Stupidity does not define me, but at times I think it must

Formaldehyde in clothing. I know it's there. It's commonly used to treat clothing before shipping from China and other overseas locations. That's why it's vital, as in super important, that we wash new clothing before we wear it or put in onto our precious little ones' bodies. 

I know all that. But, like I said above, stupidity does not define, but at times I think it must. Yesterday was one of those times.

I discovered a new resale shop on Saturday and was happy to pick up a couple of pieces of Stella & Dot jewelry, a super-comfy cable knit sweater, and a brand new with tags pair of Ann Taylor Loft black skinny jeans that fit perfectly (and cost a mere $8!).

Normally, I have to wash secondhand clothing two or three times before I wear it because of the buildup of toxic fabric softener. I'm simply not going to wear anything that reeks of that combination of toxic chemicals and causes all sorts of respiratory, skin, and neurological issues (just to name a few). I just won't do it.

But yesterday, while choosing an outfit for work, I picked up the brand new pair of pants, cut the tags off, and slipped them on. After all, there was zero fabric softener smell because they'd never been washed. Big mistake. 

As I worked, these black skinny jeans hugged and caressed by legs all day long. By late afternoon, I was really dragging. By evening, I could hardly walk. Now, this was disturbing because, for the first time in countless months, I've been pain-free for weeks. I attribute this to cutting nightshade vegetables out of my diet. The result has been a serious reduction of inflammation and a disappearance of my fibromyalgia symptoms. Of course, this is a topic for a different blog post, as it indicates some intelligence on my part, and not the stupidity this post focuses on.

I dragged myself upstairs as soon as I got home and I laid down. An hour and a half later, my husband woke me to see if I was okay. I was not. My glands and lymph nodes were swollen and my limbs all ached. Plus I had a headache. 

An hour or two later, it dawned on me. My Epstein Barr and my fibro were acting up and I knew exactly why. Formaldehyde. It transferred from my new pants onto my skin where it was absorbed into my system. It was poisoning me. I removed the pants and threw them into the hamper.

There are many things that can trigger my fibro. Obvious things like stress, illness, loud noise, or aspartame. But nothing affects me as much as exposure to chemicals, with formaldehyde at the top of the list. I learned that way back in the mid-'80s when a wise doctor figured it out. 

You would think I would have known better than to wear an unwashed pair of tight-fitting pants. I doubt I'll ever make that mistake again! After all, stupidity does not define me... most of the time.

National Grandparent's Day is Sept. 10!

Don't forget Grandma and Grandpa this Sunday. Honor them for all they've done for you and your kiddos.

GrandBox is a monthly subscription box curated specifically for seniors 65 and up. Each box can be personalized with family photos and a note. It's the perfect gift to bring a smile to your loved ones. Order yours today by clicking here. And just ignore the typo in the word "September"!

5 instances where vinegar is NOT the answer

TGIVF!

It's the first Vinegar Friday of September... how did that happen? Wasn't it just June??

Kids are back to school and the stores are full of fall and Halloween decor. Many have replaced their patio furniture with brightly lit Christmas trees. #notreadyforthisyet

While Halloween is a fun time for many, it is also a time for mischief for some. Tossing eggs at cars and homes is their definition of fun. I'll never get it. Do you?

Photo courtesy of Circe Denyer

So with egg-throwing season right around the corner, I thought I'd start off the unofficial first VF of the fall (it is still summer for a few weeks, after all) by sharing 5 ways vinegar is not a good choice for cleaning, starting with...

1. Eggs

If you're like me, your first thought when you discover an egg-drenched car or front door (after some choice words/mental images) is to reach for your jug of vinegar. STOP! Unless you want an even stickier, gooier, more difficult to clean mess, you want to skip that choice. When vinegar mixes with proteins, like eggs, it coagulates and creates stuff nightmares are made of. Ooooo.... scary. How appropriate for Halloween!

2. Pots and Pans (of the aluminum or cast iron persuation)

When scrubbing your enamel or stainless cookware, vinegar is just fine. But doing the same to your aluminum or cast iron pans is not. Why? Because mixing acidic vinegar with aluminum or cast iron will cause corrosion and damage the surface of your cookware. Of course, many people are avoiding aluminum these days, due to the possible link to Alzheimer's disease, but it seems that cast iron has never been so popular. I love mine -- what about you?

Image courtesy of Alex Borland

3. Natural Stone Tiles and Countertops

We don't have stone countertops or floors in my home, so wiping down the floors and counters can be done safely with plain white vinegar. That's not the case in my daughters' homes, although they generally rely on Norwex Envirocloths to do the job. If you have concrete, limestone, travertine, granite, or marble surfaces, do not use vinegar on them, unless, of course, you actually like pitting. Keep in mind, vinegar will eat away any sealants, so be prepared for staining down the road. 

4. Waxed surfaces

If your goal is to remove wax, by all means, reach for the vinegar. But if you want to preserve your shiny waxed surface, avoid vinegar at all costs. Otherwise, you'll end up with a sheen that is as dull as unsharpened eyeliner pencil. 

Photo courtesy of CC0 Community

5. Phone or laptop screen

The monitors and screens on our electronic devices are covered with a thin layer of oleophobic coating. This limits the amount of fingerprints/smudges smearing up the screens. We like that, no? If you wipe the screens with vinegar, you pretty much destroy this coating and you're left with... well, let's just say you'll wish you hadn't.

While I tout the benefits of vinegar here and in my book, VINEGAR FRIDAYS, there are times when vinegar is the last thing you want to use. Hopefully, this post will save you some headaches. Now if only I could create an invisible shield to protect you from those flying eggs.

Keeping it green with vinegar, but not always,