Chemical Free?

For the last two years, I have been trying to reduce my family's exposure to chemicals.  This is a very hard thing to do, especially on a budget.  I should clarify what I mean since one of my more skeptical medical student friends told me haughtily that "everything has chemicals in it."  I have tried to keep myself, Bee, and to some extent Izzy away from products made with chemicals that have been proven harmful to humans, either because the cause cancer or interfere with normal bodily functions.  For personal care products this includes parabens, pthalates, sulfates, formaldehyde, oxybenzone and petroleum, among others.  It is amazing how much of this stuff we cover our bodies in on a daily basis. 

I started doing so on purpose around the time I found out I was pregnant.  I had read that aluminum (part of the active ingredient in anti-perspirant) was bad for the baby and might cause breast cancer, so I bought aluminum-free deodorant.  I am still looking for one that works well and is reasonably priced.  I was already using a lot of Burt's Bees products and mineral makeup, which are better than most products.  As I research further, I find that these are not the best products available, but they are what I can find and afford right now.  Eventually I want to work to find better products, but the prospect is overwhelming to me considering how little time I have for such things. 

I have given up regular nail polish, and found a mascara without formaldehyde, started washing my hair with baking soda and vinegar, since I couldn't find a chemical - free shampoo that didn't destroy my hair.  This change has actually saved money. 

I have had a hard time finding baby products that are good for the little one.  I have used Burt's Bees, but a lot of their baby products do have questionable ingredients.  I like California Baby products, but I can only find a limited number of products in stores. We use cloth diapers and buy expensive baby wipes that are chlorine and alcohol free. 

It is amazing how many people mock me for doing all of this.  I understand that none of us are in danger of an immediate health crisis, but things like this add up.  We are pretty healthy; my little girl has only had one small cold in 15 months, and it may help that her body spends less time absorbing and processing harmful chemicals. 

Additionally, I am a high risk for breast cancer.  Going without good deodorant and fun beauty products that include parabens is a small price to pay to decrease that risk.  At least I think so. 

Some other time I'll post about food.