Review submitted by: Kirstan Graham

Motherlove Birth and Baby Oil is an organic apricot oil with a touch of lavender for multiple uses throughout pregnancy, birth and baby’s tender years. The oil itself is light and non-greasy. It easily rubs into skin leaving it smooth and infused with the delicate apricot and lavender scents minus the toxic ingredients of many other skin care products on the market.

Pregnancy
The Birth and Baby oil has many lovely uses including moisturizing dry hormonal skin. A light amount rubbed into tight and itchy belly skin is a great relief from late pregnancy irritation.

Birth
Leading up to the big day the oil is a great choice for perineal massage if the mother has chosen to do so. The ingredients are natural and organic so they are safe for those most delicate areas and will not introduce questionable ingredients into the birth canal.

Baby
Primarily a great oil for baby massage, the added bonus as a treatment for cradle cap is where this product shines. Used much like a traditional olive oil treatment, rubbed on the scalp prior to bath time, left for 5-10 minutes to settle in and then washed out, the oils succeeds in breaking up the flakes and moisturizing the baby’s scalp. I found with my daughter that this treatment alone was sufficient in clearing up her rather extreme case of cradle cap. With only a few treatments her scalp has cleared up considerable, only producing a few isolated flakes here and there occasionally that are cleared right up with a fresh treatment when needed. Although the extra virgin olive oil is similarly effective, it leaves a greasy residue and is a more difficult to rinse out along with the strong Italian restaurant smell. In comparison the lighter apricot oil rinses out more thoroughly as well as leaving a fresh light aroma of fruity lavender that is by far more appealing.

I highly recommend this versatile oil for all of its pregnancy, birth and baby uses

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photo credit: Andrea Fregnani

(Not my belly. Someone else’s.)

This pregnancy is different from the others. I don’t remember feeling this achy. I didn’t have pain like this, this early. I’m having painful cramps down low.

Not like Braxton-Hicks contractions (although I have lots of those, and always do, from pretty early on.)

I feel too birthy. Too pregnant for this stage. Is it because this is my 5th pregnancy? Or because I’m older this time? (I’ll be 35 next month.)

Today I’m talking very careful, deliberate steps. My pelvis hurts. I wince when I walk.

Usually the pain is down low in the back. It wakes me up at night and shoots down my hips. I thought this might be sciatica, but according to this article, only about 1% of pregnant women have sciatica. It’s more like “posterior pelvic pain”.

Did you have pelvic or back pain during pregnancy? How did you deal with it?

I did some research, some of which was helpful, but comic almost. Suggestions like:

“If you have posterior pelvic pain, avoid climbing stairs.”

I guess that means no more laundry for me! The washer and dryer are in the basement.

“Activities that can cause pain include: walking, rolling over in bed, sitting, getting in or out of the tub, bending, lifting, rising or getting into a chair.”

Oh, that narrows it down. So if I can just avoid *those* activities!

“Avoid activities like vacuuming and mopping that require you to bend and twist at the same time”

Yay, another chore I can get out of?

Interestingly the recommended treatments for pelvic or lumbar pain during pregnancy are things I find myself doing instinctively. Such as:

Swimming – Probably the perfect exercise for pregnant women. Walking hurts too much. The last time I went to the pool I had pain all day until I got into the water, then instant relief. Until I got out!

Warm bath – Soaking in a warm tub is the next best thing. It helps with the cramping too.

Stretching -In the middle of the night when the pain wakes me up, I get down on the floor and stretch my hamstrings. Tight hamstrings can lead to back pain too.

Massage – I’ve been doing self massage but I think I’ll treat myself to a professional job.

Pelvic rocking – I learned this exercise 12 years ago when I took Bradley childbirth classes. I get on my hands and knees and let the baby’s weight drop away from my spine. It feels great. Rocking gently back and forth works the abdominals too. Great practice for labor.

Chiropractic is also reported to help. I’ve certainly benefited from a visit or two to the Chiropractor during my third trimester. When I had a breech baby, a couple of adjustments helped me create space to flip her around.

What did you do to help your back or pelvic pain during pregnancy?

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Since my family has grown, I don’t often have leftovers but I am trying to get into the habit of intentionally making more than I need so that I can serve dinner for lunch the next day.

I admit I’m not super creative when it comes to what Amy Dacyczyn of The Tightwad Gazette books refers to as “Leftover Wizardry”, but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.

I like to use leftover rice to make fried rice for lunch or dinner.

In a large saute pan heat a little oil and saute chopped onion (green or white or yellow, doesn’t matter). I add whatever veggies I have on hand (diced carrot, diced onion, sliced celery, corn, peas, snow peas, really anything).

photo credit: fifikins

Add an egg and scramble among the veggies. Add diced leftover meat like ham, chicken, or tempeh or tofu if you swing that way. When everything is hot, it’s ready. Serve with soy sauce. You’re done!

Leftover bits of meat, cheese and veggies can go into quiches or omelets.

A good basic quiche recipe is quite elastic, so experiment away.

Refrigerator Stew – Keep a container in your freezer for small amounts of leftover vegetables, grains, meat and beans. When the container becomes full, you have the makings of a great soup. As long as you start with a base of onions and garlic sauteed in butter, it’s hard to go wrong with soup.

Leftover fruits (you know, the half eaten apples that are lying around the kitchen!), yogurt, milk, etc can become fruit smoothies.

Leftover potatoes become tomorrow morning’s fried potatoes, served with eggs, for breakfast.

Leftover oatmeal is great in just about any muffin recipe.

Leftover chili is yummy on top of baked potatoes (sprinkled with a little cheese or sour cream!).

What tricks do you have up your sleeve for creatively re-purposing leftovers?

I’m tempted to add this cookbook to my kitchen for ideas:
Use It Up Cookbook: Creative Recipes for the Frugal Cook

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If you’re interested in winning $100 worth of grass fed meats for your family, Nourished Kitchen is currently doing a giveaway in cahoots with US Wellness Meats.

Check it out!

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photo credit: zoghal

As moms one thing we all seem to be challenged with is having enough energy to get through our day so we can parent effectively.

This month’s Whole Foods Market podcast series has tips and advice to help us boost energy levels naturally and safely.

For their recommendations of energy supporting herbs, and to listen to the podcasts visit: http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/category/whole-body-podcast/

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After some research I still haven’t decided whether MSG is truly evil, but I do my best to avoid processed foods just to be on the safe side. Even organic and natural foods that are processed at high temperatures (canned soups, boxed goods etc) contain glutamates – whether artificial or naturally occurring.

Dear EarthTalk:

I see a lot of “healthy snacks” being marketed for kids that list “natural flavors” but don’t identify them. Should I use these products?

– John Stein, Methuen, MA

Beloved food writer Michael Pollan recommends steering clear of foods that advertise their green attributes on their label.

According to his line of reasoning, why give a child a fruit roll-up when you can give him or her a piece of fruit?

Only processed foods need to advertise what’s natural about them, whereas an apple speaks for itself, providing wholesome nutrition without the need for marketing hype.

But most of us depend on the occasional packaged or processed food, so choosing between the lesser of two evils sometimes has to be the way to go.

If a product lists natural ingredients on its label—anything from real fruits, vegetables and nuts to cereals, grains and other healthy foods you can recognize without a food dictionary on hand—it’s probably better than a food reliant on artificial flavors and sweeteners.

“One way for your kids to enjoy healthy snacks is to get them started on naturally sweet foods,” says Christine Steendahl of Kid Approved Meals, which sells menus and shopping lists to parents looking for guidance in meal preparation. “Since most kids crave sweets…naturally sweet foods such as fruits are perfect,” she says. Real bananas, oranges, apples, cherries, strawberries and other fruits are popular with most kids. “You can mix in yogurt or even make a fruit smoothie with some milk and a drop of chocolate or other natural flavors,” Steendahl suggests.

(Note from Carrie:  Christine Steendahl is also the mom behind Dine Without Whine and Menu Planning Central.)

“One thing to recognize about children is that if they try enough types of natural and healthy snacks, they will find one that they enjoy,” says Steendahl. “The problem is that many times parents give up trying to find the snacks that their kids like and settle for popular junk foods instead.” She stresses the importance of teaching kids which snacks to eat and which to avoid early in life so that they can sidestep obesity problems altogether. Nuts and dry cereals, for example, are good alternatives to chips and other junk food.

According to California-based pediatrician and author William Sears, who markets his own line of healthy kids snacks called Lunchbox Essentials, parents should make sure that any snack foods they give their family members provide both fiber and protein, which give the feeling of fullness, and taste good as well. He adds that parents should learn to read labels so they can tell which products contain hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, preservatives and high-fructose corn syrup—all of which should be avoided.

As a last resort for especially finicky kids, parents can find packaged snacks that might look like junk food but are actually healthy and nutritious, including certain brands of fruit roll-ups and granola bars. Look in the snack aisle of your local natural foods market for such items, and don’t be afraid to ask store personnel for recommendations. It’s important to take your child’s nutrition seriously. Whether he or she ever realizes it, you are setting patterns that will enable them to live healthier and longer lives.

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Case in point, today he began throwing up and having diarrhea. Evidently it’s going around?

I offer him some homeopathic Ipecac.

“No. I would rather my immune system take care of it.”

“Honey, it’s harmless. Homeopathics support your immune system. It won’t hurt you.”

“No.”

Clamps hand over mouth.

Sigh.

Apparently he was listening all those times I talked about the evils of pharmaceuticals and Big Pharma.

A few minutes later after referring to my trusty Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, I tell him I’ll be giving him some acidophilus later.

“NO! I don’t want anything killing off my healthy bacteria!”

“Sweetie, acidophilus IS the healthy bacteria. You’re thinking of antibiotics. See? It says it right here in the book…”

photo credit: freeparking

I take him a small glass of water and suggest he take small sips, not gulps.

I’m surprised when this doesn’t lead to an argument about fluoride and estrogen in the water supply.

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Decrease Pain and Inflammation Safely, with Ingredients Found In Your Own Kitchen Cabinet

By ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner, Dr. Steven Arculeo, DC

“Each year, use of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), account for an estimated 7,600 deaths and 76,000 hospitalizations in the United States.”

(NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, and tiaprofenic acid.)

(1) Although promoted as safe, when taken for long term basis, they been show to cause damage to the digestive track, kidneys, liver and other vital organs(2) (Robyn Tamblyn, PhD).

Many individuals are looking for natural alternatives to reduce pain and inflammation without the damaging effects of these drugs. These drugs just treat symptoms and ignore the causes of pain and inflammation. To truly improve ones health above ones symptoms, you must first find the cause and build your treatment from there.

Inflammation is a natural response of the body but if you are in a chronic state of inflammation it can cause pain in your joints and tissues. Inflammation can also cause many physical and neurological diseases, including heart disease. One of the biggest factors that causes inflammation is diet. Depending on what you eat you may be contributing to increased inflammation in your body.

Most everyone utilizes a kitchen whether they cook elaborate meals, grab something to go or heat something up in the Microwave. But could your kitchen be setting you up for pain and sickness?

Foods that cause inflammation in the body are

1. Hydrogenated or Trans Fats
2. Processed foods
3. Caffeine
4. Red Meat
5. Sugar
6. Soda
7. Alcohol

Instead, fill your kitchen with fruits, vegetables, lean meats and cooking ingredients which can decrease inflammation and rid yourself of sickness and pain:
* Apples & Blueberries: these fruits are packed full of nutrients and are natural anti-inflammatories

* Kale: contains over 80 nutrients per serving

* Fish: one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods, fish contains heart healthy and anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids. Choose cod, salmon or tilapia instead of the fatty deep water bottom dweller fish such as shrimp or catfish

* Ginger: aids in digestion

* Garlic: lowers hypertension and cholesterol

* Basil, Parsley, Rosemary, Turmeric, Thyme, Chili Peppers & Cinnamon: all are proven to have anti-inflammatory properties

* Oil: use cold pressed extra virgin olive oil to aid in decreasing inflammation

By eliminating the inflammatory foods and adding these anti-inflammatory foods to your diet you will be on your way to decreasing the inflammation of your body and riding yourself of sickness and pain.

ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Dr. Steve Arculeo, DC

References:

1. Robyn Tamblyn, PhD; Laeora Berkson, MD, MHPE, FRCPC; W. Dale Jauphinee, MD, FRCPC; David Gayton, MD, PhD, FRCPC; Roland Grad, MD, MSc; Allen Huang, MD, FRCPC; Lisa Isaac, PhD; Peter McLeod, MD, FRCPC; and Linda Snell, MD, MHPE, FRCPC, “Unnecessary Prescribing of NSAIDs and the Management of NSAID-Related Gastropathy in Medical Practice,” Annals of Internal Medicine (Washington, DC: American College of Physicians, 1997), September 15, 1997, 127:429-438, from the web at , last accessed Feb. 14, 2001, citing Fries, JF, “Assessing and understanding patient risk,” Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology Supplement, 1992;92:21-4.
2. Renal Effects of nonselective NSAIDs and Coxibs, Mathew R. Weir, MD, Cleveland Clinic Journal Of Medicine.
3. http://eating.health.com/2008/02/21/anti-inflammatories-the-new-superfoods/2/
4. http://nutrition.about.com/od/dietsformedicaldisorders/a/antiinflamfood.htm

photo credit: Shootingsnow

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Plug in, switch on, use.  Simple right?  But what about after we’ve used our vacuums?  What happens to all the stuff we just picked up off the floor – or better yet, what did we pick up off the floor?

Many of us go further still with this bad habit – not only are we unaware of what we’re cleaning, we’re unaware that we’ve left a pile of dirt sitting and festering in our vacuum, and in our home.  If we consider the fact that vacuums don’t have an air tight seal preventing picked up particles from floating back out, we begin to start seeing the importance of realizing what’s living inside our vacuums.

To find out what’s living inside your vacuums, you have to start by looking at what’s on the surface.  And if you start thinking back to people and pet traffic, food spills, and odors – we start seeing what a scary picture this really is.

What’s Living in Your Carpet?

Your carpet is not as clean as you’d like to think. Even on an otherwise clean and healthy looking carpet, a close up microscopic view of the surface would show legions of bacteria and micro-organisms scouring your carpet.  If you start thinking about all the ways you use your carpet, you start seeing how troubling this can be.

We enjoy our carpets by lying on it, our children play on it, your belongings fall or rest on it.  Nearly everything in your home touches (or will touch) the carpet at some point.  Now we begin to see the importance of a clean carpet.

Scientists observe that even in carpets without any reported damage, there is the very real possibility of indoor fungal growth.  They determine this by the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air by micro-organisms living in your furnishings.  Simply, they breathe, they release carbon dioxide, and high amounts of repeated releases can result in indoor fungus.

So how can scientists figure out the respiration rate of tiny microscopic beings?  Quite simply actually.  Scientists can extract dust from the carpet surface and test it to arrive at a pretty accurate estimate of the number of micro-organisms based on the respiration rate evident in the dust.

In one study, scientists analyzed these organisms by sprinkling dust samples on a special filter.  The result of this test “revealed 18 species were living in the carpets.”  Their findings also showed a frightening similarity between what’s crawling around in your carpet and what’s crawling around in soil samples.

Additionally, “the rate of respiration showed that the fungal species detected were living in the furnishings, and were highly metabolically active.”

What does this mean?  This means that fungal micro-organisms can grow in your home even if your home has no moisture damage, has average indoor air moisture, and has no other traditional problem-causing situations.

So now you know – bacteria, fleas, mold, and other microscopic organisms can all thrive in your carpet.  But the number one thing that every home has is dust…and with dust come the notorious dust mites.

What is Dust?

Even the cleanest home has dust.  The National Institute of Standards and Technology has even come up with a very scientific term for this: “standard house dust”.  And yet, even with this basic element in every home, scientists stress the importance of home dwellers to realize that even this ‘standard house dust’ can be host to harmful chemicals.

In collaboration with the E.P.A, scientists collected dust from vacuum cleaner bags in home, hotels/motels and at cleaning services.  With a sample of collection from several states, scientists then filtered and analyzed the samples with test results confirming a minimum of 33 harmful toxins.  Another test into this matter revealed over 80 harmful chemicals.

Clearly, tests are showing that there are harmful contaminants living in your carpets and then transferred to your vacuum cleaner – where many of us leave them to thrive multiply and escape back into the air.  So what exactly is in dust that is a living breathing invader?  Dust mites.

What are dust mites?

The dust mites are microorganisms living on the dust particles.  They eat mainly dead human skin cells.  And considering that dead human skin cells comprises about 70% of all household dust, we quickly begin to see how we’re creating an environment in which dust mites can thrive freely.

If we take in the respiratory rate, and the fact that in our vacuum we’ve clumped both mites and food supply in lock stock barrel, we begin to realize the hazards of not cleaning out our vacuums.

How dust mites make you sick

Many people believe they have an allergic reaction to dust.  However, the truth of the matter is that it isn’t so much the dust or dust mites you’re allergic to. The thing your sinuses are rattling in response to are dust mite excrements. Dust mites produce ridiculous amount of droppings.  Considering they live up to 15 weeks, dust mites can produce up to 300 their weight in bodily waste.

Their by products are so small, that these excrements end up being part of the in-house air.  It is this dust-mite excrement air that you’re then breathing into your lungs and having strong allergic reactions to.

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photo credit: diongillard

And those used tea bags can be used for several good purposes.

Here are some ideas on what to do with all those leftover tea bags.

(This post makes me feel very Tightwad Gazette-ish! If you’ve never read the books, I highly recommend them for ideas and inspiration on how to re-use things that would otherwise be discarded.)

Uses For Used Tea Bags

Compost.

This one’s fairly obvious, but used tea bags make wonderful compost for your garden. Simply add them to your compost heap and let nature takes its course.

Under eye cosmetic.

Used tea bags can be cooled and placed on the eyes for a wonderful soothing relaxant.  If your skin is irritated, try chamomile. If you have bags and puffiness, try something with caffeine (like black tea), as the caffeine will  help shrink the tissues (many of the over the counter depuffer products for eyes contain caffeine).  I throw my used tea bags in the fridge in a bowl and keep them just for this purpose.

Cool sun burns.

Peppermint tea bags are great for sunburns because the menthol has a cooling effect on the skin. (Ever noticed how it hurts to drink water after eating an Altoid? Yeah.)  Leave tea bags to cool then place the bags on the burnt areas.

Use on cuts.

Used tea bags are also great on cuts and bruises. You can use any variety but green tea, peppermint and chamomile have good soothing qualities.  Some claim that used tea bags are also good for bee stings and other insect bites.

Decaf.

photo credit: House Of Sims

Did you know that if you reuse a tea bag, the second cup is decaf?

Now you do.

Many times you will hardly notice any change in flavor when you put fresh hot water on a used tea bag.

Got any other uses for used tea bags? Leave them in the comments below!

p.s. You can shop online for tea here.

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Egads.
photo credit: feverblue

Just reading the labels on those things makes me sick!

Partially hydrogenated oils (loaded with trans fats) almost always top the list.

Besides, it’s easy and cheaper to flavor your own coffee using healthier, natural ingredients. Here are a few ideas.

Flavor Your Coffee Naturally

Vanilla

Vanilla beans will add a lovely aroma to your coffee. Try adding a small drop of pure organic vanilla extract to your cup of coffee. And using cream mixed infused with a natural vanilla pod is also nice. Buy whole vanilla pods at the health food store where you get bulk herbs, and steep them in cream overnight.

Cinnamon

A simple way to do this is to dip a few whole cinnamon sticks into a large pot of coffee and leave to infuse for 5 minutes.  Or, grind a cinnamon stick into your whole beans. The downside to this method is that your coffee grinder will have the flavor of cinnamon until you clean it well, maybe even after. And of course, it’s easy enough to simply shake ground cinnamon into your own cup.
Nutmeg

A friend of mine from the Dominican Republic likes freshly ground nutmeg in her coffee. It imparts a lovely flavor. Use one of those tiny nutmeg graters, and just grind a little into your cup.

Ever notice those little shaker bottles at Starbucks? They have vanilla powder, ground cinnamon, chocolate powder and ground nutmeg in them. Especially nice on top of freshly steamed/frothy milk.

Dried orange peel

Place the dried orange peel in a pot of water and boil for a few minutes. Then sieve the water into your coffee pot and use this orange water to make the coffee.  Also nice in hot tea.

Chocolate

Making your own cafe mocha is easy enough. Simply make a simple chocolate syrup by mixing cocoa powder, a little water, and a little sweetener of choice. Cook this on the stove for a bit, then use to taste in strongly brewed coffee. Top with hot milk and you have a mocha without the hefty price tag.

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——-> Win a $100 Whole Foods Market Gift Card!

As part of its “Be Good to Your Whole Body” campaign, for the month of October, Whole Foods Market has created podcasts focusing on maintaining a healthy mood.

As the seasons change, these simple, free tips, consider how conscious breathing, herbs, and eating well, can help maintain a healthy mood.
Just listen to one or all of our podcasts and leave a comment telling us what you think of our work.

On October 30th one of you will be randomly chosen to receive the gift card!

To listen to the podcasts please visit:  Whole Body Podcast

Please comment on the following podcast fields:  Breathe and Meditation for Stress Relief, Herbal Approaches for Healthy Mood, Boost your Back to School Brain Power.

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Evidently some children who “snore” actually have sleep apnea. During the day these kids may be tired, have dark circles under their eyes and have problems in school that look like learning disorders.

Here’s the article:

In today’s stressful times, a good night’s sleep is hard to come by. Issues that arise in your everyday life can take a toll on your ability to relax your mind and rest soundly. If able to get some shut-eye, problems such as snoring may wake you and have a detrimental effect on your everyday life. The issue of snoring does not only affect adults, however. More than 10% of children suffer from snoring part or most of the night while sleeping. What most people do not know is that your child’s loud snoring can be an indicator of a far more serious problem- Sleep Apnea.

photo credit: lepiaf.geo

According to Dr. Dan Smith, “approximately 100 to 200 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sleep Apnea can cause long-term health risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and impotency.” Below is Dr. Smith’s list of the 4 symptoms of Sleep Apnea that should not be ignored:

1. “Snoring that is loud enough to wake your child up” is the first indicator of OSA, according to Dr. Smith. This is not the occasional snort or two but that incessant, honking-level snoring

2. “If your child ceases breathing intermittently while sleeping.” When OSA occurs, the tongue can be sucked against the back of the throat. This blocks the upper airway and airflow stops or is greatly diminished

3. “Suddenly waking up because he or she can not breathe and has shortness of breath or gasping.” This is directly linked to symptom #2, says Dr. Smith. When the oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough due to the blockage, the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears, and the flow of air starts again, usually with a loud gasp

4. “If your child is excessively drowsy during the day.” This does not mean hitting the proverbial wall at 3 pm that a quick snack can fix or throwing a temper tantrum due to exhaustion. This means actually accidentally falling asleep during the day (not during nap time)

Dr. Smith states that “while snoring is typically a problem that is associated with men, it is a condition that does not discriminate.” Dr. Smith says men, women and children can suffer from OSA. It is one of the most misdiagnosed medical problems – especially in children. Loud and regular nightly snoring is often abnormal in otherwise healthy children. If a child suffers from OSA, he or she may be getting too little oxygen and too much carbon dioxide. This condition can lead to poor heart and lung development, behavioral problems, and even death if unchecked.

