Savvy Brown » Health

What are BPAs?

Savvy — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:30:16 +0000

BPA stands for bis-phenol A and is a chemical compound that has been used to make certain plastics and resins for the last 25 years or so. It’s purpose is to make polycarbonate plastic. Which is used for containers and coatings such as the lining of metal food containers, water bottles, pizza boxes and food take-out containers.

BPAs are found in everything from car bumpers to baby bottles to tomato sauce to cash-register receipts. The chemical is also found in life-saving lightweight medical equipment and security panels. It’s even used to make eyeglasses lenses and toys. BPAs are so prevalent in our society that the CDC reported in 2007 that the chemical was detected in the urine in 93% of the population over 6 years of age in this country. And was linked to a host of health problems.

The benefits of BPAs are that they make plastics strong, transparent and shatter-proof. It also makes them lightweight and vehicles with plastic parts more efficient and safe. It’s heat-resistance comes in handy when making smaller lightweight computer components for drives and machinery. It also responds well to adhesives and therefore can literally be “stuck” anywhere.

BPAs have come under fire because of the long-term effects of the compound in laboratory animals. Basically, animals that were exposed to, ate out of and were weaned on products high in BPAs developed several problems. Among them, low birth weight, miscarriages, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

Very recently, (March 30, 2012), the FDA rejected the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) proposal to ban bisphenol A in food-contact materials. The FDA states that there isn’t enough evidence to prove that the amount of BPAs present in food containers is enough to harm humans. Basically, they’re saying the amount of the chemical used in our food containers and baby bottles is (on average) 30,000 times lower than what the lab rats were exposed to.

But…

What bothers me is that no one really knows how much each person ingests of the substance cumulatively, or how it effects people who are immuno-compromised.

Also, human babies tend to ingest more of the chemical than adults, because, a) they use baby bottles made with the substance and b) their mother’s injest it and transfer it to them several times a day when they’re breast feeding, and c) because…well..babies put things in their mouths. Most of their toys are plastic.

The scientific community has also reported a link between BPAs, phthalates and “autistic behavior” in children.

The only thing that the medical community, activists, and the FDA agree on is that BPA is released faster in hot water. Canada has banned the substance in all baby clothes, bottles and toys, and the entire European Union has banned baby bottles made with the substance since 2010.

Personally, I try to avoid BPAs (as much as I am able) in terms of anything I could ingest. Such as food containers and drink bottles. For instance, I recently switched my water bottle to the BPA free self-filtering Hydros Bottle. I also don’t microwave food in plastic containers, (I know I really shouldn’t microwave at all, I’m trying). I also own this BPA-free travel mug for my coffee and tea. And when I read EcoKaren’s article about canned tomatoes, it downright frightened me. So now I try to buy chopped tomatoes in a jar, if I don’t just chop them up myself.

In an upcoming post, I list more ways that you can avoid BPAs in your home, office and life.

*How do you avoid BPAs?

Sources

http://factsaboutbpa.org/how-is-bpa-used/benefits-of-bpa
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2010/November/30111002.asp
http://www.medicinenet.com/plastic/page4.htm#bisphenol
http://factsaboutbpa.org/is-bpa-safe/questions-answers
http://health-nutrition-autism.com/bpa-in-plastics/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161813X10002354

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Review: Hydros Filtering Water Bottle

Savvy — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:48:02 +0000

One of the many items that I snagged to review on my day at GreenFest NY was the Hydros Water Bottle. I’ve been in the market for a filtering water bottle for a little while, so I was happily surprised when I came across the Hydros Table at the event and was able to snag it for $20.

Hydros Water Bottle $24

Here’s what I like about it:

- BPA free

- Has an easy-to-install charcoal filter (like my Brita pitcher at home)

- The works pretty quickly to fill the bottle (unlike my Brita pitcher at home)

- Has a nifty side fill port, so you can hold it horizontally under a tap if necessary
- The bottle holds a good 24 oz. Of water which is just enough for me!

- I can throw it in the dishwasher

- One filter lasts for 150 uses or about 3 months

- It’s made at local plants that have a low carbon footprint

- The water tastes great!

- The bottles and filters are fully recyclable

- A full dollar from every sale goes to fund sustainable water projects to help the nearly one billion people who do not have access to water. (THIS!!)

