I will be the first to admit that about five years ago, I didn’t spent too much time thinking about healthy ingredients, fresh air or toxic chemicals. Thinking back, I can list the reasons why – too busy hanging out with friends, on weekend getaways and weekly happy hours, etc. (The list could go on and on but I will spare you). Those were the days (I kid).
How could you not want the best for this face?
Today, I try to eat a lot healthier and am more aware of what we (including Chunyo) breathe and buy. SO yes, I have to admit (proudly I guess) that today, I read labels, buy organic, support local farmers’ markets and surround us with “green” cleaning products whenever possible. I am guilty- I have become one of those people that I once had no interest in becoming. Call it age or just too much information (which I swear gets me every time). Once I learned about all the bad stuff we eat and breathe, it was hard to go back. And yes, the budget reflects it (that’s the bad part). I still have YET to understand WHY it is more expensive to live a healthier life? A blog post for another day…. But if someone can explain, go for it!
SO – back to this post… For those of you who might be interested, I found this great website – HealthyStuff.org. They research toxic chemicals on a whole bunch of stuff related to kids, cars, house stuff (even those Christmas lights from last year – yikes). But for the sake of this blog – I am focusing on the pet stuff. HealthyStuff.org tested over 400 pet products, including beds, chew toys, stuffed toys, collars, leashes, and tennis balls. You can search by Brand, Type, Level of Concern, etc. Take a peek – it’s kind of cool.
AirKong Squeaker Ball
I tested it out to see if anything that Chunyo has is on there. Lo and behold, I found the AirKong Squeaker Tennis Ball. I know some of you out there own a few. Well, breathe easy… There is a low level of concern. Pheww!! I was going to have to run outside and collect tons of tennis balls (don’t ask!).
HealthyStuff.org toxic level key
If you feel like checking out some of the things you already own or if you want to investigate a future purchase, visit this site.
Do you ever check out products before you purchase them? Curious minds want to know..
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Side note: A birthday shout out to one of our readers – Feliz Cumpleaños Ivan! 😉
Chunyo's Corner 
May 12th, 2011 at 7:43 AM
We pretty much stick to kong toys because they are durable and usually receive decent reviews (did on that site too). We try to buy healthy treats and food for the dogs (within reason). But then I think back to the Sheltie we had growing up who ate Top Choice dog food (a grocery store brand that was made to look like ground beef and was probably loaded with artificial ingredients). The Sheltie had no real health issues and was 21 when he died.
May 12th, 2011 at 8:55 AM
I understand I didn’t feed my other two dogs top of the line food and they lived a full life too. All in moderation, I suppose..
May 12th, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Thanks for giving us this link – Mum loves healthy and is on the road to healthy, I think it’s a long and windy one with a number of bumps and detours…..:) Shame like you say it’s the more expensive route too….
Have a great day,
Snoopy (&Mum)
May 12th, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Great post! We sound very similar to you…we were unhealthy during our college years and that spilled over into the next few years. One of the reasons we became motivated five years ago to get healthy was due to Gus. He made us enjoy the outdoors!
I’ve been on that site, but for quite some time. It’s such a good source of info. I was SO relieved when you revealed that the Kong Squeak Air was okay – Gus loves his!
May 13th, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Thanks. I was too!
May 12th, 2011 at 11:08 PM
Thanks for sharing this great resource. I don’t understand why the “good stuff” is more expensive either. I went on a raw food diet for a few months and the food cost was over $200 more a month. Really, I could have at at McDonalds all month for $100. That’s sad…and we wonder why American’s are obese.
May 13th, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Wow! $200 a month – that’s a lot! We haven’t tried a raw food diet. How is it working out for you?