Awards...

U.S. Small Business Administration’s South Florida District 2008Women in Business Champion of the Year Award

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from left: Suzanne Spect - Assistant Director SBDC; Cynthia Mitchell, M.Ed. - Business Champion Award winner; and Althea Harris, Public Affairs, Small Business Administration, Miami

Cynthia Mitchell receives Business Champion of the Year Award

From left: Cynthia Mitchell with Equal Voice Co-chairs, Laverne Gaynor, Daphne Pfaff and Equal Voice President; NAFE and Equal Voice, Dr. Betty Spence

Article courtesy of Southwest Florida Business Today – August 1, 2008

“The interest and focus on women in business is just exploding,” said Deborah Shane, a business consultant and trainer whose “Train with Shane” workshops focus on motivation and sales strategies for professionals in marketing and advertising. Shane has branded another slate of seminars known as the Women’s Empowerment Series. The sessions include presentations from some of the region’s leading ladies in business.

“Women are starting businesses two to one over any other segment of the population,” Shane said. “Women of all ages are taking the leap into entrepreneurialism with eyes wide open, and leading with their passion and skills. The need to be doing something that is meaningful, serves others and fits their family lifestyle… women still want it all, and will figure out a way to multitask, multi-role and fit it all in.”

The statistics bear her out. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research (www.nfwbo.org), in Florida there are an estimated 735,000 privately-held firms owned 50 percent or more by women, accounting for more than 48 percent of all privately held firms in the state. Women-owned firms in Florida currently generate more than $152 billion in sales and employ more than one million people. Between 1997 and 2006 (the years of the study), the number of firms increased by 84.1 percent and employment grew by 33 percent. Florida ranked fourth in the nation for the most women-owned firms, but in terms of the growth during the five-year span, Florida ranked first in the nation. “They are shaping and redefining the workplace, the nation’s business networks, financial institutions, and our culture,” Shane said. “Perhaps most of all, women entrepreneurs are deeply influencing how the business community, public officials and the media perceive and respond to women.” Cynthia Mitchell, a mover and shaker in the women’s movement, would agree.

Role reversal

“There was a time when women saw success as something defined by men, but that’s not the case anymore,” said Mitchell, herself a former president of the Women’s Network of Collier County and founder of the home-based enterprise Time for What Matters, an endeavor that tasks her both as a business consultant and consumer health advocate.  When it comes to women in business, Mitchell is recognized as more than an advocate or entrepreneur, at least according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Earlier this year, they recognized her with the 2008 Women in Business Champion of the Year Award.  Although the role of women is obviously changing, some critics claim men are slow to catch on. “Women are a lot stronger together than men realize in the workplace,” said Robin Schwartz, founder and president of Lee County Business Women. “A lot of the men think women are secretaries, housewives – but they are smart, intelligent businesswise; they can streamline, multi-task. Women can do several things at one time and get them all done.  “Women are really getting aggressive.  I’m not saying men need to look over their shoulders – but women are right behind them.”  So it stands to reason, with the increase of women redefining their roles in the workplace, and assuming positions of leadership and ownership in business, there has also been an increase in the number of professional organizations to serve them.

Cynthia Mitchell Wins “She’s just one of those special people who, when you meet her, makes you feel wonderful about yourself and that there’s hope in the world, especially in the small business world,” said Suzanne Specht (below left), assistant director for the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University, who nominated Mitchell for the award.  “She is probably the most positive, encouraging person that you could ever meet.” Read full story here

About the Team...

Cynthia Mitchell, M.Ed.

A third-generation entrepreneur, Cynthia Mitchell, M.Ed., is passionate about the growth and development of women-owned businesses. Women’s rights and place in society have always been especially important to Cynthia. As the former owner of two wellness centers, Cynthia has touched hundreds, if not thousands of women’s lives. She feels blessed that each of these women has in turn, touched her life.

Over the past 8 years Cynthia’s two businesses, Time For What Matters and A Beautiful Florida Wedding, have become thriving entities. As an accomplished therapist and public speaker, Cynthia has further developed her commitment to showing women how to build healthy, happy, single-level home-based businesses with Time For What Matters. She educates women about both the major differences in home-based businesses and the importance of preventing disease and living green lifestyles.

With A Beautiful Florida Wedding, Cynthia uses her relationship development and coaching skills to officiate ceremonies, offer marriage support services, and help couples plan their dream destination wedding in Florida.