My main use for this bottle is to commute with it and use it wherever I’m working, so that I don’t have to buy/use bottled water. I also use it when I’m on the elliptical machine at home. Now there is one small flaw in the design however. If you don’t close the bottle exactly as it says in the instructions, or if something knocks against it in your bag or purse, the side opening may leak a bit. (I found out the hard way when I wet up my favorite journal). I also don’t carry water when I walking or jogging, so I can’t tell you if running with it is has the same issue.

You MUST soak the charcoal filter in water for 3 minutes before you use it. (When you do it you’ll see why). It was kinda of freaky how the water turned all grey and the filter bubbled as it soaked, but at the end of the 3 minutes, water ran through the filter clear.

Overall I am pleased with this product, and I have actually drank more water since I’ve had this bottle this week alone! Although I wish it was cheaper, the fact that the whole thing is recyclable, part of my money is going to a worthy cause, and I’m saving about 250 bottles of bottled water from landfills makes up for it.
Also, it’s great for air travel! Fits in my car’s cup holder and it’s great for air travel. Just carry the empty bottle in your bag with you through the security checkpoint and then find a bathroom and fill ‘er up! No more spending $7 on bottled water at the airport! (you can even refill the bottle on the plane when you want more water)

RATING: 4 Smart!* – Good product, supports a worthy cause, but wish it was cheaper.

You can find this product in the Savvy Shop.

*Savvy Ratings: 5=Savvy 4=Smart 3=Suitable 2=Satisfactory 1=Stupid

Note: This is the new model that came out last year. The old model does not appear to have a side opening and is a bit smaller

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Yes To Blueberries Smoothing Cleanser Review

Savvy — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:23:38 +0000

Every now and then, I like to switch up my beauty routine, just so my skin doesn’t build up an immunity of sorts to what I’m doing. So, although my Homemade Morning Routine and My Nighttime Skin Reggie were working ok, I decided to change things up a bit.
I tried out some less than stellar makeup recently, and the ingredients made me break out a bit. After that, I noticed that the black soap I normally use seemed to be irritating my already enflamed skin. Time to find a more gentle cleanser.

After searching the web, I came across the Yes to Blueberries line. (First carrots, then cucumbers, now blueberries. Who knew?) Apparently blueberries are natural anti-oxidants, which are good for someone with skin in my…um…age range. ahem

Yes To Blueberries Age Refresh Smoothing Cleanser, 4.5 Ounce ($9.95)

Ingredients: water, vaccinium cyanococcus (blueberry) juice, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), ethylhexyl palmitate, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, beeswax, glycerin, glyceryl stearate citrate, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel extract, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, cetearyl alcohol, xanthan gum, phenethyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, glyceryl caprylate, fragrance.

The first thing I noticed with this cleanser is that it doesn’t really lather up much, (proof that there’s no surfactants in it. Yay!) and it actually feels more like lotion that soap.

The second thing I noticed is that if you use this product as directed. It doesn’t really work. When I wet my face and apply it, because of the amount of oils in it, it just kind of slides around, not really cleaning anything.

Hmmm.

The next day, I try something different. Instead of wetting my face first, I apply the product all over my dry skin like cold cream. Then, taking a damp washcloth I wipe it all off. All my makeup comes off easily and my skin is left feeling well moisturized and very, very clean.

Aha!

So, the verdict is. I really like this product. After using it for about a week, my skin feels great. I always use toner afterwards and then moisturizer. But I really like it. You just can’t use it like it says on the container is all.

RATING: 4 Smart!* – Great product, great ingredients, great price.

You can find this product in the Savvy Shop.

*Savvy Ratings: 5=Savvy 4=Smart 3=Suitable 2=Satisfactory 1=Stupid

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Simple Spice Vegan Scones

Savvy — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:15:54 +0000

One chilly Saturday morning, I got it in my head that I wanted to have scones for breakfast with tea. However, I really didn’t feel like walking down to the corner café, and paying $5 for a scone the size of my head. (The fact the whole endeavor would require a level of dressing, coat-wearing and shoe-finding that I had no interest in performing didn’t help either). So I did what I usually do. I hopped on the web until I found a recipe that matched the ingredients in my fridge. After a bit of futzing, I altered something I found and came up with this. Enjoy!

