What's lurking in the water you drink?

Some people recognize the fact that their tap water is overly polluted for everyday use. They purchase cases upon cases of bottled water in the hopes that it is free of bacteria and pollutants such as e.coli, chlorine, lead, aluminum, and pesticides to name a few. However, just because it's bottled doesn't mean it's free and clear of all toxic contaminants. Not to mention, the use of plastic bottles on a regular basis isn't good for our dear old planet earth.

So what to do? Do you resort back to drinking tap water with the hopes your water "isn't that bad"? Do you even know what could be lurking in the water flowing through your pipes and to what levels they are found? Hormones, drugs, even pesticides could be flowing from your faucet. No one can say for sure, because the government doesn't require testing for them.

Did you know even traces of arsenic have been found in regular tap water?  Arsenic is especially worrisome: Studies show that it may be linked to an array of health problems, from developmental disorders and heart disease to numerous types of cancer, including bladder, lung, liver, skin, and kidney. Even more concerning, some experts think that arsenic might be harmful below its current EPA standard, a level that was already lowered (from 50 parts per billion to 10) in 2001. "As newer studies come out, they're showing health problems at lower and lower doses [of arsenic], including some conditions, such as immune problems and cognitive effects in children, we've never associated with it before," says Joshua W. Hamilton, Ph.D., a project leader in the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program at Dartmouth College.

In a recent article published by Better Housekeeping it was quoted that, "some areas don't check their water at all or, if they do, don't report test results. We're not talking about just a few rogue violators: In 2009, 28% of all U.S. systems broke at least one significant EPA rule. If the violation is "innocent" — a town lacks the resources or technical expertise to meet the standards — the state or the EPA may lend assistance or money to help. But EPA grants are scarce, so while communities wait for them, residents continue to drink suspect water. The EPA can take legal action as well, or fine a water authority that won't comply — but in the past 10 years, out of thousands and thousands of violations, there have been only 349 cases of towns, other water suppliers, or industry paying a fine for violating any part of the Safe Drinking Water Act."

So considering the EPA allows for certain levels of toxic chemicals to lurk in your water, do you still want to let them have full control of the water YOU drink? Certain solutions can be at your fingertips. Although bottled waters seems like  a good alternative to somewhat protect yourself with the water you drink, what about the water you wash your fruits and vegetables in or bathe your children with?

Carico water filters offer you a solution to not only make sure the water you drink is clean, but to also make sure the water you wash your vegetables, bathe your children in, and wash your car with are free of chemicals and pollutants.

Click here for more information on how you can protect your family with crystal clean water.



And if you're concerned about what's lurking in your water, check out more of the article published in Better Housekeeping by clicking here.

Could the way you prepare your foods be leading to inflammation?

Do you ever get that achy feeling out of the clear blue sky with no real reason in sight? It could be from the foods you eat. Well, not necessarily the actual foods but the way these foods are prepared. A recent study at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that frying or grilling certain foods at high temperatures produces compounds that can increase inflammation in the body. Yikes!

The compounds, called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), are known to be scoundrels, showing up in the blood of people with chronic diseases associated with inflammation, including diabetes, heart disease, RA and OA. AGEs detected in blood were thought to come solely from our body’s natural supply of AGEs, but – here’s the bad news – now scientists have found that foods cooked at high temps create AGEs that can be absorbed by the body. Perhaps 10 percent of AGEs we get from eating seared burgers and fried chicken may be absorbed.

Inflammation in the body is what can often cause an arthritis flare up or that achy feeling you get all over. To prevent being exposed to these increased levels of AGEs, you can take the following steps to modifying your lifestyle:

- Limit the amount of grilled, broiled, fried and microwaved meats in your diet.
- Reduce the cooking temperature of meats and proteins. Steam fish and seafood, simmer chicken in a sauce and braise red meat in a cooking liquid.
- Cut down on processed foods. Many prepared foods have been exposed to a high cooking temperature to lengthen shelf life, so they may have high AGE contents.
- Get more fruits and veggies in your diet. Cooked or raw, they’re naturally low in AGEs, and many contain compounds such as antioxidants that can decrease some of the damage done by AGEs.

It's also important to remember by cooking foods at high temperatures, you're basically destroying all of the beneficial nutrients. Particularly with fruits and vegetables, make sure to cook at low to medium temperatures for just a short period of time to ensure nutrient preservation. They should be bright with color after the cooking process not dull and gray.