Thankfully, health centers have opened to help diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Dr. Dan Smith recently opened the Focus Center for Sleep Apnea and Snoring. This Center provides care from a team of Medical and Dental Specialists, to create a more complete solution to OSA by combing the highest technology available in the field as well as continued advanced education.

If your child suffers from the above 4 symptoms, it is in his or her best interest to be given medical attention. At the Focus Center for Sleep Apnea and Snoring, the diagnosis process is easy and follows these steps:

1. Patients (or the parents of the patient) are given a questionnaire that will indicate if they are suffering from “daytime sleepiness” and gauges the amount of noise they make while sleeping (snoring)

2. After the questionnaire is returned, they are evaluated and it is decided if the child needs further testing

3. A thorough exam by a sleep physician is done utilizing technology that allows doctors to “see” the airway without utilizing x-rays

4. Further testing can include the use of an ambulatory sleep computer (sleep study for the home) that will tell doctors the extent of OSA your child has. The Watch Pat is an electronic computer that is taken home for your child wear overnight in his or her usual sleep environment. It is extremely comfortable to wear and does not affect their usual pattern of sleep. It tells the doctors how much true sleep your child get, how much and how loud he or she snores, and what position he or she snores the most in. It evaluates your child’s sleep stages (including REM sleep) and the oxygen content of his or her blood at different times of their sleep. Finally, it analyzes their personal data and generates a report

5. Further studies might indicate the need for an overnight sleep study (PSG). Treatment will consist of the best methods that can include a dental device, CPAP, or surgical procedure

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photo credit: Finizio

I have found in this whole mothering gig that every time I ignore my strong instinct, I regret it.

This is just another example.

Today I came across this link from BBC News that points to the possibility that there is “No proof” that filling kid’s cavities does any good. According to the article:

“…anecdotal evidence gathered from the case notes of 50 dentists suggests filling baby teeth may achieve nothing but expose children to the discomfort of an injection and the sound of the drill.”

Obviously more research needs to be done. The article also mentioned:

“Professor Martin Tickle, of the University of Manchester, found no difference in the numbers of extractions for pain or infection whether baby teeth had been filled or not.”

Like Doctors, Dentists love to use scare tactics to frighten parents into doing unnatural, painful things with to their precious children. Things that go against every fibre of their moral sense.

Things like:

• You have to jab that child with a needle every couple of months starting from the time they’re 5 minutes old with a concoction of poisons so they won’t die of a loathsome disease.
• You have to tear that child away from your bosom before he or you are ready, so they will become “independent”.
• You must not let that child sleep in your bed or (gasp!) “use you as a pacifier” because you’ll make them needy.
• You have to send that child away to school so they can get  a “proper” (who the hell gets to decide what *that* is?) education.
• Oh and last but not least, you have to cut off nearly 80% of your son’s genitalia and reduce his sensitivity by 75% so he will be “clean”.

Then we find out from those very experts that this stuff is, well…

photo credit: holisticmonkey

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Here are 3 more recipes for your dining pleasure. Enjoy!

3  No Cook Summer Recipes

Tuna Salad

(Tuna is full of essential fatty acids (Omega 3’s) which are good for your brain and heart, among other things.)

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of tuna
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 carrot
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 cucumber
• 1-2 pickles (such as Bubbies, which are naturally fermented)
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• Cheddar cheese
• Whole wheat pita pocket, bread or crackers

Start by draining a couple of cans of albacore tuna packaged in water. Pour fresh lemon juice over it while you cut up the veggies.

You can get creative with the veggies of your choice or follow these recommendations: shredded carrot, chopped tomato, chopped pickles, and chopped celery for crunch.

Toss the tuna and veggies together in a bowl with mayo. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Serve inside whole wheat pita pockets.

photo credit: mynameisharsha

Red Grape Chicken Salad

(You can still prepare a chicken salad without having to cook the chicken itself on the stove. You can either cook the chicken in a crock-pot overnight on low, then refrigerate in the morning until you’re ready to use, or you can buy a pre-cooked, rotisserie chicken.)

Ingredients:

• Leftover chicken or chicken breast
• 1 cup of red grapes
• 1 cup chopped apples
• ½ cup raw sliced almonds
• ½ cup mayo
• Swiss cheese slices
• Croissant, whole grain bread or crackers

The first step in creating a chicken salad is to chop the chicken into small pieces. You’ll also want to chop your apples into small pieces. Any kind of apples will do, but red delicious or granny smith can make a good addition, or a combination of the two. Grapes can be left whole.

Toss the chicken, apples and grapes into a bowl with mayonnaise. Fold in your raw, sliced almonds and your chicken salad is done.

Slice open croissants, add a slice of Swiss cheese, then scoop in your chicken salad.

You can use crushed walnuts instead of sliced almonds, or a fancier cheese, such as brie, instead of Swiss.

Now how about a beverage? No hot stove required! Take advantage of theheat by using it to do the cooking for you.

photo credit: AMagill

Raspberry Sun Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 bags of organic black tea
• ½ bag of frozen raspberries
• Sweetener of your choice (Sucanat, honey, or stevia is best)

In a large mason jar, add several tea bags and water. Place the jar in the sun for a day.

When 3 hours have passed (this timing may vary), bring the jar inside.

Remove the tea bags and pour the tea in a pitcher. Be sure to add ice and sweetener as you desire.

What makes this recipe extra special is the frozen raspberries you’ll add to the pitcher.

Pour into glasses and serve with your tuna or chicken salad for dinner.

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Summertime is here and we’ve spent nearly every day outside, often at the pool or just hanging out in the yard.

The kids are getting as brown as nuts but noone has had even the slightest bit of red.

We all hear how important it is to take precautionary measures to ensure the kid’s safety in the sun, but limited sun exposure can actually be beneficial. In fact, some scientists claim that some skin cancers are caused by lack of adequate sun exposure (related to low vitamin D levels).

Everyone needs to soak in a few minutes of sun every day in order to absorb vitamin D into their body.

Newborns, of course, should really limit their sun exposure during the first few weeks of life. This means using shaded stroller covers, a window shade in the car and perhaps using an umbrella if you are holding the baby. If you wear your baby in a ring sling, you can use the “tail” to cover him up, as long as it isn’t too hot.

After a few weeks of age, the baby can be exposed to the sun in limited amounts, but they should be protected in order to do so. It was once thought by the medical community that babies less than 6 months of age should not wear sunscreen at all; for fear that their skin is too sensitive. The American Pediatrics Association now recommends that even smaller babies wear sunscreen. But, it’s important to find one that is safe.

I wrote about this topic last year too: Healthy, safe, effective sunscreen.  The EWG (Environmental Working Group) is coming out with more info shortly on the subject, and you can go to their site to get the report on sun safety free of charge when it’s ready.

According to them:

“An investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don’t adequately protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.”

Of course, hats and long clothing can also serve as protection from the sun. But who wants to spend summertime covered up?

Natural Sunscreen

Recently I got a bottle of sunscreen from Oceana Naturals. Instead of the chemicals found in conventional sunscreens, it uses zinc oxide for protection from the sun. It also has antioxidants (which I’ll talk more about in a second) among its ingredients such as green tea, vitamin E, and date extract.

A read of the ingredients listing shows nothing unnatural – I can pronounce all of the words. All of it looks like food in fact! It’s also free of synthetic preservatives and fragrance. The natural oils give it a lovely scent. And unlike many sunscreens, you can apply it and get protection immediately. If you want to purchase a natural sunscreen, this would be a good choice.

Coconut Oil as a Sunscreen

For many generations, native populations living in tropical climates and islands have used coconut oil to protect their skin from the sun. The author of “The Coconut Oil Miracle”, Bruce Fife,  shows how coconut oil is very beneficial for skin and body.

It can be used as a natural sunscreen and can even help absorb nutrients in the body, such as the much needed vitamin D. It also makes your skin incredibly soft and is surprisingly non-greasy. I feed coconut oil (and CLO) to the kids and they spend a couple of hours a day in the sun, and never get burned. I also haven’t used any sunscreen at all on them so I know it must be working.

Another Reason to Take Your CLO

You can also help protect your child’s skin from the sun by the type of food they eat. Free radicals are responsible for sunburn as well as the damage (premature wrinkling, skin cancer) from too much time spent in the sun.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants can help fight free radicals in the air and strengthen body’s resistance to UVA and UVB rays. Antioxidant-rich foods include berries, legumes, vegetables, citrus and green tea.

Cod liver oil may also have a protective effect because of the omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D content. The University of Manchester published results of a study that pointed to a reduced risk of sunburn and skin cancer among people who take cod liver oil supplements.

Interestingly, the other week I got a touch of sunburn on my shoulders, but had been slacking on my CLO. It was a reader who reminded me of the connection. I started taking it again and haven’t had any problem since – even though we’ve been at the pool every day for weeks!

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The other day the kids and I headed out to the park to enjoy the first really hot day of the season.

As soon as it starts to heat up outside, I find my appetite waning for cooked and hot foods. I want watery, cold things.

When it’s summer it’s too hot to cook. Who wants to heat up the house with the stove or oven?

You know what I had for lunch AND dinner?

A super cool Mexican layered dip, served with organic corn chips.

(And a side of watermelon.)

It had guacamole, chopped green onions, sour cream, black beans, diced tomatoes or salsa, sliced black olives, and shredded cheese.

YUM.

We had a lovely park in the picnic.

What do you like to eat when it’s hot out?

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I remember my mom and dad cranking an old fashioned ice cream maker. These are hard to find anymore and cost a pretty penny if you find one on eBay. You don’t have to have an ice cream maker to make your own ice cream.

Making ice cream is a fun project for the kids this summer and the end result is a tad healthier than store bought versions. And nothing says summer’s here like a drippy ice cream cone!

Of course, I’m going to recommend that you use raw, unpasteurized dairy products from a local farmer whose cows graze in open pasture.
photo credit: eyeliam

Here are a couple of recipes:

French Vanilla Ice Cream

What You Need:

1/2 C sugar
1/4 t salt
1 C of milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 T vanilla
2 C whipping cream, chilled

How to Make It:

Dump the sugar into a heavy duty saucepan.
Sprinkle the salt over the sugar.
Pour the milk into the saucepan and stir to combine.
Add the egg yolks and stir until all the ingredients are combined together well.
Place the pan over medium heat and stirring constantly cook 3 minutes or until bubbles begin to appear around the edges.
Remove the pan from the stove and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
Stir in the vanilla.
Pour the ice cream into a refrigerator try and place in the freezer 45 minutes or until mushy.
Place 2 bowls in the refrigerator to chill.
Add the whipping cream to the chilled bowl and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks begin to form.
Spoon the partially frozen ice cream mixture into the second chilled bowl.
Beat with the mixer on medium speed until smooth.
Fold the whipped cream into the mixture well.
Pour the ice cream evenly into 2 refrigerator trays and cover with wax paper.
Freeze at least 3 hours or until firm stirring the ice cream mixture about every 10 minutes for the first hour of freezing time.

Makes 1 quart of ice cream

To make this ice cream in a crank style ice cream maker, follow the above directions to where you add the vanilla. Add the vanilla and whipping cream together. Pour 1/2 of the mixture into the freezer can of ice cream maker. Fill the freezer tub 1/3 full of ice and then add the remaining ice cream. Crank until it becomes too difficult to turn. Drain off water, replace the lid and allow the ice cream to ripen for at least 4 hours.

