Become a Hyperlocavore

Sure it is convenient to go to a supermarket and get all your groceries in one place. But has it ever crossed your mind what it took to grow the food, harvest it, package it, ship it, process it, etc? Take a look at this video and you will have a good idea of what your food goes through before getting to the supermarket. If it is at all convincing and inspiring, you can take steps now to becoming a hyperlocavore, a person who tries to eat as much food as locally as possible. Growing your own is as local as it gets, but not everyone has the time or the land - those who do can tell you how personally rewarding it is, not to mention cheap.

Gone are the times when all food sold was local food. Now you have to use your judgment, and if you really want to know what real food tastes like, either grow your own of buy at local farms. Do not automatically assume that this will be more expensive than buying at a supermarket, it can actually be cheaper if you join a CSA and split the crop with friends and family if you are concerned you will not be able to consume your share without waste. Local crops will also not spoil as fast as those that you buy at a grocery store which have already traveled thousands of miles and spent days in trucks. Not to mention that local farms do not use gallons of pesticides for every tomato. Try Local Harvest to find farms, farmer's markets, and CSAs near you!

100 REASONS TO BECOME A HYPERLOCAVORE

Become a Hyperlocavore

Weekly FDA Enforcement Reports

Curious as I am I have come across interesting information on the FDA website where each week they publish a report of recalled food and drug products. It provides the product name and code, recalling firm or manufacturer, the reason for the recall, the volume of the product in commerce, and where it was distributed (country or states). The interesting thing is that these are fairly common and daily occurrences, are these items recalled before they get to the consumer? I hope so. You'll find recalls like black licorice candy that contained lead in excess of the 0.1 ppm maximum level recommended by FDA, distributed in 16 states, MA included. Hm, Hershey's Cookie 'n' Cream candy bars recalled due to the possibility that they contain small metal fragments. How about blood that was donated but recalled because the "donor traveled to an area considered endemic for malaria." Contaminated influenza vaccine anyone? Then there is all the food products that get recalled because there are undeclared ingredients not listed on labels. For example, a 'natural' cheese alternative that did not declare milk as an ingredient, ironic, huh? How do you know what you are getting if this vaccine labeled as preservative free was recalled because it in fact contained thimerosal?

It is great that they do enforce this, even though in many cases it is not the FDA but the manufacturers themselves who report the recalls to avoid liability issues if some product indeed does damage a person's health. But the question stands above this, do people/manufacturers create their own problems that in turn negatively impact the health of those around them? Often driven by greed, but sometimes with actual good intentions. Industrialization brought us so far from safety and simplicity, there is really nothing that can be done.

This leads to a simple decision to lead a simple lifestyle that does not depend on these items that are so often recalled or contaminated, processed foods and drugs. We have the choice to consume foods that strengthen our immune system, renew our energy, and nourish our bodies. While government agencies can't handle all the millions of products and guarantee us safety, we can depend on our own common sense and choose to invest in nutrition. With so many processed foods devoid of nutrients, our bodies are begging for food that is alive and brings health to every living cell.

Please share your thoughts and comments on this subject.

Weekly FDA Enforcement Reports

Baby Registry Tips

1. Start Early: You will be more relaxed and make wiser decisions if you have a lot of time to plan, something that you thought was essential a month ago might be completely unnecessary when you think it over and 'sleep on it'. Give yourself time to change your mind - a lot. That way you don't end up with things you don't need.

2. Avoid the Urge to Be Gender Specific: If you know the gender of the baby, avoid going all pink or all blue, especially with gear that is pricey and can be used for subsequent children of other genders. Get some clothing that is yellow, green, orange, or white; you can stick to neutral for bedding and instead accessorize with a few things that are gender specific if you really want. Although ultra sounds are great at predicting the gender, it is also never 100%!

3. Ask Around for Used Items: If you are on a budget, ask around your friends and family with kids if they have anything that they no longer need but you could use. This especially applies to clothing, your newborn could care less what he/she is wearing and you will be amazed how fast they will grow out of the outfits. Clothes can really add up, so instead of registering for it you maximize the chances of getting things you need more at the baby shower. You can also borrow cribs, changing tables, high chairs, bouncy chairs, and swings, just make sure to check for recalls on those items. You can even borrow a car seat from a close friend/relative as long as you can trust them 100% that it has never been in an accident and that it is a current model that still adheres to all safety guidelines.

4. Prioritize: If your baby shower guest list is 20 people and you register for 150 items, what do you think your odds are in getting the things you need? Avoid scanning every cute thing you see and make the list proportional in the dollar sum to the amount of people you think will be at the shower. Perhaps you can omit that luxurious bedding set and instead get diapers in various sizes; do you really need that 'toy of the year' more than bathing and feeding necessities? You really don't need to buy clothes, I guarantee you will get some at the shower even though you don't register for them, usually the same goes for toys. If you are really picky you can always exchange them for clothes and toys you like.

5. Always Get Gift Cards: You can never have too many gift cards! These are great for after the shower to get the things that you really need but did not get before the baby arrives. If you will be returning items that might be duplicates from the shower gifts, most stores can add that store credit to one of your gift cards so you don't have to have a card flood in your wallet.

6. Read Up on Reviews: I cannot stress this enough, you will avoid disappointment and having to return items that don't live up to expectations. Since you can't exactly open every package and try things at the store, consider reading online reviews (I went crazy and did this for nearly every item). Sites like epinions, buzzilions, and viewpoints can be helpful with this. If you are registered at a large store like Babies R Us, you have the convenience of reading the reviews online by other moms and dads and you can add and delete items in your registry as you find out what will work best for you. You can of course ask other moms you know for advice in person, but I think having 20 opinions beats two or three, you get a much broader perspective and more accurate conclusions about products.

