The Story Of Food from USC Canada on Vimeo.
USC Canada’s new short, animated film will get you thinking about our broken food system.
It identifies what’s gone wrong with the modern food system, and what we can do to rebuild it.
Link to more info about the film.
A video about Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, fair trade, and organic olive oil from the Holy Land.
I was fascinated with this video about the olive oil used in Dr. Bronner’s magic soaps. I use Bronner’s USDA Certified Organic liquid soaps head to toe, usually the lavender. Dr. Bronner soaps are not safe for everyone who has Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, so always proceed with caution when trying a new product. I have heard some complaints about cross contamination with mint in the non-mint soaps, and I occasionally detect mint in the lavender liquid soap (I do not like mint in soap!). But many peeps with MCS use Bronner’s for bathing and housecleaning with great success, so if you are looking for safe soap you might like to give it a try. I like the liquid because it rinses better than the bar soaps, and I can use it for a household cleanser.
My favorite all-round nontoxic cleaning solution is:
2 gallons hot water
1/4 cup borax
1/4 cup vinegar
A squirt of Bronner’s liquid lavender soap
I use it for everything: counter tops, floors, tub, toilet, walls, garbage pails, kitty litter pan, porch floor, mudroom, muddy shoes, everything. It rinses off very easily. You’ll be amazed at what that solution can clean!
Link to Bronner’s website.
A film about the return to local food or “Locavorism.”
Locavore is an inspiring new documentary about the inevitable return to the local diet. Less than a generation ago human beings worldwide traveled less than 10 miles to obtain the majority of the food they ate. Today the average conventionally grown vegetable has traveled more than 1500 by the time it has reached your pantry. Our food today is over processed, stale, and lacks nutrition. This new film, featuring some of the neo-pioneers of the Locavore movement will educate, inspire, and revitalize bringing health to our bodies AND our communities.
Link to learn more about the film.
Pumpkins are a rich source of beta-carotene and potassium. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of iron and zinc.
Post by Kimberly Shaw.
I adore pumpkins. They are such a cheerful fruit with their bright orange color, plus they are packed with antioxidants! Here is one of my family’s favorite autumn muffin recipes:
Pumpkin Muffins
1 cup organic cooked pumpkin
1/2 cup organic canola oil
1/2 cup honey
2 organic eggs (or egg replacer)
1 3/4 cups organic whole wheat flour**
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp cinnamon*
1/2 tsp nutmeg*
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup organic chopped nuts (VERY optional)
**For gluten-free recipe, use organic brown or white rice flour in combination with potato flour and tapioca flour. I use 1 cup organic brown rice flour, 1/2 cup of potato starch flour and 1/4 cup of tapioca flour.
*Omit spices if allergic, can replace with 1/4 tsp ginger
Beat oil and honey together in bowl; add eggs or egg replacer and mix well. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl. Add dry ingredient with liquid mixture. Add the water. Mix in pumpkin (and nuts, if desired). Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
Recipe makes approximately one dozen muffins. I normally double it, as they freeze well.
Variation: If you are allergic to pumpkin, you can use this same recipe with yams or persimmon pulp.
~~~
Interesting pumpkin information:
Here is a video on how to roast pumpkin seeds. (I just use organic butter or oil and sea salt.)
Did you know pumpkin flowers are edible?
~~~
Photos by Kimberly Shaw.
Come visit me at my blogs Adventurous Canary and Serendipity. Read about my documentary film on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity at Adventurous Canary Productions.
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.
~~~
10/18/09 Editor’s Note: This post is now translated into Spanish at Eva Caballé’s blog NO FUN. Thanks, Eva!
This is the checklist I developed and used while I was looking for a healthy home over the past year.
Post by Amy Ludwigson.
When you have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, creating or finding a safe home can be one of the hardest challenges you have to face. As you become aware of the toxic chemicals in your environment, it seems like everywhere you turn there is something that could be contributing to your illness. You feel vulnerable, afraid, and helpless. People do not believe you, so you feel as if you are alone. As you are awakening out of your previous ignorance about chemicals you begin to realize how little you still know. You start making changes. Some you feel make a dramatic improvement in your health, some make you feel even sicker (which you never thought was possible). This was my story. This is my story.
