Posts Tagged ‘natural’

Air Freshener, Deodorizers, Odor Remover Ingredients to Avoid

Monday, August 1st, 2011

Instead of eliminating odors, chemical-based air fresheners and deodorizers can add dangerous chemicals to the air we breathe.

The key to freshening air is to remove (by cleaning) or dilute (by ventilation) the offending odor, and not to cover it with another chemical.

Air fresheners can be made from a number of chemicals including

  • formadehyde -  a carcinogen and sensitizer,
  • naphthalene -  a suspected carcinogen,
  • xylene -  a neurotoxin and possible reproductive toxin,
  • butane gas -  a neurotoxin
  • strong fragrances – fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients, most of which are synthetic. Many compounds in fragrance are human toxins and suspected or proven carcinogens.

Some solid eodorizers include

  • paradichlorobenzene –  a carcinogen which can also cause liver and kidney damage.

Again, the key to freshening air is to remove (by cleaning) or dilute (by ventilation) the offending odor, and not to cover it with another chemical.

Quincy and Simon

Simon and Quincy

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Posted in Cleaning Tips, Green, Health | No Comments »

Hazardous Chemicals – Are We Doing Enough?

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

What will it take for the US to really get serious about banning hazardous chemicals?  I’m not a big fan of regulation, but there are some things that need to be regulated because the average consumer has no way of evaluating what is harmful without a Ph.D in chemistry.

Another organization, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recently called for an overhaul of the nation’s chemical management policy because the current system fails to protect children and pregnant women, who are most vulnerable to hazardous chemical exposures.   They amongst others,  call the the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) passed in 1976, outdated and ineffective.  http://www.healthychildren.org/English/News/pages/AAP-Says-US-Fails-to-Protect-Children-from-Hazardous-Chemicals.aspx

Other groups, including the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association and the American Nurses Association have all independently recommended changes to the TSCA…with all of us trying to live heathier lives, why do you think that these calls for change have seemingly fallen on deaf ears?

Quincy

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Posted in Green, Health | No Comments »

Homemade Food for Pets

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

I can remember nights when I’d be feeding Simon, scooping out of a can into his bowl, and a closer look or a whiff would leave me asking – “what is IN this stuff?” While it closely resembles a meat product, looking at the label never really made me feel any better about what I was feeding him. On top of his allergy to chicken, Simon began to develop skin rashes that left him in a lot of pain. Our vet told us she thought that his diet might be to blame, even though we were feeding him the highest-end, all natural pet food available.

That’s when it hit me – Simon, our beloved dog, is in all respects our 6th child. He has his spot on our family’s couch, matching leash/collar “outfits” – for goodness’s sake, even his own bed! How is it then that I could feed him “stuff” that I wouldn’t imagine feeding our other children? Sure, it’s cheap – but do pennies matter when you’re taking care of the creatures you love most?

We’ve since moved Simon over to a much different diet – Simon now has meals prepared for him, and his food looks very much like the human food that we serve to our family! It is surprisingly easy and cost effective to feed your dog this way – and they may be much happier and even healthier for your efforts!

I wanted to share a few of Simon’s favorites with you – test them out, I’d love to hear what you and your dogs think!

 Doggie Meatloaf (Simon’s FAVORITE!)

  •  2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 cups grated carrot
  • 1 diced apple
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 slices of bread (torn apart my hand)
  • 1 cup of oats
  • 1 cup of wheat germ
  • 1 6 oz. can of tomato paste

Mix all ingredients. Form into two loafs – place in an oiled baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven (preheated) for about 70 minutes. Keeps or about a week in the refrigerator.

 Cheesy Lamb and Rice Stir Fry 

  • 1.5 cups cooked rice (white or brown, whatever you have on hand!)
  • 2 teaspoons safflower oil
  • .5 cup water
  • .25 teaspoon ground thyme
  • .25 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 cubes beef bouillon
  • 1 pound lean ground lamb

 Heat oil in a large skillet – add lamb and cook until browned (about 8 minutes). Drain. Add cooked rice, water, spices and bouillon and cook until liquid is absorbed (about 5 minutes). Stir in grated cheese until melted and let cool. Keep in the refrigerator for about 5 days.

Peanut-Butter Doggie Biscuits

  • 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1.5 cups white flour
  • .5 cups peanut butter
  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

Combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour one cup at a time until a sticky dough forms. Knead into a firm ball, and roll out to about .25 inch thickness. Cut into pieces (about 3 inches) and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

 Now..you may be thinking to yourself that this is a lot of work…but I do this for my human family..so why not for my canine family too!

