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Fabric Softener is the #1 Cause of Indoor Air Pollution. Make Your Own With This DIY Recipe!

by June 9, 2016

Have you ever thought about how you wash your clothes?  You chuck in the soap and the fabric softener and let it go. But, fabric softeners are very toxic, and not to mention the fact that they build up in your clothing and towels often times leading to a soured smell.

There are many potentially dangerous products used in our home. One of which is fabric softener, an innocent enough product right? Wrong! Some of the most harmful ingredients in the product are; chloroform a neurotoxin that can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmia, A-terpineol which can cause central nervous system disorders, benzyl alcohol an upper respiratory irritant, Ethyl acetate which is known to cause headaches and loss of consciousness, and many more this is just a tip on the ice burg!

Here are some of the harmful ingredients commonly found in liquid or sheet fabric softeners include:

• Chloroform: This substance was used as an anesthesia in the 1800s up through the early 1900s when its potential for causing fatal cardiac arrhythmia was discovered. A carcinogenic neurotoxin, it is on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Inhaling its vapors may cause loss of consciousness, nausea, headache, vomiting, and/or dizziness, drowsiness. It may aggravate disorders of the heart, kidneys or liver. Its effects worsen when subjected to heat.

• A-Terpineol: Causes Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, meaning problems relating to the brain and spine such as Alzheimer’s disease, ADD, dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, strokes, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Early symptoms of CNS problems include aphasia, blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in neck and spine. A-Terpineol also irritates the mucous membranes and, if aspirated into the lungs, can cause respiratory depression, pneumonia or fatal edema.

• Benzyl Alcohol: This upper respiratory tract irritant can cause central nervous system (CNS) disorders, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and dramatic drops in blood pressure.

• Benzyl Acetate: This substances has been linked to pancreatic cancer. Its vapors can be irritating to eyes and respiratory passages and it can also be absorbed through the skin.

• Ethanol: Another fabric softener ingredient which is on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list and linked to CNS disorders.

• Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled.

• Ethyl Acetate: This substance, which is on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list, can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. It may also cause severe headaches and loss of consciousness, as well as damage to the liver and kidneys.

• Camphor: Another substance on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. It is easily absorbed through body tissue, causing irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Camphor can also cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions.

• Linalool: A narcotic known to cause respiratory problems and CNS disorders. In animal testing, exposure to linalool has resulted in death.

• Phthalates: Used in scented products to help the scent last longer, phthlates have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive system problems.

• Limonene: This known carcinogen can cause irritation to eyes and skin.

When you use fabric softener, the toxic chemicals coat your towels, sheets, and clothing so that you absorb toxins through your skin. Meaning, of course, you breathe in these chemicals. You think that this process is good for your body? Make your own! It is so simple and with all of the stated above you would be crazy not to.

Ingredients:

  • 5g baking soda
  • 75ml hot water
  • 400ml apple cider vinegar
  • 10 drops essential oil

Method:

You will need a large plastic container because there will be a bubble reaction. Combine the water, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar together. The ingredients will absolutely cause a chemical reaction, releasing a lot of bubbles. Once the liquid settles, you can pour it into your softener tank.  Add in the essential oil, close, and shake well!

Or… if you want something a bit simpler; simply take 1 gallon organic white vinegar and 20 drops essential oil and mix them up. You will want to dilute the mix with a little water before doing your laundry! You will need 1/4 cup Vinegar Mixture and 3/4 cup of water. Yes, it really is that simple.

You’ve Been Making Banana Bread the Wrong Way Your Entire Life

by June 8, 2016

Most of the time with banana bread it is a love it or leave it situation, but I can honestly say that not one single person would be able to turn this down. I present to you the banana bread of your dreams!

It is ooey and gooey caramel deliciousness, but don’t let this dessert fool you, it is actually good for you! Yes, you read that correctly. Bananas are high in magnesium, potassium, fiber, and help reduce the risks of things like cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Instead of eggs and oil, you will use applesauce which is high in soluble fiber and helps to regulate cholesterol levels. Regular processed white sugar is replaced with organic coconut sugar which is low and the glycemic index and good for your waistline.

Banana Upside Down Cake with Chocolate Chips, Whole 500

So you should feel no guilt at all when you indulge in this delicious upside down banana bread. Enjoy!

Healthy Upside-down Banana Bread

  • 5 Ripe Organic Bananas
  • 1 Cup Unsweetened Organic Applesauce
  • ½ Cup Organic Coconut Sugar
  • 2 Cups Flour (I prefer almond flour but use your favorite)
  • 1 Tbsp ground Cinnamon
  • ½ Cup Coconut Oil
  • 1 Cup Organic Brown Sugar (You can also use molasses)
  • 2-3 Slice Organic Bananas

Method:

Preheat oven to 350F

In a large bowl mash up the bananas, and then add in the coconut sugar and cinnamon. Mix everything until evenly incorporated.

Add the flour and mix until the batter has no pockets of flour. It is important to note that if you choose to use a flour that has gluten in it, be careful not to over mix to the batter.

In a pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter, then mix in the brown sugar or molasses until well combined. Once everything is dissolved raise the heat to medium and let it come to a simmer.

Remove the caramel from the heat and pour into a greases 9×9 baking pan.

Lay the banana slices evenly on top of the caramel.

Spread the batter evenly on top.

Bake 40-50 minutes.

