The Dangers of Cleaning Products….Even the “Green” Ones

Written by Max Goldberg on August 15, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

One of the reasons that many of us eat organic food is because we want to keep dangerous chemicals out of our bodies.

Yet even if we adhere to a 100% organic diet, we still need to pay very close attention to all of the personal care and household cleaning products that we use – from handsoaps, shampoos, floor cleaners, window sprays, air fresheners, dishwash soaps, etc.

The Environmental Working Group, one of my favorite non-profit groups, who also happens to put out The Dirty Dozen, just released a sneak preview of their Cleaners Hall of Shame – a list of the most hazardous cleaning products on the market.

Many products contain ingredients known to cause asthma or are contaminated with carcinogens. Read More »

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Another Reason to Eat Organic – Toxic Flame Retardants Found in Conventional Food

Written by Max Goldberg on June 5, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

I almost fell over in my chair the other day when I read this one in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

In nearly half of the samples tested, researchers found traces of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in peanut butter, cold cuts, turkey, beef, and other fatty foods.

So what is HBCD exactly?

It is a flame retardant commonly used in the foam insulation of building walls, upholstered furniture, automobile interior textiles, car cushions and electronic equipment.

How toxic is it and who is concerned about it? Read More »

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LABEL IT NOW e-Book: The Most Important $3 You Can Spend

Written by Max Goldberg on April 12, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

If you’re a frequent reader of my blog, you know that aside from writing about organic products, restaurants, and trends, I dedicate a good amount of time to what is happening politically in regards to the organic industry.

The reason I do this is the because genetically-modified foods (GMOs) are an extremely serious threat to both the long-term viability of organic and the health of our fellow citizens.

Furthermore, it is a topic that does not receive accurate or adequate coverage in mainstream media.

The unfortunate reality is this.

A very high percentage of the U.S. population does not know what GMOs are and does not understand the very grave health risks that GMOs pose. Even worse, they don’t realize how our government is not protecting our health nor upholding our rights as American citizens.

For those of us who live in the U.S., we have a fundamental right to know if the food we are eating is genetically-modified or not. Read More »

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Final Reflections on Costa Rica, What the Heck is a Biodigester, What Noni Looks Like

Written by Max Goldberg on March 1, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

Before heading down to Costa Rica, I had no idea that it would be one of the best trips that I would ever take and that it would impact me so greatly.

Now back in New York City, I have been trying to wrap my arms around why I loved it so much. Three main things come to mind:

1) First and foremost, it was a phenomenal group of people on the trip. Despite the fact that almost none of us had ever met before, we all got along really, really well. No drama, very easy, and everyone was extremely likeable.

Additionally, the individuals from EARTH University who hosted and took us around Costa Rica were beyond gracious. Their warmth and concern for our well-being was just truly amazing. Read More »

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Important News for Parents – BPA Found in Organic Baby Food

Written by Max Goldberg on February 14, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

Several months I wrote a story about Bisphenol-A (BPA) in organic food cans.

The post continues to get a lot of views because people are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about the packaging that their food comes in, even in organic food products.

With news coming out of Maine this morning, parents now need to take extra precaution about what they feed their young kids. Why?

BPA, which is known as a developmental, neural, and reproductive toxin, was found in 11 of 12 baby and toddler foods tested by The Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine.

Read More »

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