7. Try Alternative Registries: If you know that most of your guests are online and are computer savvy, consider online registries. There is a lot more options and flexibility registering with amazon.com or myregistry.com than in a brick and mortar store. This way you can add nearly anything you find on the internet to your registry and are not restricted to store inventory. Your guests can also get the best deals and prices and often free shipping. Consider having one of these as a second registry with a few items that are simply not sold in stores but you really want to get.

Finally, if you have some time on your hands, you can always make your own breastfeeding covers, newborn booties, and pouch or adjustable ring slings. They are easy, fun, and very useful (not to mention a lot cheaper than buying), and you'll be proud to have something that is not store bought!

Baby Registry Tips

Circumcision Decisions

If you are pregnant and having a boy, you have probably contemplated whether you should circumcise you baby. Circumcision in the United States largely became routine practice without significant scientific basis. The issue of hygiene is the only moderately viable argument, and even then it comes down to how responsible the male is in taking care of himself once he is old enough and capable. There is actually no conclusive evidence that having the foreskin removed reduces risks for STDs as might have been previously thought. There are absolutely no medical arguments for circumcision, so the decision to make it routine many years ago was made just like many other decisions in this country, on impulse, profit, and societal issues.

This is without mentioning how painful this procedure is, just because a baby cannot speak for himself it does not mean it will not hurt him. Often mothers experience a lot of trouble breastfeeding a circumcised baby boy because that trust and bond has been violated and the baby can feel it. Is it worth mutilating a body part to fit in with society? Europeans recognize that there are no medical indications for routine neonatal circumcision, why has the United States been blindly brainwashing everyone? Circumcision, or foreskin amputation, is big business. Each one costs over $100, divided between the doctor and the hospital. At its peak, there were over one million a year. This added up to well over 100 million dollars every year. Insurers need not pay for this unnecessary surgery, and they can save much needed health dollars at the same time.

Moreover, there are risks involved with circumcision just like with any other surgery. One out of every 500 circumcisions results in serious complication, the infection rate is higher than that. Four out of every 100 are considered unsatisfactory or result in other complications. Actually, a study that followed the infants beyond the post-operative period concluded that complications occurred in 55% of the boys.

For more information, read these articles:

Circumcision, If I Only Knew

George C. Denniston, MD, MPH

Paul M. Fleiss, MD, MPH

Positions of Medical Associations

Estimated U.S. Incidence of Neonatal Circumcision Complications

Circumcision Complications

source

2/23/09 update: great article on circumcision

Circumcision Decisions

10 Dangerous Household Items

Household consumer products injure 33.1 million people in the United States every year. These incidents cost $800 billion in related expenses from death, injury or property damages. And many scientists are starting to believe that, in particular, the chemicals found in a wide variety of the goods you use every day may be more toxic than previously thought. Here are 10 of the most common products that may be hazardous to your health:

10. Mothballs

Since moths chew holes through clothing and other textiles, people pack away these stinky repellents to kill them. But studies on one active ingredient in some repellents, paradichlorobenzene, found that it can cause cancer in animals. Other types of moth balls use naphthalene, which after prolonged exposure can damage or destroy red blood cells, and which can also stimulate nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

9. Pesticides

Ninety percent of households in the United States use some form of pesticide, a broad term that encompasses a variety of chemical formulas that kill everything from tiny microorganisms up to rodents. In 2006, the American Association of Poison Control Centers received nearly 46,000 calls regarding children under 5 years old who had been exposed to potentially toxic levels of pesticides.

8. Pressed Wood Products

This faux wood takes bits and pieces of logs and wood leftovers and combines them together. Pressed wood products include paneling, particle board, fiberboard and insulation, all of which were particularly popular for home construction in the 1970’s. However, the glue that holds the wood particles in place may use urea-formaldehyde as a resin. The U.S. EPA estimates that this is the largest source of formaldehyde emissions indoors. Formaldehyde exposure can set off watery eyes, burning eyes and throat, difficulty breathing and asthma attacks. Scientists also know that it can cause cancer in animals. The risk is greater with older pressed wood products, since newer ones are better regulated.

7. Chemicals in Carpets

­Indoor carpeting has recently come under greater scrutiny because of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with new carpet installation. The glue and dyes used with carpeting are known to emit VOCs, which can be harmful to your health in high concentrations. However, the initial VOC emissions will often subside after the first few days following.

6. Laser Printers Chemicals

­­A 2007 study found that some laser printers give off ultra fine particles that can cause serious health problems. Another study confirmed that laser and ink-jet printers can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone particulates. All of these have been linked with heart and lung disease.

5. Lead Paint

­In 1991, the U.S. government declared lead to be the greatest environmental threat to children. Even low concentrations can cause problems with your central nervous system, brain, blood cells and kidneys. It's particularly threatening for fetuses, babies and children, because of potential developmental disorders. Many houses built before 1978 contain lead paint. Once the paint begins to peel away will, it release the harmful lead particles that you can inhale.

4. Air Fresheners and Cleaning Solutions

­Air fresheners and cleaning solutions, when used excessively or in a small, unventilated area, can release toxic levels of pollutants. This comes from two main chemicals called ethylene-based glycol ethers and terpenes. While the EPA regards the ethers as toxic by themselves, the non-toxic terpenes can react with ozone in the air to form a poisonous combination. Air fresheners in particular are linked to many volatile organic compounds, such as nitrogen dioxide, and some fresheners also contain paradichlorobenzene, the same chemical emitted by mothballs.

