Just in time for summer, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its 2010 Sunscreen Guide. Alarmingly, this study found that 92 percent of brand name sunscreens either don’t sufficiently protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals — or both. 

Ultimately, the best defenses against harmful UV radiation are protective clothes, shade and timing. But I can’t see this going over well this summer: “No kids, we can’t go to the beach with your friends. We have to wait until after 5pm because that is when the sun’s rays are not as harmful. And you have to wear your long shorts, rash guard and a hat.” Um, yeah, that’s not going to work - so, sunscreen is a must for this fair-skinned family.

The choice for us is to find safer, more effective sunscreens. That starts with choosing a mineral-based sunscreen, which is generally safer than a chemical one.

The problem with chemical sunscreens is that, well, they use chemicals to protect our skin from the sun - chemical compounds like avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octyl methoxycinnamate. These chemicals absorb the light rays rather than deflecting them, with the majority of them only blocking one kind of the sun’s rays (either UVB or UVA).  In order to block both types of rays, most chemical-based sunscreens have to use many different types of chemicals. Often the chemical particles are very small, called nanoparticles, which are small enough to penetrate the skin and enter the blood stream. Young children’s skin is especially sensitive to these chemical allergens.

The other type of sunscreen is mineral-based sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are minerals that deflect the sun’s rays. So, unlike chemical sunscreens that absorb the sun’s rays, these sunscreens form a physical barrier to protect your skin from absorption. Look for sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad spectrum protection. One thing to watch for with mineral sunscreens (just like chemical sunscreens) is micronized particles - look for mineral sunscreens with mineral particles larger than 100 nanometers.

Another issue with mineral sunscreen is a symptom my son likes to call “ghost-face.” Basically, because the mineral creates a barrier on your skin, it doesn’t absorb the way chemicals sunscreen do. So, the lotion can create a white effect on the skin. If you are going for the golden brown look (well, you probably don’t care much about sunscreen anyway), this may not be the choice for you. As for me, I just blame my intensely white skin on the sunscreen rather than my complete lack of tan, so it works just fine for me.
There are a number of safe, effective mineral sunscreens on the market. You just may have to look beyond the big brands to discover some safe and effective sunscreens – like UV Natural, Soleo Organics, Miessence, Badger and California Baby. These brands can be found in health food stores, online, and even in some traditional drug stores.

More sunscreen tips:

• The majority of sun damage occurs before the age of 18, so it’s important to keep kids protected from too much sun exposure.
• Apply sunscreen frequently - more frequent applications protect even better than a high SPF rating.  Try to coat on the sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and then reapply every two hours at a minimum.
• Stick to SPF 15-50. SPF 15 blocks 93.3% of UV rays while SPF 30 blocks 96.6%. Any SPF higher than 50 is misleading.
• Apply generously – many dermatologists recommend using a full ounce on sunscreen (an amount that would fill a shot glass) if you are applying to your face and body.  Most people use about half that amount.
• Broad-spectrum is crucial.  Look for broad-spectrum products that filter the UVA rays that penetrate to the dermis, causing damage that may show up years later. There is no FDA requirement for sunscreen to block any UVA rays at all, so read the label and buy carefully.
• Include anti-oxidants - With sun exposure, free radical formation is inevitable, but damage to your skin can be minimized with the use a topical Vitamin C or anti-oxidant product at night, especially after a day in the sun.  Also look for mineral sunscreens that are high in anti-oxidants like green tea.
• Avoid sunscreen with Vitamin A (added to 41% of all sunscreens).  An FDA study indicates that a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions.
• Prevent sun damage now and later - The UVB (burning) rays are 1000x stronger than UVA rays, while UVA (aging) rays are 1000x times more prevalent than UVB rays.  So when it comes to sunscreen your rule of thumb should be: to prevent burning wear a lot, to prevent aging, wear it all the time.

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I am a member of an organization called Green America (formerly Co-Op America). They have a wealth of resources for going green, including some handy lists, like “Things you should always buy green” and printable wallet-sized tip sheets I carry in my purse like the “Safe Seafood Wallet list” and “What to buy organic”.

Another list they created is called “Ten things you should never buy again”.

As I mentioned in a previous post, now that I’m older (and a little bit wiser) I don’t like the word never much anymore. It’s just a bit unrealistic. I do like this list though and I wanted to pass it along - but I am going to call it “ten things you should try really hard to not buy again”.

