Rewriting Eulogies

Image by Junior Libby

Death. Funerals. Reflection.

The Cross.

Anger. Sadness. Confusion.

At some point in our lives, we all have to deal with the death of someone we love. Often, it seems unfair. At times, grace prevails and our loved one slips away quietly. We can accept their death. But there is a sense of loss, a feeling that things will never be the same. We reach out for a touch that’s no longer there.

While it is the life of a person that touches our hearts, it is the death of Jesus that transforms us. If we meditate on where we’d be without the cross, we can’t help but realize how hopeless our lives would be. Because of His death, our hopelessness turns to hopefulness, our sorrow becomes joy, our darkness light. Death has lost its victory because power lies in Resurrection.

Eulogies expound on our virtues. They recall good times, strength of character, gentleness of heart. We laugh, we cry, we remember. The Gospels are a powerful eulogy of Christ’s life. 

What will be said at the end of your life? Will your children remember your steady faith? Your kind words? Your servant heart? Will your time have been more valuable than your “toys”? Will your compassion be remembered long after you’re gone, your gentle spirit transcending memories of harsh words spoken? Christ’s gift came at a cost. A cost of nails and a crown of thorns. Embrace Him. Let Him rewrite your eulogy.

Life. Celebration. Reflection.

The Empty Tomb.

Peace. Contentment. Certainty.

Honoring the Earth -- how my family is making a difference

 

Welcome to the April 2014 Natural Living Blog Carnival: Honor the Earth.  

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Natural Living Blog Carnival hosted by Happy Mothering and Crunchy Farm Baby through the Green Moms Network. This month, our members are talking about how they honor the Earth year round. Stop by all of the posts to get ideas on how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. 


How does my family honor the earth?

I pondered the question for awhile and kept coming up with an alternate question: 

How does my family not honor the earth?

Grandson rocking the cloth right away!

* Cloth diapering. When it comes to living earth-friendly lives, it's not like we're perfect or anything. Far from it. But I'm proud to say we're doing our part, starting with what we put on our babies' bums. I'm delighted my daughters decided to cloth diaper my grandbabies right from the start. They're honoring the earth by not dumping countless disposal diapers into the landfill.

 

Jess breastfeeding at a Pittsburgh Pirate game

* Breastfeeding is another way we've honored not only our babies, but the earth as well. After all, there is no production impact on the environment when it comes to breastfeeding. It was my only choice when I had babies, and it was/is their own choice as well. 

Of course, it goes beyond what we do for our babies. Some of the changes we've made are doable for everyone who is reading this.

* Reusable bags. There is no reason . . . NONE . . . for you to continue using plastic bags at the store. The choices in reusable bags are vast, and include many that fold up or roll up and slip easily into a purse or pocket so they are readily and always available.

But I need plastic bags at home for things like cat litter and trash, etc.

I hear you. We use plastic bags for those purposes as well. But we just get them from others who, for one reason or another, continue to acquire vast amounts of plastic bags every week. They gladly give some to us, just to get them out of their own homes. I'm sure you can find others who will accommodate you as well.

I admit it took me awhile to get into the habit of always having reusable bags with me, but habits are like that. They take time to develop. This is a habit that is well worth it.

* Forsaking disposable products. Other than toilet paper, for the most part, our home is free of products like napkins and paper plates. We do have a roll of paper towels stashed under our sink, which is only used for the occasional massive amounts of puke one of our cats manages to deposit on the floor for us. Other than that, we use, and reuse, rags. There's no reason to waste paper towels to clean up average messes and spills. None.

Same with paper/plastic plates. We have a set of splattered metal dishes which is perfect for dining out on the patio. Why would we use something that would just be thrown away after one meal? It makes no sense.

Paper napkins are also a ridiculous waste. I don't even even use them for parties or showers. For the last couple baby showers, my daughters made cute napkins out of receiving blankets we picked up at garage sales for next to nothing, or out of soft fabric they bought. After the showers, the napkins became cloth wipes for the babies delicate behinds. Perfect. 

I must confess, between the homemade ones, inherited ones, gifted ones, and ones I bought, I probably have close to 100 cloth napkins. That keeps us covered when it comes to wiping our hands during a meal . . . even when we're feeding a crowd. 