Strawberry Ice Cream

What You Need:

2 C of strawberries
1 C sugar, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 3/4 C half and half, divided
1 t vanilla

How to Make It:

Clean and cut the strawberries in half.
Place the strawberries into a saucepan.
Dump half of the sugar into the pan with the berries.
Place the pan over medium low heat and cook 18 minutes or until the berries are soft, stirring often.
Place the mixture into the blender.
Cover the blender and puree the berries until very smooth.
Transfer of a bowl, cover and chill at least 4 hours but no more than 24 hours.
Place the egg into a small saucepan.
Pour in 1 C of the half and half and the remaining sugar.
Place the pan over medium heat and stirring continuously cook the custard about 5 minutes or until the mixture passes the metal spoon test (see tip below.)
Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the remaining half and half and the vanilla.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
Pour the half and half mixture into the ice cream maker’s freezer canister.
Freeze 5 minutes then stir in the strawberry mixture.
Freeze according the ice cream maker’s directions.
Allow the ice cream to ripen for 4 hours.

Makes 8 servings

When making a custard type of ice cream it is important to cook the egg mixture to right stage.  To check the mixture place a metal spoon into the mixture and coat the bottom part of the spoon.  Remove the spoon and run your finger down the spoon.  If the finger trail is clear the custard is done.

photo credit: jontunn

Coconut Ice Cream

What You Need:

24 oz. half and half
1 C unsweetened coconut milk
1 C sugar
2 C whipping cream
1 T lemon juice
1 T vanilla
1 1/3 C coconut, toasted

How to Make It:

Pour the half and half and coconut milk into a large mixing bowl.
Dump the sugar in with the milk and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Add the whipping cream and lemon juice and stir until combined.
Stir in the vanilla well.
Fold the coconut into the ice cream mixture.
Pour the mixture into the freezer canister of the ice cream maker.
Freeze according to the directions for the ice cream maker.
Ripen 4 hours.

Makes 12 servings

To toast coconut preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Lay the coconut in a single layer in the bottom of a shallow baking pan.  Bake 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the coconut is nicely browned.

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Do you know how to breathe?

You know what I mean.

Of course you know how to stay alive by  breathing, but I mean do you REALLY know how to breathe?

photo credit: Marshall Astor – Food Pornographer

Learning to breathe deeply is one of the most important things I did for my personal growth. It was a woman, a mentor, who taught me the importance of breathing.

She taught me to breathe to let go of pain. To get through things. To make room for joy. To relieve stress. To think clearly. To get unstuck. Or never get stuck in the first place.

Every day in our lives we experience stress.  Whether it’s at work or at home, there are so many things we have to do people to take care of that sometimes we forget to slow down and take care of ourselves by doing this basic thing.

Breathing is quick, free, and an effective way to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve the immune system, and has been used to stop bad habits.

If you feel stressed, check your breathing. You’re probably breathing in a very shallow fashion, or maybe even holding your breath.

Breathing helps you have a baby.

Breathing helps you exercise. I sometimes breathe so heavy when I’m lifting weights that I fog up the mirror in front of me!

I even read a story recently about a woman who said that singing helped her heal herself from fibromyalgia. Her thought was that it was because she was finally breathing deeply.

Do you have a nervous habit? Like chewing your fingernails, or biting the inside of your mouth, or tapping your fingers, or grinding your teeth?

When you’re doing that thing, you’re probably not breathing properly.

The trick is to remember to do it.

Creating visual reminders might help. Post-It notes around the house might work.

Once you get in the habit, you’ll find it amazingly helpful.

I’ve taught my kids how to breathe deeply. Sometimes if they are arguing or getting worked up with each other, I will sit one of them down and breathe with them.

Breathing puts us in our right mind. It oxygenates our brain and takes us out of our “reptilian” mind, the one that wants to fight or run away.

How to Breathe to Relieve Stress

Here are a few tips to help you breathe deeply:
1. Sit or lay down in a quiet place.

2. Take a deep breath in on a slow count of three. Take this breath in through your nose, not your mouth. And breath from your abdomen instead of your chest. Feel your abdomen filling like a balloon and puffing out as you breath in.

3. Then breath out for a slow count of three through your mouth. As you breath out feel your abdomen going back to normal as it looses it’s air.

4. Stop for a quick 3 second count.

5. Repeat deep breathing for a count of at least ten times to help refocus, calm and reenergize your body.

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What you need:

2 cups spinach
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 banana
2 tablespoons raw honey
1/2 cup ice

What you do:

Place the spinach in the freezer until frozen, at least 1 hour.

Combine the spinach, strawberries, banana, honey, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

You can use other fruits your kids like, such as bananas and berries too.

Your kids will never suspect there’s spinach in there and they’ll ask for this smoothie over and over, so be sure to have plenty of the ingredients on hand throughout the summer.

Looking for more smoothie recipes?

Try these:

Green Smoothies for Kids

Smoothie Recipes

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photo credit: rbmay

Each woman experiences her menstrual cramps different from the next. For me, they’re hardly noticeable. Although, when I was 12 and first started my period, I thought I was dying.

Now that I’ve had babies, I hardly have cramps at all. (I actually find the cramps I experience around ovulation to be more uncomfortable. Called mittelschmerz, they’re a whole other blog post.) I’m not sure if it’s because the sensation feels familiar (and compared to the similar but much stronger feeling of labor pains, pale in comparison!) or if it has to do with the physical changes brought on my childbirth (like having a wider cervical opening).

Before I delve deeper into the topic however, can I briefly bring your attention to the awesome Flickr photo that appears at the top of this post?

I think its an awesome way to illustrate this isn’t it?

While some women like myself have mild cramps that are fairly tolerable, others are not as fortunate. For some women, menstrual cramps can feel very painful.

Cramps can often be remedied or at least eased through natural methods. Here are a few examples.

Easing Menstrual Cramps Naturally

Red Raspberry Leaf tea:

This tea is better known as the “woman’s tea” that has many useful purposes. It is used in fertilization, a healthy pregnancy, inducing labor and promoting healthy lactation. It also has the use of helping your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size after giving birth.

I credit Red Raspberry Leaf tea with helping me have easy births for babes 2-4. The stuff is magic, I tell you. I didn’t discover it until my second pregnancy (although my first birth was uncomplicated, the second one was almost effortless).

RRL is an excellent source of easily assimilated minerals (such as calcium). This may be why it’s so wonderful for women in their childbearing years.

When those painful cramps start creeping up, brew yourself a hot cup of raspberry leaf tea. This can be found in natural leaf form or in bags. What red raspberry does is help strengthen uterine walls and provide your body with minerals that replenish the body. Both the warmth and the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea can help reduce the discomforts of menstrual cramps.

If cramps are an ongoing problem, drinking RRL every day two weeks before your period might do wonders.

Here’s another one of those cool pictures.

photo credit: rbmay

Heat:

(One caveat first. Heat feels good and is soothing, but it may make you bleed more. If you already have heavy periods, you may want to skip the heat.)

There are several natural ways to make your own heating pads on the cheap. The easiest way is to fill an old sock with rice and heat it in the microwave for a few minutes. (Do not use instant rice.) Of course, if you don’t own a microwave then you can use an old fashioned hot water bottle, available at most drug stores.

Iron-rich foods:

Before your period begins, you’ll want to be sure your diet contains enough iron. Those with low-iron levels or who are anemic tend to have stronger cramps.

Iron-rich foods include beans, eggs, beef (make it grass fed!) and turkey. To enhance the absorption of iron, it is a good idea to pair with vitamin-C foods such as oranges, strawberries and tomatoes. However, calcium can block iron-absorption so try not to eat calcium-rich foods within an hour or two of consuming your iron.

Cooking your food in cast iron provides you with a little extra iron. Hmm. Maybe this is why I don’t have menstrual cramps…?

Get active:

Believe it or not, menstrual cramps can begin to diminish with more exercise. This should be incorporated into your lifestyle every day. When the cramps hit, do some stretching and then take a walk. The movement and regular exercise can assist in reducing the severity of the cramps.

Get Jiggy:

Yes ladies, orgasm is said to cure menstrual cramps, because the uterine contractions it produces can help counteract them. My personal belief is that it just makes you not care anymore, thanks to the endorphins.

Whatever works, eh?

Incidentally, some women find that they are more interested in sex during their periods due to the increased blood flow in the area. Keep in mind that depending on your particular cycle, you can get pregnant at the end of your period. Although you won’t ovulate for a few more days, sperm can live 5-7 days. So be careful unless you’re trying to get pregnant.

*Remember, if cramps are excessive and natural remedies are not helpful, you may want to speak with a health professional for any possible underlining causes for severe menstrual cramps.

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photo credit: kasthor

While I’m sure having the swine flu causes weight loss, I’m not referring to a new diet craze. I want to talk about how to avoid getting the swine flu with good diet.

The same things that will prevent the swine flu are what prevent any illness:

Hand Washing and Good Nutrition

The point is to be a bad host. It’s not about “the illness”. It’s about your body, your choices, your habits.

Are you a good host for a pathogen, or are you a bad host?

Noone in the media is talking about this, but the truth is that the swine flu has conventional farming to blame. That’s why it’s so important to know where your meat comes from, and to eat grass fed and pastured meats.

Today I got an email from the Weston A. Price foundation about this topic of “Natural Immunity”. It read, in part:

“Vitamins A and D in cod liver oil offer strong protection against infection of all types, as well as against environmental toxins.

Vitamin C is important-either from vitamin C-rich foods like sauerkraut, or from one of the natural vitamin C supplements recommended in our Shopping Guide.

Healthy gut flora provide 85 percent of our protection against disease.  Be sure to consume healthy lacto-fermented foods and beverages every day and avoid the foods that disrupt gut flora, especially refined carbohydrates.

Bone broth plays a double role of supporting the immune system and helping the body detoxify.

COCONUT OIL
We are grateful to Beth Beisel, registered dietitian and WAPF member for reminding us about the protective factors in coconut oil. Swine flu is a lipid coated virus (http://www.pnas.org/content/98/5/2115.full.pdf+html), and thus is inactivated by sufficient amounts of monolaurin.   (Our bodies convert lauric acid, found in coconut oil, to monolaurin).

According to our own Dr. Mary Enig, two to three tablespoons of coconut oil per day appears to be an adequate dosage to fight infection, even from virulent antibiotic-resistant organisms such as MSRA.”

I find the hysteria so interesting, especially since the regular old garden variety influenza kills thousands of people in the US every year. Yet you don’t see people buying surgical masks to protect themselves against that.

Are you taking any extra precautions to protect yourself from swine flu?

More:

Coconut oil seems to have magical properties
Health benefits of kefir (lacto-fermented beverage)
My homemade lacto-fermented salsa recipe

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<img src=”http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Carrielee/saladsat.jpg” alt=”free salad recipes” align=”right” />
<h2>Almond Cranberry Couscous Salad</h2>
What You Need:

1 (10 oz) pkg. plain couscous
1 C dried cranberries
3/4 C green onions, chopped
3/4 C sweet yellow pepper, chopped
3/4 C almonds, toasted
1/3 C lemon juice
1/4 C olive oil
1/2 t paprika
1/4 t sea salt
1/8 t pepper

How to Make It:

Prepare the couscous as directed on the package.
When the couscous is cooked, place it in a large salad bowl and use a fork to fluff.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate 30 minutes or until chilled completely through.
When chilled remove the couscous from the refrigerator and stir in the cranberries.
Add the onions, sweet pepper and almonds and toss to combine all the ingredients.
Place the lemon juice into a small mixing bowl.
Add the oil, paprika, salt and pepper.
Use a whisk to mix the ingredients together well.
Drizzle the dressing into the salad and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Serving Size:  14

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Breakfast.

