfect the floors and get them sparkling clean.

6. Eucalyptus makes a fabulous home-made stain remover. Simply mix 1 cup of water with 1/8 cup of eucalyptus essential oil in a spray bottle. Give it a good shake before you use it and spray directly onto stains.

7. Eucalyptus oil is also fabulous in killing off dust mites. Use a few drops in the rinse cycle of a hot wash when you do your bedding.

8. Put a few drops of lavender oil on the inside of your toilet roll. Every time someone uses the paper, you will freshen the smallest room in the house with a lovely scent!

9. If you have sickness in the house, dilute some tea tree oil in a small bucket of hot water and wipe all surfaces down, including door handles and phones. Diffusing a few drops of oil in a diffuser or oil burner will help purify the air as well.

10. 10 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle with water and vinegar will deter mould. Spray it in the bathroom or kitchen on those areas where mould likes to grow.

11. Ditch those toxic air fresheners and use a spray bottle filled with water and 10-20 drops of lavender oil. The bonus is that you can also use this mix in the kid’s rooms to help them relax and fall asleep.

12. For an easy to make anti-bacterial hand wash, just mix some castile soap with a few drops of tea tree oil.

13. To make a carpet freshener, mix 20 drops of essential oil thoroughly into 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle on the carpet, leave for 20 minutes or so and then vacuum up.

Want some more ideas on how to use essential oils around the home?

Head to the Thursday Plantation website to see ideas and tips that readers have submitted! You might like to submit your own tip too.

Safety First! Although essential oils are all natural, they are very potent and must be stored away from children and used with care.

*this post is sponsored by Thursday Plantation

What’s all the fuss about PHENOXYETHANOL ?

June 19, 2015 · 10 Comments

What’s all the fuss about Phenoxyethanol ?

What is Phenyoxyethanol?

Pheynoxyethanol is a synthetically produced glycol ether preservative used in cosmetic products to prolong their life. It’s pretty commonly found in natural products, particularly the cheaper priced ones.

Is it bad for us?

Well, this is where it gets confusing!

The EWG Skin Deep Database puts its hazard rating as low-medium with a number 4. There is no cancer or development/reproductive toxicity concerns. There seems to be a small concern about allergies.

There was one study which suggests it’s not so great for products used around your lips (so ingestion is no good).

The Chemical Maze Handbook says 🙁

“Suspected reproductive and developmental toxicity; effects from exposure may cause headache, tremors, eye irritation and central nervous system depression; mild irritation on sensitive skin; absorbed by the skin, toxic to the kidneys, the nervous system and the liver; safe as used up to 5%”

The International Journal of Toxicity says in their report on the safety of phenoxyethanol “It is concluded that Phenoxyethanol is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration.”

The Material Safety Data Sheet on phenoxyethanol says;

It’s hazardous in case of eye contact, skin contact, ingestion and inhalation. “The substance is toxic to kidneys, the nervous system, liver. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. Repeated or prolonged inhalation of vapors may lead to chronic respiratory irritation”

Keep in mind that the MSDS is for phenoxyethanol in its pure 100% form. In cosmetic products, the amount of phenoxyethanol might have 0.5% or 1% of the substance.

What’s the issue?

Initially it seemed this preservative was a great substitute for parabens and embraced by the natural cosmetic companies. Since new information and research has come to light, some cosmetic companies are reformulating their products to remove it and replace with something safer.

Perspective

While phenoxyethanol may sound pretty bad, I think you have to look at it in context. 0.5 – 1% is a pretty small amount of it in your product. Cosmetics need preservatives to avoid bacteria growing in them and the addition of phenoxyethanol helps to keep natural products reasonably priced. As the Chemical Maze pointed out, it has been declared safe in amounts under 5%.

We quite probably encounter more toxic chemicals in our environment, in the air we breath and in a hundred places you would not think.

For those that are sensitive to products, have allergies or any sort of intolerance to products, it might be an issue for you and it’s probably best to steer clear.

For those that are on a budget and can’t afford the expensive natural products, you may want to settle for a bit of phenoxyethanol in your products. Perhaps limiting those products with phenoxyethanol to ones that are washed off rather than left on your skin is a compromise.

It’s pretty much a personal choice.

I know I can get a little paranoid about all the nasties, so sometimes its good to just take a step back and put it all into perspective.

How to avoid phenoxyethanol

Look for products that are certified organic. They should not contain phenoxyethanol.

