Hey Baby, What's Your Sign?

Since Thurday, it seems that everyone on the web is talking about this new 13th zodiac sign, Ophiuchus. And when I say "talking about" what I really mean is just downright freaking out!

"OMG how can they change the signs?"
"Oh no, what is my new sign?"
"I need to remove my Scorpio tattoo!"
"The world is coming to an end! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

I don't normally talk about this kind of topic but I found it quite amusing. You'd it was the end of the world. The first thing I thought when I saw people discussing this was no way am I going to accept a different sign. I am 100% Aries through and through. Then when I read a little more about it I learned that "they" (whoever they are) are NOT changing the signs.

Apparently there are two types of zodiac: tropical and sidereal. This was brand new information for me, but then again I never followed astrology and zodiac all that much. But tropical zodiac, which coincides with the seasons, is what Western astrology adheres to and is not changing at all. So if you are a Westerner, than you more than likely follow tropical zodiac and this 13th sign has no impact on you whatsoever. NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER. The proposal of the 13th zodiac was for sidereal zodiac, which is fixed to constellations and practiced in the East.

So there, you can chill out. If you are reading this than more than likely this change does not affect you in any way. But if by chance you do follow sidereal astrology, here is what the new zodiac chart looks like.

Capricorn: January 20- to February 16
Aquarius: February 16 to March 11
Pisces: March 11 to April 18
Aries: April 18 to May 13
Taurus: May 13 to June 21
Gemini: June 21 to July 20
Cancer: July 20 to August 10
Leo: August 10 to September 16
Virgo: September 16 to October 30
Libra: October 30 to November 23
Scorpio: November 23 to November 29
Ophiuchus:November 29 to December 17
Sagittarius: December 17 to January 20

BPA in Receipts?

Over the past few years there has been a lot of talk about the toxicity of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) and avoiding plastics that may contain it. This issue particularly hit home with moms as some manufacturers were using BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups, etc. Canada even banned the use of BPA in baby products (good for you Canada!). Many of us moms and dads know to buy plastics that are BPA-free. Unfortunately, BPA is still used to line aluminum cans, so I avoid canned goods as much as possible as well. But you will never guess where BPA has turned up now.

Receipts. Yes every time you go to the grocery store, gas station, ATM or any store for that matter you are more than likely leaving with a BPA soaked receipt in your hand. Here is the CBS News story: BPA Receipts Bombshell: Paper Slips Contain High Levels of Bisphenol A. 

Extraordinarily high levels of BPA were found on two-fifths of the paper receipts tested recently by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C.


In some cases, the amount of BPA on a given receipt was 1,000 times the levels found in a can of food.


Receipts were collected from ATM's, grocery stores, fast food restaurants, gas stations and the like. "Wipe tests" showed that the coating of BPA of paper receipts would likely stick to the skin of anyone who handled them.


The chemical can be absorbed into the skin and transferred to the digestive tract by touching the mouth.


Animal tests have linked BPA exposure to a range of health problems, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, and early puberty. The studies are controversial though, and how they related to human health is not fully clear, according to WebMD.


The organization offered tips for consumers eager to limit their exposure to BPA on receipts, including washing your hands after handling receipts and never giving a child a receipt to play with.  But maybe the best tip is simply to decline the offer for a printed receipt after an ATM transaction. After all, in this economy, who needs to be reminded of their balance?

If this doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what will. I was under the impression that the level of BPA in say a can of tomatoes was pretty darn high and this study shows that the levels in receipts are 1,000 times that found in cans?!? Um, WHAT?! And what this article does not touch on is that most recycled paper products you buy are contaminated with BPA from these receipts being recycled in the batches. So really, w can't win. You go to the store and leave with your receipt, which you need in case you might need to return it. But its covered with cancer causing BPA. Should we wear gloves at all times now? And you try to do good things for the earth like buying recycled paper products but OOPS, those are now contaminated with BPA .

All I can say is this: WTF? What are we supposed to do? How can we keep our families safe?

Read EWG's Full Report.

Toxic Chemical Lobby

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Your Reusable Bag May Be Filled With Bacteria

What do you have in your reusable shopping bag today? Some bread, milk, fruits and veggies? Oh and maybe some lovely E. coli too! Wait, what?!? Yes, your cute bag may also be filled with some unwanted bacteria.

A new study done by the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University (California) found that 97% of people do not wash their reusable bags. Unfortunately I am one of them and really I should know better. It is kind of a no brainer I suppose, but yet I never even thought about it.

This study looked at 84 bags and more than half of them contained coliform and heterotrophic bacteria and E. coli was present in 12% of the bags. Don't worry too much though, the strains that they found aren't likely to make anyone sick.

So obviously we all need to make a point to wash our bags. Make sure you check the manufacturer's washing instructions before you wash so that you don't ruin any bags. I think at a minimum you should wash your bags once a month. My goal is going to be every other week.

Gulf Oil Spill: Dolphins Beached Searching for Safe Water

When I saw this news story pop up on my Yahoo! homepage last night my heart ached. Over the past 2 months, 47 dolphins have beached themselves on Gulf shores. Why? Because they are searching for clean, safe water. It is truly heartbreaking what has happened in the Gulf and I can't stand to watch all these animals dying. The images of oil slicked marine life and oil filled beaches makes me cry.
(You should be able to see the video below. if not, here is the link to the video on ABC News.)