Leisure | The Canary Report

Guest Blog: A canary’s vacation to the Dominican Republic

Feb 202010

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was wonderful, but along the journey we sucked in a ton of diesel fumes.

By guest blogger Franny Armstrong.

Not as pretty as it looks; boats give off fumes.

My trip to the Dominican Republic was wonderful. I’m paying the price now but in the long run, I believe it was worth it. Even I have to come out of my cave now and then.

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The Dominican Republic is a beautiful island full of lush green grasses, trees, and greenery that takes your breath away (literally). The poverty was stunning, yet the people were kind, happy, and welcomed you with a smile or an “ola, mi amiga.” A twenty year old man sat next to my husband and I as we drank a beer each. Hubby bought the man one and I conversed with him, me with my minimal Spanish, he with his minimal English. It was fun to chat with him. After he told Dan and I we were old enough to be his parents, he gave me his phone number. LOL I guess I’m like a fine wine or an old cheddar, still kicking! HAHAHA

Smoggy street

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Along the journey we sucked in a ton of diesel fumes. There is no monitoring of exhaust in DR. Dan was told not to drink from the bottles of beer along the roadside as they use them to refill and sell new and used fuel. Sometimes they siphon it out of vehicles.

Puzzles for cognitive health

Posted by Susie

Dec 062009

Doing puzzles can improve your cognitive skills and even stave off some diseases.

We all know how Multiple Chemical Sensitivity can interfere with our cognitive abilities, especially during an exposure to toxic chemicals or phytotoxins such as toxic mold. In this TED Talk, famed puzzle designer Scott Kim takes us inside the puzzle-maker’s frame of mind. Sampling his career’s work, he introduces us to a few of the most popular types, and shares the fascinations that inspired some of his best.

Kim says electronic and online games are moving away from violent themes and trending toward games for a healthy lifestyle. He sees three distinct trends emerging: casual games, mental fitness, and social media. Kim talks about his website Shuffle Brain, which includes a game called Photograb that reminds me of those games I played as I kid where you had to find things like ladders, cats, and irons hidden in the picture– I loved those games! Photograb mixes puzzles with social photo-sharing, where you play your friends’ photos to sharpen your visual skills. It’s a very clever blend of puzzles and social networking.

Puzzles like this are an excellent way for those with MCS to exercise our brains: Use it or lose it, peeps!

Here is Scott Kim’s TED talk:

Link

Featured blog: Sheri’s Healing Flower Garden

Posted by Susie

Oct 312009

Sheri has a passion for animals and an eye for landscapes.

Sheri (at left in a cotton field), aka SheriDragonfly, is a member of our social network and often shares her beautiful photos with us.

I love her landscapes, but I’m especially fond of her animals and insects. Deer, hummingbirds and dragonflies are a few of her favorite creatures.

You can view more photos on her Profile Page on our network here.

Or visit her blog Sheri’s Healing Flower Garden to view more.

One of Sheri’s signature dragonflies.

A landscape taken on Sheri’s October 10th birthday in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina at 6000 feet.

And Peebo. Heh.

Sex and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Safe sex

Posted by Contributor

Oct 122009

When it comes to MCS, “safe sex” has a whole new meaning!

Post by Kimberly Shaw.

Part I: Safe Sex.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity experts recommend your bedroom be the safest room in your house. Sleep experts strongly suggest your bedroom only be used for sleep and sex. When we are overwhelmed or over stimulated by our surroundings, we are not in a receptive place to enjoy sexual intimacy or a good night’s sleep. It’s important the bedroom be a safe place, a place for your body to rest, be nurtured and enjoy pleasure. This may mean purchasing an air purifier, an organic bed, organic sheets and organic pillows. It also means keeping anything toxic far away from the bedroom. Not just chemicals, but emotionally toxic conversations or attitudes. Consider your bedroom your healing sanctuary and only allow items into it that are essential, nurturing, healing and lovely.

Having a safe partner is also very important. Hopefully, they understand MCS and are well aware of the need to be fragrance- and chemical-free. If you have any severe food allergies, your partner should also avoid eating them. Kissing someone who recently ate something you are severely allergic to may cause reactions.

