Top sunscreens for 2010

*If you want to read about the top 5 sunscreens, I put the information at the bottom of the page.  

 If you want to hear why this melanoma survivor (me) rarely wears sunscreen, read on.

The other day my friend asked me what kind of sunscreen do I use.

You might think I dip myself in sunscreen every morning, but it's actually the opposite.

I was diagnosed with melanoma in my 20's so I am always cautious when I'm outside and I try not to put a lot of chemicals on my skin.

A few years ago, a professor told me many suncreens use chemicals to create a barrier between your skin and the sun. Your body asbsorbs those chemicals. Researchers are taking a closer to look to see how those chemicals impact the body.

I posted an earlier story about how the CDC,  Centers for Disease Control also studied sunscreen ingredients found in the bloodstream.

While the jury is out on how these chemicals impact us, I prefer to wear sun protective clothing.

I actually bought a few cover-ups and had them tailored so you can't tell they're sun protective jackets.

I wear them over my swimsuit and I usually hang out in the shade. My husband & I love to go boating so I had to find something that really would protect me.

I do wear a non-chemical, mineral powder sunscreen on my face.

It has a great brush applicator so I can keep it in my purse.  You can also find similar brands at Sephora.

Some of the companies that sell sun protective clothing include:

SPFstore (great cotton t-shirts)

Coolibar (affordable)

Ayana (stylish)

But what about your kids?

My good friend, former TV producer and mom of two, Eve, researched this for us.

She says this non-chemical sunscreen (California Baby) is good for wiggly faces and the same company makes a good one for the rest of them.

 (They also happen to be listed as 2 of the top 10 best sunscreens. Beware, a few years ago I bought the number 1 rated sunscreen but it turned me into a greasy, Casper the ghost! There is a fine balance here. It has to work and you can't scare your friends!)

Eve tries her best to keep their sun protective clothes and hats on their little bodies (but you know how that goes!)

Kids clothes:

Coolibar

Cabana Life (Target)

Now to your sunscreens:

A consumer advocacy group is out with the 2010 safest sunscreens and best UV protectors.

The Environmental Working Group investigated 1572 chemical and non-chemical sunscreens.

The non-profit group found 3 out of 5 sunscreens do not protect your skin from sun damage or they expose you to toxic chemicals, or both.

Read more stories on Heather's Natural Health

You'll notice non-chemical sunscreens made the top of the Environmental Working Group's list.

There are the top rated sunscreens for broad spectrum protection with fewer hazardous ingredients.

The sunscreen screening site, put together by the Environmental Working Group, gives detailed information about all the products and rates them based on chemical exposure and effectiveness.

	Product and Score
	All Terrain Aquasport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30 TerraSport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30 KidSport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30
	Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body, Unscented, SPF 30 Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 30 Lightly Scented Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 15 Lightly Scented
	Beyond Coastal Lip and Face Screen, SPF 30
	California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance, SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion Everyday/Year-Round, SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+, Citronella Sunblock Stick Everyday/Year-Round, SPF 30+
	Caribbean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard, SPF 25 Sol Kid Kare Natural Sunscreen, SPF 25
	Desert Essence Age Reversal SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
	Episencial Sunny Sunscreen, SPF 35
	Estion Sunscreen with Zinc, SPF 38
	Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas: Mineral Based Physical Sunblock, SPF 30+ Sunbrellas: Chemical Free Sunblock, SPF 30+ Earth's Best: Sunblock Mineral Based, SPF 30+
	Kabana Skin Care Green Screen Organic Sunscreen Fragrance Free, SPF 20 Green Screen Organic Sunscreen, SPF 22, Skin Tone Tinted
	L'uvalla Certified Organic SPF 20 Sunscreen Face/Body

See the complete list here.

According to EWG, when sunscreen ingredients break down, they can penetrate the skin and trigger allergies. The ingredients are actually designed to break down; that's part of the function of absorbing energy and keeping it out of the skin. But some break down more quickly and easily than others.

The two ingredients recommended most include zinc and titanium, which don't break down in sunlight as others do, and offer longer lasting protection as a result. They also work by reflecting sunlight, rather than absorbing it.

You should look for both SPF numbers and zinc and titanium when buying suncreens.High SPF protects best against UVB. Zinc and titanium offer maximum UVA protection. Several ingredients are far less desirable although, depending on how they're blended and what else the products contain, they're not automatically undesirable. They are avobenzone, oxybenzone and padimate O, a relative of PABA, which has come into disrepute in recent years.

