Hi "Simply Authentic,"
In the past year, we have learned that toys are not as safe as we once thought. Thomas the Tank Engine and other toys manufactured in China - and the U.S. -- were recalled en masse because of lead contamination. But lead is not the only toxic chemical in toys that parents are worried about. Phthalates are another family of unsafe chemicals commonly used in children's toys such as teethers, bath books and rubber ducks to make them soft and flexible. When kids put these toys in their mouths, phthalates can leach out of the products and enter their bodies. Help us prevent harm.
Take Action! Urge Congress to Ban Phthalates from Kid's Toys.
Unfortunately phthalates have been linked to a number of serious health problems including birth defects, early puberty and testicular cancer. They have no place in our children's toys, especially since safe alternatives exist.
CHEJ has convinced major retailers including Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys R Us to phase out these toxic chemicals.
California and Washington have banned these chemicals from toys, as has the European Union and 14 other countries. Now, Congress has the opportunity to protect all of our children.
Right now, a bipartisan Conference Committee is reconciling differences between House and Senate versions of the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act. The Senate Democrats on the committee are pushing to include a critical amendment authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein that would ban phthalates in children's toys and childcare articles. But House members of the Conference Committee have not yet committed to-and may even oppose-including the Senate ban on phthalates in the final bill. Representatives Dingell, Rush and DeGette will most likely be the deciding votes!
Take Action! Urge Congress to Ban Phthalates from Kid's Toys.
Thanks for your help in preventing harm.
Sincerely,
Center for Health, Environment and Justice
PS - After you take action, can you forward this e-mail to 5 of your friends?
This message is brought to you by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice's BE SAFE PVC Campaign.For more information visit the BE SAFE PVC campaign's website: www.besafenet.com/pvc
**On a side note, most regulations that do exist for most chemicals (or why they are deemed "safe") is because they are based on studies that were done on adults. Infants and children, with their smaller body masses) are more susceptible to chemical transmission. Thus we are living surrounded by exposures that are based on only a percentage of the population that are exposed to them.**
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Current Issues
Window boxes are out with the green beans stretching to the sky. Hopefully the hot days will be helpful for the peppers and tomatoes. Watching the green beans grow over an inch in a day was pretty incredible!
Went to the health center yesterday. No real suggestions beyond what I already knew, but I'm scheduled for a follow-up next Friday. Nothing huge is going on, just lots of little, probably unrelated things.
This week I was reminded that though as children we believed that adults were less dramatic and did not squabble over ridiculous things, we were wrong. As students we are working with an organization this term involving community organizing. Halfway through our time there we have learned that we are working more for one individual who has a separate agenda. At times unethical, we are trying to get through without completely being beat around in the middle. It is a shame as the purpose is to create more healthy food sources for food insecure individuals.....yet the actual point is getting overshadowed by egos and other desires.
Reminds me of what is happening in other parts of the world where aid is being offered and denied after natural disasters. What happens to people to allow them to deny basic rights to others? What happens to people to create a state of suffering for others? What happens to people to have them only think of what they desire? Are we just innately selfish or are we afraid? Maybe it's a little of both.
I look around the world and see how easily we all become caught in our own desires. How easily we have stopped looking for the greater good, how easily we've let go of helping our brothers and sisters. Maybe it's in the name of technological growth, maybe we think that we "deserve" this, maybe our desire is so strong it overshadows others, maybe we feel that other people's lifestyles are wrong, maybe we get so caught up in our idea of what is right that we stop noticing what really IS right. But why am I, or you, or anyone else any better or deserve anything else than the next person? Why should we deny or judge or punish anyone of something that we are ourselves would do in that same situation?
Just some food for thought on a Thursday. Maybe these are things that I need to be reminding myself of more than anything...it's too easy to get caught up in the rat race of everything, when really it just doesn't matter....and the things that DO matter so often are the ones that get the most overshadowed.
Went to the health center yesterday. No real suggestions beyond what I already knew, but I'm scheduled for a follow-up next Friday. Nothing huge is going on, just lots of little, probably unrelated things.
This week I was reminded that though as children we believed that adults were less dramatic and did not squabble over ridiculous things, we were wrong. As students we are working with an organization this term involving community organizing. Halfway through our time there we have learned that we are working more for one individual who has a separate agenda. At times unethical, we are trying to get through without completely being beat around in the middle. It is a shame as the purpose is to create more healthy food sources for food insecure individuals.....yet the actual point is getting overshadowed by egos and other desires.
