Personal Responsibility

I received a text the other day from a dear friend telling me that our beloved Avalon Organics shampoo no longer scored "low risk" on the Cosmetic Database; it had switched to a 6...on the higher end of "moderate risk".  I was really bummed.  Perhaps the "New Formula" sticker should have alarmed me that the company changed things up and added a few not-so-great things into the product.  Yuck.  I could probably *deal* with the fact that it isn't under the "don't buy" hazard score, but I use this stuff on my sweet six year old.  I don't want to be putting toxins onto her hair to be absorbed into her skin...

I was recently told by a friend that her "parents did it like this when she was little and look how well she grew up".  THIS LOGIC DOESN'T WORK, PEOPLE.  Give me one product or technique that has stayed exactly the same in the last 30 years and *maybe* I will consider it.  Give me the research that supports your decision and *maybe* I will look into it.  But the truth is that companies change their beloved "family-tested" and "tried and true" formulas to make them cheaper and more efficient.  So that wonderful "natural" product you have been using for the last few years?  Double-check it.  With the economy being as stinky as it is, companies are cutting corners...and it is affecting your health.

I went into Whole Foods last year and bought some teething gel for the littlest one.  I had my three little ones with me and it was making for a difficult time so I threw in a tube of gel made by a respectable natural company.  I took it home to read that there were two different kinds of parabens in it...WHAT?!?:!?  Parabens are linked to many different kinds of cancers (including reproductive issues) and I am supposed to put this directly into my baby's gums?  NO WAY.  So I marched back into Whole Foods and got into a mild disagreement with the head of Health and Beauty about why they would even carry a product with something as controversial as parabens.  His response?  The FDA says it's OK and hasn't banned it yet.  UGH.  He also said that the store needs to provide choices for the consumer.  Makes sense now, but I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that out FDA allows something this awful to be put directly in the mouths of babes.

I need to be more responsible.  I need to read, research and check my products on a continuous basis. The FDA is not going to keep us safe and it is my own personal responsibility to make sure my family is healthy.  So please, please, PLEASE read your labels.  Food, personal hygiene products, everything.  We can't blame everybody when we could be better consumers and just think...maybe our shopping dollars will vote for a healthier world.  If we refuse to spend our money on crap, unhealthy, toxic products, companies may hold their own products to better standards. 

 Yes,

it takes a little bit of time, but chances are you could make the time if it was worth it to you...
is it worth it to you?