The kids jump out of bed early, that’s no problem – but they’re accustomed to eating a little later in the morning, after they’ve been up for awhile.

Their little stomachs don’t seem ready for food at 6:30 A.M. For a couple of days I was throwing away a lot of half eaten eggs and stuff. I certainly don’t want them to eat at school (nutritionally inferior offerings) but I don’t want them to go off with an empty belly either. They need high quality protein in order for their little brains to work properly to study.

photo credit: acme

I decided to look at some quick breakfast options that the kids can hold in their hands and eat while they walk to the bus stop or in the cafeteria once they get to school, after they’ve been up for awhile and have worked up an appetite.

Stuff like granola bars aren’t my thing, neither is cereal. Extruded grains are a no-no in this house. And carbs aren’t really a great idea in the morning anyway, especially if the kids aren’t going to be eating lunch for a few hours.

Here are some of the ideas I came up with for quick before school breakfasts.

Egg McHuggins

I can’t take credit for this one. My Dad invented it (with a little inspiration from the golden arches, no doubt!). Egg McHuggins is pretty simple, and very tasty, and portable. The basic recipe involves a split open English Muffin. (I use the Ezekiel sprouted grain English Muffins from Food for Life. Sprouted grains are easier to digest and have more nutrition available to the body.)

Spread a little butter on the English Muffins then top with cheese. (I use raw organic cheese and grass fed butter – either KerryGold or Organic Valley’s pastured butter.) Bake in the oven until the cheese melts. (Or yu can toast them first and then place the cheese on top and warm until it melts. Or use shredded cheese.) Meanwhile, scramble an egg. Put the scrambled egg on top of the cheesy English Muffin. You can fry some bacon (make sure it’s organic and grass fed!) or sausage to go on it too.

This is what we had this morning. The kids were munching on them as they walked out the door. Easy to hold and eat.

Coconut Flour Blueberry Muffins

Ever since I tried these the first time, I’ve been hooked. I got the recipe from Cheeseslave who got it from a cookbook called Cooking with Coconut Flour. Since youngest and I don’t eat wheat, we get our muffin fix with these. They are SO VERY delicious and surprisingly filling. I cannot eat two of them!

Muffins are portable and delicious even when cold so these are perfect.

Smoothies

Smoothies worked well the other morning because the kids could sip on them slowly while they got ready. I made mine with raw milk, strawberries, banana and organic vanilla yogurt. Got 50 smoothie recipes right here.

Larabars

In a pinch, I give them each a Larabar. These are just about the only “granola” bars I approve of. They’re made from dried fruit and nuts – that’s it. The kids love them and I always have a supply in the pantry. No HFCS or other cheap sweeteners, no trans fats, no soy (yuck!),  no fillers and no grains.

That’s what’s working for us right now.

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Romaine Lettuce Hearts Finger Salad

What You Need:

2 hearts of Romaine lettuce
1 T pecans, toasted
1 small red pepper
1/4 C Italian cheese, shredded
1 C Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing

How to Make It:

Separate the leaves of each heart and place them on 2 salad plates.
Sprinkle the top of the lettuce with 1/2 T of the pecans per plate.
Slice the red pepper in half and remove the seeds and core.
Slice each red pepper.
Place the red pepper slices on top of both salads.
Top each salad with 1/8 C of the cheese.
Divide the dressing into 2 small bowls.

Serving Size: 2

By placing the dressing on the side you can use your fingers to dip the lettuce and peppers.

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Bacon Laced Fruit Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

What You Need:

3 T butter, room temperature
2 T sucanat or rapadura
1 1/2 t cinnamon, divided
1/2 t red pepper, divided
4 slices whole wheat bread, remove the crust
1/2 C olive oil
2 green onions, chopped fine
½ C raisins
1/4 C apple cider
2 T apple cider vinegar
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 (10 oz) salad greens
1 pear, cored and sliced thin
1 apple, cored and sliced thin
4 pieces of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/4 C walnuts, toasted
1/4 C Swiss cheese, shredded

How to Cook It:

Place the oven temperature on 400 degrees and allow it to heat while preparing the croutons.
Place the butter in a mixing bowl.
Add the sugar, 1 t of cinnamon and 1/4 t of the red pepper.
Mix together until well blended.
Spread the slices of bread with the mixture.
Place the bread of a baking sheet and bake 8 minutes turning once or until the bread is toasted to your liking.
Remove the toasted bread and allow it to cool to room temperature then cut into bite size pieces.
Place the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the green onions and stirring occasionally cook 3 minutes or until tender.
Put the raisins in the skillet and stir to incorporate with the onions.
Pour in the apple cider and vinegar.
Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, the remaining cinnamon and the remaining red pepper.
Stir until all the ingredients are combined and cook until heated through about 5 minutes.
Place the salad greens into a large salad bowl.
Add the sliced pears and apples and toss to combine.
Pour the warm dressing over the salad and toss to cover the salad well.
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon, walnuts, cheese and croutons over the top just before serving.

Serving Size: 4

You can use grapes cut in half instead of the raisins, just add them in with the pears and apples. The walnuts can also be replaced with pecans or almonds if you prefer.

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Other than that tired feeling your eyes get from all the pollen, I no longer suffer from that.

I chalk it up to my use of raw honey and local, raw milk.

My allergies were never that serious and I’m sure it takes a multifaceted approach to deal with them if they are. The Whole Foods podcast is featuring information on how to deal with seasonal allergies without drugs which often impair the body’s ability to balance itself, and just mask symptoms, as well as cause other side effects.

Part One talks about lifestyle and and part Two covers natural approaches to dealing with seasonal allergies.

photo credit: spakattacks

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Cancer-Causing Toxins Detected in Fluoride Chemicals

New York — April 8, 2008 – Traces of arsenic, copper, lead and other impurities were found in samples of chemicals used to fluoridate public water supplies between the years 2000 and 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (1)

Controversial fluoridation schemes are promoted by special-interest groups such as the American Dental Association (ADA) which claims adding fluoride chemicals to public water supplies reduces tooth decay. “Most public and government officials take their lead from the ADA,” says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.

Arsenic was detected in 43% of the 245 water fluoridation chemicals sampled by NSF International which regulates public water supply additives. (2)

Arsenic may increase cancer risk, according to the EPA which sets the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal of arsenic in water supplies at zero.(3)

Also 3% of the samples contained copper; 2% contained lead; and less than 1% contained barium, chromium, mercury, selenium or thallium. Silicates, the second most prevalent substance in fluoridation chemicals, are not health regulated.

Although no radionuclides or beryllium were found in these samples, 0.4 parts-per-billion is allowed.

Bottled water suppliers, who add fluoride, typically follow the same standards, according to the CDC. (1)

Community water fluoridation uses industrial-waste fluoride (silicofluorides). However, pharmaceutical grade fluoride may also be contaminated. According to the CDC, “Given the volumes of chemicals used in water fluoridation, a pharmaceutical grade of sodium fluoride for fluoridation could potentially contain much higher levels of arsenic, radionuclides, and regulated heavy metals than a NSF/ANSI Standard 60-certified product [the standard that water fluoridation chemicals must meet].”

The FDA regulates bottled water. But it’s almost impossible to know how much fluoride is in the bottle, unless you call the manufacturer, because:

– Domestic bottled water with no added fluoride may contain between 1.4 and 2.4 mg/L fluoride

– Imported bottled water with no added fluoride may not contain fluoride in excess of 1.4 mg/L.

– Domestic bottled water with added fluoride can contain between 0.8 and 1.7 mg/L fluoride

– Imported bottled water with added fluoride may not contain more than 0.8 mg/L fluoride.

Bottlers are not required to list any naturally-occurring fluoride on the labels.(1)

“Fluoridation is irrational whether it’s coming from the tap or the bottle,” says Beeber. “It’s time to leave fluoride chemicals and all their contaminants out of every water source.”

Over 2,300 professionals urge the US Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted, citing scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. See statement: http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement.august.2007.html.
Also, eleven Environmental Protection Agency employee unions representing over 7000 environmental and public health professionals called for a moratorium on drinking water fluoridation programs across the country, and have asked EPA management to recognize fluoride as posing a serious risk of causing cancer in people. (5)

Contact: Paul Beeber, J.D. 516-433-8882 nyscof@aol.com
President
New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
PO Box 263
Old Bethpage, NY 11804

http://www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof

http://www.FluorideAction.Net

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“Know WHAT to buy organic.”

That means that some food items are more likely to be contaminated than others with pesticides (corn, dairy products), so it makes sense to buy those items organic.

On the other hand, some foods have no appreciable pesticide residue so it’s still pretty safe to go conventional.

The Environmental Working Group has recently released their 5th edition of the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. You do have to sign up for their newsletter to get it, but they send you a printable pocket guide to keep in your wallet (helpful – I’m always forgetting this info!).

You can also check the full list of 47 fruits and veggies to see where your family’s favorites fall.

photo credit: iLoveButter

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Sweet Potato Salad

What You Need:

6 C fresh sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 C mayonnaise
1/2 C sucanat or rapadura
1 C pecans, toasted and chopped
1/2 C raisins

How to Make It:

Place the cubed potatoes into a large saucepan.
Completely cover the potatoes with water.
Place the pan over medium heat and bring the water to a brisk steady boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the potatoes for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
Drain the potatoes well and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes.
Put the mayonnaise into a small mixing bowl.
Dump the sugar in with the mayonnaise and stir until well combined.
Fold in the pecans and raisins until well coated.
Place the potatoes into a serving bowl.
Add the mayonnaise mixture and stir to coat the potatoes well.
Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator at least one hour before serving.

Serves: 8

To toast the pecans, heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pecans (pecan halves work best) in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the pecans in the oven for about 6 minutes, stirring them often, until the pecans are nice golden brown. Allow them to cool enough to work with. Use a sharp knife or a chopper to chop the nuts to desired size.

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I believe it to be a myth.

I don’t think cholesterol is bad. While I’ve never written about this on my blog, I’ve mentioned that I eat quite a bit of fat and make an effort to make sure I get plenty – of animal fat mind you – in my diet.

I was pleased to get this guest post from an expert and author on the topic. Enjoy!
photo credit: Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake

The Great Cholesterol Lie

Many people believe that their aches and pains are just a part of aging. However, what may be causing the problem is inflammation. For many, the thought that inflammation in their body is creating a problem is the last line of thinking.

They will endure treatment after treatment without relief when the simple answer may have been inflammation, the silent killer. When inflammation is determined to be the cause, you would be amazed at how simple the solution really is to eliminate it.

There has been a great deal of research on the effect of chronic inflammation on a number of diseases in the body. Conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, ADD, and a variety of aches and pains are all linked definitively to inflammation. When eliminating inflammation is the course of treatment there can be a dramatic result.

An anti-inflammatory diet is one of the ways that a patient can eliminate inflammation and begin to experience better health. The problem is that the food industry has made it too easy to purchase products that create inflammation. To become pro-active today in your own health, you have to become knowledgeable in how foods are labeled and what those labels actually mean.

The FDA has allowed food manufacturers to label foods as containing beneficial Omega-3 even though the product contains a four to one ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3. While this may sound ideal and in keeping with the latest research, the need today is to eliminate Omega-6s entirely and not add more in a processed food product. This means that people who are eating these foods under the misconception they are benefiting their health are causing more harm than good by adding inflammation.

Because of this loophole in the FDA regulation, food manufacturers are perpetrating a deception on the public. Smart consumers will have to rely on their own research and information to get the health benefits that an anti-inflammatory diet can provide.

The best path to health and eliminating inflammation is eating natural, whole foods as often as possible. Eliminate processed foods, fast food restaurants and eat foods rich in natural ingredients prepared from home more often than not.

