I am usually a "whatever" person...and believe in bucking up and being flexible...not backing down. For years I was of the impression that I grew up consuming god knows what and that it must have made me super untouchable, strong in a martian manner, and able to resist all strains of everything. Remember playing with mercury? What was ever organic in the 70's? I am doubtful the past ten years has eradicated chemicals from my body... though I juice two times a year and eat WAY better than I ever did as a child! ...and I am NEVER sick. I am leaving my job with 2 months of sick time in the bank. If only I could convert them into vacation. sigh.

However...a new allergy study is coming out I hear, which is really giving me pause on my theory of our chemical induced super hero generation. Just why are there so many new, severe peanut/nut/egg etc allergies? A new study (not sure where I would find it, it was reported to me by a mother of a child with them) suggests that our particular generation (we are turning 40) were so exposed to so many chemicals in childhood, that they effected female and possibly male reproductive organs of this generation, and therefore pregnancies and the children who are born. Most of the surge is taking place at this time with current children in preschool. Just ten years ago it was not as bad...let alone when I first began teaching 20 years ago... wow...so dating myself. This does circumstantially add up from my experience working with kids...but of course that isn't science so who knows. I am not having children (though it was determined that it would be challenging for me ten years ago...and the use of fertility specialists have also spiked over the past decade...but that could be linked to so many other things I know), so it probably isn't a big deal for me. No breast cancer or the like in my family (instead, other fun genetic diseases ).

I still refuse to get carried away...I want to have water to drink...and coffee in the morning while I backpack...but if it is as easy as a number...what is the number bottle I want? 2? not 7s? I find numbers and chemical compounds... confounding. I need something clear and simple!