Jeneration Eden

Category: Children

  • Quick Kitchen Wisdom for 2014

    Quick Kitchen Wisdom for 2014

     

     

     

    This post first ran on igokids.com. 

    The kitchen is at the heart of my very busy life. My four children’s ample appetites guarantee that I’m a regular in that space, faithfully whipping up meals, snacks and drinks like a pro. And while I’ve learned that homemade whole wheat pizza is really tasty and that spinach can be secretively blended into a smoothie, I’ve also learned that the kitchen is ground zero for many common, synthetic chemicals that can find their way into children’s very vulnerable bodies. The best take-home lesson though, is that there’s quite a bit we can do to protect our families from these toxicants.

    Other than promising to shed unwanted pounds and vowing to spend less time on your cell phone, resolve to ring in 2014 with some easy actions that will banish certain chemicals from your kids’ diets and help green up your kitchen as well.

    Opt for organic: Pesticides – many of which are carcinogenic and neurotoxic – are a particular menace to children’s growing bodies. But fear not. You can reduce your child’s exposure to these synthetic chemicals without turning over your whole kitchen. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s list of the most contaminated produce – which includes many kid faves such as apples, grapes and strawberries – at http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php, choose you family’s mainstays from the list and buy them organic. This is a great way to protect your kids without breaking the bank.

    Score some stainless steel: Six years ago I snatched up a bunch of stainless steel water bottles from hwww.kleankanteen.com/ and, since then, my kids have rarely put a plastic bottle to their lips. And that’s a very good thing. Single use and reusable plastic bottles can leach endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens and they further our reliance on petrochemicals. In addition, bottled water is often not regulated; filtered tap water is a better option.

    Nix the non-stick: Your might think that your non-stick pans are vital to Sunday brunch, but your weekends will look a lot healthier without them. The gasses that are released from brand name coatings like Teflon are highly toxic and linked to many health problems including developmental concerns and cancer. They’re nothing you want your kids breathing in. So start by swapping a few non-stick pans for stainless steel or cast iron ones; you can find some great stainless options at allcookwarefind.com. They are safe and, with a little EVOO warmed up, your omelets will slide off of them just beautifully.

     

     

  • Paint it Green

    Paint it Green

     

     

     

    This post first ran on Wellroundedny.com 

    Lemon Sorbet. A tart and yummy dessert, yes, but also the sweet yellow color my husband and I chose when planning our first nursery, 12 1/2 years ago (ok fine, I chose it and he said something along the lines of “Yes Jen, it’s great!”). In any case, as you can deduce from the noncommittal shade, we didn’t know the gender of the first Eden child, but, unfortunately, that wasn’t the only thing we didn’t know.

    During those heady days of my first pregnancy, I was totally green — and by that I don’t mean nauseous or environmentally aware. In fact, quite the opposite on both fronts; I never had a smidge of morning sickness and I was woefully unsophisticated when it came to the potential hazards of nursery painting. I knew that household paints no longer contained lead and I knew not to be the one to actually take brush to wall (the smell would be unpleasant and ladder climbing was low on my to-do list). But there was quite a bit more that I didn’t know and, over time, I learned of the many nasty chemicals in conventional paint, ones that could be unhealthy for mother-to-be and for baby as well, even as the shade looks pretty on the wall.

    Toluene, formaldehyde, benzene. These toxicants are just a few of the many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were once necessary to the performance of paint. They invisibly vaporize in liquid and solid form, and can offgas at differing levels for years, contributing to very poor indoor air quality. In addition, certain paints labeled “antimicrobial” or “antibacterial” may contain harmful chemicals that can emit over time as well. Many brands have replaced the above chemicals with less-toxic ingredients, but these toxicants may still be found in certain conventional paints – the kind you might buy if you don’t know better.

    But guess what – now you know better! To avoid the acute symptoms of VOC exposure (headaches and dizziness) as well as the potential long term problems (cancer, nervous system issues), there is plenty you can do. Herewith, some advice for protecting you and your belly, as well as some colorful paint brand choices for the room your babe will call home.

  • Shoo, shoes!

    Shoo, shoes!

    I have a bad reputation. Oh stop it, not in that way. No, my bad rep comes from my insistence that anyone who comes into our home has to take off his shoes. And wash his hands. And do a little jig. Ok, not that last one.