3. Baby Bottles and BPA

Canada has taken the first steps to outlaw the sale of baby bottles made from polycarbonate plastics, which are the most common type on the market. It has done so because the plastics are made with a chemical called bisphenol-a (BPA). BPA has a structure very similar to estrogen and for that reason is referred to as a "hormone disruptor." Hormone disruptors can interfere with the natural human hormones, especially for young children.

2. Flame Retardants

Commonly used in mattresses, upholstery, television and computer casings and circuit boards, flame retardants use polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs for short. Two forms of PBDEs were phased out of use in manufacturing in the United States in 2004 because of related health threats, but the products containing them linger on. Studies have linked PBDEs to learning and memory problems, lowered sperm counts and poor thyroid functioning in rats and mice. Other animal studies have indicated that PBDEs could be carcinogenic in humans, although that has not yet been confirmed.

1. Cosmetic Phthalates

Phthalates, also called plasticizers, go into many products including hair spray, shampoos, fragrances, and deodorants. Phthalates bind the color and fragrance in cosmetic products, and are also used to increase the durability and flexibility of plastics. Like BPA, these hormone-like chemicals are linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals. Because of these findings, California and Washington state have banned the use of phthalates in toys for younger children.

Source: Mercola.com

10 Dangerous Household Items

Please Sign the Formaldehyde Petition

Please take a moment to sign the petition to Restrict/Label Formaldehyde in Textile Products. Why is this so important and why should you care? Because currently the USA does not have any safety standard in place when it comes to formaldehyde limits in textiles. ANYTHING GOES HERE! Recently, baby clothing made in China was tested for formaldehyde levels and they were found to be 900 (!) times what is considered safe by the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile, please take care to wash any new clothes before putting it on your baby or anyone else in your family for that matter (it will remove some but not all of the formaldehyde), that is the least you can do to prevent formaldehyde from absorbing into and irritating the skin. Of course, if you can afford it you are better off buying clothing made from organic textiles until the 'powers above' have the decency to pass legislation to label it.

Formaldehyde is a toxic gas that can be dangerous in our children’s environments for many reasons.

“These toxic fumes, even in small amounts, can cause nose and eye irritation (burning, itchy, tearing, and sore throat) in children as well as in adults. Long-term exposure and high concentrations of formaldehyde can lead to cancer. In animal studies, rats exposed to high levels of formaldehyde in air developed nose cancer. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen.” 1

Do you see now why you should be concerned about this being present in clothing at 900 times the 'safe' level?

European Countries like Austria, Finland, Germany, Norway and Netherlands have laid down national legislation restricting the presence of formaldehyde in textile products. The US needs to get with the times here as well. This needs to be done for the health and well-being of our children and consumers at large.

1 http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts111.html#bookmark02

Please Sign the Formaldehyde Petition

Battling Childhood TV Addiction

It is very challenging raising a child in this industry-generated culture. We are surrounded by media at every step, with every program, corporation, and organization vying for our attention and resources. Children have increasingly become victims of this media culture where their real human needs are not met. Sixty years ago, how often would one hear about a depressed child committing suicide or shooting his/her classmates? Parents have every reason to be concerned about what and how much their children watch on television, what games they play, what books they read. I am personally an advocate for no television for children until they are at least five years old - but I have yet to raise a child and I feel that there will be a lot of pressure. Really, I've heard of no studies about the benefits of children watching television, only the opposite.

Watching television is a passive, anti-social activity that replaces an active and social childhood. Desperate, inexperienced parents shove their child in front of the TV as early as infancy without a thought about the consequences. Then they wonder why their children start talking so late, have trouble learning to read, and acquire vision problems before they even start school. At one point the parents will start reaping the rewards: aggressive behavior, constant nagging to acquire advertised food/products, ADHD, and obesity.

Did you ever take note of the subject of children's and teenager's conversations recently? If you listen in there is probably a 95% chance that they will be discussing a cartoon or television program, the newest toy or gadget they want, their favorite musician/celebrity, or their body image. You will rarely hear anything personal, creative, cultural, or inventive. If this is somewhat like your children, don't pass by the red flag.

If you look at page 10 of this PDF at the chart illustrating scientific studies vs. news reports of the Effect of Media Violence on Aggression, it is clear the media wants us to think in its favor. The role of media in childhood obesity is also very clear and does not leave any room for doubt. I highly recommend reading the latest systematic review published in November 2008 on Media and Child/Adolescent Health.

If you are looking for a good parenting book to read that addresses this issue, I recommend Parenting Well in a Media Age by Gloria DeGaetano, it was a very easy, educational, and enjoyable book to devour.

Battling Childhood TV Addiction

The Drugging of Our Children

The amount of drugs distributed to American children is alarming to say the least. Seventy five percent of prescription drugs do not have labeling indications for children, so doctors are left with the decision on whether or not they are safe to prescribe without having any studies to rely on. Much too often children end up with far worse side effects (including fatalities) than the problem the drug is intended to treat.

What's worse is that childhood psychological problems are now treated with drugs. U.S. children are getting three times more antipsychotic prescriptions than children in other countries. Does it sound radical that without the presence of a single doctor, the court can decide to put a child on five powerful anti-psychotic drugs, even though none of these drugs have been approved by the FDA for use in children? That actually happened, hard to believe, isn't it?

