URGENT NEWS!

Dear Pet Parents-

Please take a moment to read the linked article below regarding the dying honeybee population, BECAUSE THE CHEMICAL RESPONSIBLE IS THE SAME ACTIVE INGREDIENT  THAT'S IN MONTHLY FLEA REPELLENT!

Every pet parent who's gotten a holistic consultation from me in the last 6 years was warned about this ingredient at the time of their consultation and given simple, affordable, effective alternatives like nematodes, natural cedar chips and lemon decoction in order to keep their pet toxin-free and safe.

I urge you to share this information with all your pet parent family and friends.

Here is the link: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/scientists-may-finally-pinpointed-whats-221000439.html

Thank you!

DO OTHERS THINK YOU STINK? Some Safe Alternatives

For millions of people, I'm preaching to the choir---

You already know what it's like to have an immediate reaction to your neighbor's dryer vent as they're doing laundry, or to hotel sheets, or to someone walking past you marinated in alcohol-based perfume or cologne, sitting next to them at a stage performance- or even worse- standing next to them at the gym:

• gagging
  
• breaking out in a sweat
• immediate onset of headache or migraine
• heart palpitations
• sick to stomach
• feeling disgusted and repulsed by the sickeningly sweet smell

But even if it doesn't make you sick immediately- for those who DON'T have that reaction/sensitivity, do you realize what you are exposing yourself (AND YOUR PETS) to?

Do you realize that your skin and lungs are absorbing these chemicals 24/7 through your clothes, sheets, pillowcases and bath towels? You may not "feel" it today, but one day it might show up as something worse (see below).

Please- read the list below of common fabric softener, dryer sheet, and alcohol-based cologne/perfume ingredients and think about it. These ingredients are often NOT listed on a label- the loophole being that they are protected as "Trade Secret" ingredients. Please consider the easy, safe, inexpensive alternatives:

• 1/4 cup white vinegar added to wash instead of fabric softener will leave your clothes smelling clean (not like vinegar) and soft

• lavender flowers tied in an old nylon stocking and added to dryer will cut down static cling

• wearing a pure essential oil instead of alcohol-based scent will eliminate the absorption of harmful chemicals through your nose and skin and make the world a better place for the millions with chemical sensitivities not to mention children and pets

Alpha-TERPINEOL -- Causes CNS disorders ... "highly irritating to mucous membranes"... "Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache." "Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."

BENZYL ACETATE -- Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperaemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."

BENZYL ALCOHOL -- Causes CNS disorders. "...irritating to the upper respiratory tract" ... "headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure."

CAMPHOR -- Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Symptoms: "local irritant and CNS stimulant" ..."readily absorbed through body tissues" ..."irritation of eyes, nose and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions." "Avoid inhalation of vapors."

CHLOROFORM -- Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapors ... Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness." "Inhalation can be fatal." "Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney and/or liver damage." "Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin disorders." "Conditions to avoid: HEAT..." Listed on California's Propostion 65.

ETHYL ACETATE -- Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "...irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)" ..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys" "Wash thoroughly after handling."

LIMONENE -- Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking, ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor."

LINALOOL -- Narcotic. Causes CNS disorders. ..."respiratory disturbances" ... "Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression ... depressed heart activity ... development of respiratory disturbances leading to death."

PENTANE -- "Danger -- Harmful if inhaled; extremely flammable. Keep away from heat and Avoid breathing vapor." "Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors may cause central nervous system depression. Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (skin rash)."

Sweet Smell or TOXIC TIME BOMB?!?

Last week, in-between checking Facebook and Twitter, I opened a third window to peruse my local Craigslist. "Sporting Goods" is one of the categories I'm fond of, especially right before the holidays when people tend to sell their used (or UNused depending on how you look at it!) exercise equipment at rock-bottom prices. I was thrilled when I came across The Fluidity Bar for $60- brand new it's $250 w/shipping from the company. Having trained in classical ballet for many years as a child and young adult, I knew this would provide a home workout I would actually do and love. (No, that's not me in the picture...YET! ;)

I met the seller in a restaurant parking lot halfway between our two homes. Being Craigslist experienced, I knew to throw an old blanket on the ground next to my car and have her set up the Fluidity Bar so I could examine it thoroughly. It looked in excellent condition: solid, unscratched, the fold-out vinyl-covered mat, clean with not a tear in sight. We folded it back up and loaded it into my car. I handed her cash and she handed me a bag with the workout dvds. I drove home giddy with my treasure.

