Perspectives… | celebrating multiple points of view

I’ve always loved exploration - the idea of it as well as actually doing it. My first interests were piqued by time spent as a child reading National Geographic with my father. Staying true to my interests, my academic career was grounded in international studies. Upon completion of grad school in France, I spent my entire 20s trekking the globe, more than 40 countries in all, feeding my desire to know how people live their lives, and piquing my interests in anthropology.

In every country I visited, I was fascinated to see how the different daily rituals of social life, food and drink, work and play, all mix to create a different sense of identity and possibility. For me, wanting more from life is closely related to wanting more overall wellness. Personally, I knew I was at my best when I experienced a dynamic flow of physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing.

Over the years, my travels began to focus increasingly on remote, developing countries. In 1999, my fascination turned a distinct corner closer to ethnobotany, thanks to a little purple berry - the superfruit, açai. The local customs and usages of the superfruits I first experienced in Brazil sounded a lot like the publicity associated with the synthetic nutrient "functional foods" that had become so popular. But the source was nature itself.

By definition, superfruits like açai are totally natural, incredibly high in functional nutrition and low in naturally occurring sugar (not to mention, free of synthetic stimulants or vitamins). It seemed compelling that if you start with great fruit - and do it right - you could create a really great juice… a juice that would stand as a counterpoint to everything else going on in the functional foods space. That’s the core idea that became Bossa Nova.

Associates I was working with in Brazil at the time told me to quit my job and sell these fruits. I thought they were crazy, but after winning the USC business plan competition for Bossa Nova a couple of years later, I knew the idea "owned me" - I did not own it.

There is no doubt that personal hygiene is important to good health, but how much is enough? Sales of personal care products for children have jumped significantly in the past decade in part because marketers continue to redefine the "needs" of children in order to increase profits. One of the biggest new "necessities" is antibacterial products. Marketers have done a brilliant job at making parents feel like they need a scrupulously sanitized home and if you scrub enough with enough antibacterials and disinfectants you can rid the world of germs and bacteria and keep your family safe and healthy. Guess what? Antibacterials are not all they’re cracked up to be. Consider these facts, shared with Healthy Child by Jay Feldman of Beyond Pesticides:

• The most common illnesses (colds, flu and gastrointestinal upsets) are caused by viruses. Antibacterials have little or no effect on viruses.
• Antibacterial products target good bacteria as well as bad, but our bodies need those good bacteria. They help us digest our food, for example, and keep harmful microorganisms from entering our bodies through our main orifices like our mouths and nose.
• The bad bacteria we encounter typically have no impact on a healthy immune system. In fact, only 1 percent to 2 percent of microbes are likely to make us sick.
• Bacteria are so prevalent and reproduce so fast that it’s impossible to eliminate them anyway. In addition, a large number of recent studies have found substantial evidence that certain antibacterial products actually promote the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibiotic medications and antibacterial cleansers
• Research shows that plain soap and water is just as effective for hand washing as products containing triclosan. (Even sixth grader Sydney Lukus discovered this when she chose to examine the effectiveness of antibacterial soap in comparison to natural soap. Her science experiment won four awards in addition to being recognized at the Carnegie Science Awards in Pennsylvania). The Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee, which advises the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), voted 11-1 that antibacterial soaps and washes were no more effective than regular soap and water in fighting infections-both work equally as well.
• The overuse of triclosan (and other antibacterials) could potentially be increasing the incidence of allergies. The "hygiene hypothesis" theorizes that there is a correlation between too much hygiene and increased allergies and asthma. Studies have found an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma and eczema in persons who have been raised in more sterile and hygienic environments. Through over-cleaning ourselves, The theory states, the body’s immune system is not challenged, and thus it is prevented from developing and maturing.• Even the American Medical Association concludes, "Despite their recent proliferation in consumer products, the use of antimicrobial agents such as triclosan in consumer products has not been studied extensively. No data exist to support their efficacy when used in such products or any need for them. . .it may be prudent to avoid the use of antimicrobial agents in consumer products."

