Essential Oils and FREE Diffuser Necklace for Christmas

If you're like me, you definitely don't have your Christmas shopping done, you are desperately trying to get any discount, coupon and offer out there, but you also don't ever compromise on quality when it comes to health and wellness.

It's with you in mind that I am offering this gift when you grab your Young Living starter kit of awesomeness and give yourself and your family a gift you will NEVER regret.

I always recommend getting started with the premium starter kit for $160 because it is the best deal and comes with 11 bottles of oil and a diffuser. The diffuser retails at almost $100 - so it's a fabulous deal! BONUS - this month, you also get the Christmas Spirit blend for FREE with the kit!

Not a day has gone by since I got my kit years ago that I haven't been over-the-moon thankful for my oils. Just a few of my favorites from the kit:

• Thieves - we use Thieves daily for boosting our immune system and I love that I can use it topically OR in my diffuser. The diffuser is really helpful to have because I can fight airborne germies that way too! Love it! 
• Lavender - we use Lavender for calming, supporting skin, in our owie roller, and in our Sweet Dreams bedtime spray - it's my most reached for oil! 
• Peppermint -  we love this one for when your head starts pounding, your tummy starts feeling funky, and as a great energy boost in the diffuser. 

I use my oils from the starter kit each and every day, and you can see more in this graphic from my December newsletter below.

When you buy your kit before December 31st, I will also send you a diffuser necklace for you to enjoy with your oils.

Whether you are brand new to oils or have been learning little bits at a time, I am here to help you learn (because you know I can't turn the teacher-in-me off) and walk with you on your journey toward health and wellness. Here we go!

 You can order here. 

Hurry - my offer ends Dec. 31st!

Check out these other posts to get more ideas on how you will be using your oils:

•  Orange Essential oil recipes
• 4 Essential Oil Must-Haves for your home 
• The Swiss Army Knife of Essential Oils
• Essential Oil Q + A: How and Why to Use Them

7 Ways To Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!

I was provided with product to try out. I am an independent Shaklee distributor who loves their products and cannot help but recommend them to others. No other compensation was given. All opinions are 100% my own.

Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd, but I think we should all get started celebrating today and keep celebrating all year round! After all, keeping the Earth healthy and clean has to start with each of us making habits that preserve this great planet we live on!

Here are 7 very easy ways to do just that (and save yourself quite a bit of money):

1. Start replacing plastic with other things! Get a few cloth bags to use instead of wasting grocery bag after grocery bag. Use a BPA-free reusable water bottle instead of buying bottle after bottle of water. Money saved! Happy Earth!

2. Start using concentrated, naturally safe cleaning products in your home. Did you know you are not supposed to throw conventional cleaning products away in your garbage? You need to find a TOXIC WASTE site! Why would you want to use something so dangerous in your home? About 7 years ago, we switched out all of our cleaning products for Shaklee's Get Clean products. These products are not only safe and natural, but they are going to save you tons of money!

For instance, Shaklee's Basic H2 organic super concentrated cleaner, which my family has been using for over 4 generations, will literally save your family THOUSANDS of dollars over traditional cleaners AND any other “Green” cleaners available. For instance, one bottle of Basic H2 equals the cleaning uses of 5,824 bottles of 26 oz. Windex, and its not as dangerous to your health as Windex is. It works as well and even better than the other cleaners on the market (traditional and “green”). And yes, there are clinical studies to prove this.

Here are a few of the ways you can use the Basic H2:
I use it to wash my fruits and vegetables (it is that safe) but I also use it to clean my hardwood floors,
clean my tile floors, clean my vinyl floors, use it on my garden as a safe alternative to pesticide, use it to run moles/voles out of my yard, my husband uses it to shave, clean my wood cabinets, dust all my furniture, clean my kitchen counters, remove spots from our carpet, clean my bathroom, use as a mosquito repellant, use it to soothe and treat burns and many other uses!