    But I’m hard-ass about the first two and for good reason. Leaving shoes at the door and washing hands can reduce toxicants in the home up to 60%. That’s 60% fewer carcinogens, neurotoxins and infectious bacteria in your home. That’s 60% fewer dangerous chemicals in your child’s bedroom.

    We started these practices on the advice of our pediatrician when our first child was born and 12 years/4 children later I’m still pretty adamant about it. And my friends know it.

    Yeah, people get annoyed at the no-kicks rule, even if they don’t have holes in their socks or chipped pedicures. But I don’t care! Because I’ve learned that sticking to this practice is an awesome way to:

    1) Keep pesticides, arsenic, lead and other hard metals off our bedroom floors (the EPA has found that pesticides on shoes is a real source of toxic exposure for kids)

    2) Stop dog excrement and other bacteria from getting on my kitchen tiles (and while we’re on it, scoop up after your pooches, people)

    3) Keep grime out of the mouths of babes (they crawl, they touch, they eat)

    4) Protect wood floors from getting scratched and carpets from getting muddied (yup, I care about aesthetics too)

    5) Avoid howling kids (someone with extremely pointy shoes once stepped on my daughter’s tiny toe and I swear, from the sound of it, she now knows the pain of childbirth)

    Same idea for hand-washing. Sure, you enjoyed that peach on the way over here, but I’d rather those pesticides on your fingers not muck up my fridge handle. So come on in, knock off your shoes, head over to the bathroom and wash pesticides, bacteria, BPA (from handling receipts, for example) and germs off your hands. And no shortcuts. Use the soap – that’s why it’s there.

    I’ve trained my kids well in both these practices and its all become second nature to them. They take off their shoes and wash their hands without even thinking.

    Now I readily admit that I bend the rules sometimes. For our big housewarming party, I really wanted to wear my new stilettos and the hostess in me couldn’t, in good conscience, make everyone else go barefoot. And frankly, flexibility is key, in many aspects of life. Although I did make everyone do a jig.

    But really folks, this one is easy. Adopt these simple, yet powerful habits and you’ll reduce toxicants and increase indoor air quality in your home. And, hey, let your reputation precede you.

  • “Toxic Hot Seat” — Watch and Burn

    “Toxic Hot Seat” — Watch and Burn

     

     

     

    The highlight of my week was seeing Senator Barbara Boxer, California Democrat and chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, stick it to ‘Big Chemical’ with the very simplest of questions.

    But I didn’t get that thrill at a hearing in Washington. In fact I was much closer to home, in New York City’s West Village, at the premiere of the very compelling and entertaining HBO documentary Toxic Hot Seat, co-directed by filmmakers Kirby Walker and James Redford. The film was part of DOC NYC – New York’s annual documentary film festival.

    In 90 minutes time, Toxic Hot Seat clearly and expertly unravels the history behind our country’s decades-old love affair with flame retardant chemicals and delves into the purported efficacy and dangers of those very chemicals, all the while weaving in the personal stories that triggered the movement to rid these persistent poisons from our homes, our bodies, our lives.

    Now, it’s no secret that this sort of stuff automatically gets me going; just the idea of a movie that uncorks the conversation about the toxic soup in which we all live is exciting to me. But this doc will resonate even with those who don’t readily buy into the idea that we’re all a bunch of guinea pigs in a massive, unregulated toxic experiment. The movie is not preachy or forced — it just tells a good, interesting story and offers us the added benefit of an important revelation, however frightening: that the flame retardant chemicals in our furniture, home furnishings, clothes and electronics are not only ineffective and worthless, but actually neurotoxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic, especially to children.

    Speaking of which — back to Senator Boxer’s star turn. The film takes us to a July 2012 hearing focused on whether the EPA had the authority necessary to regulate hazardous chemicals. Senator Boxer posed a direct ‘yes or no’ question: Should chemical manufacturers be required to unbiasedly prove that their products are safe for pregnant women, infants and children before they can be sold?

    Babies. Children. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Well, not exactly for the chemical company reps. The first representative, a marketing director from Great Lakes Solutions, a Chemtura business, struggled to muster a response (and when he did, it was begrudging and quiet) and the second, a lawyer representing big chemical interests, was unable to answer the question at all.

