Natural Sundae Paper Blog » NaturalSundae

dry cleaning…one nasty bath for your clothes

NaturalSundae — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:06:54 +0000

Every week in and out …back and forth, money in, money OUT. In an attempt to maintain the clothing that we spend our hard earned money on , (and of course to look good), we make the weekly trek to the dry cleaners. Growing up that is just what you did, you have nice clothes? wanna wash them? you can’t….you have to take them to their special place to get clean, pressed, and overhauled. I never questioned it, never wondered, never even gave a second thought to..what the heck ARE they washing my clothes in? Well, after spending a great deal of my life oblivious to the fact that I am wearing the chemicals that clean my clothes, I am making a stand, speaking out, and becoming my OWN dry cleaner. They can still handle a good press or two, but I’m calling the shots now.About an hour ago, I found out that clothing makers list ‘Dry Clean Only’ on clothing due to space limitations, this and the fact that they can be held responsible if an item is damaged when the owner follows the listed instructions. Is this a conspiracy between the cleaners and the fashion industry? I doubt it, but it sure makes you wonder how much dough you have spent when you could have just done it yourself. For those garments that do require a little extra TLC, there are better alternatives to dry cleaning, those are listed below.

Dry Cleaning uses a solvent called Perc which stands for perchloroethylene, a chemcial that the EPA considers both a health and an environmental hazard. The Occidental College’s Pollution Prevention Center conducted a study which said that 85 percent of the more than 35,000 dry cleaners in the United States use perchloroethylene as a solvent in the dry cleaning process. Perc is a synthetic, volatile organic compound (VOC) that not only poses a risk to our health,but also to the environment. Some of the side effects of exposure to perc are dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, and skin and respiratory irritation. Prolonged exposure to perc has been linked to both kidney and liver damage, and cancer. Perc has also been described as a “probable” human carcinogen by California’s Proposition 65.

The most frequent way we are exposed to perc is through breathing in the chemical aroma that lingers on your gear after a good dry clean. Perc can also enter the body through drinking water contamination & skin exposure. This is not only a health hazard and environmental justice issue for dry clean employees, but for consumers who bring home clothes laden with the familiar perc stench. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that clothes dry cleaned with perc can raise contamination levels in a home being highest where the clothing is stored, usually in a bedroom closet close to the bed where people spend a lot of time breathing in deeply. Not good. Nursing mothers exposed to perc may excrete it in their milk, placing their infants at risk.

Perc is a chemical that is not only hazardous for people in ‘the biz’ , and those that patronize ‘the perks’ of conventional dry cleaning,…but the population can be affected as well by air, water, and soil contamination during the cleaning, purification, and waste disposal phases of dry cleaning, according to the EPA.

The altenatives:

Hand Washing and a good press.

Wet Cleaning- A safe, energy-efficient method of cleaning “Dry Clean Only” clothes that uses WATER as a solvent—not chemicals—and a combination of natural soaps & conditioners. Wet cleaning works by laundering clothes in a gentle and controlled environment. When you have your clothes professionally wet cleaned, they are gently laundered in a computer-controlled washer and dryer . These special machines can be customized to accommodate variables such as time, temp, and cleaning action, which allow machine operators to tailor the wash according to the type of fabric.

Because wet cleaning is free of Volatile Organic Compounds, VOC’S, it eliminates all the health risks normally associated with conventional dry cleaning. Another added benefit is that the equipment and operating costs are lower, as it does not involve operating an energy sucking solvent recovery system. Wet cleaning does have a disadvantage…it produces waste water. However, it is still the most energy-efficient method of effectively and naturally cleaning your clothing as it actually saves more water than dry cleaning. BUT… how well does it really work?

According to Peter Sinsheimer, director of the Pollution Prevention Center at Occidental College who has been studying the effects of perc dry cleaning and its alternatives for over ten years, just about everything item that can be dry cleaned can also be wet cleaned. Occidental College did a comparison study between the two cleaning methods, performed by dry cleaning establishments that agreed to switch from dry to wet cleaning, and found no major differences in quality.

Co2 or Liquid carbon dioxide cleaning- This is a method that uses pressurized liquid CO2 instead of perc, and is mixed with other cleaning agents. Carbon Dioxide is a non-flammable and non-toxic gas occurring in nature, and it becomes a powerful liquid solvent under high pressure. During this process, clothing is placed in a special air-free machine. The chamber pressure is elevated by shooting CO2 gas, and then liquid CO2 is also pumped into the chamber. Clothes rotate in a 5-15 minute cycle that occurs at room temperature. The liquid CO2 solvent dissolves fats, oils, and dirt that are trapped in the clothing. At the end of the cycle , the liquid CO2 returns to the storage tank, to be reused if possible. The remaining CO2 is released in the air.

Even though CO2 is a main green-house gas, no new Carbon Dioxide is generated, so it is not a contributor to global warming, says Sinsheimer. Liquid CO2 companies recapture the CO2 already generated by other industrial manufacturing processes, and is then recycled into the solvent for dry cleaning purposes. Main concern: while the CO2 is cheap and abundant, a normal investment for a machine is very high- usually around $40k and for this reason, few dry cleaneres adopt this method.