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Catherine Fazzina, MA

Catherine Fazzina, MA commitment to peace and justice began in the 70’s when she was a community organizer in the Appalachian area of Virginia.  Her love of people regardless of their beliefs or lifestyle formed a strong bond with the people she worked with and was ultimately successful in helping them to defend their homes and lifestyles from corporate greed.

In the mid-80’s Catherine joined forces with Cynthia Mitchell and together developed two counseling centers with an orientation toward healing and wholeness.  Catherine’s skills as a Bioenergetics Therapist helped many people, woman and men, to live fuller healthier lives by confronting the inner struggles that tend to separate us from our true selves.  Bringing together her love of the earth and people’s rights has always been a rallying source for Catherine; and she finds that best exemplified in her newest endeavor over the last 10 years.  Through her green home-based business, Catherine has teamed up with Cynthia and Time For What Matters in a unique endeavor that combines healing and wholeness with the prevention of disease and living green lifestyles.  It is Catherine’s belief that all people deserve a chance to be prosperous and healthy.

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I am a proud mother of two teenagers; one on her way to college and the other, the newest member of the Jr. Varsity LaCrosse team in High School.  I raised my children for the past 12 years and know first hand the challenges of supporting a family in this economy.

Betty J. Baumann

Relationships, both personal and professional, have always been really important in my life.  I believe in win-win situations were people contribute to each other’s “world”.  I enjoy helping others achieve their goals and that is exactly what working with Time For What Matters empowers me to do.

Through our company, we help others create the time and money for what really matters in their life by helping them reach their goals.  Drawing upon my skills of connecting people, listening, and coaching, I find great satisfaction in being an entrepreneur – making a difference on the planet and in peoples’ lives.

“My passion is to leave an impression on this world long after I’m gone; not on the world but in the hearts of people I touch through Time For What Matters.”

Time Matters to Our Team...

Time Matters to Our Team

Keeping Children Safe: The Hidden Danger...

We live in an uncertain age when raising children, among other things, has become a particular challenge. We are constantly reminded to be vigilant around our children at home, at school, and in the wider world. Yet, we often fail to realize that the dangers to our children begin on the day of their birth and increase through childhood.

What we are alluding to are the internal dangers of harmful chemicals that our children ingest through their skin, their mouths, and their noses. It has been calculated that babies are born pre-polluted with up to 300 (yes, 300) industrial chemicals in their little bodies when they enter our world. And some researchers suggest that there may be a silent pandemic of brain development disorders that actually begin in the womb. Reports indicate that one in every six children will experience a developmental disability, mostly affecting the nervous system, before they leave elementary school. Frightening, isn’t it?

Yet, we frequently encounter young parents who seem to be immune to the significance of this information. “Of course, we want the best for our children,” they say, “and the government protects us from the effects of these chemicals by putting consumer-information labels on the products that use such chemicals.” Not so, unfortunately. In 1976, when the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed, the act declared about 62,000 (yes, 62,000) chemicals already on the market to be safe despite the fact that most had never been tested. We didn’t know then, and for the most part don’t know now, how chemicals affect the very young. Only when we observe immediate effects such as birth defects or early learning problems, or we know about definitely toxic substances such as lead or arsenic are we made aware of the harmful effects of some chemicals on early childhood development.

During the past 30 years, at least 20,000 additional chemicals have been put into commercial use in the U.S. (the European Union now lists 100,000 registered chemicals). Less than half of them have been tested in any form for their impact on human beings. And the 1976 act has never been amended to take stock of our increasing knowledge about industrial chemicals and their effects on our health. “Toxic Brew”, a documentary made by the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and hosted by Bill Moyers, highlights the problem dramatically. See if your local library has a copy of this DVD. We now know that industrial chemicals are associated with an increasing range of childhood-related diseases such as childhood cancer, autism, ADHD, and asthma, among others.

Federal and state governments still have little authority to regulate the use of hazardous chemicals. Neither the EPA nor manufacturers are required to prove the safety of chemicals currently in commercial use. That, however, may be about to change.

The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act is currently making its way through Congress. Among other improvements, it will require that industrial chemicals be safe for children and other vulnerable groups; that new chemicals as well as the 62,000 “old” chemicals be safety tested before being included in marketable products; that the EPA be given authority to review key chemicals that are known to be found in people; that regular bio-monitoring by the EPA be used to update information on health and safety issues; and that the EPA be required to promote safer alternatives and alternatives to animal testing.