Parents often opt for a pill for their kids rather than taking on the responsibility to change their family's lifestyle and diet in order to help their children overcome diseases and illness. The problem is that neither the FDA, USDA, nor the CDC want to address the causes of all these childhood problems that have been skyrocketing over the past two decades with the introduction of aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, msg, and a concoction of artificial flavors, colors, and additives. And let's face it, most parents are too busy raising their children to research this and make their own decisions when the government organizations fail to do so. Unfortunately, too many parents will choose the '5 minutes in the microwave' frozen dinner with a list of 40 ingredients rather than spend the time making a meal from scratch. I urge you to take control of the health of your family, nobody else will. Stop wasting your time going gaga over the stroller this celebrity has for her baby or the baby carrier that star was photographed with last week, there are more important things in life - like your own family, not someone else's.

This is not about 'going green', what a lame and overused phrase. This is about going back to common sense that is so lacking these days, when 'green' was ordinary and did not need a special word. When all food was organic and apples weren't smothered with pesticides and coated with wax. When you did not have to read the label to find out what kind of chemicals are in a product, food was simply food.

The Drugging of Our Children

Aspartame 1981 Approval Not Science Based

It is alarming that aspartame was approved by the FDA before I was even born based solely on political and financial pressure, and in all these years the FDA has not reevaluated this highly carcinogenic food additive even once. That's right, you read correctly, the approval of aspartame was not based on scientific evidence and studies conducted, the FDA completely ignored the advice of scientists and the FDA statistician who strongly opposed its approval.

If you do your own research you will find that 98% of studies that concluded there is no risk were sponsored by the artificial sweetener industry, so 98% of independent studies showed a direct undeniable link to cancer. Only 4% from both industry and independent combined are neither here nor there. In a two-year study conducted by the manufacturer of aspartame, twelve of 320 rats fed a normal diet and aspartame developed brain tumors while none of the control rats developed tumors, and five of the twelve tumors were in rats given a low dose of aspartame. This was one of the ignored studies. Other studies have shown that aspartic acid, one of the main ingredients in aspartame, causes damage to the brains of infant mice.

This is proof that the FDA does not care about the welfare of the people, nobody can convince me otherwise. The stamp 'FDA approved' is just a reason to be cautious of whatever it is you are buying and often a good sign that the product is not safe. Aspartame was pushed through and approved by the FDA for the profit and benefit of the select few, they now have innocent blood on their hands.

source

Aspartame 1981 Approval Not Science Based

Treating a Cold (or Flu) in Pregnancy

As if being pregnant is not challenging enough, fighting a cold or flu in addition to that can make you feel really blue - even worse if you are working! Here are some helpful womb friendly tips for fighting a cold in pregnancy.

It's best to avoid 'over the counter' cold treatments during pregnancy as many contain substances such as alcohol, decongestants and antihistamines that either aren't safe, or haven't been approved for use by expectant or breastfeeding mothers. This isn't as bad as it sounds as most cold medicines aren't actually able to clear the cold virus and instead just help to alleviate the symptoms - something that can be achieved with a range of alternative remedies.

• The best thing you can do for your body (and your baby) when you catch a cold is to get plenty of rest. Your body can fight infections better when you're not rushing about so taking some time out to look after yourself and recover properly definitely pays.
  
  
  
• Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables will not only help stave off any infections but will also help you to recover full fitness when you do catch a bug. If you don't feel much like eating try to consume five or six small meals throughout the day starting with plain food such as wholemeal toast; freshly squeezed juices and homemade soups are also packed with vitamins and make great nutrient rich snacks.
  
  
  
• It's more important than ever to stay hydrated when you catch a cold so aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water, sugar free squash or herbal tea a day; hot honey and lemon is also great for calming a sore throat.
  
  
  
• If a blocked nose is stopping you sleeping you could try using an extra pillow to raise your head or, if you find this uncomfortable, raising the top end of your mattress by putting a pillow underneath to create a gentler incline.
  
  
  
• To help alleviate congested sinuses you could try creating a mini-steamer by placing a few drops of tea tree, peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl with very hot water, placing a towel over your head and spending a few minutes breathing in the refreshing steam. You could also try draping a warm flannel over your sinus area (adding a couple of drops of essential oil if you wish) to help relieve the feeling of pressure here
  
  
  
• If you have a sore throat gargling salt water can help. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in some warm water and swill this mixture around your mouth and throat for a few minutes taking care not to swallow!
  
  
  
• Avoid smoking (duh) or smoky environments as these irritate the respiratory tract further, exacerbating any cold symptoms
  
  
  
• Buy some Vitamin D supplements to strengthen your immune system (unless it is summer, then the best thing for you is to get outdoors and get some sun, without any carcinogenic sunscreens on), 1,000 IU is good for daily intake to avoid catching a cold, but to treat one you need at least 2,000 IU daily. Some doctors and scientists who research vitamin D will argue that even that is not enough, but chances are - if you have a cold or the flu you have vitamin D deficiency.

• If all of the above is not enough relief for you, try Boiron Oscillococcinum Natural Flu Relief, works for colds just as well. Chances are, your doctor would squirm at any natural remedy, but you could ask for her/his opinion. As far as I understand, the ingredient is harmless: "Homeocoksinum (Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum) has no side effects and will not interact with any medication. Like all other homeopathic medicines, it is safe for children, adults (including pregnant women) and the elderly." The number one flu medicine in France, it has been used for 65 years and is regularly recommended by physicians there. It is the only medicine for the flu with no side effects. Does not have any drug interactions.
  

