Fish is a source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but unfortunately because of the pollution in our waters, fish and other seafoods also contain toxins such as mercury and PCBs. Then there’s also the issue of overfishing, and the debate between wild-caught and farm-raised fish to consider. So how do you know what fish choose?

To help you sort out the "good" fish from the "bad" fish, Environmental Defense has created the Seafood Selector. Whether you’re in a restaurant or the seafood department of the grocery store, the Seafood Selector will guide you through your purchase.

The Seafood Selector is an easy to read chart (also available as a wallet sized print out) listing the best and worst seafood choices. For example, wild-caught salmon is better than farm raised salmon, and U.S. crawfish is good while imported shrimp isn’t. The selector is based on factors including what part of the world seafood comes from, how it is caught, the environmental regulations in different parts of the world, as well as the impact and health benefits of each individual selection. (More information on the selection process is available in the Seafood Selector FAQs). Use it as a guideline to help you make smarter seafood choices.

Want omega-3 fatty acids without the fish? GO’s Collen Patrick-Goudreau lists several plant-based sources for omega-3 fatty acids - no toxins involved.

More on fish from GO:

Choosing Healthy, Ocean-Friendly Seafood is a No-Brainer

One Fish, Two Fish, Let’s Just Not Fish: By-Catch in our Seafood Salad

Dolphins, and Turtles, and Seals - Oh My! The Effect of Fishing on the Animals We Care About

Food Toxins: Toxins in our Food Chain

The Nutrients We Need are Plant-Based

Environmental Defense: Farmed Caviar is a Less Expensive, eco-Friendly Alternative to Severely Depleted (and Banned) Beluga

Green Options has covered the benefits of natural toothpastes, but what about the toothbrush you’re putting in your mouth? Do you know where that comes from? We’ve listed three dentist-approved toothbrushes that are good for your teeth and good for the planet.

Radius Original Toothbrush. The Radius original toothbrush has been around for 22 years. This non-traditional design (made for righties and lefties) not only helps you brush better, but the handle is made from renewable resource plastic. Radius also makes a toothbrush line for children.

Radius Source Toothbrush. The Source toothbrush comes with a replaceable head. After all, when you get a new toothbrush, all you really want to do is change out the bristles. The reusable handle is made from a wood fiber blended with corn plastic - both renewable resource materials.

The manufacturing of Radius toothbrushes is also eco-friendly. They are made in a restored mill in Pennsylvania, using well designed, efficient processes that create less waste and save on water and energy use (although much of the production is down at the moment, after the mill suffered severe storm damage in July).

Preserve Toothbrushes. Preserve toothbrushes by Recycline are made from recycled materials (mainly Stonyfield Farm yogurt cups), and are completely recyclable (if you send it back, Recycline will turn your used toothbrush into recycled plastic lumber.)

You can find these toothbrushes at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and some other specialty or natural foods stores; some major drug stores may carry them as well. While these brushes cost a little more than their conventional counterparts, since they’re better designed, they will actually last a little longer.

Want to clean your toothbrushes the natural way? Soaking your brush in vinegar every two weeks will get rid of most of the germs and bacteria hanging out there.

Got a tip for Amy and Jennifer? Send it to them!

A walk down the toothpaste aisle can be a bit overwhelming. Anti-cavity, whitening, and everything in between. But there are some ingredients commonly found in big market brands that we could do without.

Fluoride. In large quantities the stuff can be down right toxic. For years we've been told fluoride is good for the teeth but there is a raging debate about whether or not small amounts added to the water supply and to toothpaste, while good at fighting cavities, just might be really bad for us. The American Dental Association (ADA) says it is safe, but there are many folks out there who disagree. The good news is there are many toothpastes available without fluoride.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS. It is a foaming agent used in toothpaste and shampoos. SLS is also skin irritant and can cause mouth sores or canker sores. Tom's of Maine, a natural toothpaste maker, uses SLS in their products and maintains that it doesn't pose a risk, but if you're prone to canker sores find a toothpaste without it.

Triclosan. It is a antiseptic widely used in deodorants, soaps and toothpastes which can react with chlorine in water to create a dioxin. Again, companies that use it (Colgate-Palmolive for one) say it is completely safe and there isn't conclusive evidence otherwise, but the ADA did come out with a study says it isn't relevant to toothpaste.

Some alternatives to try:
Jason's Natural Toothpaste - cleans and whitens with sodium bicarbonate, bamboo, silica and calcium carbonate.

Vita-Myr - helps out the gums and uses zinc, folic acid, clove and myrrh.

Tom's of Maine - it does have SLS but they've got a lot of fluoride free options and can be found in most super market and drugstores. Tom's has a good section on their website that explains the different ingredients in their product.

Or you can also make your own toothpaste with baking soda. Mix up a paste and add a few drops of essential oils if you like (mint or cinnamon). A box of baking soda will go a lot further than a tube of toothpaste.

Amy says: I've been using Tom's toothpaste for a few years now and it seems to be working just fine, plus they've got a lot of options so when I finish up with one tube I try a new flavor with the next.

More info:

Better Nutrition Magazine

Temperatures are on the rise (for those of us in the northern hemisphere) and the sun can really pack a punch especially during the heat of the day. Make sure your SPF is doing its job without those pesky chemicals.

Many brands of sunblock contain chemicals with estrogenic properties - meaning they can be endocrine disruptors, which confuse the body's natural hormonal balance. Look for sunscreens that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These are inert compounds that will reflect the sun and keep you protected from both UVB (the rays that can cause sunburn) and UVA (the rays that can cause long-term skin damage).

Here's a few options for sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher:

Kiss My Face
Aubrey Organics
Alba
Kabana
California Baby
Lavera
Burts Bees

In addition to sunscreen other ways to avoid the sun's rays include:

• Long sleeves/pants. Linen is a lightweight, breathable material that will cover you up and keep you cool.

• Take a hat. Get a wide brimmed hat to shade your face.

• Look for the shade. Choose to walk on the shady side of the street or pick a spot by the lake or pool that is shaded by trees.

Amy says: I've had my fair share of sunburns over the years and these days I'm one of those shade seekers. When I'm beach bound I'll take a big umbrella. This not only offers sun protection, but helps in finding my spot on the shore again after taking a dip in the water. (Make sure to use caution with umbrellas if the wind picks up.)

For more info on sunscreen safety:

Care2.org

Aubrey Organics

Skinbiology.com

Sandal wearing season is just around the corner and the toes will come out to play. If you're using a splash of color on your little piggies, make sure your nail polish is phthalate-free.

Many nail polishes contain the chemical dibutyl phthalate, a plasticizing ingredient used to increase flexibility. Phthalates (pronounced FAL-lates) are known endocrine disruptors, which means the chemical interferes with the hormone system affecting growth, development and maturation. The thing is, companies aren't required to list the presence of this chemical on products that contain it.

While it is not proven that such small quantities of phthalates found in things like nail polish can cause harm in humans, it also wouldn't hurt to stay away from them if you can.

Nail polish manufacturers Sally Hansen and OPI have recently removed dibutyl phthalate from their products.

The ladies over at Ideal Bite have also suggested a few brands that steer clear of the chemical.

• Sante Kosmetics line of phthalate free polish
• Honey Bee Gardens water based polish
• SpaRitual Nail Lacquer

Amy says: My toes are usually painted year round; however before sandal wearing season kicks in I'll usually go to my neighborhood nail salon for a pedicure. While I love their color selection, I make sure to take my own, phthalate-free polish.