Hydrocarbon methods- Green? not even close. Hydrocarbon is a petroleum-based solvent, carrying all the health, safety, and environmental concerns of petroleum, the least of which is the fact that it’s a major source of greenhouse gases.

Some cleaners that employ the hydrocarbon method claim they offer “organic,” cleaning which Sinsheimer says is misleading. “It’s the same thing as petroleum,” he says. “It’s also a VOC, though it’s not as toxic as perc.” If your cleaner dares to claim Earth-friendliness at any level, be sure to get the skinny on the methods and chemicals they use. Don’t be fooled by the catch phrases “green,” “organic,” or “environmentally friendly” just because they say that they are.

The GreenEarth Method- uses a silicone based solvent called siloxane or D-5, which has similar base ingredients as deodorant and shaving creams. D-5 degrades to water, sand, & carbon dioxide. Chemically it is inert, meaning your clothes do not come into contact with chemicals while they are being cleaned.

D-5’s creator, Dow Corning, did a study revealing an elevated risk of uterine cancer in D-5 exposed female rats, which has led the EPA to consider that it may also be a carcinogen. Additionally, manufacturing D-5 requires chlorine which releases carcinogenic dioxin into the air.

Beware of Solvair machines. They use glycol ether as a solvent which according to the EPA is a suspected neuro-, respiratory, and kidney toxin, as well as a possible hormone disrupter. These Solvair machines only RINSE the clothes in liquid CO2, so businesses using them may identify themselves as liquid CO2 cleaners, notes Sheldon Bray, president of the Carbon Dioxide Dry Cleaners Alliance. The Alliance does not allow Solvair cleaners to be members.

So there you have it folks…a ‘titch of information just to get your wheels spinnin’…use it to y our advantage and wake up !!! let’s not support the use of dangerous chemicals on our clothing anymore. IT IS UNECESSARY!

change is good

peace-

Get Right…Be Green

NaturalSundae — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:02:40 +0000

GET RIGHT . . . BE GREEN – Sundae Marie Ford

Whatever your preconceived notions may be of going ‘green’..please listen up, put your busy schedule aside, & actually DO something. Whether you participate because you are genuinely concerned or whether you are just trying to impress someone I don’t really care, just do it. You may even end up liking the way you feel knowing you are making a difference.

This is a call to action, people. I know it can be pretty depressing to ponder all the environmental problems we are currently trying to tackle, I know this, and I usually hear people mention how overwhelming it feels to try & make such big changes, but I choose to turn it around and find the good. You just HAVE to. What did your mom always tell you?….”every cloud has a silver lining…you just have to find it”. Wake up!! and make the decision to make changes in your life, because without clean water, food, & air, we would all be dead.

The green movement has made great strides in leaps and bounds during the past couple of years. People are becoming more aware of how their lifestyles & many unsound business practices do affect the resources we depend on to survive. Our water, air, soil, and food are constantly under fire from pesticides, hormones, chemical run-off, car exhaust fumes, factory sludge, air pollution, & improperly disposed chemical garbage, among many other toxic offenders. These are the facts and they aren’t pretty. If you are feeling a bit lost, have no fear. I have made your struggle a bit easier by handing you common-sense suggestions on a silver platter…

FOOD – Only 2% of leftover food is recycled, as compared to 50% of used paper, and 33% of used metal. “The largest segment of the waste stream still going into the garbage is food waste,” said Mindy S. Lubber, Regional Administrator for EPA New England. “Because food decomposes so fast, it can leach into groundwater and cause contamination. ”

Stop by your local soup kitchen and donate leftovers. Whatever leftovers you have will be appreciated. One year I collected hundreds of take-out sauces, ketchup, dips, that I found in my kitchen & took 2 huge bags of it down to the local food line. It was all I had, but I just couldn’t stand the thought of dumping it in the garbage when someone down on his/her luck may gain a little pleasure from a little tidbit that we all usually take for granted. One mans garbage is another mans treasure….

Compost your leftovers and food scraps. I recently set up my compost bin. Set up took about 10 minutes and was the best thing I ever did. No longer do I shake my head with regret while condemning certain food items to the trash. Egg shells, squeezed lemons, tea bags, carrot tops, anything once living can go, EXCEPT animal products such as cheese, bones, oils, and meats. These accepted items are considered ‘greens’ and are 1/2 of the composting equation. Not only are you reducing waste, but you are also making nutrient -rich soil to use in your yard or garden. Find out more about it at www.composting101.com.

Check out a new non-profit called replate.org. Their campaign focuses on leaving leftovers on top of public trash cans (in doggie bags) where they can be easily spotted by those living on the street in search of food. If this seems a bit unsavory just bag it up, it’s no biggie… it’s better than throwing it away to rot. Seek them out, you may be able to start a campaign where YOU live.

Rockandwrapitup.org is another like-minded non-profit putting leftover food to good use. This non-profit organization collects leftovers on a bigger scale from sporting events, concerts, & political rallies. They have worked with over 500 bands to re-distribute nourishment and reduce needless food waste. If you are organizing an event, please give rockandwrapitup.org a shout.