We can only hope for the rapid passage of this important act. Meanwhile, we can all become more informed about the chemicals included in products we use everyday. Our next article in this series will do just that.

Cynthia on Video...

Enjoy this new video footage as Cynthia provide consumer health education and provides new insight on wellness, the definition of “body burden” and children & toxins in the home.

Are You Ready? Start Your Own Environmentally Frie...

Learn About Income Opportunities through Environmentally Sound Business Development

Cynthia Mitchell is an entrepreneur and professional mentor who teaches women how to work from home and succeed as small business owners.

Business Mentor

How would you feel if you knew that someone who cared about your well being, really wanted to listen and help you succeed? How would it be knowing that someone cares about the vision you have for your life and is willing to mirror that vision for you? How would it be to be supported while you embrace the possibilities of who you really are? What if you could discover, perhaps for the first time in your life, a mentor that not only believes in you, but is invested in your financial future? How would you feel?

Cynthia Mitchell brings communication skills that have been honed over 30 years. She couples those talents with relationship development skills and her business acumen to equip women who really want to change their lives!

• Career Women: Learn how to augment your income, attain financial freedom and professional well being.
• Moms: Find out how to create a legacy fund while enjoying the freedom to work from home and create a safer, non-toxic environment for your family.
• Transaction Income Professionals: Realtors, Therapists, Educators, etc. Anyone who depends on revenue that is received only when they work: create a reliable renewal income, alongside your transaction income through a business that transforms an everyday expense into a tax advantage.

Are You Ready? Start Your Own Environmentally Friendly Business!

Cynthia’s mission is to help women build healthier, happier lives. As a counselor and leader in the women’s business community for over 30 years, Cynthia is committed to making a difference. She’s spent the last 10 years making that difference a reality through her roles as a health advocate and business mentor.

Consumer Health Education and Advocacy for Green Living

Green Living Education: If you believe that an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure“, you’ll want to hear what Cynthia and her colleagues have to say about creating a healthier environment. We have a conscious intent and desire to educate women and their families about creating healthier, happier homes. Driven to make a difference in the quality of life we ALL lead, we encourage women to take action through conscious consumer consumption. This makes a difference in the personal, physical, emotional, financial and environmental wellness of the entire family! It can also send a legacy message for years to come!

Improve Your Health: Toxins reside in every room and in many consumer products; from your cleaning products, to your skin care. Consumers can be educated about better choices! Help individuals and businesses make informed consumer decisions for a greener, safer, healthier home and office.
You Can Detoxify Your Home: The average home contains 62 toxic chemicals. Learn what they are and how to eliminate them from your home. Help others reduce the incidence of endocrine disruptive disease like ADHD, autism and other free radical diseases like asthma and cancer.

“Because of common household chemicals, the air found in the average household is 3-5 times more hazardous than outdoor air”. (EPA)

The Ultimate Solution for Physical & Financia...

These are difficult and challenging times for many of us. We all know relatives, friends, or acquaintances who have had their work hours reduced, lost their jobs, had trouble paying their basic monthly bills, or even had their homes go into foreclosure. None of us wants to be in such a position.

The first action to take is to find another job or second job that will pay the basic monthly bills. No doubt this position will not be commensurate with your training and skills, but you do need to acquire additional income immediately. Whether it is a salaried position or one that pays just above minimum wage, it will be transactional income that helps you to get through each month. You contract to do a particular activity or service for which you are paid a particular income. Reduced activity or service means reduced income; no activity or service means no income.

No one is certain how long the current depressed economic situation will last. Many of us have had to make significant adjustments in our daily lives both economically and psychologically. This is not the time, however, to blame ourselves for our condition, or feel resentment that we have been let down, or play the role of victim. We need to make the tough decisions necessary to survive in the present and to realize that in such behavior lies our sense of rebirth. Re-examining our values to create a positive and discerning attitude towards our spouses, our families, and the future can lead to a new attitude towards our lives.

A critical part of this new attitude is taking stock of our circumstances and planning for the future. Thinking about a RELIABLE renewal income, as well as our regular transactional income, is one way to shape a more positive outcome. A true residual income is dependable income that turns up month after month. It is income that you receive regularly for an activity or service that you perform only once.