    This really speaks to the heart of the movie — the fact that we, the consumers, have been living at the whim and will of chemical companies seeking only profit and power, regardless of the devastating consequences. It’s not news that this happened with the tobacco industry, but most people would never dream that companies have been hurting us with basic consumer products that should be utterly harmless. Alas, many chemical companies have been doing just that: they’ve been pushing their chemicals for decades – citing flawed studies and erroneous, outdated flammability laws – and have poisoned our living rooms, our family rooms, our bedrooms.

    The movie engages a host of people who tell us this sobering tale from many angles. Among them are firefighters, most notably San Franciscans Tony Stefani (who I had the great pleasure of meeting) and Karen Kerr Stone, who have struggled with illness and loss as a result of high level toxic exposures faced by firefighters country-wide; Patricia Callahan, the award-winning Chicago Tribune investigative reporter who co-wrote “Playing with Fire,” a series which exposed, among other things, chemical industry deception; Arlene Blum, an environmental health chemist who has dedicated her life to pushing for safer chemical standards; Andrew McGuire, a burn victim and grassroots lobbyist; and Hannah Pingree, a young mother and one time politician from Maine. One of the climaxes of the movie was seeing many of these scattered players physically united in Washington, empowered by truth and connected by the common passion to push for reform in order to save lives.

    The timing of this movie could not have been more appropriate for me and my family. We are currently looking for new furniture and I’m dedicated to only buying from furniture companies that have pledged to buck the trend and not use toxic flame retardants (instead they use wool, often organic, which passes all flame tests). But the search is not easy, because most furniture companies still feel compelled to abide by the outdated flammability laws which require the use of the toxic retardants. The good news is that very soon – starting in 2014 – it will become somewhat easier to find safer furniture, as stricter guidelines and even some bans (depending on the state) on the use of toxic chemicals will be set in motion and companies will expressly have the option to opt out of abiding by old flammability laws.

    After the movie I had the honor of talking with one of the directors, Kirby Parker. We bemoaned the fact that not enough people are aware of the problem – something her movie is setting out to change. We discussed that although the fight is a tough one, and one that will not find success overnight, it is of great importance to our nation’s health. If  sweeping change is to happen, then the demand for safe homes has to be loud and clear; we all must insist on healthy spaces for ourselves and for our children. And if the groundswell develops, the furniture companies that provide us with the settings in which we live our lives will have a real impetus to leave the past – and the chemical companies – behind and institute permanent, positive change.

    Toxic Hot Seat premieres on HBO on November 25th at 9pm.

     

     

  • Sun-shy (and Proud of it)

    Sun-shy (and Proud of it)

     

     

     

    Those who know me think that I’m just a degree shy of bonkers when it comes to protecting my kids from the sun. But because studies have shown that 1 in 5 Americans will develop some type of skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, I believe that I’m more sane than most.

    Even though fall is upon us and winter will soon be rearing it’s head, the sun still shines – and if you don’t live in subzero temps and aren’t walking around with your entire head covered, at the very least your face will certainly be exposed to the sun on a regular basis.

    The best way to avoid sun damage – whether in the form of sun spots, aging skin, sun burn and, of course, skin cancer – is to truly limit sun exposure. Yes, the sun provides us with Vitamin D which helps us absorb calcium, but those who are deficient can eat foods and take supplements in order to get those benefits, and excessive, unprotected sun exposure confers much more harm than good.

    In the warmer months, if you try to get your kids to avoid the sun’s dangers by keeping them inside from 10am to 2pm (when the sun’s at its strongest), dressing them in long-sleeve shirts and pants, and forcing them to wear sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats, you’ll have a mutiny on your hands. And in these colder months, kids enjoy plenty of winter sports activities and the sun’s reflection off of the snow right unto a young face can be a recipe for a painful sunburn. And, of course, if a beach vacation is on your holiday schedule, be aware that the sun reflects right off the ocean too.

    Unfortunately, it ain’t as obvious as grabbing any old sunscreen off the shelf at your local store. It turns out that the sun’s rays aren’t the only thing that’s messing with your children’s bodies as they build sandcastles or go snow tubing. It’s also the chemicals inside many bottles of sunscreen that should cause parents to lose sleep.

