Glass Versus Plastic + Sunscreen Words
life is hard; food doesn't have to be #46 [vol2, 3.3]
Hi! New around here? Check out Broth Making Basics or How and Why to Keep GMOs Off Your Plate. Maybe some recipes like Burritos, Enchiladas and Batch Cooking Basics would encourage you or 6 Ways to More Greens and Salad Isn’t One.
Recently my daughter’s friend asked for a drink of water. We pointed her to the cabinet where glasses are stored. She stood paralyzed at the choices. Which one she could use? (There wasn’t a plastic choice.) We told her anything she saw. She chose stemware...that my mother had purchased at a garage sale for a quarter.
When my kids were little we transitioned to glass. Yes we’ve broken more than one over the years on our tile floors. I don’t mind when the cheap “fancy” stemware is broken. Chances are every time a glass breaks, my floor needed a good sweep anyway.
We use glass not just for drinking but also food storage. My cabinets abound with mason jars of all sizes. And Pyrex is perfect to go from the fridge to the oven. A couple of years ago we invested in stainless steel PlanetBox lunch boxes and are in love. They are pricey so wait for a sale.
If you haven’t already, one baby step towards removing toxins is using more glass for food storage.
What’s wrong with plastic?
Some plastics contain the chemical Bisphoenol-A, or BPA. It’s been used in plastics since the 1960s. Unfortunately when heated it can seep into our food. This concern dates back to a 2008 CDC study that showed 92% of U.S. adults had signs of BPA in their urine.
BPA has been linked to causing reproductive, immunity, and neurological problems, as well as an increased likelihood of Alzheimer's, childhood asthma, metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
I’m not saying plastic is evil and never use it. I use plastic -- mostly for picnics and freezing. However, it is worth considering storing food in glass or stainless when possible.
Modernity sometimes calls for microwaving food. I have a microwave and use it on occasion. (More than being concerned about plastic leaching, I prefer the texture and even heating of stovetop or oven re-heating.) Nonetheless when using the microwave our food is heated in glass or ceramic. Never in plastic.
Another place BPA lurks is in canned foods. Most have BPA in the lining. I buy canned food -- and when I see the option, I purchase ones that say BPA-free. Better yet is to buy food in glass, especially acidic foods like tomatoes and vinegar.
Recent research has raised questions about whether BPA-free plastics are really any safer. BPA-free tends to use similar chemicals called BPS and BPF. So, I don’t know if the BPA-free cans are really any safer. If I have a choice, I buy BPA-free cans or glass jars.
Most of all, use glass, porcelain, or stainless steel containers for hot food or liquids.
No one protects your health like you will. Educate yourself on what you need to know because the beauty industry has some nasty chemicals.
Sunscreen is something we slather on our skin hoping for protection yet some is making us sick. For example, oxybenzone is one of those nasties that can stay in your bloodstream for 3 weeks. Oxybenzone can leave 180 times the FDA’s level of concern after a single application of sunscreen. Wear it for 4 days? It can soar to 500 times the FDA's level of concern. (This makes me so angry that it’s not common knowledge! And what is the FDA doing about it? Nada. We must educate ourselves.)
What's so nasty about oxybenzone?
Studies have shown that oxybenzone may affect breast development, infant birth weight, and sperm function. It has also been shown to contribute to the killing of coral reefs in the ocean. As a result, Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate starting in 2021.
We have choices! We vote with our dollars.
Mineral based sunscreens, also known as broad spectrum sunscreens, are my choice because they physically block both UVA (wrinkle causing) and UVB rays (skin burning). Mineral based sunscreens are not absorbed into the skin. They sit on top and deflect both UVA and UVB rays. Words to look for: non-nano zinc oxide, titanium oxide.
Don’t want to keep up with all the chemicals? Beautycounter’s sunscreen is safer and one of the first products I fell in love with. It was all we took to Fiji when we lived there 6 months (& I wasn’t a consultant then. I just love their sunscreen.) Once I saw the coral reefs with my own goggles, I was glad we weren't harming their beauty.
If you’re curious about trying Beautycounter, reply to this email. I can mail sunscreen samples. Spring break is around the corner!
Has this been informative to you? Chances are it would encourage a friend, too. Forward them this email.
Cheering you towards greater health!
Julie
PS - Does your family know the origin of St. Patrick and how he loved his enemies? My husband wrote a short devotion that you can read at dinner or before bedtime. Here is part one then part two. If you have school aged kids, be sure to watch the videos below the devo.