Green Deen: July 2008

Baby Green Bean -- Baby Signs
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

1. Signing allows a baby to communicate their thoughts, needs and feelings before they can speak.

2. Signing reduces frustration for babies. The second year of life can be one of great frustration for infants and their carers. One of the major causes of tantrums is the toddler's inability to communicate.

3. Signing gives a window into the infant's mind and personality, as they can communicate outside of the here and now.

4. Signing enhances parent-child bonding, facilitating a close relationship between parent and child.

5. Signing promotes excellent interaction. Because when using signing, parents automatically adopt positive interaction strategies such as following the child's focus of interest, making eye contact, speaking slowly, and using simple key words.

6. Signing facilitates an adult's ability to interpret early attempts at words and to assign meaning to them.

7. Signing children tend to be more interested in books. Using signing alongisde looking at books allows an infant to become an active participant in the story telling and their interest in books soars.

For More Information:
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyourbaby/signing.html

Posted by Ferdaus at 3:39 PM | Permalink| 3 comments

Earthquake
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Today's earthquake was a good reminder to all of us of how sensitive we are to Earth's changes.

While we may not have much control over earthquakes, we do contribute to climate change which can trigger numerous natural disasters. Let us do what we can before we leave the rest up to Allah (swt). This is amongst the key reasons as to why this blog was started: to encourage ourselves to do our part as caretakers of Earth. We are not asked to do more than we are able, so let us strive our utmost so that when we stand in front of Allah we can sincerely say that we did all that we could and we took our responsibility to Earth seriously.

For more information on the earthquake:
SCSN (for nerds)
LA Times (for non-nerds)

On a side note, tonight is the 27th of Rajab. Many scholars agree that it was on this night that the Night Journey and Ascension to the Heavens (Isra wal Mi'raj) occurred. Increase in sending blessings upon the Prophet (pbuh) as this was an event where Allah gave His messenger his greatest joy in a year that was very difficult for our beloved. There will be a program on this topic Wednesday night at the Islamic Center of Irvine. Try and attend.

May the sobering earthquake and the anniversary of the night journey bring khushoo' to our prayer, supplication, and dhikr. Ameen.

*special thanks to Sarah, Angie, and Asma

Posted by MetaMuslim at 8:34 PM | Permalink| 3 comments

GoGreen Tube
Monday, July 28, 2008

Think Green. Watch Green. Be Green.

Check it out.

Labels: gogreen tube, going green

Posted by Angie at 9:59 AM | Permalink| 0 comments

Octopus vs Shark
Sunday, July 27, 2008

assalam `alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh

I remembered watching this clip in my class one day, and until now I can not get over the amazement of the sea creatures. It's so interesting SubhanAllah how each creature have their own functions and how each ability works for their own fit for survival.

Check it out:

Feel free to share you're own interesting clips with us!

Posted by Sarah Al-Habib at 5:34 PM | Permalink| 2 comments

Green Trucks??
Saturday, July 26, 2008

I try to live a green life however, I must confess one non-green thing I find it hard to give up is my love for trucks. Trucks as we all know are far from fuel efficient and without a doubt contribute to air pollution. I did some research and came across this article that discusses the push for developing green trucks. It definitely gives me hope that I might one day be able to drive around in my ridiculously large truck without affecting the world too badly.

DOE Expands International Effort to Develop Fuel-Efficien Trucks

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner and Volvo Group CEO Leif Johansson today agreed to expand cooperation to develop more fuel-efficient trucks. Once contractual negotiations are complete later this year, the cooperative program will be extended for three more years. An additional $9 million over three years in DOE funds will be matched by $9 million in Swedish government funds and $18 million from Volvo Group. When added with the existing $12 million commitment from the United States, Sweden and the Volvo Group the overall value of the cooperation will be $48 million.

To read more click here.

DISCLAIMER: As of yet I do NOT own a truck. I do hope that one day there will be a green alternative to trucks.

Posted by Asma Mana at 11:13 PM | Permalink| 0 comments

Baby Green Bean -- Tiny Teeth
Thursday, July 24, 2008

My daughter began teething at around four months old, we expected her little pearlies to show up way early, but at one year, her bottom incisor finally debuted! And now that Toothy Number One is here, her hygiene habits are going to have be established.

The importance of having a healthy and clean mouth can be found in the Sunnah of the prophet. The Prophet often used a miswak (a natural toothbrush made from the twigs of the Salvadora Persica tree) to clean his teeth, especially before prayer.

