The goal of Jamie’s campaign is to change the way people eat by educating children about healthy and natural food, giving families the skills and knowledge to cook again, and by motivating people to stand up for their rights to better and healthier food. Basically, help people return to their roots – cook the way they used to, fresh and wholesome foods without harmful additives, preservatives, hormones, and chemicals.  A nutritious and fresh dinner need not take long to cook – I do it every day, in less than half an hour.

Start by visiting your local farmer’s market this morning and making a great and healthy dinner with local, wholesome ingredients (and if they are organic, so much better). Find great events around you by visiting Jamie’s site.

Sign the global petition now to join Chef Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Petition.

I still make her eat her fair share by incorporating the greens in a way that she will not immediately recognize the hidden ingredients. Some parenting experts caution against hiding and pureeing the vegetables. According to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, children require repeated exposure to a new food in order to become familiar with it and, eventually, accept it as part of their regular diet. If a certain vegetable (say sweet potato) is hidden, kids won’t realize that the sweet and delicious food they are eating is, in fact, a vegetable and will not recognize it when you make it next time in its natural form, or when they are offered the vegetable in a school setting. Thus, they are more likely to refuse it.

I agree that hiding vegetables is not ideal (and definitely not a time saver). I try to incorporate vegetables openly, but if that does not work and she refuses to eat them, I go back to pureeing until such time that I can slowly build the “offending produce” into her diet.

Being open worked with broccoli – I cut the florets into small pieces and initially dipped them into ketchup (her favorite condiment).  She did not resist.  I slowly reduced the amount of ketchup and now its just steamed broccoli florets.  No matter how hard I tried, this tactic did not work with brussels sprouts, kale, lentils, cauliflower, or even carrots.  But I keep trying.

As for incorporating vegetable purees – here are two of my favorites.

- Macaroni & Cheese: puree steamed cauliflower and melt the cheese into the “sauce” before adding the pasta

- Penne & Tomato Sauce: puree steamed cauliflowers and red lentils, add a bit of tomato sauce and salt, then add the pasta

If you have any good recipes, do not hesitate to share.

These concerns still exist today, coupled with some others:

- BPA in the lining of various canned / bottled formulas (better to choose powdered formula)
- Possible presence of pesticides and hormones in formulas derived from conventional cow’s milk (choose organic formulas)
- Contaminants in water (use filtered or spring water when preparing the formula)
- Hazardous materials such as BPA or phthalates in baby bottles (select BPA-free plastic, silicone, or glass bottles)

As the above concerns are relatively easy to remedy, let’s return to the arsenic and the algae/fungi issues.

It is very difficult, if not impossible, to find a baby formula that contains neither. Bright Beginnings Organic, Earth’s Best Organic, Parent’s Choice, Organic Similac, and Organic Vermont Organics are all said to contain Martek DHA/ARA.

What exactly is the issue? Consumer groups say that Martek extracts the DHA oils from laboratory-grown fermented algae and the ARA from a non-toxic soil fungus using hexane, a chemical that is suspected to be a neurotoxin and is dentified as a hazardous air pollutant by the EPA in the same group as other cancer causing agents. Further, some argue that the algae is laboratory grown and, thus, it and its byproducts should not be considered organic.

Martek says that its DHA (marketed as “life’sDHA” present in a large number of products containing DHA) is “from algae, a vegetarian source of DHA. It’s produced, from start to finish, in an FDA-inspected facility with controls in place to ensure the highest quality. And because it is not from fish, there is no risk of ocean-borne pollutants. life’sDHA™ comes from a source that has not been genetically modified and is both Kosher and Halal. life’sDHA™ is accepted by the FDA for use in U.S. infant formulas and is the only DHA currently used in U.S. infant formulas.”

Nature’s One does NOT use Martek DHA / ARA (it derives the DHA / ARA from eggs through a water process).  So what is the problem with Nature’s One?  It’s main ingredient is brown rice syrup.

Not being a doctor, scientists, or just part of the process or knowing first hand how these components and formulas are made, it is hard to decide what and whom to believe – the USDA and the manufacturers or the consumer groups and certain researchers.  If you have the option, you may be better off breastfeeding and just avoid the whole issue.  And if you cannot or do not want to breastfeed, pick your “poison.” If safety is a greater concern than the organic integrity of the product, you might decide to go with the DHA/ARA products – the USDA/FDA claim the laboratory grown algae and fungi are safe. Nature’s One seems like a wonderful product, and perhaps all that is needed is some additional reassurance from the company that the products contain no arsenic.