On that list are the following:

Styrofoam cups – After my kids and I participated in a couple of beach cleanups, I couldn’t agree more with this one. There was Styrofoam everywhere. Small pieces, large pieces, and everything in between. It was never-ending. It was also disgusting. My kids and I pledged right then and there to never use Styrofoam again. Since then, with a couple exceptions, we have managed to do it.

• How to: Avoid the dreaded #6 plastic (polystyrene) by eating less fast food and not taking home leftovers. Admit it, they sit in your fridge for a few days anyway and then you toss them – but if you really can’t stand to waste food, order less or bring your own containers with you. You can also easily avoid Styrofoam coffee cups by bringing your own travel mug. Coffee tastes better, stays hotter, and you get a discount at most coffee places by bringing your own.

Paper towels – I would say just use sparingly. I do have a roll next to my sink – it’s made from recycled paper and it sits on the counter for months. Paper towels come in handy occasionally, but for the most part, we almost never need them.

• How to:  I recommend Skoy cloths - they are awesome. This sponge/towel hybrid lasts forever and virtually eliminates the need for paper towels. Also, I have a drawer in the kitchen where I keep a bunch of old, clean wash cloths. Any time the kids need to wipe their hands or wipe up a quick spill, they grab one of those and then toss in the hamper. It’s super easy and saves money too.

Chemical pesticides and conventional household cleaners – Few items expose your family to more toxicants than this category. Not only is it better for the environment, it’s much better for your health and the health of your family to steer clear traditional chemical-based cleaners.

• How to: You can use items like baking soda and peroxide that you already have at home to clean your house. You can also ward of pests with ingredients like borax, lemon and peppermint. If you would rather buy than make your own, there are hundreds of eco-friendly cleaners and pesticides on the market that do the job without exposing your family to harsh chemicals.

Toys made with PVC plastic – I’ve written about the dangers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), commonly called “vinyl” before. It is used in commercial plastic wraps and salad dressing bottles, shower curtains, and also (amazingly) kids toys, backpacks, lunch bags, and binders. PVC contains phthalates (softeners needed to make the plastic bend) and they have been found to interfere with hormonal development. The production of and burning of PVC plastic releases dioxin, a known carcinogen, into the atmosphere. It’s bad for our health and bad for the environment.

• How to: To avoid PVC in school supplies, check out the Center for Health Environment and Justice’s (CHEJ) Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies, which lists the most common back-to-school supplies made out of toxic PVC and suggests safer PVC-free products in over 20 product categories.

Other items on the “try really hard not to buy again” list include:

• Bleached coffee filters
• Over packaged foods and other products
• Teak and mahogany
• Higher octane gas than you need
• Plastic forks and spoons

I like this list because not only is it easy, avoiding these products can have a big impact on the health of your family and the environment. Check out the full list and some additional recommendations here.

To find alternatives to these products and lots of other eco-friendly options that are not on this list, please visit my website, BuyGreen.com, a company that is Green America certified as "approved for people and planet". You can also follow me on Twitter @buygreen and @ocgreenmama or fan us on Facebook.

One thing I never leave the house without is my reusable water bottle. I have many, but my trustee favorite is the classic stainless steel Klean Kanteen 27 ounce bottle.

Now, I’m not going to claim innocence and say I have never put alcohol in my reusable water bottle. There was that ill-fated attempt to sneak Bloody Marys into the pool at the Desert Springs Marriott. (Word to the wise, don’t try it. Those security guards don’t mess around). But really, that’s on a weekend getaway with no driving and no kids. On a Wednesday at 2:30 when I am picking up a carload of kids from school, or at 5:00 when I’m dropping my son off at baseball practice, I do not in fact have alcohol in my reusable bottle. Okay, glad we go that straight.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve spent a lot of time in San Francisco lately, and I’m pretty sure that no one there would ask me what is in my water bottle. Over half the people I saw walking around the city were toting their own reusable bottle. It was Klean Kanteen heaven and I loved it.

But here in Orange County, a mom walking around every day with a stainless steel water bottle is still suspect. I look forward to the day when it’s not. I’m encouraged by the fact that I no longer get the bewildered or annoyed looks from cashiers when I bring my own bags to the store. That's because more and more people are choosing reusable shopping bags. I look forward to the next step, when we all put down our plastic water bottles and hit the tap.

