another reason to buy organic clothes

I just received this article from a friend in regards to a lawsuit filed against Victoria Secret for putting formaldehyde in their bras and women having sever reactions. I thought we could all use a bit of clothing and dye education/reminder to buy things that are gentle on the planet and gentle on ourselves.

Why Do They Put Formaldehyde in clothes?

Formaldehyde, most commonly known as embalming fluid, serves a number of purposes in manufactured products. It is actually frequently used in fabrics to give them a variety of "easy care properties" such as:

• Permanent press
• Anti-cling, anti-static, anti-wrinkle, and anti-shrink
• Waterproofing and stain resistance
• Perspiration proof
• Moth proof
• Mildew resistance
• Color-fastness

According to the American Contact Dermatitis Society, rayon, blended cotton, corduroy, wrinkle-resistant 100 percent cotton, and any synthetic blended polymer are likely to have been treated with formaldehyde resins.

But as some are finding out the hard way, easy care comes at a price.

Health Hazards of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde, for all its benefits, is also listed as a "probable carcinogen." And, unfortunately, the United States is more lax about its regulation than most other countries. For example, "low level" of acceptable formaldehyde in Japan is 75 ppm, whereas the U.S. "low level" of acceptable formaldehyde is near 300 ppm.

There's evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde from repeated exposure, which can eventually become a serious health concern.

You can be exposed to the chemical both via off-gassing and direct contact with your skin.

Formaldehyde has also been shown to cause cancer in animals, and may cause cancer in humans. Other common adverse health effects include:

• fatigue
• skin rash (contact dermatitis)
• severe allergic reactions
• eye, nose, and throat irritation
• wheezing and coughing

Be aware that it takes several washings, with dryings and airings in between, to significantly reduce the amount of formaldehyde found in clothing and other household fabrics like window drapes.

So if you suffer from chemical sensitivities, it is important to pay careful attention to what you buy, especially if it's going next to your skin. Contact dermatitis from clothing can be recognized by a chronic and recurring rash that appears on parts of your body where clothing fits tight.

Because heat and humidity increase the emissions from formaldehyde resins, the American Contact Dermatitis Society warns that areas around waistbands, collars, underarms, the upper back, inner thighs, and back of knees are more prone to chemical-induced skin rashes.

get your hands dirty

Today I found a chance to play in the last farmland in Seattle in support of Lettuce Link which provide organic produce and growing education to low income families.

Marra Farms is locate in South Park and we will be doing various tasks like weeding, building and planting to help feed hungry families in Seattle. It will be held on May 31st from 10-2.

If you'd like to join me and others here is a link

Seattle Works

edible flowers

Can you tell I am cleaning out my files? My random posting may reach epic proportions before this is all done.

Today I am giving some tips I found in the AMBP magazine: Yummy flowers
Calendulas (pot marigold): add petals to anything for a peppery taste. Also are nice addition to bath or foot soak actually all of these are a nice addition to water treatments.
Daylilies: I've never tried them, good cooked or raw it says and has been used in China to ease the pain of grief. They have tons of antioxidants.
Dandelions: The plant people love to hate. flowers are sweet and can be made into wine and the leaves are good cooked or tossed into salads, I like them but they are a bitter.
Hibiscus: The flowers are beautiful and add beauty to any meal. Cranberry like flavor with citrus overtones, the tea is beautiful pink/red and yummy.
Squash Blossoms: Yummy fried in batter or stuffed.
Pansies: Mild minty flavor and is a great garnish being beautiful in color and delicate looking.
Roses: All are edible but the darker the color the more flavor. Use them everywhere!
Sunflower: It is best eaten when in the bud stage, and apparently tastes similar to artichokes. When the flower opens can use the petals which are bittersweet in flavor.

Tips:
Do not eat flowers from florist or garden centers as these have probably been sprayed. Also do not eat flowers from the side of the road as car exhaust is not good to ingest and makes things taste awful. If you don't know if the flower is edible, don't eat it. Bad things could happen. Look in grocery stores and farmers markets for edible flowers sold in the herb or salad section. Don't eat too many flowers at once, they don't taste all that great so I'm not too worried about y'all on this one. Most important use flowers that look good and are free from bugs... unless of course you need more protein and want to get it from aphids instead of meat, then by all means chow down... just don't invite me for dinner :D

the reflexology 12 step

Stress Reduction: Reflexology calms and balances the body, sooths the nervous system, and puts you in a state of bliss.

Immune Support: Reflexology works from the inside out and focuses on returning your body to perfect health.

Detoxification: Toxins get stored in the feet due to gravity. Receiving foot reflexology improves circulation and moves accumulated toxins out of your body.

Better Foot Function=Energy: Reflexology improves flexibility, decreases foot pain, and helps align bones put out of place by shoes and sports. This increases your energy levels by allowing you to walk better, getting natural reflexology with each step.

Whole Body: Reflexology is based on the belief that the whole body is mirrored in the feet, hands and ears. By working these areas you can provide pain relief or address any dis-ease or discomforts you may be experiencing anywhere in the body.

Better Sleep: Reflexology balances the mind and body, helps hormonal and endocrine imbalances and sooths the mind allowing all cares to fall away. One hour of sleep on the reflexology table is equal to 8 hours as your body immediately descends to delta brain wave activity.

Improved creativity/ productivity: Reflexology puts you into a deep meditative state, the place where ideas are generated and problems solved. Serendipitous moments happen on the reflexology table and after.

Grounding: Taking your feet out of their shoes can help to ground you to the present moment making you more aware and thankful of all the small wonderful things that happen daily. Plus it literally connects you to the ground and closer to the energy of the Earth.

Shoes Kill: Your feet do you numerous services daily and their reward is often shoes that disfigure them and make them hurt. Support naked feet and celebrate wiggly toes with a session of reflexology.

It feels great: You deserve to feel great because you are great. Reflexology helps you remember to take a little space and time all for you, and what a bonus that you walk out in a state of bliss!

Earth-Friendly: By doing good things to improve your health you will most likely start doing better things to help the planet(like get more reflexology!). Plus! All lotions and oils used in session are organic and on the first Tuesday of the month Amy donates all profits to the Nature Conservatory.

healthy feet=healthy spine=healthy life: If the feet are balanced, healthy and functioning properly, then the spine is allowed it's full range of motion. If these two things are flowing your whole life is full of ease. Why?Because the bones and muscles are working right, which moves lymphatic fluid and blood around, which carries vital nutrients and oxygen to your cells and carries wastes away to be eliminated. Plus the nervous system can communicate more efficiently which all adds up to a better life full of energy, creativity and joy.