Reminds me of what is happening in other parts of the world where aid is being offered and denied after natural disasters. What happens to people to allow them to deny basic rights to others? What happens to people to create a state of suffering for others? What happens to people to have them only think of what they desire? Are we just innately selfish or are we afraid? Maybe it's a little of both.
I look around the world and see how easily we all become caught in our own desires. How easily we have stopped looking for the greater good, how easily we've let go of helping our brothers and sisters. Maybe it's in the name of technological growth, maybe we think that we "deserve" this, maybe our desire is so strong it overshadows others, maybe we feel that other people's lifestyles are wrong, maybe we get so caught up in our idea of what is right that we stop noticing what really IS right. But why am I, or you, or anyone else any better or deserve anything else than the next person? Why should we deny or judge or punish anyone of something that we are ourselves would do in that same situation?
Just some food for thought on a Thursday. Maybe these are things that I need to be reminding myself of more than anything...it's too easy to get caught up in the rat race of everything, when really it just doesn't matter....and the things that DO matter so often are the ones that get the most overshadowed.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thinking About an Update
Thursday always marks the end of my academic week, but for the first time in a long time I'm feeling incredibly motivated to actually spend my evening reading for academic purposes. You know that you're feeling better when motivation returns. So I'm writing a quick posting before I dive into my chapters on community organizing. Just took a long soak in the tub, washed my dishes, changed the sheets on my bed, and talked with my grandmother--the week is coming to a good close while gearing up for a great weekend.
I'm feeling grateful for several reasons. I get to spend Saturday morning of this weekend hanging out with a fellow frugally minded, down to earth friend. Saturday afternoon I'll spend getting together with a group of gals from different walks of life that are incredibly driven in what they do. Sunday, I'll finally get my much needed time with my extended family. And yes, that means another weekend of focusing on relationships--something that feeds my soul at times.
I'm also feeling grateful as I found out this week that I DID get into the social work program. I'm grateful also to now see the end of my educational tunnel. And I'm thankful for all the individuals in my life who offered prayers and positive thoughts during the time that I was waiting. I'm hopeful that all the rest of the pieces for this next year will fall into place as well.
I took my vehicle through DEQ today and was thankful it was a quick, easy process. I was also incredibly grateful for the fact that I drive a Honda and that there were no issues with passing emissions testing. I am also thankful for the ride home one of my friends in the program gave me as I'd still been feeling tired in comparison to the norm and wasn't looking forward to the walk this evening.
And I'm grateful for the light bulb moment I had in regards to one of my goals. If you haven't noticed, "taking shorter showers" has been on my current goal list for a very, very long time. I generally take incredibly long showers--think of it as a self-imposed therapy session. However I know how horrible this behavior is for the environment, especially as water becomes an even more pressing issue across the globe. While this might not be a HUGE step, I have come to recognize that if I take a bath (and only fill the bath tub about 1/3 of the way or less) then I am using less water than if I take one of my regularly lengthy showers. While a daily bath probably isn't the most realistic, I figure if I bathe instead of shower in this manner even 3-4x a week then I'm making a huge dent in my water usage. Plus I still get to spend as much time as I want but use less water!
One other thing I've been thinking of lately is that maybe it's time for me to watch Blood Diamond again....because I think I need some help straightening out my priorities again.... Somehow I feel I'm starting to become immune to things NO ONE should ever be immune to......Maybe it was the path I chose to drive to get to DEQ and recognized how prevalent institutional racism and economic disparities are, maybe it's the recent natural disasters and the human suffering, maybe it's just a variety of things, but somehow I need to get back on the track of DOING something about it instead of just thinking about it all......
Enjoy the weekend......Hope it's relaxing, renewing, and spent in building relationship with others or with yourself. Enjoy....
I'm feeling grateful for several reasons. I get to spend Saturday morning of this weekend hanging out with a fellow frugally minded, down to earth friend. Saturday afternoon I'll spend getting together with a group of gals from different walks of life that are incredibly driven in what they do. Sunday, I'll finally get my much needed time with my extended family. And yes, that means another weekend of focusing on relationships--something that feeds my soul at times.
I'm also feeling grateful as I found out this week that I DID get into the social work program. I'm grateful also to now see the end of my educational tunnel. And I'm thankful for all the individuals in my life who offered prayers and positive thoughts during the time that I was waiting. I'm hopeful that all the rest of the pieces for this next year will fall into place as well.
I took my vehicle through DEQ today and was thankful it was a quick, easy process. I was also incredibly grateful for the fact that I drive a Honda and that there were no issues with passing emissions testing. I am also thankful for the ride home one of my friends in the program gave me as I'd still been feeling tired in comparison to the norm and wasn't looking forward to the walk this evening.