This routine was so important to the Prophet that he said that "if it were not too much of a burden then I would tell the believers to use the miswak before every prayer."

That being said, we shouldn't be having half as many cavities as we do, had we followed the Prophet's words!

Babies pick up habits with extreme ease, and showing the importance of brushing teeth is one of them. Tooth brushing begins not just with the first tooth, but with baby's gums as well. A silicone massaging brush is ideal for stimulating irritated gums, and once that tooth finally erupts, a baby-friendly toothpaste (and one that is all natural) should help polish those pearls to perfection.

Keeping healthy baby teeth only promotes healthy adult teeth later in life. Just because baby teeth eventually fall out does not mean that they should be neglected. They are the only set of teeth they have until around age five, cavities and decay in baby teeth can potentially affect the permanent adult teeth below.

A baby toothpaste to try: Earth's Best Toddler Toothpaste in Strawberry Banana. (Yummy!) Or Tom's Of Maine Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste for Children in Silly Strawberry.

Posted by Ferdaus at 1:27 PM | Permalink| 2 comments

No more “paper or plastic?” in Los Angeles, CA!

Yet another reason to start using reusable bags:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2008-07-23-plasticbag-ban_N.htm

Did you know that in Los Angeles, CA alone, more than 2 billion plastic bags are used each year?! These same bags take generations to break down. These same bags are polluting our beautiful parks. These same bags are threatening the marine life. And even though the ban of using plastic bags may seem a small action, its one step getting closer in becoming environmental friendly!

Posted by Green Deen at 11:06 AM | Permalink| 0 comments

Recycling by the Numbers
Tuesday, July 22, 2008

On most plastic jars, containers and other packaging of products you buy, you'll find what's generally accepted as the recycling logo with a number in the middle and letters underneath stamped into the plastic.

The recycling logo can be a little misleading - just about anything can be recycled, but sometimes not without major effort. It's a little bit like extracting oil from under the ocean bed compared to extracting oil from tar sands; none of it's really good as such, but some plastics are far, far worse than others.

The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) implemented the system in 1988 to allow recyclers to be able to tell the different types of plastics when sorting. Basically, the numbers in the triangle indicate the grade of plastic - the resin ID code. It's now a system that's used in many different countries.

Continue Reading...

Labels: numbers, plastic, recycle

Posted by Naadiya Patel at 9:56 PM | Permalink| 0 comments

Eco-Wedding Season
Monday, July 21, 2008

The summer heat has finally kicked in and, you guessed it, so has the wedding season. From bridal showers to walima, how do you make your event(s) as eco-conscious as possible? Check out the list below that has a few helpful hints!

The Ring -- (or whatever jewelery your culture asks of the groom) If you plan on getting diamond anything, make sure you don't have blood on your fingers/wrist/neck/etc. Ask your jeweler for Conflict Free Diamonds. Also check out www.brilliantearth.com for more on conflict free diamonds.

The Dress -- Do you think you could possibly get your wedding dress for free? Yes, FREE! How you ask? Borrow one! As taboo and out of the ordinary as that may sound, finding a friend or that's your size and borrowing an outfit is a great way to help curb the notion of spending a lot on an extravagant wedding or just excessive STUFF that you are NEVER going to wear again -- Check out the Story of Stuff for more about that. If you are going to buy try looking for dresses made out of organic materials , bamboo or other eco-conscious materials.

Invitations -- There are several invitation companies that use recycled paper to make their invitation cards. Making paper from recycled paper uses 60-70% less and energy and 55% less water than making paper from scratch. If you're looking for a fun & new alternative to your regular invitations check this out these wedding invitations that you can plant & grow into flowers - www.plantamemory.com or cut out paper all together by using www.evite.com.

Labels: conflict free diamonds, dress, story of stuff, wedding

Posted by Angie at 9:54 AM | Permalink| 0 comments

Green Building
Saturday, July 19, 2008

Solar panels have existed since the middle of the industrial revolution- about 100 yrs. Today's solar panels are about 12% effective (4 times greater than a few years ago). There are two main types:

Thermal solar- used to heat water or another working fluid (drives turbines to create electricity)
Photovoltaic- electricity produced directly from the sun with no moving parts

Photovoltaics are becoming the world's new "solar" future. They are non-polluting and because they do not have moving parts, they require much less maintenance. So why not install solar panels at your home?
Here are some benefits:

Most homes nowadays have enough roof area to produce solar electricty for all of its power needs.

