Creating non-toxic food isn't just about buying healthier foods or cooking at home; you have to make sure your cooking space and habits aren't home to hidden chemicals. While I've been detoxing my kitchen and cooking practices, I've come across a few easy tricks to lighten your chemical load in the kitchen. Try these top five, cheap and easy tips to take chemicals out of your cooking: Watch your water: Remember that filtered water isn’t just for drinking. Make sure you also filter your water if you’re boiling water or using water as an ingredient in a dish. If you don’t have a filter, the...

Family dinners, backyard BBQs, even that rare long lunch with old friends: Food brings us together, and helps us make memories. Today is Food Day, and we’re celebrating the power and the possibility of food. Thousands of people across the country are coming together to alleviate hunger, improve health, protect the earth, and protect workers, all through the power of food. *Let's get Food Day started today by asking Congress to support the Eat Real Agenda: http://action.momsrising.org/letter/FoodDay2011/ What is the Eat Real Agenda, anyway? The Eat Real Agenda is a solution for fixing America'...

Your workday may be difficult or carefree, happy or less so, busy or boring. No matter how your day at the office is going (and I hope it's going well), the one thing it shouldn't be is toxic. Offices and workday rituals can contain the same toxic chemicals that show up in our homes. Try these five easy, cost-effective tips for detoxing your workday and greening your office: Dry cleaning : Lets start with what happens before you get to the office. Office wear, with it’s sometimes fussy fabrics, often sports those telltale “dry clean only” tags. Perchloroethylene, a chemical prominently used...

Halloween is here! Well, almost. And while the kids in your life are probably thrilled about the sugary jack-o-lantern strewn bonanza that is Halloween, the parent side of Halloween planning is a bit more tricky (The phrase “How is the store out of costumes already?! HOW?!” comes to mind). Look, in the grand scheme of holidays, Halloween can be costly, complicated, and not traditionally eco-friendly. Luckily, it is also incredibly, ridiculously easy to makeover. Costumes can be found, faces can be painted, and tricks and treats can be dispensed, all at a low-cost, in a green way. Here’s a...

With the seasons changing, many magazines want to help you create your new look for fall with a smorgasbord of trends. Beauty trends are fun; toxic chemical exposures are not. Did you know that the average woman is exposed to 125 chemicals from cosmetics before she walks out the door in the morning? Try the new trends, but curb the chemical chaos by applying these top 5 nontoxic tips to your Fall beauty routine: Thicker moisturizers: That cool autumn air might feel great on your skin; unfortunately, it can also be incredibly drying. As we get closer to winter, it’s time to up the ante on your...

Hundreds of studies have linked BPA to serious health problems , including cancer, heart disease, obesity, and a number of reproductive issues. With 2 billion pounds of BPA produced annually in the US, it’s no wonder that 93% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies . So with BPA making a cameo appearance in nearly every canned good on the market ( including organic canned foods for kids ), what is a responsible grocery shopper to do? Stop buying cans all together? Completely cutting canned goods out of your grocery shopping might not be possible. And that's okay! Instead of...

Governor Jerry Brown has landmark legislation heading to his desk that would ban the toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups. [1] We need your help to make sure it gets signed into law. Help us keep California kids safe! *Tell Governor Jerry Brown to sign the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act. http://action.momsrising.org/letter/2011-CA-BPA-Governor/ With 2 billion pounds of BPA produced annually in the US, it's no wonder that 93% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies. BPA isn’t just in our bodies; it’s in our babies, who have BPA levels that are...

Traditional canned BBQ fare and potentially hazardous grilled meat can make BBQs feel like a toxic minefield. Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to keep all of your favorite foods while protecting your health. Marinate Your Meat: The process of grilling meat creates compounds called HCAs, which have been linked to breast, prostate, and colon tumor growth . One of the easiest, and tastiest, ways you can reduce HCAs in your grilled meats is to soak meats in a marinade before throwing them on the grill. Choose vinegar or lemon based marinades: Their acidity prevents HCAs from sticking to the...

The first day of school is around the corner, and back-to-school shopping season is in full swing. Kids spend most of their crucial developmental years in school buildings, interacting with their school supplies non-stop throughout the day, which makes picking the healthiest, least toxic supplies super important. Luckily, there are a few easy things you can do make this school year less toxic. This Tips Tuesday, we’re giving you the top five tips for safer back to school shopping: Say no to PVC: PVC, also known as “The Poison Plastic,” is commonly used in lunch boxes, backpacks, and binders...