You can read more about how a skin cancer exam save my life by clicking here.  I'd love to hear what type of sun protection works best for you.

HEATHER'S BLOG: I'm pregnant!

It's official! Mike and I are having a baby! We're almost 5 months into pregnancy and we STILL can't believe we're having a baby girl!

We have been married long enough (10 years!) to see our friends and family go through the major transformation that comes with starting a family. We have been dragging our feet for years.
I wanted to get healthy (I had a melanoma scare in my 20's), we commuted for a while and we really enjoyed just hanging out together.

We travelled a lot, invested in our careers but at the end of the day, we realized the close relationship we have with our parents would never be passed on unless we had a family of our own.




I'm not sure we're ready (are you ever really ready?) but we are really excited!

(Disclaimer: cute baby below is not mine. Mine will have much thicker eyebrows!)



Having a baby is all about change... so I am trying to keep a flexible attitude about EVERYTHING!

As I take this journey, I hope you'll share your baby experiences too (I'm still not sure about where to give birth--just one out of a million questions I still have...).

I am going to BLOG along the way on Heather's Natural Health. That's my webpage where I share how eating clean simple foods, cutting down on exposure to everyday chemicals and finding simple solutions to stay healthy have dramatically changed my life.

So it's probably no surprise that one of my 2010 New Year's resolutions was to try acupuncture.
I figured it could only help reduce stress, increase blood flow and help me figure out WHEN I actually ovulate--something I've never really been able to do.

This is the first time we have "actively" tried to get pregnant. Listen to how crazy this sounds...

I went to see licensed acupuncturist, Carolyn Huffman/Huffman Wellness in South Tampa back in January. She specializes in fertility.
Part of her treatment plan includes nutrition counseling (cutting out caffeine, alcohol and processed foods for at least 3 months. I had to say goodbye to my afternoon shot of coffee) and learning how to chart your cycle.

Every morning she asked me to take my temperature and record it on this chart. I had two acupuncture sessions a week, for two weeks in a row. She helped me figure out when the "time" was right.

I don't like to take herbs (for several reasons--they're usually imported from China or India where lead contamination is a concern, there's no third party independent testing or FDA regulation, and I like to know what I put into my body) but I must admit, she convinced me to give some a try.

You can imagine my surprise when I starting to see my temperature climb after just two weeks!!

I took four pregnancy tests in a row and they all said the same thing-PREGNANT!

Now of course, my husband maintains this has more to do with him than acupuncture (absolutely!) but I have continued to have acupuncture treatments and I am still amazed to say, I had NO MORNING SICKNESS--ZIPPO, NOTHING at all. I didn't call in sick to work once.

I have more energy than I've ever expected and the needle she places in my stomach to help with "digestion" has worked wonders!

I have to be honest... I entered into this plan skeptical. As a former investigative journalist that's just my nature, but I am completely convinced that there is a reason acupuncture is used by many cultures and has been around for 3,000 years.

Here's my only disclaimer: make sure you see an OB/GYN to confirm you don't have any serious underlying problems. Click here to make sure your acupunturist is licensed by the state and see if your insurance covers it (my in-network price is $50 a session) and if you decide to try acupuncture, it's recommended that you stick with it for at least 3 months.

Over the next few months, I'll BLOG about where to find a good deal on maternity clothes (not easy!) the natural way to keep your skin clear and any other interesting tips I find along the way.

I hope you will share your advice too!  I have a lot to learn! Thanks to some great girlfriends, my idea of a "natural birth" is out the window right now.

Please email any story ideas to: hvannest@10connects.com.
Congratulations to those of you expecting too!

I applaud all of the great mommies out there who are tackling the toughest (and most rewarding) job in the world!

Here we go...

Nutrition advice for anyone going through cancer treatment

As a journalist, I am fortunate to interview a variety of people on CBS/10Connects News and also on my web page: Heather's Natural Health.


I personally know the healing power of eating fresh, simple foods and avoiding processed sugary foods -- I made the change 10 years ago and feel so much better -- I can't go back!

When my dad was recently diagnosed with inoperable mesothelioma, I searched all around the country for a realistic, comprehensive treatment plan that included an integrative approach to cancer care. While the major cancer centers we visited all recommended he try chemotherapy, they couldn't offer any nutrition advice. So I kept searching...

"Integrative oncologist" may seem like an oxymoron, but they really do exist!

