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Olympian "Suzy Chapstick” Chaffee urges switch to natural products to "keep winters cool"

By Carl Jackson, for Native Voices Foundation

Sedona, AZ - In the late 70’s, Olympic skier Suzy Chaffee caused a national sensation as “Suzy Chapstick,” ski dancing in the popular Chapstick® lip balm commercials that pioneered fun fitness in America.

Moms thanked her for inspiring their daughters to love sports. Years later as co-founder of Native Voices Foundation(.org), which unites different cultures through skiing...to heal Earth for our children, and as Vice Chairman of Green Sedona(.org), Suzy realized that by urging the makers of Chapstick® to use natural emollients in its lip balms, she was helping “keep winters cool.” Suzy was also doing right for American lips and health.

Green Sedona’s founder Matthew Turner, an environmental scientist, says that “switching from toxic synthetic cleaning, household and beauty products to ‘all natural' ones can cut cancer in half, and reduce pollution which causes droughts and fires that further melt our glaciers.”

Say Turner and Chaffee, “Moms, the family caretakers and consumers on our planet are becoming heroes for simply replacing synthetic products with natural green ones.  By detoxifying their homes, women worldwide are restoring our water, air, health and natural precipitation.  This trend is motivating corporations to switch a few product ingredients, which is easier than switching planets.”

Last spring, Chaffee met Turner, a Generation X skier, after learning that she had elevated cancer cell levels. Says Chaffee, “I was shocked since I eat organic and have lived in blue-sky Sedona, Aspen and Telluride for the last decade. Thank God Matthew opened my eyes.”

“On learning that one-third of Americans has cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who had blondly trusted that our government was protecting us,” said Suzy. Her relative and supporter, the late Senator John Chafee (R), helped craft the 'Clean Air, Water and Endangered Species Acts in the 90's.'

“Four months after totally switching to all natural products my cancer cell levels dropped to normal, and I got the clarity to connect the dots and share this ‘bombshell’ to help preserve our cool way of life,” says the relieved blond activist.

No. 2 cause of smog

According to Chaffee, Turner’s most mind-blowing evidence was the March, 2003 LA Times article entitled “Chemicals in Home a Big Smog Source” by Gary Polakovic. (http://www.mindfully.org/Air/2003/Home-Chemicals-Smog9mar03.htm)

The story ran before the mainstream realized we may be headed for a global environmental emergency that could dwarf all wars combined. In the article, Jerry Martin, spokesman for the California Air Resource Board said: "Ordinary household products such as cleansers, cosmetics and paints are now the Los Angeles region's second-leading source of air pollution, after auto tailpipe emissions. Even before these chemicals escape into the environment, they contribute to indoor air pollution, more dangerous than smog because the chemicals concentrate nearer to people."

Martin boldly admitted, "It's almost one secret area of emissions that you don't hear about and no one talks about. The offending items listed: (synthetic) detergents, cleaning compounds, glues, polishes, floor finishes, cosmetics, perfume, antiperspirants, rubbing alcohol, room fresheners, car wax, paint and lawn care products."

Tom Brokaw raised similar concerns on NBC (http://www.cleanenviron mentnow.org), and in November, 2007, 12 states sued the Environmental Protection Agency saying that it is jeopardizing American health by exempting thousands of companies from public disclosure of toxic chemical use and emissions. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2007-11-28-toxic-reports_N.htm). In going natural, Europe has found that "green chemistry is good for the bottom line." (http://youtube.com/watch?v=11JvMZoMY8g)

Chaffee and Turner have joined forces to spread the word about how to restore our environment, including on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=GreenSedona, and through their Crash Course on how to switch to all natural products.

Suzy Chaffee recently announced that she is running for Sedona City Council to further help make the Red Rock Cathedral "The Green Capitol of the World."

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