Life with Fabric Softeners

Our modern living has created these so called “convenient” products and marketing has been extremely successful in convincing us that we need them desperately. One such item is fabric softeners with their concoction of chemicals….from benzyl/ethyl acetate, chloroform, ethanol, pentane, a-terpineol, and on and on. Many of the chemicals found are neurotoxins, carcinogens and can make you nauseous, headachy and drowsy or develop a rash. They usually smell “nice” and we do not realize that these artificial fragrances also are extremely unhealthy; the “nice” smell is also necessary in these softeners in order to cover up the heavy smell of the chemicals used. Fabric softeners also can decrease the absorbency of cloth diapers. They are definitely not good for pet blankets. These chemicals adhere to the laundry and are against your skin ready for absorption for as long as you have those clothes on and as well you can inhale the chemicals for the duration of the day. ! Dryer sheets when heated become volatile and now you breathe the toxins from the dryer; much is vented out into the world for everyone to react to. If you must have softness in your laundry you can add baking soda or vinegar to the wash cycle, use dryer balls (like felted wool), or purchase a more natural fabric softener without the long list of toxic chemicals. The sun is the best way to dry laundry. It does make the fabric rougher and not as soft. But this makes it perfect for towels as now you have a natural way to brush/stimulate your skin, exfoliate, save money, naturally sanitize, improve your health and respect the environment.

Wonders of Essential Oils

Essential Oils are often used in natural medicine, as a holistic approach to health; simply because we love their aroma, it makes us feel good. Essential oils are volatile plant liquids extracted through distillation or extraction process. They are extremely concentrated and should not be used directly on the skin unless they are diluted with carrier oils, such as sweet almond, olive, jojoba etc. The benefits of aromatherapy can be by means of inhalation or topical application. For inhalation, diffusers can be used or simply a few drops on a handkerchief; the scent affects the brain’s emotional control center. Topically essential oils can be absorbed into the bloodstream through massages, baths and moisturizers. Some beneficial effects of essential oils range from relief from stress, headaches, insomnia, an increase in immune system function and mood enhancement. Essential oils allow natural fragrance to be present in personal care products without using artificial parfums. Some examples of their uses specifically are: Eucalyptus can be used in steam inhalation and chest rubs to relieve cold/flu symptoms . Lavender is calming, balances emotions and helps with insomnia. Tea tree has antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericide and fungicide properties; it is often used for toe fungus infections and lice treatment. Oil of oregano, because it is a potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, & antiparasitic oil, it is often ingested for colds and sore throats and as a preventative. However ingestion of essential oils should be done with caution and/or under medical supervision. If you are pregnant also consult your doctor before using essential oils. The Ninety Ninth Monkey carries various essential oils. They are also found in many natural personal care products.

Water and Modern Society

Water is an essential element of staying alive but also to remain at ultimate health, it is necessary to hydrate ourselves adequately. “Water makes up greater than 2/3 of the weight of the human body; the brain is 75% water, blood is 83% water, bones are 22% water, muscles are 75% water, and the lungs are 90% water.” Ideally drinking ½ to 2/3 of an ounce of water per pound of body weight is a good rule of thumb depending on how active you are, whether you are breastfeeding, drinking alcoholic beverages or if you are overweight. Society recently has recognized this need by creating the sale of plastic-bottled water which is readily available. To take this a step further we can purchase a re-usable glass or food- grade stainless steel water bottle that we can refill and take with us. We can personalize this bottle and it can become part of our lifestyle and at the same time reduce the amount of petroleum plastics that are created and never reach the recycling bin. The leaching of BPA, an hormone disrupter in the form of synthetic estrogens, is avoided when we do not use plastic water bottles. Furthermore it is important to keep this fact in mine: “Americans drink more bottled water than any other nation, purchasing an impressive 29 billion bottles every year. Making all the plastic for those bottles uses 17 million barrels of crude oil annually. That is equivalent to the fuel needed to keep 1 million vehicles on the road for 12 months.” As we take care of our health, we must also be conscious of what effects we are creating on our environment. The Ninety Ninth Monkey supports Reusability, not only for water bottles but travel mugs for coffee, tea and reusable lunch containers.

Choices and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

We should be able to make informed choices in the foods we eat. GMO or Genetically Modified Organism are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques; food often has DNA inserted from a different species. The purpose of GMO foods is to enhance growth, nutrition value, colour & enhance flavour or to make crops more resistant to diseases/insects/herbicides. For example a bacterial gene has been inserted into corn making the plant resistant to the corn rootworm (Bt corn). Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnical company is responsible for producing Roundup Ready Soybeans and Corn….plants that have been genetically engineered to withstand the spraying of Roundup, a widespread herbicide. Sounds wonderful!!! But GMO food has not been researched and tested thoroughly. Tampering with plant genes has caused weed and insect resistance and soil/water contamination. Under health concerns, there is a big risk of unknown toxins and allergens that can trigger adverse immune responses as well as hormonal disruptions, obesity, birth defects and allergies. In Canada and the US it is not mandatory to label GMO food. Soy, canola, corn and cotton are the most genetically modified plants but tomatoes, papaya, rice, peas can be as well. We as consumers should demand required labelling of GMO’s in our food. Certified Organic cannot contain GMO ingredients. Check and question what you eat! For more info go to www.nongmoproject.org The Ninety Ninth Monkey does not support GMO products.