3. Think about where your fish comes from. I am a huge advocate for eating healthy fish, like Alaskan salmon, sardines, anchovies, even responsibly caught tuna. While a great source of lean protein, Omega 3 and other vitamins and minerals, some fish also have high mercury levels, and if eaten often enough can cause a mercury build up in the body leading to unwanted side effects. One type of fish with potentially high mercury levels that has been an American favorite for generations is canned tuna. We love tuna in our house, but have cut it out for so long, because I wanted to stay away from mercury, BPA laden cans, and did not approve of the fishing methods that are often used.

Now, for the first time, Safe Catch is a new company that is the only 100% mercury tested tuna on the market and it is also cooked using a unique method that seals in more Omega 3s than other brands. Their tuna is traceable from sea to table, and they buy from captains whose catch methods minimize environmental impact. They are very passionate about keeping oceans pure and protecting our Earth. You can pre-order your Safe Catch tuna today!

4. Reduce your disposable tableware use or replace it with sustainable products. Although I do not use disposable plates and cups often, I know there is a time and place when they save you a LOT of time and hassle. You will save a lot of waste if you only use them during those occasions. Plus, what if you could use guilt-free tableware made from plants? I love the whole Repurpose line of innovative, green, single-serve tableware made exclusively from plants.

Their cups, bowls, plates, forks, spoons and knives are made from corn, sugar and bamboo, all of which are annually-renewable resources. They are also BPA-free, chlorine-free, petroleum-free and use only soy-based inks. And unlike traditional plastic or even paper items, all Repurpose products are 100% compostable in an industrial composter. Yay! Plus, Repurpose products are not flimsy or easy breakable. They are high quality products that get the job done!

5. Lower your electricity bill. Turn down your heat in the winter just a few degrees and add a layer of clothing. No, you will not die a frozen Popsicle. In the summer, open the windows and try to save the air conditioning for when it is really, really hot. Turn off all lights in the rooms you are not using. These are all great habits to get started today!

6. Pick up trash that you see on neighborhood walks. Too gross for you? If you can pick up your pets poo, then you can pick up an empty bottle, can and other trash that is polluting our world and could be causing harm to the animals. It just takes a second, but has a great impact.

7. Make a difference with your purchases. When you are shopping at the store, the choices you make and how you spend your money makes a difference! The more healthy, sustainable food and products you buy, the more will be made. We can transform what companies make by what we buy! One company that walks a green walk is Annie’s. In fact, they have purchased 42 Million pounds of organic ingredients, have reforested 296 Acres of degraded land with NativeEnergy via the Oka Trees of Hope Project. Plus, more than 90% of Annie’s packaging (by weight) is recyclable and $459K will be donated this year to organizations supporting a sustainable food system. My favorite organic product is their Annie’s Organic Grass Fed Mac & Cheese - which is made with 100% real cheese from grass fed cows. Awesome!

Enjoy your Earth day, making small changes that will have a BIG impact on our planet!

Simply Soapberry

Cara received product for review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Do you know what is in your laundry soap? What is it made of?

How many of you think it is possible to get your laundry clean with dried shells from a berry? Huh? Is that ridiculous or what?

No, it is not ridiculous. In fact, I think it is downright awesome. I have always been a huge believer in using what God gave us in nature in, on, and around our bodies. I can't stand chemicals in my beauty, home care, or food products. Why go chemical when you can have natural?

 

Simply SoapBerry agrees. They are the first to combine the naturally powerful cleaning properties of ancient Himalayan soap berries into a mainstream recognizable laundry detergent in a convenient pump bottle. You don't even have to sacrifice convenience for pure, clean laundry!

Getting back to what is in your current laundry soap...

In the world today, synthetic surfactants (the ingredient in soaps that separates grime and oils from your clothes) and most of the “natural” surfactants used in laundry detergents are typically made from monoculture plants like corn, coconut, and palm. These plants are often grown using unsustainable farming methods such as: genetic modification, toxic pesticides, and petroleum-based fertilizers.

These crucial issues inspired the creators of Simply SoapBerry to seek out a solution for a powerful and natural line of household cleaning products. Simply SoapBerry’s Laundry Detergent uses saponins derived from organic soapberries that are harvested in the pristine foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. They turned the soap nuts into an ultra concentrated, liquid extraction of the soap nuts.