Under the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005, homeowners receive a one-time 30% of cost tax credit for installing photovoltaic solar power panels.

If you live in Tennessee, New Jersey, or sunny California the state governments offer bonuses for homeowners using solar energy.

How much would it cost?

The actual cost depends on the type of solar system installed, however, the range is an added $20,000 to 25,000 to the direct builders cost.

The state of CA provides $4000 to $6000 rebate after installation.

Homeowners then recieve a $2000 federal tax credit.

END PRICE: $13000 to $1800

Utility savings add up to be about $500 to $1300, making pay off range from 10 to 36 yrs (it might be shorter because utility prices continue to increase).
So, what have developers done thus far to promote solar power?

Solar energy businesses formed a trade group titled Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It's main goal is to monitor and advocate in the state governments, as well as provide on-the-ground support for solar consumers and small businesses.

About 12 developers in CA have devised a plan to integrate solar tiles produced by PowerLight into hundreds of homes.

Grupe Homes (developer company in CA) has installed PowerLight solar tiles into its newly built homes and has absorbed a significant portion of the extra costs.

Companies are working hard to design "less-visible" solar tiles.

Competition to produce more efficient solar panels and develop lower cost homes utilizing solar power continues to rise. Who knows where solar technology will take us.

Posted by Asma Mana at 10:00 PM | Permalink| 2 comments

Al Gore's Energy Challenge
Friday, July 18, 2008

Are we up to it?

(click here for the whole speech)

Just as John F. Kennedy set his sights on the moon, Al Gore is challenging the nation to produce every kilowatt of electricity through wind, sun and other Earth-friendly energy sources within 10 years, an audacious goal he hopes the next president will embrace.

The Nobel Prize-winning former vice president said fellow Democrat Barack Obama and Republican rival John McCain are "way ahead" of most politicians in the fight against global climate change.

Rising fuel costs, climate change and the national security threats posed by U.S. dependence on foreign oil are conspiring to create "a new political environment" that Gore said will sustain bold and expensive steps to wean the nation off fossil fuels. (continue)

Source: LA Times

Posted by MetaMuslim at 11:02 PM | Permalink| 0 comments

Baby Green Bean -- Nature's Baby
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I was pondering activities for my barely-one-year-old, and even emailed a group list for suggestions. I received many fun ideas, from bubbles to books. And then I realized, what would our grandparents have entertained their children with? Certainly not another musical DVD of singing vegetables.

I realized that as much as I try to buy eco-friendly products for my child, sometimes, the most fun a child can have is not with things but with the earth itself. Relating and interacting with the earth is a great starting point to teach children about our Creator. Here are some fun things that babies/toddlers can do:

PLANTS:
-Touching, smelling, and naming different herbs and flowers.
-Planting beans and watching them sprout. (For older children.)
-Picking ripe fruits and veggies.

DIRT/SAND:
-Making sand castles, ditches, & drawing pictures with sticks.
-Finding rocks, shells, leaves and putting them into a bucket.
-Discover creepy crawlies under rocks and even dig up some worms!

WATER:
-Splashing with soap bubbles. Or splashing in general.
-Watering a garden with a child-sized can.
-Outdoor finger painting with food coloring and big sheets of butcher paper.

ANIMALS:
-Feed the birdies!
-Feed the duckies!
-Feed the squirrels!

....and of course...

BEACH/PARK/NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP!
Grab your tot, a garbage bag, and show the next generation the beauty of being clean!

And as a reminder to myself and other moms who hate dirt and having messy children: Let go sometimes, and don't worry about the stains. Grab a camera, and love the moment. Even if sand is in their diaper.

Posted by Ferdaus at 2:27 AM | Permalink| 6 comments

Mary, Mary quite contrary,
Tuesday, July 15, 2008

How does your garden grow?

Well, if you live in an apartment or have a tiny backyard, chances are you don't have much of a garden. So how do you let your green thumb shine without having the garden to do so? Easy, join a community garden!

Community gardens are a great way to grow fruits and vegetables in your own garden. There are approximately 70 community gardens in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Community Garden Council is a non-profit organization that works with communities throughout the LA area to encourage self-reliance, reduce poverty and reduce the effects of global warming while enforcing strict organic farming restrictions.