For more information on cooking at low to medium temperatures, click here



To read the article from Arthritis Today in full, click here

It's time for spring cleaning, indoor air included!

What is it you first think about when spring arrives?

- Putting away winter clothes: Check
- Change batteries in smoke detectors: Check
- Shampoo rugs: Check
- Organize closets: Check
- Dusting off those cleaning supplies and giving the house a thorough scrubbing: Check

All this is a great way to bring in the new season, but one thing you're missing is checking & cleansing the quality of your indoor air. Did you know that despite the thorough scrubbing you often give your home in honor of spring cleaning, the quality of the air we breathe indoors can be 5 to 10 times more polluted than the outdoors. Not only do we allow outdoor pollutants to come into our homes every time we open a door or window, but many of the household products we use on a day to day basis inside our homes could be affecting the overall quality of the air we breathe.

"The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities."

So what can you do to protect the quality of the air you and your children breathe? Here are a few spring cleaning tips on how to minimize the pollutants & toxic chemicals in your home.

1. Avoid conventional household cleaners
Conventional household cleaners contain chemicals that can be more dangerous than the germs themselves. Every time your children roll around on the carpet or your pets lick crumbs off the floor, they are being exposed to noxious chemicals. Don’t make the assumption that if it’s on the grocery shelf it’s been tested and is safe. Most of us, unwittingly, buy products for our home with ingredients that are either poorly studied, not studied at all, or are known to pose potentially serious health risks. Of the roughly 17,000 chemicals found in common household products, only 3 in 10 have been tested for their effects on human health. Why? Because, just like with cosmetics, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require manufacturers to test household cleaning products before they appear on store shelves.

And, if you’re reading labels expecting to get the whole picture, know that they provide only limited information. Labels often omit inert ingredients that can make up as much as 90 percent of a product's volume. Now, the word “inert” doesn’t mean inactive or neutral as you might believe. The EPA categorized “inert” ingredients as causing long-term health damage and harm to the environment. These ingredients include solvents, dispersal agents, dyes and fragrances, some of which can pollute the air and water. Other ingredients that are not mentioned can be carcinogens or worsen health problems like allergies and asthma.

2. Avoid artificially scented air fresheners

Artificially scented air fresheners include aerosols and plug-ins, because they are made with synthetic fragrances that contain phthalates. These are chemicals that can cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems. The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) found that 12 out of 14 popular air freshener brands contained phthalates.

Plus, aerosol sprays contain flammable and nerve-damaging ingredients such as hexane and xylene, and produce mist particles that can contain a high proportion of organic solvents that when inhaled enter your bloodstream and have negative health effects.

3. Avoid synthetic fragrances in your personal care products

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are potentially hundreds of chemicals in a single product's secret fragrance mixture. Fragrances can contain neurotoxins and are among the top 5 allergens in the world. A recent Mayo Clinic study placed fragrances in the 10 most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, and the Institute of Medicine (a division of the National Academy of Sciences) placed fragrance in the same category as second hand smoke in triggering asthma in adults and school age children.

When you see the word “fragrance” in an ingredient list, you can assume it’s 100 percent synthetic—and not a blend of natural flower extracts. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reports that “95 percent of the ingredients used to create fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxins and sensitizers.” What’s more, “unscented” does not mean a product contains no fragrance. Ingredients used to mask unpleasant odors, usually chemicals, do not have to be identified on the labels.

Children are not immune. Every day they are exposed to an average of 27 personal care product ingredients that have not been found safe for kids, according to a national survey conducted by the EWG.  A whopping 77 percent of the ingredients in 1,700 children's products reviewed have not been assessed for safety!  Cut down on your use of powders, especially baby powder on infants. The FDA warns that powders may cause lung damage if inhaled regularly.

4. Invest in a multi-stage air filtration unit to keep air clean all year round

Many air filters on the market only address one thing. They either assist with pollen and dust, gasses and odors, or bacteria and mold. Very few actually address all three. If you suffer from allergies or respiratory illnesses, you know many of your symptoms are a result of a combination of all these contaminants. Make sure to invest in an air purification system that can address all three contaminate groups. And most importantly, make sure to change the cartridge every year as part of your spring cleaning routine.