Visit Healthy Child Healthy World to learn safer ways to keep germs at bay.

With a growing awareness of the questionable chemical concoctions manufacturers are allowed to sell to unassuming consumers, kitchen cosmetics are increasingly in vogue. While there are certain things that don’t translate well to homemade, there are plenty that you might find superior to their store bought counterparts.

Instead of relying upon synthetic chemicals to clean or soothe the skin, you can use natural ingredients that have been relied on for centuries. Things like extra virgin olive oil which attracts external moisture without clogging pores or compromising skin function, calendula which is an extremely gentle way to treat skin irritations and minor infections, and chamomile which is a useful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent.

Here are a few simple recipes to get you started.

Baby wipes: 1 1/2 - 2 cups distilled water,
1/4 cup Aloe Vera gel,
1 Tbsp. Calendula oil,
2 tsp. organic liquid soap,
2-3 drops tea tree oil,
2-3 drops lavender oil, roll of paper towels (cut in half to make short rolls), and 1 plastic container that the roll fits in
Cut roll in half and remove center cardboard. 
In plastic container, mix liquid ingredients, and place half of roll in container (cut side down). 
Put on lid and tip upside down until paper towels are fully saturated. To use, pull out from center.
Rash Soother: Protect skin and prevent rashes by rubbing a little olive oil on your baby’s bum after each changing. At the first signs of redness, bathe your baby in warm water with a little baking soda or apply a small amount of aloe vera gel

Oatmeal Baby Bath: 1 cup whole oats. Whirl in blender or food processor until they become powder. Mix as desired into bath water. The oatmeal softens the water and your baby’s skin (you may be tempted to try it yourself!)

Baby Oil: Almond oil, olive oil, apricot oil, or calendula oil.

As with any product, the first time you use something on your child, watch closely for any type of reaction. For more recipes and tips pick up a copy of Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home or visit HealthyChild.org.

America is the land of impulse shopping and if you don’t know what you want, you’ll end up buying a lot of things you don’t need. In the case of personal care products, if you don’t know what you need, you can end up buying products with a laundry list of chemicals that you don’t want.

The variety of personal care products and cosmetics available is quite stunning and Americans buy 11 billion every year. While it would be nice if you could trust marketer’s claims and make purchases based on which products you liked the smell of or that had the most attractive container, it’s not that easy. If you want the safest products, you have to know what you need and want.

Luckily, the internet provides a wealth of information right at your finger tips. Two places to begin your search for the safest products are GoodGuide.com and CosmeticsDatabase.com. These two sources detail the health and environmental performance of thousands of products. You can refer to these in order to create your own personal shopping list, so you know exactly what to look for at the store.

Still, the best products you find in these databases are not always the ones you’ll find on your local store shelves. In that case, turn to the internet again and shop on-line. There are a growing number of mindful manufacturers offering pure personal care products that don’t use chemicals, fillers, or preservatives. A few of Healthy Child Healthy World’s favorites are: Perfect Organics, Weleda, California Baby, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Aubrey Organics, Dr. Bronner’s, and Dr. Hauschka.  And as for cosmetics for mom, my wife tells me Josie Maran Cosmetics and CARE Cosmetics are outstanding.

Be intentional. Buy intentional.