Read labels. Phenoxyethanol can also be listed under fragrance, Phenoxytol, Phenoxethol, Rose ether, Phenyle cellosolve, and Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether.

Some brands that don’t contain phenoxyethanol:

Happy Skincare

Mukti Organic Skincare

Twenty 8 Skincare

La Mav Skincare

Brands that do contain phenoxyethanol are usually at the cheaper end of the natural skincare ranges like Sukin and Australia Pure Beauty by Nature’s Organics.

You might also like to read:

The Best Natural Skincare Brands

The Best Natural Makeup Brands

What are parabens and should we avoid them?

Does phenoxyethanol bother you? Do you look for it on labels?

Hidden Toxins in Everyday Household Items

March 26, 2015 · 24 Comments

Hidden Toxins in Everyday Household Items

It’s common knowledge that things like bleach, flysprays and cleaning products all contain toxins that we should avoid around the house.

But did you know there are hidden toxins in things we may not even think of?

These are just six that you should double check around the house. I also have some alternatives for you as well, because finding these things out can be quite disheartening. Remember, knowledge is power and the more you know, the safer you and your family can be.

1. Teabags.

Sorry tea lovers, but your tea bags may be made of a nasty plastic (and we know plastic and boiling water is not a good combination). Paper tea bags may be bleached or treated with epichlorohydrin (a compound that has been identified as potential carcinogen).

Solution? Contact your tea manufacturer and ask questions about the tea bag or just stick to loose leaf tea (hey, I think it tastes better anyway). I use a teapot – a small one for myself and bigger one for guests. You can also use stainless steel tea diffusers if you only want to make one cup.

2. Dental Floss.

Some dental floss can contain perfluorinated polymer – also known as a PFC (the same thing that is in Teflon) to help it be all slidey on your teeth. PFC is nasty stuff – it can cause cancer, damage your immune system and disrupt hormones. Ever seen antibacterial dental floss? Well that might have triclosan in it – which may pass through your skin and disrupt hormones.

Solution? Check the ingredients of your dental floss or use a natural one like these.

3. Baking Paper and Plastic Wrap.

That paper you are baking your biccies on may be bleached, contain chlorine and/or coated with Quilon which contains heavy metals like chromium. Plastic wrap? Well plastic isn’t so great anyway, but the ‘antibacterial’ plastic wrap is also coated in triclosan.

Solution? I use the If You Care range of baking paper, muffin cases etc. for baking and instead of cling wrap, we use a variety of things.

4. Disposable Nappies.

As well as being not so eco-friendly, disposable nappies can contain a chemical cocktail sitting on your baby’s precious bum and being absorbed into their blood stream. You can expect to find dioxin, sodium polyacrylate (the absorbent gel), phthalates, heavy metals and more. Check out this great article at Small Footprint Family for more details of how toxic these chemicals are.

Solution? Old fashioned cloth nappies or modern cloth nappies are much safer or check out some eco disposable nappies – some brands are free from the nasties.

5. CFL lightbulbs.

CFL (compact fluorescent lightbulbs) contain mercury and if they are broken, mercury vapour is released. Now, it’s not a huge amount but mercury is a potent neurotoxin and exposure should be avoided where possible.

Solution? Handle carefully to avoid breakages and follow these guidelines for clean up if you do break one. It’s also important to dispose of them properly.

6. Kids’ pyjamas.

Kids’ clothing, particularly pyjamas made from synthetic materials, are often treated with flame retardants. There is growing concern that these chemical compounds are suspected carcinogens and neurotoxicants. Unfortunately fire retardants can also be present in bedding and furniture too.

Solution? Look for clothes without the flame retardant or choose organic clothing for your kids.

Did you know about these toxins? Where else have you found hidden toxins?

Why would you use Modern Cloth Nappies ??

November 5, 2014 · 44 Comments

Nappies!! I wonder how many of those I have changed over the years? I shudder to think! Not the most fun or glamorous part of being a parent, is it?

My babies are now nearly 16 and 13. So it’s been a while since I had to change a nappy! Back then, I used the old fashioned terry towelling squares, nappy pins, pvc pilchers (yikes!) and washers at home. Disposables and baby wipes were used when we went out. These days there are so many better options, both environmentally and logistically. It’s actually pretty exciting to see what has been developed.

So what are Modern Cloth Nappies (or MCNs)?

