Toxins at home

Children are more susceptible to toxins in the environment than adults because children eat more food, drink more water, and breathe more air in proportion to their body size. In addition, many of their systems are still under development and certain behaviors may put them at a higher risk for exposure.

Lead - Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, visual-motor problems, lowered intelligence, and stunted growth. Dust from lead-based paint is the main source of lead poisoning, but lead can also be found in lead solder, household plumbing, soil around homes, ceramics or pottery, fishing weights and bullets, and folk medicines.

Pesticides - Pesticides can be beneficial, but they can be very dangerous to children if they are not used or stored properly. Learn more about what you can do to reduce exposure in your home.

Mold - Household mold is a environmental irritant that can cause respiratory irritation and can aggravate asthma and cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and children are at a greater risk. Mold should be removed as soon as it is discovered, but it is important to note that mold rarely causes severe illness and is merely an indication of moisture problems in the home.

Secondhand Tobacco Smoke - Children exposed to secondhand smoke miss more days of school every year, are more likely to have asthma, and have a higher rate of respiratory infections. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Could decaf cause cancer?

I used to down three cups of regular coffee every morning, but after few bouts of the jitters I switched to decaf. I was feeling pretty good about my new brew until my sister told me that decafeinated coffee has been proven to cause cancer.

My sister,s concern about the safety of decaffeinated coffee might stem from old reports that particular decaffeinating solvent, trichloroethylene, was found to cause cancer in mice. Fortunately this ingredients has'nt been used since 1970's and the decaf coffees curently on the market have all been deemed safe. Most used all natural ethyl acetate, a solvent derived from fruit like apples and bananas, in the decaffeination process.

However , I do suggest that you limit the decaf coffee intake to less than three cups a day since decaf is generally made from robusta coffee beans. These beans have high concentrations of diptenes, fats that have been shown to elevate cholesterol levels

Favorite Comfort Food with Half the Fat

I love everything about my moms meatloaf.... except the oil that collects in the bottom of the pan while cooking. For a healthier slice of comfort without altering the family recipe from the loaf by hand and place it in the broiler pan with a foil - lined drip pan underneath. As the ground beef cooked, the oil will fall through the broiler - pan grates into foil.