The kids are heading back to school. So how about choosing more environmentally healthy products this year for your child’s and the environment’s sake?

On of the most important considerations to make is the storage and transportation of lunch.

Choose non-lead painted lunchboxes
Avoid lunchboxes made with lead and PVC, which are, based on research, likely two unsafe lunchbox materials.
Check for lead safe or even better, lead free labels. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) found lead in the PVC (vinyl) lining of several lunch-box samples it tested. Lead is a neurotoxin and can lead to consequences on a child’s development. Children are only exposed to small amounts of lead through their hands holding a lunch box or through their food if it’s stored unwrapped inside the bag. However, researcher and health professionals believe that this exposure over time can lead to enough lead accumulation to cause problems for your child.

Most of the home cleaning products available contain toxic chemicals. Some of the harmful ingredients to watch for and to avoid are: chlorine bleach formaldehyde, petroleum-based solvents, phosphates, and synthetic fragrances. These products can pose health hazard for humans and animals, are a threat to the environment, including fish and plant life, and release fumes into the air.

Just watch your pets move away from the dishwasher after opening the door and hot air with a noticable strong cent coming out.

Make your own safe, simple and effective cleaners following these recipes. Best to test all homemade cleaning solutions on a small area before applying to the entire area. Always ensure to keep homemade formulas out of reach for children.

Bathroom mold and mildew
Use full strength white vinegar or lemon juice. Apply with a sponge or brush.
Or mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait for a minimum of one hour before rinsing.

Many manufacturers of home cleaning products now offer greener products. However, not all products deserve the label to be environmentally friendly and natural. When selecting a cleaning agent, choose one with the least toxic cleaning agents and use small amounts to get the job done. Avoid products containing ammonia or chlorine, or petroleum-based chemicals. They can contribute to respiratory irritation, headaches, skin irritation and even more serious conditions. Look for bio-degradable products.

The safest natural cleaners for your home are simple and long-time proven and can be found right in your cupboard: Vinegar, baking powder, and corn starch can be just as efficient in cutting the grease and dirt as the aggressive and toxic chemicals in store brands.

Green Cleaning Tools
In order to get the job done choose cleaning clothes made of cotton. Toss the cotton towels in the washer and use them for years of cleaning. An increasing number of clothes and mops are made from machine-washable and efficient microfiber. Choose sponges made from natural cellulose. Be aware that many cleaning sponges are packed with harmful chemicals. Make sure to buy a natural chemical-free sponge.

The results of a recent study done by the Associated Press (AP), which tested drinking water in 50 major cities in 50 states, showed that, "41 million americans drink water contaminated with antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and sex hormones." This research confirms prior studies which proved that not only pharmaceuticals, but a wide array of chemicals including, fragrances used in perfumes, shampoos, detergents, sun-blocking compounds from sunscreen lotions, personal health and beauty aids are in our water.
The U.S. Geological Survey researchers have reported, "Finding a variety of antibiotics just downstream from hospitals and treatment plants." Because of these findings, several tests were scheduled at, "100 sites in 24 states." They were particularly concerned about the water downstream from various wastewater sources. Statistics from their research showed that;

One or more chemicals were detected in 80 percent of the streams sampled, and 82 of the 95 chemicals were detected at least once.

A recent study of 389 adult patients with suspected tuberculosis (TB), revealed that a combination of tests improved not only the accuracy of the diagnosis, but improved the amount of time it took to receive the results. Because of the difficulty in diagnosing TB, this new combination of testing can help minimize the spread of this contagious disease.

The Mantoux method, which is a skin test for TB, was employed along with a new blood test, the ELISpot Plus Assay. The study results, which were published in the March 8 issue of the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, 'Improved Diagnostic Evaluation of Suspected Tuberculosis', showed that, "Tuberculin skin testing and ELISpot Plus had higher sensitivity when used in combination." Further, the results had a, "99% accuracy of confirmed and highly probable cases."

These results have several benefits which include physicians being able to rule out TB in some patients who have negative results and allowing the physician to focus on diagnosing other diseases with similar symptoms.