Get better soon!

Treating a Cold (or Flu) in Pregnancy

Burt's Bees and Clorox: what's the link?

I was quite sad when I learned this, I wonder what took me so long to find out. All this time I didn't know that Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox. Of course that was not always that way. Clorox bought Burt's Bees in November 2007 for $913 million dollars. They saw this as an opportunity to get into the growing 'green' market. I still find it hard to buy the “Don’t judge Clorox as much by where they’ve been as much as where they intend to go” statement made by John Replogle, the chief executive of Burt’s Bees.

Unfortunately it will more likely be Clorox that changes the face of Burt's Bees rather than vice versa. You can't make bleach 'green', its bleach. Of course they sell scores of other products like Brita water filters, Glad trash bags and Hidden Valley salad dressings that have nothing to do with bleach. Hopefully the green-wash marketing used for Green Works will not migrate to Burt's Bees products also. The 380 Burt's Bees emloyees have the potential to influence Clorox, but that will be tough going against the grain of their 7,800 employees.

It would be highly unlikely you would see Burt's Bees at CVS, Walgreens, Target, and Wal-Mart if it was not bought out by Clorox. So 'green' going mainstream has its pros and cons, it is getting harder and harder to tell which products truly are sustainable and made of natural ingredients. Your best bet is sticking to companies that are not owned by huge corporations, smaller is better in this case.

source

Burt's Bees and Clorox: what's the link?

Giggle 50 % Off Sale

Take advantage of the Giggle Winter Sale, you can get select gear, furniture, and apparel at up to 50% off. Save $110.01 on the Quinny Buzz, $23.01 on the Mimi the Sardine Shopper tote, 50% off the Maclaren Beginning Travel Bag for Mom & Baby, and $50.01 on the Pretty Square Crib Set!

Organic cotton long sleeve tees and short sleeve side snaps are just $8.99.

Giggle 50 % Off Sale

Newborn Vitamin K Shot

I am left quite astonished when parents do not question and have no interest in the newborn procedures performed routinely in hospitals. If you have a baby you are probably aware that he/she was given a Vitamin K shot at birth. So what is this shot really? Just a good vitamin, right? It is supposed to aid in clotting and can be life saving for those babies that have bleeding in the brain (occurs in 5 out of 100,000 babies).

So what happens to the the 99,995 babies that do not develop the intracranial bleeding but are injected anyway? Here is some info that might clarify things:

"The downside of this practice however is a possibly 80% increased risk of developing childhood leukemia. While a few studies have refuted this suggestion, several tightly controlled studies have shown this correlation to be most likely.^4,5 A more recent analysis of six different studies suggests it may be a 10 or 20% increased risk. This is still a significant number of avoidable cancers.⁶

Apparently the cell division that continues to be quite rapid after birth continues to depend on precise amounts of vitamin K to proceed at the proper rate. Introduction of levels that are 20,000 times the newborn level, the amount usually injected, can have devastating consequences."

4. L. Parker et al., "Neonatal vitamin K administration and childhood cancer in the north of England: retrospective case-control study," BMJ (England) 316, no. 7126 (Jan 1998): 189-93.

5. S.J. Passmore et al., "Case-control studies of relation between childhood cancer and neonatal vitamin K administration," BMJ (England) 316, no. 7126 (Jan 1998): 178-84.

6. E. Roman et al., "Vitamin K and childhood cancer: analysis of individual patient data from six case-control studies," Br J Cancer (England) 86, no. 1 (Jan 2002): 63-9.

So being pregnant I decided, hey, why don't I look at the Vitamin K shot insert from Merck, the company that manufactures it and see what it says. Common sense, right? So I did and I quote the wording straight from the insert:

"WARNING - INTRAVENOUS USE Severe reactions, including fatalities, have occurred during and immediately after the parenteral administration of AquaMEPHYTON* (Phytonadione). Typically these severe reactions have resembled hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis, including shock and cardiac and/or respiratory arrest. Some patients have exhibited these severe reactions on receiving AquaMEPHYTON for the first time. The majority of these reported events occurred following intravenous administration, even when precautions have been taken to dilute the AquaMEPHYTON and to avoid rapid infusion."

Do you see anything wrong with that? I don't know about you, but I can't allow something to be injected into my baby that clearly reads on the label that death is a side effect. Hm, I wonder if this has anything to do with the embarrassing infant mortality rate in the US that keeps falling behind other developed countries year after year - Cuba ranks better than us. Nobody but you, the parent, is liable for your child, that is why you sign a ton of papers upon admission without exception.

I also have an interesting observation, my sister-in-law and my cousin both gave birth in the same hospital, 6 days apart, both are first time moms. One newborn received all the routine procedures and the mother gave birth with an epidural, the other had no epidural and opted out of all newborn procedures. The first baby had jaundice and the mother had trouble breastfeeding, the latter had absolutely no issues with the newborn or breastfeeding. Of course, you can't conclude anything from a comparison of two people, and there are many factors involved - but I would rather be the second mom than the first. Could it be that all of our man-made interventions are the cause of problems in newborns? Please comment with your opinion.

Also peculiar, the second mother that gave birth without medical intervention was confronted by the nurse who was taking care of her - confronted in a good way. What she said went something like this "I admire you for questioning the necessity of all these procedures, it is very rare that any parent does, they usually have no idea. The thing is that I am not allowed to tell parents just how unnecessary and detrimental to newborn health these things are, none of my own children got the shots or injections."