Birth control is a difficult topic for those with MCS. Hormonal contraception, spermicidal methods, intrauterine contraceptives, condoms and other barrier methods all can cause issues for someone with sensitivities. There are some alternatives like natural family planning, natural lambskin condoms, vasectomy and, of course, menopause. This topic is something you want to discuss with your medical care provider if you are in a situation where birth control is an issue.

Unless you are in a monogamous relationship where you know both of you are free of sexually transmitted disease (STD), you need to consider how to protect yourself. Latex condoms often cause severe reactions. Some people do better with natural latex condoms verses synthetic latex. Lambskin condoms may not protect against STDs. Non-latex condoms are generally made out of polyurethane or polyisoprene. Again, another area you want to discuss carefully with a medical care professional that understands MCS. The last thing you want with MCS is to also have to deal with an STD!

There are many natural and/or organic lubricants on the market, but most contain some type of preservative. Read labels carefully! Many people with chemical sensitivities enjoy using organic coconut oil, organic jojoba oil, organic aloe vera, organic cocoa butter, organic almond oil, organic apricot oil, Vitamin E oil or organic plain yogurt, but proceed with caution when using for the first time. You might want to test first for any sensitivity by applying a small amount to the inside of your arm for a few days. (Note: Do not use these oils with condoms.) If you are a female and have trouble with vaginal dryness, you might also consider changes to your diet. Adding more essential fatty acids (EFAs), organic vegetable and fruit oils (like olive) to your diet, drinking more water, supplementing with vitamin E and vitamin A help many women.

Sex toys can enhance your sexual experience. In recent years, they started making vibrators and other sexual enhancement items out of safer materials. For example, you can now find vibrators made out of glass. Earth Erotics is one company that sells glass sex toys. They also sell organic bedroom linens and other safer products. (Many of their items would not be safe for people with MCS though.)

Practice sex safe, MCS style!

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Watch for more upcoming blogs on sex and MCS. I plan to cover health and sexuality in relation to MCS, dealing with disabilities in a sexual relationship, how to handle sex with a non-MCS partner, being single and other topics we with MCS deal with in our sexual lives.

I also blog at Serendipity, come visit!

Disclaimer: None of this information is meant to replace medical advice. Your sexual life is very important and any decisions that could affect your health need to be discussed with your health care provider.

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10/18/09 Editor’s Note: This post is now translated into Spanish at Eva Caballé’s blog NO FUN. Thanks, Eva!

New online radio station for people with Environmental Illness

Posted by Susie

Sep 122009

DTOX Radio programming will include music, old time radio programs, radio plays, who-done-it mysteries and hilarious comedies.

A new online radio station for people with Environmental Illness and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity has just been launched. Creator of DTOX Radio is Canary Report member Rob Neis (at left). The Rob Network’s programming right now is easy listening music, but Rob plans on enriching the content with interviews, information about EI/MCS, and for those of us who can no longer read books due to outgassing issues, regular programming also will include old time radio plays and comedy sketches. Doesn’t that sound like fun? We can all listen together!

I’m very excited about the DETOX Radio project. It will enrich the overall online content available to people with Environmental Illness and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Rob has generously offered The Canary Report some air time, so I’ll be creating some five-minutes spots and possibly some hour-long programs for DTOX radio in the near future. Stay tuned!

Welcome to The Rob Network, the home of DTOX Radio

We are very pleased to bring you DTOX Radio, the worlds first 24/7 online radio dedicated to people suffering from Environmental Illnesses.

Now playing; The best non-toxic online music there is

We will soon be updating our program schedule and adding more shows dealing with the complex issues surrounding Environmental Illnesses.

For those who miss the pleasure of relaxing with a good book. We will soon be bringing back several old time radio programs featuring; radio plays, “who done it” mysteries and hilarious comedies.

Our regularly scheduled programs begin at 1pm EST and are repeated at 1am EST. We do this for our friends in different time zones and to give everyone the chance to join in and participate.

