Is your bed making you sick?

I know, just what we need, another question about what is healthy or unhealthy for us. But ponder this before you say I don't care. Infants and toddlers spend 1/2 their lives sleeping, teenagers and adults 1/3 of their days in La La Land. So logic asks, shouldn't your place of slumber not only be comfortable but also as healthy for you as possible? The answer of course is yes. The problem is most don't give a second thought as to how safe and healthy their bed is because of complacency and our lazy willingness to trust those that manufacture, regulate and sell all products we consumers need. Try this on for size, nearly all baby mattresses manufactured today contain polyurethane foam, vinyl (PVC), Phthalates, chemical fire retardants, and an extensive list of added industrial chemicals. Phthalates are a group of those man made chemicals known to affect a child's developing endocrine (known as hormonal) system. They may also cause asthma, allergies and can even add to the development of some forms of cancer. These chemicals are so hazardous they have been banned in many countries around the world. Bromine, another hazard in the man made chemical world we wallow, is mainly used as a fire retardent in mattresses  and exposure to it can predispose sleepers to diseases of the prostate, thyroid, and breast. Polyurethane foam is used in most mattresses because it is cheap,( as are most things that are bad and unhealthy for you), lightweight, strong and durable. This foam then off gases and decomposes over time releasing deadly and carcinogenic vapors. Many other synthetic, fire retardant, petroleum based products, toxic glues, stains and coatings are used in the manufacturing of  mattresses  and no one studies the effects these substances have on our endocrine, immune, reproductive and central nervous systems singularly and most importantly synergistically. NO studies here in the U.S.  NONE!!  Studies done in New Zealand, Britain and Germany showing the negative effects of these products used have been ignored by the American Medical community. If that doesn't send an SOS through your immune system you better check your pulse or try reciting your ABC's because my guess is your not capable of remembering them. Years ago mattresses weren't made with this toxic soup of ingredients but because of recent history and our governments requirements to make mattresses resist open flames and resistant to a dropped, lit cigarette they are soaked in this soup of chemicals of which the harm they possibly cause is completely ignored and unstudied. What does one do to remedy this you ask? Look towards replacing these mattresses, (especially your crib mattresses), with healthier, non toxic choices such as organic cotton, wool, or natural latex (if there is no allergy). If that is not conducive to your balanced checkbook at least look into using organic cotton or wool toppers and pads which help shield the sleeper from the negatives effects of our modern U.S. sleep systems. As always the idea here is to present the info, inform, and urge you to become proactive not reactive. Complacency has no place in a healthy, long life no matter how hard they try to market it, sell it, and lull you to sleep.
Best of Health and a PFL,
Sean      

Do you want cheap or do you want your health?

That sounds like a pretty simple question to answer, doesn't it? Don't kid yourself though, most of us are answering cheap! Speak to any economist, any business owner who has succeeded OR failed, or any board member of a major corporation and they will all tell you that in order to survive, succeed, thrive and then create change in this world, it takes the almighty dollar, peso, euro, franc, or my matchbox for your cats eye marble. Your decision to spend where, when and on what speaks volumes in this world no matter if your living pay check to pay check or you have your own wine cellar in the basement. The very cool thing is it doesn't matter which "class" you list yourself under, that decision is equally as important no matter where you fall. Ultimately this country rises and falls, trends appear and fade, and businesses large and small alike thrive or fail based on the decisions you make with your currency of choice. Here in the states the focus by all in the business of doing business has been to make cheap appear to be cool, chic, logical, a necessity and most of all the place to spend your money. Do any of these ring a bell? Bogo, Blue light special, generic, buy more pay less, all fast food franchises,The Dollar Stores, Aldi, Walmart, Kmart,  coupons, subsidies and on and on and on... If we continue to spend for quantity instead of quality, especially when it comes to our food and drink, we are doomed to live a life of out of control degenerative disease,  and generation upon generation of children not out living their parents. Anyone who has listened to me from high a top my soapbox has heard me say that the most important thing we do everyday as human beings lies in the decision of what to put in our mouths to chew, swallow and assimilate. All else in life revolves around that decision. Decide on that cheap, corporate boardroom, bottom line side of food and drink and it won't matter a hill of beans what college degree you have, the size of your 401K, how many friends you have on facebook, or what neighborhood you call home. You won't live long enough to enjoy those trappings of life. Can cheap, ( or less expensive for my PC readers), one day live side by side with quality? Sure, if we start supporting things like sustainability, certified organic, locally grown, nourishing, pro active not reactive living, third party politics, community activism, and a contrarian view of life. We as a people have been dumbed down as a nation by those in charge to make you believe you don't have to think or hold close these qualities in order to live, eat, drink, consume, and pursue optimum health. If you speak with your dollar those in charge MUST listen. Support and spend on that which makes sense in your heart, soul and for your children's future, health, and wellness. If you want proof as to the reactive, healthless, unsustainable path we are currently heading down pay attention to The McDonalds franchises around the towns and cities in which you call home. Here in the beautiful LehighValley all the McDonalds are tearing down their current stores and building brand new restaurants with a contemporary stone and wood design. Common sense and business 101 tells anyone that for any business large or small to take on that type of expense business must be beyond good. The Ancient concept of Empirical Healers during the time of Hippocrates, stated "The true cause of all disease ultimately lay in the life and habits of the individual". If we keep spending our dollars, pesos, euros. francs, and cats eye marbles on "Value Meals" and "Mc Flurries" we'lll get what we paid for for sure. Best of health and a PFL
Sean
   

     

Calcium and Heart Attack—What You Really Need to Know

Calcium and Heart Attack—What You Really Need to Know