….

Fight Like a Girl Club.com

The Breast Cancer Diet

Katie May 1, 2011 Health, Nutrition 2 Comments

Has it ever occurred to you that there could be a connection between breast cancer and your diet?  Some researchers say that there are two key things in preventing cancer- estrogen regulation and immunity boosting.  Dr. Kristi Funk, MD, founder of The Pink Lotus Breast Center in Beverly Hills, CA says that while a genetic change is the root of all breast cancer,  breast cancer is fed and fueled for the most part by estrogen. Dr Funk believes that if we can decrease estrogen in our bodies, we can remove some of that fuel that makes cancer cells multiply and divide.  How do you do that? Here are 7 things, directly from a blog that Dr. Funk wrote, that help suppress estrogen. Dr. Funk also discussed this on a Dr. Oz show that aired in 2010.

1. Three cups of green tea a day can prevent breast cancer by as much as 50% because of its high EGCG antioxidant content. Squeeze a little lemon into your cup and increase the antioxidant power of your tea.
2. Garlic is a good immunity booster that also has anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Olive oil, borage oils and flaxseed oil contain monounsaturated fat, which can help suppress breast cancer.
4. Turmeric helps decrease estrogen. As little as one teaspoon a day has been shown to reduce tumor growth. Get your daily dose by mixing it into salad dressings, rice or vegetable dishes.
5. Cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, bok choy and Swiss chard bind estrogen in your GI tract and reduce tumor stimulation. They also detoxify the liver, which helps reduce the toxins flowing through your body that can irritate cells and turn them into early cancers.
6. Seaweed/Kelp are high in iodine, this is another estrogen reducer.
7. A daily supplement of Vitamin D (2000 IU) can prevent tumor metastasis, reduce cancer cells and aid estrogen inhibitors. Calcium-rich foods, such as sardines, salmon, milk and cheese are also highly recommended. Or, 15-20 minutes of sunshine every day can help you in getting your daily dose of Vitamin D. All of these combined can decrease your breast cancer risk by up to 50%.

In addition to and somewhat related to diet is, Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA has been shown to add to the risk of breast cancer.  BPA is found in almost everything from metal food cans to some plastic containers.  Since BPA is an unstable polymer and seeks fat, it grabs onto products when they are heated. This is why it’s recommended to remove frozen entrees from the plastic container and put onto a glass plate before heating in the microwave.  Studies using human breast cancer cell cultures show that BPA acts the same as the natural  estrogen estradiol and can weakly interact with the estrogen receptor.  This study also showed that BPA can alter breast cell responsiveness and cause direct damage to the DNA of the cells that were cultured.

With or without cancer, clearly it’s best to eat a diet that’s as healthy as possible loaded with lots of vegetables. Upon diagnosis, did you change your eating habits immediately? Did you receive any nutrition counseling prior to surgery or treatment? Let’s discuss!

References: http://www.pinklotusbreastcenter.com, http://www.breastcancerfund.org

Image courtesy of allrevitolcream.com

Full disclosure:  The author of this blog has blogged in the past for Pink Lotus Breast Center.

……

Breastcancer.org

Home → Research News → Study Suggests Full-Fat Dairy Products May Be Linked to Worse Survival

Study Suggests Full-Fat Dairy Products May Be Linked to Worse Survival

• TAGS:Invasive or Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, Invasive or Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma, High-Fat Diet, Early-stage: Stage IA, Early-stage: Stage IB, Early-stage: Stage IIA, Early-stage: Stage IIB, Early-stage: Stage IIIA, Diet, and Early-stage: Stage 0 — DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ)

A study done by Kaiser Permanente researchers suggests that women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer who eat full-fat dairy products after diagnosis are more likely to die from breast cancer than women who eat low-fat dairy products after diagnosis.

The study was published online by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on March 14, 2013. Read the abstract of “High- and Low-Fat Dairy Intake, Recurrence, and Mortality After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.”

The hormone estrogen stimulates breast cell growth, including the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cells. Estrogen is created and stored in fat cells. Many researchers believe that dairy products eaten in the United States and other Western countries have high levels of estrogen and progesterone in them because most of the milk is produced by pregnant cows. So it might be possible that low-fat dairy products have lower levels of estrogen and progesterone because most of the fat has been removed. This suggests that low-fat dairy products may be a better choice for women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, especially hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

In this study, the researchers wanted to know if eating full-fat dairy products increased the risk of breast cancer recurrence (the cancer coming back), as well as the risk of dying from breast cancer. For this study, full-fat dairy products included:

• whole milk
• condensed or evaporated milk
• pudding
• ice cream
• custard
• flan
• cheese
• yogurt
• butter

The researchers looked at nearly 1,900 women who had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from 1997 to 2000. Most of the women were from northern California. When the study started, the researchers sent the women a 120-question survey, including questions on:

• how often they ate dairy products during the previous year
• how large the serving size was
• the type of dairy products eaten
• whether the dairy product was full-fat, 2%, 1%, or non-fat/skim

Six years later, the researchers sent the same survey to all the women. About 1,500 women returned the second survey. The women were followed for about 12 years.

Low-fat milk and butter were the dairy foods the women reported eating most often. Overall, the women said they ate about 0.8 servings per day of low-fat dairy products and about 0.5 servings per day of full-fat dairy products.

During follow-up, 349 women had a breast cancer recurrence; 372 of the women died from any cause and 189 of those women died specifically from breast cancer.

The researchers found that women who reported eating one or more servings per day of full-fat dairy products had a 64% higher risk of dying from any cause and a 49% higher risk of dying from breast cancer compared to women who ate fewer servings per day of full-fat dairy products or women who ate low-fat dairy products.

There was no association between the amount of low-fat dairy products eaten and breast cancer survival. There also was no association between the risk of recurrence and the amount of full-fat dairy products eaten.

If you’ve been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, it makes sense to do everything you can to minimize your risk of recurrence and improve your chances of survival, including:

• eating a healthy diet that’s low in processed foods and sugar
• avoiding alcohol
• maintaining a healthy weight
• exercising daily
• not smoking
• staying on track with any medicines you’re taking to reduce the risk of recurrence

Recently, in a series of queer events also known as ‘That’s Life’, I found myself mid-semester with no teaching job. Although I am semi-retired, that extra money comes in very, very handy. I thought I would try my hand at retail since I have five years retail experience (in the foggy past) and the Holiday season is soon upon us.

I am well used to the mind-numbingly long applications for positions in education. The finger prints, the scan through the FBI and Department of Justice. The documents and certified documents; names, dates, places, times, etc. You get the picture. I have come to accept that as part of We Are Working With Children. I didn’t expect that for a job paying $9.00 an hour and selling nuts and bolts.

So, the applications for several major retailers are, “Fill in the application and it must be online”. What if you don’t have a computer? You then have to go to the public library, have a library card and fight with all the other gits who are also there for the same thing. Your computer time is strictly controlled because so many people use them.

The applications ask for specific names, dates, addresses and phone numbers. What happens if you forget to bring all that information with you and leave some of the spaces blank? Does HR automatically throw out your application? Good question.

Okay. You have your little folder, you have been through the drill before and you  have all your pertinent info to fill out the form. Great. Now that is done, now you proceed to have to take the ‘test’. The test is approximately twenty minutes long and is timed. (Remember you are on a computer at the library and everything has to be done within your two-hour per day time limit.)

So, we start the ‘personality’ test. It asks a series of strange questions like, Do you lie? Do you steal? If you saw someone at work a) lying or b) stealing, what would you do about it? Do you get angry easily? Are you happy? Are you depressed? Are you a person who is generally happy or generally depressed? Do you get along with people? Do you like working with people? What is your reaction if someone makes you mad? Etc., etc., etc.