Simple Spice Vegan Scones

Ingredients

2 cups flour
3 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
1/4 cup margarine, softened (I used Best Life, but you can also Earth Balance)
1/2 cup raisins
3/4-1 cup nondairy milk (I used Silk, Vanilla)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp crushed cloves
1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Mix dry ingredients together. Cut in margarine until crumbles form. (Note: This step is important! I sit with the bowl and read and article or watch TV for a few minutes while mixing everything together with a fork. The more crumbly the better!)
Mix in spices
Stir in milk and raisins.
Mix with spoon until well blended, then mix by hand. Knead dough well for a few minutes between your hands.
Form scones by grabbing dough by the handful, about 3” in diameter
Press onto ungreased or foil or parchment-lined cookie sheet to 1/2” round disks then form with hands or knife into triangular (or round shapes)
Sprinkle a bit more cinnamon and/or sugar on the top of each scone before baking
Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until just brown on top.

this is about the size I make each scone

Serves: 6-8
Calories per serving: 202

I enjoy mine with jam and tea!

I adapted this recipe from once originally found here. If you’re not vegan, you can make this recipe with butter.

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DIY Workouts on a Budget

Savvy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:06:44 +0000

One of my New Year’s Resolutions (like half the country) is to shed a few pounds. But another New Year’s Resolution is to stick to a budget! A third New Year’s resolution is to keep things simple. That’s means I’m not going to pay for a gym membership that I will barely use, I will take exercise seriously, but I’m not spending half the day doing it. What I have been doing lately is a combo of cardio on my elliptical machine at home, along with a series of DIY workouts I’ve cobbled together from my new favorite hangout Pinterest. I’ve actually been doing twice-daily workouts of at minimum, 25 minutes, and usually max 40 mins.

I really don’t have a lot of time (or money) I can spare right now, so this works for me.

So far, this method, along with eating healthier, keeping a food diary and counting calories I’ve been able to drop about 5 pounds since the beginning of the year. Yaaay!!

So here’s what I do:

In the morning I do ONE of the following workouts:

Level 2 or 3 of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred – It’s like 22 minutes of P90X or Insanity but it’s less reps, without all the screaming…and like $200 cheaper.

OR I do a combo of one of the following workouts for 25 minutes:

Then in the evening, when I get back from work, I “wind down” by watching one of my favorite shows for 30 mins straight on the elliptical machine going at a moderate pace, or, if I have the energy, rolling hills or intervals.

That’s it! I’ve been doing this method at least 5 times a week since December and right now it’s working for me, because I totally have exercise ADD. I get bored easily, and I really need to mix things up in order to stay motivated. Also, even when the workout gets hard, I keep going, cuz I’m like “It’s only 20 minutes, come on!” I happen to already have free weights and an elliptical machine), but if you’re really on a tight budget, just start by doing one of the calisthenic workouts above.

But GET MOVING!

My goal is to lose 20 pounds by July. Wanna see my before pictures?

Nope. Not gonna happen. Nice try though.

For more workout ideas, check out my Workout Page on Pinterest. (Check back often, I find new stuff all the time!)

My gear:

Eco Workout Mat

Free Weights

Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred
Elliptical Machine

What’s your budget DIY workout?

(Oh, and if you want to join Pinterest, just leave me a comment below with your email address, and I’ll send you an invite!)

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Savvy’s Banana Almond Java Breakfast Smoothie

Savvy — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:14:44 +0000

I was in a hurry the other morning and lamented the fact that I really wanted a smoothie for breakfast. I also hadn’t gotten much sleep and I really needed some coffee, and then this happened…

Savvy’s Banana Almond Java Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brewed coffee (cooled)
1/2 large banana
1/4 cup almond milk
1 tbsp almond butter
3 tbsp Amaretto flavored creamer (or whatever you favorite flavored creamer is)
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
handful of ice

Throw everything in the blender (ice first) and let the magic happen.

This makes a really filling breakfast that gives me enough energy to get to lunch without a snack sometimes! If you don’t want the caffeine, don’t add the coffee and it still tastes great!

cal: 385; protein: 8g; carbs: 46g

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12 Ways to Fight the Holiday Crazies

Savvy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:30:20 +0000

Don’t let the holidays make you crazy, broke or gain 30 pounds. That’s just putting more pressure on those New Year’s Resolutions you never keep. Here’s 12 ways to stay sane this holiday season with out breaking the bank, (or your cousin’s arm).