There are different types of residual income, however. Successful authors, for example, receive royalties on their book every time a copy is sold. But these royalties don’t come in indefinitely because the number of books sold tends to diminish with time. So do the royalties. When people are no longer buying the book the royalties end. On the other hand, extremely wealthy people can have a steady stream of income if they have millions of dollars to invest in bonds, or stocks. As long as the bond and stock markets are doing well, these people will receive significant residual income. But we all know what’s been happening to bonds and stocks in our current global recession. For ordinary investors, the real estate, bond and stock markets are simply not viable options for making significant long term RELAIBLE residual income.

So what other options are there? Some people have sought long-term wealth through multi-level marketing companies (MLM’s). Yet few such companies last more than a few years and many clients have been severely affected financially by buying excessive inventories and by diminishing numbers of disappointed distributors and/or customers. Some of you reading this article are probably in this category.

We know of only two instances in which true residual income exists. One is the insurance industry. Some companies provide residual income for their agents through commissions earned on the initial sale of a policy. As long as the agent continues to service that account successfully year after year, he or she will continue to receive a residual income. Most insurance agents, however, only receive their income from the business their own agency sells or services. Agents who refer other customers to their companies but are not servicing their accounts receive no commission from these referrals. So the insurance industry provides residual income to its agents through commissions paid only on their own accounts as long as they continue to service them satisfactorily. Referrals on other accounts are not rewarded.

The other industry that provides true residual income does so not only in terms of commissions but also on all customers’ referrals. It is the direct marketing industry in which marketing executives may be paid on both their own personal customers, and a business referred to them by these customers.

In 1999, facing the rest of her life through the lens of her patients at a hospital oncology unit, my wife, Cynthia, had an awakening that changed the direction of her career. Now she has financial security that answers many of the questions we are asking at challenging times like today. What would I do if I were challenged with an inability to work and earn money? What would I do if I was left alone – who would take care of me and where would the funds come from to assure exceptional care? How will my family be cared for if my financial position changes? “I am so grateful to those clients whose courage and attitude prompted me to leap out of my comfort zone as a counseling center owner and therapist for more than 25 years into a reliable renewal- income business owner that transferred my skills to create real financial and time freedom”. Where would we all be now in this economy if we relied only on transactional counseling income?

Affiliating with a green manufacturing company that advocates wellness — financial, personal, and planetary—is the best career decision I’ve made in my life. We will examine the consequences of that decision in our next article.

Fundraising for a Greener World…...

Across the nation, grass-roots organizations, not-for-profit agencies and community groups are being faced with the mounting challenge of providing more quality services with shrinking funds. Imagine a program that takes a portion of people’s everyday shopping dollars and translates them into legacy funds for you!

Each year a variety of fundraising projects are undertaken by many organizations in an effort to generate additional income to supplement the bottom line. Whether it be the sale of items such as wrapping paper, candy bars and raffle tickets or the traditional “big ticket” programs like auctions, fashion shows or dinner galas; they all require the selling of something.

The final outcome is all too often less than hoped for results, with the staff and volunteers expending EXTENSIVE MANPOWER and PLANNING HOURS that garner limited financial return. Participants of the effort sometimes lose momentum with the pressure of having to sell yet another item. Paperwork is a hassle and the need to deliver goods or meet deadlines creates more frustration for a volunteer corps. From a fundraising point of view, each New Year begins at ground zero. Often people who buy products or tickets are doing so just to support the cause, but have no real use for what they are purchasing. These endeavors and transactions do not help the environment, create legacy funds, nor necessarily improve the lives of individuals participating.

Consumer Tidbit

Most consumers buy their everyday household products at places like Sam’s Club, BJ’s Costco, Wal-Mart or their favorite grocery store. Most likely, they do not own stock in any of those stores, nor do they receive dividend checks to shop there. Nonetheless, they shop there out of habit and necessity. None of their purchases has the benefit of being part of a planned-giving program.

When was the last time anyone you knew received a check from Proctor & Gamble or Johnson & Johnson for using their products?

When people choose to “Shop Green For A Cause”, they are simply REDIRECTING their monthly purchasing habits to support a fundraising effort. By switching stores and shopping green; they are receiving higher quality, non-toxic products that cost less than what they are already buying somewhere else and a portion of the proceeds from their purchases goes directly to the organization of choice.
This program allows for even the most modest of households to be able to give! Everyone who shops becomes a donor – yet they use no “new money”. Additionally, all the products they purchase are non-toxic, extremely cost competitive, environmentally safe.

Testimonials...

