What's in Your Makeup Bag?

How much do you know about the ingredients in your personal care products? According to a newly released study featured on Oregon Live, most people know very little about the products they use every day. From shampoos to deodorants to toothpaste to perfumes, most consumers remain in the dark. The study, commissioned through Portland State University and titled "What's in My Makeup Bag?," concludes that most people think there are health risks associated with using personal care products, yet generally trust the products they use. According to the study:

. . . nearly half of the respondents do not believe that the government adequately regulates personal care products (45.4%) and over half do not feel that they know all they need to know about the ingredients in the personal care products they use (62.5%).

momsAWARE has created an opportunity to test your knowledge and learn more about the hidden ingredients in your personal care and other household products. This 15-question Chemical Awareness Quiz covers subjects ranging from antibacterial soaps to pesticides to mouthwash. Below are a few samples of the kinds of questions included on the quiz.

1. How many personal care products does the average woman use each day?
   
   a. 7
   b. 9
   c. 12
   d. 17
2. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers' 2008 annual report, this was the top cause of poisoning in children under age 5:
   
   a. Household cleaners
   b. Pain medications
   c. Cosmetics/personal care products
   d. Foreign bodies/toys
3. The manufacturer of this consumer product warns against using it near birds because it can "damage a bird's lungs with alarming speed."
   
   a. Non-stick cookware
   b. Ant spray
   c. Weed killer
   d. Furniture polish
4. Triclosan, one of the primary ingredients in antibacterial soaps, is classified by the U.S. government as a:
   
   a. Drug
   b. Dioxide
   c. Waste product
   d. Pesticide
5. Dr. Harvey Wiley, the "Father of the Pure Food and Drugs Act," advised against using aluminum in food products, saying it is "universally acknowledged as a poison in all countries." Aluminum is commonly found in all of these products EXCEPT:
   
   a. Toothpaste
   b. Antacids
   c. Food additives
   d. Buffered aspirin

How did you do? To find out, see the comments section of this post. To further test your knowledge and learn more about the chemicals around us, take the momsAWARE Chemical Awareness Quiz.

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Introducing momsAWARE

I spoke with a mom last week who called from a hotel, one day after her family had vacated their toxic home. Since moving into the home in 2005, her health has declined. In her words: “I made a steady slide into poor health, including interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia, tremors, metallic taste, electronic shock pain in body, swollen joints, tingling in scalp, severe and chronic costochondritis, autoimmune problems, thyroid problems.” She tried everything to regain her health, including nutritional strategies such as juicing and avoidance of all sugar and processed foods.

Nothing helped. Her children became ill. Her husband became ill. Her dog died. Six months ago her parents moved in and they too became ill.

“I never once suspected mold,” she says.

Extensive research led her to the discovery that toxic mold can cause these various symptoms. Last week when she discovered six jackets covered in yellow, green, purple, and black furry mold, she and her family vacated their home.

“I’m worried about finances. I’m worried about whether we will recover. I’m worried about the legal implications of walking away from our home. How on earth we are going to pay for all that is coming our way, I just do not know.”

This mother’s story is all too common. It's our family's story, and so many others. This week marks three years since we found ourselves in a hotel, asking these same questions. Over the course of these last three years, I have spoken with dozens of families who have experienced this devastation.

For this reason I have a passion to raise awareness not only about toxic mold, but also about the hazards of pesticides, chemicals, EMFs, personal care products, and more. It is my dream to provide financial assistance to families just like this one.

So it is with great excitement that I introduce momsAWARE, an organization dedicated to seeing this dream become a reality. We are currently completing the incorporation process and will then apply for 501(c)(3) non-profit status with the IRS, which will allow us to accept tax-deductible donations as a qualified charitable organization.

We have an active website which includes articles, podcasts, videos, recipes, and helpful links. We’d love to have you join our Forum and visit us on Facebook for our daily educational tips and links to helpful resources.

Our website can be viewed here: momsAWARE.org

I am also very excited to let you know about our very own All-Natural Lip Balm! My daughter Megan and I have developed this recipe, which includes nourishing Jojoba Oil, luxurious Apricot Kernel Oil, sweet Lemon Oil, and the rare Melissa Oil. This lip balm has done wonders for our family! We plan to add seasonal versions with ingredients such as white fir for winter, lavender for spring, citrus for summer, and cinnamon for fall. I invite you to try our momsAWARE All-Natural Lip Balm by visiting our Online Store.

The world is slowly awakening to the connection between toxicity and health. Join us as we seek to encourage and empower, one searching family at a time.

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