Common Sense Living

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Thanks to all that helped me find the actual WHO document!

It was just as I suspected. The WHO report is actually quite level headed and reasonable. I agree with 98% of their recommendations.

But when it comes to the media reports of tanning beds being as dangerous as arsenic and right up there with smoking … it’s all exaggerated hype.

One of the ‘reports’ said that they found that 95% of the skin cancer sufferers had used a tanning bed at least once in their life – so therefore, using a tanning bed increases your risk of skin cancer. And, most had used a tanning bed before the age of 35, so using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases your risk of skin cancer by an additional 75%. Huh?

That’s like saying if you’ve ever eaten a chocolate chip cookie, your risk of getting diabetes is 95%. I guess chocolate chip cookies should be banned too. I mean, isn’t that ridiculous?

Whether it’s sunlight, tanning beds, alcohol, cookies, or even exercise, too much of a good thing is bad. Use a little common sense and you’ll be fine.

 to read the WHO report >>>  (thanks to Katie!)

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So, the World Health Organization has supposedly issued a report stating that tanning beds are as dangerous as smoking.

I’ve read the articles. They’ve all latched on to one or two spectacular lines, but no real information.

I’ve tried to get my hands on a copy of hte report itself, but so far – no luck. I want to read it for myself. Sick, I know – but you need someone who will go to the source and try to flush out the truth.

One of the articles that I read made silly statements like this -

“Since Vancouver is a low sunlight area, Dr. Rivers speculated that the young
women diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in his practice could be getting
more ultraviolet (UV) radiation from tanning beds, which studies show is also
linked to an increased risk in melanoma.” 

That sure seems to be soundly based on facts – doesn’t it? Oh Brother!

Here’s what I do know -

Responsible use of tanning beds increases you vitamin D production, helps SAD and depression, excema, and provides you with a sense of well being.

Because of the profound sense of well-being, tanning can become addictive. This is not scientific – just an observation.

Most tanning salons are not strict enough.

I work at a contempo spa that also has tanning. I swear I fight with new people almost every day. They want to go max time, they swear they never burn, they don’t want to wear eye protection, and they say no one else makes them.

The whole key here folks is RESPONSIBLE use of a tanning bed.

That means -

Getting the proper level of exposure for your skin type – and no more.

Waiting 24 hours between tanning sessions.

Not tanning and sun bathing in the same day.

Wearing protective eyewear in the tanning beds. Closing your eyes will not protect you.

At Grayslake Planet Beach Contempo Spa, we are strict. I don’t care how pissed you get at me. Usually when I explain why we’re so strict, people usually appreciate it. Not always, but usually. People don’t realize the damage you can do to your eyes, or how over-exposure increases your risk. I’ve had a couple people threaten to cancel their memberships because I wouldn’t let them tan without eyewear. Sorry folks. Number one, it’s the law. Number 2 – I’m not going to be responsible for you burning your cornea. Period.

I’ve heard of tanning salons that just automatically give you max time. I’ve heard that they look the other way if you don’t have eyewear. I’ve heard that many salons are dirty. We get a lot of customers from these salons. Yes, we are not the cheapest. But when your health is at stake…

Some of the reports I read said that teens are tanning 2 or 3 times a day! Hence the tightening of restrictions on teen use of tanning beds. Parents, if you’re going to let your teen tan – check out the salon and make sure that they are following regulations. Talk to your kids about using tanning – indoor or outdoor – responsibly. Lead by example. Use tanning responsibly yourself.

If UV rays caused cancer, wouldn’t the whole continent of Africa have skin cancer? Why is it that skin cancer is more prevalent in countries that use a lot of sunscreen? I’m having a hard time swallowing all of the hyped up reports.

I think they key is moderation. The same key that you need to apply to anything else in your life. Too much of anything is usually not good for you. Why would this be any different?

I know, I’m looking for logic again…

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I’ve made a great attempt to keep us healthy by eating what seemed to be a reasonable healthy diet. I never thought that a few foods with corn syrup – like jelly, would have much impact if the bulk of our diet was healthy.

I was sent a link to a distrubing article today that has me wondering if this is a war we can win. It seems that Genetically Modified (GM) foods are more prevalent than we ever would have imagined. I am absolutely horrified, and when you get to the link for the GM foods listing – I guarantee you will be too.

My daughter said, “you mean everyone is slowly poisoning themselves?”

I said, “No, we’re being poisoned.”

How could we ever remove all of these foods from our diet? And to find that organic is not 100% the answer either. And to think that the FDA actually issued a warning in 1991, but nothing was ever done.

Here’s where you can read the article >>>

Here’s where you can see the GM Foods Shopping List -

I am happy that I’ve collected so many recipes that do not contain packaged ingredients. You can find my collections at Cooking with a Thin Attitude, or Rebel With a Fork. Even so, any of the recipes that contain mayo, or salad dressing, or bbq sauce may need to be redone. I used to think that the little bit we had in our diet wouldn’t hurt us, but now I see that once these toxins are in our system, they don’t go away. I can’t even fathom what that could mean to us and our families.

If you are a upset as I am – you may want to sign the petition >>>

I will keep working on finding was that we can keep ourselves, and our families healthy. In the meantime – eat freshly prepared food as much as possible. I know that making our own mayo or jelly, or even baking our own cookies seems a bit overwhelming when we’re so busy – but I guess better that than dead…

Click on the ‘Comments’ link to post any comments or questions you have!

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Just found a great article outlining all the bad things about soy. It also has a link leading to info on genetically modified foods – another really scary subject.

Read the article here >>>

 Here’s another great resource on the dangers of soy >>>

You can be naturally thin, healthy, and full of energy. Wouldn’t that make this summer a whole lot more fun? And you can do it eating food that actually tastes good. Imagine that! Become a Rebel With a Fork today!

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The FDA issued a warning today to diets and body-builders to not take Hydroxycut.

It seems that Hydroxycut is linked to liver damage, and one death.  You can read the details here – http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090502/ap_on_he_me/us_med_diet_pill_recall

Personally, I don’t trust any hyped up pharmaceutical claims. Diet pills have always been, and will probably always be, the most dangerous things on the market. They can slap any old concoction together and call it a miracle weight loss and people will buy it by the truckload – never questioning it.

These people who seel all this stuff should be jailed.

Or should the people buying all this stuff be jailed for stupidity? I mean, if no one buys, these guys don’t have a reason to exist – do they? I just shake my head everytime another one of these stories surface.

If you’re ever ready to take a common sense, healthy approach >>>