As soon as I got it into my living room (an enclosed space) and set it up, I was assaulted by the familiar, repulsive (to me) smell of plug-in air freshener. I don't know what brand- but I recognized the smell. One of the couple's who are out-call bodywork clients of mine, use it in their multi-million dollar home. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to say anything to them, and in the past they've mostly rolled their eyes at me when I've tried to discuss less toxic ways of living. So I just discreetly unplug the ones in the room where I set up the massage table until it's time for me to leave. Still, after being there for 3 hours, I can always smell the stuff in my hair and have to wash it as soon as I get home, before getting a migraine from the smell.

It's also the same smell that permeates everything in Wal-Mart. I know this because once a friend bought some yarn there and asked me to knit a scarf for her daughter. I couldn't work with the yarn because of the odor. The few times I've been in a Wal-Mart since, the same smell hits me as soon as I walk in the door.

So I did what every good researcher does... I went online and began searching out ways to get rid of the smell without endangering the vinyl. Of course, I already knew this stuff was toxic, especially regarding animals- it's one of the first things I ask pet parents about when doing a holistic consultation.

What I wasn't prepared for was that it's SO toxic, nothing gets rid of it! Not vinegar, baking soda, dish washing soap, lemon juice, or even bleach. I even tried the fruit and vege wash that cuts oils. As if it were a living, malevolent thing, that air freshener scent got even stronger with every experimental washing. Soon the entire room reeked of it and I had to move the Fluidity Bar to the back patio.
Luckily, the next day I was able to find another Craigslist seller who was willing to just sell me the vinyl mat part- one that hadn't been exposed to plug-in air fresheners.

I am very much enjoying my Fluidity Bar workouts and have been inspired anew by this experience to URGE pet parents to become more aware of the environment they are creating.
BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T GET IT OUT OF POROUS SURFACES... IMAGINE WHAT IT'S DOING INSIDE THE LUNGS, SKIN, TISSUE, AND BLOODSTREAMS OF YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, AND YOUR PETS!!!

NOTE: the chemicals (voc's) in plug-in air fresheners are formulated to cling to surfaces including the inside of your nose- so you will not smell the scent on objects when the object is in a room with the plug-in

These products are not tested for 20 years (the actual possible life span for most dogs) to see if they cause cancer in any of us before being put on the grocery store shelves. And even when some of the ingredients are known to cause cancer, the products aren't necessarily pulled. See what I'm talking about by doing your own research! You can start here, and here, and here.

SOME of what I found:

"Air Fresheners contain Volatile Organic Compounds, VOC's, which are irritants for the lungs, eyes and skin. These toxic chemicals have properties linked to solvents and paint thinners and react with other cleaning materials and even home furnishings to create unhealthy indoor air quality. These products are not to be considered air purifiers or air cleaners in any way. They can actually make you sick."

"Unfortunately, plug-in "air fresheners" emit volatile organic compounds that are easily absorbed by porous building materials, especially sheetrock/drywall and fiberglass.

Because artificial fragrances are now chemically designed to stick to most everything in which they come in contact, washing fragrances out of most anything is very difficult. If the A/C ducts in the home you're in have exposed fiberglass inside, which many of them do, then vacuuming them out won't do much of anything.

My wife is severely chemically sensitive. We're currently renting and I'm looking for a home to buy. I've resigned myself that I will have to retrofit any home we buy because of the prevalence of artificial fragrance use in homes now. The most important part will be locating the areas in the home where the heaviest fragrance use was and tearing out the drywall, installing new formaldehyde-free drywall, and painting it with no-VOC paint."

TEACHING YOUR DOG TO READ

It always surprises me how willing we are to believe that if it's being sold in a store (even a health food store), it's safe for us and/or our pets. Recently, a friend of mine alerted me to a post he had read on a dog trainer's blog about Rescue Remedy. Rescue Remedy is a Bach Flower Essence that has been around for decades, and is used homeopathically to clear the emotional/energy body of trauma. It's great for dogs who have anxiety about thunder, fireworks, or going to the vet, to name a few. When I first started using it, it was packaged only in liquid form. These days, it also comes in a spray (which I now use) and eatable candy pastilles (which I don't). The official RR website also has a form packaged specifically for pets.