The key message of the feature is that creating a green kitchen has two parts – first, using eco-friendly and non-toxic building materials and substances, and second, designing the space in a way that fosters a healthy lifestyle.  After all, having the best energy-saving appliances won’t matter that much to your health if you pack them full of processed foods (or hide the fresh foods all the way in the bottom of the drawer).

Here are some of the ideas from Houzz, combined with a few of my own:

1.  Include spaces for your kids in your kitchen – teach them the joys of cooking a good and healthy meal.

2.  Display nonperishable whole foods such as beans and lentils in glass jars – they will not only serve as reminders of what to make for dinner but they also provide for great decor.

3.  Have vegetables and fruits within reach by displaying them in a bowl or two on the countertop or tabletop.

4.  Keep a good selection of cook books focusing on healthy and natural eating(and it would not hurt to throw in a few of the eye openers written by Michael Pollan).

5.  Keep and display your favorite herbs near the cutting board – no excuses for not using them and they are a beautiful addition to any kitchen.

6. Sort your garbage and recycle.

7. Compost if you can.

8. Create an uncluttered, easy to clean kitchen – it looks nice and keeps germs away.

9.  Use energy saving appliances.

10.  Turn off the water when you are not using the sink and turn off the lights when you leave the kitchen.

11.  Last but not least – use non-toxic cleaning materials!!

Tumeric has been used as a cancer-fighter in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.  Modern medicine has acknowledged its positive effect on health and a number of studies have shown that it can beat cancer cells grown in a laboratory, but now researchers are putting its strength to the test against “real” cancer.  New trials at a hospital in Leicester, UK, will give tumeric alongside chemotherapy to various cancer patients suffering from bowel and colon cancer.  Professor Steward, who leads the trials, said that a combination of the chemotherapy drugs with tumeric has shown exceptional results in animal test already.

We could certainly use the good news!

Sugar & full calorie natural sweeteners

First, what exactly is sugar – and why are we so concerned about its consumption?

Sugar is a natural substance that is derived from either sugar cane (in the Americas) or from sugar beet (mostly in Europe).   Sugar cane plants are shredded and squeezed and sugar beet roots are sliced and soaked, then spun in a way that shakes off molasses (liquid and dark).  As the final step, the sugar crystals are sprayed with hot water and once they dry, we have what we commonly know as table sugar or crystalized sugar.

Sugar raises various health concerns, all of which stem from its molecular construction.  It is a simple construction and, thus, breaks down fast and enters the blood stream.  Too much simple sugar in the bloodstream raises the blood sugar level beyond healthy levels, forcing the pancreas to make more insulin than it normally would, which then forces the sugar out of the blood and into the liver, fatty tissue, and muscle.  If these extra amounts of sugar are not burned off through exercise, they turn into fat.

These concerns relate (mostly) only to refined sugar.  Sugar that naturally occurs in fruit (fructose) and milk (lactose) does not cause a similar process inside the body.  Whole fruits contain fiber, which slows down the body’s absorption of sugar and flushes it out more easily.  Lactose includes fat that slows down the absorption of sugar for a similar result.

In addition to refined white sugar, there is also brown sugar and turbinado sugar.  The former is just refined white sugar with molasses (which are sometimes fully removed and then added back) and the latter is raw sugar that is only partially refined to remove molasses, resulting in larger sugar crystals and a natural brownish tone.  Sucanat is “sugar cane natural,” meaning whole cane sugar that is minimally processed but still interchangeable with refined table sugars.  Because it is less processed it contains more vitamins and minerals.

We can also use honey as a sweetener, which offers the added benefit of phytonutrients.  Maple syrup can perform the same function and offers even more benefits in the form of immune-boosting zinc and manganese.  Both honey and maple syrup can be used in baking.
Agave nectar tastes a bit like honey but it has more fructose than regular sugar, even though it won’t cause a spike in blood sugar.  Last but not least, we have molasses, which is spun out of table sugar.  It is good as seasoning in baking but it won’t replace sugar (it is a bit too bitter).

Low calorie and calorie-free natural sweeteners

There are a number of natural (although somewhat manipulated and processed) sweeteners that can be used to replace sugar.  These are often low in or free of calories, but may raise other concerns.