* Reusable bottles and cups. As much as possible, I do not use Styrofoam or paper cups or plastic bottles. Of course, sometimes I must, but I try to remember to carry my own cups or bottles with me to functions so I don't contribute to the ongoing landfill crisis that is growing with every Starbucks cup that is tossed in the trash.

What's not to love about Earth Mama Angel Baby?

* Personal care products. We're all doing our part here by reducing the amount of toxic personal care products we use. From conventional shampoos to colognes to hair dyes to body lotions, we try to make the best choices possible for both our health and the environment. It takes some research, but it's so worth the effort.

* Household products. Again, it's about choices, and we try our best to keep harmful chemicals out of our kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
 
* Lawn and garden.  I look out my window and see the lush green lawns starting to appear in my neighborhood and I'm struck with a bit of envy. But only for a moment, as I realize the environmental cost of that lushness. We opt to keep products like RoundUp off our properties and cringe as we see it being applied to yards so close to ours. 

We choose plants for our gardens free of neonicotinoids. The last thing I want to do is to be responsible for the killing off of even more bees. This is important folks, and I implore you to not buy plants from Lowe's or Home Depot until they agree to stop using this toxic pesticide. Ask your local gardening centers if their plants are free of it. It's that important.


Obviously, I've given you quite of lot of ways to Honor the Earth. I believe in leading by example, so these are things I am doing . . . except the breastfeeding part. I will say I'm not currently engaging in that!

I'd love to hear that you've committed to one or more of these suggestions. What changes are you willing to make to celebrate Earth Day 2014?



Visit Happy Mothering and Crunchy Farm Baby to learn more about participating in next month’s Natural Living Blog Carnival! Please take some time to enjoy the posts our other carnival participants have contributed:

The Kids Choice Award and The Children's Place Giftcard Giveaway

  

Did you ever watch one of those award shows on TV and wish you could score some of the awesome swag that the celebrities take home? Well, I've teamed up Bloggin' Mamas & Hollywood Swag Bags to make that wish a reality! Everything in the swag bag may not be eco-friendly, but I'm sure you'll glean some super-goodness out of it . . . and put the $500 giftcard to good use!

One lucky winner will receive a Swag Bag that was given out to Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2014 Presenters and Nominees ($800 Value) plus a $500 giftcard sponsored by The Children's Place. 

Here is some of what you might find in your swag bag if you win:

• Buddy Ball The Buddy Ball is a multi functional toy that can go from a teddy bear into a ball in a matter of seconds. The soft plush also stores a variety of kid treasures inside. The company gifted the nominees with a variety of their bears named Max, Eva, Landry and Sam.
• OPPOS A line of girls leggings featuring interchangeable legs. Short for opposites, OPPOS™ enables girls to mix and match the legs of their leggings for a different look every day of the month (and beyond).
• Various pieces of AngieShel Design’s gorgeous handcrafted jewelry.
• Ericka La Presle-Freer, creator of Starbars is added her gourmet organic super food bar in a delicious mint chocolate chip flavor.
• The “Brain Bar” was included to help nominees get their “Think On”, particularly helpful during an acceptance speech.
• Darby’s English Toffee is the finest toffee maker in Southern California. They have added their classic box for the nominees.
• Author Jennifer Ormond gifted her precious book Baby’s Binky Box.
• Oxylent Multivitamin Supplement Drink Oxygenates, hydrates, circulates and rejuvenates. Drink Oxylent Breathe Life.
• SeaSnax, a favorite among celebrities, launched a new product “Chomperz” to all the recipients. Chomperz can be described similar to a chip, but with the low calories and nutrition of seaweed. SeaSnax are gluten free and all natural. Try Chomperz and you will be hooked.
• Crave Naturals included three items from their product line, featuring the best selling Glide Thru Detangling Brush, Whiplash Eyelash Curler & Mirage Argan Oil.
• Tat Patch takes your ripped, destroyed and distressed jeans to a new level. Tat Patches go on the inside, peeking out. Everyone received an assortment of cool designs.
• DidiPopMusic supplied nominees with a collection of her smart and soulful music for kids.
• Rusk Hair made sure the nominees’ hair was perfectly groomed with its entire line of products.
• Nominees over the age of 21 enjoyed Tipsy Girl Wine Design Custom bedazzled wine glasses for the sophisticated oenophile.
• Focal Instincts Photography is including a gift certificate for award winning photography.