Having your own plot at a community garden is as easy as filling out an application and paying a small yearly fee. Of course, there are certain rules and regulations as to what can or cannot be planted at specific community gardens. The fee at the community garden two streets down from my house is as little as $10 a year for a plot that is 10x15 feet. The price, if you ask me, is rather cheap for the amount of fruits and vegetables that can be harvested in the span of a year.

If you are interested in leasing your own plot of land, touring a community garden or for more information, check out the following websites:

Los Angeles Community Garden Council
Common Ground Garden Program
Los Angeles Times
American Community Gardening Association

Labels: community garden, farm, los angeles, organic, poverty

Posted by Naadiya Patel at 11:00 AM | Permalink| 3 comments

Eco-Friendly Browser!
Monday, July 14, 2008

A browser that helps you stay in tune to latest updates about what's going on in the world. This of course enables you to stay informed so you can make a difference!

More about The Flock Browser:

Get the Latest Content, Delivered Daily!

Flock's MyWorld collects a fresh daily dose of news, interviews, and media flowing in from a variety of top eco-minded content and opinion leaders.

Be the first to know and easily share your discoveries with friends; Flock's people sidebar loads your friends from Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and other social sites.

Sharing your favorite eco content with them is as easy as drag'n'drop.

Daily News Feeds

Flock has partnered with leading respected content and opinion leaders from around the web to bring you the latest breaking news. Here’s just a sampling of the sites that are preloaded into the Flock Eco-Edition browser.

Labels: browser, computer, flock, internet

Posted by Angie at 9:36 AM | Permalink| 0 comments

Stop The Guzzler !!
Sunday, July 13, 2008

Assalam `alaykum everyone!

So here is a really cool game about the bad habits of humans that guzzle up the energy on their daily lives.

Click here for a fun game and see how many you can get right ...

http://www.jea.com/community/education/efficiency/guzzler/game.html

Have fun and post how your experience was on the comment section below!

Wassalam `alaykum

Posted by Sarah Al-Habib at 8:32 PM | Permalink| 0 comments

Necessity: the Mother of All Inventions
Saturday, July 12, 2008

In Gaza, Palestinians have had to pay up to $50/gal for gas because of the Israeli year-long economic blockade. Fortunately, two electric engineers Waseem Khazendar and Fayaz Anan put their heads together and converted a 1994 Peugeot 205 into an electric car, which now costs $1.50/charge. It can run 110 miles per charge on a 34 standard lead-acid car battery. The car has 15 horsepower and can go up to 60 mph without any emissions.

Waseem and Fayaz are working with an Israeli firm to obtain a patent for their invention. About 400 people have lined up to convert their car for about $2500. Unfortunately due to the shortage in supplies and materials only 30-4o cars can get converted.

Waseem and Fayaz just might hold the keys of helping Palestinians through their difficult times. They are also setting an example for the rest of the world- here are two individuals with limited supplies and resources yet are able to "get the job done". Masha Allah!

Posted by Asma Mana at 4:04 PM | Permalink| 2 comments

Feeling Undervalued?
Friday, July 11, 2008

I don't know about you, but I've been feeling pretty undervalued lately.
This might help explain why.

It's not just the American dollar that's losing value. A government agency has decided that an American life isn't worth what it used to be.

The "value of a statistical life" is $6.9 million in today's dollars, the Environmental Protection Agency reckoned in May — a drop of nearly $1 million from just five years ago.

The Associated Press discovered the change after a review of cost-benefit analyses over more than a dozen years.

Though it may seem like a harmless bureaucratic recalculation, the devaluation has real consequences.

When drawing up regulations, government agencies put a value on human life and then weigh the costs versus the lifesaving benefits of a proposed rule. The less a life is worth to the government, the less the need for a regulation, such as tighter restrictions on pollution. (continue reading)

Source: MSNBC

Posted by MetaMuslim at 8:15 PM | Permalink| 2 comments

Baby Green Bean -- Bamboo Baby
Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Babies are more easily affected by pollutants than adults. Pound-for-pound, babies absorb more toxic elements and inhale more polluted air than adults. Children's organs and systems are still rapidly developing and are thus more vulnerable to damage from chemical exposure.

One of the basic needs of humans, especially babies, is clothing. Clothing directly comes in contact with our bodies, and the manufacturing of certain fabrics negatively affect our earth.

