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I recently learned about a pretty amazing app designed by Silent Spring Institute. Silent Spring is a nonprofit dedicated to researching the effects toxic chemicals have on our everyday lives and how we can avoid them.
Silent Spring partners with physicians, public health and community advocates and other scientists to identify and break the links between environmental chemicals and women’s health, especially breast cancer.
I am a huge fan of the EWG Healthy Living app as well, and this is just another resource to have on hand to help clean up your lifestyle.
Detox me has a ton of great tips to help you reduce your and your family's exposure to toxic chemicals that are in so many of our products and homes. The app also keeps track of your progress and sends reminders which is helpful as well. I love how so many of the ideas the app offers are so small and simple. This shows how easy it is to make changes that can greatly impact your health. One reminder I have set right now is about choosing pajamas for my kids that are not flame-resistant. I may already be doing this but have never paid much attention. I have learned that flame retardants have been linked to thyroid abnormalities, endocrine disruption, cancer and learning disabilities. Next time I am pajama shopping I will looking for snug fitting organic cotton. Another reminder is about plastic in the dishwasher. We hardly have any plastic in our kitchen, except for our kids water bottles (eeeeek!). I have purchased a couple stainless steel ones but my girls loves their Camelbacks. I am going to work on hand washing their water bottles which can be a challenge when throwing them in the dishwasher just seems so much easier.
Another great feature is that you can use the app while shopping. Simply scan barcodes and find out how safe your products are. Since most chemicals in our everyday products have never been tested for links to human health issues, we must educate ourselves.
My 3 favorite and simple tips so far are:
1. Switch your food storage containers to glass.
2. Avoid fragrance. Fragrance is completely unregulated and can literally be anything. Companies do not have to disclose what chemicals are behind the word.
3. Leave your shoes at the door. This is one of my favorites! Removing shoes helps minimize the spread of outdoor pollutants throughout your home.
Take a few minutes to download this free app and educate yourself! #knowbetterdobetter