I have three college degrees and two of them are in psychology and I had trouble with these questions. Do they want the truth? What if you lie in your answers? What if you don’t always like to be around other people and yes, others can make you angry and you have been known to lose your temper at work? Does this make you a bad person? Do you reveal any of these darks secrets or keep them locked up in the dungeon of your heart? Are you quaking in your boots because you yelled at someone once? So on.

Additionally,  I also have a lot of years working experience and know, for a fact, that many ‘good’ employees don’t always want to be shoulder-to-shoulder with their mates and yes, people, good people, do get mad on the job. It does not make you a ‘bad’ person, it makes you human.

Uh, oh. Not that. These complicated HR ‘tests’ have been designed by people who have PhD’s in tests and measurements and are designed to ferret out unacceptable personality traits in applicants. Wow! All that from a test. Golly.

By now, the nervous, palm-sweating applicant is managing to get everything finished and inputted into the computer before his or her time is up. All the while other library patrons are lining up for the computers and giving him the evil eye for taking so damn long.

Now thankfully, this applicant is the owner of a college degree, knows the ins and out of computers and can also read fairly well and understands all the vague and uncertain language contained in the application and  personality test. Good for him. Maybe he will get that job at the hardware store for $9.00 an hour!

Now, once again, in the far distant past, in the 70’s, when I was just getting started on my career life, we used to have a department called Personnel. Personnel was usually down the hall, in the corner, behind a door. It housed two or three people; maybe a secretary or two and a Personnel Manager. You would go into the office, fill out an application (pen and paper,) hand it to the girl. She would say something like, “Fine, and I’ll give this to the Manager.” In those days, that usually meant the manager of the department that you were applying for. Not anymore. Today, that department is no longer Personnel, it is Human Resources. The manager is the Manager of HR. Once you have leapt past the hoop of the first girl or two, then your precious document lands on the desk of the HR manager and only when it passes muster there, will it then be sent (with conditional approval) to the manager of your department for consideration.

Now what about this Manager of HR? Well, the tail of the dog (Personnel) has morphed into the tail that wags the dog and in fact, might very well today, have become the dog.

FYI, in case you don’t know it, job applications have become legal documents. If you lie on the application and that is found out, that very lie, and nothing else, are instant grounds for dismissal. Ah. So, the ‘girls’ in the office are now busy doing doc research and/or making phone calls to verify that what is stated on the app is, in fact, the truth.

What is this Manager of HR, the great Oz behind the curtain doing?  They manage ‘talent’. Talent includes things like your age, your race, your ethnic heritage, the amount of experience each job requires, the amount of education, your age, your height, your weight, what you look like, sound like and act like. They manage whether or not the corporation has the correct quota of per-race employees and per-age employees. They are the ones that set the standard for what the company can and cannot ask of employees. They are the guardians of the gate, the protector of the corporation from attack and future lawsuits. They are definitely behind the curtain because you never, ever get to see them or meet them.

These are the people who are advising, constantly, the heads of companies. These are the Iago’s who are whispering, ever in low voices to the powers that be and who hold the purse strings. These are individuals who decide whether you (the applicant or employee) either lives or dies. Thumbs up or thumbs down as in ancient Rome. And it is never more the case in our modern society whether you get that lowly (or highly paid) job or not.

HR managers are sworn to ‘protect’ the corporation. They are probably the master-minds behind many a scheme to yank the rug out from underneath  employees just before they reach that twenty-year anniversary and receive that long awaited and promised pension/benefit package.

Having no conscience or morals themselves, time and time again, they cut the legs out from underneath long-term employees and then congratulate themselves on a good job saving the company money.

Back to our applicant. He/she has gotten the dreaded application filled out and turned in. The app is reviewed by the HR manager. Every applicant over the age of forty or fifty (personal preference) is tossed. Applicants under age forty or fifty are hired because they are a) physically stronger b) won’t take time off work for illness (not true, studies show younger people are definitely sick more) and lastly, c) won’t stand up for themselves and complain about the low wages.

Finally, what does all this have to do with homelessness? The effects of the 2008-2009 recession are still being felt in this country. If a person was fortunate enough to have had a really good paying job before the recession and developed a strong resource ‘net’, they were probably able to weather the recession. That includes enough earned income to score high points with Social Security, pensions with companies who made good on their promise to pay, savings and ongoing and regular medical care.

People who did not/don’t have these things will rapidly find in this modern age of escalating housing, food and medical costs, that whatever resources they may have squirreled away, rapidly fading. Those on the edges of the work world; not making high enough wages during their most productive years, having little or no savings nest, low living resources, may surprisingly enough find themselves so far on the out, that they are literally on the outside and homeless.

The homeless situation in this country has escalated to new and unbefore reached heights and it has occurred since the 2008 recession. These things cannot be unrelated.

As more and more big businesses drive out the little guy competition; the role of The Corporation and the HR Manager become more and more significant in our society. The Oz behind the curtain has no personal contact with the many applicants that knock on their door. More better some say; that way they don’t have to see the desperation in the people’s eyes. So, as one person famously said once, “Let them eat cake.”

…..

…..

Employer Ratings & Reviews Overview

Rating Scale
Individuals submit ratings on scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being least age friendly and 10 being most age friendly. These figures are averaged together to compute the 5-bullet rating in the middle column below.

EMPLOYER NAME	AVERAGE RATING	SAMPLE REVIEWS
3D Systems		They hire many applicants over the age of fifty, including me.
21st Century Healthcare		I was discriminated against by this employer.  I was let go, replaced by a person half my age.
7-Eleven		Seems they get rid of seniors
Aaron Brothers		Public humiliation.
ABB		Corporate talks the talk, however, the management in the local business units often attempts to force older workers out by starting to give poor performance reviews and creating action plans that are impossible to meet.
ABLON & CO		I have worked there I am 63, and worked others older and younger than myself, age had no factor . A great place to work.
Accenture		My own experience as well as that observed.
Ace Hardware		Excellent communications with employees, very flexible work schedules, fun and interesting place to work, many daily challenges and customers to assist with different projects.
Acosta Sales		Pay isn’t the greatest, so seems hiring older people is something the do. Benefits are very good.
Adesa		Most of the employees are on social security.
ADT Security		ADT has demonstrated a history and practice of eliminating positions held by experienced, tenured(more expensive) individuals. In 2014 75% of those positions eliminated were held by individuals age 50+. No obvious bias against older workers, yet no affirmative efforts to recruit or retain them.
Advance Auto Parts		The specifically ask you on the job application if you are between a certain age bracket. If you are not they will not allow you to continue the application. Clearly age discrimination.
Advanced Imaging Solutions, Inc.		My husband was terminated unjustly. He was asked how much time he had left to work during his interview, and when he did not answer this and was subsequently hired and his age known (he is younger than he looks), he was treated shabbily and termina

GLASSDOOR.COM

Over 50? Here Are 12 Incredible Companies Hiring Now!

January 27, 2017  Posted by Emily Moore

• 148Shares

As the saying goes, 50 is the new 30. Things like your confidence, relationships and happiness all seem to spike when you hit the big five-oh. And your career is no exception. No matter if you’re getting back into the game after a long breakor just hoping to shake things up a bit, your fifties are a great time to make a career move.

While many companies benefit from the tenacity and know-how of experienced workers, several go above and beyond to make the workplace inclusive and welcoming for all ages. The 12 companies highlighted below have all signed AARP’s pledge to recruit and support workers of diverse age groups — and they’re looking for candidates to fill open positions!