Modern cloth nappies basically combine the convenience and design of a disposable nappy into a reusable cloth nappy. So you get the benefits of both! These ones pictured are made from cloth, with a waterproof outer, elastic legs and waist, absorbent inserts and snaps for closing. It will depend on the brand as to the features.

What are the benefits of using MCNs?

1. CHEAPER. Let’s not beat around the bush, having kids is expensive! If you can save thousands of dollars using these, why wouldn’t you? It’s a one-off expense, plus laundering, but in the long run, it’s a lot cheaper than buying disposable nappies.

2. ECO-FRIENDLY. As a rough estimate, 2 billion disposable nappies go to landfill each year in Australia. (Ibis World 2009). Not cool. Apart from the landfill and carbon emission problem, there is also the environmental impact of manufacturing of the disposable nappies and their poor decomposition rate to consider.

3. TOXIN-FREE. Did you know disposable nappies can contain a toxic cocktail of chemicals that get absorbed straight into your precious bundle’s blood stream? Sodium Polyacrylate, Dioxin, Pthalates, Heavy Metals, and more may be present in your nappy. There is also concern that childhood asthma may be linked to inhaling the emissions from disposable nappies. You can see that Pub Med study here.

4. LESS NAPPY RASH. Without the plastic and chemicals, the incidence of nappy rash on baby’s bums in reduced. MCNs allow the skin to breathe better and avoid sweaty, uncomfortable bubs.

Introducing…. Cloth Nappies Direct

I have known Stefanie Samuel for a while now and have worked with her before. Last year, she told me all about the new venture with her husband, Illan : Cloth Nappies Direct.

“I always knew I’d nappy my baby in cloth, it’s just who I am. But I was not impressed with the high prices of modern cloth nappies (MCNs). $30 plus for 1 nappy seemed steep to me, but, I figured, I would just have to be smart, shopping on sale, and purchasing carefully. We started our baby on the traditional flat cloth towel nappies – our washing line would be a sea of white every day, and my husband would fold them while watching TV at night. I had purchased a few MCNs to try once baby was bigger (she had tiny little thighs). Somewhere along our cloth nappy journey, my entrepreneurial husband said, “why don’t you just find a manufacturer and make your own?” And a new business idea was born!” Stefanie

Stefanie and Illan make their MCNs and sell directly via their website – there is no other distributor, wholesaler or retailer involved, so the cost is significantly lower than most MCNs. In fact, most of their nappies are $14.95, with savings to be had when purchased in bulk. They make a ‘one size fits most’ nappy, with snaps at different positions so you can adjust as bubs grows. That makes it a lot more affordable to go the eco-friendly way!

They have also been getting a lot of great feedback from happy MCN mums. The no-leaks feature seems to be a big hit – well, that’s understandable I guess!

Stefanie

I’m really excited about MCNs! Now that I understand more about them, thanks to Stefanie, I am telling all my new mumma friends to get into them. I also love the fact that the nappy doubles as bottoms as they come in funky colours and prints. Whack on a t-shirt and you are good to go out! No need for extra clothes. Winning.

It’s the way of the future – saving our planet, cutting out chemicals and being more economical. It almost makes me want to have another baby to get to use them. Nah………… not quite!

Special Offer:

Stefanie is advertising with me on the blog now and I am thrilled to help her spread the word about MCNs! (See her ad up there on the right). If you click the ad, it will take you through to a special offer on the Cloth Nappies Direct website, just for NNAM readers. You get a FREE nappy with your first order over $10. It’s a great way to try them out.

Giveaway:

This giveaway has now closed. The winner was Jessie!

Stefanie at Cloth Nappies Direct is kindly giving one of you a ‘Try Me Out Kit’ worth $49.80! It contains:

1 Cloth Nappy

1 Swim Nappy

1 Double Pocket Wetbag

1 Pack of 5 Cloth Wipes

How to enter:

♥ Make sure you are a blog subscriber (add your email to the top right box)

♥ LIKE Cloth Nappies Direct on Facebook. Go here.

♥ Comment on this blog post, telling us what colour or print you would like in the cloth nappy and which of the three prints you would like in the swim nappy! IE so you might decide KERMIT and HAPPY HAWAIIAN. You get to choose!

Terms and Conditions: Australian residents only. Winner will be chosen via random.org from those meeting the entry requirements. Giveaway closes on 14th of November at midnite. Winner will be emailed and announced on this blog post. Good Luck!