Save a tree, I dare you.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, in 2008 each office worker living in our industrialized world will burn through more than 10k sheets of paper. This equates to 1.2 trees *per person* every year. Half of the Earth’s forests have been logged, & only 1/5 of old-growth forests remain intact. Here’s what YOU can do to help shrink your paper footprint at home and work:
-If each household replaced ONE roll of conventional toilet paper with a 100% recycled roll…this would save 423,900 trees.
-Purchase recycled paper.
-Print ONLY when absolutely necessary, and keep records in your computer.
-Narrow your margins. This is a tiny act that can actually save hundreds of pieces of paper every year. You can also sign the petition to encourage Microsoft to decrease standard margins in Word from 1.25 inches to .75 inches. changethemargins.com.
-collect your extra scrap paper in a box under your desk, and shred important documents. Take these to your recycle center once or twice a month.
-END JUNK MAIL by registering on greendimes.com OR catalogchoice.org
-go to forestethics.org to sign a petition to Congress to enact a Do Not Mail registry
-patronize only paper-product companies that use sustainable practices at nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp
-learn more at: environmentalpaper.org, www2.edf.org/papercalculator, & panda.org [type *paper toolbox* into the search box]

Green Habit

Old habits die hard, especially when it comes to cleaning your abode. We learn how to clean from our mothers who only had chemically-laden toxic
cleaners at their disposal. In this day and age we have countless natural cleaners available, but the most effective AND affordable choices are probably already in your kitchen cabinet. Why switch? Old containers of toxic cleaners can emit toxins into the air. Also, don’t forget that these chemicals get deposited into the environment when you flush them down your sink or toilet… Read on:

Alka-Seltzer Tablets – talk about versatile. To clean your commode: Drop in 2 tabs, let sit/fizz and use toilet brush…works great. To clean glass baking dishes drop 3 tabs in hot water and let sit, rinse. To whiten whites: soak your white cotton items in a gallon of warm water and two tabs to brighten. To freshen your fridge: dissolve a tab in a cup of water and let fizz inside fridge. Repeat for tougher odors.

Lemon Juice – dissolves soap scum and hard water deposits. Grind up a peel in your garbage disposal to cleanse the drain. Add baking soda to half a lemon (sans juice) and use it to scrub out your sink and tub…then take a bath to relax in your clean tub (100% pure & natural bath salts found locally through www.naturalsundae.com)

Baking Soda – add to laundry to absorb nasty odors, create a paste water/lemon juice to clean sinks, counters, & bathtubs.

Borax – Mix 2 cups with 25 drops lavender essential oil and sprinkle on carpet (using an empty spice bottle) to absorb odors. Let sit 10 minutes and vacuum.

*Distilled White Vinegar-*get your streak-free shine *naturally* using 1 part vinegar and 1 part warm water. Can use on floors, mirrors, glass (not marble). Can also be added to laundry to soften fabrics, but don’t fret, the odor fades as the liquid dries.

Essential Oils – pressed from flowers, herbs, grasses, & citrus fruits, these aromatic oils have antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti fungal properties. The germ killing possibilities are endless: to freshen laundry, add 30 drops to wash cycle. To freshen your air add 1 tsp to 1 cup purified water (or go to www.naturalsundae.com), add to baking soda for naturally effective carpet cleaner, add 2 drops to toilet water to freshen bathroom,
Powdered Oxygen Bleach – this eco-friendly version of bleach releases oxygen to clean, & is made by treating soda ash or borax with hydrogen peroxide so it is non-toxic and effective.

Ok, so that didn’t hurt did it? If you take the time to try and care more about the resources which we all often take for granted, and upon which we depend for life you may find that you feel like a million bucks, even if you didn’t start out caring at all. You may just surprise yourself and find new inspiration to help carry you through this little journey called ‘life’. Now get going . . .

For more eco-friendly cleaning tips please check out:

www.planetgreen.discovery.com

www.thedailygreen.com

www.greenlivingideas.com

www.naturalsundae.com

Gimme some truth…

NaturalSundae — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:45:01 +0000

I just read the new spin article about Pearl Jam & their latest album ‘Backspacer’…and I feel like I’ve just lost a friend.

As a dedicated, longtime fan I feel I must give a bit of background before I continue, so you don’t misunderstand my point of view. I have been a dedicated & devoted fan of Pearl Jam for the last 14 years, I found them in 1995. I was introduced to their music at a pivotal time in my life…just graduating college, embarking on a life of my own, & out from under my parents roof, rules, and opinions. I was introduced to Pearl Jam’s music through a friend at the time, and even though I never felt close to the person, I can’t ever forget the one positive thing they gave me. To me, Pearl Jam was a symbol. A symbol I have a hard time putting into words. They stood for what was right, whether it be by fighting the ‘machine’ to keep ticket prices down for fans, donating proceeds to charities and causes, promoting awareness about the importance of voting, & making our voices get heard. What attracted me most to them was their integrity, the unwillingness to bend or bow to anything that compromised the music or took advantage of the organic process of making music..this includes writing the songs themselves(as opposed to studio ghost writers), playing the music themselves(as opposed to ghost musicians), and using the resources around them in a way that respects the creative process as well as the world around them. They had the ability to make beautiful music ..music that I would make if I could. They have a platform, to say all the things that we feel but don’t get heard. Each and every album they have made thus far is a great reflection of the inner turmoil going on inside of us and inside the world in which we live. My copies of these albums are very well worn and each has served me well over and over and over again. The humble, brave, and independent attitude behind the music is the seed from which all the magic has grown..

