Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Is Melamine Safe for Kids?

If you ever needed another reason to breastfeed, here it is. Four babies have died and thousands are ill after melamine was found in contaminated dairy products in Asia.

The industrial toxin, which is high in nitrogen, is added to milk when producers want to artificially boost protein content. According to the Associated Press, one in five national dairy companies tested positive for the chemical. The hygiene practices of dairy farmers dates back to 80′s standardization and this lack of updated regulation has allowed the antiquated technology to go largely unchecked.

After the pet-food scare with melamine it leaves one wondering what, if any, form of melamine is safe. I was recently given some kids’ bowls made from melamine. Are they at risk? Obviously the substance is solidified, but as we now know with regard to plastics, it is best to err on the side of caution.

Melamine flatware is usually created by combining the chemical with formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has been linked to asthma and cancer. In a piece for the Green Guide, Alexandra Zissu (author of The Organic Pregnancy – a great book I reviewed last year,) discusses the concern surrounding melamine and other durable plastics used in baby and toddler wares. In her article on plastics Zissu notes:

Aside from sippy cups, most kidware isn’t made of polycarbonate but of durable, colorful melamine. Melamine is a questionable choice for food because it’s made with formaldehyde, which has been linked to allergies, asthma and cancer. There’s no evidence that formaldehyde leaches out of melamine every single time it’s used, but some studies, including one by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, have shown that the chemical can migrate out of melamine and into food under certain circumstances, such as heat and when serving highly acidic foods.

In my home we have been using glass, stainless steel, #5 plastics and wood. As far as plastics go, it is wise to never use abrasive detergents or scrubby sponges as this can cause degeneration, which can lead to leaching. Zissu discusses what she feels are the best alternatives:

My daughter eats from our own lead-free ceramic dishes. She also eats from small stainless-steel prep bowls purchased at a kitchen supply store, and even the occasional glass bowl. I know some moms and dads worry about shattering glass, but she’s never broken one, despite the fact that the floor under our dining table is poured concrete (inherited from someone else’s renovation). It probably helped that we have firmly explained to her over and over and over that she may not toss the things.

Avoiding all things plastic is not a new concept. The idea of toddlers throwing glass and ceramic bowls at the dog can be daunting, but as Zissu says, teaching can help alleviate flying objects (at least ideally.) People go back and forth with the plastics debate. A few weeks ago a study was released saying “everything is OK – you can use BPA” and some of my friends told me they felt duped into buying BPA-free. But, here’s the thing. If we know we are already exposed to all of these chemicals in our environment and have a higher body-burden than our civilization has ever seen, isn’t it wise to err on the side of caution? When so many still use microwaves and plastics together, this just seems like a no-brainer to me. We put this stuff through the dishwasher (heating to high temps,) we serve hot food on it, and we bang it around and scratch it up. The attitude of “well, everything is dangerous – everything causes cancer” is resigning responsibility and leaving the well-being of our youth up to Dow and Monsanto, who as we know, have done a bang-up job so far.

Tsi~La Organics

Tsi~la Organics is a line of body products and fragrances that use no preservatives, alcohol, additives, coloring, or other nasty synthetic chemicals that many other perfumes contain. Pronounced “chee-la,” the name is Cherokee for ‘flower.’ The Tsi~La fragrances seek to combine exotic notes of ylang ylang, citrus, bergamot, lavender, vanilla, lime, amber and various spices to generate unique scents that transcend the traditional “natural” or organic perfumes that can tend to be simplistic or unoriginal.

There are a number of different formulations that Annie Morton, former model, and her sister-in-law, Natalie Szapowalo, have combined. All of the fragrances are very wearable.

My favorites are Saqui: a very clean, warm scent of ginger, clove, nutmeg mingling with tangy citrus; Kesu: warm woods and slightly smoky incense mixed with lime create a unisex blend; Fleur Savage: jasmine and neroli are tempered with notes of tuberose; Kizes: reminds me of biting into a kumkwat – very fresh and tart. They are all lovely. If I had to choose just one, it’d be Saqui. The scent is warm and hearty but crisp. Tsi~La wears well for hours, mingling with your own body’s chemistry. Because they come in small, roll-on bottles, you can control the quantity of perfume you wish to wear, without being inundated with a cloud of chemical haze, as is so common in today’s factory-generated commercial fragrances that come in spray bottles.

Mask It Up!

Let’s just say my skin’s been in better shape. Partying (or is it networking?) too many nights, crashing on couches and in random (hey, not THAT random) beds and being a full-time student, blogger and freelance writer (not to mention getting pancaked for TV appearances) means I’m dealing with more blemishes than I ever did as a reclusive woods-tramping teen. PLUS I turned 30 this year and the wrinkles are arriving on schedule despite my family’s excellent genes in that department.