The giveaway starts 4/17/14 at 12:01am EST and ends 4/30/14 at 11:59pm EST. It is open to United States Residents 18 and over. Winner will be selected via random.org and notified via email within 48 hours after the drawing. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected. Winner's name will be displayed via the Rafflecopter widget below.  

 

ENTER NOW!

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The effects of fracking on our health

Mention certain companies around me and it's guaranteed to get my blood boiling. Monsanto. Neville Chemical. Marcellus Shale. Yeah, just typing their names has me fuming. But today, I just want to focus on one of them. Marcellus Shale. To say I hate this company is an understatement. Oh, sure, they've brought a lot of temporary jobs to the region. Sure, they're temporarily boosting the local economy. But my question is: At what cost??

Many supporters of fracking won't admit the dangers until it affects their health or the health of one of their children or grandchildren. And even then, they're liking to bury their head in the sand (a dangerous place to be if there's fracking nearby). I've spent part of my evening arguing this with a trusted friend. He and I are on opposite sides of this debate, as are many of my friends. But that doesn't make me feel less strongly about it. As a matter of fact, it propels me to be more vocal than ever. 

I believe (and yes, it is my opinion) that fracking is environmentally irresponsible. But I'm not even going to argue that right now. The point of this post is to present what many researchers believe to be the health risks associated with fracking. These health risks only started rising to the surface within the last couple of years, so the impact is still unknown. But the findings so far are frightening. Terrifying, in fact. 

There are 632 chemicals involved in the hydraulic fracturing process. Of those, approximately 475 are known to be hazardous to our health, affecting our skin and eyes, as well as our respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. The nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems can be affected by 250 - 315 of the chemicals, as can the kidneys and brains. The endocrine system is at risk, as well. Based on the research, cancer and mutations are also possibilities.[Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 2011]

Even at low levels, exposure to these chemicals puts all of us at risk for devastating short- and long-term health problems. It will be years before we truly know the true effects.

Researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, conducted their own studies. Keep in mind, they had nothing to gain. Marcellus Shale, and the other fracking companies who claim there is no risk, have everything to gain with their claims. This is always an issue to remember when looking at the results of studies. Ask yourself: Who is funding the research?

The conclusions drawn by the above studies in Colorado were simply this: the closer you live to drilling sites, the more likely you are to be sickened by them. Makes sense, right? The problem is, even if you know it's the fracking that's making your family sick, you simply can't afford lawyers who can stand up to the corporate lawyers waging war for the industry. You lose. Period.

But what about all the studies stating that fracking is completely safe and presents no risk to our health? Well, consider this: according to the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, there is not one single health expert -- not one -- in the various commissions and boards in the state and federal levels. The committees were developed with public health in mind, yet none of the 52 people are qualified to evaluate health risks in the Marcellus shale region. 

Now, isn't that enough to make you sick?!

Hey, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe fracking is God's gift to an economically depressed region. Or maybe it's the devil's means for eliminating more of God's good people. Death by fracking. It makes you wonder.

Sharing my rage and concern,

Don't take my word for it. Check out these links:

Fracking Ourselves to Death in Pennsylvania

Washington County Pennsylvania Fracking

Living with Fracking in Washington, PA -- Moms Matter 2012

Boston Marathon tragedy -- one year later

On the one-year anniversary of that tragic day in Boston, I am once again reflecting on what happened. At the time, no one knew how many lives would be touched by the acts of evil... nor by the acts of heroism, kindness, and goodness. As with all tragedies, the best in people emerges in unexpected ways. For that, I am grateful. But it doesn't take away the sting of the venom permeating what started off as a beautiful day. Here is a reposting from last year; my reflections on a tragedy that affected all of us.


 

It started off as a beautiful day. And then, something went terribly wrong. 

Boston skyline by Bill Walker

From 3:00 on yesterday, I found myself unable to focus. I had to continue working on taxes so I could send in what was owed with my extension. But my mind and heart were with the people of Boston.

I am not a runner. My knees would never survive the stress. 

I've never attended a marathon. No one close to me has ever participated in one.