I also needed to find someone who could be realistic. My dad would never juice 80 carrots a day, but he would be willing to improve his diet while undergoing chemotherapy, something he wanted to do.

I recently interviewed Rebecca Katz, author of The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Rebecca, along with Dr. Andrew Weil and others, all recommended the same person, Dr. Keith Block at the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care in Illinois and author of Life Over Cancer.

I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Block and ask him if eating fresh, whole foods really makes a difference in the fight against cancer. He says the simple answer is yes. Everything you eat or drink changes the chemistry of your blood.

For nearly three decades, Dr. Block and his research staff have studied how diet and lifestyle changes (two things patients can control) can slow cancers, ease chemotherapy side effects, improve quality of life and give survivors an edge.

Dr. Block has noticed that nutrition has a profound effect. Patients who take control of their daily choices are in better shape to fight cancer and respond better to treatment.

Dr. Block advises his patients eat more:


•Egg whites

•Legumes (lentil beans, check peas)

•Seeds

•Nuts

•Good fats (olive oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil)

•Cold water fish (wild salmon)

•Whole grains

•Cruciferious vegetables (broccoli, cabbage)

•Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)

•Green tea

Dr. Block advises his patients avoid:


•Dairy products (promotes inflammation and mucus production)

•Red meat (iron supports cancer cells and too high in bad fats)

•Processed sugary foods (promotes inflammation and fuels cancer)

•Bad fats (trans fats, saturated fats in processed baked goods)

Dr. Block says sugar can give cancer the upper hand.

He sites studies that suggest breast cancer patients who add exercise and cut out processed sugar are able to keep their insulin levels under control and cut their risk of recurrence in half and decrease cancer death by two-thirds.

He adds,"Cancer cells are glucose guzzlers. Think about this, the way a Petscan works is by introducing glucose into a patient to see the cancer cells that would divide more rapidly because of the glucose. There are many studies that show in various cancers that show as you increase blood sugar levels, you speed up growth of cancer. In fact the survival, response to treatment the outcomes are all clearly associated with the ability to maintain or lose control of sugar levels and its impact on insulin."


Dr. Block has also noticed patients who eat nutritious foods and take certain supplements during chemotherapy ease side effects.

Dr. Block advises his patients try these things before chemotherapy:


•Take two 500 mg capsules of ginger root 15 minutes beforehand

•Exercise for 15 minutes an hour before treatment (walk, ride bike)

•Check vitamin D levels in advance (simple blood test)

•Take fish oil (anti-inflammatory)

•Take curcumin (anti-inflammatory)

•Sit outside in morning sun for 15 minutes

Dr. Block has his patients mix powdered glutamine in water before, during and after chemotherapy to prevent mouth sores and neuropathy--tingling of the hands and feet.

Dr. Block says,"What we have our patients do is take 10-20 grams of glutamine in a bottle of water and have them sip it during chemotherapy. It will help prevent mouth sores. It will boost immune function and it will protect from some of the nerve damage that can occur from chemotherapy."

FDA reverses decision and NOW warns about chemical in plastic

Be the first to read about natural health issues on Heather's Natural Health. Join myFacebook page or follow me on Twitter.

I've been telling you about a controversial chemical, called BPA or bisphenol A, found in many food and baby products including some formula cans, plastic drinking bottles, canned food and other food packaging.

Click here to see how to reduce your exposure.

Consumer Reports and other consumer health advocacy groups have been calling on the government to remove it from food and baby products, but the FDA continues to say more research is needed.

The FDA has issued a new warning to reduce your exposure.

As your health advocate, I like to share these stories with you so you can decide what is best for your family.

Years ago, I started taking a few easy steps to lower my exposure to this chemical because it mimics estrogen.

Click here to see the simple ways I've lowered my exposure.

I included this Associated Press story that summarizes the FDA's new warning:

The Food and Drug Administration has reversed its position on the safety of Bisphenol A, a chemical found in plastic bottles, soda cans, food containers and thousands of consumer goods, saying it now has concerns about health risks.

Growing scientific evidence has linked the chemical to a range of problems, from cancer to sexual dysfunction to heart disease. Federal officials said they are particularly concerned about BPA's effect on the development of fetuses, infants and young children.

"We have some concern, which leads us to recommend reasonable steps the public can take to reduce exposure to BPA," said Joshua Sharfstein, FDA's deputy commissioner. 

They include discarding scratched baby bottles and infant feeding cups and not putting very hot liquid into bottles containing BPA while preparing them for a child.

