The Mommy Spot

BIG CHANGES FOR THE MOMMY SPOT!

2008-02-14T08:21:00.004-05:00

The big day is finally here, and you didn't even know it was coming - The Mommy Spot has officially moved and changed her name to dkMommy Spot! All the old posts can still be found at the new site, but bigger and better things are coming down the pike. If you're a subscriber at The Mommy Spot, please subscribe at the new site so you won't miss a thing. And believe me, you won't want to!

In honor of the big move, there will be some nice Grand Opening Giveaways! This will all start tomorrow, February 15th, 2008, with a kickoff drawing. (No, I'm not telling you what it is yet.)

So please come celebrate with me! I'm thrilled to have finally made the big move to my OWN DOMAIN - www.dkmommyspot.com, and I can't wait to share it all with you!

Learning About Herbs

2008-02-13T15:07:00.005-05:00

One of my favorite things to study is herbalism. I love the manuals, the field guides, the recipes. I have several books lined up on my bookshelf, all of which I consult regularly for personal use, as well as for information for sharing with you.

But one thing I go back to again and again is a set of podcasts on Herbal Ed's website. Herbal Ed (Ed Smith) is the guy behind the popular Herb Pharm extracts you see in many health food stores. (You know, the fascinating little brown bottles all lined up and labeled in orange.) I wanted to share the podcasts with you because if you're really looking for some great herb information from a talented teacher, this is the place to go.

To listen, go to Herbal Ed's homepage and click the Education tab on the top. Then knock yourself out! But make sure you have a notebook and a pen handy - there's a lot you'll want to remember!

(Note: This is not a paid posting. I just like the guy and his product a whole heap. Ed, if you're out there, feel free to send samples!)

Plastic Baby Bottles - To Leach or Not to Leach

2008-02-08T09:05:00.000-05:00

Today as I was innocently traversing the web, I ran across an article telling me plastic baby bottles are good and safe and all is right in the world.

Not 15 minutes later I came across another article. It stated plastic baby bottles are still bad and leachy with Bisphenol-A and can make my child sick.

"Were you confused? Panicky?"

No.

"Why not?"

Because I don't care.

"You don't care? What do you mean you don't care? What's the whole point of The Mommy Spot if you hang up on us now? You don't care - that's rich. I'm picking up my mouse and..."

Wait. Set down your mouse, no clicky-clicky. I don't care about conflicting studies, opinions, rants and general media hoo-ha towards plastic baby bottles because I don't use them. Never have.

You see, the key to not panicking when choosing products for our babies and children is to choose the safest, most natural route. Before my son was born, I sat in front of the computer for hours trying to determine things like whether or not plastic baby bottles were safe. (Hence, The Mommy Spot was born with my son.) I can't make these decisions perfectly because I am not a scientist (although some would call my recipes experiments), and quite frankly I'd never stop obsessing if forced to choose a safe plastic. So I go with glass.

No one ever accused glass of leaching. The bottles are sturdier than you might think; yes, they're much stronger than your grandma's crystal. I've even dropped a full bottle in a parking lot without a break. (Don't try this at home - they're not indestructible, after all.)

I always harp on making more natural choices, and I'll continue to do so for as long as news stories like this and this prevail. Because you don't have to lose sleep, worry about your family's health, or care one little bit when your choices are natural.

Is Baby Shampoo Dangerous?

2008-02-05T10:40:00.000-05:00

If you've been following the news, then you've heard about the new study that reveals baby shampoo may contain dangerous chemicals linked to reproductive problems. While this particular study may be new, the issue certainly isn't. In fact, many studies have already shown several chemicals we use every day aren't safe over the long haul. (See my review of the book Exposed if you'd like to study up on this on your own.)

So what do we do when faced with facts like this? If you've read The Mommy Spot for very long, you'll know I advocate taking the natural route first. If you do that, you don't have to pay too much attention to news articles like this. My recommendations for a safe baby shampoo alternative are castile soap or a vegetable glycerin. While these are not pretty smelling (Dr. Bronner's castile soap does come with essential oils if you wish), they are all-natural and contain none of the chemicals you're reading about in the news.

Castile and glycerin soaps are not only great for shampoo, but they make a healthy alternative to regular soap as well. Use it in the bath, the kitchen, or at the sink. If you want, you can add a couple drops of your own essential oil to customize the scent. (For babies, stick with gentle fragrances like chamomile or one or two drops of rosemary.) Since they're so gentle, you don't have to be concerned with irritating baby's skin either.

Once you know the great, old-fashioned alternatives, you don't have to wonder if your baby shampoo, or any other product around the house, is dangerous or not. You already know - it's healthy, it's safe, it's natural.

A Yummy Salad Recipe

2008-02-05T10:18:00.000-05:00

I asked for salad recipes from my readers, and I'm happy to share the first with you from Jo of From the Plow. I must admit, it sounds great to me, and I intend to try it. Jo says:

"I have a favorite salad for you that Aaron and I eat at least 3x per week. Not sure if it's exactly the healthiest salad - but you could leave some things out to make more healthy.

1/2 and 1/2 combo of romaine lettuce and baby spinach
green onion
cucumbers
tomatoes (we like grape best)
walnuts
craisens
garlic bagel chips
feta cheese

served with 1:1 ratio of olive oil and pomegranate blush vinegar dressing"

Jo claims it's to die for, and I'm thinking I believe her! Thanks for sharing, Jo!

Anyone else, feel free to email me your favorite salad recipes to themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com.

Well, Swiffer my Floors and Call me Shirley!

2008-01-31T15:31:00.000-05:00

Heaven knows why you'd call me Shirley, but my floors are Swiffered! I don't do product reviews very often, but when the Swiffer people asked me if I'd review their Swiffer SweeperVac, I couldn't resist. Images of granola crumbs and onion skins on my kitchen floor sprung to mind, and I couldn't answer "yes" quickly enough when asked if I wanted one.

Unlike the Swiffer WetJet, you don't have to spray anything on your floor first, which is a big plus for this chemical-free, vinegar toting mama. The Vac still has one of those Swiffer cloths attached to it, and you go over your floor once with the vacuum off, then go at it again with the vacuum on. I'm a busy mom with lots of corner-cutting experience, so I've forgone that part and had no problem.

As long as no one spills an entire bag of flax seed on the floor, this vac should do the job. It's more for the in-between jobs and has a small filter and removable dust catcher, so it's great for getting those little thingies off the floor that toddlers like to pinch at and then store in their cheeks. Oh, and it gets under the fridge and stove where the really big dust bunnies hide.

The best part? It's cordless. The Swiffer Vac plugs in to charge and then you're off. I use this thing at least once a day, as I am not the neatest chef on the block. I'll even admit I have fun cleaning with it! (Just don't let my husband know I used "cleaning" and "fun" in the same sentence. He might start calling me Shirley.)

How to Get More Greens in Your Diet - Part I

2008-01-27T10:28:00.000-05:00

Whether your goal is to shed some pounds or give your family more nutrient-rich food, the first thing you need to do is get more greens on the dinner table. The best way to accomplish this is through vitamin-packed salads; but if this makes you envision a tasteless bowl of iceberg lettuce with carrot curly-cues and no dressing, you're not alone.

I was never a fan of the salad. It seemed like a "filler," something used to round out a meal and make it look bigger. Restaurants, wanting to attempt to serve courses, would plunk down that bowl of lettuce and cucumber, and I'd end up picking off the croûtons and leaving the rest.

But now I can scarf down a salad with the best of them, because I've learned the trick of variation. It's not all about the iceberg, baby. Here are a couple of my favorite salads:

Mix together spring mix greens (I like Earthbound Farms Organic), chopped Campari tomatoes, sliced cucumber, onions, alfalfa sprouts, pomegranate seeds, and chopped walnuts. Dress with balsamic vinegar and a good olive oil.

Here's a recipe my friend recently shared with me, and I love it! Mix together baby spinach, orange slices, and pine nuts (my addition). Combine 3 Tbs. honey, 1 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice, 1 1/2 Tbs. olive oil, a pinch of salt, and 1/8 tsp. cumin. Mix well and toss with the greens.

You might want to make these salads in size extra large, because they're so good your family will want more! Chop the veggies into a variety of shapes and sizes to entertain the kids as well as yourself! Also, if you have leftovers, these greens tend to keep just fine until the next day, unlike the wilty iceberg. Got a favorite salad recipe you'd like to share? Email it to me at themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll post it here!

How to Make Homemade Granola

2008-01-21T17:26:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it! I just made my own granola. I always thought someday I'd learn, and thanks to some inspiration from a book I'll be reviewing soon on my other blog carp(e) libris, I thought I'd look for a recipe. It's so much easier than I thought, and if I'd known, I would have made this long ago. I looked up several recipes and sort of combined what I learned and used what was around my cupboards. Here's what I did, but you can add whatever suits you (or whatever needs to be used up in the cupboard!)

First, preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Then mix together these ingredients in a bowl:

4 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (okay, I didn't have this - but I'll add it next time)
3/4 cups walnut pieces
1/2 cup almond halves
1/2 tsp salt

Then in another bowl, mix together these wet ingredients:

1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup canola oil (I used sunflower oil because that's all I had, aside from olive)

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, then put the mixture on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir with a spatula and place back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until it starts to get a little brown and sort of dry. Remove from the oven and mix with:

3/4 cups raisins
1/4 cup currants (just because I had some!)

I am seeing online that some people freeze it; otherwise, it lasts about 2 weeks in a sealed container.

I think I stirred mine too well, because it's not in big chunks like I'd like it. Also, don't add more than 1/2 tsp. salt. I put a little more by accident because I'm allergic to measuring instruments. Oops. Next time I'll know, but in the meantime it sure is yummy!

How to Lose Weight Naturally - Part Two

2008-01-18T16:48:00.000-05:00

I'm like most of us - as a teen, I could wolf down half a large pizza and two big Cokes and never see the effects on my hips. The scale showed two extra pounds? No problem. I just thought about losing weight and it was gone. But as an adult, no one ever accused me of being too thin. I bounced all over the scale, and my closet had clothes in it covering five different sizes! When I got pregnant, I literally thought this was it for me, goodbye any recognition of a waistline. Thanks to losing weight naturally with fresh, healthy food, that didn't happen.

I think one of the most important keys to losing weight is to not deny yourself to the point of feeling resentful. Denying any pleasure in eating is no way to go. Instead, it's a matter of shifting your eating pleasure to other foods. Here's my trick: Cookie in cupboard is calling my name. (I try not to have cookies in the cupboard to begin with, but occasionally they jump into my grocery cart when I'm not looking. Bad, bad cookie.) Cookie in cupboard must be eaten. Alrighty, but first I must eat something really healthy and nutrient-rich before moving on to said cookie. Often (but not always) I don't have a desire to eat the cookie after I've eaten a piece of my favorite fruit, like grapefruit or a banana or both! If I still want the cookie, I figure I've gotten some goodness in me anyway, and I won't be floating along on a nasty sugar buzz.

So now you're thinking, "The girl just ate two pieces of fruit and a cookie! You can't lose weight that way!" My rule: Never feel guilty about eating fruit and vegetables. Ever. Eat until you explode if you so choose, unless you're drenching your vegetables in cheese. Then we gotta talk. But if they're nice and fresh, eat all you want. Because if you eat all those fresh fruits and vegetables, you will lose weight. There's no way around it. You're filling up on things so full of nutrients that I guarantee that cookie will not feel nearly so enticing once you've worked up a veggie buzz. And yes, my friends, there IS a veggie buzz.

More on that later...

How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy and Beyond

2008-01-15T09:02:00.000-05:00

It's January, the month of the diet. Resolutions are made and broken this time of year, and I'll dare say most of them revolve around the waistline. There is so much I could share on this topic that I know it will never fit in one posting. But I'll give you my very best advice in a condensed form, and in later posts I'll expound on some things. If you have weight to lose after your pregnancy, or if you just plain want to get healthier, the most important thing to remember is that what you eat while you're trying to lose weight needs to be something you can comfortably eat for the rest of your life.

I have known people to attempt to lose weight through all sorts of extreme eating measures - rice and chicken broth for 6 weeks, cabbage soup at every sitting, or meals made up of nothing more than grapefruit and bacon! While these may work temporarily, who wants to eat only grapefruit and bacon for the rest of your life? The big factor for weight loss is not cutting back on food take - it's increasing the food! Increase the high-nutrient stuff you were meant to eat in the first place. If you can focus as much of your eating attention on fresh fruits and vegetables, you'll be amazed at not only how much weight you lose (and fast!) but at how much better you'll feel.

When I found out I was pregnant, I started eating healthier and healthier, including as much large salads, fresh fruit, and raw vegetables as I could. I managed to gain only the needed amount of pregnancy weight. After pregnancy, I continued my healthy eating because I was nursing. Combining nursing with my new eating habits knocked off that post-pregnancy weight in record time.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman gives lots of science-based advice in his books, one of which I have reviewed here. (Disease-Proof Your Child.) His books, including Eat to Live (look for an up-and-coming review on that one), totally changed the way I look at food. I'm not a vegetarian - not completely - and I still eat things I used to, but I eat a lot less of them. In fact, the more I add fresh fruits and vegetables to my meals, the more I crave the healthy stuff!

The most fun part of eating like this is you can stuff yourself silly on the days you feel like you want to eat all day. And you can stuff yourself silly on all the other days too. In fact, you should. Keep a big container of cleaned fresh veggies onhand, and grab those first if you feel like reaching for the Ding Dongs. Make big elaborate salads to go with every meal, and eat until your heart's content. Keep big bowls of fruit, with a large variety, cleaned and ready to eat. You'll find the more easily accessible the fresh food is, the more you'll reach for it. And pick up a copy of Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman if you really mean business! (For the record, Dr. Fuhrman isn't paying for or aware of any of my blogging about him - this is strictly based on my own experiences with what I've learned from his books and website.)

Whew! This is my "How to Lose Weight" information in a nutshell. I'll cover more over the coming days, so check back! In the meantime, whether you have weight to lose or not, have yourself a salad feast in the coming days. Experiment adding all the goodies you can to it, and eat till your heart's content.

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Natural Remedies for Lowering a Fever

2008-01-10T13:45:00.002-05:00

(Note: You can read this article on Lowering a Fever on my new blog, dkMommy Spot.)

I recently blogged about how to reduce a fever for your child after vaccinations, but what if your child has a fever due to a cold or flu? There are some great natural remedies to safely lower fevers in those cases too. One of the easiest ways is with herbal tea.