There is a wealth of information on the subject of inflammation and the effect on the body. While it may not have yet reached mainstream awareness, consumers who educate themselves on foods they are eating will be the ones that, through taking control of their health, create a far better quality of life free of inflammation.

This article was written by Lois Smithers. You can read more about her and the book, The Great Cholesterol Lie.

Lois Smithers, a life-long equestrian, had many competition injuries including two fractured vertebrae over the course of many years all of which healed. When injuries appeared to resurface at middle age in 1999, unanimous diagnoses were old injuries combined with aging with little medicine could do. She spent the next six years trying everything possible from spinal injection, medication to acupuncture until 2005 when she discovered Omega-3. In less than a month, those disabling years ended very quickly. Intrigued by why those years had to happen at all, she spent the next 4 researching Omega-3, Omega-6 and the inflammation link to foods.

As she learned, we erroneously assume pain will be a by-product of aging as bones get older, joints stiffen, well-used muscles will ache. Quite often, it signals something much deeper. Don’t assume a dull, over-all ache is injury or age related. Inflammation is known as the “silent killer” for a very good reason. By the time the first ache makes an appearance, inflammation has been mounting and building for quite some time. Today a simple c-reactive protein test can determine the level of inflammation in the body.

See also: Traditional Foods cooking and menu mailer

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Delicious Lentil Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup brown lentils
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup red onions, diced
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
½ tsp dried thyme
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup celery stalks, diced
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper, freshly ground

Instructions:

Put the lentils, carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaf and thyme in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring mixture to a quick boil, lower heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 – 20 minutes or until the lentils are cooked (don’t let them get mushy).

Remove the bay leaf and after draining the lentil mixture, combine with lemon juice, celery and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and mix gently.

Enjoy with fresh crusty bread!

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She’s just put together a free report called “How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half“.

She is offering it as a free download here. (No opt in or obligation required.) Who couldn’t benefit from a few of these tips? I’m reading my copy right now.

And in case you missed it in the newsletter, you can get a copy of her Freezer Cooking Made Simple here too. (This is a .pdf file and opens in a new window, you can right click on the link to save it.)

**** Edited ****

When I sent this link out to my subscribers, one wrote back immediately and expressed her concern that the recipes found within were hardly compatible with a whole foods diet.

“Beenie Weenies? ewwww! I don’t think this is something you should promote. It sullies your good name. Huge fan of the show.”

Supportively,
A Mom

I really appreciate the honest feedback from my listeners! To be frank, I had the same thought as I was reading the report… but then I realized that the recipes can be altered to be more healthy. We whole foods eaters are accustomed to having to change recipes around. For example, my kids love the uncured buffalo franks and I feel totally comfortable giving them those.

Also, the principles of saving money at the grocery store are helpful, no matter what the specific diet. Susanne has a lot of healthy recipes on her blog, HillBillyHousewife.com

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Each Saturday I’ll post a free salad recipe here. If you like these, may I recommend the 365 Salad Recipes ebook for even more healthy, delicious salad recipes?

Bulgur Salad with Greens

Ingredients:

¾ cup bulgur (cracked wheat)
2 cups green peas (frozen or fresh)
½ cup chopped green onions
3 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

Bring some water to boiling point. Place the bulgur wheat in a large bowl and add the boiling water over it (according to packet instructions) – the water should cover the bulgur wheat by at least 1 inch. Let stand for about 20 to 30 minutes until tender. It should have doubled in volume.

Drain through fine-meshed sieve and get rid of excess water by pressing it out. In a small saucepan, boil the peas for about 1 minute only to keep them crunchy.

Use a salad bowl and combine all ingredients, including cooked bulgur and peas. Season with salt and pepper and toss with sesame oil.

This is a fantastic and healthy side dish to accompany beef, chicken or fish.

Yields: 8 servings

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All-Star Cast of Speakers Headlines Birth Conference

(Atlanta, GA) The mother of all childbirth conferences is coming to Atlanta, GA, April 24-26, 2009, with award-winning authors and respected medical providers sharing their wisdom and research.

Sarah Buckley, Australian physician and internationally-acclaimed writer on gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting is among six keynote speakers during the International Cesarean Awareness Network’s (ICAN) 2009 international conference.

Another keynote speaker is Dr. Eugene Declerq, professor of maternal child health and Assistant Dean for Doctoral Education, Boston University School of Public Health, lead author of two national studies of women’s experiences in childbirth and technical advisor to the film documentary The Business of Being Born.

“We invite medical providers and consumers to take advantage of the rare opportunity to hear Sarah Buckley speak in the US,” said Desirre Andrews, ICAN Vice President and Conference Chair.

Popular authors Pam England (Birthing From Within); Sarah Buckley (Gentle Birth,Gentle Mothering) and Ruth Ancheta (VBAC Source Book) will participate in a “Meet the Speakers” reception and book signing to be held Saturday evening in the exhibit hall.

Susan Hodges of Citizens for Midwifery will lead an interactive panel discussion covering midwifery legislative efforts – which states are seeking it and the pros and cons for midwives, consumers and those concerned about VBAC access during Saturday’s lunch.

Filmmaker Steve Buonaugurio will be showing his movie Pregnant in America on Friday night. He will be speaking on Fathers at Birth during a keynote session on Saturday.

A few of the many other anticipated speakers and presentations on the agenda include Sharon Storton, LMFT, Listening to Mothers; Dr Stacey Kerr, Homebirth in the Hospital; Joni Nichols, Respectful Cesarean; and Susan Jenkins, Just Say No: VBAC Bans and Other Hurdles in Avoiding Cesarean Surgery.

Registration costs from $79 to $299 depending on the sessions attended, with discounts available for ICAN subscribers and exhibitors and a $50 fee for continuing education units applied for from DONA, ICEA, and MEAC.
More info: http://ican-online.org/conference/index.html

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Winter Blahs

At first I didn’t realize what was going on. I felt sleepy, a little blue, a little aimless and unmotivated. I couldn’t get myself to do much more than fold laundry.

Being a 5 person household, 4 under 11, there is plenty of laundry folding to be done. As a procrastination technique, it’s unsurpassed. Folding laundry is oddly comforting to me. Some people twirl their hair, others dayream. I launder.

There were lots of things I wanted to blog about, and certainly stuff I needed to do online. But I couldn’t bring myself to do much of anything. 

All of a sudden it hit me. I have a case of the winter blahs. Less serious than the winter blues, the winter blahs is just a longing for spring. I want to cut my hair, get a pedicure, feel the sun on my arms. I want to go out without coats and thick clothing on.

Complicating the winter blahs is the fact that I’ve been indoors for a week recuperating or nursing sick kids. I may be a little deficient in Vitamin D. I also forgot to take my cod liver oil for some time. My bones feel a little achy and sore.

Also, I went to the gym last night for the first time in a week. I had legitimate excuses of course, but that wasn’t helping me feel any better. I needed the endorphin rush of hard exercise.

Gym Rat

I can’t believe it. I’ve become a full fledged Gym Rat. What?! ME!?

Really?

The girl who, for much of her life, could be found on the couch behind some book? Yep, that’s me. The girl who was pasty white because she couldn’t be bothered to go outside long enough to get a tan? Yep, me again.

I’ve never been the “athletic” type.

But after only a week of not working out, I felt AWFUL. I was literally EXCITED to get back into the swing of things last night.

Inspired even.

Also, I just read this book called The New Rules of Lifting for Women. And I am positively PUMPED about it. (I know, groan.) I told Burt the very handsome trainer who owns the gym I work out at whom I have a wicked crush on but he’s married so I swear it’s perfectly innocent and please don’t ever tell him of my plans to change the way I exercise and I swear, the man got a twinkle in his eye.

I’ll be writing a thorough review on Ms Fit Universe’s blog soon so stay tuned for that.

And I’m so glad the sun is out today. It’s beautiful, and the weather is supposed to be warm this weekend in Atlanta. Come on Spring!

Well that’s what’s new with me. What’s new with you?
photo credit: DrJimiGlide

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I don’t own a television, but I never miss this show (I watch it online a week after it airs on tv). This week I found myself wishing that there Dr. House was real.

Wednesday morning I took my 6 year old daughter Ilana to the E.R.

Because her feet were paralyzed.

Tuesday, mid-morning, she started vomiting. I wasn’t too worried because she had no fever or other symptoms, and despite the fact that she wasn’t keeping anything down, wasn’t acting that unusual.

I managed to keep her hydrated with water and apple juice. The last time she threw up was around 8 p.m. that night. She slept pretty peacefully all night (waking for sips of water), and in the morning she and I stayed in bed while my oldest made breakfast for the other kids. I was still recuperating from an earache and sore throat thing, and Ilana said she had no appetite, so we just hung out and cuddled.

She fell asleep which would ordinarily have been strange, except she had been sick, so it didn’t concern me too much. I got up to wash the breakfast dishes and do some laundry.

Then I see her crawling across the apartment.

Yeah, that was pretty weird.

I asked her what she was doing and she said her legs were aching. Again, I didn’t worry too much because everyone has aches and pains when they’re sick. Right?

Then after she crawled back to bed I joined her.

And I noticed her feet. Something wasn’t right.

Her feet were rigid, turned in and pointed. And stuck. She couldn’t move her ankle or anything beneath it.

I grabbed a bottle of massage oil and tried to rub them. She yelped in pain. I asked her to wiggle her toes. She couldn’t. I asked her to flex her foot. She couldn’t. She could not walk. Her feet were just frozen.

I called a nurse’s hotline. I got dressed. I Googled directions to the nearest E.R. After speaking with the nurse, I got dressed and told the boys to get their shoes on. I told oldest to get Sadie’s socks and shoes on.

I got Ilana dressed and gingerly put socks on her feet.

We got to the E.R. at around 11 A.M.

The Doctors had no idea what was wrong.

They put an I.V. in her arm and she cried about that for 30 minutes. They put a little morphine in the I.V. I knew the moment it kicked in because her eyes got droopy and she relaxed in my arms and stopped protesting about the I.V.

Meanwhile the Doctors reported that the tests showed everything normal. She wasn’t severely dehydrated. Her elecrolytes were normal. Her calcium, potassium, etc… all normal.

3 Doctors came in and looked at her, each one saying,

“This is so weird.”

(That’s comforting.)

The Doctor in charge called the Pediatrics department of the local children’s hospital and asked the Neurology department for a consult. She did a few more tests and said Ilana’s ankle reflexes were not responding.

The Doctor said the next course of action was a lumbar puncture to rule out Guillain-Barre.

I asked what would happen if we didn’t do that (very painful and invasive procedure to “rule out” something that, while serious, didn’t really match the symptoms).

She said we could watch and wait, and that if it was GB, the paralysis would be ascending and we would probably know within hours whether it was getting worse (going up the body to the other limbs and vital organs).

After a few hours of waiting around I noticed her feet looked a little less rigid. She started wiggling her toes.

Later, Ilana was able to walk back from the bathroom (the first 3 times I had to carry her).

We left the hospital at around 6:30 p.m, AMA.

Within an hour, Ilana was walking, skipping, running, jumping, and playing.

We don’t have any idea what caused this.

Where is Dr. House when you need him?

photo credit: ostromentsky

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In other words, I think we should eat our vitamins, not swallow them. At the same time, I realize that modern life makes it hard to get all the good stuff we need. What’s more, we have various things working against us. Like fluoridated water, pollution, pesticides, too much stress, etc. Hard as we try, we can’t get away from this stuff 100%, but all of it makes our bodies require more nutrition.

My biggest problem with taking supplements orally is that you don’t know what you’re doing unless you’re some kind of scientist. It’s easy to take too much or accidentally cause your body to need more of some other nutrient because of an imbalance you created.