You'll love that one bottle of Simply SoapBerry can wash 128 loads of laundry in a HE washing machine - effective and efficient! I have been using soap berries to clean our laundry for years now, and I love how clean my clothes are without any chemical smells or residue left behind on them to irritate my family's skin. Using Simply SoapBerry may be one of the smartest natural changes you make as a mom this year!

Can You Take a Stand Against Chemicals?

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Millennial Central for Seventh Generation. I received a promotional item and product samples as a thank you for participating.

You know how passionate I am about living a healthy, natural life and sharing my journey and tips with you. Today, I cannot wait to share with you some shocking statistics that will change the way you live your life. Then, I am going to give you ideas on how YOU can easily make a difference in everyone's lives!

Did you know???

• More than 80,000 (shocking number!!!) chemicals available in the United States have never been fully tested for their toxic effects on our health and environment. Of these 80,000 synthetic chemicals introduced into the market since the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed in 1976, the EPA has required testing on less than 10%.

• Scientists have linked exposure to toxic chemicals to many health risks, such as Cancer, Alzheimer’s, learning disabilities, asthma, birth defects, and various reproductive problems. 

• The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976, and unlike other major environmental laws, has never been updated. As it currently stands, tens of thousands of potentially harmful chemicals continue to be used in the marketplace since the 1970’s without proper testing and without disclosure by the companies that produce them. 

Those are some scary statistics! They sure have a way of opening our eyes to some of the dangerous chemicals that are lurking in our bathrooms, kitchens and in the air we breathe in our homes.

No one wants their son getting asthma from breathing in these dangerous toxins. No one wants their daughter to have rashes on her skin because of harsh laundry detergents. No one wants to suffer with allergies for years because their immune system has been compromised from an overload of chemicals. Unfortunately, it happens to millions of people every day.

For additional information to learn more visit the Natural Resources Defense Council website.

So....What can you do to spread awareness and get involved?

You can become a Toxin Freedom Fighter by signing Seventh Generation’s petition to urge Congress to reevaluate the Toxic Substances Control Act for the first time since 1976. I have done it, and it is so easy my 5 year old son could do it. You just type in your name, state and that is it! Just click on the badge above to sign the petition.

Help Seventh Generation reach its goal of collecting 100,000 Signatures by April 24th by signing the petition for chemical reform and urging your friends and family to do the same!

How to Keep Cloth Diapers Fresh and Clean

I have been using cloth diapers since I had my first child, about 4 years ago. In that time, I have learned a lot about using cloth diapers, but I never felt like I mastered how to keep them clean until just recently.

Let me share what I have learned about cleaning cloth diapers.

As my diapers get dirty, I throw them either directly into the washing machine with water or into my wet/dry bag. When I am ready to do a load of diapers, I wash them once in the hot cycle and rinse. Then, I add a little bit of my diaper safe detergent and run them through the heavy wash cycle again. When they get to the rinse cycle, I add 1/3 cup of baking soda. The baking soda really does the trick in getting the urine smell out and neutralizing the acid in the diapers. If you want, you always rinse them out a third time after the baking soda cycle.

After they are all clean, I try my best to hang them on the clothes line in the sun, instead of putting them in the dryer. This helps bleach any stains out and is gentler on the fabric than the dryer. 

One thing to note: if you don't have any baking soda or want an alternative, you can also use vinegar, but I wouldn't recommend using both.

Air Pollution in Your Home

Most of us feel safe in our homes. We look at it as a place of refuge and love. We come home to relax.

Does that safety apply to the air you breathe in your home?

According to the EPA, levels of about a dozen common chemical pollutants are 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside of them! That just doesn't seem right, does it?

Well, think about it, everything you emit indoors - whether it is your cigarette smoke, cleaning products fumes, or burnt food - is going to stay in your air longer because our homes are so well insulated. 

Scientists are actually suspecting that it may be these indoor pollutants - not just outdoor pollution - that are responsible for rising rates of asthma and other respiratory diseases. Indoor pollution can also cause headaches, flu-like symptoms, and, in serious cases, neurological problems.

I don't want to give you another massive problem to worry about and stress over, so let me go through a few simple things you can do today to help clean your indoor air.