Click here to read full article from Veria Living

For more information on how to have clean indoor air all year round, click here

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Itchy nose, watery eyes, & constant sneezing? Spring in here!

So spring has finally arrived! Well, maybe not quite....supposedly it's still a week away but the temperatures are definitely rising which in turn is making the flowers bloom...bloom...bloom....

What does this mean? Allergy season has also arrived. For those of us who suffer with allergies, it's a bitter sweet time of year. The sun is shining, the temperatures are rising, and the sneezing is starting. Although one can load up on the allergy medication to relieve symptoms, it's a terrible way to live- wouldn't you agree?

If you can't protect yourself from the allergens outdoors, how can you protect yourself from the allergens making their way into your home and onto your furniture or into your sheets? Protect your home and the air you breathe with a high quality air purification system. Did you know, the air you breathe indoors tends to be 25 to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air? This is not just from the usual air pollution but also includes allergens such as pollen and pet dander.

Your home should be your sacred place filled with clean, pure air. Make sure to protect yourself and the ones you love from this allergy season by investing in pure air.


Click here to read full article from Fox News

For more information click here

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Spring Recipe: Red Snapper with Spinach, Pecans, & Tomatoes

Spring has finally arrived....

For those of us who are lucky enough to experience seasons, it's that time of year where we begin to shed those many layers and begin to enjoy the well deserved warmth and sunshine. Flowers begin to bloom and everything just seems brighter.

Spring is also a sign that summer and bathing suit season is just around the corner. EEK! What does this mean? It's time to not only shed the winter layers of clothes but also the winter layer of you know what!  That terrible word...FAT!

Many say that 70% of weight loss is done through what you eat and how you prepare it. With our busy schedules, it's always difficult to take the time to prepare fresh healthy meals. Well, at least we'd like to think so. Here's a tasty, healthy meal that you can prepare in under 30 minutes for your entire family.

Bon apetite!

For more information on Carico Ultra Tech II cookware click here

Chlorine, Cancer, & Heart Disease- OH MY!

We normally associate unfiltered water with bad taste, lead, diseases or illnesses cased by water harboring bacteria but rarely do we look into the affiliation between unfiltered water and cancer or heart disease.

Since 1904, chlorine has been the standard chemical used to treat and disinfect water to make tap water drinkable. So in essence, we're drinking water that has been bleached with chlorine. Yum!

A recent study finally discovered the long term effects of drinking this heavily chlorinated water.

"According to the U.S. Council Of Environmental Quality, “Cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine.”

Dr. Joseph Price did an extensive study testing long term chlorine exposure in chickens. He monitored two groups one with high exposure to chlorine and one without any exposure to chlorine. The group exposed to chlorine under winter conditions, showed outward signs of poor circulation, shivering, drooped feathers, and a reduced level of activity. The group without chlorine grew faster, larger, and displayed vigorous health. So answer this, if chlorine isn't good for chickens why would we think it's good for us?


When combined with other compounds in water, chlorine forms byproducts (THMs) which trigger the production of free radicals in the body. These free radicals cause extensive cell damage and are highly carcinogenic. “Although concentrations of these carcinogens (THMs) are low, it is precisely these low levels that cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United States“. The Environmental Defense Fund

The U.S. EPA defines chlorine as a pesticide, whose sole purpose is to kill living organisms. When we consume this, we are destroying cells and tissue in our body and ultimately killing some parts of us. Dr. Robert Carlson, a highly respected University of Minnesota researcher who’s work is sponsored by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, sums it up by claiming , “the chlorine problem is similar to that of air pollution”, and adds that “chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of modern times!”

The worst part is that this study found that 2/3 of our toxic exposure to chlorine is due to inhalation of steam and skin absorption while showering! Our pores are opened during warm showers resulting in greater absorption going directly into our blood stream. Does it now make sense why your skin is often dull and dry? This can also explain why high levels of chlorine have been found in the breast tissue of breast cancer patients. Breast cancer, which effects 1 of 8 women in North America, has been linked to the accumulation of chlorine compounds in breast tissue.

Unfortunately, many people have become so immune to the taste and smell of the chlorine in their water they don't even realize how much of it they're consuming. Chlorine has its benefits with initial disinfecting and is probably here to stay. However, it is clear that it poses a great threat to our health and should be removed from consumption in our homes, at the point of use, both from the water we drink and the shower we shower in. The best way to do this is through a quality home water filtration system.


