Beware of Toxic School Supplies

School Year 2012 is about to begin. I'm sure most of you mommies out there are now in a rush to buy school supplies after enrolling your kiddo to school. Before getting all excited and crazy buying inexpensive school supplies or buying the most expensive one's make sure you don't get something that will be detrimental to the health of our children. Just today, the ECOWASTE Movement announced some school supplies they found with high levels of led or phthalates above the allowable/ safe limit are the following: 1. A “Dora the Explorer” pink PVC raincoat bought from National Book Store (SM North EDSA) had 35.86% DINP. 2. A metal ruler with a rubberized part containing “Smileys” from National Book Store (NBS Superstore, Cubao) had 0.534% DNOP and 0.285% DINP. 3. A red PVC plastic envelope with images of “Angry Birds” from Expressions (Isetann Mall, Quiapo) had 1.89% DINP, 2.21% DEHP and 2.86% DIDP. 4. A “Princess Mica” PVC lunch bag bought from Expressions (Isetann Mall, Quiapo) had 2.57% DEHP, 0.280% DBP and 0.189% DINP. The five samples sent to the laboratory were also screened for lead using an XRF spectrometer and lead over the 90 ppm limit was found in three samples: the “Smileys” in the ruler, the painted “Angry Birds” in the red plastic envelope and the ellipsis design in the “Adventurer” plastic envelope. Because of their adverse health effects, especially to young children, the European Union, the United States of America and other countries have imposed restrictions or bans on some phthalates, including BBP, DBP DEHP, DIDP, DINP and DNOP. While the Philippines has not phased out or banned phthalates, the Food and Drug Administration (formerly Bureau of Food and Drugs) as early as 1999 has issued a warning on health hazards caused by phthalates in PVC toys “as these have been found to leach out from the toys when they are sucked or chewed as commonly practiced by children.” Be careful in buying raincoats as well as they found a number of those being sold out with high phthalates.

An Open Letter To My Mama On Mother's Day

Dear Mama,

I know you can't read it because it's online, I also did not greet you on Facebook because you don't have an account there either.  I am printing this open letter for you so you can read it as well, because it is meant for you and for the whole world to see (so its online). 

Anyway, before anything else I would like to greet you a Happy Mother's Day. I know we disagree a lot, we fight like in a brawl and almost want to choke each other's throat. We scream at the top of our lungs and then at the end of the day when we are calmed we would say sorries and tell each other we love each other. You also knew you were the one who thought me that I should answer back/ fight back (alam na alam mo yan!) Because before I would just take in everything, keep quiet and sit on the corner of my bed and cry. I know sometimes I hurt you with the hurtful words I say, I didn't mean them. They are just words of an angry/hurt person who wants to hurt back. You are the best mom ever and I can't think of having any other mother in the world but you. You are perfectly imperfect and I love you for that. 

You are always there for me whenever I needed someone . I hope you can feel that I love even if you think I don't and that I neglect everything you do for me, for us. Tasha practically grew-up with you. Without you there for me I don't know where would I be , where we will be right now. I don't even think it will be possible for me to reach whatever I achieved now without you supporting me all the way. Thank you Mama for everything.

Here are just a few of the things I am Thankful for because you are my Mama!