1. KPMG

Company Rating: 3.8

Where Hiring: Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Knoxville, TN; Los Angeles, CA; Montvale, NJ; New York, New York and many more

What Roles: Director of Information Management, R&D Tax Credits Senior Manager, Campus Recruiting Manager and many more

What Employees Say: “Plenty of opportunity to ladder up and lattice across the org to gain experience and breadth. Predictable raises in the base comes with consistent performance. Depending on org will see good work/life balance and work arrangement flexibility.” —Current Associate Director

2. Bucknell University

Company Rating: 4.3

Where Hiring: Lewisburg, PA

What Roles: Electrician, Training Consultant, Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and more

What Employees Say: “Great co-workers. Beautiful campus. Wonderful benefits. Student body active and engaged with campus life and interested in personal development as a means for career success. Creative freedom. Great work/life balance.” —Former Assistant Director

3. General Mills

Company Rating: 3.7

Where Hiring: Berkeley, CA; Hannibal, MO; Minneapolis, MN; Minnetonka, MN and more

What Roles: Manufacturing Supervisor, Senior Financial Analyst, Retirement Administrator and more

What Employees Say: “Opportunity to grow as a leader in a best practice environment with incredibly smart, talented colleagues. This is a company that truly is invested in ‘doing the right thing all the time’, one of its core values[…] A great place to work for a global company and learn how to run a business and build brands from one of the very best operators in the industry.” —Current Employee

4. HomeWatch Caregivers

Company Rating: 3.8

Where Hiring: Los Angeles, CA; Anaheim, CA; Framingham, MA; Orem, UT and more

What Roles: Home Health Aide, Certified Nurse Assistant, Med Tech

What Employees Say: “Will[ing] to be flexible and reasonable with my time and my needs as an employee. Passionate and driven company with a strong goal to care for others no matter what the circumstance. Cares for their employees just as much as their clients.” —Current Client Services Coordinator

5. Rover.com

Company Rating: 4.7

Where Hiring: Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA

What Roles: Accountant, Payroll and Benefits Specialist, Marketplace Analyst, Customer Experience Specialist and more

What Employees Say: “Rover is at a really great stage right now. Employees are able to have a huge impact, experience a ton of ownership and have the ability to leave a mark on the business. At the same time the company is large enough to offer some structure, organization, and support which enables a much better environment. We are basically solving similar problems as Uber, AirBnB and others but at a much earlier stage, smaller company. The current environment combines the positive aspects of a start up culture with the mentorship and upper mobility of a larger company.” —Current Employee

6. Boise Cascade

Company Rating: 3.7

Where Hiring: Chester, SC; Florien, LA; Medford, OR; Westfield, MA and more

What Roles: Senior Design/Fabrication Tech, Material Handler, Operations Manager, National Account Field Representative and more

What Employees Say: “Laid back environment, very egalitarian. PTO was more than reasonable and the hours were the same everyday. Sales is empowered to negotiate prices even at low levels. Mistakes are expected and the management is more interested in solving the problem than finding who is to blame.” —Former Sales Management Trainee

7. Cabell Huntington Hospital

Company Rating: 4.0

Where Hiring: Huntington, WV

What Roles: Medical Lab Tech, Radiology Technologist, Carpenter II, Staff Pharmacist and more

What Employees Say: “Great Pay and Benefits. This is a union hospital and is one of the best there is[.] I currently moved away or I’d still be there. [Worked] there 8 years.” —Former CNA

8. Kimberly-Clark

Company Rating: 3.8

Where Hiring: Atlanta, GA; Maumelle, AR; Neenah, WI and many more

What Roles: HR Business Partner, Manufacturing Operator, Ethics & Compliance Senior Manager, Senior Brand Manager and many more

What Employees Say: “K-C realizes that to have a strong business you need strong employees, so they encourage you to increase your skills and become a better leader. They offer quite a few professional development courses and allow performing employees to move on to new jobs every 18 months.” —Former Senior Treasury Analyst

9. Mindbody Inc.

Company Rating: 3.8

Where Hiring: Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; San Luis Obispo, CA; Scottsdale, AZ; Southampton, NY and more

What Roles: Director of Product Management, Senior Market Researcher, Sales Trainer, Senior Database Administrator and more

What Employees Say: “Excellent place to work and software to use. Their set of core values is really inspiring to hear from such a large company. Humble and Helpful is my personal favorite. There is a strong sense of care for customers and their well-being not just about profits.” —Current Tech Support Specialist

See All Open Jobs

10. United Way

Company Rating: 3.6

Where Hiring: Charleston, SC; Missoula, MT; Richmond, VA; Saint Louis, MO and more

What Roles: Salesforce Manager, Development Senior Associate, Donor Relations Officer and more

What Employees Say: “The people who work here are smart, friendly, warm and committed. We are doing really amazing work. We are trying to break the cycle of poverty and I can’t imagine something I would rather be working toward.” —Current Employee

See All Open Jobs

11. Dominion Resources

Company Rating: 3.8

Where Hiring: Akron, OH; Columbia, SC; Lusby, MD; Richmond, VA; Waterford, CT and more

What Roles: Chemist III, Engineer III, Meter Reader, Senior Counsel and more

What Employees Say: “Honestly this place feels like a second home when you are an employee here. Everyone gets [along] with each other. The work load is very well balanced. There are plenty of benefits and the management is very easy to talk to. As long as you are willing to work and not be absent-minded then this company should be an option for you.” —Current Engineer II

See All Open Jobs

12. Atlantic Health

Company Rating: 3.9

Where Hiring: Austin, PA; Natick, MA; Various locations, NJ

What Roles: Medical Biller, Nurse Practitioner, Administrative Clerk, OB/GYN Hospitalist and more

What Employees Say: “Excellent benefits. Some of the best healthcare coverage you will find for very minimal out of pocket costs. Awesome network of physicians to choose from too. Lots of perks (phone bill discounts, gifts every year for company wide accomplishments, ice cream days!) Generally a well oiled machine. Processes set in place, plenty of guidelines to follow. It makes getting work done easy.” —Current Clinical Lab Assistant

AOL.FINANCE

Nine Signs of Age Discrimination

DONNA BALLMAN

May 17th 2011 5:09AM

In my experience as an employment lawyer representing employees, I’ve found that the recession was particularly hard on older employees. They seem to have been disproportionately targeted in layoffs, and they have a much harder time finding new jobs.

Employers might assume you’re close to retirement and don’t need a job, but that’s far from true for most Americans. They might also assume that older employees will miss more work or have more medical issues. Yet statistics show that older employees tend to be the most reliable. It’s not only foolish to discriminate based on age — it’s also illegal for most companies to do so.

Who’s Protected From Age Discrimination?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act says that it’s illegal for an employer to discriminate against you because of your age, but that only applies if you’re age 40 or older, and only if the employer has at least 20 employees (or is a government of any size). Some states, counties and cities have laws that protect employees of smaller organizations. Some states also have laws that further limit age-based discrimination. Always check with an employment lawyer in your state when in doubt.

But How Do I Prove Age Discrimination?

Here are the top signs that you might be a victim of age discrimination:

1. Biased comments

These are the most obvious signs, and thus the rarest. If your boss calls you “grandma” or “old man,” asks you about your retirement plans, says that they want a younger image, or says that your best days are behind you — document it. This could be considered direct evidence of discrimination. If there are any witnesses, write down their names. Note dates, times and places.