And I'm grateful for the light bulb moment I had in regards to one of my goals. If you haven't noticed, "taking shorter showers" has been on my current goal list for a very, very long time. I generally take incredibly long showers--think of it as a self-imposed therapy session. However I know how horrible this behavior is for the environment, especially as water becomes an even more pressing issue across the globe. While this might not be a HUGE step, I have come to recognize that if I take a bath (and only fill the bath tub about 1/3 of the way or less) then I am using less water than if I take one of my regularly lengthy showers. While a daily bath probably isn't the most realistic, I figure if I bathe instead of shower in this manner even 3-4x a week then I'm making a huge dent in my water usage. Plus I still get to spend as much time as I want but use less water!
One other thing I've been thinking of lately is that maybe it's time for me to watch Blood Diamond again....because I think I need some help straightening out my priorities again.... Somehow I feel I'm starting to become immune to things NO ONE should ever be immune to......Maybe it was the path I chose to drive to get to DEQ and recognized how prevalent institutional racism and economic disparities are, maybe it's the recent natural disasters and the human suffering, maybe it's just a variety of things, but somehow I need to get back on the track of DOING something about it instead of just thinking about it all......
Enjoy the weekend......Hope it's relaxing, renewing, and spent in building relationship with others or with yourself. Enjoy....
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Renewal Should Have Been Renewed
As I write this I am very glad for the renewing weekend I had--otherwise I probably would never have laughed about what happened today. After walking home from downtown, a 2.5-3 mile round trip, I noticed a yellow ticketing envelope on my car parked down the street. Upon reading it I discovered that my registration tags had expired--something I've never had to deal with before nor realized I should have gotten a renewal notice about in the mail. So ever the dependent daughter, I called my father questioning what I needed to do. (Mind you at this point it's already about 4:30pm and the DMV closes at 5pm).
We both looked online, I called the call line and discovered I need to take my car into DEQ since I am living in the city, and then I spent the next 5-10 mins gathering the appropriate forms from my files and my car so that I could get a temporary permit. At approximately 4:40 I leave the vicinity of my apartment building realizing that on the average day it takes me a good 20-30 minutes to walk to downtown which is where I'm headed. So with no time to change, I literally ran the entire 15-20 blocks in flip flops, a skirt, and no sports bra. Luckily I made it with just over 5 mins to spare. Pretty impressive I thought.
I also lucked out in having wonderful DMV people who continued to serve us after 5pm, and I was able to get my temp permit. I still have to go to DEQ but the fabulous woman behind the counter helped me fill out additional paperwork so that I can take care of everything in that one stop-no need to return to DMV. However no lesson in my life comes free---a $40 ticket, a $20 temp permit, a $21 DEQ charge, and $54 for renewal tags. This is one moment when I'm grateful for Bush's stupid stimulus checks----because really how else would I cover all this without it? Grr so gulp, Thanks Mr. President and mark the day on the calendar.
At least I really did come out still laughing though. I should never had made the comment to a classmate this morning that I'd been thinking about starting to run again....;-)
Now go check your registration tags and make sure they're up to date! Have a beautiful day! Happy 5 de Mayo!
We both looked online, I called the call line and discovered I need to take my car into DEQ since I am living in the city, and then I spent the next 5-10 mins gathering the appropriate forms from my files and my car so that I could get a temporary permit. At approximately 4:40 I leave the vicinity of my apartment building realizing that on the average day it takes me a good 20-30 minutes to walk to downtown which is where I'm headed. So with no time to change, I literally ran the entire 15-20 blocks in flip flops, a skirt, and no sports bra. Luckily I made it with just over 5 mins to spare. Pretty impressive I thought.
I also lucked out in having wonderful DMV people who continued to serve us after 5pm, and I was able to get my temp permit. I still have to go to DEQ but the fabulous woman behind the counter helped me fill out additional paperwork so that I can take care of everything in that one stop-no need to return to DMV. However no lesson in my life comes free---a $40 ticket, a $20 temp permit, a $21 DEQ charge, and $54 for renewal tags. This is one moment when I'm grateful for Bush's stupid stimulus checks----because really how else would I cover all this without it? Grr so gulp, Thanks Mr. President and mark the day on the calendar.