Stevia is a calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant (a shrub belonging to the sunflower family of plants).  Stevia is available in crystalized or in liquid form. Although it is almost 300 times sweeter than sugar, many people find it has a bitter, licorice-like aftertaste. It is safe for diabetics as it has a negligible effect on blood sugar levels.  Although stevia is approved for use in the US and in the EU, but the Center for Science in the Public Interest believes there has not been sufficient testing to determine its safety for human consumption in larger amounts.

Erythritol is also a calorie-free sweetener.  It is actually a “sugar alcohol” (which is not alcohol at all, but merely a derivative of fruit and vegetable fibers) that comes in crystallized form (the brand name is Zero). Erythritol is extracted from foods like grapes and melons, and it is not as sweet as sugar. Erythritol has no glycemic index either, so it is safe for diabetics.  In addition, there are less health concerns than with stevia.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol as well. Similar to erythritol, It has a very low glycemic index, making it safe for diabetics. What is best, it has no aftertaste and, as a sugar alcohol, it is thought to be completely safe for human consumption.

Artificial  / Chemically Altered Sweeteners

Then there are the artificial or chemically-altered sweeteners.  This is the group I avoid.  Read on, do more research, and decide for yourself.

High fructose corn syrup is “sugar” derived from corn that has undergone enzymatic processing to convert some of its glucose into fructose to produce the desired level of sweetness. In the US, conventional processed foods typically use high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener and HFCS is often found in breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups, condiments, juices, and sodas.  HFCS is chemically different from cane and beet sugar – while sucrose (sugar from cane and beet) is 50-percent glucose and 50-percent fructose, HFCS is chemically altered to change that balance to 55-percent fructose, 42 percent glucose and 3-percent other sugar molecules that are not naturally occurring.  A study conducted by Princeton University fond that the body metabolizes HFCS differently from sugar, perhaps of this different balance of fructose/glucose and link HFCS to abnormal levels of fat in rats.

Splenda is a sucralose-based artificial sweetener derived from sugar.  Approved for use in the US in 1998, it is calorie-free. Splenda contains dextrose and maltodextrin, both of which the body can metabolize, as well as an amount of indigestible sucralose.  It is made by replacing three select table sugar molecules with chlorine atoms, which then create a stable molecular structure. Research results have been inconclusive, some showing it as safe and others finding various adverse effects (such as reduction of beneficial microflora in digestive tract).

Equal is an aspartame, dextrose, and maltodextrin-based artificial sweetener. It is available worldwide under various names (such as Canderel in continental Europe, as well as Egal in Canada).  In addition to its main ingredients, it also contains acesulfame potassium, starch, silicon dioxide, and “unspecified flavoring.” It is approved for consumption in over 100 countries.  Its safety is still questioned by various researchers and consumer safety advocates as in various studies It was identified as a possible cause of brain tumors or other nervous system defects.

Sweet ‘n Low is an artificial sweetener made of saccharin.  It contains no calories and is not digested by the body.  It has been around for a very long time and I still recall the time when the package included a warning that it is suspected of causing cancer in laboratory animals (this labeling was removed in 2001 because the research was not conclusive).  Enough said.

In the meantime, check out this great blog entry from Red Rabbit (When Sweet is Just too Sweet), a company that delivers farm fresh, organic, and whole foods to kids in various New York City preschools!  When I look at the menus for the upcoming week, I often wish I were still in preschool…

The world of green design is replete with beautiful options in styles ranging from classic and posh traditional to sleek and modern. Your bed or your sofa can be and should be ecofriendly (do you really want to sleep on polyurethane foam?) but it really need not like it.  There are many ways a piece of furniture can be green, from using sustainable wood to soy or organic cotton cushions.

What you need to look for:

Organic: As in the case of organic food, organic fabrics come from plants raised without the use of chemical fertilizers or chemical pesticides.

Natural fibers: They include wool, cotton, jute, and sisal and are a good alternative to synthetic materials, which very often contain harmful chemicals or additives.

FSC certified: The Forest Stewardship Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.  FSC certification is considered the gold standard for sustainable wood.

SFI certified: The Sustainable Forestry Initiative also offers certification for wood cut from sustainably managed forests, but there are a number of controversies surrounding this certification (you can find out more about this on Treehugger).