We’re always interested in hearing your feedback. Please feel free to drop us an email with your comments and suggestions. But remember, they may just be read on the radio.

Congratulations, Rob! Well done!

The pampered canary

Posted by Contributor

Sep 032009

“There’s no better way to energize your body, mind, and spirit than by taking care of yourself.” ~Stephanie Tourles

Post by Kimberly Shaw.

One of the ways I take care of myself is to make time to pamper myself with my own homemade organic personal care products. When I make something myself, I know exactly what goes into it and can use ingredients that work for me.

The recipes below include a basic unscented version and also variations with organic essential oils. If you have very severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, are currently in a “universal reacting” stage and/or are recovering from a recent exposure, I’d strongly suggest NOT trying the essential oil variations. Even natural and organic scents can and often will trigger reactions. Some with MCS can tolerate organic essential oils in moderation and even find they have aromatherapy benefits. For many years, I could only use unscented products. After much recovery and studying aromatherapy, I find that some essential oils in moderation work well for me.

If you have extremely sensitive reactive skin, keep things very simple. When my MCS was really severe I cleaned my face with just organic jojoba oil.

Feel free to omit any ingredients you are sensitive to or substitute for another ingredient. You are welcome to email me, if you need help tailoring a recipe to work for you.

Due to the nature of these ingredients, products should be used within six months. Before trying something new on your face or large parts of your body, you might want to do a small skin test on the inside of your arm. As with any skin care products, discontinue use if any skin reaction or rash appears.

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Relaxing Bath Salts

¼ to ½ cup Epsom salt
¼ to ½ cup Dead Sea Salt or any type of sea salt
¼ to ½ teaspoon organic jojoba oil

For a regular size bath, use ¼ measurements, for a larger bath use ½ measurements. Add salts and oils to running bath water. Soak and relax for at least 20 minutes.

Variations:

Add several drops of an organic essential oil such as lavender or vanilla.

Add some green tea (or your favorite herbal tea) to the bath. I tend to use about 6-8 tea bags or about 6 teaspoons loose tea in a cheesecloth bag or stainless steel tea infuser.

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Body Scrub

2 cups organic sugar or sea salt
¾ to 1-cup organic oil (jojoba, olive, grapeseed, sunflower, and/or other organic oil of your choice)

Variations:

10-30 drops organic essential oils, if desired. Tangerine or grapefruit work well.

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If you can use essential oils, here is one of my favorite recipes:

Kimberly’s Mojito Sugar Scrub

2 cups organic sugar
¾ cups grapeseed oil (I use it because it is naturally green in color)
20 drops organic lime essential oil
10 drops organic spearmint essential oil

(When I make it for gifts for friends and relatives, I add a dash of rum.)

Mix well and store in a glass container. Use in the bath or shower. Be careful may make surfaces slippery. Do not use on face or sensitive areas.

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Face and Body Wash

8 oz. organic unscented castile soap
8 oz. distilled water
1 tsp organic jojoba oil

Variation:

8 oz. organic unscented castile soap
4 oz. organic hydrosol* (I often use calendula hydrosol)
4 oz. distilled water
1 tsp organic jojoba oil
(10-20 drops organic essential oils, if desired)

*I find since most hydrosols contain less than 5% essential oil they are mild and subtle and some with MCS can tolerate them.

I put this recipe in glass pump dispenser bottles and use as a basic liquid hand and body soap for the whole family.

If you have really dry skin, add extra jojoba oil to the mixture.

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Organic Eye Butter

3 Tablespoons organic shea butter
2 Tablespoons organic avocado oil
2 Tablespoons organic coconut oil
¼ teaspoon organic rosehip oil
¼ teaspoon organic calendula oil
2 drops organic carrot seed oil (optional)

Gently melt shea butter in a double boiler. Add all oils and blend well. Store in glass container. If storing in warmer environment, keep in refrigerator. Use within three months.

Apply a small amount around eye to help hydrate and soften wrinkles. It also works great on lips!

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There are many places to get organic ingredients, one of my favorite places is Mountain Rose Herbs.