Regulators stopped short of banning the compound or even requiring manufacturers to label products containing BPA, saying that more studies need to be conducted before they would issue a ban.

 FDA officials also said they were hamstrung from dealing quickly with BPA and other additives by an outdated regulatory framework.

Sharfstein said the agency is conducting "targeted" studies of BPA, part of a two-year, $30 million effort by the administration to answer key questions about the chemical that will help determine what action, if any, is necessary to protect public health. The Obama administration pledged to take a "fresh look" at the chemical.

BPA, used to harden plastics, is so prevalent that more than 90 percent of the U.S. population has traces of it in its urine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers have found that BPA leaches from containers into food and beverages, even at cold temperatures.

The FDA had long maintained that BPA is safe, relying largely on two studies funded by the chemical industry. The agency was faulted by its own panel of independent science advisers in 2008, who said its position on BPA was scientifically flawed because it ignored more than 100 published studies by government scientists and university laboratories that raised health concerns about BPA. Recent data found health effects even at low doses of BPA-lower than the levels considered safe by the FDA.

The chemical industry, which produces more than 6 billion tons of BPA annually has been fighting restrictions on its use.

In a statement, the American Chemical Council said: "Plastics made with BPA contribute safety and convenience to our daily lives because of their durability, clarity and shatter-resistance. Can liners and food-storage containers made with BPA are essential components to helping protect the safety of packaged foods."

Bisphenol A was discovered to be a synthetic estrogen in the 1930s. By the 1950s, chemists found BPA could be used to make polycarbonate plastics, giving them a "shatter-proof" quality, and the uses for the chemical exploded.

But over the past decade, consumers have placed increasing pressure on manufacturers and retailers to migrate away from BPA. In 2008, Babies R Us and other major retailers told suppliers they would no longer stock baby bottles made with BPA. Last year, the six largest manufacturers of baby bottles announced they would voluntarily stop selling bottles made with bisphenol A to U.S. consumers.

But BPA remains in the epoxy linings of most canned goods, including baby formula. Research has shown that it leaches from the linings into liquid formula but not powered formula.

Environmental groups, public health advocates and consumer organizations applauded the FDA for recognizing concern about BPA, but some said the agency didn't go far enough.

"It's really a shame after all of the studies out there, that they didn't do anything to protect the public health," said Urvashi Rangan, director of technical policy at Consumers Union. "How many pieces of evidence do we need before we have enough to act?"

Canada declared BPA a toxin and banned it from baby bottles in 2008. Similar restrictions have taken root in Chicago, Minnesota, Connecticut and Suffolk County in New York. In Congress, Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., have filed a bill that would block BPA from all food and drink packaging.

As it awaits additional research results, the FDA plans to change the way it classifies BPA so that it can exercise tighter controls over the chemical, Sharfstein said. Currently, BPA is approved as a "food additive", which means manufacturers are not required to tell the government which products contain BPA and in what amounts. The agency wants to reclassify it as a "food contact material," which would require greater disclosure from manufacturers and would allow the FDA to take fast action if it determined that the material posed a health risk.

Click here to read how the Department of Health and Human Services recommends you reduce exposure.

Simple garlic soup will make you feel better (sniffle, sneeze, cough!

I promised that I would share the easy, homemade garlic soup recipe that I brought to the station to help Tammie (and a few others) feel better.

Yes, you will have "garlic dragon breath," BUT if you're home alone or you share with your friends, you're all in the same boat!

Whenever I am surrounded by sneezers or other sick people, I whip up a batch of my homemade garlic soup.
I swear by it! It soothes scratchy throats and more... just sip away!
Check out the super easy, 4 ingredients below. You can make it in minutes.

(If I have more time, I add rotisserie chicken, quinoa (high protein, easy to cook seed available at health food store) onions, carrots, celery and fresh parsley--now that's a healing meal!)

You can sip on this simple garlic soup to prevent colds or make you feel better if you're fighing one.

There's science behind the benefits of eating raw garlic.

Harvard educated, Integrative medicine guru, Dr. Andrew Weil suggests eating raw garlic everyday for its antibiotic/antiviral properties:

Garlic is a powerful natural medicine. It has abilities to lower cholesterol and reduce clotting of the blood. It can also help lower high blood pressure.

In addition, raw garlic is a potent antibiotic, especially active against fungal infections, with antibacterial and antiviral effects as well.