{This post is sponsored}

Sasha’s DIY Baby Bum Wipes

October 9, 2014 · 11 Comments

We had a great discussion in our Natural New Age Mum’s Facebook chat group the other day and gorgeous mumma Sasha shared her DIY baby bum wipes recipe. With her kind permission, I am sharing it on the blog so you all have it as a reference.

So why would you DIY?

Well, apart from the obvious money saving benefits, these wipes are eco friendly and contain no nasty additives or harmful chemicals that will go into your baby’s bloodstream. You don’t even have to use them on baby’s bums. We all know baby wipes are so handy for kids and big kids for all occasions!

Essential oils for babies?

Lavender is a safe essential oil for babies, however many essential oils should be used with caution around babies. Please check before using any essential oil on babies and toddlers. This post is a good reference. Of course, using high quality oils is also recommended. Lavender is an anti-bacterial oil and it is also relaxing and soothing – perfect for nappy change time!

Sasha’s DIY Baby Bum Wipes

Okay, so this is what you need:

A roll of paper towel*

1 cup of boiled, filtered water

1/4 cup organic, virgin coconut oil

Five to six drops of good quality lavender oil

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Cut the paper towel in half so it looks like two toilet rolls. Put one roll in a container that you can seal up and it fits snugly.

Mix together the water, coconut oil and essential oils.

While still warm, pour it over the top of the paper towel and remove the cardboard roll in the middle.

Seal up the container and you are ready to use them! Store out of reach of children.

*Sasha uses Viva brand paper towel as it’s soft and doesn’t tear easily

[box] Sasha says, “My babies have not had a single rash from these wipes but if I use any brand from the shops they get instant rashes”[/box]

Do you make your own wipes? Would you give this a go?

Do we have the right?

July 2, 2014 · 8 Comments

One of my gorgeous and loyal readers, Bea, sent me these musings the other day via email and I immediately thought this needs to be an article for you to read! So, here you are! What do you think? Do you agree with Bea?

♥♥♥♥

Do we have the right??

I was chatting to a hairdresser today, thinking about getting some foils. I was explaining to her that I have been chemical-free for a couple of years now, to the point where I can’t even walk down the laundry aisle at the supermarket without getting sick/headachey, so thought that foils would be the best way to get some colour into my hair without too manychemicals. She was amazed, and said, “Oh wow, I must just be so used to it, working with chemicals all day.”

I was lost for words. I couldn’t criticise, nor empathise seeing as I had been chemical free for so long, nor to the fact that here I was, sitting in a chair having a consult about chemicals. Her words haven’t left me for the rest of today, nor have those of others who have been affected by Multiple Chemical Sensitivity that I have known over the years, and the many many issues that I have learnt about that have also erupted over the years, and I am left thinking, “Do we really have the right?”

“The right to what? What are you talking about?” I hear you say.

I’m referring to the right to create and support industries that require people, people that are our husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, relatives, and later on, our children, to be in constant contact or close proximity to countless, toxic chemicals. Our hairdressers, our truck/tanker drivers, our chemists, our servo attendants, mechanics, our miners, supermarket packers, cleaners, factory workers, our farmers – every single person that needlessly has to endure exposure, all because as consumers, we demand and expect products we don’t even need, with ingredients most of us can’t even pronounce, much less know where they come from and the processes needed to create even a single ingredient.

And for what?

To satisfy generated demand by those convincing us, consumers, to buy stuff we don’t need, to fill a hole that isn’t there. There is something seriously wrong when we rarely stop to consider how a product was even created, and why it was created in the first place. Who benefits from it? What was used to get it here? If we each look around our homes, and think about both what we would save if there was a fire, and also about the things we have thrown away in our lifetime – what would it say about us, as a society, as a person even?

There are solutions.

The bigger question to all of this is, are you willing to be part of the change? Change that sees us reducing or even eliminating toxic chemicals from our lives? Our children’s lives, the environment?

The fact is, we have a bigger, and better right. The right to demand to know how, where and why products are made, and whether they are genuinely organic, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The right to expect packaging that is reasonable in amount, recyclable and earth-friendly. To be able to read labels without gigantic scientific names, or to be tricked by marketing into thinking that something is better than it really is. To expect our food to be grown the original, safer way – locally, chemical free and working with the environment rather than against it.