2. Comparisons

Look around you. Pay attention to how younger employees are treated. If they are treated differently than you under the same circumstances, that could be evidence of age discrimination. Who was laid off and who wasn’t? If older people were the primary targets, start writing down their names, along with the names of younger, less-qualified employees who were kept on.

3. Disparate discipline

If you’re disciplined for something that younger employees do without consequences, write it down. They might be building a case against you due to your age.

4. Promotions

If you’re more qualified than a younger employee, but you’re not chosen for a promotion that you applied for, it may well be due to your age.

5. Favoritism

If younger employees are given the best leads, assignments and equipment, this could be a sign of age discrimination. Additionally, if older employees are excluded from key meetings, or if the boss only socializes with younger employees, then these too may be signs of age-based discrimination.

6. Hiring younger employees

If you see a pattern of your company hiring only younger employees, or if you are turned down for a position that you apply for and see it given to a less-qualified younger employee, it may be a sign that the company is discriminating due to age.

7. Suddenly stupid

Does the attitude at work change after you hit an age milestone? Or does a new boss only like younger employees? If you turn, say, 50 or 60 and suddenly get negative performance reviews and write-ups, you might have an age-discrimination claim.

8. Harassment

If it doesn’t affect you in the wallet, it’s considered harassment. If you think your boss is trying to make you miserable due to your age to try to get you to quit, or if you’re being called names and made fun of due to your age, start writing it down.

10. But the boss is older

Even if the boss is your age or older, if they prefer younger employees over older ones, it still might be age discrimination.

What to Do If You’re Being Subjected to Age Discrimination

If the company hands you a severance agreement and you think you’ve been targeted for layoff due to your age, contact an employment lawyer. They might be able to negotiate a better severance package for you. Plus you might be giving up rights that you don’t need to sign away. Always read and understand before you sign.

If you’re being harassed (something that doesn’t affect you in the wallet) because of your age, then the Supreme Court says that you have to report it, if the company has a harassment policy, and give them a chance to fix the situation. Only if they don’t remedy it, or if the harassment continues, can you file a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state agency. If you just up and quit, or if you skip this step, you may lose your right to sue for discrimination.

If it’s an adverse employment action, like denial of a promotion, a demotion, suspension without pay, or termination/layoff, you need to file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC (they’re at http://www.eeoc.gov) or your state/county/city agency before you can sue.

You will have either 180 days or 300 days from the date of discrimination, depending on your state, to file with the EEOC.

Your state/county/city might have different deadlines. Don’t miss your deadline! This is a requirement before you’re allowed to sue.

Federal employees have a completely different set of rules for filing a discrimination claim. They have 45 days to see their designated EEOC counselor, with an entire investigative process that circumvents the EEOC. There’s a morass of tangled hoops to jump through, so if you work for the federal government be particularly careful not to miss any deadlines.

Most importantly, if you think you’re the victim of age discrimination, gather your notes and evidence and go see an employment lawyer in your state, so that you can find out whether you have a potential claim and what you need to do under your state’s laws.

……………………..

NOV 3, 2013 @ 12:30 PM 310,135 

11 Sneaky Ways Companies Get Rid Of Older Workers

Deborah L. Jacobs ,  

FORBES STAFF 

I cover personal finance for baby boomers.  

Three friends of mine have lost their jobs this year under the pretense of a reorganization or been told that their positions were being eliminated. All are extremely accomplished professionals in their 50s. Is this the latest way companies are getting rid of older workers?

I asked Donna Ballman, a Florida employment lawyer and author of the book, Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired: Resolve Workplace Crises Before You Quit, Get Axed or Sue the Bastards, to answer that question, and offer insights about some of the stealth ways companies are ditching older workers. Little did I imagine that she would come up with 11 scenarios. Check this list to see if any of them sound familiar. Then take the steps she recommends to protect yourself.

Ballman’s blog is Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home and she tweets as @EmployeeAtty. Her past articles for FORBES include, “Ten Things Your Boss Doesn’t Want You To Know.”

By Donna Ballman

Older workers are still suffering in the aftermath of the Great Recession. More than half the people aged 50 and older who participated in a recent AARP survey said they had either experienced or witnessed age discrimination in the workplace. Yet four out of five Americans over 50 say that they are going to have to delay their retirement plans and work well into their golden years. These two factors together have created a crisis for baby boomers.

Companies looking to ditch older employees can be creative in the ways they try to avoid age discrimination claims. Here are 11 of their sneakiest ploys.

1. Job elimination. One of the most common excuses used to get rid of older employees is “job elimination.”However, that may just be an excuse for what is really age discrimination. If the company is not really eliminating the job, just changing the title and putting someone younger is your former position, you may have an age discrimination claim.
2. Layoff. The company is supposed to attach to a layoff notice a list of other employees included and excluded from the layoff, along with their ages. Employers can be sneaky about the way they put together these reports. Some will show only select departments or specific job titles, which don’t give the whole picture. More often, they’ll include a few under-40 employees to make the bloodletting look less like age discrimination.

Still, if you are selected for layoff and younger, less-qualified employees at your level are not, you might have an age discrimination claim. If you’re part of a one-person or small “layoff” and you can show that younger people are not being included, then you may be able to prove age discrimination.

3. Suddenly stupid. If, after years of great performance reviews, you’re getting reprimanded for things everyone does, or being nitpicked for things the company didn’t care about before, it’s possible that the company is gearing up for what I call the “suddenly stupid defense.” They’re building a case to get rid of you for poor performance – trying to show a “legitimate reason” other than age for firing you. If you’re being targeted for write-ups when younger employees do the same things and aren’t written up, you may have an age discrimination claim.
4. Threatening your pension. I’ve seen cases where the company threatened that if the employee didn’t retire right away, it would look for ways to go after that worker’s pension. That’s a scary threat, but it may be a hollow one. First of all, few people have what would be considered a “pension” (a lump sum paid out every month). Most people have 401(k)s or similar savings plans that your employer can’t touch.

Your employer may claim that you can lose your right to your vested pension if you’re fired “for cause,” but it’s not that easy. You have appeal rights if they deny your benefits, and you can sue if you aren’t satisfied with the administrator’s decision. If you’re being threatened, it’s time to run speedy-quick to an employment lawyer in your state who handles claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or ERISA – the law governing employee pension plans and other employee benefits.

5. Early retirement. One way employers get rid of older employees is offering a package that includes incentives to take early retirement. Some of these packages are too good to pass up on, so if you are offered one, consider it carefully. If you turn it down, remember you can still be fired at will. However, if the company only fires the older folks, you might have an age discrimination claim. If the early retirement is involuntary, such as when the only alternative offered is being fired, then it probably violates age discrimination laws.
6. Mandatory retirement age.If your employer still has a mandatory retirement age, it’s probably breaking the law. There are exceptions for firefighters and law enforcement. There is also a very limited exemptionfor employees who are at least 65 years old, who were bona fide executives or high-level policy-makers for their last two years, and who received an immediate nonforfeitable retirement benefit of at least $44,000.
7. Cutting job duties. One way to force older employees out is to cut job duties, limiting your authority and humiliating you with low-level tasks. You may have age an discrimination claim if this happens. So don’t just quit in disgust. (See “Is It Better To Quit Or Get Fired?”)
8. Isolation. Cutting you out of meetings, excluding you from lunches, and sticking you in a cubicle far from the action is another way employers try to get older employees to quit. If only younger employees are being included in activities from which you are excluded, this is evidence of age discrimination.
9. Denying promotions or opportunities for advancement. It’s illegal for an employer to deny you a promotion just because they think you’ll retire soon. Cutting job duties and isolating you are sneaky ways for them to claim you don’t have the experience or qualifications to get a promotion or to advance in the company. If your opportunities are limited after you hit one of those age milestones, it’s time to document what is happening and see whether they are also targeting younger employees for similar treatment.
10. Cutting hours. Another way to put senior employees under duress is to cut hours to the bone. Starving you to death is a way to force you to quit. Here, too, look around and see if older employees are being targeted.
11. Harassment. Cutting hours and job duties, isolating you and assigning menial tasks are all forms of harassment. Other examples of age-based harassment are: calling you the “old man,” or “old lady”; constantly asking when you’re going to retire; saying you’re senile; or making other comments related to age.

