RFR Radiofrequency radiation
The most famous EMF… If someone is talking about EMFs, they are generally referring to radiofrequency (RF) radiation. Radiofrequency radiation comes from all wireless devices. Depending on the signal strength, the fields will penetrate walls and people. Check here to see if you are near a cell tower or an antenna.
Very important – even if the device is not actually connected to WiFi but the WiFi is not ‘disabled’, that device IS most likely constantly sending out a signal looking to connect. All ‘smart’ devices need to have the WiFi manually ‘disabled’. I purchased Acoustimeter Am 10 to help me determine which hidden devices emit RF radiation and help me decide which to keep, which to hard-wire and which we could live without.
Items that may emit radiofrequency or WiFi radiation:
ELF Electric Fields
Check out this very cool project, 1301 fluorescent bulbs planted in an English farm, powered entirely by electrical fields generated by the power lines that float in curves over the top of this field.
See project here.
This project is on a much grander scale, however we can measure the low frequency electrical fields our body absorbs with a body voltage meter or a professional meter. We absorb electric fields from electrical boxes, electrical wiring inside walls, outlets, electronics power cords, appliances, some power lines. Everything that has a power cord and an ON/OFF switch will emit an electric field. Anything that is plugged in, and has a ‘potential’ to be turned on, EVEN in an ‘Off’ position will emit an electric field 10-20 feet in all directions. …From each wire.
ELF Magnetic Fields
Magnetic fields are present with electricity actually flowing through a wire or a metallic path of some kind. Strong magnetic fields will penetrate walls and people.
My “neighborhood” magnetic fields are roughly 0.20 mG. Inside of the house varied from 0.13 mg to 0.60 mG in the kitchen within reasonable proximity to appliances.
I really do not like this EMF. The Magnetic fields EMF is difficult to understand and in some cases nearly impossible to mitigate. The only positive with magnetic fields is that distance makes it safer. The farther away you are from the source, the better and in some cases you only need a few feet.
“Electrical pollution” produced by dimmers, fluorescent lighting (CFLs), home power convertors, GFCI outlets, computers and others. It is a sort of electrical “noise” that is always present. It is measured with a special meter that shows you home’s pattern.
A meter is required to measure dirty electricity. A qualified EMF consultant should have a professional grade meter. My levels were around 150V and the goal is under 40V.
Gripe water or a colic relief remedy without dyes, fillers and preservatives. Does it exist?
As I was searching for an organic, clean, non-toxic colic remedy or gripe water, I was shocked at complete lack of descent products. I lead a very clean, organic lifestyle and I certainly did not want to compromise it for colic relief. I was very surprised at ingredients and how anyone could think they are safe for babies.
The study referenced found traces of some 232 synthetic chemicals in cord blood samples from 10 different babies of African American, Asian and Hispanic descent born in 2009 in different parts of the U.S.
The 2009 study was a follow-up to an earlier analysis of chemicals in cord blood in the mainstream U.S. population during 2004 births. That earlier study found some 287 different industrial chemicals and pollutants in babies’ cord blood, although BPA was not yet on EWG’s watch list at the time. (source)
“The dose makes the poison” is a statement I hear often. While it is true, when so simply stated, does a little bit of 232 chemicals is still OK? The studies out there look at one chemical in isolation, but there are no studies looking at combination of chemicals and how they react with each other in our bodies.
Keep it short.
Doctors and nurses are busy and do not have time to read an entire page (or two) of your natural birth plan preferences. Keep in mind that most likely things will go in an unpredictable manner so look at this list as your “list of preferences”. Get a doula. GET A DOULA! I cannot stress that enough. It does not matter what kind of birth you are planning to do, natural or epidural as soon as you get into that room… A doula is your advocate that knows your birth plan and is there for you. The WHOLE time. Doctors, nurses and midwives are barely there. A doctor often comes in when you are already pushing. Nurses and midwifes check on you every 30 minutes and the rest of the time you are on your own. Your husband and other supportive family members may or may not be as comforting as you expect. Often times it is difficult for them to watch you in pain and they may panic. A Douala will bring piece, and an organized atmosphere.
See all of the products mentioned in this article
Here is my natural birth plan for reference.
The internet is full of articles, blogs, on vitamin K shot and why it may not be safe. Instead of re-iterating the same information over and over, I would like to focus on the newborn oral vitamin K dosage and supplementation.
If you are in the dark, start here and here. But just in-case:
See all of the products mentioned in this article
Vitamin K is a vitamin necessary for blood to clot and is essential in preventing vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). VKDB is rare but is life threatening.
There are three types:
Iron supplement for children without dyes, fillers or preservatives. Here’s what I found and what I did.
At six months of age my son was diagnosed with very low iron, low hemoglobin and low ferritin. My sweet child had so many issues that by this time we were already on an all organic diet, no processed foods and certainly no dyes or preservatives. The pediatrician’s prescription was very by the book – RX Choice Ferrous Sulfate Drops. One look at the ingredients that contained sorbitol solution, most likely GMO sucrose, and likely GMO citric acid, alcohol, chemical sodium bisulfite, including synthetic natural and artificial lemon flavor and I was searching for a better option.
I immediately consulted an MD but also a homeopathic pediatrician (that did not take insurance by the way) and was instructed to go to Whole Foods and get chelated iron tablets; preferably in encapsulated powdered form so I can mix it in apple sauce. I asked several times if iron was, well, iron… Could I mess this up in any way? I will simply say that I do not think anyone has asked a question like that. Ever. When I asked about duration of iron supplementation I was met with a guess, yes a ‘guess’ of 30 days. I began my research.
Here are my notes on what I learned and what the game plan should have been. Three pediatricians later…
So who am I? Well, I am many things…
I have two beautiful children and a loving husband, who despite all the challenges stuck with me and supported all of the dramatic changes towards a clean lifestyle.
I am an organic housewife. I was not always; just several years ago I thought pizza was a balanced meal – whole grains, veggies in the form of tomato sauce and salami as protein.
I had no idea genetically modified foods existed, never heard of MSGs, food dyes, flame retardants or phthalates.
We cleaned with bleach, bought personal care products wherever and chose our dryer sheets by the scent. The words ‘organic’ or ‘nontoxic’ were not part of my vocabulary, I had no idea that our world is so toxic and so chemically laden. I lived in la-la land.
It is only appropriate that my first post will include my son’s story. After all, he is the reason I am the force I am today.