At least I really did come out still laughing though. I should never had made the comment to a classmate this morning that I'd been thinking about starting to run again....;-)
Now go check your registration tags and make sure they're up to date! Have a beautiful day! Happy 5 de Mayo!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Time for Renewal
Last week was a difficult one focusing on too many worries--something that is never beneficial for mental health. I'm not a patient person and right now I'm waiting on a lot of unknowns. Lately I haven't focused on different aspects of my health, and I had planned on spending most this weekend studying for my midterm. Yesterday I was to spend needed time with my extended family, but Friday night I struggled with dizziness. This happens when I'm not regulating my nutritional needs, but I thought it would pass. However yesterday afternoon I still felt "off" and as I was not 100% sure why, we decided it would be better for me to stay home. The ironic thing is that I'm someone who really dislikes being alone when I'm sick. An entire day sick cooped up inside seemed like a lot-- but it was just what I needed.
I didn't have energy yesterday to study, I have no TV, and it totally exhausted me just to walk the 4 flights of stairs to check mail. So what was I to do? I crawled into pjs, opened windows to air my apartment, planned balanced meals to eat throughout the day, and spent the afternoon flipping through an "anything" book.
As a sophomore in high school, I had a teacher who assigned us to make "anything books"--books that were to contain expression of just that-anything. I enjoyed the assignment so much that I've continued it throughout the years. Thus yesterday, I opened the most recent book and re-read notes taken on books about simple living. I looked at the pictures I've pasted that represent aspects of myself and what I want out of life. In so doing, I was reminded why all of that, all of what this blog is supposed to be about, is so important to me. It reminded me to stay true to my values and to not get wrapped up in the minuscule dramas of things I can't control. This knowledge continued as I spent the evening watching a favorite movie that speaks of the things that are really important in life and the reality that life evolves of itself. I went to bed peaceful and renewed.
Today I woke up feeling better but decided to continue to feed my spirit. I attended a new church, as I've come to realize how necessary it is for me to be in communion with other believers, to be in the Word, to be in prayer, to recognize that faith will carry me through. I thoroughly cleaned my apartment. I planted the next round of my seeds. I turned on satisfying music. I continued to eat well. I cooked. I added to the anything book. I was blessed to spend time chatting online with my "little" cousin and am grateful for the relationship we have been forging throughout this year.
I still find it ironic that sometimes we have to fall down in order to be picked up. However in this moment I feel at ease, at peace, and well...renewed. My worries are still there and are now in the form of prayer requests (news on my application to the social work program, the same proportionate or more amount of scholarship for next year, and a job--I specifically applied for one in particular but just about any job for the summer would do). There are a few other things on my heart and mind, but they will remain there for the time being. But more than anything I'm grateful for this period of renewal....a time to spring clean if you will. And I have faith my midterm will turn out alright anyway. :-)
Hope you all enjoyed a beautiful weekend!
I didn't have energy yesterday to study, I have no TV, and it totally exhausted me just to walk the 4 flights of stairs to check mail. So what was I to do? I crawled into pjs, opened windows to air my apartment, planned balanced meals to eat throughout the day, and spent the afternoon flipping through an "anything" book.
As a sophomore in high school, I had a teacher who assigned us to make "anything books"--books that were to contain expression of just that-anything. I enjoyed the assignment so much that I've continued it throughout the years. Thus yesterday, I opened the most recent book and re-read notes taken on books about simple living. I looked at the pictures I've pasted that represent aspects of myself and what I want out of life. In so doing, I was reminded why all of that, all of what this blog is supposed to be about, is so important to me. It reminded me to stay true to my values and to not get wrapped up in the minuscule dramas of things I can't control. This knowledge continued as I spent the evening watching a favorite movie that speaks of the things that are really important in life and the reality that life evolves of itself. I went to bed peaceful and renewed.
Today I woke up feeling better but decided to continue to feed my spirit. I attended a new church, as I've come to realize how necessary it is for me to be in communion with other believers, to be in the Word, to be in prayer, to recognize that faith will carry me through. I thoroughly cleaned my apartment. I planted the next round of my seeds. I turned on satisfying music. I continued to eat well. I cooked. I added to the anything book. I was blessed to spend time chatting online with my "little" cousin and am grateful for the relationship we have been forging throughout this year.
I still find it ironic that sometimes we have to fall down in order to be picked up. However in this moment I feel at ease, at peace, and well...renewed. My worries are still there and are now in the form of prayer requests (news on my application to the social work program, the same proportionate or more amount of scholarship for next year, and a job--I specifically applied for one in particular but just about any job for the summer would do). There are a few other things on my heart and mind, but they will remain there for the time being. But more than anything I'm grateful for this period of renewal....a time to spring clean if you will. And I have faith my midterm will turn out alright anyway. :-)
Hope you all enjoyed a beautiful weekend!
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