1. Don't let the bad stuff in! Take your shoes off at the door. You don't even want to know what ickies are covering the bottoms of your shoes.

2. Go fragrance-free. Many air-fresheners are not what the companies want you to think they are. They are not sweet smells that freshen. They are chemicals that produce fake scents that can cause headaches and eye, nose and throat irritation. If you want your house to smell good, use essential oils instead.

3. Ventilate! Turn on your stove's exhaust fan. Open the windows every chance you have. Make sure your fireplace flue is working properly.

4. Switch out your cleaners! You know how your eyes water or your throat burns when you clean your shower? That is your body screaming for you to quit polluting it with chemicals! Sure, the cleaner companies want you to think that their chemical products are the only way to really get things clean. Let me tell you, that is a lie! If you are ambitious, make your own cleaners with baking soda, vinegar and other things you will find in your kitchen. If you are like me and are super busy and just need a safe product to use, do your homework and find truly natural safe cleaners. I use Shaklee's Get Clean products, and I have loved them from the moment I started using them. And no, they don't cost a fortune. In fact, they save you loads of money and are safe for our planet!

5. Vacuum often. Try to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

Please, please, please save you and your family from the hidden dangers lurking in your home. The pollutants in your home air can damage your health and turn into serious problems. With these 5 simple changes, you can improve your home's air quality and keep your family healthier!

Spray Cleaners Safe? Better Check Again!

Listen to this: Nearly 12,000 children under age 5 go to the emergency room each year because of injuries caused by household cleaning products, according to a study in today's Pediatrics. About 40% of those injuries - or nearly 4,800 cases - are caused by spray bottles, which typically don't have child-resistant caps.

The problem here isn't necessarily having spray bottles around your house, because we have several. It is what is inside those spray bottles. Spray cleaners you buy at the store can contain a range of hazardous chemicals, from ammonia to bleach. More than 740 of all small children injured by cleaning supplies in 2006 had symptoms that were life-threatening or caused long-term disabilities, the study says.

I don't know about you, but I have seen my son spray our cleaners on his body. Granted, I am not worried, because the Shaklee Get Clean cleaners we use are completely safe for his little body. They are actually even the same ph as our skin, so I have no worries, thankfully. That is why I feel safe letting him clean with me, which he LOVES to do! :-) I don't have to be afraid of poisoning, breathing in toxic fumes, having them absorb into his skin and doing damage to his little body. It is something I am very thankful for!

But for other dangerous cleaners, it is something for parents to be concerned about. Think about it from a child's perspective. They have bright packaging, with fruity or flowery scents and bright colors, and those spray handles make them feel and look like squirt guns. We all know how curious our children can be!

Let me leave you with this story to think about. (This is not to be a scare tactic, but it is just a story to help prevent this from happening to someone else)

Tamara Ensign says it took only a few moments for her 1 1/2 yr old son, Keegan, to get into some dish soap while the two were outside "playing carwash" with his toys.

When her back was turned, "He let out a wail that I had never heard from him before," says Ensign. "Whenever he cried and tried to talk, his voice was raspy and he let bubbles out."

Ensign got no answer from the emergency number listed on the soap bottle but did reach a poison control center. She decided to take Keegan to an urgent-care clinic, and I am happy to say that he had no lasting problems related to this scare.

It sure makes you think, though, doesn't it? What kind of dangerous cleaners are in your house that could be found and played with by children? Let's say NO to dangerous chemical cleaners and yes to safer, gentle nontoxic cleaners!!

Love This Video Clip!

Besides my family and my fitness jobs, my other great passion is natural healthy living. I didn't get into this until about three years ago, but I have jam packed as much learning as I can in those years about organics, toxins, natural living, and the way nutrition supplements can heal our bodies.

I think I have shared with you before about my poor health in my early twenties, which is pretty sad. I suffered from migraines, fertility issues, depression, joint pain, and the list goes on... Needless to say, I was sick of medications, and I was sick of doctors telling me one thing after another that wasn't really going to heal my body. I started looking into organic living and getting some of the toxins out of my house. Then, a friend shared with me her new home business with the #1 nutrition company in the US - Shaklee. After a lot of research,(yes, I am quite skeptical) I decided to try their nontoxic cleaners, so I bought those up, and then I decided to give their vitamins and supplements a try.

