Examining The Things You Take For Granted

     One very important lesson that I have gained through travel is how you are shaped by your environment.  Our environment includes that which we see others doing, that which we are coached to do and the things that we learned on our own by trial and error.  One aspect of my daily life that I realized I have been brainwashed into is CLEANING!  Western culture is obsessed with CLEAN!  But what is clean?  Do we need it?  Does it really benefit us enough to focus on it as much as we do?  There are necessary times when having a sterile environment is required ( hospitals, surgery, etc) but why are people obsessed with it in their home and on their physical body?  I wonder if there is so much in the world now that frightens people, so many directions pressuring us that to have something controllable which we can work on daily gives us a feeling of autonomy.  Something that gives us a sense of staying on top that which we fear.  However, other than the psychological benefit of control, is it really something that enhances our lives?  Look into who says cleaning is what we think it is, who it really benefits, and if it is in fact good for us.  Having germs in our environment actually makes us stronger.  Having a slightly messy house gives us more time for that which we love, and women (typically) often spend large amounts of time and money on unnecessary things.  Where could we channel this energy to better serve ourself, families and the world.

     I used to coat myself and my surroundings with all kinds of chemicals thinking I was doing what was necessary and right.  That is until I started getting rashes, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, and other symptoms that did not seem to have an answer.  Overtime I began to see that I am more sensitive than others.  I get very sick from chemicals in scents and in the environment   Realizing that I would have to relearn to take care of myself my search began.  My new best friends are vinegar, baking soda, borax, washing soda, salt, water, essential oils, dust collecting cleaning cloths, and VERY sparingly green bleach.  Most cleaners seem to have been introduced in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  This was the time of chemical experimentation in the home and in food.  DDT anyone?

     I will not go into all the details of what cleaning products do but  they are killing everything in their path and within the water system.  They are not just expensive to purchase, but also require the re-cleaning of water to make it "safe" for humans to drink.   It is not just the cleaning of our homes that influences us negatively.  For those of you who do not yet know, using those antibacterial hand soaps and gels, you should be aware that they contain Triclosan.  While we may think that chemical reactions are things like rashes and shortness of breath, there is more than that to chemical response.  

     The following is taken from Dr. Mercola's site drmercola.com
Triclosan is a chemical used to help reduce or prevent bacterial contamination, and it's commonly added to antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes and certain cosmetics, as well as furniture, kitchenware, clothing and toys. If you see triclosan on a product label, I suggest putting that product back on the shelf, as this chemical is linked to a number of concerning side effects to human health and the environment.
Triclosan May Cause Hormone Disruption

• Exposure to triclosan disrupts thyroid hormone-associated gene expression  in frogs, even at low levels (triclosan exposure at 0.15 parts per billion was enough to disrupt a hormone-signaling system in frogs)

You may be aware that many girls are now reaching puberty at younger ages, a trend that has been linked back to chemicals that disrupt the human endocrine system and affect your hormones, which control development and other important functions in your body. One such chemical is triclosan, a chlorinated phenolic compound that has been found to have both estrogenic and androgenic activity and has been linked to hormone disruption in animals.

The Toxicological Sciences  study noted above found that triclosan affected estrogen-mediated responses, and chemicals that imitate estrogen are known to increase breast cancer risk. Triclosan also suppressed thyroid hormone in rats, and this is only one study of many showing this chemical to be a potent endocrine disrupter.

     Commercial cleaning products are expensive, harmful, in some cases deadly, and horrible for the environment.  Why did people start using commercial cleaners?  The miracles of science started us in the direction of clean by showing how many illnesses are caused by unclean surroundings and insects.  Enter HYGIENE!  Both personal hygiene and in the home become a focus for all home-makers.  Women as home-makers were targeted and educated as to the "proper" way to keep your home and family safe.  The problem with this as with most things are the companies selling the products are the ones who are doing the education.  

    There is no official ending to this blog, only that I hope you think about what you put in your home (paint, cleaning products, toxic furniture), on your body (toiletries, laundry products), into your body (toothpaste, mouthwash, medicine), etc.  Submitting to the brainwashing of companies who want to profit from your illness both while it is going into your body and for the treatment later when you will be dependant on the pharmaceutical industry for medication and cancer treatment.  Although this all sounds rather hopeless, we are in control and do not need to be fearful.  We can choose to educate ourselves one topic at a time to make more informed and better choices tomorrow.