Synthetic fibers are created in large vats and are made entirely from chemicals, including the petroleum-based fibers such as nylon and polyester.

Some synthetic fibers also include “green” PET fabrics (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) such as EcoSpun which is made out of recycled plastic bottles.

Bamboo fiber is a revolutionary new fabric and one of the world's most sustainable resources. One of the amazing advantages of bamboo fiber includes versatility, strength and luxurious softness. For this reason, it's the ideal fabric for baby clothing.

Bamboo Benefits:

Cleans the Air: Bamboo consumes carbon dioxide, and while bamboo forests are so dense, it returns 30% more oxygen into the atmosphere than other average tree forests. Bamboo can remove up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare from the air.

Requires less to grow: Less water, and less energy are needed to sustain bamboo. Bamboo groves require less resources than other plants used for fiber production, as well as very little maintenance. Bamboo can survive drought conditions and even flooding.

Reclaims land: Bamboo can reclaim land destroyed by over-building and over-grazing in a very short time due to bamboo's rapid growth and root structure. Bamboo can also clean soil from toxins.

No Pesticides: Bamboo has its own anti-bacterial agents and can be grown without chemicals or pesticides.

Sustainability: Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. It is a high-yield renewable resource. Bamboo can be harvested annually and can be completely regenerated without needing to be replanted.

Biodegradable: Bamboo is 100% bio biodegrable. Bamboo clothing is safe for disposal either by landfill and even incineration. Synthetic fibers incorporate petroleum additives.

Source:
http://www.eartheasy.com/wear_bamboo_clothing.htm
http://www.buyorganic.com.au/articles/bamboo-clothing.htm

Posted by Ferdaus at 4:35 PM | Permalink| 3 comments

Dr. Usama Hasan
Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Here's an excellent lecture given by Dr. Usama Hasan in Leicester, UK, 2007. Includes recitation of the entire text of William Blake's Auguries of Innocence. While it is rather long, consisting of 7 parts, I think its worth a listen.

Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven

Posted by Naadiya Patel at 10:39 PM | Permalink| 0 comments

Waterless Car Wash
Monday, July 07, 2008

While gas prices keep going up, there is one way to keep your car looking clean with emptying out your wallet or wasting water to do so (about 80-140 gallons if you wash your car at home!). Lucky Earth has come out with a waterless car wash spray that lasts about 7-10 washes for only $16.99.

This product is also made of organic soaps and contains none of the toxins found in your more common car washing soaps and cleaners. It's safe on multiple surfaces such as paint, glass, fiberglass, plastic and chrome.

More:

Labels: cars, products, Water

Posted by Angie at 6:22 AM | Permalink| 0 comments

Cows or Cars?
Sunday, July 06, 2008

Cows or Cars?
By Wendy Gordon--A National Geographic Writer

Which emits more potent CO2? Seems like a ridiculous question, until you learn the answer is cows. And it's not because of all the CO2 in cow burps, it's actually the methane and nitrous oxide cows release in their dung.

Methane, in their flatulence, is 72 times more potent a greenhouse gas than CO2, and N2O, part of their manure is an overwhelming 296 times more potent than CO2.

The aim here is not to take the heat off gas-guzzling Hummer drivers, but to offer up yet another reason to cut one's red meat intake by one serving a week. If we each ate a quarter of a pound less red meat every week starting this cookout season, that's about 13 pounds less meat consumed per person over the course of the year. Not a whole lot, but when multiplied by more than 300,000,000 Americans, you've got a lot of red meat not consumed by Americans.

Just like driving less, eating less meat can help in the fight against global warming. So can choosing meat that's grass-fed. Grazing animals have stomachs that naturally convert grass into food they can digest. Conventionally grown beef comes from cows that are fed grain—primarily corn—in feedlots. Grain is not a good food for cattle, and as a consequence is not good for our health, nor for our shared planet. And it's a slap in the face to the world's poor, who have seen their grain and vegetable oil prices nearly double, putting the most basic of foods out of reach.
Beyond improving animal diets, and our own, there are other initiatives to control the harm conventional cattle-rearing causes to air, land, water and people. Recycling cow manure at biogas plants may help, by converting dung into electricity to power our hybrid electric cars. Hey, it's better than vegetable grease—but that's another story.