Newborn Vitamin K Shot

The Latest on CPSIA

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act clarified its requirements for used clothing and baby equipment resellers but still leaves libraries unaccounted for when it comes to children's books, hopefully that will change before the law goes into effect February 10th. Here is the latest from the CPSC.

"The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties."

Not very comforting is it? Basically they are not banning the sale of these products, but the consequences force the resellers to get rid of those products if they don't want to end up in court at some point. Regardless, this act will put hundreds of small businesses out of business simply because they can't afford the testing. This includes the small local toy manufacturers and stay at home moms that make a living on their handmade creations. The government intended well in leaving no loopholes in the law, but went too far and now will eliminate competition and put more strain on small businesses already struggling in this economy. The toy giants will do just fine, but good luck finding unique, handmade, non-toxic toys after this law goes into effect! I have never stepped foot into a Toys R Us, will I have no choice now?

The Latest on CPSIA

FDA Approves Two Stevia-based Sweeteners

At a glance this may look like good news, but here is the inside scoop on the implications. The FDA has approved two new Stevia-based sweeteners developed by Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo. TruVia and Purevia were both approved by the government agency and labeled 'generally recognized as safe'. What they will not tell you though is that these sweeteners do not use the whole Stevia plant, both products use rebiana, an extract from the stevia plant. No one has consumed just the active ingredient rebaudioside A for any length of time to be able to tell what might happen and what the side effects are. On the other hand, this can't be as deadly as aspartame.

So while this is good news for those seeking a more natural sweetener, it really is just the tip of the iceberg. At the end of 2007 the FDA declared natural Stevia as an 'unsafe food additive', so why would they all of the sudden change their mind? Because what got approved is not the natural Stevia sweetener but an alternative derived from Stevia that is, of course, produced by two huge corporations and already has marketing labels (can you smell the money?)

If you are addicted to all things sweetened with aspartame and want to make a 'healthy' move to Stevia, I would advise solving the addiction to everything sweet problem first. The rate at which Americans consume both naturally and artificially sweetened products is mind boggling to me.

FDA Approves Two Stevia-based Sweeteners

Countries Warn on Children's Cell Phone Use

According to the Independent, the French government is cracking down on children's cell phone use. New legislation bans cell phone advertising targeted at children under 12. A year ago France's official Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health Safety said that parents should not give small children mobiles. So far this is the most radical recent action any government in the world has taken regarding cell phones. Other countries have posted warnings such as:

• Israel’s Health Ministry: Advises caution
• Toronto’s Department of Public Health: Children under eight should only use mobiles in emergencies; teenagers should limit calls to 10 minutes or less.
• Russian Ministry of Health: Young people under 18 should not use cell phones.

The hazards of cell phone radiation have been a controversy largely because many studies that have been presented as reliable were done by the cell phone industry itself. More recent independent studies though prove the opposite and warn of an impeding brain tumor/cancer epidemic that would take a decade or more to appear in following generations.

In the spring of 2008 scientists at universities of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Aarhus, Denmark conducted a very large study involving 13,000 children that showed a direct link between cell phone use of pregnant women and behavioral problems in children they gave birth to. It was published in the July 2008 issue of the journal of Epidemiology and is particularly significant because one of the authors has been skeptical of mobile phone risk to health.

It is also no secret that some studies conducted in previous years that made headlines in international papers warning people of long term cell phone dangers were cited in American papers with completely different conclusions that mislead the public, such as that the study was inconclusive and shows no link to health problems.

On a personal note, ditching my cell phone was the only cure that finally resolved my 8 year struggle with migraines that no doctor or specialist could tell me the reason for. So far I have been without a cell phone for 10 months and haven't had a single migraine.

Countries Warn on Children's Cell Phone Use

Making Baby Food Ideas

There are many inventive and delicious things you can do to spice up your baby's meals (not literally). Of course making your own baby food is the healthiest choice for your child as you are always aware of exactly what's in it. The challenge is to find the time and to use your creativity so that meals are not a boring ordeal. One way to experiment with food and instill preferences for healthy snacks in your child is to try unlikely combinations of fruit and vegetable ingredients. For more ideas and inspiration I recommend some great books on making baby food.

The Organic Baby and Toddler Cook Book will serve you for well for the first years of your baby's life. You will find many fun and easy recipes that will help your child start on healthy eating habits:

Also a great book is Top 100 Baby Purees, which is exactly what the title plainly states. You will become a puree gourmet and give your child a head start on fruits and vegetables at an early age:

If you are still looking for more baby food recipe ideas try So Easy Baby Food Cookbook or the whole Fresh Baby So Easy Food Kit that includes gadgets for making and storing the baby food you make.

Making Baby Food Ideas

CPSIA Impact on Green Parenting

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is surfacing with more and more concerns for the actual benefits it will have for parents and families. While the intention of the act was good to begin with, the implications will likely be devastating to small businesses and even some public services. While I previously discussed the harm this will cause to natural toy makers, there is much more that is not visible at the surface of this all-encompassing act. Thrift and consignment shops that sell clothing, toys, and equipment for children under 12 will likely have to close their doors. Imagine the consequences for families who rely on such establishments to clothe their rapidly growing children.

The CPSIA will take effect on February 10th of this year and under its regulations public libraries might be forced to close its doors to children under 12 for lack of resources to test all the children's books. Schools might also be affected, no ruling has been released on whether libraries and schools will be exempt because they lend books and don’t sell them.

