plastic

Are you adding TOXINS to your dinner?

If you're lucky enough to have reached the age of retirement, you may have found that it's anything BUT vacation.

You may even be the busiest you've ever been!

And now that you've seemingly got all this "free" time, it's really hard to find the time to do certain things you know you should do... like cook a fresh meal.

But while you may be tempted to take the quickie way out and nuke your dinner in the microwave, the latest science shows that those reheated leftovers may come out of there with a few extra -- and toxic -- ingredients.

A new report in TIME finds that plastics labeled "microwave safe" may not melt when you zap them, but the bisphenol-A (BPA) and chemical phthalates they contain may be released into the foods that come into contact with them.

In fact, they have NOTHING to do with keeping your FOOD safe!

These chemicals have no business being used anywhere near food... or your mouth.

They certainly won't enhance the flavor... and, often referred to as endocrine disruptors, they monkey with your body's entire hormonal system.

BPA can mimic estrogen... and phthalates block testosterone... and both of those are bad news for guys and gals.

We've heard lots about BPA over the years, as it's been linked to everything from fertility issues to breast cancer. It's so dangerous that it was permanently banned from being used in baby bottles by the FDA in 2012.

Take this as yet ANOTHER reason why your health depends on eating fresh, nourishing food whenever possible. I recently shared with you that fast food can be chock full of phthalates from the containers it's stored in... or even from the plastic gloves the workers use when they prepare it.

And while you may be tempted to switch to those "BPA-free" containers so your food can be ready to eat in 60 seconds flat, don't bother. As I shared with you earlier this year, the new chemicals that replaced BPA aren't any safer. In fact, they might be even worse.

Now, I don't expect you to prepare a gourmet feast for yourself or your loved ones every day. And while you may have worked hard to get where you are today, nobody's getting a personal chef anytime soon. But you can do a little advance planning that will keep you from getting more than you bargained for in your meals.

Try, for instance, setting a weekly "prep day" to slice your veggies and marinate your meats... just remember to store them in glass or stainless steel containers until you're ready to cook.

And if you end up with leftovers, you can reheat them on the stovetop or zap them in a glass or ceramic bowl. Just be careful when picking them up, because they can get pretty hot inside the microwave even after a short cooking time.

I've warned you plenty about the risks of phthalate exposure for kids: These hormone-like chemicals used in plastics, cosmetics, scented candles, and more cause everything from bad behavior to developmental problems.

And if you have a boy but wish "he" was a "she," just light the candles and let him inhale -- because phthalates mimic estrogen in the body. It's one of the main reasons boys are growing up to be sissies, complete with their own set of breasts.

But forget the kids, because today I want to talk about how these chemicals can ruin YOU, starting with a dramatic boost in your risk of diabetes.

I'm sure most people don't need much help in that department, thanks to the one-two punch of the modern diet and sedentary lifestyle.

But if you're teetering on the brink of disease, phthalates can push you right over the edge -- because a new study on 1,000 senior Swedish women finds that high blood levels of these chemicals will DOUBLE your risk.

This isn't exactly a stunner since phthalates have been linked in studies to insulin resistance, high blood glucose, weight gain, increased abdominal fat, and all the other usual suspects that work in cahoots with diabetes.

But it's one thing to know all that. It's quite another to actually do something about it, because avoiding phthalates is practically a full-time job.

Most personal items with fragrance of any kind contain them, including candles and air fresheners. They're also in shower curtains, vinyl flooring, upholstery, sealants, inks, and more.

Phthalate fumes are even responsible for the so-called "new car smell."

Like I said, it's not easy -- but do the best you can here for yourself and the rest of your family. Everyone's health is on the line.