Pearl Jam is a band that is aware how much their die-hard fans love and stand behind their music…never have they bent to satisfy trends or generations of society, and that is why they are so loved. They satisfy the need for music that means something. They make music built on integrity and respect..respect for the music, the fans, & most importantly, truth.

That is why I am so perplexed after reading the Spin article. I realize that most everyone in the band has children now, and most of the guys are married and in their forties ..yes, you’d expect some changes in speed, productivity, less free time now spent with wives and kids. But its the words that they speak..these reflected new attitudes sound nothing like the guys I once depended on for inspiration to never give up(as depicted in a 1991 Pearl Jam “don’t give up” t-shirt.) Suddenly I’m reading Mike (McCready- lead guitar) say that if they have to make a song that sounds like a mainstream radio hit to entice a new generation of fans, that’s OK…and I’m reading Jeff (Ament-Bass guitar) say that its OK to make commercials and sell the album at Target, because they were on Sony for 20 years…and I’m reading Eddie (Vedder-Vocals, guitar) say that he doesn’t want to play to just old people.[excuse me, those so-called old people are your die hard fans and I am one of them ......fans who have traveled thousands of miles, slept in countless parking lots and car seats, lived on pretzels and bagels, and endured the awesome-ness of getting bashed, bruised, & kicked in the head countless times to be able to be front row at a general admission show(which are no more)]…THAT is your audience ..WE grew up with you, we have related practically every song to a part in our lives…we have lived your music..and the reason why? Because you were coming from the right place..a place we totally related to..a place we felt was fair..a place where we had the courage to stand up for what we believe in…just like you have so many times…what happened?

Now you are saying you need to overcome the past ’sabotage’? What do you mean? Are you calling the last 20 years of fighting for your ideals , helping others, and really truly making a difference in peoples lives…do you call this sabotage? Do you know what that feels like to read those words on paper? My stomach dropped and the world felt a little off balance. The reason I loved the music so much, aside from the fact that it totally rocks out, is that fact that it came from an honest place, a raw and unpolished and unashamed place. A place that was not afraid to stand up and be different and not contribute to problems and injustices…now you are basically saying all the ‘fighting’ was sabotage..you shop at Target and wanna make more money…more money?

How can I continue believing in your music, if you don’t believe in your music..I am not a big fan of the new album and this is a first for me. I believe the quality of this album (which in my opinion is the weakest to date) directly reflects the new-found mainstream-friendly attitudes of the band…there’s no other way to explain such a departure from the quality and fierce emotion Pearl Jam always delivers, until now.

Don’t get me wrong. Just because I am disappointed and confused with the direction of this album & its lyrics doesn’t mean I have lost my faith in Pearl Jam. They are still very dear to my heart and I will continue to be faithful that the guys will make a come back . I know they can get right…. again.

Sundae Thomas-Ford

Lotion Potion is in motion…

NaturalSundae — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:24:53 +0000

Ha! Now that I have your attention, I am so happy to say that our new products are on the way! Listen to me rhyme! I am on a roll folks… After hours and hours of high pressure labor and mental exhaustion, I can finally say they are finished..finito..DONE..that’s all she wrote.

Loaded with tons of skin nourishing ingredients like vitamin e, orchid extract, acai berry oil, coenzyme Q10, green tea, shea butter, etc..the list goes on & on.. and the mystery does not stop there…

THIS lotion potion is not like any you have seen before..but I will keep it in the box until the unveiling..

Now that I have peaked your interest, it is time to go..stay tuned to NaturalSundae.com for more information about this mysterious & secret concoction!!!

It’s not the cows fault….

NaturalSundae — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:13:41 +0000

OK people, most of you think that the major player in global warming is technology and the by-products of big industry…this is all TRUE. But now take into consideration that there may be other factors involved…factors that are normally only equated with the slow demise of nothing more than our ever-expanding gluttonous American waistlines. My friends, I’m talkin ’bout the beef. I have a beef with the beef. Not the cows themselves mind you, they certainly did not willingly contribute to this problem of ours. I’m referring to the ‘meat industry”..the ‘industry of meat’…’the beef biz’…..whatever you want to call it, it is rapidly coaxing our precious & life-sustaining atmosphere down a pathway to hell.

Did you know that in 1997 the American meat industry produced more than 1.4 billion tons of combined wastes, and accounts for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions? That sucks. That equates to 5 tons for every person and 130 times the volume of human waste. Gross. The dangerous part of the equation is that methane, a global warming gas 23x more potent than Co2 comes from many human sources, but livestock account for 37% of its total.