There are several you can try, but one of the most effective would be catnip tea. It's a little bitter, so if your baby is over a year old you can add a little honey. Or make the tea with catnip and lemon balm to make it more palatable. If you're nursing, you can drink the tea yourself and the benefits will pass through the breastmilk shortly after drinking it. I usually steep about a teaspoon of tea in a mug of hot but not boiling water for about 10 - 15 minutes. You can administer a dropperful every 15 minutes until the fever starts to come down, then increase the dosage to 1/4 cup every one to two hours. After the temperature is normal, continue giving 1/4 cup of tea 3 - 4 times a day for a few more days to help support recuperation.

Remember, though, that having a fever is not always a bad thing. It's the body's natural defense against viruses, so you don't always need to fight it. If the fever is 103 degrees or higher, call your doctor right away. But if it's 101 or less, it can often be managed with plenty of fluids. (Warm fluids help to encourage sweating, which also lowers a temperature. Older children may enjoy ginger tea, which although spicy, has a wonderful warming effect.) As always, if anything at all raises the alarm in your parental radar, call your doctor regardless. Don't be afraid of sounding silly or of asking too many questions. A good pediatrician will be more than willing to help you.

The Vaccine Book by Robert W. Sears, M.D.,F.A.A.P.

2008-01-05T11:36:00.000-05:00

What a relief this book was to me. Finally, an impartial view of vaccines and their benefits and side effects. I wish I would have had this on my bookshelf before my son was even born. The Vaccine Book is an invaluable tool filled with facts on everything a parent should know before deciding on a vaccine. The book not only explains the most common vaccines given in the first 12 years of a child's life, but it also delves into those often given for travel and in other special circumstances.

The Vaccine Book is a compilation of valuable information in an easy-to-reference format. You can have your answers in just a few quick minutes of reading if you choose, or dive into some statistics, even learn how the vaccines are made. I'd suggest reading a few days ahead about the vaccines your child is about to receive, so if you have any questions, you know exactly what to ask. Take the book with you to the doctor visits. The more informed you are going in, the more easily your doctor will be able to address your concerns.

I finished The Vaccine Book feeling like the confusion had lifted. Dr. Sears wrote this book with the parents' interests at heart, and he has no problem openly stating both negative and positive answers. Where there are no answers, he tells you straight out. This book never attempts to answer the question, "Should I vaccinate?" Sears simply gives you the information and allows you to make that decision without feeling judged either way. I highly recommend this book to all parents, and if you have any baby showers to attend soon, this is a great gift idea. I have a feeling you'll be thanked over and over.

How to Calm a Fever After Vaccinations, and Other Hints

2008-01-03T16:35:00.000-05:00

One of the worst parts of getting babies vaccinated is the knowing, or not knowing, what is to follow. Will there be crying? Sleeplessness? Crankiness? And those are just your own side effects! What about baby? Many babies end up feeling like they have a touch of the flu, and it's not uncommon for a baby to run a slight fever. There's one natural remedy that can help ease a baby's fever after vaccinations. Just a couple drops of peppermint or chamomile essential oil in a bath is not only soothing to the discomfort after those shots, but it can get baby through that feverish part a little quicker.

If you're like me and you obsess over the side effects and toxins that are sometimes present in vaccines, there is a homeopathic remedy that can be used called Thuja. Get the tablets at 6x strength and administer those two times daily for 2 - 3 weeks after the injections. It is said these tablets help remove the excess toxins from the body. A good health food store should be able to point you towards the correct tablets. Remember, homeopathic tablets just melt under the tongue, so it's nice and easy for little ones! They're usually sweet tasting too.

Ask your doctor what side effect to expect, and which ones are serious enough to come back into the office. When babies and young children get their vaccines, they'll sometimes feel achy and feverish for up to 24 hours. This might come across as crabbiness, tiredness, or fussiness. So be extra patient, give lots of cuddles, and plenty of kisses until it's all over. But if anything about your child's behavior raises those parental alarm bells, call your doctor, no matter how silly the concern. It's better to be safe than sorry; and that's one old adage that really stands true for parents.

(Note: Look for my up-and-coming review of Dr. Sears' new Vaccine Book.)

Wooden Toys and the Christmas Aftermath

2007-12-31T15:59:00.000-05:00

Well, I suppose my living room looks just like yours about now. Something like an explosion in Santa's workshop. The toy selection on our floor looks like what you see on nostalgia-inducing Christmas cards. That's because we gave our son lots of wooden toys this year. I've got to say I'm so glad we went that route because these toys have really caught his attention, and I mean for more than the standard five toddler minutes. Unintentionally, all the toys we bought for him were from Melissa & Doug. (They were even sold at our grocery store here.) The Melissa & Doug company didn't ask me to review their stuff, and I'm sure they don't know I exist out here in the blogosphere. But I had to share the Christmas shopping success with you because I'm so happy with the toys, and there was so much toy concern for all of us this year. We didn't have to assemble a single blessed thing. And aside from a little shrinkwrap, there was no monster "unboxing" to be had. Everything smelled like fresh pine when we opened it. What, I ask, is more Christmassy than that? I think the best part is my son plays with his toys instead of him watching battery operated toys doing all the playing for him.

Now that all the presents have been opened and kid tested around your house, do you have any that stand out as real winners? What ended up being the favorites?

I'm Having a Giveaway!

2007-12-27T12:45:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Holidays to you all! I hope you've been enjoying lots of great family time, collecting stories for your blogs. I can't wait to read it all!

And speaking of reading, I'm giving away a book at my blog carp(e) libris. Hop on over there and sign up.

Holly Jolly Christmas to You!!!

2007-12-24T15:34:00.000-05:00

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

CSPC: "Don't Place Infants on Air Mattresses"

2007-12-22T15:30:00.000-05:00

I recently received an email from the CSPC urging parents not to place infants to sleep on air mattresses. With the holiday season comes lots of overnight trips, and "when traveling, parents may choose alternative sleeping environments for babies." The CSPC warns even a fully-inflated air mattress is not a good place for an infant to sleep, because the baby can suffocate. To read the full article and to learn about other unsafe sleeping practices, please click here.

Natural Remedies for Clearing the Stuffy Nose

2007-12-20T09:05:00.000-05:00

If there's one thing that will keep a child of any age awake, it's the stuffy nose. And if they're awake, you're awake! With over-the-counter medicines being called into question, you're probably wondering how to deal with things like a stuffy nose in a natural and safe way. I've got a few tricks to share with you - some perfect solutions for newborns, and some perfect even for you.

One of the most helpful remedies for the stuffy nose is salt water. This can be used for any age, and it doesn't have to be uncomfortable. For older children and adults, a weak solution of about a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of sea salt can be gently sniffed from an eyedropper into each nostril. For infants and toddlers, you can try a product called Baby Simply Saline. As the name implies, it is simply water and salt in a container that makes it easy to spray into baby's nostrils. No preservatives, no stinging.

If you're nursing a newborn, an unusual but effective technique is to put a few drops of breastmilk into each nostril with an eyedropper. Sounds weird? Well, since the breastmilk has bacteria fighting properties, it's actually a great natural choice. And it's free! I've found this unique remedy in many books on natural baby care.

If you didn't get a chance to read my post Natural Remedy for Baby's Cough, hop on over to it. Using a humidifier with essential oil can also help a stuffy nose. I give instructions on that post to help you out.

Got any of your own remedies you find helpful? Raw onion slices near the bed? A special tea? Share them with us in the Comments section - I'd love to hear more!

A New Blog!

2007-12-17T16:26:00.000-05:00

Guess what? I've just started a new blog, and I wanted to share it with all my Mommy Spot readers. If you love to read (and I have to assume all bloggers do), then check out my new blog carp(e) libris. I'll be doing book reviews and book giveaways from small presses, and posts on independent booksellers. So bookmark carp(e) libris and check back frequently, because the reading's just starting!

Exposed - A Book on the Toxicity of Everyday Products

2007-12-16T10:08:00.000-05:00

I was recently listening to an interview with Mark Schapiro on NPR. He was talking about his new book Exposed, and I was riveted to the discussion. I knew I had to review the book for The Mommy Spot because it covers so much of what I talk about when it comes to the chemicals present in our everyday lives.

But I'm a hard sell. I come by none of my opinions easily, and when I find something of interest, I really dig into it and research every shred of information before jumping on any bandwagon. For me, this book was a fascinating overview of a topic I know I'm just beginning to scratch the surface of.

Exposed discusses how the U.S. has not stepped up to the plate when it comes to protecting its citizens from chemicals added to everything from plastics to shampoos. While all of Europe and much of the rest of the world struggle to replace harmful chemicals such as lead and formaldehyde, Schapiro tells how the U.S. manufacturers wait for more "convincing" evidence these chemicals are causing us harm.

Some books take a small subject and stretch it to fill enough pages for publication. But Schapiro could have filled volumes with what he covered. He managed to expertly crunch everything down to an easy-to-understand journalistic style. He gave me lots of food for thought and a long list of things I plan to look into further.

Every page covers daunting information, and although I feel every parent should rush to read this book, I would caution not reading it before bed. Stephen King couldn't come up with some of this stuff. I had a hard time reading about the PCBs present in so many of the toys our little ones chew on, and I could hardly wrap my brain around how those PCBs can effect testicular development in our sons.

If you're going to read this book, and I sincerely hope you do, make sure to take pauses and focus on the positive things you can do around your own house. Yes, lead in toys is darned scary. But you can replace questionable toys with safer versions, one at a time. You'll learn about the harmful chemicals in plastic baby bottles, but the good news is they still make glass ones. (No, they won't break that easily - I've dropped them in parking lots with nary a scratch!) Don't look at your dinner plate and fear the chemicals that might be looking back at you. Focus on all the organic and local produce available, and how one step at a time, you can take control over those long lists of nasty chemicals. The good news according to Schapiro is, with all the pressure from other countries, America will have to conform or lose its place in the global market, and I'm confident in time it will conform. In the meantime, learn what you can and take comfort in your own ability to make informed choices. If you choose the natural route, you'll never even have to learn to pronounce things like "phthalates" and "octa brominated diphenyl ether".

I plan on making the book Exposed only the beginning of my education on America's use of chemicals in manufacturing. I'm going to gather together all the arguments and turn over each one carefully. And as I do, I'll err on the side of being "too natural" as much as I can. Because I have to believe the natural choice is the right choice.

Guacamole Recipe Makes a Great Toddler Food

2007-12-16T09:50:00.000-05:00

I make guacamole about once a week, and I've found that my son is especially fond of it. He also loves whole wheat pita bread, so I squish a little guacamole in small pieces of pita to make him his own tiny sandwiches. Fun finger food, and so healthy too. Avocados have the good fats you need, omega 3's, and nearly 20 other essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients! Babies can eat plain smashed avocado from a very early age because it's easy to digest. (I used to mash one with banana when my son was first trying new foods.) And avocados aid in the growth and development of the central nervous system and the brain. My, what a smart food.

Here's my favorite way to prepare guacamole. The added ingredients are also wonderful for growing toddlers.
2 Haas avocados (I look for slightly soft ones with a reddish color)
1 or 2 finely chopped garlic cloves
2 - 3 Tbs. finely chopped onion
1/2 finely chopped tomato
juice of 1/2 lemon
fresh chopped cilantro - about 1 - 2 Tbs.
sea salt to taste (optional)
***For adults, you can add 1/2 finely chopped jalapeño. Naturally, you don't want to add that if children are eating it.

Run a knife the long way around an avocado, then twist it. Pop out the pit, scoop out the green stuff, and smash. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Enjoy!

Natural Remedy for Baby's Cough

2007-12-13T09:22:00.001-05:00

(Note: You can now read Natural Remedy for Baby's Cough at the new dkMommy Spot!)

I'd like to try and share as many natural cold and flu remedies for babies and young children that I can this season. With parents becoming more reluctant to use over-the-counter medications, the search is on for natural alternatives, and I've got a slew of them up my all-natural sleeves!

If you have a baby, owning a humidifier is essential when living in the cooler climates. I'd suggest a humidifier with a small reservoir for inhalants. If you already own one and there isn't an inhalant reservoir, that's alright. I'll show you how to use essential oils in either case.

Probably the most common essential oil that comes to most minds for coughs and stuffy noses is eucalyptus, but that's pretty potent stuff for babies, in particular babies under a year old. If it's all you have, you can use a few drops in the humidifier, but stay in the room with your baby while the humidifier is running, and keep the door open a crack. An oil I prefer is rosemary. A good quality rosemary oil requires only a couple of drops in the inhalant reservoir, and the fragrance is calming and pleasant. If you plan on putting your baby to bed while using rosemary in the humidifier, try running the humidifier for a good 30 minutes before bedtime. That way you can check the room for vapor intensity. Keep in mind your baby's sense of smell is much more acute than yours; less is more. After you put your baby to bed, keep the door open a crack just for a little extra ventilation.

If your humidifier doesn't have the inhalant reservoir, put a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball and place the cotton ball near the steam vent. But make sure you don't block it, or no humidity will get through.

Always get the highest quality oils you can afford, because there is a difference between them. If you can, give a whiff of the oil before you buy it. It should definitely smell like what's written on the label!

One last piece of advice: I've seen humidifier cleaning solutions out there, as well as additives to put in the water tank to avoid mineral buildups. I'd definitely steer clear of these. We've used humidifiers in our home for years, and if you clean them regularly with water and vinegar, and if they're rinsed out very well, you'll have no problem with buildups. It's important to take apart the entire unit on a regular basis as well, scrubbing out any mineral buildup with an old toothbrush.

Check back for more cold and flu natural remedies for your babies and young children. The wonderful thing about natural remedies is you can use several at once without worries. And that's important because when your little one is sick, nothing is better for mom and dad than peace of mind about cold and flu care.

(Note: Two other possible oils to use would be thyme or lavender. Follow same precautions.)

Baby Jamz Toys - A Smash Hit or a Sour Note?

2007-12-11T13:02:00.000-05:00

Music was a big part of my upbringing. In fact, I have a nice little setup in the basement where I can go plunk around and write my own electronic music. So for me, surrounding my son with various types of music is essential. That's why when I was asked to take a look at a couple Baby Jamz toys created by the father and sister of Beyonce Knowles, I said I would. The toys feature hip hop nursery rhymes sung by Solange Knowles, and are meant to inspire musical creativity. I decided to check out the Baby Jamz dance mat and their mix master chair, the two items they feel will be most popular.

The Mix Master Chair claims "kids can create several renditions of each nursery rhyme by pressing three different buttons that light up and provide hours of fun." I have to say I was disappointed to discover the sound effects aren't even in the same key as the songs. For those of you who may not know much about music, this means it hurts your ears to hear them played together. Children can't really "mix" tunes, either. It's really just a matter of pressing sound effect buttons as the song plays. The songs recycle three times each after pressing a button, with two verses each round - that means you hear it six times before the toy turns off. For a tired mom who has listened to lots of discordant noise all day, ouch!