After a week, my migraines were gone, and after a month, I was off all medication and feeling better and better!!! That all just catapulted me to dig further and further into finding out how to get our home safer by getting more toxins out, replacing all of our food with organic, local food, and using supplements to heal and get our bodies the nutrients they need to function best.

I know many of you are on the same path as I am - working to do the best for you and your family!! You know your stuff, so when I came across this video that really explains the difference between supplement companies and how Shaklee (the company I trust) is helping people get their health back, I knew I had to share this with all of you!! So, check this video out! I think it is like 4-5 minutes long, and you will love it!

I am on a mission! I want to help all those moms out there that are throwing up their hands in frustration, either with their own health problems or a family member's. I just started working with a mom the other day whose son has Autism, and she suffers from a lot of stress and all the health issues that follow that. They are both already noticing a difference in their health after one week of taking some basic Shaklee supplements. You have no idea how that makes my whole day!! Another victory against the fight we are having in our country against terrible health and the first generation where our children are looking to live shorter lives than their parents!

If you have any questions at all about good health, supplements, starting your own Shaklee home business, or just want to vent about your health concerns, please email me or leave a comment. I love to hear from other moms like myself! We can lend such amazing support to each other!

If you want to know more about Shaklee or great health, please visit my website and take your time learning as much as you want!

Skoy Cloth Review and Giveaway!

There are so many of us who use paper towels, napkins and other paper products to clean up messes, but have you ever thought about how much waste we are making when we use a paper towel once and then throw it away? All around our world, people are throwing tons of these kind of paper products, and it is a big waste! That is why I was very excited to try a green solution to this problem - Skoy Cloths!!



Skoy Cloths are 100% biodegradeable, natural, absorbent, multipurpose and re-usable cloths that you can use to replace the tons of paper products that are thrown away every day.



What is it made from? Well, it is made from a natural cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp. Skoy cloth is a chlorine-free product using water-based colors and inks. And get this, after an independent composting test, SKOY cloth broke down completely within 5 weeks.



Let's talk about how it saves you money, because we all love that. Skoy Cloths can last months!! Using a Skoy cloth is equivalent to using 15 rolls of paper towels in an average home. With the high cost of paper towels, as much as $2 per roll, this is a really great way to save you some money and help out the environment.


The Skoy cloth is long-lasting because of the wash ability feature. It dries quickly, so it is not a breeding ground for bacteria. You have probably heard how sponges are little breeding grounds for bacteria, and they get so stinky! There are a couple ways you can clean your Skoy Cloth - you can microwave it or stick it in the dishwasher or washer/dryer.



Personally, I loved the Skoy cloth. I love how earth-friendly and cost effective it is! I am also a big fan of the cute daisy designs and fun colors that were on my Skoy cloths. They feel very durable and worked great for me, even for scrubbing caked on messes. I was a little skeptical about how it would come out after I had washed it, but low and behold, it worked just as well as before. I was very impressed!



You all now have the opportunity to win your own Skoy cloths! Skoy is generously offering two 4-packs of Skoy cloths to one of my fabulous readers! Here's how to win:

Mandatory Entry: Make sure you are a follower of this blog, Your World: Healthy and Natural! After completing the mandatory first step of becoming a follower, do as many of the following as you can and leave a separate comment here for each:

Subscribe to this blog and comment about it.(2 entries)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.(3 entries)

Follow @carathenatural on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.(1 entry)

Grab my blog button and post it on your blog, leave an entry about it and make sure you leave the link too. (2 entries)

Enter one of my other giveaways here on Your World: Healthy and Natural.(1 entry)

Comment on one of my other posts. I love to hear your thoughts! (1 entry)

The deadline for this giveaway is June 25 at 12 am EST, at which time a winner will be randomely chosen. Make sure that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you, you can't win! Please note that they only ship to the US.

Thank you Skoy Cloth for providing me the product to review and this great giveaway for my readers!