Waste pollution is just ONE of the terrible side effects of the meat industry. But have no fear, there is more waste coming right up. 8 % of the WORLD’S water is consumed from livestock production, causes 55% of land erosion, uses 37% of all pesticides, directly/indirectly results in 50% of all antibiotic use, & dumps a third of all nitrogen and phosphorus into global freshwater supplies. Fantastic.

ALSO, raising livestock is the single largest human-related use of land. Now we come to grazing…ah grazing. Grazing occupies 26% of the ice-free & water-free surface of the planet and cropland to feed those animlas devours 33% of earth’s arable land. All that grazing leaves a mark. 20% of the world’s pastures and rangelands have been degraded through erosion, soil compaction, & yes, overgrazing.

Wait, there’s more. Meat production leads to deforestation too, and to top it all off, grazing now occupies 70% of previously forested land in the amazon region.

Wonder what else is screwed up? The food fed to animals could be fed to starving people. Livestock eat 90% of the US Soy crop, 80% of the corn, and 70% of the grain crops produced in industrial nations.

What else? Livestock are forcing other animals out & with species loss accelerating, livestock now account for 20% of the biomass on the planet.

Nevertheless, Americans did not alter their lifestyles. The average person in 2003 ate more than 90 pounds of meat, double that of 50 years ago.

Don’t forget all the HUMAN health concerns it boasts. Let’s start with the increased rick of colon cancer, inflammation, heart disease, body system disruptions due to added hormones, increased risk for high cholesterol, the list just goes on and on…

So what are we going to do about it?
#1 EAT LESS MEAT
#2 GET INFORMED
#3 CARE MORE

Source of information: Jim Motavalli for Natural Awakenings Magazine

Shaking it to keep it fresh…

NaturalSundae — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:28:16 +0000

Sometimes all you have to do is give it a little shake to keep it fresh, so we are shaking things up to keep Natural Sundae super fresh and cutting edge. We have several new things brewing and we can’t wait to share! First off, we have been busy at Rokosz Media’s Studio (St. Pete, FL) making videos for our website. Now, each time you visit the site you will be greeted personally by me, Sundae, as well as briefly informed about each of our 8 product lines. It’s the next best thing to having me personally help you decide which aromatherapy products fit your needs.

Just when you think we couldn’t possibly add MORE to our store …we are doing just that. We have a few secrets up our sleeves and want you to be the very first to know about our new product addictions…I mean additions. Truly, we know these products are going to prove addictive, so get ready. We are so cloak and dagger right now, because our 2 new products are not currently offered ANYWHERE. We are proud of how these evolved from unique ideas to solid performance products virtually overnight. We will fill you in when when we are finished, but for now we have to keep them under wraps…

The bright new spots in our menu belong to the products I CAN dish about.
First off: Our NEW Economy Size 32 oz. Sugar Scrubs @ $34. Enjoy our original yummy 8 scent blends with the lowest price per ounce yet. At $1.06 per perfect ounce, it’s sweet, sugary heaven for your skin! If you have used our SunScrubs before you know what all the fuss is about, and if you haven’t yet NOW is the time to try them. The economy size is perfect for businesses with multiple users, or consumers needing a dependable stash of exfoliating & moisturizing goodness.

Second: Coming Soon..SOLID LOTION BARS. These are super. Quick, easy, portable, and a great solution for those looking for something more than typical water-based liquid lotions that spill, drip, & leak. We package our lotion bars in sleek 2 oz. aluminum containers you can take anywhere. The DIFFERENCE in our lotion bars is that they are made with the best oils, butters, and botanical ingredients. Melted by your body heat they immediately soften, and disperse easily & evenly leaving your skin like velvet. Once completely absorbed you will not believe you ever used anything else. No kidding. Natural oils are not to be feared! Some folks have misunderstandings about oils when in fact, if allowed to absorb they are very effective at keeping your skin moisturized and healthy down to the cellular level. We are talking portable, convenient, & effective without the greasy, oily, sticky mess…YES!!!

To market, To market…
We are still out and about rocking the local market scene..come by the Natural Sundae tent/table & say Hi!

July 17th Third Friday Music Series Event -Main Street, Safety Harbor 6-10pm
July 18th St. Pete Saturday Summer Market- Mahaffey Theater Parking Garage 9-1pm
July 27th Homegrown Cards & Unique Gifts- Pinellas Park, FL 10-2pm
Aug 1st St. Pete Saturday Summer Market- Mahaffey Theater Parking Garage 9-1pm
Aug 7th & 8th Village Health Market 5th Anniv. Celebration- 3225 S. MacDill Ave, Tampa
Aug 15th St. Pete Saturday Summer Market- Mahaffey Theater Parking Garage 9-1pm
Aug 22nd St. Pete Saturday Summer Market- Mahaffey Theater Parking Garage 9-1pm

Did you know?
On a serious note, are you aware that every Styrofoam take-home container you bring your food home in takes ONE MILLION YEARS to decompose? ONE MILLION YEARS. The thought of that makes me ill and is so heinous that I am completely amazed that the government still allows the restaurant industry to use them. Heaps and heaps of old, dirty Styrofoam containers sitting in landfills rotting away and contaminating the earth…for A MILLION YEARS…There MUST be a better alternative, here are some below:

Bring your own. I know, I know, but if you are coming from home, take the initiative..grab a Tupperware container and leave it in the car. If you have leftovers that you wish to bring home, just go get it…problem solved! You have better things to worry about than how your server will look at you for doing it..start a trend yourself and make it cool. If you have room in your trunk leave a few in there, so you don’t have to micro manage the situation…be prepared. (tip: those that fit inside each other work great, they are different sizes for different portion needs and take up less space).