What is Fair Trade?

From nuts& oils to tea& coffees to hand-made bag/ purses& jewellery, many products are grown and produced in developing countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, etc. We consume these products and often take for granted the hard labour and struggles that the peoples who produced these products endured. Large corporations enter countries such as Tanzania, Bali or Guatemala where farmers and artisans are approached to trade/produce their crops or hand-made items but unfortunately prices, environmental and safety standards are not reflective of the true value of the goods from these poorer countries. As North Americans we can take a great advantage of obtaining these unique and delicious products at a fraction of what they are really worth. In addition rich companies go into these under-developed countries and not only reap large profits but also introduce chemicals to the farmers/artisans such as herbicides, pesticides, chemicals and unsafe manufacturing methods that not only harm the health of the native people but eventually pollute their pristine waters and soils. Fair Trade Certification is: A minimum price is guaranteed to farmers and workers Funding for community development Sustainable environmental practices Support small farm cooperatives International Labour Organization Standards More direct trade relationships…longer and meaningful Fair Trade helps the people themselves but also helps to ensure the environment of these countries is not being abused by overproduction and pollutants, ensuring a sustainable future. Therefore the next time you sip your morning coffee or sip your afternoon tea and nibble on that chocolate bar…..enquire if their source has been obtained under Fair Trade practices. If it was, you’ve just made life a little sweeter! The Ninety Ninth Monkey supports Fair Trade!

Litterless Lunch solutions at The Ninety Ninth Monkey

As August and September approach, parents are faced with choices for lunch containers, boxes, bags and water bottles. There are many options for containers: one piece containers have numerous individual units and these eliminate all the various individual containers with matching lids that often get lost. Examples of these are the Go Green Lunch Box, Goodbyn, Bynto. There are many choices for individual containers, some of which have dividers, some are thermal, some are leak proof and some are easier to open than others….especially for little hands. They can be made from stainless steel, glass and BPA free plastics such as Kids Konserve, LunchBots, Steeltainer, Sanctus Mundo, Greentainer, Ecolunch Box, Wean Green, Innobaby containers. To replace the plastic baggies there are now many re-usable bags with BPA free linings with Velcro or zipper closures. They can be easily wiped out or quickly washed in the sink with dish soap, rinsed and let dry for the next day. There are many decorative designs that appeal to different ages. Examples are the KeepLeaf, Itzy Rtitzy, and Sling Sisters reusable snack bags. WrapnMat makes a reusable wrap for sandwiches, bagels, snacks, etc that unfolds into a neat mat for the school or work desk. Water bottles come in a million shapes, colours and sizes but take caution if you buy stainless steel that it is of a good food grade from a reliable company or the water may have a metal taste. KLean Kanteen makes good water bottles in various sizes and they also make an excellent thermal one as does Thinksport. Although light weight I would avoid aluminum bottles. Lifefactory makes a conveniently silicone sleeved glass water bottle that adds some protection from breakage but they still better suited for older students. All plastic ones should be definitely BPA free, avoiding #7 plastics. Nutrition for Your Condition makes a unique “brown bag” lunch bag with multi zippered compartments for containers, some insulating. Dabbawalla and Built make colourful lunch bags from neoprene which offers insulation but Moms love them because they are totally washable. Beatrix NY and So Young Mother also make lunch boxes, coolers and back-packs that are lead, PVC, pthalate and BPA free that have exciting, colourful and retro picture fronts. Packit has a unique lunch bag that folds up to put into the freezer and then open up so the frozen gel can act as a cooler for many hours in the lunch bag. Remember, however the most important thing is to pack a nutritious lunch avoiding over-processed foods and sugary snacks. Lots of veggies!!!! From Barb at The Ninety Ninth Monkey, Brooklin’s Green Store www.theninetyninthmonkey.com

Restaurant Left-Overs!!!!

It is so nice to go out for a meal to celebrate or to simply have someone else cook. Often our eyes are bigger than our stomachs or portion sizes are too large and we can’t eat what is on our plates. I don’t believe in wasting food because it is a most important essential. And thus out comes the take-out containers, often made from styrofoam. Labelled an “environmental evil”, styrofoam takes “500 years to dissolve” and has a “low level of recycling patrons”. Other disposable take-out containers can be made from paper or clear plastics but they also create a negative environmental impact. These take-out containers are also a cost to the restaurant industry which is factored into their prices. It is a lot better and not so difficult to take your own re-usable container that you can load up the food and bring it home. Tuck into your purse, in a small bag or simply carry in your hand when going out to a restaurant. Various re-usable leak-proof containers made out of stainless steel, BPA-free plastic or glass are available. At first you may feel silly but if we all did use our own reusable containers at restaurants, we would create a positive environmental impact…..it is a good feeling! LunchBots, Steeltainer, KidsKonserve and Sanctus Mundo make some convenient take out reusable containers. (Available at The Ninety Ninth Monkey)