How to find a Safe Sunscreen

Like anything that is considered unsafe, there is someone that will say that it is safe.

Issues to consider:

• Will the chemical penetrate skin and reach living tissues?
• Will it disrupt the hormone system?
• Can it affect the reproductive and thyroid systems and, in the case of fetal or childhood exposure, permanently alter reproductive development or behavior?
• Can it cause a skin allergy?
• What if it is inhaled?
• Other toxicity concerns?

If you want to error on the side of it is safe until considered safe by all, then try to avoid the ingredients below when buying sunscreen.

• Retinyl Palmitate - not required; it just is thought to reduce signs of aging and has been linked to skin cancer.
• Oxybenzone - a common UV filter that has been shown to interact with hormones when fed to animals in large amounts (much greater than sun screen contains). Avoid this because it readily pentrates the skin.
• Octinoxate (Octylmethoxycinnamate) - Hormone-like activity; reproductive system, thyroid and behavioral alterations in animal studies.
• Nano-particles - Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are mineral based sunscreens that provide broad-spectrum protection. If the particles have been shrunk to micro or nano-particles so that they no longer leave a white color then they may not be safe anymore. They are thought to possibly enter the body an cause cancer, but more information is needed. To keep it safe, it is best to buy sunscreen that says "non-nano-particles". If it stays on as white then it should be safer as it is not likely using nano-particles. Labelling is not required.
• Titanium Dioxide - concerns if inhaled, so buy choose topical application, not a spray.
• Zinc Oxide - concerns if inhaled, so buy choose topical application, not a spray. Skin penetration, but in very small number amount (.01%).
• SPF 15 - It doesn't provide protection against skin cancer, but does from sunburn. It is recommended to use SPF 30. SPF 50 may be used as well, but some believe it is not necessary. Also, beware the higher the SPF may also mean higher concentration of harmful chemicals.
• Homosalate - Disrupts estrogen, androgen and progesterone
• 4-methylbenzidyl camphor - used in Europe and under petition for use in the U.S. is a hormone disruptor.
• methylisothiazolinone, or MI - a preservative and inactive ingredient. It is a major allergen.

More ingredients to understand

• Avobenzone -best chemical filter for UVA. Relatively high rates of allergies
• Mexoryl SX - skin penetration. Currently not fda approved
• Octisalate - skin penetration
• Octocrylene - skin penetration

Summary
"Zinc oxide is EWG’s first choice for sun protection. It is stable in sunlight and can provide greater protection from UVA rays than titanium oxide or any other sunscreen chemical approved in the U.S."

To find the product you want use the advance search on http://www.ewg.org. They have rated by ingredients tons of sunscreens. I found this site so valuable when deciding on sunscreens.

I found Badger products such as Badger Sunscreen Cream, Unscented, SPF 30 to be a good product that can be found on Amazon for the US and UK. There is also a sport version called Badger Sport Sunscreen Cream, Unscented, SPF 35. It can be found on Amazon for UK and US.

References:
Sunscreen Safety: What to Know
The Trouble With Sunscreen Chemicals

BPA-free Coffee Makers (automatic drip)

After way too much research, I have concluded that if you want drip coffee from an automatic coffee maker WITHOUT BPA you are going to have to pay double. The choices are very few and far between. There are choices like some of the Keurig makers that are too expensive and designer for my tastes.
In general Cuisinart has lots of option. Most of their coffee makers don’t have BPA. The exception to this is some of the cheaper ones. So, I recommend you check their website. The coffee makers that are BPA free will say that they are.

The least expensive models they have that are BPA free are the following:
Cuisinart DCC-1200  -> $68.28 on Amazon
Cuisinart DCC-2650 –> $80.51 on Amazon
Cuisinart DGB-625BC –> $74.99 on Amazon
Cuisinart CHW-12  -> $71.73 on Amazon

Here is some else that has done research as well, and pretty much came to the same conclusion.
Please note, if you are willing to spend more time making your coffee, like a percolator, or like using a french press then there are different options. If you want an easy way to make BPA free coffee, you are going to have to shell out the money.

Things to consider before buying a bed.