Don’t over-order! Talk about killing 2 birds with one stone. This may be the solution to keep both your waist AND your waste to a minimum.

Talk to your local restaurant managers and complain. Ask them to find another alternative. You have a conscience and will not dine there until they switch to environmentally friendly to-go boxes.

Well, there you have it. Good stuff and not-so-good stuff to share, but it is all important, relevant to our times, and paramount to maintaining a healthy body and a clean planet…after all, we are ALL ONE, right?

Peace,
Natural Sundae

Natural Sundae takes it to the people!!!

NaturalSundae — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:00:18 +0000

We are loving life!! Natural Sundae has been enjoying a whopping spike in sales directly due to direct marketing and participation in festivals, markets, local charity events, & arts and crafts fairs. Every Saturday swing by the Natural Sundae tent at the St. Pete Saturday Morning Market for a cool demonstration on one of our 8 product lines. We have the most interesting set-up now! With the addition of our demonstration sink, passers by are drawn by the wonderful aromas and chance to try the sugar scrub! 95% of those who try the sugar scrubs are purchasing one, two, & even three jars! It is amazing! We are having a blast meeting so many cool people. We really get a chance to speak with like minded folks who share the same environmental concerns, & ideas about the importance of protecting our planet and natural resources.We are in business to offer you natural ways to care for your whole being, we are here for you. To answer questions, to give you information, and help you see through the commercially chemical haze…

Having said that, we are constantly amazed at YOUR knowledge! We LOVE it when you stop by and teach US something new! The other day we met a new friend Ron. Ron told us all about the health benefits of ’sprouting’..meaning eating sprouted food products like broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, and more. We learned that sprouted food is 100 times for nutritional than it’s grown counterpart. And that if you eat according to your blood type, your blood will be healthy and be able to support and protect your body at it’s peak level of performance. If you do not eat according to your blood type, and your blood contains elements that make it ’sick’, it can become sticky. It will not run through your body at peak levels, and that any toxins inside the blood will also stick in your blood vessels and accumulate in one spot where it can cause terrible damage. These facts plus a million amazed me and made me thankful that information alwayas seems to run both ways…and information is POWER!

So what I really believe is that in the end, is that we are here to help and empower each other. Power against toxic choices, power against blind faith, and power against unworthy corporations. Take what you know and pass it on…peace.

MSG- Monosodium Glutmate….ridiculous, repulsive, risky, irresponsible

NaturalSundae — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:21:59 +0000

Hello all,

It’s been a while since I last wrote, but I came across this information in an e-mail passed along to me, and the information was too valuable to not pass along to you all…it is a bit lengthy, but PLEASE READ IT. You will be disgusted and angered by the blatant use of MSG to save money, addict us to certain unhealthy foods, & keep big restaurant chains and big food corporations living the high life with big fat wallets at the expense of consumer health.

Read On…

The food additive MSG (Mono-Sodium Glutamate) is a slow poison. MSG hides
behind 25 or more names, such as Natural Flavoring.” MSG is even in your
favorite coffee from Tim Horton’s and Starbucks coffee shops!

I wondered if there could be an actual chemical causing the massive
obesity epidemic, and so did a friend of mine, John Erb. He was a research
assistant at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, and spent
years working for the government. He made an amazing discovery while
going through scientific journals for a book he was writing called The Slow
Poisoning of America .

In hundreds of studies around the world, scientists were creating
obese mice and rats to use in diet or diabetes test studies. No strain of
rat or mice is naturally obese, so scientists have to create them. They
make these creatures morbidly obese by injecting them with MSG when they are
first born.

The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates, causing
rats(and perhaps humans) to become obese. They even have a name for the
fat rodents they create: “MSG-Treated Rats.”

When I heard this, I was shocked. I went into my kitchen and checked
the cupboards and the refrigerator. MSG was in everything — the Campbell
’s soups, the Hostess Doritos, the Lays flavored potato chips, Top
Ramen,Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, Heinz canned gravy, Swanson frozen
prepared meals, and Kraft salad dressings, especially the “healthy low-fat”
ones.

The items that didn’t have MSG marked on the product label had
something called “Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein,” which is just another name
for Monosodium Glutamate.

It was shocking to see just how many of the foods we feed our children
everyday are filled with this stuff. MSG is hidden under many different
names in order to fool those who read the ingredient list, so that they
don’t catch on. (Other names for MSG are “Accent, “Aginomoto,” “Natural
Meat Tenderizer,” etc.)

But it didn’t stop there.

When our family went out to eat, we started asking at the restaurants
what menu items contained MSG. Many employees, even the managers, swore
they didn’t use MSG. But when we ask for the ingredient list, which they
grudgingly provided, sure enough, MSG and Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein were
everywhere.

Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, every restaurant — even
the sit-down eateries like TGIF, Chili’s, Applebee’s, and Denny’s — use MSG
in abundance. Kentucky Fried Chicken seemed to be the WORST offender: MSG
was in every chicken dish, salad dressing. and gravy. No wonder I loved to
eat that coating on the skin — their secret spice was MSG!

So why is MSG in so many of the foods we eat?
Is it a preservative, or a vitamin?

Not according to my friend John Erb. In his book The Slow Poisoning
of America , he said that MSG is added to food for the addictive effect it
has on the human body.

Even the propaganda website sponsored by the food manufacturers lobby
group supporting MSG explains that the reason they add it to food is to make
people eat more.

A study of the elderly showed that older people eat more of the foods
that it is added to. The Glutamate Association lobbying group says eating
more is a benefit to the elderly, but what does it do to the rest of us?

“Betcha can’t eat [just] one,” takes on a whole new meaning where MSG
is concerned! And we wonder why the nation is overweight!

MSG manufacturers themselves admit that it addicts people to their
products. It makes people choose their product over others, and makes
people eat more of it than they would if MSG wasn’t added.

Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an
addictive substance. Since its introduction into the American food supply
fifty years ago,MSG has been added in larger and larger doses to the
pre-packaged meals,soups, snacks, and fast foods we are tempted to eat
everyday.

The FDA has set no limits on how much of it can be added to food. They
claim it’s safe to eat in any amount. But how can they claim it’s safe when
there are hundreds of scientific studies with titles like
these:

“The monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rat as a model for the study of
exercise in obesity.” Gobatto CA, Mello MA, Souza CT , Ribeiro IA. Res
Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 2002.

“Adrenalectomy abolishes the food-induced hypothalamic serotonin
release in both normal and monosodium glutamate-obese rats.” Guimaraes RB,
Telles MM, Coelho VB, Mori C, Nascimento CM, Ribeiro. Brain Res Bull. 2002
Aug.

‘Obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment in spontaneously
hypertensive rats: An animal model of multiple risk factors.”
Iwase M, Yamamoto M, Iino K, Ichikawa K, Shinohara N, Yoshinari Fujishima.
Hypertens Res. 1998 Mar.

“Hypothalamic lesion induced by injection of monosodium glutamate in
suckling period and subsequent development of obesity.” Tanaka K, Shimada
M, Nakao K Kusunoki. Exp Neurol. 1978 Oct.

No, the date of that last study was not a typo; it was published in
1978. Both the “medical research community” and “food manufacturers” have
known about the side effects of MSG for decades.

Many more of the studies mentioned in John Erb’s book link MSG to
diabetes, migraines and headaches, autism, ADHD, and even Alzheimer’s.

So what can we do to stop the food manufactures from dumping this
fattening and addictive MSG into our food supply and causing the obesity
epidemic we now see?

Several months ago, John Erb took his book and his concerns to one of
the highest government health officials in Canada . While he was sitting in
the government office, the official told him, “Sure, I know how bad MSG is.
I wouldn’t touch the stuff.” But this top-level government official refuses
to tell the public what he knows.

The big media doesn’t want to tell the public either, fearing issues
with their advertisers. It seems that the fallout on the fast food industry
may hurt their profit margin. The food producers and restaurants have been
addicting us to their products for years, and now we are paying the price
for it. Our children should not be cursed with obesity caused by an addictive food
additive.

But what can I do about it? I’m just one voice!
What can I do to stop the poisoning of our children, while our governments
are insuring financial protection for the industry that is poisoning us?

This message is going out to everyone I know in an attempt to tell you
the truth that the corporate-owned politicians and media won’t tell you.

The best way you can help to save yourself and your children from this
drug-induced epidemic is to forward this article to everyone. With any
luck, it will circle the globe before politicians can pass the legislation
protecting those who are poisoning us.

The food industry learned a lot from the tobacco industry. Imagine if
big tobacco had a bill like this in place before someone blew the whistle on
nicotine?

If you are one of the few who can still believe that MSG is good for
us and you don’t believe what John Erb has to say, see for yourself. Go to
the National Library of Medicine at www.pubmed.com. Type in the words “MSG
Obese” and read a few of the 115 medical studies that appear.

We the public do not want to be rats in one giant experiment, and we
do not approve of food that makes us into a nation of obese,
lethargic,addicted sheep, feeding the food industry’s bottom line while
waiting for the heart transplant, the diabetic-induced amputation,
blindness, or other obesity-induced, life-threatening disorders.

With your help we can put an end to this poison.
Do your part in sending this message out by word of mouth, e-mail, or by
distribution of this printout to your friends all over the world and stop
this “Slow Poisoning of Mankind” by the packaged food industry.

Blowing the whistle on MSG is our responsibility, so get the word out.