For more on the problem with bottled water and why you should make the switch to tap water, I highly recommend this video, The Story of Bottled Water. It’s worth the seven minutes to view. It’s a pretty compelling argument.

Recently, a company called Lifefactory (which makes glass baby bottles) came out with a reusable glass bottle for adults. It’s safe, non-leaching, unbreakable and best of all, just like plastic water bottles, it’s see-through.

This just might be my solution until the time (I hope in the not so distant future), that carrying around a reusable water bottle will be as common in Orange County as say, talking on your cell phone loudly in public. It will just be the norm rather than the exception.

What do you think? Do you carry a reusable bottle or are you still stuck on plastic? If you are still using disposable bottles, why can’t you give them up? Is that possible that reusable bottles can be more common in Orange County than disposable ones or am I living in a dream world?

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Unless you grow it yourself in your backyard, the answer is probably a resounding no. I always thought I had a fairly good idea. But last weekend, I watched “Food Inc.” and I realized I only knew a small part of the story. The movie had a profound effect on me and has totally changed how I look at food.

“Food Inc.” is packed with information and made me ask questions like: Why can we get ripened tomatoes year round? Why is it that a bag of chips costs less than a bundle of carrots? What is the reason that many chickens are never exposed to sunlight? And who on earth ever thought it was a good idea to feed corn to fish?

It was tough to watch at times but ultimately, I found it pretty inspiring. Knowledge is power and with more knowledge, I can make better decisions.

There is a great summary at the end of the movie that describes what we can do as consumes to make better food choices. Here are the suggestions that appear one by one on the screen:
Buy from companies that treat workers, animal and the environment with respect.

When you go to the supermarket, choose foods that are in season.

• Buy foods that are organic.
• Know what’s in your food. Read labels.
• The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to the supermarket. Buy foods that are grown locally.
• Shop at farmer’s markets.
• Plant a garden (even a small one).
• Cook a meal with your family and eat together.
• Everyone has a right to healthy food. Make sure your farmer’s market takes food stamps.
• Ask your school board to provide healthy school lunches.
• The FDA and USDA are supposed to protect you and your family. Tell Congress to enforce food safety standards and re-introduce Kevin’s Law.
• If you say grace, ask for food that will keep us, and the planet healthy.
  

It’s a great reminder that as consumers, we can vote to change this broken system. We get the chance to exercise our vote three times a day. For more information and suggestions for what you can do, visit Take Part.

I hope that everyone will make the time to see “Food Inc.” Please see it for you, see it for the people you love and see it for the planet. Remember “you can change the world with every bite.”

About the Author: Allison is Co-founder of BuyGreen.com, a website for green, eco-friendly products. You can follow her on Twitter @buygreen and @ocgreenmama.

Have you heard the news: it’s snowing back east? Oh my gosh, it’s snowing…in the Northwest…in February. Can you believe it?

In the middle of this week's storm, climate change naysayers are declaring that this storm in one region of one county totally disproves climate change. It’s people like Senator James Inhofe who constructed an igloo in Washington, DC and posted a sign reading "Honk if you heart global warming." It’s Senator Jim DeMint who tweeted "It's going to keep snowing in DC until Al Gore cries uncle." And you better believe that Fox News has jumped all over it, with story after story that totally distorts the facts to fit their agenda.

It’s hard for me to believe that some of this is even real. I mean, really, it’s ridiculous. It’s like me looking up at the night sky and saying “Well the sun must have gone away because it’s dark outside.” It’s two-year old logic, but there are people lapping it up and it scares me.

Now I realize that this is a particularly harsh storm impacting millions of people so I'm not trying to make light of it. But the climate change deniers are totally missing the point. As Giselle Barry from Repower America points out “Extreme weather is climate change! Not only does "Snowpocalypse" not disprove global warming, it actually matches scientific predictions that climate change will increase extreme weather events of many kinds, including heavy snowfalls in regions like the Northeast.”

The fact is that climate change is a very complex issue. It will lead to more temperature extremes, both cold and warm. And I don’t remember Al Gore ever saying that it would never snow again ever. I’m quite sure that’s not was the hundreds of years of scientific evidence and study predict.

This clip from Jon Stewart’s "The Daily Show" is genius, and sums it up best. As usual, a little dose of humor makes me feel so much better:

Click on image below to watch video.

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