    So in keeping with reality and safety, I offer some basic  – but very important – info for safeguarding your kids from the sun. Committing these guidelines to memory is really a walk in the park. And the tips are sure to protect your family when you’re taking, well, a walk in the park…

    • AVOID oxybenzone and octinoxate, both of which are known hormone disruptors as well as allergens
    • AVOID vitamin A as well as retinyl palmitate and retinol (forms of vit A), all of which can hasten the development of cancerous tumors when exposed to UV rays
    • AVOID aerosal sunscreens, which can be inhaled into the lungs
    • CHOOSE sunscreens that offer broad spectrum protection. This means defense against UVA and UVB rays, both of which are implicated in causing sun damage, including deadly melanomas
    • CHOOSE mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main ingredients
    • CHOOSE sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 to 50, apply one ounce to all exposed parts 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming/excessive sweating

    Some great brands of effective and safe sunscreens are Badger, The Honest Company, Aubrey Organics and Vanicream.  These products might cost a bit more than the conventional sunscreen, but considering you rub the stuff into your kids’ skin regularly (well, you should be), it pays to make sure the product getting absorbed into their bodies is safe.

    Keeping your children from getting burned by the sun is of the highest priority. So when the outdoors comes calling and your kids grab a bathing suit or a pair of ice skates, keep them safe from the sun and from chemicals. It’s the rational thing to do.

  • Breakfast of (Little) Champions

    Breakfast of (Little) Champions

     

     

     

    I often find myself robed and slippered, still in glasses, concocting fun smoothies for my kids before they run off to school. Admittedly, the grating sound of the blender first thing in the AM is hardly music to my ears, but as there’s a veritable symphony of yummy, healthy stuff whirring inside that glass container, I’ve learned to love it. The morning smoothies at our place are a perfect start to the kids’ school days and for the adults in the house who chug the remainder, it’s a terrific start as well.

    After 8-12 hours of fasting (which is my blog-y way of referring to nighttime sleep), children need to refuel. They must feed their developing brains and bodies, and starting off the day with whole grains, fiber and protein is a great way to do that. With math class, gym and choir practice on the horizon, children need the proper attention/energy/attitude; good morning fare can help in those departments. Heck, we all know that being famished is hardly a mood enhancer.

    And when it comes to weight control – for kids and adults – eating a morning meal is right up there on the list of things-to-do to maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that eating a good breakfast can keep a person on track, helping him stay physically active and reducing the risk of obesity. So those few extra minutes of sleep instead of a meal can turn into a few extra pounds if it becomes a habit.

    Now you’re probably saying to yourself: Are you out of your bloggin’ mind Jen?!?! Who has time to make a wholesome breakfast and still get the kids rolling out the door on time?  Well, you do!! Because here’s the thing — there’s no need to be that perfectly coiffed family sitting around a table with grapefruit halves and stacks of whole grain pancakes at the ready (although my kids do enjoy good whole grain pancakes…but they’re reserved for dinner). Believe me, mornings at my apartment don’t look so neat. But the goal should be that each junior heads out to school with a tummy that is happy and healthy. And you can make that happen…in a jiffy.

    And in even better news, you can be somewhat casual about measurements. Just focus on a nice combo of ingredients and you’re golden. Here are a whole bunch of healthy, quick and very tasty breakfasts you can whip up for your kids – the very same kids who will actually make the morning bell.

    SMOOTHIES

    • Grind up a tablespoon of flaxseed in the blender. When it’s smooth, pour in 1/4 – 1/2 cup of organic milk, around 1/2 cup of plain organic yogurt, a frozen (or fresh) banana halved and 1/2 cup of organic frozen strawberries and/or blueberries. Blend. If it’s too thick, add more milk and blend again.
    • I found this next smoothie online at yummy mummy kitchen. Pour 1/2 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, soy milk or coconut milk into the blender. Add 1 cup of frozen pineapples, 1 cup of frozen mangos and a handful of fresh organic baby spinach. Scoop in plain organic yogurt and blend. If the blender is stopping, add more milk. (Add a dash of agave if it needs a kick of sweetness. You can also add some cubes to make it icier.) Yes, this smoothie is green, but as promised, it’s also yummy.

    YOGURT PARFAIT 

    • Grab a tall glass and scoop in some plain organic greek yogurt. Spoon on some organic fruit (blueberries, peaches, strawberries, bananas, mangos). More yogurt on that. Then granola. Then yogurt. Then fruit. Honey on top. And it looks real pretty.