There are so many things we can all do, from little things like switching out toxic products for organic ones, or making your own, to help end the ban on helpful crops such a hemp. (Don’t be fooled by propaganda, do your own research why it is *really* banned)

There are a plethora of recipes from everything like washing powder/detergent to mascara to make, and tons of different products like make up, shampoo/conditioners, to organic foods and sustainable fibres such as hemp and bamboo, that are making an emergence into the market, that need your support. Farmer’s markets, markets in general, and online stores have amazing local produce and all sorts of items lovingly made.

If we all start to make even small changes to the way we buy/shop, and start demanding better, sustainable and organic products that are not limited to planned obsolescence, then we all win – the economy, the environment, and ultimately, us.

About Bea:

I am a single mum of one that is passionate about clean living and eating, along with many related issues such as the legalisation of hemp, keeping alive many “old-fashioned” things such as home remedies and talking to as many people as I can about my passions to encourage others to dig deeper about what is going on with our food, and society in general. I enjoy many arts and crafts and my biggest dream is to see sustainable, close-to-nature family-centred living a reality in our lifetime.

Is your pillow harming your health?

February 21, 2014 · 22 Comments

Is your pillow harming your health?

If you are getting your eight hours of sleep a night, then you spend about one third of your life sleeping.

Snuggled up on our pillows, dreaming…… breathing………….. in….. what?

Have you ever really thought about what you are inhaling, night after night?

What about fungi or mould, dust mites, flame retardants, formaldehyde, polyester, acetate and antimicrobial compounds such as Microbian or Allerban? Of course there is also sweat, drool and skin flakes to consider too!

“From memory loss to headaches, depressions to itchy eyes, an array of health problems can arise from exposure to seemingly innocent bedroom objects. Most mattresses and pillows, for example, are filled with chemical-drenched synthetic fibers such as polyurethane foam that release chemicals into the air for years; these airborne toxins can cause headaches and nausea, and even lead to multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a condition that stems from exposure to toxic chemicals and results in a myriad of crippling symptoms. Microscopic dust mites (and their allergenic fecal matter) frequently infest mattresses, pillows, and carpeting, leading to respiratory problems including coughing and sinus congestion.” Tina Spangler, Natural Health Magazine.

Now, of course I take everything I read on the internet with a grain of salt, but these testimonials really gave me food for thought! My daughter was sleeping on an ‘egg crate’ foam mattress topper and a memory foam pillow. Her health improved when we got rid of the mattress topper and got her onto a new pillow! I couldn’t believe it took me so long to work out.

We swapped our pillows over to biodynamic wool pillows, dust mite protectors and organic cotton pillowcases. I sourced ours from Blessed Earth, here in Queensland. It wasn’t cheap, but I literally sleep better at night! Not only because of the better sleep quality, but just knowing that I am not breathing in nasty chemicals. I also like Blessed Earth because they are fair-trade, local and truly organic.

Wool is naturally mould, mildew, dust mite and fire-resistant. “Wool can absorb bodily moisture up to 30% of it’s own weight and dissipate it naturally into the atmosphere.” Blessed Earth. It also is biodegradable and can go on the compost!

Nicole Bjisma, author of Healthy Home, Healthy Family, says natural latex pillows are also a healthy alternative option. Natural latex has antimicrobial properties that resist dust mites and other allergens as well as being mold and mildew resistant.

Organic cotton pillows are another great option you can get here. They are Australian made, chemical free, with totally organic filling and perfect for allergy sufferers and chemically sensitive people.

Bamboo, down, kapok and buckwheat or millet hulls are other natural alternatives for pillows, but you need to investigate to make sure they are processed without chemicals.

You should also air your pillow regularly out in the sunshine and replace it every few years.

It is really worth checking out what is available and considering the effect that your pillow might be having on your health.

How does your pillow shape up?

The Chemical Maze Bookshelf Companion Review and Giveaway

November 11, 2013 · 88 Comments

Bill Statham’s other book, The Chemical Maze Shopping Companion, was the first book I ever bought on my toxin-free journey. I was very excited to have a read of this second edition of The Chemical Maze Bookshelf Companion. It’s like the bumper version of the shopping companion. Although this book is designed as a home reference guide, it is still reasonably compact and will fit into a handbag if you want to take it shopping.