"Natural," "Hypoallergenic," "Herbal," "Organic," they all sound like exactly what any parent would want to apply to their child’s delicate skin, but while these terms are tempting product descriptions, don’t judge the book by its cover. Currently, there is only one clear-cut hallmark of safety and that is the USDA Certified Organic seal. This seal is the only one that has defined standards and is actually regulated.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of Certified Organic body care products available and those that are cost much more than most families can afford. You can still make safer choices, but you have to be a savvy consumer. Use these two label decoding tips to help you find the safest products:

1. Read the actual ingredients list. Even though marketing claims are largely unregulated, manufacturers are required to list the actual ingredients of products in order of volume. Still, reading product ingredients is like reading another language. Here are the top toxic ten to try to avoid and why:

• Parabens: 
  • Organ system toxicity
  • Reproduction and fertility
  • Birth or developmental effects
• Phthalates: 
  • Organ system toxicity
  • Endocrine system
  • Reproduction and fertility
  • Birth or developmental effects
  • Persistent and bioaccumulative
  • Brain and nervous system
  • Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)
• DMDM Hydantoin: 
  • Immune system toxicant
  • Skin toxicant
• Fragrance: Could contain phthalates or other suspect chemicals
• Triclosan: 
  • Toxicity related to Endocrine system
  • Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)
  • Reproduction and fertility
• Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate: Skin and Eye irritant that may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen
• Formaldehyde:
  • Birth or developmental effects
  • Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
  • Reproduction and fertility
• Toluene:
  • Birth or developmental effects
  • Cancer
  • Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
  • Reproduction and fertility
• Ceteareth and PEG compounds: Can contain carcinogenic contaminants
• Anything with "glycol" or "methyl": These are petroleum-derived ingredients whose long-term health effects are unclear.

2. Go fragrance-free. The one loop-hole in ingredients lists is "fragrance" (aka "parfum"). Fragrances of products are considered industry secrets and that single component can actually be made up of over a hundred other ingredients that do not need to be spelled out in the ingredients list. Play it safe by avoiding it. And, again, it does not matter if the label says "unscented" or "fragrance-free." Read the ingredients to ensure that this suspect element is not present.

Worried you won’t remember what to watch for? Go to Healthy Child Healthy World to print a pocket guide to keep with you when you’re shopping. 

I’ve considered myself green for many years, but becoming the CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World and then becoming a father has certainly increased the hue. Everyday is a learning experience, whether I’m researching issues that pertain directly to being a father or I’m watching the headlines for breaking news or the latest studies at work. One area of environmental health that never ceases to shock or exasperate me is personal care products.

Allow me to share some of the jaw dropping statistics about the products you rub into your scalp and skin and trust on your baby’s body and even use to clean your mouth every day:

• Even though the average person uses about ten products a day constituting hundreds of individual ingredients, safety testing of these products is voluntary and conducted by the product manufacturers.
• Eighty-nine percent of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have never been evaluated for safety by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other institution.
• The FDA has banned only nine personal care product ingredients. For comparison, the European Union has banned over 1100.

For me, for my wife, for my son, this is entirely unacceptable. Luckily, we’ve found safer products we love, we know the tricks to reduce exposures in general, and you can learn how to do exactly the same thing.

Over the coming week, I’ll be covering the details of natural body care for you and your children, with tips from my new book Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home, as well as from our website HealthyChild.org. To kick things off, here is the Golden Rule to remember in order to reduce unnecessary exposures to chemicals in care products:

Use fewer products in smaller amounts.

We are always sad at the end of a trip. But we keep an eye out for new ways to preserve our memories, including emerging technologies that make it easy to create panoramic vistas from several single photographs and ever-easier ways to share photos online.

Today’s Family Adventure Travel tip: Reminisce Before the Trip Ends 

• During dinner your last night, or while waiting to board the flight home, have everyone take turns sharing their best memories of the trip. Designate one person to take notes.
• When you arrive home, download or print your photos as soon as you can, and write in captions detailing where the photos were taken, and any associated memories.
• Share the photos with friends and family
• Share the photos with your own family before sitting down to plan your next trip!

What is your dream family adventure vacation?  It may seem too expensive, or too difficult, but I encourage you to dream.  It may be easier than you think!

Stuff happens when you travel, particularly when the trip involves overseas adventure. While the illnesses we have encountered have luckily been limited to traveler’s tummy and altitude sickness, we always plan for more serious occurrences.

