I came across this crazy advertisement today while reading through the growing list of chemicals implicated in hormone disrutpion on OurStolenFuture.org.  The ad was part of a series run widely in the 1990’s recommending that people think of plastic as “your sixth basic food group.”   It’s amazing to think about what the chemical industry spends to convince people of the safety of their products – whether load with bisphenol-a or not!

The ad copy is a little hard to read, so here’s the full text:

Plastics: An Important Part Of Your Healthy Diet

“You could think of them as the sixth basic food group.”

Oh, you certainly wouldn’t eat them, but plastic packaging does help protect our food in many ways. To help lock in freshness, plastic wrap clings tightly to surfaces. To help lock out moisture, resealable containers provide a strong seal. And plastic wrap helps extend the shelf life of perishable produce, poultry, fish and meats. To prevent spoilage and contamination, some varieties of plastics help keep air out. While others let air in to help the food we eat stay fresher longer. Plastics also let you see what you’re buying, taking the mystery out of shopping. All of which makes them versatile, durable, lightweight and shatter-resistant. To learn more, call the American Plastics Council (APC) at 1.800.777.9500 for a free booklet. Plastics. One part of your diet you may never break.

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If you’ve spent any time looking for PVC-free Christmas gifts, then you know how difficult it is to find them.  PVC-free “rubber” duckies are very rare, but  Boon, Inc. has you covered with Squish, Slim, Bob and Jane.  They’re perfect for stocking stuffers and will be 30% off during our Christmas Bath Toy Sale starting Monday November 23, 2009.  Use the code “christmas1123″ at checkout by November 25, 2009. 

If you’re still not sure why you should avoid PVC or how to go about doing it, be sure to check out the series of articles I shared on Dr. Greene’s blog.

And Now for the Giveaway

It’s time for more Twitter Tuesday fun!  Today we’re giving away a Squish Odd Duck to one lucky winner via a live giveaway on Twitter at 3pm EST and another via 2nd Chance Drawing here on our blog.

How to enter our live giveaway via Twitter (#TuesGiveaway)

1. Follow us on Twitter @thesoftlanding
2. We’ll send out a contest announcement on Twitter at 3pm EST, and you’ll be entered automatically when you copy/paste that announcement and re-tweet it.  Our tweet will look something like this:  “RT to WIN: @thesoftlanding is giving away XYZ to the 50th person to tweet this!” (the tweet will be sent out right at 3pm EST and will not look exactly like this one – so be watching on Twitter)
3. The lucky tweet(s) will win!  We’ll notify everyone by tweeting the winner(s) Twitter ID when the contest ends.  Please check our profile page at http://www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding.com for updates
4. The winner(s) will contact us at info@thesoftlanding.com with their full name and shipping address to claim their prize
5. If you’ve won in the last 30 days, you will not be eligible to win today

*NOTE* Please be considerate of others by keeping your Twitter entries at a reasonable level (2-3 tweets).  That way everyone will have a chance to enter

How to Enter the Blog Contest

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to our Twitter Tuesday Giveaway today, because you can enter here on our blog too for a chance to win another Squish Odd Duck!  Simply leave a comment right here on this blog post by midnight on November 19, 2009.  One entry per person. Open to all blog readers worldwide!

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Women’s Voices for the Earth has released a report that debunks the myths surrounding the s0-called benefits of using disinfectants to clean our homes, daycares and schools.  They discuss chlorine bleach, ammonia, triclosan and triclocarban, ammonia quaternary compounds and nano silver, explaining the true consequences of our cultural obsession with their routine use.

Powerful antimicrobial chemicals (also known as disinfectants) are increasingly found in household cleaners, from laundry detergent to kitchen cleaners to handy wipes.  Yet research has shown that some of the most common antimicrobial chemicals used in cleaners could have serious health consequences. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to potential health impacts from simple irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system to hormone imbalance, immune system impacts, asthma, and potential reduced fertility. The overuse of disinfectant chemicals also contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, more commonly known as “superbugs.”