We have a king.
king = 76x80 inches; California king = 72x84 inches
queen = 60x80 inches; full/double = 53x75 inches, and twin = 38x75

Don't buy unless 50% off list price...wait for a huge sale. Never pay full price. Look for misleading sales also. make sure discount is based on actual price of sale, not some inflated price.
Don't be afraid to haggle over the price.
Asking if the price is better on their website can sometimes prompt salesmen to give you a better deal or thrown in extras if you buy in the store.
Ask about delivery fees, trial periods, return policy, restocking fees, pick up fees.

Insist on a NO-SUBSTITUTE clause in the sales agreement in case the bed we order is out stock.

Ask about a fee for hauling away the old matress or is it included or not available.

Ask about return policy (periods and fees)
Expect to pay a fee for returning the mattress. As little as $60 but as much as 25% of the cost
Inspect before sign for the delivery.. broken slats, stains, tears, etc. Demand replacement.

Look for comfort guarantee. Some may be 2 weeks other a few months. Is it good for exchange or money back? Sears does charge for returns or exchanges within 90 days.

Don't count on warranties. Warranties are usually 10 years, but are not for

comfort or normal wear. They are for defects in materials or workmanship.
Ask if the warrantee is full replacement or pro-rated by the year.

More willing to bargain: Sleepy's and 1-800-Mattress, and some furniture stores

Start out with the least expensive bed from a few top brands, and work your way up in cost. Hint: Stores keep the priciest models up front.

Manufacturers usually modify innerspring mattresses for different sellers, changing the color, padding, quilting pattern, and so forth. Panelists who took beds home for a month-long trial rarely changed the
opinion they formed after the first night. We found that companies frequently pair the same foundation with mattresses in different price ranges. You can save by buying a higher-priced mattress and a lower-priced foundation.

Don't remove the tag from the mattress. It is not clear if manufacturers will honor the warrantee if it is not attached to the bed.

Inner Spring mattress
These are the least expensive. Try not to buy the cheapest one, but beyond that they should be good. 73% of the people who bought them are highly satisfied compared to 83 to 85% buyers of memory-foam or adjustable-air variety.

Ticking
This is the outermost layer of the bed. The pattern more than the material determines how it feels. A large quilt pattern provides a deep, cushioned sensation. A smaller pattern tends to feel firmer.

Coils
heavier gauge coils provide a stiffer suspension. Lighter gauge feel springier. All types (hourglass, continuous, individual pocketed, etc are all good.

Box spring
Consider buying a cheaper one if buying an extra-thick mattress consider a thinner box spring. Look for the same on on a cheaper model of bed to save money.


Topper
If you pick the right mattress you won't need to add one.

Brands
Sealy #1 sold... known for Posturepedic/back friendly. They use orthopedic doctors as consultants in the design of the beds and come with a certification from thh Orthopedic Advisory Board. Customers find it affordable as well. Posturepedics are designed for orthepedic support. It relieves pressure from
bodies through its push-back system which distributes weight away from our heavier body parts. They have firmer edges by design. They also offer the Comfort series that have the same benefits but for a cheaper price. The comfort series uses memory foam to relieve pressure and improve posture.

Simmons #2 sold...known for bowling ball to show its motion separation. fair to good durability, and good value for money, luxurious feel, good comfort. Used. Provides better support and comfort to the body than the other brands, and minimizes movement felt from partner. Middle of mattress begins to sink after some years of use.by Westin hotel chain and can be purchased for $1750 for King. Their best selling line if the Beauty Rest mattress that features comfort and undisturbed sleep even with a partner and is designed to achieve balance and proper posture by distributing your weight while you sleep. They also offer the comforpedic mattress.

Serta #3 sold... seems to have cheaper options as well. It is rated as 3/5 where the other two where 4/5. they seem to be lacking in comfort and durability says one review. Premature sagging after just one year so best for kids though (have a kids line). Used by Hilton. Shyreton Pillow Top Mattress is high quality at an affordable price and is very popular with customers. It is soft yet firm. Next in line if the Serta Perfect Sleep
mattress has two layers of comfort foam, and comfort zones to help blood circulation.

My least favorite would be Serta. I think Sealy would be best due to posturedic certification, and durability. However, the Simmons sounds good for the pocketed coils that make feeling of the partners movements minimal and comfort.

Everything except the last paragraph is copied or paraphrased from the following links:

http://www.bestmattressreviewer.com/sealy-mattress.html
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/mattresses/buying-guide.htm