EWG’s 12th Annual Earth Day Virtual Celebration
As a very proud member of The Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) Board of Directors, I am very honored and excited to co-host the 12th Annual Earth Day celebration along with Christine Gardner. From your own dinner table (or couch), I hope that you will join me and the rest of the EWG community as we learn how to live healthier lives in a healthy environment and learn about the biggest opportunities to create positive change in 2021.
For more details about our virtual celebration and to purchase tickets, visit: EWG.org/earthdinner
For a donation of just $100, click here to register and you will receive:
-Access to live Earth Day programming
-EWG custom-label wine
-A thank you bag filled with full size bottles of personal care products, free of chemical concern, and a Protein Brownie Bar (yup, that’s from me!) valued at over $250
-Toxin Takedown 14 Day on-line challenge- to help you ditch chemical toxins from your life, one small step at a time.
Sponsorship donations will also include: a delivery of local and organic food, EWG’s custom-label Earth Day wine, “Ask an EWG expert” 30 minute private Q and A session (priceless!), EWG verified products, and more!
If you cannot join us on Earth Day, click here for other ways to support EWG!
One of my passions is coaching others to on how to reduce daily toxin intake. When trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle, diet and exercise tend to get most of the attention. But theres another critical step to living healthier: reducing your intake of toxic chemicals. In particular, chemicals known as endocrine disruptors (EDs) confuse your body by crossing wires in your hormonal system, which in turn causes an increase or decrease in production of various hormones.
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) can imitate hormones and interfere with their signaling, contributing to an increasing number of health issues such as cancer, fertility problems, slow cognitive development, changes in metabolism, and immune disorders.
Knowing these risks should inspire you to avoid EDs, but this isn’t always so easy a task. This group of chemicals includes Bisphenol-A or BPA, organophosphate pesticides, mercury, and lead. BPAs are obesogens which alter metabolism leading to weight gain, insulin resistance and obesity. They may sound scary, but these toxins can be found in a surprising number of products you use every day, including face wash, plastic water bottles, perfume, laundry detergent, cleaning products, make-up, dairy, sunscreen, and plastic toys. It may be impossible to live an entirely ED-free life, but here are some tips to reduce your toxic load.
1. Reduce Plastic
Many plastics contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a serious concern; make sure plastic containers and canned goods are BPA-free. Stick with glass or stainless steel for cooking, baking, and food storage, and switch to a safe, reusable water bottle. Buy products that come in glass bottles rather than plastic or canned, since chemicals can leach out of plastics and into the contents.
Click here for more information from EWG on how to reduce your exposide to toxic BPA.
2. Eat Organic ESPECIALLY Meat + Fish
Buy and eat organic produce and free-range, organic meats to reduce your exposure to added hormones, pesticides, and fertilizers. Rather than eating conventional or farm-raised fish, which are often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury, choose fish that is wild-caught and (if possible) lab-tested for purity. With dairy, it’s wise to avoid non-organic products as they normally contain the genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST).
Click here for more information from EWG on organic, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meat and fish.
3. Upgrade Your Personal Care Products
Avoid antibacterial soaps, and any products that contain phthalates or parabens. Also beware of sweet-smelling shampoos and body washes; they are full of synthetic fragrance that can come complete with a big dose of EDs! If you want real fragrance, look for products scented with essential oils, or add your own.
Click here for more information about healthy personal care products and EWG verified products.
4. Keep It Clean
Buy a high-quality, high-power vacuum, preferably one with a HEPA filter that also seals in dirt and dust to help minimize your exposure when emptying the collection chamber. Turns out household dust / dirt is thought to be one of the biggest sources of daily ED exposure.
Click here for EWG’s Healthy Living Home Guide.
5. Go Green in Your Bedroom
Did you know that the synthetic materials in mattresses, pillows, and bedding are often full of EDs By switching out your bed and bedding with organic counterparts free of flame retardants, you are safeguarding yourself from sleeping in a toxic cloud.
Click here for EWG’s Healthy Living Mattress Home Guide.
I look forward to “seeing you” at the EWG’s 12th annual Earth Day Dinner on April 22, 2021. Click here to register. And if you cannot attend, I encourage you to click here to donate to EWG. Your donation supports EWG’s original research and investigations that empower you to live healthier lives in a healthier environment!
Want to learn more? Check out my website Karen Malkin Health Counseling, Follow me on Instagram @KarenMalkinHealth or email support@karenmalkin.com
To your good health,
Karen
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