Shop online – There’s absolutely no reason to stand online for hours on end and fight the holiday crowds anymore. Not when just about everything we own can be ordered online. So save yourself the headache and cybershop this season. You easily find coupons for kinds of items at sites like Retail Me Not, Coupon Cabin, Current Codes, DealCatcher
Regift – Got a gift from someone already that doesn’t suit you but would be perfect for a co-worker? Regift! The only time this is not a good idea, when the original giver is present when you make the exchange.
Gift Cards – Have and uncle that needs everything but wants nothing? Yep. Time for a gift car. Some of the most generic to choose from are at Amazon. Check out Savvy Amazon Gift Cardsfor simple, last-minute gift giving.
Gift Yourself first – Don’t go crazy with this one. But don’t forget about yourself this holiday season. And it doesn’t need to be a physical gift either. How about getting a massage after a day of shopping? Or giving your self a facial and a bubble bath the evening before you visit the family.
Just Walk Away – Only friends and family can drive us that special brand of crazy. Don’t participate in negative behavior from attention seeking people. Walk away from arguments, ignorant, mean and (especially) drunk people. It’s not worth it and the anger alone will take years off your life. The best revenge? Live longer.
New Year’s Cards – Many of my friends and clients don’t celebrate Christmas, and I got tired of running around like a crazy person trying to get Christmas cards out in time. Now I just send out little notes that say “Happy New Year” and I mail them all the first week of January. much.less.stressful.
Get Creative – Just because a gift is handmade does NOT mean that it has to look like your child’s 3rd grade art project. (Which is genius by the way!) Use your crafty skills to make some great gifts this season. Knit, crochet, sew, give recipes or even things like cookies in a jar. Not crafty? You can still DIY gifts
Group Host a Party – These tough financial times can really stress you out. But you’ve gotta see your friends right? Well group-host a party, or have a potluck between Thanksgiving and Christmas or between Christmas and New Years so that the “day of” holiday pressure is off.
Eat Smaller Meals – Invited to a bunch of dinner/office parties? Don’t wanna go broke? Don’t want to gain 40 pounds over the holidays? Order smaller portions at dinner like a side dish or an appetizer. And drink a TON of water. Better yet. Eat dinner at home before hand and make your favorite low-cal dessert for yourself when you get home.
Get Sleep – This really is of vital importance to keep your immune system running at its optimal best. It’s a great way to handle stress, so if you’re not at a party, then get some rest, so that you can be.
Workout – Don’t wait until the New Year to get fit. This is the best stress reliever ever. What I’ve been doing is squeezing in two 20 minute workouts a day for no longer than 20 minutes. I workout with Jillian Michaels in the AM, then after work, I hop on my elliptical machine and watch one of my favorite shows. I can’t seem to spare an hour in my day, but 20 minutes I can do.
Volunteer - Don’t cook. Don’t clean. Don’t worry about your dad putting the silver-edged wedding china in the microwave (ahem). Go out and help someone else, and then catch up with friends or family later for a quick visit.

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DIY Winter Foodie Masks

Savvy — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:20:24 +0000

When the temperature drops, I tend tend to drink less water, (because I’m cold!) and my skin suffers. So I’ve gone back to my weekly facial routine, and it’s really helped a lot. My favorite part of the pampering ritual is the mask. It always leaves my face feeling so refreshed, even Sexy noticed a difference! Below are three of my favorites:

Bentonite Clay and Oil Mask

1 heaping tbsp of Bentonite Clay
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp of olive, coconut OR Jojoba Oil

Mix until well blended into a smooth creamy paste, apply to whole face and neck. Leave on for 30 mins. Use a warm wet washcloth to remove.
Honey and Spice Mask

2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp teaspoon of nutmeg

Mix into a brown thick paste. Apply the mask to your face and neck. Leave on for 30 mins. Wash it off with warm water, scrubbing softly in circular motion for exfoliation. (Note: I wouldn’t exfoliate before doing this mask, the nutmeg will exfoliate on it’s own and you don’t want to over do it!)

