8 American Foods Banned In Other Countries

You have heard, "innocent until proven guilty," right? It is an approach that works well for our justice system, but it is not a good approach for our diets.

Thinking that things are safe just because they are on a store shelf, allows dangerous chemicals to permeate our food supply. Because most people expect organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect us, it is surprising to learn how many everyday foods contain additives that have been banned in other parts of the world. 

While the human body is resilient, the fewer known carcinogens and toxins you can expose your family to the better - especially when there are so many healthy and affordable alternatives readily available. My company has been a Godsend to us because we learn about these things before the mainstream public. I am passionate about getting the word out. People have a right to know!

Here are 8 products you should eliminate from your home and diet.. 

Finding substitutions

Giving up products your family loves might be easier with a few recommendations. Here are some substitutions on which you can rely.

1. Wild Salmon

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines offer several sustainably harvested choices for salmon lovers including wild-caught Alaskan Salmon, Washington Salmon, and Oregon Salmon. 

2. Soda

Try a natural soda like Zevia or make your own seltzer and add fresh organic lemon or organic lime juice! 

3. Bread

Many commercial bakers, including Best Foods, Inc. (maker of Arnold, Entenmann’s, and Orowheat brand breads and rolls), Pepperidge Farm, and Pillsbury, have switched to bromate-free processes. In addition, some supermarket chains, like Giant, do not use bromate. Bromate is listed as a carcinogen in California, and Proposition 65 requires baked goods sold in California to bear a store-level cancer warnings if they contain dangerous levels of bromate. As a result, most California bakers have switched to bromate-free processes. Many breads throughout the United States are now being labeled bromate-free. If you do not see a label that makes it clear a product does or does not contain bromate, try to avoid products that contain “enhanced flour" to be safe. 

4. Jello 

Love Jello but don't want the artificial dyes? Mama Natural offers her DIY organic jello recipe using juice. 

5. Chips

Go to any natural food aisle and you'll find a host of olestra-free and artificial dye-free chips. Some of our favorites include Terra Chips (made with vegetables and dyed with juice), Stacy's Pita Chips, and Good Health Avocado Oil Kettle Chips.

6. Cereal

Cereals are another product category with dozens of delicious toxin-free options - including "junk food" cereals that kids love like Cinnamon Harvest Kashi and Gorilla Munch. Make your own corn tortilla chips!  They taste better and they have no preservatives.

7. Milk

When it comes to milk, look for milk that specifically states it is rBGH-free or buy organic (which has to be rBGH-free by law). It is more expensive, but worth the extra cost if you can afford it. Try almond or coconut milk -- you might just love it!

8. Chicken 

As with milk, the most "natural" (a.k.a. containing the fewest chemical additives) version of chicken is organic. For ethical reasons, you should also consider buying humanely raised meat and poultry when possible. 

By keeping an eye out for some of the most dangerous chemicals, and making a few substitutions next time you shop, you can reduce your family's exposure to dangerous chemicals and help support companies that are working to provide safer and more sustainable food. 

Thank you to Green Mom and her guide for the succinct organization of the basic info!

Are Bugs Bugging You? Don’t Reach for the DEET!

Try these easy tricks to safely prevent pests (and if they still come around, we have four tips to naturally soothe any bites or stings).

Tips to keep bugs from biting:

1. Protect your child by covering that delicate skin with lightweight, long sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. Insects may be attracted to floral prints. Choose light, solid colored fabrics.
2. Mosquitoes are usually most active at dusk and just before dawn. Avoid playing outside during these peak hours.
3. Keep your window and door screens in good repair. When possible keep your child protected indoors or behind mosquito netting.
4. If eating outside, use an outdoor fan to blow away mosquitoes.
5. To reduce mosquito breeding near your home, plant scented geraniums, lemon thyme, marigold, tansy, citrosa plants, sweet basil and/or sassafras.
6. Eliminate common mosquito breeding sites such as sources of standing water (old tires, pools, plastic pots, buckets, garbage cans or clogged roof gutters). Change water in birdbaths every other day.
7. Make your yard friendly for natural predators such as ladybugs, bats, dragonflys, praying mantis, spiders and birds. Stock a pond with goldfish or freshwater minnows.
8. Use yellow light bulbs (non-attractive, to bugs) in outdoor fixtures.
9. Fragrances attract insects. Avoid using scented products (such as soap or shampoo) on your child or yourself.
10. Choose safer bug repellant products (but consider efficacy if you have local insect-borne disease risks.) PeggyCortez@yahoo.com  has a great guide to natural bug repellents.

Tips for Soothing Bug Bites

1. Tea tree oil. If you are stung, remove stinger if there is one. Apply tea tree oil liberally in a circular motion surrounding the entry point -- be gentle touching the point of entry! Let dry and the pain and swelling should ease in two to three minutes. Re-apply if needed.  The pharmaceutical grade of tea tree oil will ensure  a safer choice and a level of purity not found elsewhere -- learn more about how to economically obtain this by sending a request to PeggyCortez@yahoo.com
2. Baking soda. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Again, remove stinger and apply the paste. Cover with a gauze bandage or paper towel and tape. Leave on for one half hour or more until pain is gone.
3. Onion. Relieve the itch from bug bites with an onion. The sulfur in onions neutralizes the chemicals that cause the itch. Simply slice a yellow onion in half and rub one of the cut sides on the bite. The itching should stop immediately. Refrigerate the onion in a sealed container to use again if the itching resumes. Make a fresh slice before reapplying it.
4. Vinegar. Good for spider bites too. Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and place it over the spider/bug bite. If you get bites on your hand or foot, put the soaked cotton ball in a bag and put your infected hand/foot in the bag over night. Make sure that the bag is not tight around the wrist/ankle. As an alternative, you may hold the soaked cotton ball in place by a band aid. By morning, the swelling and/or soreness should be gone as if you had hardly been bitten at all.

Note: Even when using natural bug repellents or remedies, watch for reactions. Some people have sensitivities. Always watch for reactions after bites and stings, also. If you notice any abnormal swelling or other signs of a serious allergic reaction, call 911, because some people can die from bites/stings if they are not treated immediately.