I've never been at the scene of a tragedy of this magnitude. I'm thankful for that.

But I do know grief. I know what it's like to have a loved one ravaged by a sudden explosion.

I do know what it's like to feel hatred in my heart for evil. I viewed the negligence on the part of Neville Chemical Company, where my husband was killed, as evil.

I do know what it's like to have my life turned upside down in an instant. Being widowed at 32 is not something one ever recovers from fully.

I couldn't pull myself away from yesterday's images. And I couldn't help remembering what it was like seeing the man I loved, my very best friend, laying in a hospital bed in the burn unit of West Penn Hospital, slowly fading away. He had third degree burns on 98% of his body and I can still recall the smell of his blood as it oozed off the sheets into puddles on the floor. I remember his face, void of a nose, lips and ears. I remember. I remember.

Yesterday, the memories resurfaced from their private rooms in my mind where I keep them tucked away. And I thought of all the others who were experiencing the same resurgence of memories. The folks in NYC, in DC, and in Shanksville, PA. The first responders, parents and teachers in Newtown. The people of Oklahoma City. The list goes on and on in this brotherhood and sisterhood of those of us who fight the devastation of memories of the unthinkable. The unthinkable that happened to us and to those we loved.

Today, I send my prayers to all of you... those with new wounds, and those with old ones. Those whose scars were opened up and bleeding again. In my heart, I am embracing each of you.

It started off as a beautiful day. And then something went terribly wrong.

On hiatus

Due to a recent death in the family, followed by my own illness, I will be taking a short break from the blog. I hope you'll hang around and still be here when I return!

Safe, eco-friendly, and EASY egg dye

Disclaimer: In accordance to the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, it is my responsibility to let you know the following is a sponsored post. I received product and/or compensation for this review. However, all opinions are my own.

My granddaughter was excited about trying these

With Easter less than two weeks away, many parents are examining their options for dying eggs with their children. Sure, there are safe, natural ways to do this, which many blogs and Pinterest boards are featuring. But they involve gathering various food sources and making your own dye. While that's great for some, it's not practical for many overworked moms and dads who simply do not have the time. 

But really, why is it even important to avoid the artificial egg dyes on the market? After all, we all used them growing up and we're okay, right? 

Well, according to an article in the NY Times, 

The federal government has been cracking down on artificial food dyes for more than a century in part because some early ones were not only toxic but were also sometimes used to mask filth or rot. In 1950, many children became ill after eating Halloween candy containing Orange No. 1 dye, and the F.D.A. banned it after more rigorous testing suggested that it was toxic. In 1976, the agency banned Red No. 2 because it was suspected to be carcinogenic. It was then replaced by Red No. 40.

Many of the artificial colorings used today were approved by the F.D.A. in 1931, including Blue No. 1, Yellow No. 5 and Red No. 3. Artificial dyes were developed -- just as aspiring was -- from coal tar, but are now made from petroleum products."

Interestingly enough, stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's, refuse to carry foods that contain artificial coloring.

For those of you who care not only about the health of your children, but also about the environment, it's important to note that the so-called "natural dye" currently used for red in most naturally dyed products, including lipstick, Cherry Coke,  some natural egg dyes, etc., is actually from the blood of the cochineal bug (carmine). Ecologically, these bugs are farmed and crushed in irresponsible manners, worthy of some attention.

Okay, now you know about some of the whys for opting for safer dying methods, and you can find out many ways for the hows. But I have really good news for you, and that is that there is an easy alternative, which I've tried, and so have my grown daughters. We really like these dyes.

Jessica's results

What are they?

The Natural Egg Dye Kit from Natural Earth Paint. It's perfect for creating beautiful eggs while protecting your kids from the toxins in many dyes.

For just $8.95, you can get 4 dye packs for creating beautiful egg displays in time for Easter. And with the code "eggdye14" you can even receive FREE SHIPPING! Of course, you have to move quickly on this. I recommend ordering TODAY!

The dyes are made from fruit, herbs, and vegetables, not synthetic crap or carmine. 

My husband and I tried two of the dyes and then experimented with mixing the colors a bit. Here are our results:

Don't you like the little duck that just appeared on the light green egg? 

My daughter, Bethany, dyed the eggs with her 3 YO. He seems happy with them.

