con ojos profundos: August 2008

I've always got my causes. You know this about me. So this post will not surprise you. When it comes to my passions, my challenge is always to walk the line of education, when solicited, rather than being preachy. So oftentimes, I may learn about something that affects me on a certain level and not even really share it with many people. As I've gotten older, I think I've gotten better at filtering out environmental discoveries and knowledge to friends who have an interest. But the beauty of keeping a blog is that the message receiver can self-filter. What I'm saying is, if you're not interested in this topic, move on.

I've been thinking about chemicals a lot lately. Not that I didn't before, but they've been cramping my style lately. I was recommended a book this summer called Our Stolen Future by Theo Colborn.

This book blew me away. The main discussion surrounds chemical buildup in our bodies and the chemical transfer from mother to baby including its effect on sexual development. Basically, man-made chemicals build up in our bodies, and when a woman gets pregnant, much of the store of chemicals is transferred to the fetus.

On a personal level, I found myself evaluating health conditions of myself and my relatives in light of what I read. After living in the New Orleans area for a number of years, my grandmother, cousin, and mother all contracted various forms of cancer. I've always wondered what role environment played in their diseases given that none of our relatives had documented incidences of cancer in the past. As for myself, I found out a few years ago that I have a pituitary tumor, which affects my endocrine system. The cases of these tumors have grown exponentially in recent decades, puzzling doctors. The cause is unknown, but endocrine and reproductive disorders have been linked to chemical exposure. And of course the human species is not the only one experiencing this rise in endocrine and reproductive disorders. The book details the gamut of species that have been studied and are experiencing similar issues. The incidence of hermaphroditism has been found to be rising in some species, which makes me wonder about Mr. Hermie, my vet-tested "possible hermaphrodite."

This book was very educational for me. I've also found Environmental Working Group's website and findings to be a valuable source of information. As I've tried to understand the current situation, these are the conclusions I've made:

1. The FDA can't keep up with number of new chemicals being produced.
2. Trade secrets allow companies to keep harmful ingredients secret.
3. Consumers really do shoulder the responsibility of educating themselves about product safety.

So with these conclusions in mind, I've been taking baby steps to make more informed choices when it comes to my health. EWG sure does make this easier. Here are some things I've learned through my research:

Did You Know?
* Some mascaras contain mercury
* Some conditioners and moisturizers contain extracts from human and cow placenta
* Dental sealants contain Bisphenol A, which is linked to endocrine disorders. I've got 4 in my mouth. Coincidence?
* Lead is found in some hair dyes.
* Albacore tuna has three times as much mercury as light tuna.
* Traditional tampons and pads are bleached with chlorine, producing dioxin, which is linked to cancer and everything else bad in this world.

Some of the EWG tools that have made my life easier
Skin Deep database. I have come to love this database over the past few years and have gotten in the habit of consulting it before I purchase any health or beauty products. You can search by brand name or see a list of products arranged by toxicity ranking. The site is very easy to use and has comprehensive data on hair, skin, fragrance, and hygiene products.

Human Toxome Project. This study outlines levels of pollution found in humans around the world. Scary, but very informative.

2008 Sunscreen Study. 4 out of 5 sunscreens were found to contain toxic ingredients or not protect skin as claimed. This database tells you what ingredients to avoid and which sunscreens are most effective AND safe.

Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Outlines the "Dirty Dozen" and the "Cleanest 12" of produce (and everything in between) so you can decide which fruits and veggies are worth paying a little more for organic and which are fine conventionally grown.

Timeline: BPA from Invention to Phase-Out. BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical found in baby bottles, nalgene-type bottles, many other "hard plastics", and as a lining on metal cans. After many decades of research and proven negative effects, manufacturers and retails are finally heeding the warnings. A few months ago, some companies began phasing out products that are make with BPA, but the mainstream public is probably still unaware. BPA exposure has been shown to lead to prostate problems, breast cancer, early puberty, and behavioral problems. Infants are most at risk, and tragically, most baby bottles and formulas stored in metal cans have been found to contain BPA. Better days ahead, though.

Safe & Natural Products I Really Enjoy
* Doc Bronner's peppermint soap.

I've been hooked on this stuff for about five years now. I'm a peppermint fiend. This soap really wakes me up during my morning shower and also clears out my sinuses. I've also used it to wash my hair and clothes on long hiking excursions.

* Kleen Kanteen stainless steel water bottles.
These bottles keep your drinks C-O-L-D cold! And they are made of stainless steel, so there's no need to worry about leaching plastic chemicals making their way into your body. I'm also on the hunt for some steel drinking cups. My friend Deana has some great ones she found at a thrift store, but I'm having a hard time finding some myself.

