Pesticides linked to ADHD.

{image}

Here's just one more reason among many to feed your children organic produce.  Maryse F. Bouchard, a researcher at The University of Montreal in Quebec wrote a study that was published in the journal of Pediatrics this Monday revealing a strong connection between pesticides and ADHD.  The study measured pesticide levels in urine among 1,000 kids between 5 and 18 years old.  Children that were found to have above average levels were twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.  Bouchard explains that pesticides are designed to have toxic effects on the nervous system, that is how they kill pests. So it only makes sense that they would have a negative effect on our nervous systems too especially children who are so much more vulnerable.  Currently 4.5 million children have ADHD with no known cause so hopefully this will fuel more studies and we will be able to shed more light on the epidemic. 

Healthy Child Healthy World

I love love love the organization Healthy Child Healthy World!  I'm feeling so inspired right now!  My healthy home party kit came in the mail today and I can't wait to host a party for some of my mommy friends to talk about ways to avoid chemicals and how to better protect our children.
Take a look at this amazing video about how just one person can make a difference.  It reminds me of the importance of what I do and keeps me motivated to continue with it.

A safer paint alternative.

We  repainted our master bedroom this year with a toxin free paint called Mythic. It has no VOC's which can cause respiratory, skin and digestive problems along with increasing harmful ozone levels. We also painted Bishop's nursery in Mythic paint. I was so happy to able to paint while I was pregnant and not worry about breathing harmful fumes. Bishop spends a lot of time in there so we wanted to make sure to use the safest paint possible. 
I had my heart set on using the color silver sage from Restoration Hardware for our bedroom but after seeing the big warning label on the can that said "WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm" I decided to instead get the color matched using Mythic Paint.
I took the paint chip to All Seasons which is an adorable little gardening, beer brewing and wine making store(did you know you can make wine from dandelions?!). Their paint expert, Ashley, matched it perfectly! She explained that other paints are harmful after they are dry because cancer causing chemicals can be released into the air for up to six years! Once in the air they get into the ventilation system and end up in our carpet and furniture.
Other paint companies are starting to catch on to trend of using low or zero VOCs in their paint but they may also contain lead, mercury, formaldehyde, formaldehyde precursors and crystalline silica which are known cancer causing chemicals.
I looked at Home Depots' Fresh Aire no VOC paint and it still contains chemicals and you can't have it matched because you add a powder packet into the paint base to get the color. I've been told that it can look grainy on walls too.
If you watch HGTV's Color Splash you'll notice that the designer, David, uses Mythic paint.  I think that he is amazingly talented so I figure if it's good enough for him then it's good enough for me!