Quincy

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Posted in Health | No Comments »

Fragrance Free Day — Friday, August 13, 2010

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Chemical Fragrance Just Got Unlucky!

At SeaYu, we love animals and we care about the world we live in.  As a mom with a large family, I am always searching for information that will help me keep my loved ones safe, and preserve the earth for my children’s future.

I guess it helps with all the online tools available now, but I am uncovering more information than ever.  Did you know that we should really take a hard look at the safety of fragrances we bring into the house and put on our bodies?

According to the Environmental Protection Association (EPA), fragranced products such as typical household cleaning products, candles and air fresheners are one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality. The agency reports that poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues like asthma, and exposure to chemical fragrances has been linked to everything from skin irritation to cancer.

Here at SeaYu, chemicals in the home are of special concern.  I know that animals have faster metabolisms and smaller lungs than humans, and not only are they processing these chemicals at a faster rate, they are also breathing them in more rapidly. And, because animals are closer to the ground, they are more often in direct contact with these harmful substances.

According to the report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Environmental Working Group in their report, “Not So Sexy, the Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrances, they found 14 secret chemicals not listed on the labels that are associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products.

As a mom, I want to make sure that my children — both girls and boys — are aware of the possible dangers of using perfumes, colognes, scented moisturizers  and other scented personal care products on their bodies.

There is a growing awareness amongst consumers around the world of a need for greater vigilance in monitoring the products being used in our homes.  

That’s why we’re starting Fragrance Fee Day!  Fragrance Free Day  – August 13, 2010 – gives concerned consumers a chance to help spread awareness by pledging to go “Fragrance Free” via their social networks– no perfumes/colognes, scented lotions or cleaning products with added fragrances – for one full day.

So, what can you do? For one day, help the world breath easier and pledge to not use any products that contain chemical additives and fragrances.   Use your Facebook or MySpace status and your blog to let everyone know “I am going Fragrance Free on August 13th because…”

On Twitter, we’ll be hosting a live Q&A with several experts (including chemical experts and holistic veterinary medicine expert Dr. Carol (http://www.drcarol.com/) on the dangers of chemical fragrances – participate, share your thoughts and what you learn with hashtag #fragrancefreeday to help us spread the word.

Knowledge, as they say, is power, so we are sharing ours with you, so you can share yours and help empower your friends and family to take steps to care for themselves, their family, their pets and our planet!

Quincy and Simon

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Posted in Giving Back, Health | No Comments »

Concrete Cleaning – Do’s and Don’ts

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

The last few days have been gorgeous!  I was talking to friends in Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania, and everyone was saying how nice it is to get outside and were soooooo looking forward to Spring.  It’s been a tough winter (weather wise) and everyone is tired of being cooped up in the house… especially those with pets.

When it rains, Simon really has to be coaxed to go out for his walk or to the park.  I can’t imagine what he would do if there was 6 inches of snow outside and the ground was freezing.  Knowing Simon, he would just sit there, give me a look like “Are you crazy?”, and just refuse to budge.  Now, since I am a real softy when it comes to him, I wonder what I would do.

The reason this struck me today is that I have noticed that our customers are now ordering our (new) concrete products.   I wondered why, when it suddenly struck me that winter was over and that the weather was warming up.  Could it be that during the winter, when no human or animal in their right mind would willingly venture out into the cold, rainy and/or snowy outdoors, that pets had used the basement or patio areas instead of going outside?  And now that things were warming up, the odors that were dormant in cold were now “smelling” with the weather getting warm?

If this is the case, Simon and I thought it was time to talk about cleaning up concrete so Simon’s pals don’t get in trouble.  Once they have marked (on the concrete), Simon’s pals will go back and mark the same spot over and over again.  So here goes.

Concrete Cleaning – Do’s and Don’ts

Things To Know

  1. Concrete is porous.  Yes, this very hard material is porous with lots of air bubbles for urine to hide and dry up in.  If your concrete has not been sealed (or the seal has come off), liquids will definitely penetrate the surface and dry in the concrete. 
  2. When it was cold, smells are usually pretty dormant.  When it warms up, the smell appears and gets more intense the warmer it gets.   It is not that the problem wasn’t there (in the cold), it just that biodegradation is really slow in cold, and revs up in hot environments.
  3. The more humid the environment, the more the urine will penetrate 

Cleaning Don’ts

  1. Do not paint over or seal concrete before you get rid of the deposited urine.   Painting or sealing the concrete will not prevent the urine from biodegrading and throwing off the urine odor.  You are just going to have to strip the seal off and get to the urine once you find it has not worked.