    OATMEAL

    • Make oatmeal a breakfast staple — it’s an awesome way to start the day. You can make the stovetop kind (which takes about 10 minutes total) or go for instant. Once prepared, top it with chopped almonds, walnuts, fresh organic fruit or fruit preserves. Cool it off with some organic milk.

    NUTTY TOAST

    • Toast a whole wheat english muffin or a slice of whole what bread. Spread on some organic nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew), soy nut butter or sunflower butter. Slice some bananas on top. You can also swirl on a bit of honey.

    MORNING QUESADIILLA

    • Place a whole wheat tortilla on a warm frying pan lightly oiled with EVOO. Throw on some lowfat cheese (cheddar, muenster, swiss) and, after a minute or two, slice some organic apples on top — Granny Smith apples work great with cheddar. Fold and let cook until fully melted. Voila!

  • The Dish on Fish

    The Dish on Fish

     

     

     

    Would you be happy if, during dinner, your child asked “Could I have more salmon, please?” Well sure, it would be nice to know that your constant loop of ‘always say please and thank you’ had actually paid off, but I’m not channeling Emily Post here. I’m talking about the awesome fact that your kid wants more of a very healthy fish. But, if you’re regularly feeding said child farmed salmon, the great news might actually stop at those good manners.

    As a source of lean protein that’s rich in vitamins, minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids, seafood is an important part of a healthy diet. In particular, Omega-3 fatty acids are known to lower heart disease risk, reduce inflammation, help prevent cancer cell growth and improve infant brain development. And there are great recipes, like citrus-soy glazed black cod and mustard-broiled salmon that are easy to prepare and yummy to eat. So: eat any fish and be healthy — pretty straightforward, right?

    Not so fast. Because, as healthy as seafood is, there are many dangerous contaminants found in our waters, as well as synthetic chemicals that are added to farmed fish, that have done quite a number on the seafood that finds its way to our supermarkets. And then onto our children’s plates. And then into their bodies. Yeah, you get it.

    So, while it’s more important to eat regular servings of seafood than to avoid seafood altogether out of fear of contamination,it’s absolutely wisest to feed your family a steady diet of the healthiest and safest fish. And that’s something that, armed with a bit of information, anyone can do.

    Now back to salmon – which is very popular and one of my family’s faves. My advice? Children, women considering pregnancy and those with a baby bump should pretty much steer clear of Atlantic farmed salmon. That would result in reducing the intake of the dioxins, PCBs, fire retardants, pesticides and antibiotics that are found in those fish. A pretty horrifying list, no? And in case you were wondering, I don’t only care about the young set and those who are preggers. But an occasional serving of farmed salmon for a non-pregnant, healthy adult is ok; the above mentioned contaminants and carcinogens have much more dangerous implications for a developing fetus and growing children.

    Regarding so called “organic” salmon: there’s no organic standard for “aquaculture” in the U.S. and, while organic salmon farms off the coasts of Scotland and Ireland are regulated to a degree, there are still concerns about these farmed fish.

    Wild Alaskan salmon is a great option for everyone. Higher in Omega-3s than even the farmed stuff, it’s also considered safe and folks should enjoy regular servings. (Regarding serving size, here’s a little tip: 4 oz of fish is about the size of a deck of cards. An adult’s serving size is 4-6 oz; a kid’s serving size is smaller.) The wild salmon season runs from around May to November and if the healthy price tag is a concern, it’s worth eating it a little less often and supplementing with canned salmon, which is usually wild and is very versatile. Try this tasty recipe for easy salmon cakes. On this front, choose brands likeVital Choice that use BPA-free linings in their cans.

    And how about the ubiquitous tuna sandwich? While there’s nothing quite like tuna on soft whole wheat with lettuce and tomatoes (extra pickles, please), I’ll stop right here and tell you that albacore/white canned tuna is high in mercury and should be avoided (or eaten rarely) by, you guessed it, the kids and the pregnant ones. Mercury is a known neurotoxin – it can affect the developing brain and nervous system. Chunk light tuna is lower in mercury and can be eaten somewhat more often. But be aware – tuna is often a staple of school lunches. Find out what kind of tuna your child’s school serves and adjust his intake accordingly.