Hear What People Have to Say

“Cynthia Mitchell brings a holistic perspective to her spiritual mission of supporting each person in their quest to perceive the nature of the Holy One and our shared vocation as children of the divine. Drawing from her rich background in contemplative spirituality, Cynthia is adept at listening to each one’s understandings of how God is being revealed in his/her life and how that call is lived out in loving relationships, career endeavors and community/church/temple engagements. Importantly, Cynthia respects diversity in faith and practice, and honors each person’s journey in life. How that journey contributes to maturing in faith and mission is pivotal in her work with others.”
The Rev. Dr. Kathleen L. Kircher
Naples, FL

“Cynthia is a wonderful compassionate person and colleague. With her positive outlook, high energy and enthusiasm, she a great inspiration and a role model for any women wanting to succeed in business.”
Linda Marino
Acupuncture Physician, Naples, FL

“My initial introduction to Cynthia came as a result of her contributing to the well-being of The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce members who a attended a seminar she conducted on networking skills. Her presentation was loaded with useable content but her personal presence made the program compelling. One definition of the word, professional, is ‘a person who is very skilled in a particular activity.’ The initial introduction to Cynthia’s skills and subsequent interactions with her as a person confirm that she is a powerful professional. I’m proud to call her a colleague in the world of professional speaking but, more importantly a friend.”
Gary Greenfield, Principal
Principal & Owner
Performance Alliance, L.C.

“Thank you for all of your help, support and inspiration. Words alone cannot begin to express how much this means to me and I am forever grateful to have you in my life!”
Kimberly Philbin
M & I Bank

“On behalf of the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce I would like to thank you for your participation and presentation at “Issues Roundtable” held at our Chamber on Thursday, March 28, 2006. You did a fantastic presentation. The attendees were able to ask you questions and your answers were right on the mark. It was great to her the pros and cons of “Working from Home”. Our participants really participated and shared their ups and downs and with your leadership provided solutions to their particular situations. Thank you again for accepting this speaking engagement and sharing your expertise with us. Looking forward to seeing you at our other events.”
Geraldine A. Pessolano
Administrative Assistant

“Cynthia did excellent presentations for two organizations I’m associated with: Small Business Committee of the Chamber and the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Both presentations were professional, excellently facilitated and taught me something new at each one.”
Deborah Hamilton
Marketing Director
International Design Center

“Cynthia is a very inspirational person, with lots of knowledge and savvy. I enjoy her positive radiance, it is very contagious.”
Ryan T. Blauch
Blauch & Associates, LLC
Financial Advisors

“Thank you for presenting, “Networking Techniques” at our Small Business Week celebration. The workshop was a real “hit”… those who attended had great things to say and felt their time was well spent in learning important skills to help them in their business…thank you for…helping make our event successful.”

Karen S. Brown, IOM
Communications & Special Events Director
Bonita Chamber of Commerce

“On behalf of the Women of WOW from Unity of Naples Church, thank you! You have touched our hearts and lifted our spirits with your dynamic presentation, ‘Empowering the Feminine: A Caring Woman’s Search for Herself’. This program was the perfect conclusion to a season that focused on Health, Healing and Wholeness.

Every woman who was fortunate enough to attend this engaging gathering will forever know the difference between ‘caring for’: and taking care of”. The image of the divine feminine will remain within our minds as the receptive aspect of wholeness to the masculine expressive nature. And we will continue to release our attachments, habits and judgments to remember who we truly are. Many participants have commented about how they especially appreciated the active aspects of your presentation, including the Meditation and Mandela. The hand washing ceremony as especially moving. We send our best wishes to you as you let your light shine with your Global Vision and continue to share your wisdom with other groups of women, knowing that with your help, these sacred circles are collectively raising the consciousness of the entire world.”
Dr. Pamela S. Gerali
Co-Founder and Facilitator
Women of WOW, Unity of Naples Church

The Poisoning of America’s Children: Keys Preven...

“Today’s children inhabit a fundamentally different planet from the one we experienced as children. In the past 40 years, at least 70,000 chemicals have been introduced into their world…many through consumer products.” (CHILDREN”S Health Environmental Coalition) Childhood asthma has nearly doubled in the past 20 years, and asthma deaths among children and young people increased by 118% between 1980 and 1993. Asthma is now the leading cause of hospital admissions for children. (EPA September 1996)

Likewise, according to the National Cancer Institute, children’s cancer has risen 10.8% in the past decade, with an estimated 80% TO 90% linked to exposure to carcinogens found in the environment. (Landigan, M.D. and Needleman, M.D., Raising Toxic Free Children, 1996)

MANY CHEMICALS WIDELY USED AND COMMONLY FOUND AT HOME ARE TOXIC TO CHILDREN. It is no coincidence that at the same time, “an epidemic of developmental, learning, and behavioral disabilities has become evident among children.” Animal and human studies demonstrate that many of these chemicals are developmental neurotoxins that contribute to these problems. Neurotoxins pose a health threat that those of us who want to live longer and healthier lives need to be about.

