Another reason to use natural cleaners

Convenience could be called the god of our age.  And we sacrifice a lot on the alter of convenience. One of those things is health.

I am a big believer in getting the chemicals out of your house.  Sadly, I read a news story today about how kids things that Tide Pods are candy.  Click here to see the story at ABC.

Tide is working on better child-proof packaging, but really, if it is poison,do you really want it on your clothes everyday, even in small amounts?  In addition to danger for children who might swallow it, chemicals can get into your air. They remain behind after use.  And all-day everyday exposure for our whole life just doesn't seem safe.  With a large dose, the body works to get it out.  But what about a tiny, but steady does?

At our house I use Soap Nuts for washing.  I also use white vinegar occasionally for rinse.  And I have found that I need a spotter (I used diluted amounts of Meyer's laundry detergent--which was what I used before Soap Nuts) and OxyClean (OK, probably not the best) for my whites.  I recently found a recipe homemade version for OxyClean, so when I get around to trying it, if find that it works, I'll be sure and share.  I didn't throw out all my chemicals in a day.  I adopted the philosophy of chemicals aren't good and slowly work at it. 

Little by little is way to win the race.  And good health is definitely a marathon!

Avoid candy? Cows may not--and here I thought they ate grass!

You are what you eat, they say.   Do you think the same is true for cows?  Or at least a cow with a healthy diet is healthy?  And a human eating the beef from a healthy cow is healthy?  Well, today I read a couple reports about farmers mixing candy unfit for humans into their cows' feed (links below). Since the shelf-life of most candy and other mostly-sugar products is years, it makes you wonder what's wrong with them.  Even worse, some of the candy still has wrappers (I think I see some at 31 secs on the video I linked). 

This is just unbelievable!  Apparently,several farmers are doing this and have in the past.  A university professor of animal nutrition says the feed has all the right nutrients in it and one of the farmer says they are "healthy" and gaining weight (implying, therefore it's good!) Just think what kinds of things they might feed them that they don't admit on TV!  Glad I know the farmer that raises most our beef lets them eat grass.  Think I'll look for ways to cut out the occasional store beef despite climbing food costs.  May the Lord have mercy on us!

Article with video at the bottom:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48765348/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/sweet-cows-get-candy-instead-corn-during-drought/#.UGkhRK4lqSp

Article with pictures of candy: http://www.kltv.com/story/19283677/kentucky-cows-eat-candy-instead-of-corn

And here's an article about a second farmer: http://www.inquisitr.com/343289/dairy-cows-put-on-a-strict-candy-diet-its-cheaper-than-corn/