The Dance Mat is somewhat better, and my son does like to hop around on it. The sound effects, while they aren't always on key with the songs, seem less offensive to my ears, and it's also not as loud as the chair. I found the songs more catchy on this one too.

So are the toys beneficial for teaching your children about music? I would say no to the chair and somewhat to the dance mat. There are three other toys in the line, however, and maybe those prove to be different. But since it turns out the toys are made in China and we've all had quite a scare as of late, I don't feel it's something I'm totally comfortable recommending to my readers. Although the chair has very little paint, the dance mat has quite a bit. However, I happened to get the toys a few days before receiving the Homax lead test kits that I blogged about yesterday, so I thought I'd test the two toys out. They both tested free of lead for the surface paints.

Overall, I guess I'm like a lot of parents out there lately - I'm leaning more and more towards the natural toys, and although I still have plastic toys in the house and some are even (gasp) battery operated, I'm getting more and more selective as time progresses. I'm still on the hunt for those musical toys, though, because my electronica may be a little amateurish, but when my BRILLIANT son gets older, I'll need a backup singer who plays the drums. Because mama can't sing, darnit.

Is it the Death of Childhood? The Poisoning of Junk Culture

2007-12-10T16:08:00.000-05:00

My husband found this article in The Daily Telegraph, a British paper. I found this article fascinating, full of food for thought for us parents. IS junk culture poisoning our children? You tell me what you think.

Testing Your Own Toys for Lead - So Easy a Clown Could Do It!

2007-12-10T08:27:00.000-05:00

Can you test your own toys for lead at home? That's a common question lately. It's been covered on Consumer Reports, and there is plenty of discussion bouncing around the blogosphere as to how well home tests actually work. With a new batch of toys coming into most homes this Christmas season, checking them for lead doesn't sound like such a bad idea to me.

I myself was really curious about the home tests, so I contacted a company I'd read up on called Homax. They have an inexpensive test called LeadCheck that did well according to Consumer Reports. Homax enthusiastically agreed to let me review their product. As soon as I got the tests, I lined up several of our toys, including two I'm posting a review on very shortly.

The tests were quite simple to use: Two small glass vials are housed in a cigarette-shaped tester. You squeeze the tester until the two vials break, shake it once or twice, and while squeezing the tube, rub the swab directly on the surface you want to test. If the swab turns pink or red, you've got lead.

Now, the thing with home tests such as this is you are testing for surface lead. It doesn't equal studies done in a laboratory that would find embedded lead. But if you are concerned as I have been that the paint on a toy could be scraped off by little teeth, then this is a great way to find out whether or not you have to ditch a plaything.

So did I find any lead? Yes, but not where you may suspect. All the toys I checked were fine, including the ones I'll share a review with you about. But after reading in the Consumer Reports article that lead can be found in brass keys, I checked mine out. One key turned the swab a light pink - not a drastic amount of lead, but enough to let me know it's there. And car keys are a common way to occupy a baby while on an outing. I've never been keen on this form of baby distraction, simply because keys seem like a dirty item to me, but I had no idea they could have lead! Thanks to the Homax test, I'll be telling my friends to keep those keys away from their little ones.

Overall, my advice is this: After the Christmas chaos has settled down, get yourself a few inexpensive lead tests like LeadCheck. Take the time to check out your new toys. Don't depend on the results as the final say, however. If you have a gut feeling about a toy that checked out okay, set it aside anyway. And keep an eye on the recalls! Unfortunately, I'm sure we haven't heard the end of them yet. Maybe with the help of some do-it-yourself lead tests, we can not only keep our children safer, we can publicize our findings to help other families stay safe too.

(NOTE: Despite my intense dislike for clowns, the above pictured passed the lead test.)

(Another note: Here's a helpful article to read by Homax as well.)

And the Winner Is...

2007-12-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

Well, the names are in and random.org has been summoned. The winner of the green tea giveaway is Lusciousnis! Interesting, when I went to her Blogger profile, I see she has a Japanese tea set collection. So I guess this cute little tin of tea is going to a good home. Congrats, Lusciousnis!

Check out her blog, Nissa's Niceties, and say hello when you get a chance.

My Blog's Anniversary & a Giveaway!

2007-12-03T16:00:00.000-05:00

I was looking back through The Mommy Spot archives when I realized this blog had its one-year anniversary back in October. And I missed it! I cannot stand by and let it go unnoticed any longer. Something must be done about it, but what could that be? Yes, I must give something away...

Alright, I'll stop messing with you. I already bought a nice giveaway item that is not only tasty, it's good for you - just so we keep it in line with my 14 months of blog topics so far. I've got a cute little tin of Ineeka organic green tea. I've never tried this brand before, but it has some very interesting tea bags, and I think I may have to go back to the store and get my own tin. And like I said, green tea is very healthy. If there's one thing I want to do to celebrate, it's contribute to your health!

So leave a comment here to be entered, and don't forget to add a valid email address in this format: themommyspot (at) gmail (dot) com, so the spammers don't get you! I'll draw a winner on Friday, December 7th, sometime after 12:00 noon EST. Good luck and thanks for reading!

Natural Cold and Flu Prevention

2007-11-29T09:33:00.000-05:00

Picture this: I'm sitting in the crowded optometrist waiting room, my son on my lap. Wall to wall children all waiting for an eye exam. In walks a couple with their 11-year-old girl. She's in her pajamas. She's in her slippers. She has a nasty case of bed head, and she's got a cough that rivals my dogs' meanest barking. Why oh why, dear reader, would a parent bring their very sick child into close contact with so many healthy children? Did she really need her eyes examined that very day? As far as I could tell, her eyes didn't seemed affected by her virus. It couldn't possibly be the reason they felt the need to drag her into public.

As soon as we got home, I cracked out my bottle of Echinacea extract and slipped it into Little Guy's every beverage. (It's kinda sweet, so he digs it.) I fed him large portions of broccoli, which is loaded in vitamin C, as well as cranberry relish. Fortunately he likes that too. Two days ago, he woke up crying with a slight fever. I immediately started him on some homeopathic cold tablets. He sneezed twice. Cold over.

Are you seeing what I'm missing here? Okay, I'll clue you in. I did not take Echinacea. I did not eat large quantities of broccoli and cranberry. I do not own homeopathic cold tablets for myself. I caught a cold with a heinous barking cough. I'm taking care of myself now, but even though I did right by my son, I should have done it for the whole family. It's time for another trip to my favorite health food store so I can stock up on that ounce of prevention, which I hear tell is worth a pound of cure. I hope you'll do the same. Because you never know when you'll have a run-in with a pajama-clad child coughing like a dachshund after a squirrel.

A Little Christmas Music

2007-11-29T09:11:00.000-05:00

If you've been bouncing around the blogosphere much these days, you've probably heard about the Michael W. Smith CD giveaway they had last week. I got my copy in the mail yesterday, and I played it while doing a little decorating. The first thing I do every year for Christmas preparations is to get out my Christmas breakables. Okay, so I can't put out much of it this year due to one toddling guy with a penchant for just-out-of-reach no-no's, but at least I was able to bring out a little holiday niceness. Anyway, the CD really was a lovely soundtrack for my activities. I am an old-school Michael W. Smith fan; been with him since the (gasp) '80s when he was known for his beard and his new-fangled Christian rock. Yes, way back when people still asked, "What the heck is Christian rock?" I gotta say, this CD didn't disappoint me at all. It's got that feel-good quality that Smith always gave me as a teen needing an emotional boost.

Most of the time, I have to hear a new Christmas CD several times before it feels like my own; new Christmas music doesn't feel like Christmas to me at first! But this one sure does. If you want to hear a few more samples, you can hop on over to this site where there are a few songs online. Christmas Angels must be my favorite because I keep humming it! (Little Guy loves the bells.)

Drinking Water: Leaded or Unleaded?

2007-11-27T10:52:00.000-05:00

We've heard so much about lead in toys lately that it's getting downright overwhelming for most of us. But it's important, now more than ever, to stay informed. When you build an arsenal to fight against the scary news, you cease to be overwhelmed, and instead you can be reassured that you're doing the right thing.

Aside from the recent toy scare, most of us probably envision lead in the home only occurring in old, dilapidated houses with paint chips falling off the walls; but there's more to it than that. One place lead is commonly found is in plumbing. I know what you're thinking - "Please don't tell me! I don't want one more thing to have nightmares over!" Believe me, I felt the same way while reading up on it. But there are a few simple things to do to alleviate the worries. And that's what we're all about here.

First of all, know that if your house was built before 1988, as was mine, lead solder may have been used in the plumbing. My father pointed this out to me this weekend while helping my husband install a water heater. (You don't want to know - not a pretty story, and I'm not sure I'll get over the watermarks anytime soon.) If you suspect lead soldering in your pipes, run your cold water for 30 - 60 seconds in the morning before using it, and again if the water hasn't run for six or more hours. Let the water get as cold as possible, too. This will clean out the pipes of water that's had a chance to sit overnight against the lead. There are water filters out there that do trap lead, so if you filter your water, look for one of those. Also, clean out the little screen on your faucet head regularly. Solder particles can get lodged in there after breaking free of the pipes.

If you'd like to test your water, you can call your local health department for more info, or contact the EPA at their Safe Drinking Water Hotline. The EPA has all sorts of info on their site if you want to do more research on your own as well.

Remember, the more we know, the less there is to be afraid of! We can certainly protect ourselves by passing it on!

And the Winners Are...

2007-11-23T14:50:00.001-05:00

Here it is - the results of the book giveaway for "Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?" by Sharon Duke Estroff, M.A.T. The winners of the two copies are The Angel Forever and Diane (not me, silly!). Congratulations to you both. I hope you enjoy your books!

Check back very soon for another drawing. This time, something a little different...

Last Chance!

2007-11-23T09:44:00.000-05:00

Don't forget, everyone! Last chance to sign up for the book giveaway, "Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?" Entries will be taken until 12:00 noon EST today, and I'll do the drawing sometime in the afternoon. (I'm hoping not to be swept away into Black Friday!)

Thanksgiving, WKRP Style!

2007-11-21T19:16:00.001-05:00

A little blast from the past for your holiday viewing pleasure.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Boppy Pillow Cover Lead Hazard???

2007-11-21T18:49:00.001-05:00

I just got a CSPC Recall list of 10 items, all lead exposure risks. The one that really jumped out at me was a recall on slip covers for the Boppy pillow. Since so many of my readers are advocates of breastfeeding (good for you!), there's a good chance you use or have used Boppy pillows, as I did. The one in question is the plain pillow with a separate slip cover. To check it out, read the CSPC's page on the Boppy recall.

And here's the rest of the list. For more details, visit the CSPC recall page.
1. Metal Jewelry Sold by Family Dollar Stores Recalled Due to Risk of
Lead Exposure to Children
2. Discount School Supply Recalls Paint Brushes Due to Violation of Lead
Paint Standard
3. Pure Allure Recalls Metal Jewelry Sold at Michaels Stores Due to Risk
of Lead Exposure to Children
4. La Femme NY Inc. Recalls Children's Necklace and Earring Sets Due to
Risk of Lead Exposure
5. Children's Metal Jewelry Recalled by Colossal Jewelry & Accessories
Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
6. Cherrydale Fundraising Recalls Bracelets Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
7. Children's Metal Jewelry Recalled by Buy-Rite Due to Risk of Lead
Exposure
8. Children's Pencil Pouches Recalled by Raymond Geddes & Co. Due to
Violation of Lead Paint Standard
9. Slipcovers Used With Boppy Pillows Recalled Due to Choking Hazard and
Risk of Lead Exposure
10. Flashing Pacifiers Recalled By Sailing (U.S.) International Corp.
Due to Choking Hazard

Book Review and Giveaway!

2007-11-16T15:06:00.000-05:00

I am so excited! (Can you hear my voice shake?) It's time for my second book giveaway. That's right, I have two copies of "Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah? The Essential Scoop on Raising Modern Jewish Kids" by Sharon Duke Estroff, M.A.T. Now, if you're a Jewish mom, you're probably already skimming through the text here to find out how you can win. But if you're a Christian mom like myself or a mom of any other distinction, read on. Believe me, you'll like this book too.

Insightful and humorous, "Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?" covers many of the parenting issues us mommy bloggers banter about every day, such as choosing a kindergarten to teaching your children the value of a dollar. Estroff writes in a fun and catchy rhythm that makes her down-to-earth advice a joy to read, including text peppered with Jewish references that add flavor and voice. In fact, I may just start referring to my own son as "my little bubbelah"!

Most of this book is totally relatable, no matter what your religion. But if you're a Jewish mom who wants to know, "What do we do about the whole Santa thing?" that's covered too, as well as a section on Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. The bottom line is, if you want to know how to raise your children to be well-rounded, moral people in an ever-more materialistic world, this book will help you along. I'm certainly keeping my copy for a re-read when my son enters the school years! So no, you can't have that one.

But as I said, I have two others to give away! Simply leave a comment on this post, along with your email address in a format like this: themommyspot (at) gmail (dot) com. ( I'm told spammers can't use it then.) I'll hold the drawing next Friday, November 23rd, and the winners will be announced that afternoon.

NOTE: Contest will close at 12:00 noon EST on Nov. 23rd.

2007 "10 Worst Toys List"

2007-11-14T09:03:00.000-05:00

I've just discovered W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm). This non-profit corporation was founded by Edward M. Swartz, a lawyer and child safety advocate, who has been warning against dangerous toys since 1968! In fact, the "10 Worst Toys List" has been going since 1973. Of course this year more than ever, parents are being vigilant about the safety of the toys they purchase for Christmas. This is the big year the toy world gets turned on its ear, and it's about time! Check out the "10 Worst Toys List", and for extra help in choosing safe toys, try W.A.T.C.H.'s "Toy Hazards to Watch Out For" list.

THE Orzo Salad Recipe!

2007-11-09T16:47:00.001-05:00

I love this salad. I got the recipe from my best friend maybe two weeks ago, and I've made it three times already. It's nice and filling, healthy, and I've discovered you can toss it in a pita pocket or a tortilla, and it's even better! The recipe comes from Prevention Magazine's website. To see the article that goes with the recipe, click here.

Here are the ingredients with some of my fascinating commentary mixed in:

2/3 cup Orzo pasta (I measured it uncooked, then cooked it to package directions.)
1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/3 cup finely chopped orange bell pepper
1/3 cup finely chopped and seeded tomatoes
1/4 cup quartered sun dried tomatoes (not in oil. Also, I finely chopped mine. I like the overall texture.)
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped watercress (I couldn't find this. I used dandelion greens, but spinach would be great too.)
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup crumbled reduced fat feta cheese (Okay, I never use reduced/low fat anything. If you're gonna eat cheese, eat cheese. If something's left out, I feel something is compromised.)