An effective home remedy for colds is to eat several cloves of raw garlic at the first onset of symptoms. Eating raw garlic does not appeal to everyone, but garlic loses its antibiotic properties when you cook or dry it, and commercial garlic capsules do not preserve the full activity of the fresh bulb. You can make raw garlic more palatable by chopping it fine, mixing it with food, and eating it with a meal. Or cut a clove into chunks and swallow them whole like pills. One or two cloves of garlic a day are recommended for people who suffer from chronic or recurrent infections.

Eating raw garlic by itself can be be tough... that's why I like to sip this soup.
You need only four ingredients:
-Bulb of garlic
-Organic chicken broth carton
-Organic extra virgin olive oil
-Poultry seasoning (optional)

The most laber intensive part is you have to mince an entire bulb of garlic.
Use a knife to pop each clove from its shell and then mince all of the cloves.

Next, toss minced garlic in a pot, add a tablespoon of olive oil and lightly cook for 30 seconds.
(Keep garlic as raw as possible)
Add 32 ounces of organic chicken broth to pot. Cook on medium to low heat for 7 to 10 minutes.

Strain the garlic and drink the broth.
*If it tastes too strong for you (or your kids make a horrible face) you can add more chicken broth or water.

Check out my other healthy, easy recipes and more on Heather's Natural Health.

Create your own home gym for under $100

Looking for an inexpensive way to motivate yourself to exercise at home? You can create your own home gym for under $100 dollars. If you have a TV or computer in your room, you can watch exercise videos on You Tube or cable TV programs like Fit TV.

Schedule 20 to 30 minutes, 5 times a week, to invest in your health.

You can also buy workout videos:

Click here to see how Fitness Magazine rated some of the top exercise videos

Consumer Reports suggests buying some of these exercise aids:

Dumbbells

Cost: about $6 to $60 a pair

Lifting dumbbells will tone your muscles. Consider getting at least two sets, one that's the weight you usually use and one that's a bit more challenging.

Elastic bands or tubes

Cost: about $10 to $15 each

They provide resistance training for strengthening and toning muscles. Consider getting one that's a little tougher than the other so that you have two levels of resistance.

Stability ball

Cost: about $20 to $40

It adds variety to your core workouts. Try a 45-cm ball if you're less than 5 feet tall, a 55-cm ball if you're 5 foot 1 inch to 5 foot 7 inches, and a 65-cm if you're taller.

Workout DVDs

Cost: about $15 each

The best include strength, flexibility, and cardio routines. You can also find free exercise programs on TV.

Exercise mat

Cost: about $13 to $20 for a 2x6-foot mat

Exercising on the floor can be tough on the joints, so consider a pad for cushioning.

Check out easy, healthy recipes and more on Heather's Natural Health

Check to see chemicals in your drinking water

Have you ever noticed your drinking water has a chlorine smell or taste? 

It should be no surprise that chemicals are used to disinfect the water, but government and water utility tests reveal unregulated chemicals, including toxic rocket fuel perchlorate, industrial solvent acetone, weed killer metolachlor, refrigerant Freon and even radon, a highly radioactive gas can also be found in drinking water.

That's according to a non-profit consumer advocacy group, Environmental Working Group. 

EWG analyzed 20 million tap water quality tests performed by water utilities between 2004 and 2009.

They found 316 chemicals contaminants in US drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency has only set enforceable standards for 114 pollutants. 

Here's an easy way to see what's in your drinking water:

Click here to enter your zip code

Two Florida water utilities made the "Top 10 Lowest Rated Drinking Water" list. 

EWG researchers say Emerald Coast Water Utility in Pensacola had 21 chemicals that exceeded health levels versus the national average of 4. EWG says 45 pollutants were found versus the national average of 8.

Emerald Coast Water Utility says its drinking water is perfectly safe and meets all federal and state guidelines.

JEA in Jacksonville also made the "Top 10 Lowest Rated Drinking Water" list.

The consumer advocacy group wants the government to analyze national drinking water quality, establish new safety standards and tell Americans about the full range of pollutants in their water.

EWG recommends people consider buying a water filter.

Click here to see your options

Some communities have taken action.

For example, Boston had a serious water contamination problem until it installed a new water filtration system. EWG says Boston now has some of the highest-rated drinking water in the country.

Click here to read why filtered drinking water is recommended over plastic water bottles.

Read more stories on Heather's Natural Health

Read New York Times investigation about dirty drinking water