While exceptions have been made for toys made from unfinished natural materials, a lot is at stake for any toy manufacturers that use some kind of paint, finish, or dye - even if it really is natural, non-toxic, and harmless.

Click on the Save Handmade link at the top right of this page for more information on what you can do to help!

CPSIA Impact on Green Parenting

Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Water Bottle

Have you been looking for an alternative to the constant supply of disposable plastic water bottles? If so, you might be puzzled by the different options out there for reusable water bottles. We want to steer away from plastic all together and decide what is better - stainless steel or aluminum?

Both have pros and cons, but here are the facts. Both aluminum and steel bottles are recyclable. However, aluminum takes a great deal of energy/resources to mine, and is not very environmentally friendly. It has also been linked to neurological disorders and Alzheimer's (with aluminum contamination in the body starting as early as birth considering most vaccinations contain it). Out of the popular bottles out there I would recommend Klean Kanteen over Sigg based solely on the material.

Here are some of my picks for stainless steel bottles and a sippy cup:

Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Water Bottle

Toddler Friendly Eating Utensils

Eating has never been this much fun! If you have a toddler who just does not like to eat, try some of these fun, imaginative, and inventive eating utensils and sets that will spark their imagination:

Toddler Friendly Eating Utensils

Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days

One of my favorite things to research and write about is natural remedies that shed light on just how pointless and useless the pharmaceutical industry really is and bring hope to those who thought of their condition as hopeless (and were successfully convinced of it by their doctor). Of course there is a time and place for allopathic medicine, when you chop your finger off for example, or when a c-section truly is the only option for the survival of both a mother and her baby. Unfortunately, these marvels of modern medicine are grossly misused and abused in our society. We are conditioned to believe that there is a pill for every sickness, that we can eat whatever we want and it will not affect our health immensely, and that doctors know best (the latter being a personal pet peeve because I've had too many doctors who shrug and say 'can't help you, but maybe this pill will work'). Even less assurance arises from the fact that statistically you are about 3-5 times more likely to die from a medical error than a motor vehicle accident. That might even be a modest statistic since medical errors are not always reported or monitored, plus it does not account for people who are maimed or disabled by medical mistakes, only those who die. It is estimated that medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease and cancer.

That being said, if you or someone you know is suffering from diabetes, have them take a look at this:

The six diabetics in this video successfully reversed their Type I and II diabetes just by changing to a raw food diet for 30 days. No meat, no dairy, just raw fruits and veggies. Of course, the Raw for 30 is an anecdotal experiment and not a large study, but how come this is not being shouted from the roof tops? Why will your doctor never prescribe you a raw food diet for diabetes? Why does the FDA constantly hinder the spread of information on natural remedies that work? Why will you most likely never see this on television? Perhaps someones salary depends on people simply not knowing what else to do but take all these drugs that eventually kill them.

Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days

Organic Savings: Kids and Baby Food

Mom Made Foods is celebrating the New Year by offering a great special. Buy any 4 Mom Made Meals or Munchies at SuperTarget by January 19th, and you can redeem your UPC codes for a $9 SuperTarget gift card plus special savings codes from GDiapers and Bebe au Lait! Grab your rebate form and all the details here.

That is a great excuse for you to try organic kids and baby food. Your local SuperTarget also has a great organics section, possibly even produce. Check out Mom Made Foods website for more information.

MOM MADE FOODS

Organic Savings: Kids and Baby Food

Health Benefits of Honey: seasonal allergy cure

Honey has always been know for it's healing properties and many health benefits. It is great for:

• sleeplessness
• sore throats
• cuts and burns (a natural antiseptic)
  
• strengthening immune system
• clearing nasal congestion
• aids in digestion
• energy booster
• sugar replacement

It can be used as a natural food preservative. While baking cakes by replacing sugar with honey, they will stay fresher longer due to natural antibiotics as honey retains moisture. Honey is composed primarily of carbohydrates and water, and also contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. So it is also a great vitamin/mineral supplement.

Honey can also be a successful treatment for seasonal allergies when you buy local raw honey that contains plant pollen native to where you live.

Do not feed honey to children under 12 months, but it is a great alternative to candy for older children. American children are the greatest candy-eaters in the world. It is no surprise that malnutrition is so prevalent. Feeding honey in moderation instead of candy in excess is a great step toward a healthier child.

HONEY HEALTH

Health Benefits of Honey: seasonal allergy cure

How can you afford organic foods?

Our family cannot afford to buy all foods organic and let's face it, not everything labeled organic is really worth buying at twice the price of a regular item. I did find a store though that saves us when it comes to our decision to eat healthier. I have found that Trader Joe's not only has the cheapest prices for organic products but they have a myriad of items that are not necessarily certified organic but are made from natural ingredients that are all easy to pronounce. Many of the products they sell are imported from Europe where the standards for food safety were always much higher than in the United States and meat is not treated with hormones to artificially increase production. Europe's new pesticide regulations truly leave the US in the dust: "The new law prohibits chemicals that can cause cancer, disrupt hormones, or interfere with reproduction, whether or not they’re likely to do so when the pesticide is used correctly. Under U.S. law, on the other hand, such chemicals can still be approved as long as the potentially negative impacts seen in lab tests don’t show up in real world use. This leaves the U.S. door open for a long list of substances that may now be banned in Europe."