Stir everything together and salt and pepper if you want. I didn't add any salt because the sun dried tomatoes and the feta were plenty for me. You can serve it immediately or store it in the fridge for a quick light meal or snack.
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Weird Things You Should Know About Your Newborn

2007-11-09T08:47:00.000-05:00

My best friend is always on the lookout for interesting news articles to pass on to me for my blog. This one from CNN News is no exception! It covers things we discuss here a lot, like cradle cap and baby acne, and a few things I've not discussed like (gasp) baby boobs! So if you're expecting soon, hop on over and read the article. It could save you some unnecessary concern. Heaven knows a new mom doesn't need any added worry!

Oh, and I haven't forgotten the orzo recipe I promised yesterday. Although Little Guy didn't scale the walls yesterday as anticipated, he has started a horrible bout of teething. I'm not exagerrating when I tell you he has about six teeth coming in! He hasn't had a new tooth in about six months, so I guess he's playing catchup. But the orzo recipe is coming so check back. (Thanks to my best friend for that too!)

Also, don't forget to check out that vacation contest at Mike's Travel Tips. It's a relatively new blog, and it's their first contest. So if you enter, your chances are darned good for winning a free trip for two, with a nice choice of over 60 locations.

Aqua Dots Do WHAT???

2007-11-08T11:29:00.000-05:00

Unbelievable! It's not possible for me to comment with fire shooting from the top of my head...
CNN Video HERE.

A Vacation Giveaway, A Great Blog, and an Upcoming Recipe...

2007-11-08T08:24:00.000-05:00

I wanted to plop down a quick post here to pass on some good stuff. First off, my friends over at Mike's Travel Tips are giving away a 3-day, 2-night vacation. They're having the giveaway to help launch their new business, so drop in and enter! I'm jealous because I can't enter myself, but I hope the best to my readers. (P.S. If you win, you have to send me a postcard! Ha!)

Secondly, I'd like to send you over to The Not So Crunchy Parent, who I love for her dedication to sharing info with us on all of the toy recall stuff. She's been writing very helpful articles, and with Christmas around the corner, I think it's so important for us as parents to stay up to date on the recalls and the toy alternatives available. This blog takes a lot of the confusion out of the mix. I'm a big fan, so I just gotta keep passing you over to her! (Check out this article in particular!)

Lastly, I hope to post a recipe later today that my best friend sent me from Prevention magazine. I'm totally hooked on this Orzo Salad, so check back! Hopefully, Little Guy will remain calm and composed and will NOT climb the bookshelves, stick his fingers up the dogs' noses, or decorate the living room in potholders. If this is the case, we will all be reading tasty salad recipes come evening.

Finding Calcium in Baby's Vegan/Vegetarian Diet

2007-10-29T11:34:00.000-04:00

One of my biggest concerns in feeding my son a mostly vegan diet was where he would get his calcium. I grew up eating a pretty standard American diet with plenty of dairy products, so it has been hard sometimes for my mind to shift gears. Like most Americans, I had no idea calcium was found in fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, if you tell most people they can get all the calcium they need just from eating their veggies, there's a good chance they'll think you're kidding.

I ran a check on many of the vegetables I feed my little man, and I'm happy to see that with the variety he receives each day, his needs are being met in the calcium department, as well as other important nutrients. Check out NutritionData.com to run your own checks. I had a lot of fun there, and I'm sure I'll visit the site a lot more in the future.

Since the vegetables that tend to be higher in calcium are usually the dark and leafy green ones, there are all sorts of things you can do to make these foods more interesting to the discriminating child. Here's one I do, which is great for babies and young toddlers because it's very mushy. Substitute any leafy green you choose:

2 - 3 shredded leaves of kale, minus the middle tough part, steamed or boiled until soft (retain a little cooking water)
1/2 cored apple
baby cereal, enough for desired consistency

Put the cooked kale and the apple into the blender and blend until smooth, with a little of the reserved cooking liquid. This makes a nice mush. Add cereal until you get the desired consistency. The apple adds a nice flavor, and the cereal is a recognizable texture for babies, so getting them to eat it is pretty easy. Adults can try eating kale sauteed in a little olive oil with garlic and toasted sesame seeds. Yummy!

Another option is to put these leafy greens into smoothies, as discussed in one of my former blog entries. This is even healthier, since the vegetable is eaten raw.

No Cold Medicine for Children Under 6?

2007-10-22T12:36:00.000-04:00

I have a few friends who like to keep an eye out for news stories I can pass along in my blog. Lately I've been receiving email from them with links to articles on the increasing warnings against the usage of cough and cold medicines. One friend sent me links showing the growing possibility that cough and cold medicine is inadvisable for children even older than two. On Friday, another friend sent me an article from CNN stating an FDA panel was insisting these medicines shouldn't be used in children under the age of six. (If you get a chance, watch the video at this link.) Looks like the verdict is out now, according to this article in The Buffalo News. Even more reason in my eyes to be continually on the lookout for natural remedies! I remember when my son was first born, I thought, "Everyone is going to think I'm nuts when they see how I plan on raising him." I had no idea there were so many moms out there that are on the lookout for natural remedies and a chemical-free existence for their families, but not only have I found many of them through this blog, the number is growing by the day as the truth about the products we've taken for granted starts to show. I'm so thankful for the alternatives we're able to share because without it, news stories like this would leave me feeling very helpless. Instead, we're able to bond together to find a better way.

Thanks to all my friends, those of you I've known for a long time and those I may never meet face to face, for sharing your great ideas and knowledge! I'm hoping to keep this blog going for a long time to come, filling it with the helpful information you pass on to me.

Exodus from Eczema

2007-10-16T16:49:00.000-04:00

Alright, maybe the title is a bit too much alliteration, even for me. But eczema is something we all want to keep far from our babies' complexions, as Glory from SAHM Queen can tell you. This morning I received an email from her, so with her permission I'm going to share it, along with my response.

From Glory:
Any advice on how to cure my 14-month-old of eczema? I use Arbonne cleansing gel to wash him (all natural). I also use All Free and Clear for my laundry detergent. My doctor wants me to use Aquaphor on him, but I don’t want to use mineral oil products. However, nothing has worked yet. Any advice?

My response:
Thanks for the question! It's good you use natural detergents and
cleansers. Scented stuff can irritate eczema, so the more natural and
the fewer ingredients, the better. I'd agree with you that it's best
to avoid the mineral oil products as well. My son occasionally has
eczema behind his ears, so I have tried a few different natural
remedies. My favorite one is a homemade calendula oil. You can
easily do this at home, and if you can't find dried calendula flowers
at a health food store, try www.mountainherbs.com. I've never
purchased from them, but they are quite reputable.

Take about a cup of the dried calendula flowers and place them in a
clean glass jar that has a tight-fitting lid. Cover the flowers with
a good olive oil, and let the mixture sit for one to two weeks. Every
day flip the jar upside down and back to help mix it. I like to let
my jar sit in a sunny window so the sun can help the fusion process.
(Just don't let it get too hot.) After a week or two, strain the oil
through some cheesecloth or a strainer into another clean jar. You
can rub this oil right on the eczema or put some in his bathwater.
The oil can be used for diaper rash too. It's good for adult dry skin
as well, and this one jar should last your family a long time.

While you're waiting for that oil to be ready, you can try a pure aloe
gel. (Read the ingredients - some of them have alcohol, of all
things, which could really sting!) Or some oatmeal in the bath can be
soothing. I haven't found these remedies to be a long-term solution
like the calendula oil, but they can provide some comfort until your
oil is ready for use.

If anyone else ever has a question about taking care of your baby naturally, please feel free to ask in the comments or email me at themommyspot@gmail.com. I'd be happy to look into it for you, because if you're wondering about it, chances are you're not the only one. If I don't have the answer, I'll definitely try and find it!

Chamomile, Baby's Little Wonder Herb

2007-10-12T08:08:00.000-04:00

Chamomile. A little flowery herb you drink as tea when you need help getting sleepy. That's all I thought it did too, once upon a time. But now I'm never without a jar of dried chamomile. That stuff is a whole medicine cabinet in a mug, and yet this misunderstood member of the sunflower family goes along in life being viewed as a dainty little flower whose only power is making you go night-night. As far as I'm concerned, though, it's the best and most versatile herb for babies and young children.

Chamomile tea is gentle and effective as an astringent for things like diaper rash and heat rash when applied directly to the skin. As a drink, it soothes a queasy or sore tummy and it helps halt diarrhea. Cradle cap bugging you? A little rinse in chamomile can help soothe the itch and scratch. It's also good for a cough, bronchitis, staving off nightmares, and easing ulcers (for the nervous parent). But one of my favorite uses is for that crankity thing that happens to babies and toddlers when they teethe. If your child gets all squirrely and restless from teething like my son does, a little warm chamomile tea does amazing things. I give my son just a couple of ounces of warm tea when he's all wound up from the discomfort of a new tooth, and I usually see a calmer, happier baby in about 30 minutes. Yes, the Chamomile Fairy comes and replaces my child with a quiet one. Okay, not really. But the transformation is often quite remarkable.

No matter how you use this magical herb, preparation is pretty much the same. Take two teaspoons of dried herb and using a tea strainer or tea ball, steep it in a mug of very hot water for about 10 - 15 minutes. Strain the tea well, and of course make sure it isn't too hot to drink. For younger babies, I'd try using only small quantities, although I've not heard of any dangers. The only precautions would be these: Chamomile can have a binding effect, so if your baby is constipated, you may want to steer clear until her plumbing is back to normal. Also, any tea is diuretic so try not to give too much before bedtime or your sleepyhead will just wake up with a wet diaper. Lastly, I have heard of one child having an allergic reaction to chamomile, so no matter the age, try a small amount first to make sure there are no side effects. A swabbing of tea applied to the skin can be a good way to test - watch for redness or irritation. Other than these few small cautions, chamomile is by far one of the safest herbs. It's definitely one of the most versatile!

So there you have it! A wonderful herb you can keep on hand as a replacement to several over-the-counter medications for children. Certainly one of my favorites. There's been more than one tough day that has ended with the sight of me slumped on the couch with a mug of this in hand, waiting for its calming relief - and a sighting of the Chamomile Fairy.

Recall Alert

2007-10-06T09:10:00.001-04:00

My goodness! Trying to blog lately has been a real challenge. My son decided that sleep is optional and naps are definitely out. I hope it's a passing fad because Mama doesn't look so hot in the glassy-eyed look. In the meantime, I have some recalls to pass on, and I'm trying to pull together some new information on the whole OTC cough and cold med thing, thanks to some info sent to me by a friend. I hope you'll forgive this brief entry - I've typed it one-handed while balancing said tired toddler on my lap. This is not easy. His pants seem to be housing an ant army.

I've gotten email on several recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, most of which deal with lead paint on toys. I think the easiest way to see them is to go to the CPSC website and look at the "Recent Recalls" box at the bottom of the screen. You can hover your cursor over the names of the items recalled and see a quick picture, so you'll easily be able to recognize whether or not you have this item. I think that will be easier to sort through than if I list each recall off, as usual.

If anyone has a favorite toy supplier or online toystore that specializes in natural, safe toys, please leave a comment. I'd love to pull together a nice list for Christmas. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a small marathon runner to chase...

The Green Smoothie - Trick, Treat, or a Little of Both?

2007-09-29T09:14:00.000-04:00

For about six months now, I've been serving up a mysterious green beverage at lunch each afternoon. This unique drink can scare the faint of heart if they happen to be watching what gets dumped into my blender, but what they may not realize is how delicious and addictive it is!

I'm talkin' green smoothies here. They're loaded with nutrition and taste like dessert, so don't let the strange hue throw you. If you're looking to sneak veggies into your kids' diets, this is the perfect way. And with Halloween around the corner, you can pass the beverage off as a witch's brew or eye of newt or bug juice. Just get gross about naming it and I'm sure they'll be intrigued.

Here's how I do it: Most of my smoothies have 1/2 a banana in there for sweetness, but sometimes I use a couple of dates (without pits - your blender asked me to remind you). Then I may toss in 1/2 a cored apple or a peeled kiwi. A handful of grapes (with or without seeds) makes a nice addition. After that, the fun really starts. I usually have a tub of fresh baby spinach in the fridge. One handful of that or a Swiss chard leaf adds nutrition that is virtually tasteless! (Read: They'll never know it's in there if you don't tell them.) I sometimes add a small amount of sprouts or dried seaweed for an extra vitamin kick. After that, I fill the blender to the 2-cup mark with our favorite juice or soy milk and blend it until smooth.

The possibilities are endless here. The best part is, when you blend the fresh fruits and vegetables, you're breaking down the structure of the plant much more than chewing it, which releases all its goodness. Something about the little cell walls being smashed.

When my son hears the blender, he gets excited and can hardly stand waiting for his smoothie! The amount I discussed here is enough for two adults to have a glass if they each promise to share with an eager toddler. But lately I've been making a little more so my son can have his own portion and Mom and Dad can enjoy their own!

Recall: Pottery Barn Doll Stroller

2007-09-29T08:22:00.000-04:00

Another recall to pass on. This time, it's a doll stroller sold by Pottery Barn Kids. This stroller has been reported to have severed the fingertip of a two-year-old. Check it out and pass it on to others who might have one as well!

Recalls!

2007-09-27T16:44:00.000-04:00

I haven't been passing all recalls on lately because there are so many, but I feel like I have to. I just received a notice on Kolcraft play yards being recalled after a 10-month-old was strangled to death in one. Please, please check this link and pass it on to anyone you know who may have one.

And I'm sure most of you have heard by now about the various lead paint recalls from yesterday. I believe there were seven separate recalls. For full info, you can check them out at www.cpsc.gov. I encourage everyone to subscribe to their mailing list. You get immediate info on recalls when you sign up.

Vacationing with a Toddler and Other Impossibilities

2007-09-26T12:14:00.000-04:00

I needed an emergency vacation. For 16 months, I've worked 8 hours a day from home while taking care of my little bambino. Mama needed a break. Besides, my husband and I are confirmed travel junkies, and we want to be able to take our son out to see the world, even at a bright and early age. We didn't exactly plan a trip to Venice for his first outing, however. We stuck closer to home, just a few hours away.

We decided that a hotel room would be an overall disaster, what with sharing one room with a baby who goes to bed earlier than us, having nowhere to go for his afternoon naps, nothing to do when he WAS sleeping except to watch him and tell each other to "Be quiet, the baby's sleeping!" So we rented ourselves a little cottage in a tourist town. Perfect! Two bedrooms, a nice living room, a view of the lake. Besides, in September you get off-season pricing. And with a kitchen of our own to use, we didn't have to eat out for every meal unless we wanted to. (If you've been through the toddler season of life, you know the nightmare that can be eating out.)