Reclaimed or salvaged wood: a piece of wood that is living its second life as a new piece of furniture. For example, old flooring turned into a dining table. The type of materials that can be reclaimed or salvaged is long (and may include recycled plastic bottles turned into a shower curtain or drapes or wind turbines turned into playground equipment).

And when you clean your new furniture of accessories, make sure you use non-toxic materials!

I received my copy of Allergy-Friendly Food for Families at tonight’s Cookbook Launch event hosted by Kiwi Magazine.

Although the event was wonderful, I couldn’t wait to get home to flip through each page of the cookbook with my daughter and pick out the recipes we would try this weekend.

So, on Saturday, we’ll be making banana bread waffles for breakfast, no-cream of broccoli soup for lunch, and sweet potato gnocchi with lentils for dinner. I can’t tell which one of us is more excited!

The cookbook also includes tips on eating healthy and living green (for example, how to pack a greener lunch). A great book for the whole family to enjoy!

Professor Tuveson, one of the researchers at Cancer Research UK at Cambridge, said that they had suspected that there was no fault in the genetic code itself but that the chemical tags on the surface of the DNA that turn genes on an off were to blame.

There are drugs that can “strip away” these chemical tags and such medication is already in use for treating other cancers.  Researchers are hopeful that the drugs will show success in treating at least some of the pancreatic cancer cells as well.

It would be good to make some progress in treating a disease that leaves less than one in ten who suffer from it alive a year after diagnosis.

The study is published in the journal Nature.

Dr. Lustig explained that although Americans’ sugar intake has declined over the last several decades, most Americans’ diets are comprised of processed foods, which contain high fructose corn syrup. “The problem is they’re both bad. They’re both equally toxic.”

Recent reports estimate that approximately 16 percent of the total calories consumed by Americans comes from added sugar.  Where is this added sugar?  For most people, it is in soda, energy drinks, cookies, cakes cereals, ice cream, hard candy, chocolate, and even flavored yogurt.  Lots of empty calories that replace whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Of course with diets and dietary elements the issue is never black and white.

Nutrition scientist Dr. David Katz of Yale University Prevention Research Center agrees that sugar can be harmful and should be limited in our diets, he adds that “It’s not sugar that’s the poison, but the dose that makes the poison.”

So, how much sugar is considered “healthy?”

The American Heart Association recommends up to 100 calories (25 grams) per day of added sugar for women, and 150 calories (about 38 grams) for men.

What does that translate into in terms of sugar in our foods?  Probably less than we might think: 100 calories of added sugar is found in 1/2 cup chocolate ice cream (56 calories) plus one cup of low fat chocolate milk (45 calories). One can of regular soda contains 126 calories from added sugars.

How is that for a wake-up call?

Experts suggest three easy ways to lower the amount of added sugar:

Skip the soda. If it is the fizz you want, reach for sparkling water, club soda, or seltzer, and sweeten naturally with fresh fruit or a splash of 100-percent fruit juice.

Look at both grams of sugar and ingredient list. The grams of sugar grams listed on the Nutrition Facts labels and panels on packaged foods and drinks are a total, lumping together naturally occurring sugars (such as lactose in milk) and added sugars.  It is the latter we want to avoid, but until labeling requirements change, we have to look at the ingredient list as well, to see whether the food item contains added sugar and if so, how high on the list it is.

Learn to decipher labels. The following terms on ingredient lists are all sugar in one form or another: high fructose corn syrup, white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, raw sugar, malt syrup, maple syrup, fructose sweetener, liquid fructose, honey, molasses, anhydrous dextrose and crystal dextrose.

Sources: Today Health, Food Safety News

At present, there is no cure for autism and its symptoms are treated with speech and behavioral therapies, and special education. Autism spectrum disorder is thought to affect approximately 1% of children. It ranges from mild to severe, and symptoms may include delayed language, repetitive movements such as hand tapping, and difficulty with social interactions. Recent surveys show a sharper increase in the number of new autism cases than previously thought.

Some scientists believe that in some cases autism is caused by the way cells in the brain communicate with each other at synapses (the gaps between individual brain cells). To test this hypothesis, researchers at USNIH tested a drug, GRN-529, which interferes with the chemical glutamate that helps two brain cells communicate to each other.

Following the drug therapy, the mice subjected to the medication showed increased social skills and less repetitive behaviour.