 Cleaning Do’s

  1. Get rid of any excess liquids and/or other materials from the concrete before treating.
  2. Make sure that the area is aerated when you are cleaning the concrete.  Why?  See my blog on Why Urine Smells Like Ammonia.
  3. Use Clean+Green Concrete and Grout or other concrete cleaning products
  4. Apply the cleaning agent to an area larger than the stain on top of the concrete.  Why?  Because pet urine tends to spread as it soaks into the concrete  2″ to 3″ wider than on the surface.  Caution:  When you apply the cleaning agent, the smell will be very intense initially.  Why?  When urine dries, it crystallizes.  When you apply the cleaning agent, the urine crystals liquefy and the smell gets intense before it is eliminated.
  5. You don’t have to, but I would recommend getting something like push broom  and use this after applying the cleaning agent.  Why?  To get as much of the product deep into the concrete as possible.  Remember, no cleaning agent can work unless it can come in physical contact with the urine.
  6. When treating the concrete, be patient and thorough.  If there is a lot of urine, it can be down deep into the concrete.  Remember, the cleaning agent can only get rid of what it can touch.  As the urine closest to the surface is reached and eliminated, the next layer will be drawn up to the surface.  You will need apply the cleaning solution again, and again until all of the urine is gone.
  7. Once you are sure that all the urine is gone, I would recommend that you seal the concrete.

 Good luck!

 Quincy and Simon

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Posted in Cleaning Tips | 6 Comments »

Doggy Meatloaf

Friday, October 9th, 2009

My friend of over 40 years commented the other day (as I was dishing out Simon’s specially prepared doggy meatloaf) that she could not believe that I actually cook Simon’s food rather than feed him dog food.  This made me stop for a moment to reflect.

Yes, I love Simon and he is a member of my family, but he is a dog.  And until a few months ago, we did feed him regular dog food — albeit premium, all-natural dog food and avoiding anything with chicken (allergic) and focusing on non-allergic ingredients such as lamb, rice and venison.  However, starting about 1 year ago, we had to change his dog food multiple times since he continually developed a reaction to the food after about 3 months.

I finally decided — enough was enough — after having to treat “really nasty” hot spots that developed over multiple parts of his body. I started cooking his food following recipes out of Eco Dog by Corbett Marshall and Jim Deskevich.  Well, his hot spots went away, and now I make his food weekly and his food looks like our “human” family dinner food.

So, yes I am cooking for my dog, and no, I did not think I would be cooking for my husband, kids and dog.  I am still looking for a dog food that will not give Simon hot spots since having to figure out what to cook for family everyday is hard enough without having to do so for Simon.  I would love to go back to just buying his dog food and scooping it out everyday, but until I can find something that will not give him hot spots, I am cooking for him.  Taking care of my dog and giving him medicine everyday is harder than taking care of my kids.

So, yes Gina, I make doggy meatloaf and what other recipes I find to cook for Simon… at least until I find something that he can stomach.

 Quincy and Simon

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Posted in Health | 6 Comments »

CLEAN+GREEN

Monday, May 4th, 2009

Hello and Welcome to our first blog posting! 

I am Quincy and this is Simon,  our 6th child.  Simon and I are both excited about being able to share our stories and thoughts with you.  With our blended family of 8  (mom and dad, 2 girls, 3 boys and 1 very large furry dog), a large extended family and all our kids’ friends flowing through our house, we definitely have first hand experience on the challenges of trying to keep a clean and safe home that is truly “lived in.”  As most women know, this is a never ending and sometimes seemingly impossible feat when you open your home to friends and family.

After the dot.com bust and over 20 years in high tech, I decided to take time out to focus on the family and also finally succumbed to my husband and kids’ pressure to add a dog to our crew; I’d resisted this as I knew that I would end up taking care of the dog in spite of all my kids’ promises and just did not think I could handle this given my work schedule and pressures.  Well, I didn’t have this excuse anymore, so we rescued Simon and he became our 6th child. 

Well….now he is the reason I religiously take a morning walk every day, and he (along with my children) are the reason I started SeaYu Enterprises.  Simon brought a whole new dimension in trying to keep a home clean.  You can’t tell him to take off his shoes (he has none) so you can’t prevent him from tromping dirt through the house, he does have accidents in the house even though he is house trained, and he can’t help having a doggy smell between baths!  The other thing I soon found out was that Simon’s system is more sensitive to chemicals and foods than even my (human) children.

I guess this brings us to the mission we have at SeaYu.  At SeaYu, we love animals and we care about the world we live in.  As a mom, I want a clean home, I absolutely have to have a safe home, and I want to do everything I can to preserve this earth for my kids.  Through our blog, Simon and I plan to share our stories and tips on how we ALL can do this.

Quincy and Simon

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Posted in General Thoughts | 11 Comments »