secrets from Dr. Oz

i admit that i'm a little addicted to Dr. Oz...
maybe it's because i've always wanted to be a doctor myself...maybe it's because he's so "real" and i find his passion about health and medicine refreshing...maybe it's because he cares a lot about the people he helps...

i always learn something when i watch him... it doesn't even have to be something earth shattering... sometimes i learn how my plate should be divided into fractional parts representing food groups to guarantee that i'm eating healthier...
sometimes i see a new recipe...
sometimes i hear his audience members questions and think, "oh yah, i wondered about that myself!" :)

mostly, however, i really find that listening to what he's teaching is changing my life for the good...

there are times where i miss the show...but fear not, i keep the DVR set to record new shows... :)

i started to watch a show from last week and found some great information...

the topic: toxins...
the show is discussing what toxins our bodies are "excreting" into the water supply because we are not watching what we put into our body.
these toxins are causing fresh water fish to develop both male and female reproductive parts... can you imagine what they're doing to us?

these toxins are found in frying pans (non-stick), bottles, plastics, and yes, even in our lotions...
the toxins are responsible for cancer...and for children starting puberty earlier and earlier...
the toxins mimic hormones...and well, they're bad for us!

we want to stay away from these toxins if we have the knowledge and awareness that they are bad for us!

here are a few:

phthalates:
these chemicals are found in so many products...
*non-stick pans (ever see your pans smoke when you're getting ready to put new pancake batter on it...yep, the smoke - that's the bad stuff)
*flexible plastics
*lotion
*shampoo
*toys
*canned foods
*flooring
*baby powder

~by the way, a lot of times, phthalates are not "listed" on the ingredients that you can find on the back of your favorite products. oftentimes, phthalates are in beauty products - and specifically, in items with fragrance. so, if it has the word "fragrance" on the product...don't use it... (so sad about this!)

BPA (Bisphenol-A):
this chemical is found in hard plastics, including our favorite water bottles, food containers, baby formula cans, canned food, and toys.
the BPA doesn't stay in the plastic; it leeches into us...
BPA can raise breast cancer rates and also cause challenges in reproductive health...

in plastics, you want to use things that are BPA and phthalate-free...

you can also look at the bottom of the plastic for the "recycling" symbol.
if the symbol has the numbers 3, 6 or 7 in the center, do NOT use them...

and, you should never microwave your food in any plastic container... always use glass... :) (and this goes for the microwave meals, as well... you should never microwave your food in the containers they provide!)

basically, these pollutants are not as strictly regulated as they seep into our water supply... the drinking supply is regulated, but only 91 of the contaminates are regulated... and well, when we shower, flush, drink, wash dishes...all of those chemicals are going down the drain and into our water system...thousands of chemicals and toxins...

it looks like i have some important changes to institute myself... not only for me, but also for my family, especially K... :)