Make sure to let the cake cool completely before attempting to turn it over. Take a knife and loosen the cake from the sides of the pan. Take a plate and put it over the pan, turn it over.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream!

For a less healthy version use the video provided below:

11 House Plants that Cleanse the Air You Breathe

by June 8, 2016

With all the chemicals we use and eat as well as the contaminants coming in, and many other factors it is probably not hard to believe that the air inside our houses is more polluted than the air outside. But, it does not have to be, you can easily purify the air inside your home!

Epipremnum aureum purifies the air of benzene. The broad leaves help to absorb a large amount of contaminants. It is an easily grown plant that does not require any special conditions, making it a good choice for many homes.

Hlorofitum is an attractive plant that makes a wonderful decoration. It helps to absorb gas emissions!

Hendra helix works amazingly when it comes to purifying the air. They hold a natural ability to filter airborne pollutants this includes benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

Aloe Vera is an easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

Spider Plant are incredibly easy to grow, so it you are a beginning gardener this is a great start. With lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries.

Peace Lilies help to remove ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde. Not to mention the fact that they make a beautiful house decoration. Remember to keep them in shady spots, and moisture is important.

Snake Plant Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom, and it’ll thrive in low light and steamy, humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.

Azalea, if you bring this beautiful flowering shrub into your home to combat formaldehyde. It is best to keep them in cool areas.

Warneckii Dracaena are good for combating pollutants associated with varnishes and oils with this dracaena. The Warneckii Dracaena grows inside easily, even without direct sunlight. With striped leaves forming clusters atop a thin stem, this houseplant can be striking, especially if it reaches its potential height of 12 feet.

This plant can be toxic in both dogs and cats. The symptoms are in cats: dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heart rate and drooling. In both cats and dogs: vomiting, depression, inappetence, drooling, incoordination, and weakness. So this plant is better suited for households that are plant free.

Bamboo Palm Also known as the reed palm, this small palm thrives in shady indoor spaces and often produces flowers and small berries. It tops the list of plants best for filtering out both benzene and trichloroethylene. They’re also a good choice for placing around furniture that could be off-gassing formaldehyde.

Red-edged Dracaena is a beautiful plant that is better suited for removing xylene and formaldehyde. It also makes for a beautiful houseplant with a great pop of color.

The Ancient Egyptian Hair Removal Recipe, That Really Works!

by June 8, 2016

You do not have to go to such lengths remove that extra hair, do this instead!

A lot of times with hair removal procedures you have to worry about ingrown hairs or skin irritation, but with this all natural sugar paste you will never have to worry about it again! There is little to no pain involved, and after a while the hairs will become less common and a lot softer.

Here is what you need:

1/8 cup lemon juice

1/8 cup water

1 cup sugar

Mix all the ingredients together, place them in a deep pot and let them cook over medium/high heat for 4-5 minutes. When it begins to boil, remove it from the heat and pour it into a deep bowl, preferably metal. You will want something that look similar to caramelized sugar cake.

Allow it to cool down for a few minutes, and then start with the separation part by part stretching the mixture with your fingers until it gets a structure like chewing gum. If necessary add a drop of water, but not much more than that.

How to use it:

Before you start applying, you need to clean the spots that you want the hair removed. Apply the separated parts of the paste on the place that you want the hair removed and be careful because the paste has to be applied on the opposite direction that the hair is growing.

After it is pulled off, rinse with warm water and use a skin cream. In the beginning use the mixture 2-3 times a week, and then moving onto once a month.

This mixture cannot be used more than once!

Man Flooded with Worms from Eating This Common Food!

by June 8, 2016

We all enjoy a sushi dinner every now and again. The Sashimi, spicy tuna roll,or salmon skin Yummy Yummy roll. One mans love of the delicacy left his entire body filled with parasitic tape worms. The Chinese man had gone to the doctor with complains that he was having stomach pains, and that his skin was itchy. Upon a full body scan it was revealed,much to his horror, that his whole entire body had become infected.

All fish contain a worm called Diphyllobothrium, it is a type of worm that can cause a disease known as Diphyllobothriasis upon consumption of raw or undercooked fish. The symptoms if they occur include abdominal discomfort or pain, Diarrhea, weakness, and weight loss. Yes, it can be fatal if the worms were to reach the brain. Once a human becomes infected, a tape worm will grow, and can survive for several years, while going undetected for several weeks or months.

Many researches show that eating raw or under cooked fish can lead to a variety off parasitic infections, and some even show that eating cooked fish can cause a reaction within the body.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfvENvEUoKA

Tapeworm infections occur after ingesting the larvae of diphyllobothrium, found in freshwater fish such as salmon, although marinated and smoked fish can also transmit the worm. 

Rest assured there is treatment: The standard treatment for diphyllobothriasis, as well as many other tapeworm infections is a single dose of Praziquantel, 5–10 mg/kg PO once for both adults and children. An alternative treatment is Niclosamide, 2 g PO once for adults or 50 mg/kg PO once.One should note that Praziquantel is not FDA approved for this sign and Niclosamide is not available for human use in the United States. Another interesting potential diagnostic tool and treatment is the contrast medium, Gastrografin, introduced into the duodenum, which allows both visualization of the parasite, and has also been shown to cause detachment and passing of the worm.

Sources:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/GlobalHealth/story?id=7847413, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001375.htm, http://collier.ifas.ufl.edu/SeaGrant/pubs/Fact%20Sheet%20on%20worms%20in%20fish.docx%5B1%5D.pdf

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