PROBLEM: Hand Sanitizer SOLUTION: Hand Sanitizer

Back in the day when we only had two kids and I was just starting to embark on this healthy lifestyle thing, I thought I was protecting my family's health by slathering them with hand sanitizer any time they came in contact with... anything.  Then I found the Environmental Working Group and their breakdown on what hand sanitizer actually does.  I was shocked to find that not only is antibacterial hand sanitizer less effective than using warm water and non-antibacterial soap, it can also contribute to:

• Cancer
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity
• Allergies and immunotoxicity
• Neurotoxicity
• Endocrine disruption
• Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
• Biochemical or cellular level changes

Away went the hand sanitizer and all antibacterial soap.  In it's place returned good ol' fashioned soap and warm water.  This didn't, however, help when we found ourselves at parks, on hikes, or out fishing where there is no sink or warm water to speak of and it was lunch time.  What finally drove me to find a solution was when I saw "hand sanitizer" on one of those foreign-to-me school supply lists.  Eek!  This is a first experience where my kids will be regularly faced with choices and mind-sets that differ from ours.  I knew it was coming and I know it will continue to come throughout this first school year.  The year of finding solutions starts today.

The first place I checked was the ever reliable Tropical Traditions and they didn't disappoint. There, I found thyme-extract-based hand sanitizer.  Finding a solution was easier than I thought!  To make it even more affordable, I can utilize their new 10% off coupon code (with a minimum $16 purchase): 21282.

I plan on having a steady supply and will keep one in my purse (which is currently a diaper bag) and for those above-mentioned day trips to pumpkin patches, you-picks, fishing trips, hikes, and parks for when it's time for a yummy picnic lunch.  I also plan to ask my child's teacher if he wouldn't mind that I supply all of his hand-sanitizing needs for the year with it (and explain to him why I think it's important enough to make this kind of financial investment to protect the whole class).  I totally understand his desire to keep germs at bay.  His wife just had a baby and I wouldn't want my husband bringing home all kinds of germs, either.  I have an infant of my own that I want to protect.

One of the blog's kind Facebook followers provided a link to a recipe for homemade hand sanitizer that I thought I'd also pass along.  I haven't made it yet so am unable to personally recommend it, but the ingredients look clean.

Here's to a healthy school year, both at home, outdoors, and in class!

Benefect Botanical Hand Sanitizer - 4 oz Pump Spray