She used all of the colors.

Bethany's results

You can do other things to the eggs for variety, such as adding a fern, leaf, flower, doily, or some other object and securing it to the egg with a nylon stocking held tightly in place with a rubber band. After soaking the egg in the dye (which is made by adding the powder to water), you simply remove the stocking and get results like these:

You can also use a white crayon to draw designs on the eggs prior to dying them.

While we loved the safe-for-kids-and-the-environment factor, there was one thing we, especially the little ones, weren't especially keen on -- the soaking time. With children, there is a patience-factor and these eggs take 10-20 minutes soaking time. So, when dying the eggs, just make sure you have another activity planned with the kiddos while they await the results.

The Natural Earth Paints company also has a set of wooden eggs that can be painted with their wonderful natural earth paints. You can seal the paints with a natural varnish made by combining 4 parts olive oil to 1 part melted beeswax. Rub it on with a rag and let it set for 1-2 hours. Rub the excess off and display! Through 4/14/14, get 20% off the wooden eggs set with the coupon code "eggs20".

Here's what you could win!

Here's the extra special good news -- one of you is going to receive a set of the wooden eggs, along with the paints and the egg dyes! All you have to do is enter below on the Rafflecopter. But hurry! This is a flash giveaway and it ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tomorrow (4/9)! There's even an easy entry everyone can click on. Of course, if you want more chances to win, do some liking and following! Winner will be announced on 4/10 and will have 48 hours to respond before an alternate winner will be chosen. U.S. only. 18+ years old.

Good luck!

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Vinegar Friday -- the benefits of bone broth

TGIVF!!

Here it is, the first Friday of a new month already. That means it's Vinegar Friday! Today, we're talking food, but it's about a whole lot more than tastiness.

A few months ago, someone posted someone on Facebook about bone broth. I don't remember who it was, but the post piqued my curiosity. After all, "bone broth" sounds a little bit creepy.

After reading about it, however, and doing my own research, I thought it was certainly worth a try. I'd been suffering with a flare up of my fibromyalgia since September when I was extremely ill with a kidney infection. This past winter didn't help with all the fluctuations in barometric pressure we were experiencing here in Pittsburgh. Everything in me hurt. Literally. At times, I found myself unable to walk up the stairs at the end of the night. That was scary for me. My husband and I started discussing the possibility of installing a chair lift. Not something I ever wanted to consider. As it was, I simply avoided steps as much as I could. It was just too painful.

I read that bone broth could ease my fibro symptoms, and hey, I was ready to try nearly anything, as long as it wasn't a pharmaceutical drug that would just cause other symptoms. 

I bought an organic chicken and made my first batch of the magic potion. The first day, I drank four mugfuls. Then I drank another one or two every day for a week. By the end of the week, I was pain-free. I kid you not! I had zero pain. None. 

Hmmm. Could it be? I continued to make the broth, using only organic chickens, as the last thing I wanted was antibiotics and other nasty stuff infusing my new favorite.thing.ever. And the pain-free days, and nights, continued. I was a new woman!

Then I had to go away for a conference and was gone for five days. I wondered what five bone-broth-free days would feel like. Unfortunately, I found out. On the fourth day, I started up the steps at my friend's house and stopped dead. The pain was back and climbing the steps took a real effort. That was enough to convince me that bone broth is the miracle I had been praying for.

But what does all this have to do with vinegar? Simple. The key to making bone broth that is effective at treating the symptoms of fibro is apple cider vinegar. Just one to two tablespoons per batch is all it takes. What the vinegar does is leach the minerals from the bones. Minerals like

• calcium
  
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• silicon
• sulfur
• other trace minerals

Additionally, the cartilage and tendons in the chicken bones contain other beneficial elements, like glucosamine and chondroitin sulphates. Do any of you buy any of these as supplements? By drinking bone broth, you'll be blessing your body with all of this naturally, without paying the high cost of supplements. That's one of the things I love about making my own bone broth.
There is a downside, however. While you're cooking your broth, you'll be tortured by the smell of it -- I find I'm hungry all day when it's cooking because it smells soooo good.