Top Ten Changes for Earth Day!

I am getting all pumped up for Earth Day, and like I said in an earlier blog post, every day really is Earth Day. So, let's start making a few easy changes now. The bonus here is that these changes will not only be good for the Earth, but they are going to be great for your wallet too!

I know we are busy. I know we sometimes get set in our ways and don't want to change. I know we don't have time and money to change the world. And I know you have all heard that each positive change you make really does make a difference. Here is what I want to add to that. YOU can make a difference, and TOGETHER we can make an impact! Let that thought repeat in your head as you read my Top Ten Changes for Earth Day:

1. Lock the windows in your house to improve the seal and prevent leaks of hot or cool air.

2. Program your TV's remote to turn off other systems like cable, satellite, DVD, or VCR at the same time. If you aren't that techno savvy, then just try to remember to turn them all off when you are done with them.

3. When cooking, boil water faster by putting a lid on the pot. When you get a boil, turn the heat down and keep the lid on to keep a boil at a lower heat level. It will still cook your noodles quite nicely.

4. Grow a garden! You don't have to have a huge yard or a lot of knowledge about gardening for this one. You can even grow a few veggies and herbs in your house or on your deck. Every little bit will save you money and get you fresher food that pack more of a nutrient punch!

5. Lights Out! Pick one family member to be on light patrol and turn off all lights every time you leave home or leave a room. You can rotate the chore weekly or monthly.

6. Recycle printer cartridges and get some cash for it! I also know that Staples takes them back and gives you a credit on your next purchase.

7. Ride your bike to run small errands. If you have children, get a bike seat for the back of your bike. **Bonus, major calories are being burned here! We all love that!

8. Use Safer and Smarter Products. My favorites are Shaklee's Get Clean line. It is full of biodegradeable, natural, nontoxic cleaners that are so concentrated, they save you a ton of money. If you were to switch out all your many cleaners you use now and buy the Get Clean Starter Kit, (which include laundry, dish washing, and all your other cleaning needs) you would save $3,400 dollars!! Now that is some serious cash! Check out the videos and websites on the right side of this blog to learn more.

9. Get Energy Star appliances. They will save you a good chunk on your electricity bill. Also, skip the dishwasher's dry cycle and allow the dishes to air dry. Skip the clothes dryer all together and hang your clothes on an outdoor line or on a drying rack inside.

10. Purchase reusable containers for portable sandwiches and snacks. Use lunchbags or boxes that are reusable, instead of paper bags.

Now, those don't seem too hard, do they? In fact, I think you will enjoy making some small changes that will save you some money and help our environment stay as beautiful and healthy as it can be. After all, who doesn't love the smell of fresh air and a few extra dollars in their pocket?

Please share your favorite tips and suggestion for living greener and making a difference! Remember, together we can make an impact!

Childhood Asthma Is Skyrocketing!

It is so scary to read the statistics on our health today, and it is especially scary to read about our children's health and how greatly it is declining. Children are supposed to be vibrant, energetic and healthy. Unfortunately, that is not the case for a lot of our little ones anymore. Check this stat out:

-The prevalence of childhood asthma increased 74% between
1980 and 1994 and has continued to increase in the years since.

Now why is that?? Let's dig right in and try to find the reason.

Dr. Stephen D. Chaney, Full Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Nutrition at
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill says, "The causes of this rapid increase in asthma prevalence are likely to be complex, but evidence has accumulated in recent years that some of the increase may be caused by early exposure to toxic chemical fumes in the home."

Why are our homes so much more toxic?

Well, we as consumers keep demanding cleaners that work better and are easy to use (Don't bother with messy liquids and pastes - just spray it on). Manufacturers have been willing to oblige by adding ever more exotic chemicals to household cleaners and putting them in aerosol spray cans.

Did you know that the air in our homes is 5 to 10 times more toxic than the air outside? In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has stated that the air inside our homes is often more polluted than in Los Angeles or New York on a smoggy day. Sounds like, among other things, we need to open our windows!

Now, let's get back to childhood asthma. A number of studies have pointed to an association between these toxic household fumes and childhood asthma, but I'd like to focus on one particularly good study on this topic that was published recently in the European Respiratory Journal (31: 54-57, 2008). Now, hold on to your hats, because I am going to give you some details of this study.

