Watch the Story of Cosmetics (get chemicals OUT of our products!)

Some people are visual.  They need to SEE a message to fully understand it.  Imagine, some people don't actually want to read new studies showing the ill effects of toxic chemicals on our bodies and the environment.  Some don't want to read more news about what is harmful to themselves and their families (among the other depressing news).

You can't really blame them.

Many of them (us!) are simply exhausted parents. Bleary eyed, barely doing all the parenting and life work they need to do to keep things going.

So, if you know anyone who hasn't tuned in to learn about the problems with chemicals and toxins in our cosmetics, show them this.  The Story of Cosmetics has a way of capturing attention and simplifying this critical issue-- and the film builds on the momentum of support for the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010.

Why should you care?  There is a growing body of research showing links between many of the chemicals in our personal care products and serious diseases and conditions.  Chemicals like triclosan, phthalates, parabens are in most cosmetics.   Phthalates are often labeled as "fragrance".  Triclosan is labeled as an "antibacterial." 

And no one is looking at their synergistic effect on our bodies, especially those who are developing and growing at rapid rates:  our children.   The companies who make these products are using many chemicals that have never been independently tested for safety.  That's right, never. 

Ready to act?  Check this out, and be inspired. 

This post is part of the Green Moms Carnival this month. You can check it out soon at Organic Mania.

Music Review: Green Golly and Her Golden Flute

I try to avoid princesses like the plague with my two young daughters.   I'm particularly weary of stories where girls are rescued by the apparently more able bodied, intelligent and astute princes.

When I received a review copy of Green Golly and Her Golden Flute, I wondered if it was the right match for our family.  I knew it was based on the story of Rapunzel, and that in the end she is saved by a handsome prince.  Blah.

One day when I threw it in the CD player, I was doing something else, and actually stopped and came in to listen with my girls.  Keith Torgan, the story teller, draws people in and is quite engaging. His expressions are absolutely amazing and children love it.  Barbara Siesel is equally charming as Green Golly-- especially when she pines, "lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely."

And the music!

Oh, the sweet flute music shares with children the wonderful concepts of classical (and all) music, such as showing your emotions through art.  Flutist Barbara Siesel plays how Green Golly is feeling, trapped in the tower.  Or how she uses music to describe the seasons, or the flight of a bumblebee.

I could see my children's faces imagining these things, in a way they hadn't before.

And as far as stereotyping girls and women, well, there is a handsome prince, but he misses out.  And Green Golly does NOT need to be saved.  She has music, after all, because "once the music is in your soul, you can think of little else."

For an audience of 4-10 year olds, the CD runs  57 lovely minutes.   I've seen my girls entranced for the whole thing.  We laugh and say to each other often, "Green Golly, Green Golly, let down your hair to me!"  

Green Golly and Her Golden Flute exposes children to several of the world's greatest composers: Mozart, Mendelssohn, Korsakov, Schubert, Gossec, Elgar, Bizet, Chopin, and Copland.  It doesn't do this in a preachy or weird way, it is just part of the story (which I have a feeling is clearly by design).  

If you are heading on a long car ride, or would like to infuse more classical music in your child's life in a fun and creative way, you might want to pick up Green Golly and Her Golden Flute!

Formula Companies Expensive Claims Can Discourage Breastfeeding (take action-- with Momsrising)

(I am on a roll with guest posts.  My inbox is flooded with good causes to support.  I couldn't pass up re-posting this email from Momsrising today.  Formula companies charge a premium for their products, and the choices are overwhelming and expensive.  The claims they make on the cans (many containing BPA) can lead women into believing that formula feeding is better for babies, even when studies have shown breastfeeding to be the healthiest option for babies.  I remember all the coupons for formula I received when I left the hospital.  When breastfeeding hurt, and I was tired and vulnerable, I didn't need these messages that formula was somehow better.  Read on to find out how you can take action so parents have more clear information about feeding their babies.)

It simply isn't right to take advantage of new parents when they're vulnerable.

But baby formula companies are doing just that.  And this is especially wrong because empty infant formula advertising claims undermine evidence-based messages like "breastfeeding is best for babies."  This has got to be fixed, and we have a chance right now to change the way these infant formula companies and other food manufacturers do business so that parents get the facts, and not just empty hype on labels.

Tell your Senator that the Child Nutrition Act should include independent scientific reviews of formula and other foods so parents can make the best choices for their infants.

http://action.momsrising.org/go/WIC/282?akid=2222.198352.bcA0rM&t=4

“All parents want what's best for their babies, and we want them to feel empowered to make an informed feeding decision at one of the most vulnerable and precious times of their lives—the birth of a new baby,” explains Megan Renner, Executive Director of the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC). "The marketing of infant formula has been shown to undermine breastfeeding intention and success. Independent review of ‘functional ingredients’ will go a long way towards providing parents with the information they have a right to receive.”

What’s happening right now?