For more information on Carico International's quality water filtration systems, click here





Click here to read the full article from Global Healing Center

Lack of water filtration leads to recent deaths

In today's day and age, many people are taking the more holistic approach when treating various ailments. They've moved away from the antibiotics and moved towards natural herbs and home remedies. One treatment which has become increasingly popular during allergy and flu season is the use of neti pots or squeeze bottles to clear sinus bacteria and pressure. Although it has been proven to be a very effective home remedy, it's not so great if it kills you from incorrect usage. Now that two people have died from infection with brain-eating amoebas after using neti pots, doctors are warning: do not put tap water up your nose.

Two deaths have been linked to this holistic treatment simply because consumers aren't using filtered water. One may think that because they aren't ingesting the water used, there isn't a need to use filtered or boiled water. Unfortunately, unfiltered water can carry various amoeba that can cause numerous infections. In this case, both deaths have been linked to Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba found in many lakes and rivers that was carried in the water used with the neti pot. When the contaminated water was introduced into the nasal passages, so was this amoeba which made its way up the nasal passage into the brain causing life threateneing brain infections.

Making sure our water is filtered shouldn't just stop with our drinking water, it should be a part of our everyday lifestyle. There are many chemicals and bacteria found in water such as chlorine, e coli, asbestos, parasites, and lead, for this reason we should make sure to use filtered water when washing fruits and vegetables, when cooking, making teas and coffee, and even what we offer our pets on a daily basis. Don't cut corners with the health and wellness of those you love!

Carico Internationals unique water filtration system contains a 0.2 Sub Micron Silver Impregnated Ceramic cartridge that is NSF certified. It will STOP particles that are 500 times smaller than a strain of human hair!

http://www.caricowater.com/




Click here to read full NPR article

The Poultry Controversy: Chicken vs Duck

It wasn't very long ago that the FDA informed us that some chicken meat may contain cancer-causing arsenic. Although the FDA stressed that it is contained in very small levels, it is still something that can be found in chicken meat overall as it is an ingredient found in the actual feed given to many chickens which are harvested for consumption.

The FDA conducted a study and found the following:


"In the study of 100 chickens, the FDA found that chickens that had eaten the Roxarsone had higher levels of inorganic arsenic – as opposed to organic arsenic, which is naturally occurring – in their livers than chickens which had not eaten the Roxarsone. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic than the naturally occurring form."


Click here to  read full article


I don't know about you, but any trace of arsenic in the foods I eat are a no-no in my book. Since this study came out, I have steered more towards eating duck. Recently cited in Bon Appétit magazine as one of the "10 Surprising Health Foods" and in Natural Health magazine as one of "10 Foods that Keep You Young." I figured why not give this breed of poultry a try. When compaired to the traditional lean meat choices on the market, it seems that duck does offer some competition in regards to calorie content and unsaturated fats. Not to mention, it offers so much more flavor!

For those of you who haven't yet tried duck, here's a great holiday recipe to start with. Please feel free to share your feedback and thoughts with us.

Seared Duck Breast with Cherries and Port Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 5- to 6-ounce duck breast halves or one 12- to 16-ounce duck breast half
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) chilled butter, divided
• 1/4 cup finely chopped shallot (about 1 large)
• 1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth
• 8 halved pitted sweet red cherries, fresh or frozen, thawed
• 2 tablespoons tawny Port
• 1 tablespoon orange blossom honey

Preparation

• Place duck breast halves between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Pound lightly to even thickness (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch). Discard plastic wrap. Using sharp knife, score skin in 3/4-inch diamond pattern (do not cut into flesh). DO AHEAD Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
  
• Heat your Ultra-Tech II 11 Fry/Saute Pan to high heat just to warm up pan. Season duck breast on skin side with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and add duck, skin side down, to skillet and cook until skin is browned and crisp. Make sure to remove the fat that is released into the pan regularly to make sure the duck breasts stay crispy. Turn breasts over, reduce heat to medium low, and cook until browned and cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes longer for small breasts and 5 minutes longer for large breast for medium-rare. Transfer to work surface, tent with foil to keep warm, and let rest 10 minutes.
  
• Meanwhile, pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from skillet. Add shallot to skillet and stir over medium low heat 30 seconds. Add broth, cherries, Port, and honey. Increase heat to medium and boil until sauce is reduced to glaze, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1 tablespoon cold butter. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Thinly slice duck. Fan slices out on plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.