Although the researchers are hopeful, they note that treatments that work in mice or other animals frequently fail in humans and a potential medication could be years away. But for now there is hope.

Ecover announced the introduction of their brand new ZERO range of cleaning products.

Each product in this new range, from the dish detergents to the laundry liquids and powders, is free of fragrance, dyes, and chemical additives – protecting your health and the environment.  The packaging is new and eco-friendly as well – 100% PlantPlastic bottles that are made entirely from sugarcane!

Mambo Sprouts has a $1.50 coupon good on the purchase of any Ecover product, applicable to purchases on Ecover’s web site.

I make every effort to eat whole, unprocessed foods that are natural, organic, and (whenever possible) local.  That means cooking dinner every night, even if it is nothing but a quick, 15-minute vegetable soup (onions, carrots, kale, and garbanzo beans) or scrambled eggs with steamed broccoli & brussels sprouts.  After all, Michael Pollan is one of my favorite authors…

Of course, for most of us working parents /adults living in a big city it is practically impossible to use only whole foods we buy at the farmer’s market – an 8:30 – 6:30 daily office schedule makes that a “nonstarter.”  Thus, we reach into our cabinets and take out a box of organic whole wheat pasta for dinner or a natural cereal bar for an afternoon pick-me-up. Naturally derived or organic, without hydrogenated oils or BHT, but still processed.

Reading ingredient lists and labels as much as I do, I am increasingly worried about the amount of added sugar in these natural / organic processed foods.  Recent reports and studies are adding to this momentum.

Now, take a look at some of the containers and boxes in your cabinet, fridge, or freezer.  Look at both the nutrition panel (by gram) and the ingredient list (by rank) as naturally occurring sugar and added sugar are lumped together in the nutrition panels.  (Changing that would be great, wouldn’t it)?

Garbanzo beans from Eden Foods- no problem.  Beans, water, and seaweed in a BPA-free metal container. All carbohydrates are naturally occurring in beans.

Plain Greek Yogurt from Wallaby – no issues.  Organic cultured pasteurized milk in a BPA-free plastic cup. All 7 grams of carbohydrates are naturally occurring in milk.

Cascadian Farm’s Purely O’s – a good choice.  All 23 grams of carbohydrates, including 1 single gram of sugar, are naturally occurring in organic whole grain oats, whole grain barley and other organic ingredients.  NO added sugar.

Frozen cherries from Whole Foods’ 365 house brand – only organic frozen fruit – no preservatives or additives. Only naturally occurring sugar in fruit.

Stonyfield Yobaby Meals 3 in 1 – 15 grams of carbohydrates, including 14 grams of sugars, in a 113 gram serving size. Added sugar is only 3rd on the list, preceded by organic milk and fruit and vegetable purees.

Now, dig deeper into that cabinet or fridge.

Kashi’s GoLean Crisp Cinnamon Crumble – 34 grams of carbohydrates, including 10 grams of sugars, in a 51 gram serving size.  Cane Juice Crystals is the second ingredient.

Cascadian Farm’s Fruitful O’s – 23 grams of carbohydrates, including 8 grams of sugars, in a 28 g serving size. Cane sugar is the second ingredient listed.

Nature’s Path Berry Strawberry Flax Plus Chewy Granola Bar - 25 grams of carbohydrates, including 11 grams of sugars, in a 35 gram bar.  Cane juice is part of the first ingredient (granola), and invert cane sugar is fourth.

I LOVE what Kashi, Cascadian Farm, Stonyfield and other organic and natural food producers have done – eliminating GMO ingredients, using rBST-free milk, taking out all artificial colors and preservatives, and using eco-friendly packaging.  All fantastic choices that help us live greener and healthier in our fast-paced, nature-unfriendly world.

But, when it comes to certain processed foods, I think it is time to reduce the amount of added sugar.

Kashi, Cascadian Farm, Nature’s Path and others out there – can you help?

It’s nice to set one day aside, but it is more important to live each day in a way that is conscious of your and the planet’s health.

So, celebrate tomorrow if you like (there are lots of events nationwide) but try to keep in mind each day to:

- eat natural, organic, and unprocessed foods
- use non-toxic skin and body care product
- keep your house and environment clean with eco-friendly cleaners
- exercise
- conserve water & energy by buying energy & water-efficient appliances whenever you can

Have a healthy and happy weekend!