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE a good facemask, which besides detox teas and lots of leafy greens seem to be my only saving grace. There’s something transforming about them, the way they tingle and harden on the face, their delicious aromatherapy while you wait, and the fact that (does this defeat the purpose? I say no….) you can get some work done while you’re also helping your skin look a little less like…you work so much! NO JOKE- I have one on as I type this! Here are my top three picks for the best all-natural masks out there.

This is me with LUSH’s Sacred Truth mask on. So cute, no?

LUSH

OK, not everything from the UK-based-but-available-worldwide LUSH store is totally natural; they use some artificial colors in some of their products. I’m over it. BUT their face masks are totally natural, so much so that they need to be kept in the fridge, and even then only last so long (a bit longer than they advise in the store, FYI). And you can’t buy them online- you need to go to one of their stores to get the fresh stuff. I like the Sacred Truth mask for regular weeks, and the Brazened Honey, which smells so divine I want to dive into a vat of it, is for hardcore skin repair, but ask in the store what’s best for your skin type.

I’m a total whore for their soaps too, which are cut off huge blocks and are wrapped in paper- in fact all their stuff is very minimally packaged and they ALWAYS ask if you really need a bag, since you probably don’t. This seems to be company-wide policy, as I regularly visit the LUSH stores on the Upper West Side in NYC and Greenwich CT. When I was recently in London, they asked there too. If you’re a nice, polite human being (and maybe make the salespeople laugh a bit), they’ll give you all sorts of free samples, so you can figure out what you like.

Origins

I’ve used Origins makeup for years; they make the least pore-cloggins stuff I’ve found anywhere, and it all smells fan-freaking-tastic. When I need a pick-me-up I use their anti-blemish Out of Trouble mask, which has camphor for a wake-me-up-right-now! scent, oil-abosorbing zinc oxide and sulphur (don’t worry, you can’t smell it) and salicylic acid.
Oh, and they have a new organic skin care line that looks yummy- I haven’t tried it yet though.

Neal’s Yard

Another UK import, Neal’s Yard is the ne plus ultra of organic beauty products, with great partner organisations and a commitment to organic products wherever they can make it work in their products. I like the Organic rose antioxidant mask for a mellow, feel-good, smell-better mask that reminds me to take it easy.

And if you’re looking for natural wrinkle-erasers, check out this piece on The Daily Green about my favorite eye creams/serums.

Want to make your own HAIR-revitalizing mask out of fresh, organic ingredients? Try this one!

vedaPURE

Dr. Natalie Geary, a Manhattan pediatrician, developed a line of natural products for people who want to avoid many substances in current body products such as parabens, artificial fragrance, petroleum, animal ingredients, steroids, preservatives, and artificial colorings. Originally motivated by parents who were looking for healthier alternatives to Vaseline or traditional Butt Paste, Dr. Geary formulated the vedaBABY line which has since expanded to vedaMAMA and vedaDUDE. Natural and ayurvedic practices, combined with her seasoned pediatric knowledge, infuse Dr. Geary’s creams, scrubs, and butters with gentle and soothing recipes for healthy skin and all-around wellness. Using organic botanicals such as cocoa butter, avocado, organic jojoba, organic neem, and fragrant essential oils, makes these formulations feel incredible on the skin.

This is a luxurious line, compared to some less expensive brands, but a little goes a long way. There are very few products available that actually use completely natural ingredients in entirety. Even at some of my favorite health food stores, products that claim to be organic use parabens or preservatives. With this line, everything is pure. Some of my favorites are: vedaMAMA body butter which has lavender, orange and mango, vedaBABY calm moisturizing cream that contains organic coconut and aloe, and vedaBABY baby butt diaper balm which uses calendula, vitamin E and organic rose hip oil to keep babe’s butt from being irritated.

Evergreen Makes a Difference

Evergreen State College in Olympia , WA has taken on the rarely addressed issue of college students with mental disorders. Their facility and program emphasizes another aspect of the importance of a clean and healthy environment. We are all greatly affected by our environment and when one is hyper sensitive to their surroundings, a clean and pleasant environment is keen.

The nontraditional college has approximately 4400 students. In addition to a well crafted educational program, the campus has its own organic farm which helps to eliminate not only toxins from the student body’s diet, but also ease the minds of those with compulsive disorders. The on site composting program promotes social interaction and allows the students to help make a difference in their community. Based upon the article in the NYT, it seems that this campus may be eligible for LEED certification since they have integrated a waste management program and provide space and monitor carpoolers and bicycle commuters.

Parents of the students say that they have seen positive results by sending their children to the college as compared to the other colleges. Thankfully, there is more of a tendency for existing schools and new schools to implement an environmentally friendly campus. LEED is making a new rating system specifically for schools