I have spent the last 10 years of my life working on creating a safe home for myself. I have made plenty of mistakes, yet I have learned a lot in the process. I have studied with many of the experts in healthy home design, getting certified as a Building Biologist on the way. I have also traveled and studied forms of Feng Shui and Space Clearing, which both look at the energetic health of our homes. This checklist that I have created is by no means exhaustive, yet it is something that you can use as a guide to create your own when you are looking for a home.
This is the list I developed and used while I was looking for a healthy home over the past year. After each item I had a column for no concern, slight concern, severe concern and extreme concern. This really helped me to break down the places that I was interested in and make sure that I was not making any compromises. I sure had a lot of deal breakers, which my realtor sure got a kick out of. Yet, I was so fortunate to find a realtor that found me fascinating and not crazy! And I am happy to say that I found a beautiful studio in my favorite neighborhood in Chicago, I have been here for a month and couldn’t be happier.
So here is the checklist:
Proximity to:
Industry
Highways
Parking Lots
Golf Courses
High Tension Power Lines
Substation
Transformer
Cell Phone Tower
Radar/FM/TV station
Site Assessment:
Sprinkler system
Site drainage pattern
Rain gutter
Basement/crawlspace
Air conditioning unit
Water entrance
Electricity entrance
General Building:
Age
Remodeling
Pesticide Use
Neighbor Habits
Building Orientation
Garage Location
Materials – Inside
Materials – Outside
Insulation
Flooring Materials
Wiring (knob and tube?)
Laundry
Kitchen:
Electric or Gas Appliances
Adequate Ventilation
Age/Outgassing
Location of Appliances
Moisture:
Windows
Bathroom
Ducts
Kitchen
Indoor Air Quality:
Heating System
Cooling System
Ventilation
Duct’s Clean?
Return Vent
Combustible Gases
CO2
Humidifier
Leaks
Crawl Space, Vapor Barrier
Refrigerator Drain Pan
Plants, Mold
Exhaust in Bath/Kitchen
Filter
Other IAQ:
Asbestos
Lead
Radon
Mold
Pesticide Use:
Yes?
Storage
Neighbor Habits
Water Quality:
Age of Building
Filtration System
Local Water Report
Cleaning Supplies:
Which ones?
Storage
Electromagnetic:
Antennae Search
Visual Cell Phone Towers
Circuit Breaker Location
Geopathic Stress
Wireless (Neighbors)
Cordless Phones
Work Habits:
Computer Use
Printer Use
Hobbies
Other:
Lighting
Sunlight
Noise
I know this checklist can create a lot of questions, and probably needs a book to explain. Yet, I hope it will be a good guide for any of you looking for a place right now.
What else would you add to the list?
Come visit me at my blog Pure Habitat.
This new garden was planted in the Spring of 2009 with the help of local elementary school children and yields a constant supply fresh produce for the First Family and White House events.
First Lady Michelle Obama and White House chef Sam Kass tell the story of the first garden on White House grounds since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden during World War II.
Feel inspired!
Read more here about the garden and video at Obama Foodorama.
“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.
~~~
Relaxing Bath Salts
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.
~~~
Body Scrub
Variations:
10-30 drops organic essential oils, if desired. Tangerine or grapefruit work well.
~~~
If you can use essential oils, here is one of my favorite recipes:
Kimberly’s Mojito Sugar Scrub
(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
Variation:
*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
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!
~~~
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.
Making an easy home-cooked meal for friends and family can be challenging with food sensitivities.
Post by Kimberly Shaw.
When my daughters are all home for a visit we have a mixture of food sensitivities, allergies and other special considerations. If you add my mother and mother-in-law to the mix, we have even more foods to avoid. It is an adventure to plan a meal that is fairly easy to make and yet enjoyable for all.
I generally go for a themed build-your-own meal, two of my favorite being Southwestern and Italian. Then I set up a yummy buffet and people can pick items what works for them. I try and have options for vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Southwestern Feast
“Build your own soft taco or taco salad”
Buffet items (organic, if possible):
Tortillas (organic wheat, organic corn and/or organic brown rice)
Mixed green salad
Diced tomatoes
Sliced avocados and/or guacamole
Sliced olives
Sliced or shredded carrots or other vegetables
Cooked brown rice or Mexican style rice
Salsa (can make fruit salsa, if you cannot have tomatoes)
Cheese (cow, goat, soy, and/or rice)
Sour cream or yogurt (milk or soy)
Cilantro
Unseasoned cooked ground beef, ground turkey, shredded chicken and/or tofu
Black beans
Pinto beans
Italian
“Build your own pasta”
Pasta (organic wheat and/or a gluten-free pasta)
Steamed shredded organic zucchini – to use as “pasta” for those who cannot have any type pasta
Sauces – Pesto *, buy or make a tomato based sauce with or without added meat, and/or an Alfredo sauce. *Omit nuts or cheese, if allergic. I just make one with olive oil, basil and garlic.