The truth is that in most households, the need for routine disinfection is rare.  Scientists agree that soap and water are effective for most routine cleaning jobs, and research has demonstrated that safer alternatives, such as vinegar and borax, have antibacterial properties that may be used in place of harsh chemicals. Also, other steps can be taken to prevent the need to disinfect in the first place.

The report offers recommended actions for reducing your exposure to these potentially hazardous chemicals, as well as information on non-toxic cleaners with antimicrobial properties.

Take Action Now

• Read the detailed executive report here
• Print or email the Fact Sheet and share it with your friends and family here
• Take the Disinfectants Mythbusters Quiz here to test your knowledge Watch the video, Disinfectants Horror Show here
• Join Women’s Voices for the Earth on Facebook here
• You can also learn more about alternatives to antibacterials and disinfectants with the help of Healthy Child Healthy World here

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The guys in my family have responded with equal shock and dismay after watching me drink coffee from my double-walled stainless steel mug, “Why are you ruining the ultimate beer mug with your coffee?!”  

It may sound strange, but I enjoy sipping from a heavy duty mug that keeps my coffee hot – even without a lid!  My husband insists that he get to use it for his frosty beer too – and I’m willing to share, but he has to put in a reservation ahead of time.  And it’s only available in the evenings

Our Favorite Features

• Its double wall design keeps drinks cold and hands comfortable, while preventing condensationThe air pocket created by the stainless steel double wall keeps cold drinks cold, and hot beverages hot
• Brushed exterior, polished interior and a large comfortable handle make it handsome and comfortable
• Skip disposable plastic cups and go eco-friendly
• Holds a hearty 15oz and measures 6″ H x 3″ W
• Dishwasher safe

This mug can survive any beating Dad can dish out!  It’s the perfect Christmas gift and will be 30% off during our 2-day Holiday Specials on Coffee and Tea Mugs from 11/16 through 11/18.  Use code “christmas116″ at checkout.  Not valid with any other offers.  While supplies last, no rainchecks.

And Now for the Giveaway

It’s time for more Twitter Tuesday fun!  Today we’re giving away a RSVP Stainless Steel Mug to one lucky winner via a live giveaway on Twitter at 3pm EST and another via 2nd Chance Drawing here on our blog.

How to enter our live giveaway via Twitter (#TuesGiveaway)

1. Follow us on Twitter @thesoftlanding
2. We’ll send out a contest announcement on Twitter at 3pm EST, and you’ll be entered automatically when you copy/paste that announcement and re-tweet it.  Our tweet will look something like this:  “RT to WIN: @thesoftlanding is giving away XYZ to the 50th person to tweet this!” (the tweet will be sent out right at 3pm EST and will not look exactly like this one – so be watching on Twitter)
3. The lucky tweet(s) will win!  We’ll notify everyone by tweeting the winner(s) Twitter ID when the contest ends.  Please check our profile page at http://www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding.com for updates
4. The winner(s) will contact us at info@thesoftlanding.com with their full name and shipping address to claim their prize
5. If you’ve won in the last 30 days, you will not be eligible to win today

*NOTE* Please be considerate of others by keeping your Twitter entries at a reasonable level (2-3 tweets).  That way everyone will have a chance to enter

How to Enter the Blog Contest

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to our Twitter Tuesday Giveaway today, because you can enter here on our blog too for a chance to win another RSVP Stainless Steel Mug!  Simply leave a comment right here on this blog post by midnight on November 12, 2009.  One entry per person. Open to all blog readers worldwide!

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I’m honored to be featured as Dr. Greene’s Perspectives blogger this week for a brand new, updated series on Toxic Plastic!

Here’s our schedule of topics for this week:

Monday:  A little background on why I left nursing to research endocrine-disruptors found in food storage, baby teethers and toys

Tuesday: What is BPA?

Wednesday: What are Phthalates?

Thursday: What is PVC?

Friday: How to Avoid BPA, PVC and phthalates

We’ll be offering all of these new updates and how-to’s in a downloadable format soon, so you can take it with you to share with friends and family members who need a little more convincing

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