Plastics and Cancer

Please circulate to all you know:
Johns Hopkins - Cancer News from Johns Hopkins


No plastic containers in microwaves

No water bottles in freezer

No plastic wrap in microwave

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.


Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze
your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the
plastic.


Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins
and how bad they are for us.


He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using
plastic containers...


This especially applies to foods that contain fat.


The combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases
dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...


Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or
ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without
the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc.,
should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just
safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as
dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is
nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the
plastic wrap and drip into the food.

Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This article should be sent to anyone important in your life!

Water Smarter - Think Like a Plant

Just as you release water vapor when you breathe, plants do too - it's called transpiration. Plant transpiration is an invisible process. Even though you can't see the water, it is going into the air. When plants transpire faster than water is replaced, they can wilt or die.

Soils constantly lose water through evaporation. Evaporation increases as the days get hotter and longer in the summer.

Evapotranspiration, or ET, is the combination of water lost through evaporation and from transpiration. Generally, the amount of water lost through ET is equal to the amount of water that must be replaced to maintain healthy growing conditions. The rate of ET is affected by the amount of sun and wind, the air temperature, and other variables.

Read more about this at www.conserveh20.org

Water Conservation for Kids

Visit the ConserveH20 website at www.conserveh20.org/kids for fun water conservation games and activities to play with your kids this summer!

Free Water-Wise Plant Guide!

Local nurseries are overflowing with beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers, waiting to make your yard a sanctuary. In order to help gardeners identify plants that are water - efficient, a number of organizations from the Willamette Valley printed a guidebook. The new "Water - Efficient Plants of the Willamette Valley" Guidebook is a full - color, photo - rich resource for novice and experienced gardeners. To order your copy of the new guidebook, visit www.portlandonline.com/water/conservationkits or call them at 503-823-4527.

Upcoming Events in Nature Discoveries

A Midsummer Night's Celebration at Tryon Creek
Thursday June 21st, 7 to 9pm

Celebrate the longest day of the year with storytelling, activities and guided forest hikes at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Free.

For more information, call (503) 636-4398 ext 109.


Oxbow Regional Park:

Fiddlin' in the park with Greg Clarke
Friday, July 6th, 8:30 - 9:30pm

Musician Greg Clarke brings us old-time tunes around the campfire. Enjoy the sounds of banjo, fiddle, mandolinl among the trees. It's a contagious performance sure to get your toes tapping!

Native American Stories
Saturday July 7th, 8:30 - 9:30 pm

Night is falling, the river is murmuring and the campfire beckons. Join us for an entrancing evening of stories with Northwest storyteller Ed Edmo.

Old-time bluegrass tunes
Friday, July 13th, 8:30 - 9:30pm

Bluegrass musicians Greg Stone and Lon Jones will play guitar and mandolin and sing old-time tunes around the campfire. Kick up your feet or just sit back and enjoy the music. With songs for all ages, this is a nice introduction to old-time music for kids.

Check out more family fun activities at Metro's page on Oxbow

Easy Green Cleaners Recipes

I am starting to make my own cleaners at home now!! I found some pretty easy recipes in The Green Scene, little mailer mag that goes out to homes here in the city, put out by Metro

Glass Cleaner:

Combine 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice. (use both vinegar and lemon if you want the cleaning abilities of vinegar with the scent of lemon!) For a pleasant scents, add a drop of two of essential oil...

Tub & Tile Cleaner:

1 2/3 cups baking soda
1/2 cup liquid soap
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup water
a few drops of essential oils (optional)

Mix soda and soap. Add water, then add vinegar. Store in a squirt-top bottle and shake before using. Rinse thoroughly to avoide leaving a residue.

A New America Lou Dobbs spotlights the NAFTA Super Highway a

And I thought we already HAD problems in this country! WOW, I guess not watching the news or reading the papers is a bad idea for me. I didn't realize the depth and scope of what is happening in my own country. And very sadly, it seems that there is no escape. Here I thought I was going to leave the country to escape! It's too late for that it seems....

People, make a stand!!! We have GOT to take our power back and make a stand. We are so screwed if we don't do something to stop this insanity. God help us.

Product Review - Shampoo & Conditioner

When I'm not completely freaking out about what chemicals the government is letting us eat and put on our bodies, I'm doing my duty to test out so-called "natural" products and report on my findings!!

After trying a couple of brands from Trader Joes, I actually found something for my hair that I am now in love with! I'm really new to the product, and my hair is loving it! It has needed some serious love for a while now, most "natural" conditioners just not able to cut it for my particular type of hair. I decided to try Avalon Organic Botanicals Lavender Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner, and WOW, I have to say, I'm impressed!!

My hair is rather thick kind of like a horses' mane (wait a minute, I am a horse!!) and it's jaw-dropping amazing for me to be able to effortlessly bring a comb from crown down through my hair without a huge struggle and more than likely some swear words, and this conditioner also makes my hair really sleek and shiny! AND NO METHYL PARABENS!!!

This product actually has the CONSCIOUSNESS IN COSMETICS seal by Avalon themselves stating their pledge for all to see right on the front of the bottle that reads: Our Pledge, Your Assurance. Safe, effective, pro-organic, body care without artificial colors, synthetic fragrances or parabens, E U compliant. You can further research this company on their website www.avalonorganics.com

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, I can highly recommend this product, and it's possible you can find it at Natures, Wild Oats and other similar stores!