Serve with steamed vegetables and/or a salad.
This week’s focus: At 52 years old, my brain and body need readily available fuel starting first thing in the morning; no more going without food until the afternoon.
It's what's for breakfast!
A couple weeks ago, Canary Report contributor Keith Carlson, aka Nurse Keith, left a message on our network asking for a volunteer to coach during his life coach training.
I am doing a 5-week life coach training, and I need a willing person to be my first “client” for three free coaching sessions. Would anyone out there be potentially interested in participating as my “coachee”?
Following this preliminary training, my wife Mary and I will be “hanging a virtual shingle” as health and wellness coaches, and our first clients of 2009 will receive the benefits of our many years of experience and expertise at a very reasonable rate!
I jumped at the chance to work with Keith! He’s making some major life and career changes right now, and I welcome the opportunity to support him in his time of transition. Plus, I’d get some coaching that would be of great benefit. It’s a win-win!
So I’ve just completed my first week into the coaching. During our first phone consultation last week Wednesday, we decided that we’d work on my eating habits. One of my worst habits is not eating at all in the morning but instead filling up on huge mugs of tea and soy milk. I don’t usually eat until about one o’clock in the afternoon. While I’ve been able to get away with this my whole life, I am discovering that my 52-year-old body is no longer truly happy with the arrangement.
Previously, I’ve had no motivation whatsoever to change this habit. I’m not really that interested in food, and to be honest, except for dinner each evening with my husband, I am slightly annoyed that I have to take time out from whatever I am doing to eat. I usually shove something in my mouth while standing up, eating just enough to keep from getting hypoglycemic, and rushing back to whatever task is at hand whether it be work in the office or out in the gardens. In my mind, my adherence to mostly whole organic food seems to justify this behavior.
Well, it simply must stop. My brain and body now need readily available fuel starting first thing in the morning, with subsequent meals and snacks sustaining me throughout the day. It was interesting having the discussion with Keith about motivation, because I am in no way motivated to change this habit merely for my own benefit. But when Keith pointed out that if I had better fuel in me all morning, the people with whom I come in contact would benefit– that’s what sparked my interest. If my brain and body had better fuel, I could work faster and with more clarity during those morning hours, and then slide into the afternoon without the jarring realization that I was running on empty.
I truly enjoyed our hour-long talk and look forward to our next weekly coaching session this afternoon. Keith is caring, compassionate and knowledgeable about health and well being, and as a registered nurse, he has years of experience under his belt on health issues. And because he also has Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, as do I, he relates to the added burden that someone like myself endures.
I think the most important concept I came away with during out first talk is about being “intentional” in changing the habit. Keith explained that you have to do a new habit for at least 21 days before it starts to dislodge the old routine. I thought, “Yeah, I can intentionally do this for three weeks!” So we came up with a new routine, which I put in place (mostly) this past week. The new routine also encompasses the surrounding activities to my morning meal, setting me up to intentionally ease into my day, rather than bolting out of bed and going straight to the computer.
1. Get up out of bed, put my feet on the floor, raise my arms up above my head, fingers laced, stretch up and and take a deep breath. Connect with earth and sky and signal my body that we are up!
2. Go to the bathroom, brush teeth, wash face.
3. Change clothes.
4. Make the bed.
5. Go make my tea, then sit down and have something to eat! I’ve been having these types of things: English muffins, yogurt, banana, and/or oatmeal with fruit, photo above.
6. Go outside and feed the chickens.
7. Come back in and go into the office.
The whole routine takes less than 20 minutes. I will admit that I messed up on a couple of days and discovered late morning that I had not eaten. But I will also freely admit that on the mornings when I remembered to do the routine, I felt great! I never reached the stress level in early afternoon of my body being completely depleted of fuel. And that’s such a good thing!
Thanks, Keith!
Keith Carlson, RN, blogs at Digital Doorway.
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