Congress is debating the renewal of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) through the Child Nutrition Act.  As the re-authorization of the Child Nutrition Act moves through the Senate, we're urging Senators to also include a review of the “functional ingredients” in baby formula and other foods WIC offers. Functional ingredients are things like prebiotics, nucleotides, and others ingredients that are marketed as improving a baby’s health. Companies add these “functional ingredients” as a way to command higher prices and make catchy health claims. Initial independent studies have shown very mixed results as to whether so-called “functional ingredients” actually do anything for the health of our kids.[1]

Our federal government carries enormous weight in this formula fiasco because half of all U.S. infants participate in the WIC program.[2] WIC’s mission is to provide healthy foods, breastfeeding support and nutrition counseling to low-income pregnant women, infants, and young kids. To that end, WIC gives vouchers for specific foods that qualifying families can use in their local grocery stores.

The government has estimated that these “functional ingredients” cost WIC $91 million annually.[3] Meanwhile, front-line WIC providers, who work hard to promote and support breastfeeding, are very concerned that moms are increasingly asking WIC for the formula “that’s just like breastmilk.”[4] And that’s why it’s so important for USDA to get expert advice based on an independent, systematic review of the research, which will be published for all consumers to see.  An independent review of "functional ingredients" could save the taxpayers and the average new parent a lot of money.

Making baby formula labels crystal clear is critical because new parents need to be able to read baby formula labels and make the best selection for their children.  Yet the current system isn't working. Here’s how MomsRising member Roberta describes her moment of new-parent-formula-selection-paralysis:

“The few times I had to buy formula for my son, I was paralyzed by the wall of options in the grocery store.  Each brand made a different claim about what their formula would do for my son’s health, and the more claims there were, the more expensive the can.  Even my son’s pediatrician couldn’t recommend a choice.”

It’s no wonder Roberta and her pediatrician couldn’t figure out which infant formula was best for her son. If companies want to say their formula makes your baby smarter, stronger, and cuter, no one in our government makes sure their claim is true.[5]

Unfortunately, we’re up against the formula companies in this fight, and as you can imagine they’re pretty powerful. That’s why as parents we need to be even louder!

*Don't forget to send a note to your Senator today:

http://action.momsrising.org/go/WIC/282?akid=2222.198352.bcA0rM&t=6

Please let your friends and family know about this campaign too by forwarding this email right now.  Together we can stand up for all the sleep-deprived moms and for the health of our children!

Together we’re a powerful voice for women and families,

--Sarah, Kristin, Donna, Joan, Mary and the whole MomsRising.org team

P.S.  To read more about WIC and the formula fight go here: "Foods with New Functional Ingredients Should Be Provided Only If They Deliver Health or Nutritional Benefits," Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

P.P.S. A big thank you to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities for all they do on this issue.

[1] For an example see Karen Simmer, Sanjay Patole, and Shripada C. Rao, “Longchain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Infants Born at Term,” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008, Issue 4.

[2] "About half of the infants in the United States participate and benefit from the WIC program.”  See page 6 of Secretary Vilsack’s testimony.

[3] Marcus, Ruth, July 14, 2010 “Lobbying fight over infant formula highlights budget gridlock” Washington Post

[4] Check out what the California WIC Association is doing to improve breastfeeding policies.

[5] Neuberger, Zoe, June 4, 2010 "WIC Food Package Should Be Based on Science: Foods with New Functional Ingredients Should Be Provided Only If They Deliver Health or Nutritional Benefits" Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

Rally for Chemical Reform (run a lap for me!)

(Here's guest post about an upcoming rally supporting chemical reform. I hope some of you can be there! Thanks to the NRDC for taking this on. I'll run Wednesday and be with you all in spirit!)

Advocates Demand Congress Take Out Toxics From Consumer Products

After Environmental Protection Agency officials and other experts testify Thursday, July 29, before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection about the need to reform our country’s outdated toxic chemical regulations, doctors, scientists, parents, children and other activists will rally at the Capitol supporting that cause and demanding Congress take action.

Each year, millions of Americans run or walk in support of research to find a cure for chronic ailments like breast cancer, asthma, autism, and colon cancer. What if Congress could also keep toxic chemicals from getting people sick in the first place?

On July 29, in the “Race for the Cause,” advocates will walk, jog and run around the Capitol Reflecting Pool as a call to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act to protect people from toxic chemicals in our homes, products and bodies--many of which are linked to cancer and chronic disease.
A press conference will follow.

WHO: Dr. Sarah Janssen, Natural Resources Defense Council
Andy Igrejas, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition

WHAT: A mock "road race" and press conference calling for chemical policy reform
to fight the causes of chronic illness

WHEN: 1p.m. to 2p.m. EST

WHERE: Grassy area west of the Capitol Reflecting Pool
3rd St. SW and Maryland Ave. SW
(Look for the Giant Rubber Ducky!)
METRO: Capitol South, Smithsonian, or Federal Center SW

VISUALS: Runners with Race numbers, Parents and Children, Big Duck!



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The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 1.3 million members and e-activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing. More information is available at www.nrdc.org.