It actually took me a good day and a half to finally relax and shake off all the burnout. But then I really enjoyed myself and my family. The trick to traveling toddler style is to have an open mind and a very loose schedule. I doubt we ever left the cottage before noon the whole 5 days we were there, but that was okay. We took our time. We let our son get his entire morning nap in. We dawdled with newspapers, books, and journals until he was awake. If our son fell asleep in the car on the way to our destination, we drove in circles enjoying the sights until he woke back up. Flexibility was necessary. It was a relief to just say, "Who cares when we get there?" And you know what? I think I brought a lot of that back with me. I am trying to take one thing at a time and enjoy the view while we're here.

I don't know when that next vacation may come for my growing family of travel junkies, but I feel like we'll be even more prepared to handle it. Next time we may go a whopping 5 hours away. And in time, who knows? We may just work our way to Venice.

ScreamFree Parenting Contest Results!

2007-09-19T07:45:00.000-04:00

How exciting! The contest is officially closed, and names have been drawn for the 5 free books and the bonus giveaway. So without further ado, here are the winners of the books:

Vivian from Mama Need Java
Michelle from Scribbit
Karen from pdx Mounts and Green Girls Guide
Melissa Markham from Yesterday's Hopes: The Blog
...and Liz. Liz, you know who you are! If you have a blog, let me know and I'll post it here.

The winner of the bonus giveaway, for posting about my contest, goes to Doreen at Doreen's Place. Doreen, you will be receiving a suprise by mail! Since this contest was about ScreamFree Parenting, you'll be getting a little something to help you relax after a tough mom day!

Oh, and just when you thought the giving was over, I have one more thing. Renee at When 2 Became 3 gave me an award!

Thank you so much, Renee! Very thoughtful to include me. Now it's my turn to choose some bloggers I wish to bestow this upon. (My, don't I sound official!) This was tough to narrow down, but here they are:
Laura at MadCity Mounts (Our kids are the same age)
Vivian from Mama Need Java (Yeah, yeah. She wins two things today! Lucky girl! Her blog is a great read.)
Dana from Southern Gal Goes North (I'm a sucker for her poetry.)
...and The Not Quite Crunchy Parent. I'm new to her blog, but she passes on fantastic info. I just don't miss a post!

So check out the winners' blogs if you're looking for some new blog reading material. There's some great stuff here! And thanks again to everyone for participating in the contest! The comments were great fun. I thoroughly enjoyed having a book giveaway, so maybe someday soon I'll do another.

ScreamFree Parenting Book Review and Giveaway!

2007-09-10T09:46:00.000-04:00

I'm very excited to have the first ever Mommy Spot Giveaway. I've been asked to review the book ScreamFree Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel, LMFT. In addition, I will be giving away FIVE free copies of the book! I received my copy on Friday and read the entire thing in two days, which is no small feat with a toddler in the house. I simply could not put the book down.

I don't know how many times I've read in reviews or heard authors say, "This book is not just for (enter here - flyfishers, underground sous chefs, billionaire button-makers). The information I provide pertains to everyone!" I always think, "What a bunch of hooey. I'm not going to buy it if even the title doesn't apply to me." Alas, I have found the one book that, in essence, can apply to anyone. That's because the definition of ScreamFree, as provided by the author in the book, is this: "...learning to relate with others in a calm, cool, and connected way, taking hold of your own emotional responses no matter how anyone else chooses to behave; learning to focus on yourself and take care of yourself for the world's benefit." And that, dear friends, applies to everyone.

Of course, in this book, parenting is the focus. It's done brilliantly with entertaining stories, humor, and practicality. Oftentimes parenting books leave me feeling guilty, overwhelmed, and inefficient. I start to doubt my own instincts; heaven knows moms do that well enough on their own without a professional telling them where they're falling short. But I found this book reassuring and calming because it's not about manipulating your child with clever tricks and word games. It's about looking inward and changing the only person you truly can change - yourself.

What results, I feel, is a better way of seeing your children (or anyone) for who they are; of seeing difficult situations truthfully and not through those fear goggles we often get. I found the principles here sound and logical. Shifting your thinking and your approach to communicating with your children, as presented here, helps keep situations from escalating and teaches the child self-reliance, problem solving, and how to think for themselves. This book is about personal growth - not techniques or behavior modification. It's about taking care of yourself so you are able to take care of those you love, stepping back from tough scenarios so you can see the truth and face it with calm; it's about learning to react appropriately to a child's inappropriate behavior, without losing control. I closed the book feeling like saying, "Let's do it! I'm ready now."

If you're intrigued by this review and you live in the U.S., you can enter here to win one of the five copies of ScreamFree Parenting. Just leave me a message in the comments box, telling me one way you try to stay calm or focused while raising your kids. It doesn't have to be a term paper - if you can manage to say it in three words, go for it. I'll put all the names in a hat (or a sippy cup), and with the help of my trusty marital assistant, I shall draw out five names and post them here on Wednesday, September 19th, 2007. Until then, I will be taking a much-needed computer sabbatical. So hit that comment button - how do you stay ScreamFree?

*** If you put a link to this contest in your next blog post (anytime before Sunday, Septemer 16, 2007), I'll enter you in an additional drawing for a special surprise! (Okay, I admit - no idea what it is yet. But it'll be cool - I promise!) Just leave me a message in the comments here, so I can enter your name. ***

Make Your Own Soymilk!

2007-09-05T09:39:00.000-04:00

It's official. I've jumped off the deep end. It started with my decision to give my son soymilk instead of cow's milk. Then came the dreaded reading of the ingredient panels on all my favorite soymilks. One of the recurring ingredients was sugar or some form thereof. Other items popped up on the list that seemed completely unnecessary, and I didn't know what the heck they were either. So I started digging for info on how to make your own soymilk, and to my surprise I found there are soymilk makers out there! Naturally, I bought one.

The model I bought is called Soyabella from Tribest. It looks a lot like the old percolator coffee pots and has a mesh basket inside to put about 1/2 cup soaked soybeans. A small blade like a blender's blade is attached to the lid of the pot, and this fits into the mesh basket. I fill the pot about halfway with water, plug the unit in, and hit the Milk button. In 15 minutes the soymilk is done!

Homemade soymilk is probably not for the faint at heart, but if you're already used to commercial soymilk, adjusting isn't very difficult. The Soyabella claims there's no beany aftertaste, but I'd say there is a wee bit of an aftertaste, if not exactly beany. I still doctor the milk up a bit with some honey (my son is 15 months old - under a year it's not advised to give honey) and a little vanilla. Overall, I find the end result quite good, especially when it's still warm. The maker also comes with a booklet with optional recipes for other soymilks, nutmilks, and even soups and stews. I tried one of the soup recipes today, and it was surprisingly easy to do. Two large bowls of soup were ready for lunch in just over 15 minutes.

Cleanup was a little tricky at first, but now that I've learned to soak the basket in water right away so the beans don't stick, it takes me less than five minutes to clean. As long as I get to it right away, all the soy residue washes off quickly.

Overall, I really like using the machine. It's quick and easy, and I'm now paying less than 10 cents a quart for soymilk, as opposed to $2 - $3! I've made close to two dozen batches, and it's become part of my morning routine. Besides, it is a nice feeling knowing what my son gets is fresh and preservative free!

Note: This is NOT an endorsed review.

Using a Baby Wrap with a Toddler

2007-08-31T07:47:00.001-04:00

Just a couple weeks ago, I received a wonderful gift from Renee at When 2 Became 3. She sent me a beautiful baby wrap that she made for me, and I've been experimenting with using it. I looked through a lot of videos on the internet on how to wear the wrap with a toddler. The most comfortable way I've tried wearing my son is by wearing him on my hip. But this morning I came across this video on youtube, and I can't wait to test it out.
I think my son will enjoy riding on my back more than on my hip because it's a nice perspective for enjoying the scenery. Besides, did you see how that cute little girl in the video seems so excited to hop up for a ride? That's what it's all about.

This may well be the perfect time for testing a new way to wear my little one. He's going through Cold #2, and he's not happy. Momma isn't too thrilled either. But at least his need for being carried and comforted will be a little easier on me this time! Now I can strap him on while I stir the chicken soup and (darn) take care of my own cold too.

By the way, Renee at When 2 Became 3 has just started selling her wraps at Wraps it Up, so hop on over and take a look!

88-Tomato Pasta Sauce

2007-08-21T09:47:00.000-04:00

Maybe I mentioned we planted tomatoes. But did I tell you we planted eight or ten plants for two people? I can't tell how many plants are actually there, as they have grown and flourished into one jungle-like mass. As the tomatoes ripened, my countertop disappeared under a juicy red pile of produce. What to do, what to do? Canning wasn't something I was up for, and I'd frozen as many sliced, diced, and chopped tomatoes as I could. (Yes, you can freeze them fresh!) So I decided to try my hand at some homemade pasta sauce. I knew that freezes well, and we go through a lot of sauce in this house! And man oh man, does this sauce taste good! Guess what that means? I am going to share the "recipe". I write "recipe" ever so loosely, as I had no recipe to begin with. So roll up your shirtsleeves, and throw out the measuring cups. When you cook with me, baby, you don't need to measure squat.

This is what I did:

I skinned 88 tomatoes (yes, I counted because I'm anal that way) and in groups of about 6 - 8, I cut the core out. Then I plopped them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes until the skin started to crack, pulled them out of the water with a slotted spoon, and ran cold water over them. Peeled, squeezed to release seeds and excess juice, and the squeezed them even harder to crush them into a large stock pot. Started process over until all 88 tomatoes were nicely smashed into the pot.

Then I turned on the fire, brought the tomato mash to a boil, and turned down the heat so the tomatoes simmered. I added some sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, about 1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil, a few tablespoons dried basil, a few tablespoons dried oregano, maybe a tablespoon of dried marjoram, and almost an entire bulb of chopped crushed garlic. (Organic, because I'm anal that way.) Then I also added two large chopped onions. Yes, organic.

This big pot of mess bubbled on my stove for about 5 or 6 hours, making the entire neighborhood smell like an Italian cultural festival. I stirred many, many times, as on those pasta sauce commercials of old, and tasted and adjusted the seasonings until the sauce was just right.

I packed the sauce in containers and popped them into my freezer, except for a nice bowl of it for dinner that night. We took a trip to our local Italian specialty grocery store and picked up some amazing tri-color pasta, some green peppercorn pecorino cheese, a loaf of whole grain bread (very crusty!), a little rosemary ham, and of course a bottle of vino. I sauteed some sliced porteeny mushrooms (ahem - organic, anal, blah blah blah), and put them atop the sauce. Oh, my! Our tastebuds were transported to the culinary heavens. Lots of work? Yes! What's more, this was the third batch of sauce I made in less than a week! But it's all in the freezer (behind many bags of frozen tomatoes, salsa, etc.), and it will wait until I hit a night when I want a nice dinner without the work. All I have to do is send my husband to the Italian grocer on his way home...

Mattel Recalls My Sanity

2007-08-16T09:16:00.000-04:00

So you may be wondering why two days have passed since the massive Mattel recall, and you have heard nothing from me on the subject. I, who pass along info of toy recalls, I, queen of the anti-chemical baby world. Because I have been sickened to a level that sucks the words right off my keyboard. There was nothing I could say but unintelligible grunting sounds and maybe an occasional muttered epithet. Now I'm a little more composed. But only a little.

Since the birth of our son, I've been more than concerned with the quality of baby toys. How do I know they're safe? Am I to trust any little company that manages to get a toy on the shelves? I marked my paranoia up partially to that overprotective nature that plagues most new mommies. When choosing a toy for our son, I'd pick it up in the store, furtively look up and down the aisle to make sure I was alone, and then sniff the toy. Aha! I knew it! This one stinks. Put it back. My guess was that if it stinks, something is in there I don't want a baby chewing on. Other than smell, I didn't have much to go on.

Now I'm even more in an upset. Getting all these recalls sent to my email, I was perfectly aware there was lead poisoning being pumped into our toy stores via China. But buying a toy that isn't made in China? Next to impossible. And what makes it even worse is knowing a mega toy producer like Mattel wouldn't even bother to do recurring quality assurance checks on what is being made in their name, thousands of miles away. How hard can it be to scrape a little paint off a toy and run a quick check? Mattel and Fisher-Price have built a business out of bringing pleasure to children, and their lack of concern for these children, their lack of foresight, shocks me.

Three children had to go through the pain of perforated intestines after swallowing the magnets out of some of the toys before Mattel saw fit to do a recall. Add to this recall, toys decorated in lead. Which issue did they know of first? Why did they wait to collect two recall issues before letting us know?

Bob Eckert, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, assures us in his press interviews that Mattel has the strongest safety standards IN THE INDUSTRY. I am not reassured. In fact, if that's true, we're all in trouble. I'll be searching for more natural toys for Christmas. Or I'll make them myself if I have to. I suspect that's how most of you feel too, and that's good. That means our toy dollars will go where we feel safe, and that will speak volumes to the toy industries. Maybe after all this, we'll start to see more visible reassurances that our children's toys are safe, and maybe then my sanity can be restored to be used for other worries. After all, driver's training starts in a mere 15 years...

For another article from a concerned mom, check out imperfect mommy's post. It was very well said, and I couldn't agree with her more!

Your Hobby as a Lifeboat!

2007-08-12T07:19:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed that the last week or so, I've had only two measly posts. Informative? Yes. Captivating? Of course! But hopelessly short, with not even a photo to amuse you. It's got me thinking how important hobbies are to moms. And how we shouldn't let go of them, because then we're letting go of ourselves in some way.

Us Mommy Bloggers are often in the same sort of mothering boat, so busy paddling our families along that we sometimes forget to sit still and let the current take us for awhile. Our boats are filled with laundry, baby rattles, and dinner dishes, frequently so overloaded that we push ourselves to the back of the boat to be buried underneath it all. This is about where I've been sitting in the boat lately. Where the heck did I go? Can you see me there, peeking out around a pile of diapers? Yes, that's me - the tired looking one with no makeup.

If you're hanging out in the Mommy Blogshire, chances are you're here because you enjoy reading and writing. Most likely, those two activities are an important part of who you are. I'll just bet, if you're like me, erasing those two items from your daily life make you a very unhappy boat rower. So here is my little reminder to you and to my overworked self to not forget time for ourselves. Sit in a corner of the boat with your journal or that lonely paperback you keep waiting next to the bed. Heck, get out in the dingy for awhile and let someone else row, even if it's only for a few blissful, uninterrupted moments.

