I often think that people (speaking mostly of parents in this entry) do things a certain way because they have no idea how bad it is for their families. If they only knew, right? So whose job is it to educate them? I make a point not to say much, lest they think I'm being judgmental of their parenting.
I think we get too comfortable with agencies like the FDA. Obviously if it's approved, it's safe. I have to admit I was one of those people. One day, I found out about some nasty stuff in my house and decided to do a bit of research...and the floodgates opened. Household cleaners increase cancer rates in homemakers, disposable diapers are linked to male infertility and possibly even testicular cancer, things we use clean ourselves and our children contain chemicals known to cause eye problems and more, our food is full of nasty stuff from poisons to hormones...I could go on and on. How can it be okay that we market these products as safe? Are we so lazy that convenience wins over health?
Share your thoughts.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I've Been Thinking
Posted by Renee at 6:37 AM
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8 comments:
I totally agree. It seems so controversial to talk about this stuff. I used to bark down peoples throats. Now I just wait for them to ask why I do things "different" Like today a friend asked why my 13 mo old was still rear facing. I was like b/cit is safer. She had no idea you should keep them rear facing past 1.
I don't know what I was talking with you about -- oh yeah the "reason" they clean out a baby's mouth after it is born-- and I was shocked that you said it was just something that they did.
There are certain things I should know that I don't even know that I don't know (ha), but I think that a lot of that Cancer-Causing talk is bull. I mean if you are going to live your life scared of hot dogs and cell phones b/c of cancer-- then why live at all? ;)
I'm going to sound so cynical but I wonder why people trust any organization with the word "federal" in it. The FDA protect us!?! Seriously? Money trumps all, including the health of our families.
I'll talk about the reasons behind why I've done something "differently" if I'm asked but I also don't want for people to feel judged so I try to educate if asked, otherwise I have a few like-minded close friends that I can openly discuss things with. There's PLENTY that I'm not aware of and I'd love to know if I'm doing something bad to myself or the environment.
The good thing is that becoming more eco-conscious is starting to be the next cool thing and that's is what will change the ways of the masses.
I totally agree with you. I think the reason many people do things one way is because that is the way that they saw someone else do it.
I try not to bring up the subject of my eco-friendliness, Instead I just leave it all out in the open. Like I use my reusable bags everywhere. I have recipes for homemade veggie wash and homemade detergent posted on my fridge. So when people are at my house and they notice it and then ask me about it I can tell them all about it! We had a party at my house yesterday and everyone wanted the make your own detergent yesterday! I was so excited!
Anyways that was off on a bunny trail :)
I think that consumers need to do the research for themselves so that they can make their own EDUCATED decisions about everything!
So happy I found your blog! :)
So being new to all of this - I do certain things because I don't know any better..my mother and father used "normal" household cleaners...I never knew how bad they are!
I've just purchased my first re-usable bag and I'm slowly making progress towards being more conscious of the things I eat, clean with, the food I serve to my son, etc.
Thanks for inspiring me to make smarter, healthier choices for me and my family!! ;)
I agree along the lines with Megan. Our parents used these cleaners, foods, etc. and they turned out all right (ha!) so our thinking has been, so why change it up now? I myself have been making slow one-at-a-time changes from reusable bags to organic food to biodegradable dog poop bags (thanks for that again). Just because we've used these products for years, DOES NOT make them safe. We all deserve better. I always say my kids deserve better but really we all do.
There is a perceived disparity between the concerns and reality. People do not "see" the effects of poor environmental choices, overconsumption, etc, and so it is difficult to convince them. Also, there is a fine line between informing and offending. "What is wrong with plastic bottles? My kid used them and look how smart and healthy s/he is!" It is tough to challenge a comment like that...
First, I love this blog - just found it today, and it's been bookmarked.
I started thinking more "green" when I found out I was pregnant. It started with me asking, "should I be using this shower cleaner if it burns my throat?" and became something much bigger. I now reference my copy of Ellen Sandbeck's Organic Housekeeping at least every other day.
As for what Hippy Habibi was saying - it is difficult to discuss choices that other people have made without sounding accusatory or making them feel guilty. My grandfather talks about the days when his children weren't even in safety belts, much less rear-facing car seats. I choose not to argue with him about the increased dangers of driving SUVs at 70 mph on the highway versus his driving habits in the '50s, but...
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