Today’s Family Adventure Travel tip: Planning for contingencies on the trail

• Consider buying an insurance policy that includes a medical evacuation plan. Bring a copy of the policy and local access numbers with you on the trip.
• Find out what inoculations or boosters you need before you go, and how long it takes for them to become effective. For example, the vaccine for yellow fever, needed for many regions in Peru, takes about 10 days to become effective, and can have side effects that kick in days after the shot is given.
• Bring over-the-counter medications, especially those for stomach-related illness. See if your doctor will send you with some antibiotics, to be used only if you really need them. 
• Don’t turn down the chance for a ride on the trail. When the guide on our most recent trip introduced us to our mules, we shrugged her off, saying we had done the rigorous trek to Machu Picchu and that we were sure we would hike every step of this 4-day trail. The next morning, my husband woke up feeling punky, and was very glad to have the mules to carry him. We all rode a few times, mostly to cross streams or when the terrain became too muddy, and came away with a healthy respect for pack mules. 
• Make sure you and the kids have enough snacks and water in your daypacks.

What do you put in your daypack? Is there something you’ve wished you had included that you had forgotten or decided not to bring along?

Most treks start and end in cities, or in regions with lots of sightseeing. To keep the cultural tourism interesting for the kids, we break up museum visits with trips to local markets. Our boys are fascinated by open-air butcher shops, and by the local varieties of candy and comic books. They are also avid chess players, so we usually go on a hunt for interesting chess boards.

Today’s Family Adventure Travel tip: Keeping it interesting for the kids

• You can’t do enough research. We generally look through several guidebooks and scour the internet to compile a full listing of a region’s charms, including restaurants that suit our tastes and budget. Our favorite restaurant in the universe is Granja Heidi in the San Blas neighborhood of Cusco, Peru, the starting point for our trek to Machu Picchu. Run by a German couple who raise most of their food on a nearby farm, the restaurant served everything from chocolate milkshakes to excellent three-course price-fixed dinners (the cost was about $5 two years ago), and we ate every meal there that we could.
• Make sure the kids have enough breaks between sightseeing excursions. Sometimes they need an hour or so at the hotel to read, swim, or watch TV.
• Give each child his/her own camera or sketch book. We find our children stay more engaged when they are actively documenting the journey.
• Ask the kids’ help in choosing the itinerary for the day.

What are your kids’ favorite activities while traveling? Have you ever been surprised by the things they choose to do while on vacation?

One of the many lessons we’ve learned on our family adventure trips is that you can never have enough clean hiking socks, and that lightweight wool gloves and hats are a must. (In Peru, the dry season is winter.) We also bring books, travel-sized games, flashlights with extra batteries, and at least one deck of cards. One of our favorite activities after a full day on the trail is to gather at the campsite and play Scrabble.

Today’s Family Adventure Travel tip: What to pack

• Packing is easier if you don’t have to carry the gear yourself. Even so, bring the minimum you’ll need, but don’t skimp on socks and underwear, and you’ll appreciate a good, lightweight rain jacket. Depending on bathroom options (the ones we’ve found typically range from really disgusting to unspeakable), you’ll want to bring toilet paper and baby wipes. You’ll also want to think about over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. (See Day 4)
• If you have picky eaters, bring some packaged pasta or soba noodles and beef jerky with you. We also pack almonds and other trail snacks.
• There are some great organic options for freeze dried meals and snacks at hiking stores like REI or online.  These are packed with nutrition and many of them are really tastie.
• Bring duffle bags that don’t have wheels. These are more versatile than hard-pack cases. If you want to bring wheeled bags on the trip, you can tuck the other duffels inside and break them out for the trek. Most treks start and end in the same base city, so your hotel will be able to keep your extra luggage until you return.
• Don’t bring your bags stuffed full - chances are you’ll see lots of souvenirs to buy.
• Break in hiking boots before the trip, and test out any other gear you will be using for the first time.

What tips do you have for vacation packing?  Have you learned anything the hard way?