    There are obviously many “fish to fry” and so for seafood in general, try to buy the types lowest in contaminants – often smaller species and not bottom feeders – and err on the side of wild as opposed to farmed fish. But you don’t have to memorize anything. Download the Safe Seafood App for your iPhone or check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch website for a complete list of the safest – and least safe – types of seafood.

    Be smart about the fish that you eat and feed your family. Look for the healthiest, safest options and make a habit of serving them. And then your family will really thank you.

     

  • This One Nails It

    This One Nails It

     

     

    At my last salon visit, I was asked by several women whether I wanted to upgrade to a signature pedicure, if I could use a 10 minute back massage and if I wanted an eyebrow threading (this last appeal caused me to raise an already nicely arched eyebrow, thank you very much).

    But you know what would’ve made me really happy? If those eager gals had offered me nail polishes without well known hazardous chemicals. Now that woulda been worth the extra tips they were angling for.

    Don’t call me a buzzkill — I’ve no intention of ruining your idea of a relaxing mani/pedi with talk of dreaded disease. I’m not saying you gotta hightail it out of the salon and go bare on the nails – although that’s a perfectly chic decision. I’m just letting you know that if you avoid several potentially harmful polish ingredients, you’ll nail beauty and safety all at once.

    So let’s get to it. The idea here is to avoid the toxic trio. Alliterative, yes, but also right to the point. The moniker refers to formaldehyde, a polish hardener; toluene, a chemical that offers ease of application; and DBP, a plasticizer that prevents chipping — or, as I like to call them, a carcinogen, a neurotoxin, and a hormone disruptor. They’re found in many nail polishes…and it’s ugly business.

    Why the heck is stuff that causes cancer, headaches/fatigue and reproductive problems allowed in nail polish anyway? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require cosmetic companies to test the safety of their products by disinterested third-parties. Basically, cosmetics companies get to police themselves. And you know what that means — it means that the Pretty in Pink nail polish on your 6 year-old’s nails likely contains nasty stuff that’s getting absorbed into her developing body through her nail beds (not to mention her mouth, if she’s a biter). I, for one, don’t want that for my daughter. Or myself.

    In addition, salon workers who regularly breathe in these hazardous chemicals have reported, among other things, high rates of respiratory problems. Our world suffers as well; when these products are thrown out, the chemicals make their way into our groundwater and soil, contaminating our earth.

    The European Union banned or restricted members of the toxic trio from use in cosmetics starting in 2004. Unfortunately, the United States often drags its feet when it comes to this stuff, so if you use nail polishes made in America, you need to be your own watchdog, especially if you’re pregnant or have kids who beg for glittery nails.

    Luckily, you don’t have to bark up too many trees to find good, safer polish. There are many companies that care about beautyand health. OPI, Zoya, Poofy Organics and Priti NYC are brands that have proven their nail polish safety. Revlon Multi-Care Base and Topcoat is a nice choice for the before and after. For your little ones – for whom it’s particularly ideal to get that spa treatment at home as opposed to in a stinky salon – there’s the Priti Princess Collection, where shimmery colors abound, andHopscotch Kids. Both of those brands also have safe polish removers.

    You should be aware that while certain polishes do claim to be 3 free (some claim to be 5 free – free of the toxic trio, plus formaldehyde resin and camphor), a study done in California in 2012 proved many of them unworthy of the claim. But if you buy yourself some bottles from the companies listed above or other proven brands, you can head to the salon and confidently whip out your own non-toxic shocking orange (as I did that last time). And you might even feel good enough to splurge for that 10 minute massage.

  • Have Your Steak and Eat it Too

    Have Your Steak and Eat it Too

     

     

     

    Considering my mantra of the importance of dodging unhealthy exposures, it wouldn’t take a psychic to guess that I try to avoid red meat. No mind-reading required here…and for many obvious reasons.

    Most of us know that red meat is high in cholesterol and saturated fat, and that the processed types (think hot dogs and salami) are also high in sodium, nitrates and other additives. Certain studies link too much red meat with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. A recent study out of Harvard posits a direct relationship: the risk of premature death – due to cancer and heart disease, for example – grows with increased consumption of red meat.

    Less familiar to many though, is the fact that the act of cooking animal proteins releases toxic byproducts that contribute to disease and, hence, to meat’s much-maligned (and well-deserved so) reputation. Cooking meat – and even chicken and fish – at high temperatures causes the formation of HCAs (heterocyclic amines), and the smoke that attaches itself to these proteins on the grill is chockfull of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Both chemicals are suspected carcinogens and have been linked to diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer as well as adverse birth outcomes.