Maybe you're a scrapbooker. Lots of you out there. Or maybe you make flower arrangements or study Karate or snake charming. Whatever it may be, don't forget it or think of it as a waste of time. Grab hold of it as a lifeline! I know whenever I get swept away with my daily responsibilities, a good 30 minutes devoted to a hobby recharges me like nothing else. I'll fight the couch potato urge and do something creative instead. Man oh man, I can float the rest of the day on that well-spent 30 minutes!

Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to end this post so I can go and reflect on what I just said. Because this poor little entry took me four days to finish! I shall put the "Do Not Disturb" sign around my neck and not do a blasted "responsible" thing for a whole 30 minutes - I promise.

If You Post Baby Pictures on Flickr...

2007-08-06T14:41:00.000-04:00

This is a quick post to relay to you some info I just read on one of the blogs I frequent called Baby Powder. On this posting, she writes how she's been putting all her baby pictures on Flickr and recently found out someone the family does not know was "favoriting" some of the photos, and shots of her children in the bathtub were receiving way too many views. Although the user she discusses has already had their account closed, it's something to be aware of. If you use Flickr or Yahoo! Photos or any other online photo storage, you will definitely want to read her post.

Major Sesame Street/Fisher-Price Recall!

2007-08-03T08:13:00.000-04:00

This is a quick notice to check your Fisher-Price toys, in particular Sesame Street items. Fisher-Price is recalling a million toys! The link to click on for the full list of recall items is HERE. It's ironic that today of all days, I was working on a blog entry on toy recalls when my mom called to tell me to check my son's toys. The list of recalled toys on the above link iis large, and the reason they state is this: "Surface paints on the toys could contain excessive levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects." I'm sickened by the amount of recalls I've been seeing due to lead paint in children's toys, so I'm passing these links to you.

If you want recall information sent right to your email, sign up here. The CSPC also offers podcast updates on their recalls, if you prefer.

Keep informed! Unsafe items manufactured in China have been a big concern these days, and we need to stay on top of what's happening. Please pass this information on to all your family and friends.

Fit to be Tied On

2007-07-31T13:57:00.000-04:00

People ask me all the time (not really) if I believe in baby wearing. My answer is an emphatic "Yes!" And then those curious masses ask (again, not so much), "And how did you wear YOUR baby?" Uh - I didn't. I perceive a hush falling over my reading audience. Let me clarify: I did not own a baby sling, but I've carried that little guy everywhere! I always wanted a sling but somehow never got around to it. So now I have what my bench pressing sister calls "pipes". For those of you more in the bench warming category with myself, that means I have really strong arms.

Whether you choose to heft your baby around under your own strength or take the more sensible route and use a sling, baby wearing is no longer for the New Age hippie chick. It's a wonderful way to bond with your baby, bring her comfort, and give her love. And contrary to what some may think, babies who are carried and held a lot are actually more secure and cry less. Whe it comes to letting them explore, they do so more confidently, knowing you're there if they need it.

Slings and wraps come in endless variation, so if you're a new mom, try out several styles. If you're the crafty sort, there are free patterns online, and although I NEVER GOT AROUND TO IT, I hear they are very easy to make. They're darned cute, too. Just take a look at what Renee and her husband Harry do with baby slings. Now, aren't those trendy? (I give Harry an "A" for creative usage of a sling. That kid will love music for certain!)

Babies don't stay babies for long. Throughout human history, women around the world have known this and have kept their little ones close for as long as they could. Native Americans wore their babies. You never heard anyone complain of clingy Apaches. Asian peasants still tote their tots while they work. Not one grown child has been spotted still dangling from a Chinese mom's back.

I may only have the experience of mothering one child, but I've been around lots and lots of babies in my lifetime through different jobs and various situations. Far and away the happiest babies were loved, cuddled, and carried. Sure, babies who are worn have their moments of bellowing and crankitude too, but these outbursts tend to be fewer and further between. And mom tends to be more in tune to the reason for the upset.

So come on, mommies and daddies! Strap on a baby whether you're doing the dishes, writing bills, or just strolling the neighborhood. That wee little babe won't stay tiny for long, so enjoy the bonding experience from which both parent and child will reap the benefits!

Kiss Dry Skin Goodbye!

2007-07-24T12:50:00.000-04:00

The first few years of your child's life are probably the only ones he'll hug and kiss you with reckless abandon. The first time my son wrapped those chubby arms around my neck and engulfed my cheek with his mouth, I just melted. And I'm not even speaking of the effects of his drool!

But that brought some concerns to mind (see "The Hum"!). What face lotion had I used that morning? Did I really want him eating it? I'd long been concerned with the ingredients for my own health, but now my chunky monkey was chewing on them.

I've always believed there's a natural solution to all our physical needs. I can't imagine God thinking, "Too bad they have dry skin. I guess they'll have to wait for someone to invent Oil of Olay." Instead, we have countless plants, herbs, and oils to experiment with and learn from. In many cases, the simplest, purest solution is the best solution. Take, for instance, my favorite lotion.

I used to fork over copious amounts of money to purchase "natural" face lotions, tonics, and other general magic in a bottle. The prices were steep, but I loved the results and I felt I was doing the most for my skin. Then I started learning about parabens, preservatives, and other icky additives. But when I became pregnant, I knew I wanted to keep things natural. Somewhere in the back recesses of my brain, I had stored the fact that women use coconut oil to prevent stretch marks. I don't know where I heard it originally, but no matter. I purchased some. (It took some looking to find coconut oil without added stuff, believe it or not. I learned it's best found with the cooking oils, and not in the health and beauty departments. Look for organic.)

It wasn't long before I was using coconut oil for things other than my increasing stomach. I found it works wonders on freshly shaved legs. After those wonderful baby kisses started, I discovered using a small amount of coconut oil on the face absorbs quickly, leaving no oil, and improving skin over time. The best part? It's moisturizer for your whole body for about $7 a 14-ouce jar! (What department store sells their lotion for 50 cents an ounce???) I also experiment with melting smaller amounts and adding a drop or two of an essential oil for a natural fragrance. It makes a nice scented body lotion, and when I run out, I whip up another "flavor".

Now my little darling can munch his mommy's cheeks until he reaches the age it's just not cool to like your mom so much. I sure hope that's a long, long way off - but whatever that age, this mommy will have great skin and a youthful, dewy glow!

Living on the Fringe

2007-07-19T10:12:00.000-04:00

If you've chosen to raise your family chemical free, then you already know you've chosen an adventure, one most families will never attempt. Just the mere mention of "I feed my child organic" is enough to receive that wordless stare that speaks volumes. Your peers suddenly alter their opinion of you. You're called a granola cruncher, a tree hugger. And every time you go through the grocery checkout, you have to tell the cashier, "That's kale. Swiss chard. It's tofu, and the sign says it's on special." Then the cashier's favorite question - "WHAT are you MAKING?"

The funniest part is, just 100 years ago, even 50, most everyone lived chemical free and thought nothing of it. Also funny, much of the world still lives that way.

I like putting things into a historical perspective. It clears up a lot for me. For instance, whether you believe the world has been around for billions of years or a mere 6,000, the human race has been doing its thing for a long, long time. For more time than our brains can truly comprehend, mankind has been eating organic produce. No chemical pesticides, no fertilizer more potent than what came out of the back end of a yak. For countless generations, mothers had breastmilk to offer their babies - no alternatives, no controversy. Furniture was magically constructed without the use of formaldehyde, and children slept in pajamas not previously treated with fire retardants.

In so many countries, this is still the case. We could point our fingers accusingly at America and condemn its affluence, but this is just not my bent. Yes, affluence does often couple up with greed and the want for more, but it doesn't have to. This is not the American condition; it is the human condition, and we need to control it on an individual basis before controlling it as a nation or as a world.

As individuals, we can choose to purchase organic food, products with pronounceable ingredients, and paint that doesn't contain VOC's - not to stick it to big, bad "Corporate America," but to improve our own health. Eventually, manufacturers and farmers will follw suit. They'll have to, to stay competitive. If not, well, after awhile you manage to learn which shampoos you like that are free of parabens and lauryl sulfates, and what store carries the most locally-grown produce.

It takes a real effort these days to eliminate chemicals from your daily life. They've become a huge and silent part of most of the items on the store shelves. But trying to change your family's ways, one step at a time, isn't as daunting as most people think. With a little time and research, your family will have a healthier lifestyle.

And don't fear being called a radical. Because what we now call living chemical free, your grandmother simply called living.

The Hum

2007-07-17T09:13:00.000-04:00

Before my son entered my world, I would watch mothers playing with their children in the yard or at the park. I often noticed a wistful smile on the face of the mother watching her toddler wobble along the sidewalk, and I always imagined the mother was trying to capture that moment - the fleeting image of chubby legs with the gait of a drunken sailor, only days ago accomplishing no more than a crawling shuffle, and knowing in a few more that same little wonder will break out into a run.

But little did I know about the undercurrent, the hum inside the mother that is switched on 24 hours a day. That hum that watches this same stumbling child, as she scans the ground for pointy sticks and jagged rocks in her child's path; or eyes suspiciously any oncoming car, praying they obey the traffic laws and are aware of the presence of such a small life.

Never did I know this hum was there, making it impossible for the seemingly relaxed sunbathing mother to turn off her automatic beach surveillance. Or to ignore the home's electrical sockets or the sharp corners on walls or expensive vases in other people's houses.

As the child grows, that same hum is responsible for making the mother stare at the clock, aware that her baby is starting a difficult test, or causing her to cringe during hre child's entire dentist appointment because she saw fear in those precious eyes.

It's what makes a mother bite her nails wondering how the first date is going, what makes her cry herself to sleep, knowing her teenager is doing the same in the next room, of a broken heart.

It's what makes her knees shake as she tries to smile and cheerfully kiss her baby goodbye at the college dorm, what keeps her by the phone that night in case she's needed to whisper away homesickness. And when this grown child comes home with a car full of dirty laundry and an empty wallet, it's what makes her only pretend to be annoyed.

In fact, this hum never stops, not until the end of her days. It's there to the very end, even when her baby's hair begins to gray like her own.

Some may say, "This isn't for me. I couldn't carry such a burden." Others may say, "It's so much worry." But this hum is not a burden a mother cares to part with; not at all. Because at its essence, this hum is not worry. It is love.

On Overload

2007-07-11T12:43:00.000-04:00

I've just finished reading The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp. My original intention was to do a book review on it, but I'd like to add something to that. Reading this book, and hearing and reading about so many other types of parenting advice has got me to thinking. If you can't share these sorts of thoughts on your blog, I guess you might as well not have a blog to begin with. But I will start with the book.

I think Dr. Karp has some excellent advice on how to understand the inner workings of a toddler brain, and how to communicate with your toddler. I've already tested his advice on my own little guy and it works. The basic principal is learning what Karp refers to as "Toddler-ese," which is the language all toddlers speak. In a nutshell, that means communicating with your toddler with his own limited vocabulary and body language, thus letting him know you understand why he's upset. At first this sounded kind of hokey to me. I really didn't like the idea of saying something like, "No, no, no. No diaper. No," mirroring my son's upsetness at having his diaper changed. (He's taken a great dislike to diaper changes lately.) But I thought, what the heck, no one is watching. My son stopped crying immediately and looked at me in a bit of surprise. Then he stopped crying and let me change his diaper. Amazing!

Now here's where I take issue: While reading through the book, I began to feel overwhelmed with a lot of extra book-fattening parenting advice. Little nuances on how to do this or that. I started thinking, "How in the world can I remember all this?" and "Do I need to know all this? My parents, after all, never had a Dr. Karp. Or a Dr. Sears. Or a Dr. Phil, or an Oprah, or any other advice-givers. By now you're scratching your head and saying, "Hey, isn't that what you do? Your blog is all about advice on natural parenting." Yup! Believe me, I love to share and receive advice. I am the A-#1 book digger on all things. No one likes to research a topic to its absolute last shred of usefulness like I do. But I also understand something we all need to be reminded of from time to time: If the advice doesn't sit well with you, ignore it.

Don't feel pressured to try some new-fangled parenting technique, don't feel like a failure if everyone else is doing it and you can't stomach it, don't let anyone give you a guilt trip if you aren't following the parenting herd.

I believe we're given some innate ability to understand what our own distinct child really needs. Yeah, sometimes we need a prod or direction. That's what the books and the internet help us with. But in the end, we're the ones who somewhere deep down know that this little child of ours truly does or does not need to fall asleep with a binky, eat only organic fruit and vegetables, or learn toilet training at an early age. Since every child is so wonderfully unique, doesn't it stand to reason that the way to raise each child would be just as unique?

So whether you're hanging out with Oprah from your living room television, or checking in on my humble blog, just remember to go with your gut and leave the guilt behind. If you are truly choosing the parenting choices that make you comfortable, it doesn't matter if you're the only mom or dad in town who believes strongly in interpretive dance before bedtime. Because in the end you'll have raised a beautiful one-of-a-kind adult. One who understands interpretive dance or has learned the importance of generosity or healthy eating or culture because you found it important enough to teach. Isn't that in essence the very beauty of raising a child, after all?

(Note: If you're interested in Dr. Karp's techniques, you might try the DVD. It gets to the meat of the information without the overwhelming amount of extras. I also found it much more helpful to see his techniques used on actual screaming toddlers.)

The Big 100!

2007-07-07T10:47:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is my 100th post! I'd like to drop balloons and streamers from the ceiling, but that would make a big mess here and be totally lost on you. So instead, I thought I'd celebrate by sharing some of my favorite blogs and bloggers. After all, the most pleasant surprise to me in the blogging world is that sense of community we manage to build with one another - especially in the realm of Mommy Bloggers! So while this is by no means an all-inclusive list, it's definitely a glimpse of my virtual stomping grounds.

Our first stop in the blog tour would be Vegan Momma. This blog has a wide variety of postings and great photography. Opal has an interesting raw food blog as well, called The Raw & The Cooked. Although I'm not totally vegetarian (yet?) this site has some yummy recipes and beautiful photos. I've gotten some good food ideas over there.

Next stop is Green Girl's Guide. This one is an informative blog on all things green, such as recycling and (my favorite) chemical-free living. Green Girl's Guide just got a new look, so check them out! They have great plans for this blog.

Any mommy blogger on the path to natural child rearing should check out The Lactivist on a regular basis. I'm a big fan of this blog because of her edgy posts, her sense of humor, and of course her stand on breast feeding. The comments on this blog are often as interesting as the posts!

I think one of my all-time favorites is a choice of lots of mommy bloggers - Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. I'm thinking she must sleep with her camera around her neck! This woman can take a picture, let me tell you. And if you like pictures of cowboys and horses, and those amazing skylines you think must be fake unless you live Out West, you must check this blog. The writing evokes enough imagery, with or without the photos. This is a very popular blog. I comment there often, but so many people comment here - well, I'm just one in a very big fan base.