Take it for what it is worth, but it seems like the rich corporations get away with anything they want. They can re-name and add a known dangerous & addicting food additive to the foods we eat as well as the foods we choose to feed our families and children. How long will this be allowed? It is up to US..The American People, The Consumers of this food to STAND UP, SPEAK OUT, AND STOP LOOKING THE OTHER WAY.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW: VOICE YOUR DISGUST AND OPPOSITION
Speak with Restaurant Managers, General Managers , & Restaurant servers, and ask to see ingredients of menu items. Stir things up, make a fuss, share your opinion. Voice concern & disagreement at the inclusion of MSG into our food. Write or call the big food manufacturers and complain as well. Tell them you will stop buying their products until they take out MSG. Call your congressman, governor, senator, and complain about the inclusion of MSG in most restaurant food and store-bought processed food items.

Below are some handy numbers to help you take action!!

FL Congressman- google search by your area
FL Governor- Charlie Crist
FL Senator-Bill Nelson
FDA- Food and Drug Administration-1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) address below:

Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

Green Drink Recipe

NaturalSundae — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:35:58 +0000

Hi Folks, last Friday I posted some information about a green drink recipe for today…listen up & do this… I love this drink & fully believe in it’s power to:

-detoxify the liver
-build the blood
-protect the esophageal tract from cancer
-reduce histamine responses to allergies
-re-establish your acid/alkaline balance
-extremely beneficial to hair/skin/nails
-protect veins from varicosities
-protect from environmental pollutants
-reduce body odor

here goes: you need only 4 ingredients

1. pure water – 1 quart
2. liquid chlorophyll – 1 tbsp
3. aloe vera juice – 1/2 tsp
4. DMAE-H3 – 1 dropper full

Make your quart of green drink and I suggest using a ‘drink bottle’ you can carry around with you without spilling, tipping, etc.. When you drink half of it, refill the other half with pure water, lowering the concentration of the mix. This will still give you a beneficial amount of both nutrients and water. Continue to fill up after 1/2 the amount is consumed throughout the day.

KEEP ALOE JUICE REFRIGERATED
KEEP CHLOROPHYLL REFRIGERATED..and IT WILL STAIN CLOTHING
Do not refrigerate DMAE-H3

Suggested brands:
-Aloe Vera Juice- any quality brand, not bought in gallon sizes.
-Chlorophyll- Inner Fresh or Natural Way..I suggest the mint flavored choice…very very mild and neutral
-DMAE-H3- TwinLab

take the time to make this drink & you will be healthier for it! ENJOY!!!!!

Tips for sick bodies

NaturalSundae — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:22:08 +0000

What’s up people? Just a quick word up to all the sickies out there- and by this I mean those that are under the weather, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, achy, & yucky-feeling. Take a trip to the health food store & pick up some Oscillococcinum…or Oscillo. This homeopathic flu medicine is very useful for bronchial congestion and nagging coughs, and it’s most effective when taken right away, at the first sign of symptoms…so don’t wait!!!
ALSO- drink up!! Get your hands on some Carrot Juice. Carrot Juice is very effective in dispelling mucus from the ear, nose and throat area, easing nasal congestion, sinusitis, phlegm and mucus in the throat and other similar disorders.
Next is Vitamin A. Get your hands on 20k(yes, 20,000) IU twice daily for 1 month, then reduce to 15,000 IU daily. IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, DO NOT EXCEED 10,000 IU DAILY. This is very important for healing & protection of all tissues.
And don’t forget about good old Vitamin C…if you wan to BLAST those germs out fast, then load up! Consume between 3,000 and 10,000 mg daily. I recommend 10,000 for 4 to 5 days..this will really send the germs a runnin’, and get your immune system back up to speed. Reduce to between 3k-5k for the next 4 days, and continue to take between 1k-3k for the next 4 days. Vitamin C enhances immune system function and reduces histamine levels (histamine is a protein involved in many allergic reactions in the body). Recommended form- Powder ..buy EmergenC (pronounced just like emergency) found at any pharmacy store or most grocery stores.

If you have it handy:
Zinc Lozenges- help repair tissues. USe one 15mg lozenge 5 times a day, BUT DO NOT EXCEED A TOTAL OF 100MG DAILY OF ZINC FROM ALL SUPPLEMENTS!
Coenzyme Q-10- take 60mg daily for improved circulation & breathing.
Vitamin E- this powerful free radical scavenger & oxygen carrier is needed for repair & healing of tissues and breathing. Take 400 IU and up twice daily. TAKE WITH VITAMIN C FOR OPTIMAL ABSORPTION.
Chlorophyll-or green drinks (includes wheatgrass & Kyo-green). These wonder nutrients improve circulation, and keep tissues free of toxic substances. use liquid or tablet form.

In regards to Chlorophyll above, I will be posting a highly beneficial & neutral tasting green drink on Monday. I drink this ALL THE TIME, I keep a gallon of this recipe made in my fridge and sip on it throughout the day. Even though it is green, Do NOT BE FOOLED…it does not taste green…I love it, and can’t wait to share it with you. It is so good for detoxification, keeping your PH balance healthy, helping maintain blood sugar levels, and keeping the liver nice & clean.

That’s it folks, those are my words of wisdom. I hope you find some help from the winter weather, & how the weather and stress affect our bodies and let our immune systems down so that germs can invade.

Any questions? Feel free to e-mail me at naturalsundae@gmail.com any time.

Peace.

So there you have it…get going!!