Chemical Warfare: Are We Willing Participants? Americans are willingly submitting to chemical warfare daily with food, clothing , shelter and personal care choices.

This story covers the ins and outs of chemical warfare in our individual lives, especially in the arena of personal care products. Most don't realize that what they put ON their bodies goes IN! Personal care products are laden with numerous potentially toxic chemicals and are plastered all over our bodies daily! Can we do something about it?

Chemical Warfare:
Are We Willing Participants?
         
In the aftermath of the 9-11 attack on the twin towers virtually every American has become painfully aware of the very real threat of chemical and biological warfare. However, most Americans already willingly submit to chemical warfare daily, unknowingly maybe but willingly. Whether it is the food we eat, the homes we live in, the clothes we wear or the way we pamper our bodies, we are surrounded and bombarded daily with toxic chemicals. "We are slowly killing ourselves with chemicals right here at home everyday!" states Andrea Lyle, RN and founder of From The Meadows, a manufacturer and retailer of organic body care products based in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. " The only reason our company exists is because people demanded an alternative to the chemically laden body care products on the market." says Ms Lyle.    From The Meadows makes fresh body care products by hand which contain only certified organic and natural ingredients, nothing artificial or synthetic. They offer a mail order catalog, 877-252-0783 and a web site, www.fromthemeadows.com from which to contact them or place orders.

"Some chemical exposure in our society is out of our control, that is true, but much is not. We do have a say in what we choose to subject our bodies to by ingestion or topical application" Ms Lyle states. Our skin is our largest organ and capable of absorbing 60% of what is put on it. Most don't realize that what they put on ends up going in. Studies have shown that many of the chemicals used in personal care products and cosmetics, (few are tested before being used), are absorbed and can be stored in internal organs. Over time they are detrimental to those organs and to our health.                         More
Products you are using, even those purchased in a health food store, are likely to contain things like sodium lauryl sulfate, UREA's, methylparaben, propylparaben, petroleum, carbowax, PEG compounds, propylene glycol, TEA, fragrance, FD&C dyes, hydrogenated oils, etc., and they are NOT going to work harmoniously with your skin and body. Whether it is internally or
externally eventually they could cause a problem. From infants to the elderly organic body care has become a necessity not a luxury!

"Take charge of your life where you can" says Ms Lyle. "Read labels on your body care
products. If you are using organic body care products make sure they are truly organic and
they don't contain any synthetic ingredients that defeat the purpose of using certified
organic ingredients in the first place. If you don't know what an ingredient is, look it up. Not all organic products are created equal" reminds Ms. Lyle.

From The Meadows goal for 2002 is to be the first company to offer body care products made with 100% certified organic ingredients. A lofty goal to be sure but one they feel is necessary. "We want our clients to know without a doubt they can count on us for pure, healthy, body care products. We insist on certified organic ingredients because we feel it is the only way to insure they really are organically grown and processed." adds Ms Lyle.

Chemical warfare? You bet it is. Decide for yourself if you want to be a willing participant in this type of chemical warfare.
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