The study followed about 105,000 people for nearly 28 years. It concluded that in women who never consumed any alcohol, there were 281 breast cancers per 100,000 women (per year). In contrast, in women who drank 3 to 6 glasses of wine a week, there were 333 breast cancers per 100,000 per year – a 15% increase. In women who consumed 19 glasses of wine a week (or, about 3 glasses of wine a day), the incidence of breast cancer increased to 413 per 100,000 women per year. That is a significant 47% increase.

Several studies have researched and examined the effect of heavy alcohol consumption on the development of breast cancer but this is the first significant study that looked at the possible link between moderate alcohol consumption and breast cancer.

Why and how does alcohol raise the incidence of developing breast cancer?

The exact connection between alcohol consumption and breast cancer is not known, one likely explanation is alcohol’s effects on oestrogen levels.

Studies have shown that blueberries aid in everything from fighting cancer to lowering cholesterol. But the blueberry is not the only superstar among berries – all berries, including raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries contain antioxidants and phytonutrients. And when fresh berries are not available, frozen berries will do the trick. Just make sure you opt for organic / local whenever you can to keep those nasty pesticides out of your system.

Salmon is a superfood because it provides a high dose of omega-3 fatty acids. which studies show significantly lower the risk of heart disease. Omega-3 fatty reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing inflammation and slowing the rate of plaque build-up in blood vessels.

Although eggs often get a bad reputation for high fat content and increasing cholesterol, eggs are a great choice for breakfast. They are high in protein and full of choline, which actually helps block fat from being absorbed in the liver.

Like eggs, nuts are often looked at unfavorably for their high fat content. Interestingly, many research studies have shown that eating a few tablespoons of nuts several times a week can actually help weight loss – they will keep you full and do that with good fats (vegetable v. animal fat).

Herbal teas and green tea – so many teas are “superfoods” including green tea, known for its high antioxidant level that even helps prevent cancer. Other super teas to consider: alfalfa tea and chamomile tea.

And then there is broccoli – my personal favorite! It packs a nutrient punch with only 30 calories per cup. By eating just that one cup of broccoli (make sure you steam it just until tender or else you risk loosing those nutrients) you get fiber that curbs your hunger and aids digestion, and polyphenols that detoxify cell-damaging chemicals in your body. On top of it, broccoli fights and prevents cancer.

Low-fat dairy is another superfood. Various research studies have shown that women who consume about 1,400 milligrams of calcium per day burn more fat than women who forgo dairy completely. The star among dairy is yogurt – it helps slow the production of cortisol (a hormone that slows metabolism). If you reach for Greek yogurt or kefir, you’ll also get a healthy dose of protein.

All legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas etc.) make it onto the superfood list because of their high fiber and protein content. They fill you up, help you build muscle, and get your metabolism working without any unnecessary bad fat.

Last but certainly not least – chocolate! We have all heard now that chocolate (in moderation) may help us loose weight and stay thin, some researchers are still not convinced about this benefit. But they all agree that dark chocolate has healthy heart benefits and the caffeine may also help increase your metabolism.

Yes, it is too good to be true.

Simple Skincare promises to be gentle on your wallet and kind to your face without unnecessary artificial ingredients. It delivers on the first count.

Just introduced to the US market and now available in drugstores nationwide, Simple Skicare offers four different cleansers (wash, wash gel, scrub, and toner), two types of facial wipes, four moisturizers (for day and night), and eye care (including eye make-up remover and eye balm).

The look is clean and the packaging styled green – but the products fall short where it matters. Although they contain no artificial dyes or fragrances (which is definitely a step in the right direction!), the products still have potentially harmful toxins such as methyl- and propylparabens as preservatives as well as sodium laureth sulfates as foaming agents. Bad for your skin and bad for the environment.

So for now, the dream of a truly budget, eco-friendly, and non-toxic skincare line remains just that.

Find greener alternatives here (although not all are truly gentle on your wallet).

The researchers found a similar correlation between weight and the incidence of ovarian cancer, comparing slim women with a body mass index of 10 to slightly overweight women with a body mass index of 30.

Overall, however, the scientists caution that the effects of height and even weight in absolute terms are relatively small – shorter women will have a lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer of about 1.6%, while that percentage increases to 2% in taller women.  And that is good news as we can do nothing about our height….