Without being too gushy, I really do love this book! It is quite simply a must have for all families trying to avoid chemicals in their lives. It’s the reference book I use to help me decide if a product is suitable for my family, based on the safety of its ingredients.

Bill and Lindy have ten years of research invested in this book and it shows. It is extremely comprehensive with over 1200 chemicals listed. Best of all, the information is unbiased and not attached to any big multinational company!

In the book, you will find listed by name and number:

* Food additives

* Cosmetic ingredients and

* Household products

Also included are some safer alternatives and recipes for homemade cleaners.

Sample page.

I love the way it’s so easy to read and quick to find what you are looking for. You don’t have to dissect lots of scientific information, Bill and Lindy have done all the hard work.

In the directory, you will find:

* The name and number of the chemical

* It’s functions (eg preservative, skin conditioning )

* A code ( a clever use of sad and happy faces on a scale from safe to use to potentially hazardous)

* Potential effects (eg suspected neurotoxicity, hyperactivity, asthma)

Bill and Lindy

Some quick tips from Bill and Lindy:

– Check the label. Remember, ‘no added’ doesn’t mean none at all.

– By simply choosing products with the least amount of ingredients on the label, you are making a choice for better health.

– Asthmatics can have adverse reactions to genetically modified ingredients, especially preservative 220 which can be found in everyday health foods like dried apricots.

– ‘E numbers’ represent preservatives and additives on ingredient lists.

– The notorious food additive 621 MSG is most obviously found listed on a label as 620-622. But MSG is often disguised as other ingredients. Look out for anything ‘hydrolysed’.

I highly recommend this book to any family who want to have a safe and toxin free household. It’s a great reference book for everyone but especially those starting out on this journey and are confused about what is safe and what is not. Bill has changed our lives for the better and I am grateful that he has written this resource for us all of us to use. A firm Natural New Age Mum favourite!

You can get the book on the Chemical Maze website. Check out the blog while you are there for some interesting articles. Keep up to date with Bill and the team on the Chemical Maze Facebook Page.

Giveaway:

**This giveaway has now closed. The lucky winners were Melissa and Monique!**

Would you like to win a copy of The Chemical Maze Bookshelf Companion? I have two copies to share!

How to enter:

* Be a blog subscriber (add your email to the top right box)

* Like The Chemical Maze Facebook page. Go here.

* Leave a comment on this blog post telling us why you would like to win one

Terms and conditions:

This giveaway runs from now until Sunday the 17th of November at midnight. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry requirements. The winner will be emailed and announced on the blog post. Sorry, only open to Australian residents. Good luck!

Special Offer:

Bill is giving away a FREE copy of The Shopping Companion (rrp $16.95) with every Bookshelf Companion purchased through the website before the end of November 2013. Just put NNAM in the ‘note to merchant’ area. Go shopping here.

{sponsored post}

The shocking things I found in my son’s shoe drawer!

May 8, 2012 · 34 Comments

I have no words. The shock. The horror. Mortified and devastated is what I am.

Look what I found in my 13-year-old son’s shoe drawer.

Chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Not just one bar, but three large packets! All of it laden with artificial rubbish!

At first I was a bit cranky. Not just about the chocolate – I hate it when my kids do sneaky stuff behind my back. He is well aware we don’t buy this stuff and we don’t eat this stuff.

Then I got to thinking, why? Why, oh why?

Am I being too strict in our food choices? I didn’t think so. We are by no means 100% clean eaters! It’s just impossible to be that perfect!

Just this week, hubby and kids shared two blocks of Green and Blacks organic chocolate (I buy it when it’s on special). I am all for treats – what is a life lived without some pleasure, after all? But, I want those treats to be the very best quality treats, not some chemical concoction.

It’s all relative though isn’t it? Compared to the vast majority of his friends, we do eat differently. Mostly organic, very little processed foods, very little takeaway or junk foods, most things made from scratch. I find it pretty sad that we are the odd ones out.

Is it a case of peer pressure and trying to fit in with his friends? Is he rebelling against the choices I make for him, being the supposedly older and wiser parent?

Part of me is sad. Sad that my baby boy is growing up – he has his own money, he goes out with friends, he is starting to make some of his own choices.

All I know is that eating chemical laden crap isn’t what I want for my kids!

Looks like we are going to spend some quality time with The Chemical Maze Handbook this afternoon!

What do you think? Are you too strict with your kid’s food choices? Or not strict enough? Is there ever a happy medium?