I just learned that there is more benefit if you add the vinegar to cold water and let the bones soak for about an hour before turning on the heat. This will soften the bones and pull more of the minerals and gelatin from the bones. Adding chicken feet or knuckles will add even more benefit, so ask your local butcher if he has any to spare.

Of course, I use unfiltered organic raw vinegar in my broth. After it's cooked, it lasts for five days in the fridge or for months in the freezer. You can boil it for a second time after four or five days and it will keep for another five days in the refrigerator. Mine never lasts that long.

I not only drink it, but I also use it to cook rice and vegetables. I haven't made soup with it yet, but certainly plan on doing so. I just enjoy drinking it so much, I haven't doctored it up much.

So now, I hope you're wanting the recipe. Click here for directions on how I make my bone broth.

Keeping it tasty and healthy with vinegar,

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The above information is based on my experience and not on any medical data. There has been some concern about exposure to lead while drinking organic bone broth. Please click here for more information about that if you are concerned.

As a mother and grandmother, I am constantly researching healthier living options, which include being proactive in preventing diseases and conditions. My use of homeopathic remedies has spanned decades and is the reason I'm thrilled to be a Hyland's HealthMaker. Let's not just treat our health conditions, let's do everything we can to prevent them.

Green Grandma's Chicken Bone Broth

2 - 3 lbs. organic chicken bones (with feet or beak added, if possible)
12 - 16 cups filtered water
Chopped vegetables -- onion, carrot, celery hearts/stalks/leaves
1 garlic clove
2 tsp. sage
2 tsp. oregano
1 TBSP pink Himalayan salt
1 - 2 TBSP organic unfiltered raw apple cider vinegar

With the exception of the apple cider vinegar, add or subtract the above according to taste preferences.

Put cooked chicken bones in stock pot and cover with cold water. Add apple cider vinegar. Let bones soak for one hour so the ACV can pull the nutrients out of the bones.

Heat on high until the broth is gently boiling. Turn heat down and simmer the broth for 24 hours. 

Do not skim the top layer off the broth. Simply stir it back in, as this contains many of the beneficial minerals.

Alternative -- make the broth in a crock pot following the above instructions.

Strain the broth into a large bowl. Put bones and vegetables aside. Pour into glass containers to store in refrigerator or freezer. I do not recommend plastic containers as the chemicals in the plastic can leach into the broth.

Repeat above process with the used ingredients and less water. This will make a nice lighter broth for cooking rice and vegetables. While not as effective as the first round, the second round of cooking will still yield benefits.


Enjoy!

Help me celebrate my granddaughter's first birthday by demanding change!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions are my own.  

We've been lied to and we've been fooled and it's time we do something about it! 








For decades, we've relied on government agencies to fully test products and approve their safety. We never imagined the control corporation might have on pushing through some of those approvals. I'm not saying that's what happens, but it does make you wonder. 

The facts are that there are more than 80,000 chemicals available in the U.S. that have never been fully tested for their toxic effects on the environment, not to mention what these chemicals can, and have, done to physically harm us. It's outrageous!

In 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed, yet it have never been updated. What other major environmental law can make the claim that it's never been changed in nearly four decades?! This is a broken law, resulting in tens of thousands of potentially hazardous chemicals continuing to be used in the marketplace since the 70s without the appropriate testing and without disclosure by the companies that produce them. Are you angry yet?

The EPA cannot take the proper regulatory action against these chemicals, thanks to the TSCA, even the ones known to cause cancer or other serious health concerns. When TSCA became law in 1976, it was supposed to ensure the safety of chemicals from manufacture to use and disposal. But the EPA is basically impotent against the weaknesses in the law, unable to act on known health dangers or require testing on certain potentially unsafe chemicals. Other laws, such as those setting air, water, and workplace safety standards, do not adequately regulate exposure to most chemicals, nor do they address the hazards a chemical may pose over its lifecycle. 

We need reform

The Toxic Substances Control Act needs to be reformed and legislation must be passed to protect the health of our families and the environment.

What does meaningful reform look like?

• Meaningful Chemical reform should protect the most vulnerable among us, including pregnant women, children, workers, and communities who are disproportionately exposed to chemicals.
• Meaningful Chemical reform should require public access to information regarding the safety of chemicals.
• Meaningful Chemical reform must respect the rights of states to protect their residents when the federal government fails to do so.
• Meaningful Chemical reform should require the Environmental Protection Agency to take fast action on the most harmful chemicals and include specific timetables for such regulatory actions.