Supplements just aren’t natural.

But what if you could “take” a supplement and know that you won’t accidentally take too much, causing more problems that you solved? That would be cool, no?

Thought so.

For the last few weeks I’ve had the chance to test out 3 magnesium supplements that you rub on your skin. “Transdermal magnesium therapy” would be the technical term.

I don’t exactly know if I’m low in magnesium (which is an essential mineral). According to research I’ve done, however, a lot of the stuff moms suffer with (like insomnia, PMS, aches and pains, anxiety, cravings for salt, carbs and chocolate, breast tenderness, depression and a whole host of other problems) could be a magnesium deficiency. I also read that according to some estimates, 2/3 of adults don’t get enough magnesium in their diets.

According to their website, transdermal magnesium therapy can do the following good stuff (I put a star next to the things I’ve experienced):

• Help your body safely detoxify
• Relieve aches, pains, and spasms *
  
• Elevate the mood and relieves stress *
  
• Encourages healthy skin tissue
• Helps maintain proper muscle function
• Boosts energy
• Supports the immune system
• Balances hormones
• Calms the nerves
• Improves sleep quality *
  

Umm, that’s a lot of stuff.

I’ll tell you what I’ve noticed, in particular.

I use the magnesium oil and gel after a really hard workout. Remember kickboxing class the other day, with the failure reps and super sets?

Typically I would have been very sore the next day and even MORE so the second day after doing an unusually strenous workout, especially with weights.

Guess what?

I had NO pain. There have been times that I’ve been so sore after doing something new or hard at the gym that I took a pain reliever so I could move without hurting.

Nada. Nothing.

I specifically applied the gel to my arms, shoulders and had my kids rub it on my back. I was very surprised to have no pain the next two days and was back at the gym that second day, with no residual soreness.

That was pretty impressive. I’ve also noticed the improved sleep and calming of nerves effect. Since I typically apply the magnesium after a workout and a shower, it’s usually around 8 or so. And I sleep like a baby.

The first time I used it, I thought it must have been a placebo effect, but I felt a really pleasant kind of calm come over me. It wasn’t until I read more about the effects of magnesium that I realized the connection.

A bit of warning. Applying the product to sensitive skin areas can cause some burning. It won’t hurt you, but silly me didn’t read the instructions and sprayed the oil on freshly shaved legs after a bath one time. Yowch! I also didn’t realize that the oil is very strong and should probably be rinsed off. Duh. Other times, I felt a little “tingle” when applying the oil, but I didn’t mind that, it was kind of pleasant. Also, I put the gel on my face one night and woke up looking like E.T. when he was dying. Or like I took a swim in the Dead Sea and didn’t rinse myself off. Or Lot’s wife. Or whatever, I was covered with salty residue. So – read instructions. If your skin is sensitive to the “tingle”, you can use the foot soak or dilute the spray with water.

The company says that fibromyalgia patients have given testimonials, saying they’ve experienced a reduction in pain using the magnesium regularly. So I’ve given the bath salts to my mother to try. I look forward to seeing how they work for her.

If you want to know more of the science behind magnesium therapy, go here to read up on it.That article also explains why oral magnesium therapy isn’t ideal – among other things, because it has a laxative effect. Applying it to the skin doesn’t cause that problem.

Oh and one last thing. On Monday (today is Wednesday), I did a different routine at the gym and yesterday was totally sore. Today I woke up and could hardly MOVE and spent most of the morning on the couch. It hurt every time I had to get up or down (my quads were so sore).

But guess what?

I didn’t apply the magnesium Monday. So that’s my own little scientific test that proves to me the stuff must be working for me

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What IS Lacto-Fermented Salsa and Why Should I Care?

To quote Nourishing Traditions,

“Lacto-fermentation is a process whereby special bacteria transform sugars and starches into beneficial acids. These … are valued for medicinal qualities including the ability to relieve intestinal problems and constipation. The proliferation of lactobacilli in fermented vegetables enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels. These beneficial organisms product numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anticarcinogenic substances. Their main by-product, lactic acid… promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine.”

To put it simply, lacto-fermented foods are whey good for you. Especially if you have any kind of issues with yeast, you need to be eating lots of lacto-fermented foods daily. They’re highly nutritive. Also great for anyone with any kind of tummy troubles. You can skip the expensive enzyme or probiotic supplements if you eat lacto-fermented veggies regularly.

Throughout the world, traditional peoples haven eaten lacto-fermented foods.

They’re your kefir, your buttermilk, your yogurt. Your sauerkraut, your kim chi, your salsa, your chow chow, your relish, your pickles. They’re your umeboshi and your chutney, folks. Every culture has ‘em and they are eaten with most every meal in small portions as a condiment.

Making them at home the old fashioned way means they’re more nutritive and much cheaper.

Lacto-fermented foods are the ultimate in “food as medicine and medicine as food”.

If you’re unconvinced, get your hands on a copy of Wild Fermentation.

Now for my recipe:

Homemade Lacto-Fermented Salsa

• 6 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 or 4 diced jalapenos (optional)
• 1 small bunch cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• juice of 2 lemons
• 1 T sea salt
• 4 T whey
• 1/4 cup water

Note: This is an adaptation of the recipe, again, from Nourishing Traditions. After some experimentation, I like my version better.

Now, if you’re new to the whole Weston A Price/Traditional diets way of thinking, I’ll have to explain how to make whey. It’s easy and cheap.

How To Make Your Whey

Buy a tub of organic, plain (unsweetened, unflavored) whole milk yogurt (like Stonyfield). Place it into a colander or sieve that is lined with a thin tea towel and place that on top of a large bowl. If you don’t have a thin tea towel, coffee filters or cheesecloth will work too.

Let that sit overnight in the fridge. The stuff in the bottom of the bowl? There’s your whey. You can use the “yogurt cheese” several ways. Sweeten it with some honey and add nuts and you have a yummy topping for toast. Google yogurt cheese for lots more ideas.

Wasn’t that easy?

Back to Lacto Fermented Salsa – It’s Whey Cool!

Salsa making is easy. Just mix all the ingredients listed above and place them into clean glass jars. Wide mouth Mason jars are great, but if you don’t have any, use any clean glass jars. I like old Bubbies sauerkraut jars or any other that I have hanging around (I like to save my glass jars for food storage, they’re great for storing and freezing everything from nuts to broth and are safer and more hygienic than plastic).

If you don’t know this already, you can quickly and easily peel tomatoes by bringing a pan of water to boil on the stove in a saucepan. Dip one tomato at a time in the rapidly boiling water with a slotted spoon. Remove after a few seconds, and the peel slips right off. To seed tomatoes, cut them in half widthwise, hold over a bowl and squeeze gently. The seeds come right out.

Once you have your veggies in the glass jars, press them down a bit with a spoon so they are under the water/whey/lemon juice liquid.

Now, all you have to do is leave them out at room temp for a couple of days on your counter.

After that, stick them in the fridge. Lactofermented salsa is best after it’s a week or two old. It gets fizzy and has a nice kick to it. Guaranteed to knock the socks off of anyone who eats your next taco, burrito, nacho or whatever dinner.

… And your colon will thank you!

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“Why is it so hard to get out of a bad mood?“

My response was,

“ I don’t think it’s hard at all. I stopped paying attention to low moods. The more you ignore it the faster it goes away.”

I thought this was a blogworthy topic so here goes.

4 Ways To Get Out of a Bad Mood Quickly

Seriously, I think the #1 most important tip is:

1) Ignore It

For real, the fastest and easiest way to get out of a bad mood is to simply ignore it. Moods are temporary – good and bad. The more attention you pay to a low mood, the longer it sticks around.

Women are ruminators. We try to analyze what happened and why. This is one of the reasons women suffer from depression more than men.

But ruminating tends to perpetuate whatever it is you’re feeling. No, scratch that. Ruminating tends to perpetuate BAD moods, not good. In fact researchers have discovered that the more people analyze why they’re *happy*, the less happiness they report feeling.

So stop thinking about your moods and just enjoy them. They’re the spice of life.Go on about your business and do whatever it is you normally do or need to do, and stop freaking out or even paying attention to your mood.

2) Self Nurture

This may take the form of a nap, or a bit of exercise, or whatever makes you feel good without being self destructive (like sugar, which will just make you feel guilty after eating it).

Things that work for me: A hot cup of coffee (and caffeine has natural antidepressant qualities too). Coldplay will jolly me out of a bad mood (or at least keep me company during). Going to the gym (increasing endorphin levels). Hugging one of my kids. Reading a great story aloud. Reading anything I enjoy reading.

You might find it helpful to make a list of ten things that make you happy, and keeping it close by so that when you are having a crappy day, you can pull it out and do one.

3) Reach Out

When you’re feeling low, the natural tendency is to isolate yourself. It makes us tired when we’re in a bad mood, and we don’t want others to see our bad side.

Forget all that! Reaching out to people you care about can remind you that your feelings about whatever are temporary. And it also helps you focus on someone else. Shifting focus tends to take you out of whatever mood you’re in. (You could even blog about it. Works for me.)

4) Journaling

If you keep a journal, you can go back and read your entries and it will become really clear to you that your moods are transitory. No matter how bad you feel today, you’ll feel better soon – maybe in a matter of hours.

People who study the science of happiness will tell you that a) negative events never impact you as negatively as you think they will, once the dust settles, and b) positive effects don’t impact you as positively as you thought they would, once the dust settles.

I keep a book on my bedside bookshelf. It’s called:

You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective

I read it through twice and still refer to it from time to time. It has been, literally, a life changing book for me.

So now it’s your turn. What are your tips for getting out of a bad mood quickly?
photo credit: bob brussack

photo credit: pareeerica

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“Carrie is soooo sore from super sets and failure reps.”

To which one of my in real life but also on FB friends responded,

“I have no idea what you just said.”

LOL! So I explained what that meant.

“I do a class at the gym and the instructor uses a lot of kickboxing moves.

Super sets are sets of exercises with free weights that do not allow you to rest inbetween sets.

Failure reps means you only count the reps AFTER muscle failure, meaning someone has to spot you because you are shaking so hard.”

To which my nephew responded,

“That is hardcore.”

For real, I think kickboxing is a fantastic exercise for mommies. And here’s why.

Kickboxing Is Low Impact

Even though you work hard and burn a lot of calories, kickboxing (at least, in exercise class) is low impact because you are not jumping up and down. One of your feet is always on the ground, and usually both are if you’re in the boxing stance.

This is good since moms, especially during the postpartum period, still have a bit of loosey-goosey joints and can injure themselves a little more easily.

Kickboxing Stretches And Strengthens Your Upper Body

You know how as a postpartum or breastfeeding mom, your chest often feels tight and you find yourself slumping a lot? Pregnancy does a number on your posture. A lot of moms suffer with back pain as a result of slumping over to nurse a baby or simply because of pregnancy changing the curve of their spine.

Kickboxing class feels great on your back. It helps you work out all those tensions you may be carrying around in your upper body. In addition, most kickboxing classes are going to incorporate strength training with free weights. Strength training is so important for women because it helps you lose inches fast and builds bone strength.

Kickboxing Tightens Your Core

Without even realizing it, since you’re not doing ab work directly, kickboxing strengthens your abdominals. For one thing, your instructor will be yelling at you to suck in your core all the time. LOL!

But also, the twisting moves (when you cross your body to throw a punch) are great for the waist.

My advice is to seek out a kickboxing style class at your local gym.

If you’re not into that, try a DVD at home, like this one: Cardio Kickboxing Just for Women

Go ahead, channel your inner Million Dollar Baby.

And just one final tip.

Athletes have to push beyond fatigue in order to get the job done. (See above.)

You can do this because you’ve given birth.