To make a long story short, the trainer had suggested that this pet parent try Rescue Remedy for her dog and the pet parent bought the candy pastilles and gave them to her dog. One of the ingredients listed on that label (pastilles only) is xylitol - a natural sweetener made of corn or birch bark; healthy for humans, DEADLY FOR DOGS!!!

In my opinion, there are two important things to consider here:

1. ALWAYS read the label. If you don't know what something is, or how it might affect your animal, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. Most vets could tell you that xylitol is toxic for dogs. A simple google search: "xylitol dogs toxic" will generate all kinds of information.
   
   
2. Don't assume anything, but do your own research. The reason why many wonderful herbs have gotten a bad rap is because people were not responsible in learning how to use them. Many herbs are incredibly medicinal at one dosage and highly toxic at another. I have read about herbs referred to as deadly in mainstream publications, that I know from personal experience are beneficial and non-toxic in proper dosage. On the other hand, just because it's sold in a health food store, doesn't mean it's always healthy.

Until our sweet doggies can read and be informed to make their own responsible decisions, it is up to us to do it for them. On the other side of that coin, had I followed Buttons' obvious opinions about a few of the men I've dated, I could have saved myself a lot of heartache! More about that in The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood. :)

Wishing you vibrant health
and precious moments-
Nadine (and Buttons)

Toxic To Your Pet #3- aka: In My Opinion

When my adopted daughter Buttons was 8 years old, she was diagnosed with deadly carcinoma and given 6 weeks to live. It was then that I launched a massive personal research campaign into the world of holistic medicine.

I soon came to learn that “holistic” DIDN'T mean symptom treating with natural remedies or herbs in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. Instead, it meant clearing my home environment of all possible toxins, detoxifying Buttons’ entire system physically and emotionally, and then giving her the proper nutritional support so that Buttons’ body could do what an unburdened, nontoxic body does best: HEAL ITSELF.

The story of that journey is part of what The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood is all about. Here are some of the finer details not mentioned in the book:

Your Pet’s Dishes-

Personally, I would only use glass or stainless steel bowls for food and water. Plastics are known to leach and leak chemicals and some pottery glazes can do the same.

Electrical Outlets-
Everyday, there is more and more published about the ill-effects of EMF (electrical magnetic field) on the immune system. I always made sure Buttons’ bedding and bowls were placed at least 4 feet away from any electrical outlet or live appliance.

For "Toxic To Your Pet" #1 and #2, just scroll down :)

Wishing you vibrant health
and precious moments
Nadine (and Buttons)

Toxic To Your Pet #2- aka: In My Opinion

Flea Products:
Are you using one of the popular, 'applied monthly' flea products? Think about it...it can kill fleas because it is a form of poison. Some products contain strychnine. Others have the active ingredient, imidacloprid which is rated as "moderately toxic" acutely by the WHO and the EPA and which causes thyroid lesions in rats. Is that really something you want to apply to your dog between his/her shoulders once a month to be absorbed by his/her skin until it's able to also poison every flea that comes into contact with him/her?

There are wonderful, affordable essential oil combinations made especially for repelling fleas. Most contain oil of lemon and eucalyptus- very pleasant smelling.

Diatomaceous earth is an inexpensive, natural remedy for flea infested areas of the home or yard. All can be found online.

Wishing you vibrant health and
precious moments-
Nadine (and Buttons)

Toxic To Your Pet #1- aka: In My Opinion

Laundry products: non-natural detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets... a little bit of internet research will convince you- there is all kinds of well-documented material about how very harmful the most common, best-selling brands are to our health. Keep in mind, between clothing, bedding, and towels, we are constantly exposed to and absorbing these poisons through our skin and so are our pets! If you launder any of their cloth toys, they are also ingesting those chemicals.

Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets: Reprinted with Permission from the SixWise.com Security & Wellness e-Newsletter

• Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
• Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
• Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
• A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
• Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
• Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
• Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
• Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
• Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

There are many natural, affordable alternatives to be found at stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and many online companies. Just because it smells pretty, doesn’t mean it’s not harmful. Please don't assume that large companies put your health and well-being before their bottom line.

Woven into the story of my book, The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, is the description of the many things I did to clear my home environment when my 8-year old dog, Buttons, was diagnosed with deadly cancer and given 6 weeks to live. Following an intense holistic regime, she not only lived, but went on to thrive for an additional 11 years.

In my opinion, it is always wise to read the label of every product your animal is exposed to in and around your home.

Wishing you vibrant health and
precious moments-

Nadine (and Buttons)