Early in my childhood, I remember as a baby boomer, my mother’s high priority on two things: doing homework and keeping a spotless home. I remember every Saturday as being cleaning day with all of us participating in cleaning everything from the dust on the furniture to the dirt on the stairs leading to our 3rd floor tenement home. My grandparents owned the home where I spent my first16 years. Their hard-work ethic made quite an impression in my life. There are many aspects of that life that I will always respect and value, but the disease of asthma isn’t one of them. Anyone who has ever had trouble breathing, even for a moment, can begin to imagine what the trauma of this disease is like.

In those days, we thought that products such as Tide, Lysol and Clorox were simply the hallmark of a clean home. We knew that we needed to exercise caution when using certain products, like Draino, which had a picture of the skull and crossbones on it meaning “warning”. What we didn’t know was that years later, the use of products like these would be the subject of much controversy and scrutiny, especially by the very baby boomers like me for whom these “convenience” products were manufactured.

I’ll never forget the day I read my first MSDS sheet, material safety data sheets as they are called. I had been challenged by the vice president of our counseling enters to consider the value of detoxifying our home and office as a way to reduce my need for my inhalants. She was persistent that the evidence was astounding. I merely had to take a look at the hazardous ingredients present in the products I used everyday and the symptoms they could cause and suddenly, as if it were yesterday, began to make a possible link…to the world of asthma and allergies. A link that neither my wellness nor my medical practitioners had ever mentioned. I wondered….what if she is right?

I thought about all the children I had worked with when I was an elementary guidance counselor. How many children were on Ritalin, how many had EAP’s (educational treatment programs) because they couldn’t concentrate? How many had behavioral disorders? We used to point the finger at genetics, or diet, or family dynamics. We never even considered the harmfulness of out gassing of chemicals used in their homes and even in their schools. We never even though about it…although some people have.

Bill Moyer, a well respected reports on PBS, recently featured a television special entitled “Kids and Chemicals”. This sequel to Trade Secrets”, aired two years ago was just as explicit and compelling. The program was an attempt to educate parents about the seriousness of the problem and prompt them to seek alternative action. Moyer interviewed Dr. Phillip Landrigan, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, who works with scientists around the world to understand how kids are affected by their exposure to chemicals. According to Landrigan, of the 3000 high production volume chemicals in use in this country today, only 43% have been even minimally tested. Further, he stated that children are potentially more vulnerable to chemicals than adults. “They play on the ground, they live low, they breathe more air, they eat more food, they put their hands in their mouth and so they transfer more toxic chemicals into their body than we do’? (Transcript from PBS broadcast, Kids and Chemicals)

Dr. Sandra Stienberger, a biologist at Cornell University, joins Dr. Landrigan in asserting that exposure during pregnancy doesn’t by itself mean that a child will get ill. “What matters is the intensity of the exposure during pregnancy and when it occurs in fetal development. A chemical exposure occurring early in pregnancy might cause miscarriage,” argue the researchers. If it occurs later on, it might cause birth defects. Later still, it might damage brain cells. Says Dr. Stienberger, “Maybe certain problems that we understand…as attention deficit disorders, hyperactivity, the inability to pay attention aggressive and violent behaviors might have their origins during these windows of vulnerability.” (Transcript from PBS broadcast)

Moyer’s’ reports on a newly proposed project called, “The National Children’s Study” that will track 100,000 children from the womb to age 18 and provide definitive answers necessary for new regulations and laws protecting children from exposure to toxins.

In the meantime, what are some steps that we can take to make our home and office safer for us? We can begin by replacing everyday mass-produced consumer products. Take action now. “The very nature of change is gradual. It begins with a decision to change, a commitment to change.” (Debra Lynn Dadd, Nontoxic Home and Office) Finding safe products easy and rewarding. Even the smallest steps can make an enormous difference.

This article was written by Cynthia V.Mitchell, M.Ed, wellness consultant and owner of Time for What Matters, the company with “an eye on your health”