Current legislation

Legislation to reform TSCA (the Chemical Safety Improvement Act -- (S.1009)) was recently introduced into the U.S. Senate. Sounds good, huh? Maybe not. Even though the bill has an impressive list of bi-partisan co-sponsors, it would be as ineffective as current law. And in some regards, even worse.

Under the current law, the EPA must prove a chemical poses an "unreasonable risk" to public health or the environment before it can be regulated. When the law first passed, it allowed 62,000 chemicals to remain on the market without testing. In more than 30 years, the EPA has required testing for only about 200 of those chemicals, and has partially regulated just five, leaving the rest to chance -- they've never been fully assessed for toxic impacts on our health or the health of the environment!


Since 1976, 22,000 new chemicals have been introduced and the manufacturers have provided little or no information to the EPA regarding their potential health or environmental impacts. These are the chemicals commonly found in your kids' toys and other kid-related products. They're also in  cleaning and personal care items, furniture, electronics, food and beverage containers, building materials, fabrics, and car interiors. Nearly everywhere you look, nearly everywhere your children play and sleep and eat, there is an overwhelming chance for toxic exposure.

Scientists have linked exposure to toxic chemicals to many health risks. Even exposure to low doses of certain chemicals is recognized by the scientific community as a threat to our hormonal, reproductive, and immune systems, particularly when the exposure happens in the womb or during early childhood. Certain toxic chemicals can even remain in the environment for decades, building up in the food chain and in our bodies. Excuse my language, but this pisses me off. This exposure (for humans and animals) to toxic chemicals can lead to 

• cancer
• Alzheimer's
• learning disabilities
• asthma
• birth defects
• reproductive problems

I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to sit back and allow this to continue. Untested chemicals produce great risks to our health. I don't want my grandbabies exposed to this onslaught of toxic chemicals for the rest of their lives, so I'm going to do what I can to stop it. What about you?

Take action

Seventh Generation is working to push a reform on TSCA, which would require study, evaluation, and testing of all these chemicals. On my granddaughter's first birthday, April 30, 2014, they will be presenting a petition to congress. What they need in the meantime, however, is your signature. 

Help me celebrate the marvelous little Miss Marley Grace's birthday by going to the website and signing the petition. Let's show Seventh Generation, congress, and the world, that the Green Grandma community cares about chemical safety reform, and we're willing to do something about it!

There is hope! But we must be diligent in order to produce the change we want for our children, their children, and our children's children's children! Sign the petition and help create a positive change for the future!

Caring about the environment, you and your children and mine,

 

An April Fools' Day Giveaway... seriously. You could win a $100 Target GC!

Welcome to the In the News April Fool's Day $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway sponsored by the USA Herald, the Daily Globe, Indyposted, and the Daily Digest and hosted by The Parenting Patch. 

Keeping up with the news is no joke. Unfortunately, busy parents often do not have the time to sit down a read a newspaper each day. The USA Herald, the Daily Globe, Indyposted, and the Daily Digest are here to help. Each news site offers a slightly different view of the news happening around the world each day. Plus you can stay up-to-date from your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device! 

While I've never been big on April Fool's pranks, my husband always loved them. He'd spend hours coming up with things he could do at work when April 1st rolled around. The worst was when it landed on a weekend!

This giveaway, however, is not a joke. One lucky reader of The Parenting Patch and Green Grandma will win one (1) $100 Target gift card compliments of the USA Herald, the Daily Globe, Indyposted, and the Daily Digest. 

To enter for your chance to win the In the News April Fool's Day $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway, simply use the following Rafflecopter form. Be sure to stop by each day to claim your daily entries. Good luck! 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway 

The In the News April Fool's Day $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway is open worldwide. An international winner will receive $100 minus any PayPal charges via PayPal in lieu of the specified prize. The In the News April Fool's Day $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway ends at midnight CST on April 22, 2014. One winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter. The winner will be sent an email and will have forty-eight hours to respond. If no response is received within forty-eight hours, another winner will be chosen. The Parenting Patch and Green Grandma are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Target is not affiliated with the In the News April Fool's Day $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway.