With the Swine Flu in the news everyday, i thought this was a much needed post
We all have our own reasons why we choose vegetarianism or veganism. Whether you have been a ??veggie? since birth, or if you are for political, health, taste or humanitarian reasons, it doesn??t matter. Just add these 10 other reasons to be thankful that you don??t eat meat.
If you eat meat, beware. You could end up feeling very, very ill. Here??s a list of illnesses that are directly linked to handling and eating meat.
1. Salmonella Poisoning ?? bacteria found in feces. Causes diarrhea in humans and may lead to death in infants, elderly and immune-compromised.
2. Campylobacter Poisoning ?? bacteria found in raw fowl. Infection symptoms include nausea, headache, backache, fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Prolonged illness can lead to arthritis and paralysis.
3. Escherichia coli (E. coli) Poisoning ?? bacteria that is part of the normal intestinal flora. Some strains have been found to cause food poisoning due to fecal contamination of food. Symptoms of infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody). May lead to death in children, elderly and immune-weak.
4. Listeria Poisoning ?? bacteria associated with farm animals. Causes miscarriages, stillbirths and serious illnesses in newborns.
5. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the widespread use of antibiotics.
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome ?? triggered by eating such foods as red meats, poultry (dark skin and meat), dairy products and egg yolks. Symptoms vary per person and can include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and general gastrointestinal discomfort.
7. Pancreatic Cancer ?? has been linked to prolonged ingestion to processed meats.
8. Hardening of Arteries ?? a diet high in saturated fats (meat, dairy, fast food) are risk factors linked to the formation of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart attack.
9. Colon Cancer ?? eating a lot of red meat over a period of time has been linked to increased risk of colon cancer.
10. Heart Disease ?? most instances of heart disease and fatal heart attacks can be avoided by decreasing or eliminating meat from one??s diet.
I’m off to enjoy a nice veggie pasta dish i think ..
Why did you want to try this organic toothpaste for the first time?
I wanted to try this product because I had tried another [organic] toothpaste in the dim distant past and it tasted & felt like chalk! I was hoping that the product had progressed from this and this particular one had.
Does this toothpaste represent value for money?
The Green People 100% natural toothpaste costs £3.19 which is obviously slightly dearer than everyday brands but only by pence. I have used it twice a day for two weeks and have used very little as only a pea size blob is needed.
Where would you buy this toothpaste from?
I have not researched it’s availability but it can be purchased from www.greenpeople.co.uk and during March they are offering free postage.
Does it seem to come from an eco/natural/organic type company to you?
From their website you get the feeling of that element of care.
The packaging is recyclable although I question the need for an outer box for the tube when other companies have just started selling the tubes alone.
Their products are handmade and certified organic.
The branding of the product is straight forward and no nonsense.
It feels ethically sound using the item although I have found it does take getting used to.
What did you think of the toothpaste??s appearance, texture and general usability?
It is easy and clean to use. Just the right consistency to avoid blobs!
It is hard to acclimatise yourself to not tasting the normal mint toothpastes and the colour is browny grey instead of white which again takes time getting used to.
How did this toothpaste perform?
The toothpaste does work well and cleans your teeth as well as other products.
I have not had any difficulties with bad breath and my teeth have felt clean, so all is good.
Would you recommend this toothpaste to others?
I would recommend this product to others especially my vegan friends.
Once she tells us what she’d like to review next, we will send her something else to try in return for this lovely toothpaste review! That’s how it works - why not try it yourself!
Currently we have five more tubes of this toothpaste to give away in return for suitable eco product reviews.
For further details on how to swap eco reviews for free eco products please email ali@minkbaby.co.uk
I have been using this 100% Natural Organic Peppermint & Myrrh Toothpaste, made by The Green People Company, since I started my 30 day Vegan Challenge at the begninning of Janaury 09, and I am pleased to be able to report that it appears to be doing an excellent job!
Before I get into my review, let’s have a look at the company its toothpaste and more…
Green People - Background Information
Charlotte, Founder of The Green People Company, with her daughter, Sandra
Charlotte Vøhtz is the founder of The Green People Company that makes this toothpaste and she, like many ??mumtrepreneurs?? came to form the company in order to deal with a problem her child was having. In Sandra’s case, as part of her search for an effective treatment for her daughter, Sandra, who, like many millions of children, suffered from eczema and severe allergies.
She found that dietary changes, treatment from a lead herbalist and the elimination of chemicals from the home cured her daughter??s allergies.
“From that moment, I realised that we all are children of the chemical age and that man-made chemicals found everywhere, combined with changing dietary habits, profoundly affect us all.”
“With a nursing background, knowledge of herbal medicine, and more than 11 years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry, I decided to take action.” [Read more]
After two years of intensive product development, she launched her first organic health and beauty products into UK markets, and over ten years later, as part of continuous research and development, their range includes well over one hundred products.
Other Natural and Eco Friendly Policies
The Green People Company??s packaging is recyclable and non air-freighted.
Their ingredients are, ??handmade in small quantities out of the purest, natural and organic ingredients [?] to ensure you receive the freshest products possible.?
Awards
Winners of Natural Health & Beauty 08
Baby range wins midwives approval
Ethical Consumer ?? Best Buy Guide
Winners of Natural Health & Beauty 07
What The Green People Company say about their 100% Natural Organic Peppermint and Myrrh Toothpaste
A natural toothpaste with traditional peppermint flavour
Ideal for sensitive teeth and gums, and suitable for all the family
Excellent cleaning properties
Antibacterial and anti-microbial action
No hydrocarbon or aluminium contamination.
This natural toothpaste is free from Fluoride, Triclosan, Sorbitol, Parabens, phthalates, artificial sweeteners, petrochemicals and colourants to bring you the purest toothpaste that nature can offer.
Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
10% of net profit is given to charity ?? I don??t?? know which one(s)
The Green People Company 100% Natural Organic Peppermint & Myrrh Toothpaste ?? Eco Product Review
Appearance
I was initially a little put off by the off-white, beigey appearance of the paste itself but I reminded myself that the shiny white and other bright colours we get on other toothpastes is most likely the result of some unpleasant chemical interference, and so I didn??t let it worry me.
Taste
The taste of the toothpaste in mild and minty. It tastes like peppermint. I??m not sure what myrrh tastes like. I would guess that it either tastes like peppermint or that its taste has been overcome by the taste of peppermint. I get the feeling that this is probably a good thing, but never having tasted myrrh, I can??t say for sure.
Performance: The Pros
Exiting the Tube
It goes on the brush fine - squeezed out of a tube, like any other toothpaste.
Foaming Action
This is what I particularly love about this toothpaste - it does foam up enough to convince me that it??s doing something (although why I need foaming to believe that something is cleaning efficiently I don??t know,) but it does not over-foam. I hate the way that all other toothpastes I have used in the past (all the man made chemicals based ones,) foam to the point that I keep having to spit, or risk spattering my clothes with toothpaste, as seems to happen to me all too often. Perhaps I??m just an incompetent tooth brusher. But I prefer to settle down to a good clean, making sure I have covered all the reachable surfaces of my teeth, without a lot of spitting in between.
Cleaning Action
My teeth feel clean when I??m done, and I have observed that they continue to feel clean for a lot longer than has been the case with my other toothpastes. Even when I drink Coke. I did think perhaps this was more to do with the foods I have been eating (i.e. was this just a side effect of a vegan diet?) however, I have also noticed that the vegan substitutes and equivalents of many everyday dietary items largely seem to compensate for the flavours that often come from animal products by using a lot more sugar than would normally be in the meat eating version. So that is probably not it.
I??m not saying it??s a wonder-toothpaste or anything, but I have noticed that my teeth have been feeling cleaner for longer.
Performance: The Cons
Minimal Ick Factor
If you have ever flossed your teeth before you have brushed them, you may have tasted the ick that can build up between your teeth. It??s not always a nice taste. The only minor draw back with this toothpaste is that because it is so mild, you can end up with a tang of what your are removing on your tongue.
I look at it as a helpful reminder of why I should brush as often and as carefully as possible ?? better out than in!
Ingredients
Calcium carbonate (chalk)
Aqua
Glycerin
Organic Fair Trade Peppermint oil
Myrrh oil
Xanthan Gum
Ascorbic acid (vitamin c)
Organic d-Limonene
Active Ingredients
Peppermint and Myrrh essential oils, known for their antibacterial and antiseptic properties
Eco Product Conclusion - 4/5
I really like this toothpaste, and I will finish the tube before looking for another one to try and then review.
Although it’s nice not to have my head blown off by a REALLY pepperminty taste, there are times when I would prefer that to the icky taste I occasionally experience. I would recommend it to anyone who would prefer that to putting scary chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate, chemically processed chalk etc. into their mouths.
If you know of any good natural toothpastes that you think we should feature on this site, please tell us about them on the comments section or get in touch via feedback@minkbaby.co.uk
If you would like to try and review this toothpaste, (for FREE!) why not email me? ali@minkbaby.co.uk
Beginning today, asthma inhalers go ??green,? eliminating the less-expensive generic brands of rescue inhalers delivering puffs of albuterol.
Child using asthma inhaler
Inhalers with chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, have been banned because of damage to Earth??s protective ozone layer. Inhalers must be powered by the more eco-friendly hydrofluoroalkane, or HFA.
There is a problem though, due to the lack of the “puff” when pressed Ashtma suffers can think they are not working and also the new eco friendly asthma inhalers are more expensive
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