Note: Thank you for your patience as I've had to take a bit of a hiatus from posting regular reviews and contests. There are still two contests you can enter. Click here and here for more information and to enter. New contests will be posted very soon. Thanks for reading!
As a mom of three, I know all about worry. You worry about the foods your children eat, the air they breathe, the environment in which they live. Most of all, you worry that your children will grow up happy and healthy.
I was blown away by the information I read in Healthy Child, Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan, and how many things I did not realize had an adverse affect on my children's health.
Something as simple as a basic household cleaner can contain chemicals that irritate the respiratory system, are carcinogenic, disrupt hormones, and are neurotoxic. Studies show that using typical cleaners is associated with chronic wheezing and asthma in children (all of my children have asthma, so this was particularly concerning to me). Manufacturers are not required to post these warnings on labels.
Think your child is healthy because he/she eats lots of fruits and vegetables? So did I. But if those fruits and vegetables are not organic, the more they eat, the more harmful pesticides they may be ingesting.
Fish and seafood can also be problematic, as they often contain high levels of both mercury and PCB's, which are linked to memory and thyroid problems, and possibly cancer. Did you know that it can take about ten years for your body to rid itself of the chemicals in half of one night's dinner?
Even plastic toys, water bottles, shower curtains, etc. can be hazardous. Plastics (mainly those with a #3 recycling label) contain Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which is made from flammable glass vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. Our family goes through a ton of water bottles, something I'm going to work on changing.
The good thing about this book is that it gives you answers and solutions along with the warnings and information. You'll feel empowered rather than scared. There are easy-to-follow steps and the book encourages you to go slowly so as not to feel overwhelmed.
For example, cutting out cleaning products that contain scents is one step toward reducing respiratory irritation. Easy enough, right? There are also tons of cleaning tips and recipes for homemade, organic cleaning solutions.
The book also contains advice from celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Brooke Shields, Tom Hanks, Tobey Maguire, Kate Hudson and Erin Brockovich, and the foreword is by Meryl Streep.
Click here to check out Healthy Child, Healthy World's website, and here to purchase the book. Here's to being healthy!
3 comments
I just read and reviewed this book also. I really loved it and enjoyed it just like you. Highly recommended.
Dear Ms.Blonde,
I think it is possible to never have to say "eat your vegetables" again. That's why I wrote "The ABC’s of Fruits & Vegetables and Beyond.”There is no doubt that a critical underpinning of a healthy diet is significant consumption of vegetables and fruit. Unfortunately, many adults do not like these fine foods - so we must make sure kids don’t develop these attitudes. Parents and teachers interested in getting kids to develop friendly feelings towards fruits and vegetables should take a look at a new book called “The ABC’s of Fruits and Vegetables and Beyond.” Out only a few months and already being bought in quantity for class use. Suited for kids of all ages as it is two books in one – children first learn their alphabet through produce poems and then go on to more mature activities. It is coauthored by best-selling food writer David Goldbeck (me) and Jim Henson writer Steve Charney. You can learn more at HealthyHighways.com
~Elling- Thanks! It was a wonderful book!
~David- Thanks for the tip!
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