* Natracare Feminine Products

According to their website, the average woman uses up to 11,000 tampons in her life. Natracare tampons are totally organic, and I like knowing that I'm not injecting pesticides into my body every month.

* Earth Friendly Products Ecos Laundry Detergent.

This detergent is totally plant-based and biodegradable, unlike many mainstream detergents, which are petroleum-based. I like the very light scent and the fact that I have to use a very small amount to get the clothes clean.

* Green Guide: The Complete Reference for Consuming Wisely.

I recently purchased this book and it seems to be a comprehensive guide for educated consumption.

All in all, I urge you to educate yourself about the products with which you surround yourselves...no one else will do it for you!

I was in Florida last week visiting my family, and we went to an Italian restaurant on my last night there. As we began dessert, the staff also indulged in honor of a staff member who was working her last shift. Making small talk, Chris asked where she was going. Spain. What is she going to do there? She's doing some long hike across the whole country. I was outside as this conversation took place, defrosting my body from the ever-present air conditioner beast. My bro grabbed me to come inside, where I realized that Theda (the woman going to Spain) was on her way to hike the Camino de Santiago.

The Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is a thousand-year-old route from western France to Santiago de Compostela on the west coast of Spain. Originally, the route was a very religious journey for people wanting to travel to the tomb of St. James, which is allegedly located in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Santiago. Now, people walk it for a number of reasons - religion, spirituality, travel, Spanish language, culture, history, etc.

I decided to do the Camino in 2003 for a number reasons:
1. I had lots of time and little money.
2. I wanted to improve on my Spanish before moving to the Tex-Mex border.
3. I wanted to see a few countries in Europe I hadn't seen before.
4. I randomly met someone who convinced me that it had to be done.

I should paint a picture of what my life was like five years ago, pre-Camino. I had graduated two years previously and set out to Munich for an internship. I was able to capture tiny glimpses of Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria during this time, but of course this only left me craving more travel. I came back to the states and headed to New England, where I worked at an environmental non-profit for a year. This position allowed me to gain much knowledge in biology, as I spent most days teaching kids ecosystem-based lessons in the great outdoors. I got used to being outside, and figured that if I can handle being outside in New England weather every day, I can handle a lot. During this year I was also surrounded by many great new friends who taught me things that shaped many of my future life decisions. One of the major decisions I made while I was in New England was to become a teacher. I signed up with Teach For America and committed to move to The Tex-Mex border that summer.

With the next few years of my life secured, I had a few months to play. When I had first lived in Australia a few years later, I read a book called The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. The book is fiction, but is set on the Camino de Santiago. This book planted a seed, and I kept my radars on. Sure enough, when I returned from Australia, I stopped to visit my good friend Willa in LA. We went to a party, and she introduced me to a friend of hers who had not only competed the Camino, but also wrote her thesis on the topic. (To get an idea of how rare this is, during my entire 475 mile journey on the Camino, I did not meet one other American completing the journey.) After talking with this woman, I KNEW I was going to walk the Camino when the time was right.

When March of 2003 rolled around, my friend Cori and I set off to Spain and began our journey. I don't want to give away too many specifics about the Camino, but I will say that it is a magical experience. Things happen there that I've never experienced elsewhere. Where else will you meet an 80-year-old woman wearing a Mary Poppins dress and riding a $10 thrift store bike who manages PASS ultrafit cyclists on the mountains of Spain? How this woman rode over 500 miles on her raggedy bike with no preparation or maintenance is beyond me, but on the Camino, it is possible.

The Camino is a path filled with mysticism, and Pilgrims (who have completed the Camino) share a special bond. That's why when Theda told me she wanted to do the Camino, I instantly felt protective of her. As I told her some of the banalities of the journey (what to pack, what to buy, how to get there), I tried to keep some of the nuggets to myself. Sure, I did let it slip that I keep in touch with some of Mi Familia from the journey still today. I also couldn't help but tell her that she won't meet many Americans there. And that the people she will meet in the villages and on the path are some of the nicest people she'll ever encounter. But beyond that, I curbed my enthusiasm. I realized as I talked to Theda that I'd come full circle since my pre-Camino days. With regard to the Camino, I was now the master.

I've posted here some of my favorite photos from my journey. Click on any of them to see a larger version. If you like the pics, you can see my entire album (mapped across Spain) at http://picasaweb.google.com/megansembera1/CaminoDeSantiago.