Follow the company’s policy for reporting harassment. I suggest you do that in writing. Title this document, “Formal Complaint of Age-Based Harassment and Discrimination.” Describe how you’re being singled out for treatment different than younger coworkers. Note any ageist comments that have been made to you; any other older employees being targeted; and whether there are any witnesses or evidence. Give the company a chance to investigate. If they don’t remedy the situation or if the harassment continues, it might be time to contact an employment lawyer.

If there are signs at work that you’re being targeted because of your age, make sure you document everything. Take steps to protect yourself before it’s too late.

8. smartwater

The story: The folks at Glacéau have their heads in the clouds. Their vapor-distilled water is pulled from the sky, then given electrolytes for taste. On the bottle they trash-talk spring water by making fun of people who like the taste of stuff that comes from under the ground. Snarky!

Tasting notes: Tangy. Tart. Reminds us of water that went through a Brita multiple times.

COLE SALADINO/THRILLIST

7. Aquafina

The story: Aquafina is purified water that goes through a seven-step HydRO-7 filtration process that it claims takes out way more solids than other filtration methods, making for the purest water possible. Foreshadowing!

Tasting notes: Starts off good, but the aftertaste wasn’t to our liking. It’s a voluptuous water. Very full-bodied. The cabernet of water. This tastes like American excess.

COLE SALADINO/THRILLIST

6. Dasani

The story: The soda titans over at Coca-Cola own this purified-water imprint, which is remineralized with magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and salt.

Tasting notes: It feels buoyant in your mouth, which our tasters didn’t fully embrace. Very clean and fruity. Hints of unchanged Brita filter.

COLE SALADINO/THRILLIST

5. Evian

The story: Evian is “naive” spelled backwards, but it’s also the name of a town in the French Alps that was founded way before people learned about spelling things backwards to create secret messages. The company claims its water is a geological miracle because it passed through a few very scientifically unlikely permeable layers. Over the course of 15 years, rain and snow make their way into an underground spring where the water is harvested already full of electrolytes and minerals.

Tasting notes: Whoa, that’s a lot of minerals. The electrolyte levels are on overdrive. There is worry among the group about over-hydration. The texture is a little on the thin side. If this were a pair of jeans, it would be skinny, not apple-bottomed.

COLE SALADINO/THRILLIST

4. Fiji Natural Artesian Water

The story: Tropical rainfall on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji is naturally filtered through volcanic rock where it picks up minerals and electrolytes, then wells up in an underground aquifer.

Tasting notes: It’s got the most lab-created flavor, but by a meticulous scientist from an exotic land, not one of our sloppy, disheveled American brainiacs. There’s no aftertaste or lingering mouthfeel. So many minerals it’d pair well with rocks.

DAN GENTILE/THRILLIST

3. Nestle Pure Life

The story: Nestle owns 64 different brands of water, from Perrier to Poland Spring, but we tested its most popular: Pure Life. It’s classified as purified water, which means it comes from a well or municipal source and is then carbon filtered, softened, demineralized, re-mineralized, and disinfected with ultraviolet light and ozone.

Tasting notes: A clean taste, with no trace of minerals at all. Neutral in flavor. If you’re a marathon runner, this would be a great choice. It quenches in a very direct and pleasing way.

COLE SALADINO/THRILLIST

2. Voss

The story: Found in an artesian well in Norway and also in fancy hotel rooms, Voss ties Mountain Spring for the most expensive water on the list.

Tasting notes: This has a lot of character. It’s expressive. Gravelly, but we liked it — it’s the Jack Palance of water. There’s a roughness around the edges. It seems like there’s a ton of minerals in there.

COLE SALADINO/THRILLIST

1. Mountain Valley Spring Water

The story: This Arkansas-sourced spring water has been quenching thirsts since 1871 and has been a favorite of everyone from presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower to Elvis Presley to Secretariat, who stands alone as both the first horse to take home a Triple Crown and first to have an opinion on water flavors. It takes 3,500 years for rain water to make its way to the aquifer and its naturally high pH supposedly works well to neutralize highly acidic food.

Tasting notes: Sweet flavors. Incredibly high drinkability. Rejuvenating. Buttermilk flavors, but not so sour. Tastes like it’s been filtered through a geological treasure. Rich and luxurious mouthfeel.

Dan Gentile is a contributor to Thrillist who has taste-tested everything from the Big Mac to the Big King. He also enjoys hating mustard. Follow him to pots of gold/Twitter@Dannosphere.

BOTTLED WATER EXPOSED (NOT GOOD) & A LIST OF BRANDS TO AVOID REVEALED BY EXPERTS

COLLECTIVE EVOLUTIONSEPTEMBER 15, 2016

Back in 1945, government officials began including fluoride in our tap water to improve our dental health.

Found in many name brand toothpastes, it’s thought to help prevent tooth decay. But recent studies have revealed that the chemical can actually do more harm than good, like causing fluorosis — permanent deformation of the teeth.

Overexposure to fluoride, leading to fluorosis, is typically seen in children during the first eight years of their life, when their permanent teeth are beginning to form. The physical deformities caused include yellow to dark brown staining of the teeth, irregularities in the surface of the teeth, and large, noticeable pits that can form holes in the teeth.

Fluoride can also negatively impact their cognitive development. In fact, a study conducted in China found that children who grew up in areas with high levels of fluoride in their drinking water scored, on average, significantly less on IQ tests than children in lower-fluoride areas.

Senior study author Philippe Grandjean attributed the lower IQ scores to the toxic effect that fluoride has on the developing brain. “Fluoride seems to fit in with lead, mercury, and other poisons that cause chemical brain drain,” Grandjean explained. “The effect of each toxicant may seem small, but the combined damage on a population scale can be serious, especially because the brain power of the next generation is crucial to all of us.”

Nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population receives drinking water that contains 0.7-1.2 parts per million (ppm) fluoride to prevent tooth decay. These levels are based on recommendations from the federal government made more than four decades ago.

“Just because we did studies over the last 70 years, it doesn’t mean that we did everything that is necessary to know for sure that fluoridation is not toxic to some processes in the body or development of the brain. Those studies have actually not been done,” noted Grandjean, who is also an adjunct professor of environmental health and the head of the Research Unit at the University of Southern Denmark, and author of Only One Chance: How Environmental Pollution Impairs Brain Development – and How to Protect the Brains of the Next Generation.

In light of these revelations, you’d think bottled water would be the safe bet, right? That’s why we make sure to skip filling up from the tap and invest our money in brands that claim to have the best quality water for our health. Unfortunately, it seems that bottled versions aren’t always as pure as we’ve been led to believe.

advertisement – learn more

Many brands actually use municipal tap water and could contain fluoride, while certain spring water is reported to also contain the chemical, according to the Arab Tribune.

A study published in the Journal of Epidemiological & Community Health discovered that those who consume fluoridated water are more likely to suffer from thyroid issues.