    The last time I had red meat was, well ok, fine — a week ago. I was at a party and went with the mob mentality. (And the steak looked damn good — hey, I’m only human.) But before that it had been a long while since I’d tucked into a rib-eye and frankly (pun possibly intended), I really don’t miss the stuff.

    Even though tides are turning and people are increasingly (yay!) choosing leaner protein sources, legumes and whole grains, red meat can be tempting and, as we’re still knee deep in summer, meat-based barbecues abound. I generally go for veggie burgers – as does my vegetarian hubby – but I know that for many, nothing short of a “real” burger will satisfy a growling belly.

    If you fall into the camp of people who are strict omnivores – and certainly if you’ve got kids who request summer barbecues – there are many things you should do to make grill time as healthy as possible.

    • Use an electric, propane or natural gas grill; they are safer than charcoal or wood grills. If you use charcoal, use sustainably produced charcoal (not charcoal made with petrochemicals)
    • Choose the leanest and smallest cuts of meat and remove the skin before cooking. Fish is preferable, as it takes less time to cook
    • Marinate food in lemon or vinegar based marinades; the acid will keep the chemical byproducts from sticking to the food
    • Pre-cook food in the microwave (apologies to you hard-core chefs out there) and just finish up the cooking on the grill. This can cut carcinogens up to 90%
    • Don’t keep food directly over the charcoals. As juices drip, the smoke rises, depositing the carcinogens directly into the food. Put some tinfoil in between (with small holes for dripping) or move the food off to the side
    • Grill your food enough…but not too much. The well done, and certainly charred, parts of the meat contain the purest form of the carcinogens. This applies to frying and roasting as well
    • Add some veggies and veggie burgers to the mix. They create few, if any, of these toxins and may actually mitigate the effects of the toxins that are present

    So if you really can’t bear the thought of summer without a barbecued meat sandwich, at least take steps to make that sandwich a little cleaner. And consider dipping your toes into the veggie world. It’s a pretty fun summer in here too.

  • Where There’s Smoke, There’s Ire

    Where There’s Smoke, There’s Ire

    It’s no news that people who live with smokers are exposed to toxic second hand smoke. According to the American Lung Association, second hand smoke causes nearly 50,000 deaths per year, as well as major respiratory ailments such as lung cancer and asthma.

    But it might come as a surprise that your nicotine addicted neighbor is jeopardizing your family’s health with every puff he takes.

    I’ve always been a proponent of smoking bans in public spaces. My hometown, New York City, enacted the its first Smoke Free Air Act in 1988 and, 25 years later, smoking is now banned in bars, restaurants, beaches and parks. The laws are a true victory for New Yorkers’ short and long term health.

    But as someone who’s lived with 4 children in apartment buildings for many years, I’ve been thinking lately about the very hazardous cigarette smoke that can travel from one apartment to the next. The American Cancer Society validates these worries, indicating on their website that multi-unit housing where smoking is permitted “is a special concern.” It turns out that “tobacco smoke can move through air ducts, wall and floor cracks, elevator shafts and along crawl spaces to contaminate apartments on other floors…”

    I’ve heard inklings about multi-unit residences going smoke-free, but the concept seems to be in its nascent stage and hasn’t seen much in the way of public discourse. I was therefore thrilled to see a front page article in last Sunday’s New York Times Real Estate section about a major real estate management company’s decisions to ban smoking in its buildings.

    The article speaks of “healthier living conditions” and of the real “health hazard” of second hand smoke. There is tremendous potency in the argument that second hand smoke insidiously moving from one apartment to the next is quite a bit more than just a nuisance.  Building bylaws have been enacted for much less.

    Of course, there are obviously plenty who have cried privacy infringement and who speak of their personal rights. The way I see it? No one has the right to dangerously contaminate the air in my home. Period.

    Yes, these types of residence bans are difficult to enforce and, as the article points out, eviction is rare. But the big idea is now on the table and you can make sure that the conversation continues by talking to your building’s board and by advancing the current momentum through petitions.

    Are smokers going to find fewer and fewer places to flick their cigarettes? Hopefully. But that’s the price they have to pay so that we non-smokers don’t have to suffer the very dangerous effects of their toxic habit.