A little bit of honey might relief night time couching and sleeplessness. These are findings of a recent study at the Penn State College of Medicine.

A team of researchers studied a group of 105 children with difficulties sleeping because of cough. Some children were given either a small dose bit of buckwheat honey, dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant in many over-the-counter cold medicines, or no treatment at all.

The research team found that honey is more effective in reducing frequency and severity of night time cough than DM or no treatment. Honey also improved sleep quality through the night.

Honey is a long established remedy to treat upper respiratory infections. It has antioxidants and antimicrobial effects. And it soothes the throat on contact.

Some children were hyperactive for a short while after taking the honey, but did sleep better overall.

Dr. Ian Paul of the research team said that honey provides parents with a safe and effective alternative for children over the age of one with cough and cold symptoms.

Research shows that a man’s life expectancy is prolonged after tying the knot.

That’s the findings in the book The Case of Marriage.

The authors Linda Waite, researcher at the University of Chicago and Maggie Gallagher, president of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy make a case in their book that high divorce rates in North America present public health problems that are in need to be fixed.

They base their book on apparent intriguing amount of scientific evidence that those who are married, especially married men, live longer and enjoy better health than their non-married counterparts.

According to The Case of Marriage, one of the reasons for mental and physical health and longtivity lies in the bedroom. Their surveys found that married partners not only have sex more often, but enjoy it more, both physically and emotionally, than unmarried cohabiting couples do.

In a study recently led by Brent C. Christner, the principle researcher of the Christner Research Group at Louisiana State University, rain and snow were found to contain the bacteria Pseudomonas. Though previous research had shown that bacteria played a big part on the amount of rain and snowfall, the identification of this particular bacteria raises new concerns.

This gram-negative bacteria grows naturally in plants, marshes, and animal tissues, and can cause serious infections in humans. Pseudomonas can invade any part of the body such as the blood, skin, bones, ears, eyes, urinary tract, heart valves, and lungs. People with burns, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis, along with debilitated and hospitalized people who may have a weakened immune system, are at a higher risk of contracting infections which can include;

*Ear infection
*Diarrhea
*Eye lesions and ulcers

Many naturopathic practitioners believe that the medicine of the 21st century needs to focus on detoxification. To fully understand this, let’s take closer look.

Based on the extensive research of one of Germany’s top toxicologist, Dr. Max Daunderer, the daily exposure to toxins is increasingly high. There are 12 million known chemical substances, of which only some risks to health and environment are known. Gaining reliable research takes decades to collect and interpret. A solid understanding based on sound data will remain unknown for some time.

Increasing numbers of people suffer from imbalances to the immune system, allergies and other chronic diseases. Undefined symptoms often have its cause in chronic toxic exposure or electromagnetic stress.

Food allergies can be triggered by at least 50 known substances, while allergens in cosmetics can mount in the hundreds.

Dr. Daunderer has been researching toxins and its effects on humans for decades. In his new book he focuses on chemicals which pose steady health threads to humans, such as toxins in dental fillings. He advocates for removal of all amalgam fillings and mercury-free dentistry. His research indicates that all dental materials are potentially toxic with a broad range of allergic reactions. He says heavy metals and toxins leave characteristic changes in the jaw bone.

Latest reports out of the U.S. on cruelty to animals in slaughterhouses raise concerns about animal welfare and consumer-safe meat production. Horrific images of abused cattle reignite concerns about the relation between animal and human welfare.

Until recent, little attention has been paid to how factory farm animals are raised, fed and treated. While studies on animal nutrition are few and far in-between, there is mounting evidence on the health benefits of grass-fed meats, eggs and dairy products.

Most feedlot animals are being fed with cheap feed and synthetic vitamins for quick fattening and maximum productivity.

Research suggests that feeding a mono diet of grain to grazing animals will provide lesser nutrition than fresh greens on the pasture.

It shows that grain fed meat has only one quarter of the vitamin E compared to free range meat.

Grain feed meats and dairy have about one eight of the beta-carotene compared to grass-fed product.