“In many areas of the world, hypothyroidism is a major health concern and in addition to other factors—such as iodine deficiency—fluoride exposure should be considered as a contributing factor. The findings of the study raise particular concerns about the validity of community fluoridation as a safe public health measure,” the study authors concluded.

To avoid buying a bottled water brand that contains fluoride, do not purchase the following brands:

Alhambra, Sierra Springs, Sparkletts, Arrowhead, Mount Olympus, Belmont Springs, Poland Spring, Crystal Rock, Crystal Springs, Shenandoah, Deer Park, Diamond Springs, Nursery Water, Hindley Spri, Ice Mountain, Kandiyohi, Puritan Springs, Kentwood Springs, Mayer Bros., Ozarka, Pure Flo, and Zephyrhills.

Safer bets for water bottle brands that do not contain fluoride include:

Aquafina, Crystal Point, Dannon, Deja Blue, Evian, Fresh Market, Great Value, Smart Water, Summit Mountains, and Summit Springs.

Top 10 bottled waters

Published March 21, 2014

Facebook Twitter Email Print

This Saturday, March 22 is National Water Day, so why not break out a bottle of H2O to celebrate? Whether you enjoy bubbly or flat water, it can be difficult to choose between all of the thousands of bottled water brands available.  Try flat water from Fiji, sparkling water from France, or the water enjoyed by both Elvis Presley and the racehorse Secretariat.

We’ve created this primer on the top brands to take the guesswork out of your next trip down the grocery store aisle. Next time you’re thirsty, why not try reaching for one of the ten best bottled waters around?

• Voss Artesian Water

Voss Water

Two Norwegian entrepreneurs created Voss, a classy, designer-savvy tube of water from the crisp, frigid aquifers of their Nordic homeland. Shielded for hundreds of years from pollutants by thick layers of rock and sand, Voss water is bottled in Southern Norway, “naturally unfiltered” and served both still and sparkling. But its rugged purity is not Voss’ only selling point. The company’s designers painstakingly developed the bottle’s look and feel to reflect a brand that embodies both health and high fashion. Voss first became available mostly in upscale hotels and in health spas in Europe and in the United States but has since seen much wider distribution in gourmet food and retail stores on both continents.

• Saint Geron Mineral Water

Gayot.com

Saint Géron, known as “the queen of mineral waters,” stems from an ancient spring in the Auvergne region of France. The light, sparkling mineral water in a bottle of Saint Géron is the product of an 1,100-year filtration process. This results in the water being cleansed of all bacteria and nitrates, which show up at less than .1 milligrams per liter. Unusually rich in calcium and magnesium, Saint Géron has long been used as a treatment for digestive problems, diabetes, anemia and even gout. Although the water was not bottled until the nineteenth century, the Romans patronized the spring long before — ancient coins from the Gallo-roman period (50 BC–486 AD) have been found scattered all around the source. The water comes in a modern, elegant glass bottle created by painter and designer Alberto Bali.

• Hildon Natural Mineral Water

Gayot.com

One of the UK’s most prestigious bottled waters, Hildon Natural Mineral Water is served at the House of Commons and the Royal Opera House (and is rumored to be the water of choice at Buckingham Palace). Hildon begins as rainfall, which percolates through the chalk hills of the Hampshire countryside. After a period of 50 years the water emerges at an underground aquifer beneath the nineteenth-century Hildon Estate. The chalk acts as a unique natural filtration system, protecting the water from pollution and endowing it with high levels of calcium. Once it reaches the source it is immediately bottled without chemical treatment. Naturally low in sodium, the water is prized for its purity and well-balanced taste. Hildon, which produces both still and sparkling varieties, was the first company in the world to sell a natural mineral water with a carbonation level below 2.9. This low level of carbonation makes their “Gently Sparkling” water ideal for sipping alongside fine wines and subtly flavored dishes, which risk being overwhelmed by more robust bubbles.

• Evian Natural Spring Water

Evian

Discovered by a French nobleman during the French Revolution, Evian stems from a source that was thought to hold curative and restorative powers from the start. Evian begins as water that emerges from the Source Cache in France in a mountain tunnel at 52.88 degrees Fahrenheit. The source is fed from the melted snow and rain that filters through glacial sand from the Vinzier Plateau over a period of fifteen years. The glacial sand is surrounded by clay, which protects the water from pollution and gives it its mineral composition and taste. The water is bottled at a nearby bottling plant, which is highly automated and exceptionally hygienic.

• Fiji Natural Artesian Water

Gayot.com

FIJI Water, natural artesian water, began being bottled in 1996 at the source in the Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu, one of Fiji’s two principal islands, and is now the number one imported bottled water in the United States. FIJI’s natural artesian origins provide the water with a unique mineral profile, including its high silica concentration. FIJI Water is known for its iconic square bottle and its signature soft, smooth taste, which comes from the natural silica content and trace amounts of calcium and magnesium. As part of that strict commitment to quality, no human hands are allowed to touch it. Perfectly protected from outside air and external elements, FIJI Water is untouched until you unscrew the cap.

• Gerolsteiner Mineral Water

Gayot.com

Founded in 1888, Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water is the number one water export in Germany. In the German style of stringent purity and cleanliness, Gerolsteiner’s production follows strict purity protocols. Originating in springs from the area of Volcanic Eifel, Gerolsteiner flows from ancient, rocky volcanic reservoirs 200 feet beneath the earth’s surface. Minerals and carbonic acid leach into the water as it percolates up through the volcanic rocks, giving Gerolsteiner its exceptionally high amount of calcium, bicarbonate and magnesium. Gerolsteiner is a great source of essential nutrients that our bodies need daily and its natural carbonation gives Gerolsteiner its refreshing, neutral taste.

• Ferrarelle Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water

Gayot.com

Relatively unknown in America, Italy’s number one brand of sparkling mineral water was established in 1893, though Italians have been drinking from its source for hundreds of years. This naturally effervescent water is bottled directly at a spring located in the protected Sorgeto di Riardo Park near the extinct Roccamonfina volcano in Italy’s Campania region. Ferrarelle is extremely mindful of the quality of its products, testing them more than 600 times each day. Care is also taken to safeguard the habitat surrounding the spring, and the company’s bottling plants are powered by solar energy.

Ferrarelle water, both sparkling and still, is bottled in glass containers rather than plastic, which protects its taste and purity and lessens the impact on the environment. Ferrarelle water begins as rainfall, which trickles through layers of rock in the ground, soaking up valuable minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and fluoride. Nevertheless, it has no mineral taste and no unpleasant saltiness. It does have the thirst-quenching, pure taste of simple water, with a pleasant amount of fizziness.

• Perrier Mineral Water

Perrier

Perrier is a naturally sparkling mineral water sourced from a spring in Vergèze, France. Originally called Les Bouillens, the spring has been used as a spa resort since Roman times. The distinctive bottle shape is said to have been inspired by Indian clubs used for exercise by spring owner Sir Saint-John Harmsworth. The water and carbonation are captured separately and recombined in the bottling process to preserve the natural sparkling flavor of the original water from the spring. Today, Perrier is marketed as a healthy alternative to soda drinks and cocktails and is available in a variety of flavors, ranging from pink grapefruit to lemon and lime.

• Mountain Valley Spring Water

Gayot.com

Since 1871, Mountain Valley Spring Water has been praised by U.S. presidents, world-class athletes and even Hollywood stars for its refreshing taste and potent health benefits. Bottled at its source in the hills between the Glazypeau and Cedar Mountains in Arkansas, Mountain Valley Spring Water has a unique mineral composition that is believed to have medicinal properties that can help alleviate chronic disorders.

Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Joe Lewis were firm believers in the restorative powers of this water, and they weren’t the only ones. Thirteen presidents (from Coolidge to Clinton) had Mountain Valley regularly served to their guests while they were in office, and the water is currently being served in the United States Senate. In fact, President Dwight Eisenhower drank the water medicinally following a heart attack. It was also served to a number of famous racehorses, including Nashua, Sunday Silence and the great Secretariat. This sparkling water is light and clean, with a delicate pH balance for premier taste.

• Volvic Natural Spring Water

Gayot.com

Volvic is bottled exclusively at its unique source in France and available in more than 60 countries. The basin supplying the Volvic spring source is located in the Regional Park of the Old Auvergne Volcanoes, a volcanic region that has been dormant for 10,000 years. The name Volvic refers to the town as well as a type of gray volcanic rock. The source of the water, the Clairvic Spring, was discovered in 1927. In 1965, the French Ministry of Health authorized the bottling of Volvic water. Volvic emerges year-round from its protected source at the constant temperature of 8.8 degrees Celsius.

TRENDING

BOTTLED WATER EXPOSED (NOT GOOD) & A LIST OF BRANDS TO AVOID REVEALED BY EXPERTS

COLLECTIVE EVOLUTIONSEPTEMBER 15, 2016

  Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

IBack in 1945, government officials began including fluoride in our tap water to improve our dental health.

Found in many name brand toothpastes, it’s thought to help prevent tooth decay. But recent studies have revealed that the chemical can actually do more harm than good, like causing fluorosis — permanent deformation of the teeth.

Overexposure to fluoride, leading to fluorosis, is typically seen in children during the first eight years of their life, when their permanent teeth are beginning to form. The physical deformities caused include yellow to dark brown staining of the teeth, irregularities in the surface of the teeth, and large, noticeable pits that can form holes in the teeth.

Fluoride can also negatively impact their cognitive development. In fact, a study conducted in China found that children who grew up in areas with high levels of fluoride in their drinking water scored, on average, significantly less on IQ tests than children in lower-fluoride areas.

Senior study author Philippe Grandjean attributed the lower IQ scores to the toxic effect that fluoride has on the developing brain. “Fluoride seems to fit in with lead, mercury, and other poisons that cause chemical brain drain,” Grandjean explained. “The effect of each toxicant may seem small, but the combined damage on a population scale can be serious, especially because the brain power of the next generation is crucial to all of us.”

Nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population receives drinking water that contains 0.7-1.2 parts per million (ppm) fluoride to prevent tooth decay. These levels are based on recommendations from the federal government made more than four decades ago.

“Just because we did studies over the last 70 years, it doesn’t mean that we did everything that is necessary to know for sure that fluoridation is not toxic to some processes in the body or development of the brain. Those studies have actually not been done,” noted Grandjean, who is also an adjunct professor of environmental health and the head of the Research Unit at the University of Southern Denmark, and author of Only One Chance: How Environmental Pollution Impairs Brain Development – and How to Protect the Brains of the Next Generation.

In light of these revelations, you’d think bottled water would be the safe bet, right? That’s why we make sure to skip filling up from the tap and invest our money in brands that claim to have the best quality water for our health. Unfortunately, it seems that bottled versions aren’t always as pure as we’ve been led to believe.

advertisement – learn more

Many brands actually use municipal tap water and could contain fluoride, while certain spring water is reported to also contain the chemical, according to the Arab Tribune.

A study published in the Journal of Epidemiological & Community Health discovered that those who consume fluoridated water are more likely to suffer from thyroid issues.

“In many areas of the world, hypothyroidism is a major health concern and in addition to other factors—such as iodine deficiency—fluoride exposure should be considered as a contributing factor. The findings of the study raise particular concerns about the validity of community fluoridation as a safe public health measure,” the study authors concluded.

To avoid buying a bottled water brand that contains fluoride, do not purchase the following brands:

Alhambra, Sierra Springs, Sparkletts, Arrowhead, Mount Olympus, Belmont Springs, Poland Spring, Crystal Rock, Crystal Springs, Shenandoah, Deer Park, Diamond Springs, Nursery Water, Hindley Spri, Ice Mountain, Kandiyohi, Puritan Springs, Kentwood Springs, Mayer Bros., Ozarka, Pure Flo, and Zephyrhills.

Safer bets for water bottle brands that do not contain fluoride include:

Aquafina, Crystal Point, Dannon, Deja Blue, Evian, Fresh Market, Great Value, Smart Water, Summit Mountains, and Summit Springs.

Top 10 bottled waters

Published March 21, 2014

This Saturday, March 22 is National Water Day, so why not break out a bottle of H2O to celebrate? Whether you enjoy bubbly or flat water, it can be difficult to choose between all of the thousands of bottled water brands available.  Try flat water from Fiji, sparkling water from France, or the water enjoyed by both Elvis Presley and the racehorse Secretariat.

We’ve created this primer on the top brands to take the guesswork out of your next trip down the grocery store aisle. Next time you’re thirsty, why not try reaching for one of the ten best bottled waters around?

• Voss Artesian Water

Voss Water

Two Norwegian entrepreneurs created Voss, a classy, designer-savvy tube of water from the crisp, frigid aquifers of their Nordic homeland. Shielded for hundreds of years from pollutants by thick layers of rock and sand, Voss water is bottled in Southern Norway, “naturally unfiltered” and served both still and sparkling. But its rugged purity is not Voss’ only selling point. The company’s designers painstakingly developed the bottle’s look and feel to reflect a brand that embodies both health and high fashion. Voss first became available mostly in upscale hotels and in health spas in Europe and in the United States but has since seen much wider distribution in gourmet food and retail stores on both continents.

• Saint Geron Mineral Water

Gayot.com

Saint Géron, known as “the queen of mineral waters,” stems from an ancient spring in the Auvergne region of France. The light, sparkling mineral water in a bottle of Saint Géron is the product of an 1,100-year filtration process. This results in the water being cleansed of all bacteria and nitrates, which show up at less than .1 milligrams per liter. Unusually rich in calcium and magnesium, Saint Géron has long been used as a treatment for digestive problems, diabetes, anemia and even gout. Although the water was not bottled until the nineteenth century, the Romans patronized the spring long before — ancient coins from the Gallo-roman period (50 BC–486 AD) have been found scattered all around the source. The water comes in a modern, elegant glass bottle created by painter and designer Alberto Bali.

• Hildon Natural Mineral Water

Gayot.com

One of the UK’s most prestigious bottled waters, Hildon Natural Mineral Water is served at the House of Commons and the Royal Opera House (and is rumored to be the water of choice at Buckingham Palace). Hildon begins as rainfall, which percolates through the chalk hills of the Hampshire countryside. After a period of 50 years the water emerges at an underground aquifer beneath the nineteenth-century Hildon Estate. The chalk acts as a unique natural filtration system, protecting the water from pollution and endowing it with high levels of calcium. Once it reaches the source it is immediately bottled without chemical treatment. Naturally low in sodium, the water is prized for its purity and well-balanced taste. Hildon, which produces both still and sparkling varieties, was the first company in the world to sell a natural mineral water with a carbonation level below 2.9. This low level of carbonation makes their “Gently Sparkling” water ideal for sipping alongside fine wines and subtly flavored dishes, which risk being overwhelmed by more robust bubbles.