This study measured the household chemical exposure of 7,162 pregnant women in England and looked at the incidence of asthma in their children at age 8.5 years.

A maternal composite household chemical exposure (CHCE) score was derived by measuring the pregnant mother's exposure to a number of common household products known to contain toxic chemicals.

The household products used most frequently were disinfectants(87.4%), bleach(84.8%), aerosols(71.7%), air fresheners(68%), window cleaners(60.5%), carpet cleaners(35.3%) and pesticides/insecticides(21.2%). (For information on the toxic chemicals in these and other common household products visit: http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/products.htm )

Asthma was quantified based on persistent wheezing (reported by the parents) and several lung function tests that were administered at age 8.5 years.

To make sure that the asthma was not caused by simple allergies the children were also given a skin pricktest against a panel of 6 common childhood allergens (house dust mites, cats, mixed grass, mixed nuts, peanuts and milk). The study also controlled for confounding variables such as exposure to tobacco smoke, damp housing, pets in the home and maternal history of asthma.

The results of this study are very clear.

Higher household chemical exposure during pregnancy was associated with a 41% increase in childhood asthma in children with no known allergies.

What does that mean to you and me? It means that it is not enough to select household products that are safe for the environment. We also need to select products that we use in our homes on the basis of their safety for us and our family - not just on the basis of cost and convenience.

Thankfully, I had this mother's instinct when I was pregnant to get rid of my bad cleaners and replace them. I researched to find the safest ones and came upon Shaklee, the company that brought us one of the very first biodegradable cleaners and the very first company in the world to be certified as climate neutral. They make a "Get Clean" line of household cleaners that are not only biodegradable, but also contain no toxic fumes that could be harmful for your health.
Check them out here: www.caranitz.myshaklee.com, for your own and your family's health!

I know this is some scary information that may have given you a sick feeling in your stomach, but you can make a difference! Little changes like switching out your cleaners can have a huge impact in your life and the life of others as you share what you have done!

What Are Toxic Cleaners Doing to Our Families?

Over 90% of poison exposures are at home.

Organic pollutants, found in many common cleaners and air fresheners, have levels 2 to 5 times higher inside your home than out.

Common cleaners give off fumes that can potentially increase the risk of kids developing asthma, the most common chronic childhood disease.

1 in 13 school-aged children has asthma. Rates in children under five have increased more than 160% from 1980-1994.

If your home is anything like the average U.S. home, you generate more than 20 lbs of household hazardous waste each year. (the EPA designates toilet cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, oven cleaners, and bleach as hazardous waste)

Women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than women who work outside the home.

Those are some scary statistics! They sure have a way of opening our eyes to some of the dangerous chemicals that are lurking in our bathrooms, kitchens and in the air we breathe in our homes.

No one wants their son getting asthma from breathing in these dangerous toxins. No one wants their daughter to have rashes on her skin because of harsh laundry detergents. No one wants to suffer with allergies for years because their immune system has been compromised from an overload of toxins. Unfortunately, it happens to millions of people every day.

I want to give you four simple steps to take to make your home the safest, cleanest, healthiest place it can be.

1. Get the information about what is in your cleaners and lurking in your home. Go to www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/products.htm to find out more about the chemicals in the products you use.

2. Get rid of the icky stuff. Put on gloves and get rid of the nasty cleaners. Now, you have to be responsible with this, because these things are actually hazardous waste products. So check your local waste collection service for guidelines on how to dispose of it.

3. Welcome safe, natural cleaners into your home. My favorite cleaners are nontoxic, natural, biodegradable, concentrated to save you money, and hypoallergenic. I use Get Clean products for all my cleaning needs.

4. Consider other sources of toxic chemicals. Replace air fresheners with essential oils. Open your windows to reduce indoor air pollution. Get some beautiful plants that will help clean the air.

Have fun getting the icky stuff out and bringing in safe healthy alternatives! If you know of anyone who is still using toxic cleaners, please beg them to at least wear gloves and a face mask every time they use them!