In the coming months, I’ll be sharing more organic body care recipes!

Enjoy!

Come visit me at Serendipity.

Enjoying simple pleasures

Posted by Contributor

Jul 192009

“Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex.” -Oscar Wilde

Post by Kimberly Shaw.

(Editor’s note: Please help me welcome Kimberly Shaw as a contributor at The Canary Report! Kimberly blogs at Adventurous Canary and is an author, educator, filmmaker and natural health consultant. She’s currently making a film documentary about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. She’ll blog here at The Canary Report on organic food, easy-to-make recipes, herbs, personal care products, and the enjoyment of everyday life in the midst of allergies and sensitivities. You can read her full bio here. Welcome, Kimberly! Aloha, Susie)

For many with food allergies and sensitivities it feels like a love-hate relationship when it comes to eating. We may love food, but hate the way it makes us feel or react. For some it feels like treading through a minefield to find something we can actually eat and enjoy.

It is easy to focus on what we cannot eat. Sometimes it is depressing to consider all that we need to avoid. I have found if I dwell on the “no list” I miss enjoying the “yes list.”

When I focus on what I can eat, meals can become an everyday celebration! Just the simple act of appreciating and savoring simple foods becomes something to enjoy, not something to dread.

I may not be able to have many of the ingredients in a fine gourmet meal, but I can wash some organic cherries, make some organic tea, get out a favorite bowl, sit outside in the breeze and slowly relish each bite. While you might not be able to have cherries or tea, there are some things on your “yes list” that you can enjoy.

Oscar Wilde once said, “Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex.”

In our complex world, especially of avoidance, let’s celebrate and enjoy the simple pleasures, the foods we can eat!

Photo by Kimberly Shaw.

A perfect place to stay in Hawaii: Dragonfly Ranch

Posted by Susie

Feb 062009

I stayed here once many years ago. It was magical! What I remember most is taking a shower outside in the garden in the middle of a huge thunderstorm– it was FABULOUS. Now I see the owner has made it even more beautiful.

If you’re looking for a place to stay on the Kona side of the island, I highly recommend Dragonfly Ranch!

On the Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, the Dragonfly Ranch:

HEALING ARTS RETREAT is a legendary eco-spa that hosts romantic honeymoons, B & B guests and workshops featuring Healthy Pleasures and good FUN: world class diving; respectful snorkleling with friendly dolphin; labyrinth meditation walk; organic garden/food preparation; flower essences for soul development. An authentic Hawaiian double-hulled canoe trip can be arranged.

This legendary luxuriously rustic “treehouse” offers unique indoor/outdoor lodging near the ancient “Place of Sanctuary” called the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau Historical National Park. Here, where Aloha abounds, time is slow and easy.

At the Dragonfly, those looking for a taste of the “real” Hawaii feel at home and welcome.

Dragonfly Ranch website.

First fully organic restaurant-bar opens in New York

Posted by Susie

Jan 062009

GustOrganics, a new cocktail lounge and restaurant in New York, claims to be the nation’s first fully certified organic establishment for all food, beverages and spirits.

• All dishes made only with organic U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified ingredients.

• Certified organic by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York.

• Certified green restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association.

But above all, for the purposes of what this site deals with, GustOrganics is the world’s first USDA certified organic bar.

Alberto Gonzalez (seen above), a native of Argentina, is the owner of GustOrganics. He notes that all drinks — hot, cold and alcoholic — are free from chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, artificial flavors and drink enhancers.

“We have only USDA certified organic spirits, wines and beers,” he said. “All these products are produced according to the USDA’s National Organic Program. On top of this, our cocktails are made featuring fresh organic fruits and vegetables. …

Link to full story at Examiner.com

A shot of fresh air: A walk on Ilkley Moor

Posted by Susie

Dec 312008

Here’s a pair of lovely blokes taking a walk on the moors. Enjoy the Breath of Fresh Air! (We need it after the last post!)

Breath of Fresh Air is a series of short films to appear on the Calendar News programme on ITV1. This is weatherman Jon Mitchell’s walk on Ilkely Moor.

Link