• Evian Natural Spring Water

Evian

Discovered by a French nobleman during the French Revolution, Evian stems from a source that was thought to hold curative and restorative powers from the start. Evian begins as water that emerges from the Source Cache in France in a mountain tunnel at 52.88 degrees Fahrenheit. The source is fed from the melted snow and rain that filters through glacial sand from the Vinzier Plateau over a period of fifteen years. The glacial sand is surrounded by clay, which protects the water from pollution and gives it its mineral composition and taste. The water is bottled at a nearby bottling plant, which is highly automated and exceptionally hygienic.

• Fiji Natural Artesian Water

Gayot.com

FIJI Water, natural artesian water, began being bottled in 1996 at the source in the Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu, one of Fiji’s two principal islands, and is now the number one imported bottled water in the United States. FIJI’s natural artesian origins provide the water with a unique mineral profile, including its high silica concentration. FIJI Water is known for its iconic square bottle and its signature soft, smooth taste, which comes from the natural silica content and trace amounts of calcium and magnesium. As part of that strict commitment to quality, no human hands are allowed to touch it. Perfectly protected from outside air and external elements, FIJI Water is untouched until you unscrew the cap.

• Gerolsteiner Mineral Water

Gayot.com

Founded in 1888, Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water is the number one water export in Germany. In the German style of stringent purity and cleanliness, Gerolsteiner’s production follows strict purity protocols. Originating in springs from the area of Volcanic Eifel, Gerolsteiner flows from ancient, rocky volcanic reservoirs 200 feet beneath the earth’s surface. Minerals and carbonic acid leach into the water as it percolates up through the volcanic rocks, giving Gerolsteiner its exceptionally high amount of calcium, bicarbonate and magnesium. Gerolsteiner is a great source of essential nutrients that our bodies need daily and its natural carbonation gives Gerolsteiner its refreshing, neutral taste.

• Ferrarelle Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water

Gayot.com

Relatively unknown in America, Italy’s number one brand of sparkling mineral water was established in 1893, though Italians have been drinking from its source for hundreds of years. This naturally effervescent water is bottled directly at a spring located in the protected Sorgeto di Riardo Park near the extinct Roccamonfina volcano in Italy’s Campania region. Ferrarelle is extremely mindful of the quality of its products, testing them more than 600 times each day. Care is also taken to safeguard the habitat surrounding the spring, and the company’s bottling plants are powered by solar energy.

Ferrarelle water, both sparkling and still, is bottled in glass containers rather than plastic, which protects its taste and purity and lessens the impact on the environment. Ferrarelle water begins as rainfall, which trickles through layers of rock in the ground, soaking up valuable minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and fluoride. Nevertheless, it has no mineral taste and no unpleasant saltiness. It does have the thirst-quenching, pure taste of simple water, with a pleasant amount of fizziness.

• Perrier Mineral Water

Perrier

Perrier is a naturally sparkling mineral water sourced from a spring in Vergèze, France. Originally called Les Bouillens, the spring has been used as a spa resort since Roman times. The distinctive bottle shape is said to have been inspired by Indian clubs used for exercise by spring owner Sir Saint-John Harmsworth. The water and carbonation are captured separately and recombined in the bottling process to preserve the natural sparkling flavor of the original water from the spring. Today, Perrier is marketed as a healthy alternative to soda drinks and cocktails and is available in a variety of flavors, ranging from pink grapefruit to lemon and lime.

• Mountain Valley Spring Water

Gayot.com

Since 1871, Mountain Valley Spring Water has been praised by U.S. presidents, world-class athletes and even Hollywood stars for its refreshing taste and potent health benefits. Bottled at its source in the hills between the Glazypeau and Cedar Mountains in Arkansas, Mountain Valley Spring Water has a unique mineral composition that is believed to have medicinal properties that can help alleviate chronic disorders.

Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Joe Lewis were firm believers in the restorative powers of this water, and they weren’t the only ones. Thirteen presidents (from Coolidge to Clinton) had Mountain Valley regularly served to their guests while they were in office, and the water is currently being served in the United States Senate. In fact, President Dwight Eisenhower drank the water medicinally following a heart attack. It was also served to a number of famous racehorses, including Nashua, Sunday Silence and the great Secretariat. This sparkling water is light and clean, with a delicate pH balance for premier taste.

• Volvic Natural Spring Water

Gayot.com

Volvic is bottled exclusively at its unique source in France and available in more than 60 countries. The basin supplying the Volvic spring source is located in the Regional Park of the Old Auvergne Volcanoes, a volcanic region that has been dormant for 10,000 years. The name Volvic refers to the town as well as a type of gray volcanic rock. The source of the water, the Clairvic Spring, was discovered in 1927. In 1965, the French Ministry of Health authorized the bottling of Volvic water. Volvic emerges year-round from its protected source at the constant temperature of 8.8 degrees Celsius.

Best BPA-free water bottles

Published April 28, 2013

Facebook Twitter Email Print

Good news! Americans are finally drinking more water than the sugary drinks, like soda, we’ve grown accustomed to. We can’t argue with more people drinking water, but as more and more consumers are finding alternatives to pricey, not-so-eco-friendly bottled water, there’s a caveat — your reusable water bottle may be filled with more than crystal-clear H2O.

It’s been a few years since news of BPA swept the nation. Exposure to BPA, or the chemical bisphenol A, is “widespread,” thanks to the containers we’re eating and drinking out of — and it could have serious consequences, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Services. Studies have linked BPA to some serious health effects, like certain cancers, reproductive problems, and behavioral problems in children to name just a few. And one Environmental Working Group (EWG) study found that BPA can be found in umbilical cords — so BPA can begin affecting children even in the womb.

Once everyone began to realize that water bottles, canned goods, and food containers could leach chemicals into the food and drink they’re holding, companies sought to make BPA-free containers. And in 2012, the FDA banned BPA from children’s cups and baby bottles, but that doesn’t mean your water bottles are always safe. BPA comes from polycarbonate bottles, so some of your old Nalgene bottles (arguably the biggest name brand to change its plastics to BPA-free materials in 2008) may still be BPA offenders. (How to know if your old water bottles or food containers are made from polycarbonate? Look for a “PC” marker, or #7 on recycling labels, the EWG advises).

To help you steer clear of the harmful chemical, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite, BPA-free water bottles — ones you will feel uber cool carrying around. You’ll find that most of the bottles are made from stainless steel or glass; while the price tags may seem shocking at first, it sure beats paying for bottled water all the time. And the one plastic bottle on our list, Bobble, is made from BPA-free plastics, like recycled PET. You’ll drink safe knowing that your water bottle is chemical-free. Look ahead to find our picks.

• Bobble BPA-Free Water Bottle

Bobble

Bobble water bottles do the work for you: they filter your water with a carbon-based filter that eliminates chlorine and other organic contaminants from the water as you sip. According to the company, one filter in a Bobble bottle equals about 300 bottled waters — imagine the money you’ll save. Best of all? It’s BPA-free, PVC-free, and free of phthalates. Plus, we love the fun colors and design.

18.5 ounces, $9.99, waterbobble.com.

• KOR Vida Hydration Vessel

KOR

This stainless steel water bottle features a “perfect” spout that makes drinking on the go easy-peasy, plus it has a tapered design and an ergonomic handle.

25.3ounces, $24.95, korwater.com.

• Nathan Sports Steel BPA-Free Water Bottle

Nathan Sports

This stainless-steel water bottle is complete with an easy-to-use steel flip straw and a “quick clip” to attach it to your camping gear, belt, or whatever you need it to hang on.

23.7 ounces, $21.95, campbound.com.

See more water bottles at The Daily Meal