I have a lot of blogs I visit regularly, so keep an eye on the "Oh, the Places I Go" section where all my links are. This list isn't all-inclusive yet, but it will be! I've found other people's blog rolls are a great place to find favorite hang-outs. So keep an eye on it. And thanks for celebrating my 100th post with me!

Now, time to clean up all these balloons...

Calming Bath Time

2007-06-27T17:05:00.000-04:00

One of the ways moms have depended upon to help their baby get a good night's sleep is the evening bath. The warm water is relaxing, and there's nothing like putting a clean baby into clean jammies to really get him cozy!

I've learned a little trick recently to add to the comforting experience. We've talked before about adding a little essential oil to the bath, but how about making the whole tub one big cup of tea? All that needs to be done is to get a little bag with drawstrings or one of those socks whose partner has long gone to wherever those other socks go. Add a small amount of herbs such as chamomile, lavender, or lemon balm and tie off the bag or sock. After the warm bath is drawn, swirl the sock or bag around in the bath. You can leave it right in the bathwater, unless your little darling thinks it's a snack.

The herbs not only offer a calming scent to the water, they actually soak into the skin giving baby a gentle dose of relaxation. And you don't have to buy one of those expensive bottles of chemical-laden bath potions either! This is the real deal at a tiny fraction of the cost. (Try and buy herbs bulk as opposed to already in tea bags. You'll be amazed at how much you save. Grow your own and save even more!)

Afterwards, save the spent herbs as compost for your garden, or you can dump them into some houseplants as compost there too. Now, isn't everyone feeling happy and well-rested?

A Fantastic Veggie Cooking Site

2007-06-26T07:16:00.000-04:00

I've recently discovered a website for vegetarian and vegan cooking that I just had to pass on. The last several meals I've made us have been from VegWeb.com, and boy, have we been eating some good food! There are also sections in there for kid-friendly food, holiday recipes, and quick and easy meals (my favorite section these days)! Plus you can build your own recipe box, make a meal plan for the week, and print out the shopping list.

Just as an example, here's what we had last night: Mediterranean Asparagus & Artichokes with Fusilli. Now, does that sound like a meal cooked by the exhausted mother of a one-year-old? Heavens, no! Didn't taste like it either. In fact, I didn't even have to corral my son in the now-despised play yard while I cooked. Well, okay. I had to wait for his dad to get home for the final cooking, but the preparation I managed in no time.

Let's face it - parenthood takes a lot of energy, and I know burgers from the fast food joint down the street are quick, but in the long run what we parents really need is food that will recharge us. The best way to do that is healthy food loaded with things like fresh vegetables, grains, fruit, and nuts. If you think that means eating like a monkey or a rabbit, check out VegWeb.com. I just bet they'll change your tired mama mind!

The China Study - A Must Read!

2007-06-19T15:16:00.000-04:00

I've recently finished reading The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. If you're like me and you've always been confused about all the conflicting health information out there, this book lays things out clearly and scientifically - without getting dull!

Spending a lot of time studying nutrition, in particular the nutrition that affects my toddler, I want cold hard facts. Not emotional mumbo jumbo that results in scaring me into sleepless nights. The China Study is based on Dr. Campbell's lifelong scientific journey into nutrition. For over 40 years, he's been involved in studying the eating habits and health of the many different regions of China, where people often live and die in the same province with unchanged diets. This has given a very clear picture of how our diet can and does affect our health, both for better and for worse.

Dr. Campbell also provides his knowledge through the years on many other major studies he's been a part of. This information was so fascinating to me that I couldn't read the book without a notebook and pen handy. Dr. Campbell clearly proves that through proper diet, such common conditions as obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis can be avoided and often reversed. I found it to be a hopeful book, avoiding the fear tactics I so often encounter in reading on nutrition.

If you're interested in improving the nutrition and health of your family and in providing them the best possible way of eating to prevent and even reverse disease, this is definitely the book to read! I simply cannot say enough about it. I'm sure my copy will quickly become very dogeared! For more information, I've added a link to the book on Amazon in the sidebar.

The Best Banana Ice Cream I've Ever Had

2007-06-13T15:34:00.000-04:00

And it isn't even ice cream! That's right, folks. Non-dairy, no added sugar, and easy-shmeasy. I got the recipe from a Dr. Fuhrman book, Disease Proof Your Child. (It's pictured in the margin.) His recipe calls for frozen strawberries too, which I bet would be great, but we had no strawberries around, so I just used the bananas. It's so surprisingly rich and creamy, you'd just never guess at its simplicity.

Okay, now that you're drooling, I'd better hurry up and give you the recipe! Try it once, and you'll be eating it all summer, as I plan to!

2 frozen bananas (I peeled them, wrapped them in plastic wrap, and froze them for a couple hours.)
1/4 cup soy milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. walnuts (I threw in about 3 or 4)

Throw it all in a blender. If your blender is a weak excuse for a kitchen appliance as mine is, break up the bananas a bit first. It's easy because they don't freeze that hard. Run the blender until everything is blended and serve.

I think this would also be fantastic with a little carob or cocoa powder thrown in too. If you try it with some frozen strawberries thrown in, let me know how it is!

More Pre-Walking Angst

2007-06-08T09:07:00.000-04:00

Mommy is so tired.

As my toddler practices toddling, I'm finding myself in the precarious position of hoping he learns to walk soon, all the while knowing I'll only end up chasing him down later anyway. Over the last two weeks, my little monkey has wobbled through the house and yard as I bend over him, holding his hands, my lower back protesting and dreaming of Ben Gay. My home looks like a tidal wave has washed through it, as I can do nothing but hold the wiggly hands of a little one trying to take those first victorious steps.

I've mentioned the sleep schedule is completely out the window. I find myself lying on his bedroom floor at all hours, using his Boppy for a pillow. (Not bad, but alas, the back continues to weep.) Setting my son in the play yard makes him whine. Setting him in the high chair makes him shriek. (Imagine Steve Tyler with his hand in a vice grip.) Setting him down, with any other purpose but to practice the walk, is futile.

So I improvise. I'm a busy girl. Certain things have had to slip by the wayside, but I'd at least like a path through my house. Hence, I've put my son to work. With my assistance, he walks his dirty bibs to his hamper, takes glasses back to the kitchen, and throws away all those silly subscription papers that fall out of magazines. We put away toys, pick little thingies out of the carpet as we pass, and stop to pet the doggies. I pretty much just walk the little guy to wherever I have to go. I'm not insane - I know the ironing just has to wait and that dinner will become a painfully simple affair for awhile. But at least I keep the clutter to a level I can tolerate. And my son is hopefully learning some cleaning skills in the meantime. Because let me tell you, once he starts walking, I'm going to need some serious help around here.

Rainy Days and Learning to Walk Always Get Me Down

2007-06-04T20:47:00.000-04:00

My little angel hasn't been so angelic these days. His perfect 2-hour naps, at correct intervals, stopped rather abruptly. Meal times are a test of wills - I want to feed him a well-balanced lunch, and he wants to pull away the utensils and eat them instead. Bedtime? Fuhgettaboutit. Used to be he'd drift off to dreamland at 7:30 promptly. Now, I pray for anytime at all. Overall, I've become the mother of a wiggle worm with a bad case of the whineys. So what's all the fuss about? With the help of my pediatrician, I have uncovered the answer.

Turns out learning to walk is a pretty big deal in the world of a baby, in more ways than just the obvious reaching a milestone. When a baby begins getting interested in walking, the mind is in overload. There is so much to learn, it's exciting, mentally and physically stimulating, and it's pretty much all they want to do from the time they get up until the time they go to bed at night. If you can get them to bed, that is.

I read somewhere before that every time a baby learns a new skill, they literally practice in their sleep, making sleep a restless time. My pediatrician told me not to worry about a messed-up sleep schedule - that after my son learns to walk, things will most likely wind down and go back to normal. (Well, not entirely - I'll be chasing a little boy, which will be new.) She reassured me that my son is not destined to be a lifetime wiggle worm, and that this is temporary. All I can say is "Whew!" I got enough to worry about. Like saving up for tiny little walking shoes. Have you seen the prices of those things???

How to Choose a Sunscreen for Your Beach Baby

2007-05-29T19:20:00.001-04:00

Ah, Memorial Day is behind us, which can only mean one thing - summer is on her way in! If you're like me, you've been watching your baby's skin closely every time you take him out in the sun. You've got the big floppy hat on his head, he's been wearing long pants most of the spring, but as the days get warmer, you can't really put him in turtle necks anymore.

I spent a large amount of time at my local health food store last week, poring over all the options for baby sunblock. Before that, I'd spent some time online, reviewing ingredients and trying to find the perfect lotion for the sunny days of summer. What I found was not exactly surprising, but definitely disheartening. Many of the ingredients I try so hard to avoid in my own products were in the baby sunblocks. Many contain parabens, and since there are conflicting reports on parabens, I wanted to steer clear of those. Alcohols are another item I try to avoid, as well as anything I just plain can't pronounce. That took most of the products off my list of possibilities.

The one I finally decided on came recommended by the girls at the health food store, and to my relief, it was not of the $20 variety. I purchased Natural Sun by Aubrey Organics. I can pronounce almost everything in it (some of those Latin plant names are tricky), and it smells like something I'd like for dessert.

California Baby was another brand that appealed to me, but it was one of the $20 a bottle choices. Natural Sun was only $8.50. Although we haven't needed to test it out yet, I will certainly let you in on how it performs.

So now it's time to break out the flip flops, the beach ball, and a nice mystery novel and head for the great outdoors. I do feel much better knowing I've got something on hand for all those sunny baby days to come.

Children's Toy Recalls

2007-05-29T13:18:00.000-04:00

Here are the latest recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The first are some toys from Tri-Star which are posing choking hazards, and the other is a toy set from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. Yes, more lead poisoning!

Finger Food Fun!

2007-05-23T09:11:00.000-04:00

As your baby gets ready to experiment with finger foods, the fun (and the mess) really begins! It's time to really crank out some variety and enjoy watching your baby sample new textures and flavors. Some he'll like and some he'll probably throw at the dog, but time and patience will give him an opportunity to adjust and find new favorites.

The most important factor is keeping a very close eye on what your baby can handle. Watch and make sure the sizes of cubed foods are not too big, and that the food is soft enough to chew on with those baby gums. It's a constant adjustment and plenty of trial and error to find the right combination of size and consistency because every baby is different. The crucial thing is to be present and watch closely. I know, it's kind of a nice thought - you don't have to be spoon feeding every bite! But you still need to watch and listen. All of that in mind, it's time for some fun food ideas!

One yummy finger food is the sweet potato. You can cut them in cubes, or when she's ready for it, cut them in strips. I started with cubes about 1/2 inch square or smaller. Boil them until they're soft but not falling apart. Easy to pick up, easy to chew!

My son's new-found favorite is edamame, or soy beans. I buy them frozen in the pod. (Costco has organic for a good price, and no, they don't pay me to say so. I'm just a Costco fanatic!) They're easy because you boil them for 4 or 5 minutes and then pop them out of the pod. Such a pretty green color, what child could resist? They're full of protein, relatively easy to pick up for a baby who's worked with finger foods for a little while already, and they're not too big.

Of course pieces of cut-up banana and kiwi are easy because you don't have to cook them first. Bananas are great take-along snacks - no packaging required! Cubed apples and pears can be boiled, but if the pear is soft enough, you can serve it raw.

Another handy finger food is the green bean. (Yes, I buy them frozen and organic from Costco!) Boil them until they are soft but not falling apart. You can either cut them smaller or serve them whole, depending on your baby's capabilities. My son isn't that crazy about these lately, but they're not very messy, which is why I'm hoping he takes to them at some point!

I have many, many more finger food ideas, but I'll leave that for another day. In the meantime, enjoy this time of experiment with baby! If she's hesitant, try eating the new food in front of her until she just has to taste. Works for me! Well, sometimes. And other times the dogs get the goods instead.

Ginger - Not Just for Cats

2007-05-21T08:35:00.000-04:00

What's with the cat, you ask? As I prepared to do a post on ginger root as a nice natural remedy, I scoped my usual haunts for freebie photos. Turns out lots of photographers have cats named Ginger, but do not take pictures of ugly herbal roots. So be it. Ginger stays. She's kinda cute, anyway, don't you think?

Onto the ginger that does not have to be let out nights -

I love using ginger root as a home remedy because it's so safe, and it fixes so many problems. If you're nursing or pregnant, or if you have a young one who's feeling not so good, ginger may be the cure. For pregnant women, ginger can be used for morning sickness. I discovered this quite by accident when feeling rather queasy in my first trimester. A coworker had some ginger candy that no one else would touch because it's funny looking and tastes pretty strong. But I've always loved ginger, so I ate a piece. In about 5 minutes, my queasiness was gone! I used it off and on through the rest of that first three months of pregnancy, and every time it worked. (You don't have to use ginger candy - tea or even a small piece of fresh ginger, chewed for a minute or two, can do the trick as well.)

If you are nursing or pregnant, you know your choices of cold and flu medications are limited. Have a cough, a fever, a headache? Nausea, vomiting, body aches? Making up a batch of ginger tea is safe and effective for all these symptoms. You can purchase ginger tea at the health food store. (Make sure it's ginger tea without other herbs, unless you are 100% certain the other herbs are completely safe for pregnant and nursing moms.) Or if you really want to be natural, you can buy ginger root at your grocery store or an Asian food store. Peel the ginger, chop it very fine or grate it, and boil it in water. I usually use about an inch of ginger per three to four cups of water. Boil the ginger for about 20 minutes, or until it's about half the water you started with. Strain it and drink. If it tastes too strong for you, add a little water.

So there you have it - a few ways to use one of my favorite remedies. And unlike our feline friend, this Ginger doesn't get hairballs.

Nutrient-Rich Vegetable Soup (or How to Make Soup Without a Recipe)

2007-05-17T09:58:00.000-04:00

My very dearest friend has been asking me about a soup I make. It's inspired by Dr. Fuhrman and his Eat to Live approach, which I've been studying lately. I picked up some soup tips from his radio show, but there is no formal recipe. Well, I've been making soups without recipes once a week for years, but my dear friend Mrs. Shmenkman isn't exactly Julia Childs (although I believe she's made leaps and bounds since the wooden spoon in the mixer incident of '87). She's had so many questions on "just how does one do this soup, anyway?" that I've decided to share it with all of you here, along with my tips on making soup without a recipe. This gives you endless freedom, as you have no ingredients to purchase. Think of the story Stone Soup, if you will.

