I follow a writer who recently lost her husband after a vicious but tragically short fight with cancer. I will not share her name or all of the details of her story as it isn’t my story to tell but if you follow amazing writers and bloggers she may be on your list and you… Read More Can I Do This Alone?
We’ve all heard the African adage “It takes a village to raise a child.” It has taken an unfortunate turn of events to remind me that I need to thank the people in my children’s village and tell them how much they mean to us. … Read More Thank you, Village People!
I know we will look back on this summer and describe it as, “the summer Dad/Grandpa had cancer”. Whenever we look at pictures or question why we didn’t do a usual summer event or tradition the explanation will be, “oh right, that’s the summer Dad/Grandpa had cancer”.… Read More The Summer of Cancer
Since the day my first son was born there have been many moments that have made me feel like a parent. I transitioned from a selfish, fun, not-tired, carefree woman to a mother. From the first night home with my son staring into his eyes, to the weeks of consoling I gave to my colicky… Read More My Defining Moment as a Parent
This past week I had a minor health scare. “I found a lump…” I repeated to my wife, my mother and the receptionist answering the phone at my doctor’s office. After a previously scheduled visit for other health related concerns, I had an order for more tests. “I found a lump.” I explained to my… Read More “I found a lump…”
So we bloggers have our own little community where we ask questions of one another and bounce ideas around: “When did your little one start sleeping through the night?” “Is such and such normal for this developmental milestone?” “Any suggestions for play sand that doesn’t cause cancer?” Wait, what?!?! This was a question put out… Read More Cleaner Living: Cancer in the Sandbox
Well, we have made it to the 12th day… But no Partridge in a Pear Tree here, we are learning about Nitrosamines today! Nitrosamines are not actually an ingredient. They are a compound created when nitrites and amino acids (which often occur from proteins) are combined. This combination can occur in very acidic settings, such as… Read More Cleaner Living: Toxin #12- Nitrosamines
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)- not to be confused with beta hydroxy acid (also abbreviated BHA)- is a preservative found in food and cosmetics. It is used to keep fats from going rancid and to preserve shelf life of cosmetics. Most common foods it can be found in butter, meats, cereals, chewing gum, baked goods, snack foods, dehydrated… Read More Cleaner Living: Toxin #11 BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole)
Formaldehyde. Yes, the stuff they use for embalming bodies to temporarily prevent decomposition can be found in your personal care products. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen, skin irritant, and can bring on or worsen respiratory ailments, such as asthma. Personal care products that contain formaldehyde expose its users to this chemical through inhaling off-gas, ingestion, or… Read More Cleaner Living: Toxin #10- Formaldehyde
Um, what? I hadn’t heard of this one until I started researching. Coal Tar in personal care products is the same as the stuff they use in pavement sealant, just in lower doses. It is a known human carcinogen, with industrial coal tar recently being banned in Washington after it started turning up in ordinary house… Read More Cleaner Living: Toxin #4- Coal Tar
CT Working Moms 