Honey-Mayo Mask

1 tbsp raw honey warmed up in water
1 tbsp mayonaise

Put the honey in a glass or ceramic dish into a pot with just enough water to cover the bottom of the dish. (The bowl shouldn’t float!) Let the water heat up until the honey turns almost clear and is smooth. Carefully remove the bowl with tongs or an oven mitt and let cool for 1 minute before mixing with the mayonnaise. The mixture will be opaque and creamy like icing. Apply to face and neck and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Wipe off with a warm washcloth.

Benefits:

Honey is an excellent antioxidant and moisturizer, and is very gently so it’s excellent for sensitive skin!

Mayonaise has both protein (egg) and oils (olive oil) which thirsty skin just drinks up and helps revitalize skin cells.

Cinnamon is excellent for blood flow, and brings blood to the surface of the skin, plumping it. It should never be applied raw, because it’s strong, it should always be mixed with a carrier such as live oil or honey.

Nutmeg is a natural anti-inflammatory and has been used for years in the treatment of acne. Also should not be applied alone, but with a carrier such as honey or oil.

Bentonite Clay (also known as Montmorillonite) is an edible clay from naturally occurring volcanic ash sediments, and contains over 70 trace minerals. It has a myriad of skin benefits, and I wrote a post last year about how I use Bentonite clay in my hair. On the skin, Bentonite clay draws impurities to the surface so that they can be removed from the body. (Note: Some people may see more pimples after their first Bentonite clay mask. As long as your skin is not stinging or burning, the clay is working properly! Your skin is reacting to the toxins being pulled out of it, don’t worry, it will calm down after a couple of uses).

The best things about all of these recipes is that you can easily find most of the ingrediens in your kitchen for free!

Buy Bentonite Clay here.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a qualified dermataologist. Please check with your doctor before trying any of the above recipes to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.

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Sweet Vegan Cornbread

Savvy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:20:55 +0000

I’m always looking for recipes that can make enough to last more than one day, something vegan for Sexy, or can be eaten over more than one meal. This is all three! I adapted this from a recipe I found on allrecipes. This corn bread isn’t dessert sweet, but it’s definitely not bland either. Now, some purists might say that corn bread should never be sweet.

I disagree.

But, for those of you who subscribe to that point of view, feel free to decrease the sugar in this recipe.

Sweet Vegan Cornbread Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal (I like the real stone ground stuff, not Quakers)
3/4 cup turbinado sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1.5tsp Ener-G egg replacer plus 2 tbsp of warm water*
1 cup soy milk or almond milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray or grease a 9 inch round cake pan or cast iron skillet (I like using my mom’s old skillet for this!)
In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder.
Ina small bowl pour warm water into egg replacer and stir until well blended and thick (like batter)
Stir egg substitute mixture, milk and vegetable oil into dry ingredients until well combined.(Don’t over mix! The batter will be a little lumpy) Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

I enjoy eating a small slice of this bread solo for breakfast with a dab of butter and preserves, or even in the afternoon as a snack with tea. I think I’ll whip up a batch Thanksgiving morning, so I won’t be tempted to take a slice out of the pie before dinner!

*You could also use 1 egg for a non-vegan version

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Simple Vegetarian Stuffed Pepper Recipe

Savvy — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:38:21 +0000

This is a great weeknight dish to make and is simpler than you think! It’s basically a rice and bean dish served in bell peppers. The whole thing takes little over an hour to make, and only 35 minutes if you’re using pre-cooked rice!

Simple Vegetarian Stuffed Pepper Recipe

Ingredients

1 can of black beans
1 jar of chunky salsa (any heat, I prefer medium)
1 can corn
1 1/2 cups brown rice
3 cups vegetable broth
1 med onion chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp dried cilantro or 2 tbsps fresh
8 small bell peppers (any color)

Directions

In a large saucepan cook onion and garlic in hot oil over medium heat about 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in broth. Bring to boiling, then add uncooked rice, oregano, black pepper, salt, and paprika. Simmer, covered, about 40 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove from heat and stir in all the rest of the ingredients except for the peppers.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice tops off of the bell peppers and remove and discard seeds. In a 3-quart rectangular baking dish, arrange peppers in a single layer. Spoon rice mixture into sweet peppers; place pepper tops back on top. Pour about a 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the dish, and bake, covered lightly with foil about 30 minutes or until peppers are crisp-tender and rice mixture is well heated.

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