A good rule of thumb for buying organic produce is to stick to the twelve crops that are worth buying organic because normally they have very high pesticide content. In addition, try buying at small local farms in season, they are less likely to use pesticides in the horrendous amounts that large scale farming is accustomed to. Finally, for all the other pantry staples, check out Trader Joe's if there is one in your area, they have stores in the following states: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

How can you afford organic foods?

Mercury in CFL light bulbs

If you have Compact Fluorescent light bulbs in you children's rooms or play areas, consider the dangers of having breakable glass filled with mercury in their proximity. While CFLs are great when it comes to energy efficiency, they can be toxic. Please read my full article for more information and tips on a safer CFLs lit home at my other blog, AnV Design.

Mercury in CFL light bulbs

Non-toxic & Baby Friendly Household Cleaners

Today I want to share with you some tips on finding household cleaning products that are both child and environment friendly, and some even wallet friendly! If you never considered switching from your harsh chemicals - consider this: hazardous chemicals in typical cleaning products are linked to asthma and a concotion of chronic illnesses, not to mention that according to the EWG (Environmental Working Group) recent study, babies are born polluted with many of the substances found in those products.

If you want to go easy on the wallet try these natural ingredients for basic household cleaning, they might not stink the same as your Clorox, but they get the job done!

1. Baking Soda: all-purpose cleaner. Cleans, deodorizes, removes stains and softens fabrics.
2. Lemon Juice: Cuts through grease and removes perspiration and other stains from clothing. A bleach alternative. Overall, citrus can be a great cleaning/deodorizing agent.
3. Vinegar: Cuts grease, removes stains and is an excellent water softener.
4. Castile and Vegetable Oil based soaps: cleans everything.

Some recipes for all purpose cleaners:

1) Vinegar and Salt. Mix together for a good surface cleaner.
2) Baking Soda. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water for a general cleaner.
3) Baking soda on a damp sponge. Baking soda cleans and deodorizes all kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
4) Use liquid castile soap and baking soda in different ratios. Use a little soap and soda with lots of water on floors, walls and counters. Use more soap + soda for tubs sinks, cat boxes, anything that can be well rinsed.
5) For a general, all-purpose cleaner, try a paste made from baking soda and water or mix salt and water with a little vinegar.
6) 3 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap, 2 cups hot water. Mix ingredients in spray bottle or bucket. Apply and wipe clean.

If you are looking for more convenience and have some cash to spare, try these natural and plant-based cleaners made by some 'green' brands:

• Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner

• Baby Ganics All Purpose Household Cleaner

• Seventh Generation Baby Laundry Detergent

• Baby Ganics Laundry Detergent (works with HE washers)

• Ecover Stain Remover

• Ecover Dishwasher Tablets

• Sun & Earth Laundry Detergent

• Sun & Earth xTra Concentrated Dish Liquid

• Tree Life Furniture Oil

• Nellie's Laundry Nuggets

• Eco Washer Balls

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GREAT INFO ON GREEN CLEANING

Non-toxic & Baby Friendly Household Cleaners

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Vitamin D Key to Avoiding the Flu + other tips

We all know the advice to wash your hands often during flu season. It really is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of viruses and disease. But what if you have a job where you are constantly subjected to myriads of people, or your child is in kindergarten or school - the most likely places to catch the cold or flu? If you've read the last post about the ineffectiveness of the flu vaccine, you will ask what can you do to prevent your family from getting sick.

One of the myths you have to get over is that people get sick because it is cold in the winter, while that is a factor, it is not the underlying problem. Many studies over many years have shown a direct correlation between colds/flu (and actually many diseases) and Vitamin D deficiency (doctors would be out of work in flu season if everyone knew this). Considering that the primary source of vitamin D production is adequate exposure to the sun - it is apparent to anyone why this happens in the winter. Generally you will not see a flu pandemic in areas of the world where people get enough sunlight. Unfortunately, dermatologists and sunscreen manufacturers have campaigned long and hard to instill fear of the sun in us, aiding in the rise of many chronic diseases. There is more likelihood of getting skin cancer from sunscreen, not the sun - we all know life on earth would not survive without it! Safe exposure to the sun that does not result in burns will do wonders for your health, just look at the facts and the research. Plus the indoor life style of an average American further inhibits sun exposure. Vitamin D acts as a natural antibiotic in the body, nothing artificial can substitute it. While certain foods contain vitamin D (cod liver oil, salmon, etc.), the sun is our best source. To find out more, click on the links below:

AVOID THE FLU WITH VITAMIN D

FLU LINKED WITH VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Below is a post by a registered nurse, it explains why the doctor's hands are pretty much tied about telling the truth on the flu shot: "I am an RN working in cardiac critical care at a major hospital. When health services pass around the flu or pneumonia vaccines to nurses and doctors, I noticed very few accepted it.

Absolutely NO doctors accepted these! They told me my body's immunity process would have a better chance of fighting off the flu, than fighting off the consequences of the dangers that these vaccines may cause.

That was 10 years ago, and I have refused the flu or pneumonia vaccine since. I also have never been ill. I take vit. C, calcium and vit. D on a regular basis as well as zinc, which can reduce severity of colds or other respiratory ailments.

A few patients who got the vaccine did develop Guillain-Barré syndrome or became very ill from flu symptoms. Legally, I have to offer the flu/pneumonia vaccine to my patients and have them sign an acknowledgment of the dangers of same."

So sad that this vital information would never make it to mainstream media, and millions will be getting the toxic flu shot when the solution is so much more healthier and simple. Well, at least for now we have freedom on the net.

Vitamin D Key to Avoiding the Flu + other tips