And if you’re feeling like giving up while throwing those punches, try thinking of your Ex husband.

Or your Next husband.

Works for me.

photo credit http://www.virginmedia.com

photo credit: antjeverena

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First, y’all know I love coconut.

Second, since youngest and I have issues with wheat, pancakes are a rarity around here, unless they’re gluten free and those leave something to be desired, texture wise.

So I got myself to Whole Foods and bought some Bob’s Red Mill coconut flour.

This morning, we made them there pancakes.

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

The kids and I have died and gone to breakfast heaven.

A couple of tips if you decide to make these.

First, they don’t behave on the pan. Despite having well seasoned cast iron skillets and lots of butter for greasing, they stuck like the devil.

So I made mine tiny like silver dollars, which worked better. Be fast with your spatula and don’t hesitate or they’ll make a huge mess.

Second, cook them SLOWly. Once your pan is hot, turn your heat way down or they’ll burn on the outside and be raw inside, which isn’t terribly bad, because they don’t have that raw dough taste. But still.

You have to try these! Whether you have issues with wheat or not, coconut is so good for moms. These are super filling too, the recipe is small but you only need a few silver dollar sized coconut cakes and you’ll be full all morning.

They’re naturally sweet so you only need the teensiest bit of maple syrup. I think they would be awesome as a side dish for some Caribbean style dinner.

You can learn more about using coconut flour for cooking in this book:
Cooking with Coconut Flour: A Delicious Low-Carb, Gluten-Free Alternative to Wheat

photo credit: petyosi

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Not that this is a problem for me.

I’m a single gal and am researching herbs to help CURB the desire.

Something called Chaste Tree berry looks promising.

Seriously though, if you’re married and love your partner but have no desire, that can be a real problem for the relationship.

Women – especially moms – often struggle with this issue. You guys would probably be looking for a natural, herbal remedy for the libido. While a recent study seems to say that caffeine boosts libido in women, you would have to drink the equivalent of TEN (count ‘em), TEN cups of coffee to get the effect.

Um, the only way I can see that working is because you would be too tired to sleep.

For a month.

But I can’t see it  being a very sustainable option. LOL!

This month’s podcast at Whole Foods talks about herbs that have been used for centuries for raising the libido. This is just part one and only lasts a few minutes.

Go have a listen!

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Sniff.

Well the last time I didn’t want to catch a cold I used this Oreganol and it worked, so I’m taking it again so I don’t have to deal with a runny nose and cough while I’m learning all about how to be a bad mamma jamma momma blogger.

Fingers crossed!

P.S. Oreganol has potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. In fact, there are over 50 known active ingredients in this plant that work together to provide its benefits and it has been proven to be as effective as prescription antibiotics in fighting fungal and bacterial infections.

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Speaking of the peanut butter salmonella scare…

When I heard that Larabar had voluntarily recalled their Peanut Butter bars “just in case”, I was very disappointed.

Because I had 17 of them in my pantry.

We love Larabars around here. Not only are they the healthiest snack bar I can find, but they’re handy emergency food for my youngest daughter, who is allergic to wheat.

I keep one in my car and purse most of the time so that she’ll always have something safe to eat when we go out.

So I called Larabar and they took my name and address, and mailed me a check for the cost of the bars I had to throw away.

Wasn’t that nice of them?

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Your wish is my command.

I had a kind of Caribbean theme with the menu and everyone kept saying how good the food was so I’m happy to share the recipes.

I got these from several places but tweaked them a bit to use ingredients I had on hand or to make them a little healthier.

For instance, I left the sugar out of the plantains.

They’re sweet enough with the whipped cream on them to be a side dish, but I suppose if you were serving them as a dessert a little sugar wouldn’t hurt.

And I used brown rice instead of white for the coconut rice.

Enjoy!

Coconut Shrimp with Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups brown basmati rice
• Few tablespoons ghee (you could also use butter)
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/4 tsp. red pepper
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1/4 cup lime juice, fresh squeezed
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Melt ghee or butter in large saucepan and pour in rice. Stir and “toast” rice for several minutes until it is nutty and fragrant. Add chicken broth and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce to the lowest setting for 45 minutes or until rice is cooked.

Just a few minutes before rice is done, start preparing the shrimp.

Place the coconut flakes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for a few minutes at 350 degrees. You may have to stir and turn it a bit. It should be golden brown and nicely toasted.

Put more ghee into a pan and melt. Add garlic, red pepper and shrimp and cook until shrimp is opaque (just a couple of minutes).

When the rice is cooked, stir in the cilantro and top with shrimp. Serve with toasted coconut sprinkled on the top.

Thai Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce (you can also use bottled Thai hot and spicy sauce and omit the sugar)
• 2 Tbsp sucanat or rapadura
• 1/2 cup red onion diced
• 2 large cucumbers, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 Tbsp raw peanuts

Combine the rice vinegar, lime zest, hot sauce, sugar, red onion, cucumber slices and cilantro leaves in a glass or stainless steel bowl.

Marinate at least 2 hours. Just before serving, top with the peanuts. (This recipe serves 4 so I doubled it.)

Fried Plantains with Real Whipped Cream

Ingredients

• Peanut or coconut oil, for shallow frying (I prefer coconut oil for the flavor it gives the plantains)
• 2 firm-ripe plantains
• Sea salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Fresh whipped cream

Directions

Heat about 1-inch of oil in heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat until hot. (I used a cast iron pan for this and it worked great.)

Peel the plantains and discard the skins. Slice into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Fry the plantains in oil, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon or spatula and drain. (I used a paper grocery bag to absorb the grease but you could also line a plate with paper towels.)

Sprinkle the plantains with a little salt and the cinnamon. Serve with the whipped cream. This recipe also serves four so I doubled it.

For the Whipped Cream:

• 1 small container of organic heavy cream, chilled

Whip the cream with a mixer until soft peaks form. You can add a little sugar if you like (or a little rum!) and whip again. Serve with the plantains.

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Dear EarthTalk:

It seems like more products are being packaged in #5 rather than #2 plastic today, and my local recycling agency won’t take #5. I’ve also heard that #5 plastics are more toxic, which concerns me more than the recyclability issue.

Which plastic is the better choice?

– Janice Shaffer, Chillicothe, MO

Polypropylene, which is marked with #5 inside the “chasing arrows” symbols on the bottom of plastic containers, is a lighter-weight plastic resin commonly used in dairy and deli packaging. Some companies have chosen this lighter plastic because it has a lower environmental impact to produce and transport.

High density polyethylene (HDPE), which is marked with #2, is a stiffer resin used to package cleaning products and also some dairy products. The most widely used resin type for consumer food products is polyethylene terephthalate, or PETE, which is marked with #1 and used for soda and water bottles.

According to Consumers Union’s “Greener Choices” website, all three of these plastics are considered safe for their original use, though any of them can leak toxins when reused repeatedly. And all three can be recycled, though a lagging market leads some recycling locations to limit what they’ll accept. There is also concern that widespread plastics recycling encourages more use of plastics, and that efforts would be better spent getting consumers to buy fewer plastic-encased products. Some even criticize the chasing-arrow labeling system for implying a higher level of recyclability than is presently available.

Why is a lighter-weight plastic better? According to dairy company Stonyfield Farm, their #5 one-quart yogurt container uses 30 percent less plastic than a #2 cup. Since it takes less material to make a thinner container, it reduces the amount of resin that needs to be manufactured. Stonyfield estimates that the use of #5 over #2 prevents the manufacture and disposal of more than 100 tons of plastic per year.

But savings comes from more than manufacturing. The heavier #2 plastics require more energy to transport. It’s not only getting the yogurt from Stonyfield’s plants to your store, but also getting the containers from the plastics manufacturer to their dairies. In fact, the company cites a packaging study by the Boston-based Tellus Institute which found that 95 percent of the environmental costs of packaging lie in production and less than five percent are associated with disposal.

According to the website Earth 911, a national directory of recycling outlets, the best thing consumers can do is to choose items with less packaging and buy in bulk when possible. So the next time you reach into the dairy case, grab the quart or gallon-size yogurt instead of the single-serving cups. Then, make sure you recycle only the allowable plastics so you don’t contaminate the lot. While recycling is important, it may be okay to landfill a product’s packaging if it was created with an environmentally responsible plan.

Besides seeking alternatives to plastic packaging, consumers can affect overall plastic use by supporting legislation that would require manufacturers to take back their plastic packaging, which would encourage “cradle-to-grave” practices. Further, you can support legislation that mandates more use of recycled plastic content, which would reduce the overall amount of virgin plastic produced in the first place.

CONTACTS: Stonyfield Farm’s Earth Actions, www.stonyfield.com/EarthActions, Consumer Reports’ Greener Choices, www.greenerchoices.org; Earth 911, www.earth911.com.

Go  here to subscribe to E! Environmental Magazine

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The ladies at Cheeseslave and KellytheKitchenKop host this meme weekly, where they discuss their real life real food tips and ideas.

This week’s theme is Healthy Fast Food, otherwise known as “It’s 5 o’clock and I haven’t a clue what’s for dinner“.

Here’s what I do when I want to avoid eating out, offering something packaged or otherwise inferior in nutrition, but am short on time.

• Cheese Quesadillas – Make with sprouted tortillas and raw cheddar cheese, and served with homemade salsa.These take less than 5 minutes to get on the table and the kids love them.
• Breakfast for Dinner – Free range eggs scrambled or fried in grass fed butter with potatoes pan fried in coconut oil and butter.I get my 6 year old daughter to chop the taters for me so things go faster.
• Cheese, Apples and Crackers – This snack was invented by my mom. She would snack on tart apples sliced thinly (with a teensy dash of salt!), pepper Jack cheese and Triscuits.My version of this is sliced Gala (my favorites – and kept the salt!) apples, blocks of raw cheese, and sprouted flax crackers or Ry-Vita.We just had this today for lunch. It’s super easy and fast but quite filling, and seems to satisfy all your cravings. The apples are sweet and salty, the crackers crunchy, and the cheese is creamy and provides some fat and protein.
• Quick Burgers & Kraut- I fry up some burgers (from grass fed ground beef or buffalo) and serve them with Bubbie’s sauerkraut (which I always keep in my fridge because I can’t seem to find time to make homemade lately).We serve our burgers without buns because my youngest is wheat allergic and I don’t think the older kids would like the taste and texture of GF buns, but they like them just fine this way.
• Fried Rice – I shared my recipe on my post about cheap eats. I cook rice more days than not so I almost always have some leftover rice in the fridge.I cook it with whatever veggies I have on hand, along with a couple of real eggs and plenty of coconut oil. The kids always ask for seconds on this one, and it takes minutes to prepare.
• Larabars – When all else fails, Larabars are a lifesaver. They are truly the only healthy “granola” bar out there, at least that I’ve found, are are on the Weston A Price Shopping Guide listings under Snacks. They have no isolated soy protein or sweeteners or other pseudo-healthy ingredients. They’re grain free so my youngest can eat them. They’re simply raw fruit and nuts smushed together, and taste delicious. I try to keep these in my purse or in the car or pantry for emergencies. I recently purchased a box of these at Whole Foods, in the peanut flavor, and lo and behold they’ve been recalled because of possibility of the peanuts being contaminated. The company is issuing a refund so it’s all good. I’ve had to beat the children off of them in the meantime, lol!

Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with kids. Now I’m not cooking for a man anymore so your mileage may vary. LOL!

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Often when I am adding graphics to this blog and I use the little Photo Dropper thing, I find one of Tiffany Washko’s kids drinking a green smoothie. It’s totally hilarious.

Well, it’s no wonder. She has worked her magic again and just launched a new Green Smoothie Recipes for Kids cookbook.

And you should totally check it out.

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