For more information on Carico Ultra Tech II Cookware click here

Bring Carico Home for the Holidays

The holidays are the time of year where we look back at the year behind us, reminiscing about the great memories we've shared with our friends and family. It's a time in which we get together with our loved ones over delicious meals to give thanks of all we've been blessed with.


Carico would like to be a part of your holiday celebrations this year and every year. Celebrate the holidays in the best way possible with some of Carico's finest products.

Here's a great turkey recipe with some cooking tips on how to make the perfect turkey in your Carico Ultra Jumbo Roaster. We hope you enjoy!




Porcini Mushroom Turkey with Mushroom Gravy

Mushroom Butter:

* 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
* 1 cup boiling water
* 4 garlic cloves, peeled
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Turkey:

* 1 14- to 16-pound turkey, rinsed, patted dry inside and out; neck, heart, and gizzard reserved for Shortcut Turkey Stock

* 10 fresh Italian parsley sprigs
* 6 fresh rosemary sprigs
* 6 fresh thyme sprigs
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cups turkey stock or water

Gravy:

* 1 pound crimini mushrooms, sliced
* 3 garlic cloves, chopped
* 2 tablespoons chopped shallot
* 1 cup dry white wine
* 2 cups turkey stock
* 1 cup heavy whipping cream
* 2 tablespoons water
* 5 teaspoons cornstarch
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
* 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint

For mushroom butter:
Place porcini in small bowl; add 1 cup boiling water. Let stand until softened, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. Drain mushrooms, reserving soaking liquid. Chop mushrooms. Transfer half of chopped mushrooms (about 1/3 cup) to small bowl; reserve for gravy.

Chop garlic finely in processor. Add butter and next 6 ingredients, then remaining porcini. Blend to coarse paste.

DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Transfer to bowl. Cover and chill mushroom butter, reserved chopped porcini, and mushroom liquid separately. TRUE GRIT: When using the porcini soaking liquid, pour it off slowly so that any grit or sediment at the bottom remains in the bowl.

*Dried porcini are at supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and Italian markets.



For turkey:
Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 325°F. Sprinkle main turkey cavity with salt and pepper. Spread with 2 tablespoons mushroom butter. Starting at neck end of turkey, carefully slide hand between skin and meat of breast, thighs, and upper drumsticks to loosen skin. Spread mushroom butter over thighs and drumsticks, then over breast meat under skin. Fill main cavity with herb sprigs. Tie legs together loosely to hold shape. Tuck wing tips under.

Place turkey on rack set in your Ultra Large Carico Roasting pan. Rub outside of turkey all over with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour 2 cups stock into pan. Roast turkey until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F to 170°F, about 3 hours. Tilt turkey so juices from main cavity run into pan. Transfer turkey to platter. Tent very loosely with foil; let rest at least 30 minutes (internal temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees). Reserve pan.



For gravy:
Scrape juices and browned bits from reserved roasting pan into large glass measuring cup. Spoon off fat, reserving 3 tablespoons.

Heat reserved 3 tablespoons fat in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add crimini mushrooms, garlic, and shallot. Sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to bowl and set aside. Add wine to skillet. Boil until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 3 minutes. Add reserved 1/3 cup chopped porcini mushrooms, reserved mushroom soaking liquid (leaving any sediment behind), 2 cups stock, and degreased pan juices. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer to reduce slightly, about 10 minutes.

Add cream and crimini mushrooms to skillet. Mix 2 tablespoons water and cornstarch in small bowl until smooth. Whisk into gravy. Continue to simmer until reduced to desired consistency, whisking occasionally, about 5 minutes. Mix in parsley and mint. Season gravy to taste with salt and pepper.

Can you trust the EPA with the air you breathe?

Maybe not as much as before considering they recently proposed modifications on smog regulations throughout the nation. If passed, The Associated Press reports that at least 10 states including Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin and Arkansas will be allowed to emit more smog-causing pollution into the air we breathe. How do you feel about that?

It's clear that we can't control the air we breathe outdoors but we definitely can filter what we breathe on a daily basis in our homes and work environment. Carico's Nutri-Tech™ high efficiency Air Purification systems can help you get cleaner, fresher, healthier air.

For more information click here


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