A Reel Workout

Continuing on the issue of lawn care, you know if you've read previous posts that I recently moved from an urban area to a suburban area with a giant lawn. Having had limited lawn care experience from childhood, I underestimated the amount of time, energy and money that goes into lawn care. It's complicated by not having a lot of time away from my toddler. I simply don't want to put her in the way of stinky exhaust and it makes me nervous to run a power mower with her anywhere nearby. And my ears ring afterward.

So I bought this at a tag sale. I'm still working out the kinks, figuring out how to sharpen it, adjust the blades, etc. I don't think it's that much more of a workout than our power push mower. And I'm surprised at how well it cuts, even before being sharpened.

There is a new interest in these reel mowers, presumably because of increased eco-awareness but also to eliminate the gas and oil expenses (not to mention engine repairs).

There is no engine noise to bother my ears or my neighbors. I'll be able to help with the lawn even as I think about another pregnancy. And I'm told they allow for a healthier lawn. It just gets better and better.

Pesticides and Our Kids' Health

So many scientists and parents, too would like a straight line to be drawn between a disorder like ADHD and the cause. I simply don't believe that's possible. I believe it is a complicated intersection between genetics, environmental exposure and physical and brain activity. But it is affirming to know that studies are showing the link between chemicals and sickness and almost more importantly, that the press is finally talking about it. Surely you heard about this latest study on any of the major networks (Study: A Link Between Pesticides and ADHD) and even the Today Show (their medical reporter found it 'alarming'. Duh.) And bloggers like Red Pill Parents are talking about it as well. Pesticides kill pests and/or repel them. How could they be 'good' for any of us? 


What does it mean practically? The usual for us. Whole foods bought from trusted sources using organic farming methods. And when organic spinach or strawberries or apples aren't available, we choose to eat something safer. We use Environmental Working Group's list of fruits and vegetables rated for pesticide use.

At least the President's Cancer Panel report is generating some conversation. I was pleased to hear Sandra Steingraber brought into that discussion today on Tom Ashbrook's program, On Point.  I particularly liked the reference to lawn and landscape treatments made by a caller who said in part, that our neighbors to the north have outlawed most chemical lawn care. I'm excited to see this new documentary as well based on Steingraber's book, Living Downstream. Take a listen. I'll post more media as I find it.

Here's another from earlier this week. Brian Lehrer on wnyc is one of my favorite public radio personalities. I wish he had pressed the American Cancer Society representative further. No one seems to be asking this doctor how the frequently sited risk factors (obesity, smoking, poor nutrition, etc.) may INTERCONNECT with the issues raised in the report. They are not competing and he seems to react as if the report is a threat of some kind. He argues on about scientific evidence - Let's be clear. No one expects a straight line to be drawn between one chemical and one cancer. I don't believe it works that way and am not about to hold my breath for "evidence" (especially evidence that will likely be suppressed or manipulated by whatever industry it exposes.)

Yes, 30% of cancers may have some relationship to smoking, but what about the other 70%? Maybe no one wants to talk about it because they think it places blame on the victim if causation can be determined.   Perhaps, but I'd rather have the information available so I can make as many choices as possible to bob and weave between the toxins.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping to make a fundraiser this weekend for a young mother of two suffering with melanoma to help her pay for her treatment. Pray for her. And pray for her children.

True Community

I'm still ruminating over the President's Cancer Panel and wondering how much impact it will have on those not already in-the-know. But as the rain pours down today, I think about my raised-bed garden; raised because we don't know how our lawn was treated prior to our arrival. We suspect it was treated with weed killing chemicals and fertilizer. I also wonder what run-off we will get in our soil but eventually in our well water from our neighbors who use chemicals on their lawns. We're all interconnected. I imagine a day when the choices we make take into consideration the effect they have on others. That's what I think is a true community.

On a lighter note, we made homemade finger paints today. Cornstarch, water and food coloring. What could be easier than that?  Oh, and anything that stains her clothes as much as this does is not something I ever want her (or me for that matter) to consume.

Chemicals, Cancer and an Awakening

I am no scientist or doctor. But I have done some reading and need little convincing that the chemicals found in everything around and in us, are very likely making us sick.  This NY Times op-ed was the first published piece I saw yesterday upon the release of the President's Cancer Panel report suggesting that we and our unborn babies have an incredible chemical body-burden. 


Could this be the tipping point? This is huge in that it is a highly visible, mainstream effort - away from the politics of the alternative health community or organic farming supporters. Theoretically over time, this will become general knowledge. And as you might suspect, it took less than 24 hours for the panel's work to be called exaggerated from of all groups, the American Cancer Society.  It's easier apparently for them to continue the mantra about eating right and exercising than to address the overwhelming impact that our constant, compounded exposure to chemicals through food, water, air and personal care products has on our health.


Here are a few of the practical suggestions the report makes. 


--Avoid known or suspected toxics in foods, toys, health care, home and garden products/treatments for you and your children
--Invest in a high quality water filter and avoid food/water stored in plastics to avoid BPA exposure and other plastic components.
--Buy organic produced or those grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers
--Buy clean meat, grown without antibiotics or added hormones or that which has been processed


Many people in my life wonder why I go to such pains to reduce my everyday exposure to chemicals. Admittedly, there are times when my ways are odd. But as a child, I watched my mom suffer tremendously and die from cancer. I never want my child to experience that and I never want to watch another loved one endure such pain. That's the reason. It's an uphill battle, but one I find a moral imperative.

The Stink of Trash

My daughter got to see real, live cows, horses and sheep today and beautiful nearby farms. It was thrilling to see her make the connection between those animals and the illustrated ones in her books. Then we came upon the local dump. It was astonishing how big this landfill was. They once wanted to make it into a ski hill... But I guess if the average American throws out 16,000 lbs of trash every year, it's only going to get bigger. I'm trying to focus on the first part of the car ride, because the dump is disturbing.

Makes me wonder what is in the water used on those farms. And what ends up in our food.

Makes me wonder how the people who live near the dump (and there are people literally living in brand new condos across the street) tolerate the stench. And what their toxic exposure is.

Makes me wonder how I can throw out less stuff. I love the challenge of reusing and repurposing things.
How about you?