Labels: cars, CO2, cows, red meat

Posted by Nadya Aweinat at 5:53 AM | Permalink| 1 comments

America up in smoke
Saturday, July 05, 2008

Every year 4th of July comes by and America goes up in smoke. Fireworks cause pollution at every level from manufacturing to combustion. The ash and smoke that rain down from the gunpoweder-propelled wonders contain toxic chemicals, such as:

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, barium, lithium
Potassium nitrate
Sulfur-coal compounds
Arsenic

All of which contribute to air, water, noise, and land pollution including acid rain. Not to mention the many accidents that can and do occur. So what's the green alternative for celebrating Independence Day?

Disney pioneered new environment friendly propellant that uses compressed air instead of gunpowder- find out if your local fireworks show uses these
Give kids confetti made of recylced paper to throw
When the sun goes down light a campfire- light lasts longer and is less toxic
Go to laser light shows- they're just as impressive
Gather friends and family for a picnic and bring a pinata for the kids
Check out your local parades

4th of July celebrations can be fun and eco-friendly. Encourage your community, neighbors, friends, and family to make next year's celebrations safer and greener!

Posted by Asma Mana at 11:42 AM | Permalink| 0 comments

The color of money is GREEN
Friday, July 04, 2008

If you're doing it right, going green should be saving you money. There is a common misconception that being green, while good for the environment, is bad for your wallet. If you're having a hard time saving the earth while sticking to a budget, you might want to invest in Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach and Hillary Rosner.

The authors offer 50 ideas for ratcheting up a commitment to environmentalism but their emphasis is on how people can save or make money by doing so.

Among their ideas: Telecommute, if possible. Use cheaper, green products for household cleaning. Recycle and keep garbage fees down. Some are simple: eat less meat or drive less. Others require more effort, such as planting a vegetable garden or buying a hybrid car. At the end of the book, they complete the cycle of money by offering advice on investing in eco-friendly businesses. Their main argument is that there is no such thing as a "green premium," a higher cost for going environmental. LA Times

Posted by MetaMuslim at 11:21 PM | Permalink| 1 comments

Expensive Fuel May Help Save The Slimehead
Thursday, July 03, 2008

Net-and-run fishermen can less afford to motor out now, to the mid-ocean sea mounts around Australia - once home to massive deep water fisheries. As a result, the Patagonian Tooth Fish and "Orange Roughy" may be less likely to be wiped out.

The Orange Roughy, a.k.a. Slimehead, reaches reproductive maturity at around age 25 and, unless over fished, lives well over a century. They are drastically over fished, now. Soon, however, there may be fewer of these in the grocer's freezer case, as the catch grows more costly, commensurate with the rise in oil price.

In the near term, thank China for subsidizing motor fuel. Their 'demand dominance' will help keep the oceans alive.

In the long term, though, be also thankful for Peak Oil if you wish to see these species survive.

We humans cast a wide net, don't we?

Posted by Rushda at 3:12 AM | Permalink| 0 comments

Sunscreen
Tuesday, July 01, 2008

I'm crazy about sunscreen! I slather it on my face generously in hopes to prevent a hijaab tan line from forming on the sides of my face. A while back, this craze for sunscreen turned into an active search for the safest sunscreen.

I was driving home from school one day and I was listening to KPFK (90.7 FM) and the guest on the radio show was talking about an online database that lists the safety of the various cosmetics and personal hygiene products that the general public uses on a day to day basis. Needless to say as soon as I got home I ran to the computer and checked it out. What I found was that the most commonly used sunscreens are the most dangerous. Sunscreen is supposed to protect people from skin cancer, however the very chemicals in these lotions are carcinogens. These cancer-causing chemicals penetrate the skin and end up in your blood stream. I read a study (my apologies for not having a link to it, I will include it once found) that said that these chemicals can often be passed on to babies who are breast fed. If that's not enough to scare you into checking out the safety of your sunscreen, I don't know what will.

While you're raiding your medicine cabinet for your sunscreens and other lotions beware of "Natural" labels! Just because it says its natural does not necessarily mean it is (perhaps a topic for a future entry).

More information:
Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database
Organic Consumers Association

Posted by Naadiya Patel at 9:55 PM | Permalink| 3 comments

Green Deen

Get the Latest Content, Delivered Daily!

Daily News Feeds

MISSION STATEMENT

CONTRIBUTORS

LINKS

SEARCH FOR SPECIFICS

ISLAMIC INSPIRATIONS

RECENT COMMENTS

ARCHIVES

CONTACT US

LINK TO US

CREDITS