This particular twist on homemade vegetable soup gives a wonderful vegetable base that makes a rich broth, and since it's blended, it releases many nutrients. And there's lots of room for creativity as well, which is a plus in my kitchen as I am prone to make stuff up as I go.

Let's jump in to the soup pot, shall we?

First thing for this sort of recipe is a selection of dried beans. (Yes, Dear Shmenk, start with dried from a bag.) I like to pick a mix of whatever dried beans I have floating around in my cupboard, as I am a dried bean freak. But you can buy a nice bag of mixed beans if you choose. I usually do about two cups of dried beans, but hey, this is your recipe-less soup, so whatever blows your hair back.

Boil these beans in a pot (not the one for your soup) until they're soft. If you change the water a few times as you go, you eliminate any - ahem - gas issues. Well, okay, you cut down on them. Beans are beans, after all.

In a separate soup or stock pot (the nice big ones are great), throw in a whole, peeled but not chopped onion, possibly a leek or two (just chop in a couple chunks - and watch out for dirt. Leeks love to hold dirt), and a peeled zucchini. (Edit here if you like. Sometimes I use carrots, summer squash, etc.) Add water, about the amount you'd like your soup to turn out to be. Boil these vegetables until they're really soft. Then take a slotted spoon and transfer them to your blender, add a wee bit of the broth, add a handful or two of spinach, kale, collards, or other leafy greens, and blend until smooth. Now dump that right back into the pot.

When your beans are soft, drain the bean water and add the beans to the soup pot with your broth. Season how you like, possibly salt and pepper, some olive oil (like a glop or so), and add a few more veggies like sliced carrots, a diced onion, and whatever else is in your vegetable drawer that looks like it's gotta go. Bring to a boil, then simmer on a medium or low heat until the vegetables are soft.

The trick for really great soup is taste testing. When it's getting near the end, start checking it for salt content. And if you're trying to watch the salt, add the juice of a lemon. Or add it anyway. It really helps. Sometimes I prefer some pickle juice, but then you're really adding sodium. At the very end, when the fire is turned off, you can throw in a big handful of chopped fresh parsley and/or dill too. Taste, taste. Adjust. Serving this with a dollop of plain organic yogurt is really yummy too!

Now let's all wish Mrs. Shmenkman the best of luck in her soup-making endeavors. I think she's up to the challenge - there's a Julia Childs in there yet!

Whew! I'm worn out. Think I'll go eat a bowl of soup.

Evenflo Carseat and Chinese Jewelry Recalls

2007-05-15T18:08:00.000-04:00

A few recall notices for you. For all the info on the carseat, click here. For jewelry info and pictures, click here and here.

Heat Rash Solution: Keeping Baby Cool as a Cucumber

2007-05-14T10:47:00.000-04:00

I've been slowly working my way through a book on Chinese Medicine for children. I say slowly because so much of the information in the book is geared more towards parents who actually have access to a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, which I do not, so I haven't been delving into it like I thought I would. There are some do-it-yourself solutions in there, however. One in particular struck my attention, since the weather is warming up.

The book, Keeping Your Child Healthy with Chinese Medicine by Bob Flaws, refers to this condition as "prickly heat". I always called it heat rash - those tiny little bumps or red blotches that babies often get on their faces and bodies when it's hot outside. My son got heat rash pretty regularly throughout his first summer. I tried cool washcloths damp with water or chamomile tea, which seemed to alleviate things a little, but I wish I would have heard of this solution: cucumber.

Bob Flaws recommends rubbing some fresh cucumber slices on baby's skin to eliminate the rash. I think this sounds like a wonderful idea. My son hasn't had any heat rash yet this season, and I'm hoping he won't. But if he does, I'll give the cucumber a try. Heck, I may try it on myself if the day is hot enough! Sounds refreshing! In the meantime, if any of you try it out, let me know how it works. If nothing else, you'll have a baby with delicious smelling skin!

I Take Mine with Lemon - Home Remedies Instead of Deodorant

2007-05-10T10:18:00.000-04:00

When I was pregnant, I suddenly became accutely aware of the food I ate, and also the products I used on my body. For instance, deodorant became more of a concern. Knowing things like aluminum and talc were present and bad for not only me but my baby as well, I began eliminating certain products. And after I gave birth and began breast feeding, the same concerns lingered. I learned that what you use on your pits travels nicely to the breast milk. I'd already tried using an interesting solution in place of deodorant, and I've also come across some other alternatives; some of them more - ahem - unusual than others.

I'll start with my favorite, one that was told to me by a coworker. It's simple, portable, and it sure smells nice! Lemon. Yes, folks, plain old lemon. You can squeeze a little of the juice on your hand and rub it under your arms. It's a deodorant and a surprisingly effective antiperspirant. I've even taken slices of lemon to work with me. (During certain parts of pregnancy, a little extra protection is good to carry around.) I prefer an actual lemon to the little plastic bottles shaped like lemon, as those have additives. And since the point is to eliminate that sort of thing, it's good to go straight to the source.

I've tried baking soda, and although that works okay, it can sting after shaving. It also irritates some people's skin. But if you mix it with water and wash with it, I'm told it works nicely.

For persistant body odor, you may be magnesium deficient. Try taking magnesium tablets and see if that helps over time. Some swear by it.

The granddaddy of them all, however, is an old Peruvian remedy. You only need to do this 4 times a year, thank God. Here are the ingredients if you are truly desperate: 1 cup syrup, 2 tbs. lemon, and 10 crushed fireflies. (Or for you Southerners, lightning bugs.) Apparently if you apply this mixture to the ol' pits and wrap it in Saran wrap for 30 minutes, you shower yourself to fresher underarms. They do suggest stocking up on the bugs for the winter months as they are hard to come by. This gets the gold medal in the gross category. Or shall I say "cate-GORY".

Whatever your preference, there is something satisfying in finding the natural way to solve life's little problems, no matter the odor! Overall, I suggest the lemon minus the lightnin' bugs. Unless you like glow-in-the-dark pits.

Babies and Television: Should They Watch?

2007-05-08T17:01:00.000-04:00

I received this article today on babies and young children watching TV, and I wanted to pass it along. We're steering our son clear of the television until two years of age. This kind of article encourages me to keep going with that plan.

Homemade Baby Wipes - The Calendula Solution

2007-05-06T18:08:00.000-04:00

I've done a couple entries in the past on homemade diaper wipes and diaper ointments. I'm always testing out new things, but I've been sticking with the same solution for some time now, so I figured it's time to share!

A friend of mine turned me on to calendula flowers, which are part of the marigold family. These flowers can be very soothing for irritated skin, and they also aid in healing. I learned to make my own calendula ointment, which I add to water for my baby's diaper wipes. Here's what I do:

Take about a cup of dried calendula. (Make sure it's truly calendula and not ordinary marigolds. I get mine from the health food store.) Place it in a clean jar, and cover it with olive oil. Cap the jar tightly. Every day for at least a week, turn the jar over a few times to help mix. After at least a week has passed, strain the oil through cheesecloth.

I add a couple tablespoons of this oil to about two cups of water. This water I keep by the changing table. On the changing table shelf is a basket full of those tiny baby washcloths. I just dunk one of those in my solution, and voila! A healthy baby butt, no chemicals!

Be careful - no double dipping. Besides, if you don't double dip, this solution is great for other wipe-ups as well. You know, that glob of dried sweet potato you find stuck to your baby's thigh. Or maybe a little patch of dry skin that could use some help. Okay, I admit - I've even used it as a sort of furniture polish to dust my baby's room. Totally nontoxic, and the olive oil is nice on the wood.

I've also been keeping an aloe plant on the dresser near the changing table. If my son's bottom does start showing a little more distress than usual, there's aid right there. Break off a little tip of the aloe leaf, squeeze out the jelly, and apply it to the irritated skin.

So there you have it - another option for taking care of your baby's backside! If you have any other natural remedies for rashes, or you make your own wipes, share here. I'd love to hear what other natural moms are doing.

Ai, Chihuahua! I'm Underpaid! How Much is a Stay-at-Home Mother Worth?

2007-05-03T18:38:00.000-04:00

I was sent another very interesting article. You've got to read this!
Stay-at-home mother's work worth $138,095 a year. Who do I demand a raise from? If nothing more, this is a boost in the ol' mommy ego! Should I be living here instead?

New Recalls on Babies' and Children's Products

2007-05-02T16:08:00.000-04:00

As promised, I'm passing along to you any recall information I get on babies' and children's items. I have a whole list of them for you today, so onward!

The first is a set of blocks on a Baby Einstein activity center.

Next are a couple of children's rings, found here. These are a lead poisoning hazard.

Another item showing up as a lead poisoning hazard is an Anima Bamboo game. For more information, you can read about it here.

My gosh, all the lead hazards coming out! I've heard about it on the news lately, and it's certainly showing up. Here's another for children's necklaces.

And finally, there is a recall on some Payless Shoe Source children's clogs. Apparently these have a small piece causing a choking hazard.

So that's it for now. If you don't have any of these items floating around your house, maybe you know someone who does. Ask around or email this article on. For updates, subscribe to my blog in the box on the right.

Cleaning New Baby Teeth - To Brush or Not to Brush

2007-05-02T15:56:00.000-04:00

Someone forwarded me a news story the other day, and I wanted to pass it on. As my son's mouth seems to sprout a new tiny perfect tooth every other day, I've really been wondering: How much am I supposed to be cleaning in there? I personally use a little toothbrush with rubber nubs on it as opposed to bristles, and he doesn't mind at all. In fact, the sensation makes him giggle. I figure it's good to get him used to me being in there now, so when he's got a mouthful of teeth, he won't protest.

This article talks about the increase in tooth decay in very small children, so it's an important one to take a look at. Here it is!

The Impossible Task of Clean

2007-04-27T14:44:00.000-04:00

Are you drowning in unfolded laundry? Has your kitchen counter been lost? Are the dust bunnies beginning to threaten the dog? If so, there's a good chance you are an overwhelmed mom. I, too, struggle from a bad case of housecleaning blues. But I have been working to come up with solutions to dig my way out of the clutter.

Several months ago, I did an entry called Is There Rest for the Telecommuting Mommy? Although I have often swayed from my own advice, the one I keep returning to - the one that really works - is the list on the refrigerator. I had offered that making a list with only one housecleaning task assigned per each day of the week would make it a lot easier to keep up on the usual vacuuming, laundry, and general cleaning. I still find this very true. As long as I do my one little chore each day, Saturday is no longer the clean-till-you-drop day. And when, say, Monday comes around, I know that's when I vacuum. If the ironing isn't done, too bad. Ironing isn't for Monday. I'm off the hook!

One suggestion I've heard many times, one I'm now really taking to heart, is this: Whenever you pass through a room, look for something to take with you. For instance, you're on your way to the baby's room and you notice a baby sock (why do those end up everywhere?) on the coffee table. Take it with you. You're that much ahead for later. I am home all day, and I move a heck of a lot. I've really noticed that when I stick to this little tip, it's amazing what gets put away - and what I've overlooked for an embarrassingly long period of time. (Like that 9-volt battery on the end table. What the heck was that for, anyway?)

These sorts of tips sound great, but they're even better if you commit to them. With a small amount of effort, you can save yourself from running in frustrating circles later. Who knows? You might even be able to knock off a few of those mutant dust bunnies!

Little Playzone Product Review - Whee!

2007-04-26T14:12:00.000-04:00

It's finally here! The long-awaited solution to my work-at-home mom dilemma arrived via Fed Ex. Since my baby started to crawl, working from home became a whole new ball game. I could not for the life of me figure out how to contain him without containing him. I wanted a safe place for my son to play for the periods of time I need to be at the computer, and the Pack and Play seemed to shrink before my eyes as my son got older and more mobile.

After many weeks of trying to keep my little crawler from climbing under my desk, stealing my paperwork, and hollering as one in solitary confinement, I finally came across the Little Playzone play yard by Friendly Toys. I purchased it from One Step Ahead, and miracle of miracles, it got here in two days.

If you've shopped for play yards, you know they are not cheap. The cheapest I've found is the Six Panel Superyard, which I returned about 20 minutes after opening it. It was hard to deal with and wobbly. But the Playzone, while more expensive at about $99, is well worth the extra cash. It's sturdy, lightweight, colorful, roomy (13 square feet), and contains a gate and a play wall with music, a mirror, and more. I even climbed in it myself last night and played with my son for about an hour! The greatest part is, it took me less than a minute to assemble it out of the box.

I've only had the thing for 24 hours now, but I'm already in love with it! Check it out and see what you think. If you're a WAHM, this thing could very well become indispensable to you as well.

Earth's Best Baby Food Recall

2007-04-24T15:06:00.000-04:00

I recently came across a recall on the FDA website for Earth's Best baby food. I never heard about it on the news, never saw signs up in the store. Fortunately, no one reported their babies affected by the tainted baby food, but maybe this is the reason it never made it into the news. Nevertheless, the report states the tainted food could cause botulism - reason enough to make the news in my book!

People ask me all the time why I don't just buy organic baby food and skip the trouble of making it myself. After the recent pet food scandals, I've been saying how this could easily happen in the baby food industry as well. I've been making food for my dogs for three years now, so we had no worries when the news of pet food recalls hit. Makes me glad I make baby food as well!

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more baby food and product recalls, and when I find them, I'll be posting them here on The Mommy Spot. So sign in to subscribe for The Mommy Spot (in the right hand side bar), and you'll find out about future recalls as soon as I do.

Here are the links for the Earth's Best baby food recall:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01566.html
http://earthsbest.com/press/20070216-recall-notice.php

Baby Food Recipes - A Step Beyond Purees

2007-04-20T08:32:00.001-04:00

Tired of pureed peas? Hankering for a little variety in bib stains? Here are a few simple recipe suggestions good for babies who are old enough to have a little texture in their diet:

Veggies and Pasta Italiano (for 10 - 12 months):

Using equal quantities steamed green beans and carrots, grind in food processor or blender until you get the desired consistency. Prepare very small pasta, such as organic whole wheat or rice pastina, according to package directions. (I use slightly less than the quantities I use of green beans and carrots.) Drain pasta and mix vegetables and pasta together. Freeze if desired.

Fruity Patootie (6 months and up):

Peel, core, and boil one apple and one pear until very soft. Mash or mix in blender until smooth. (For older babies, leave a little chunky for texture.) Mash one half a banana for younger babies, or cut in small pieces for 10 months and up. Stir into mixture.

Baby's Special Stew (10 months and up)

Mix together equal portions well-cooked lentils, small pieces steamed green beans, and small pieces steamed carrots. Add some steamed pureed peas until you have a stew-like consistency.

Check back later, or subscribe in the right-hand bar, for more baby food recipes to help you stir things up in the kitchen!

Hummus Recipe

2007-04-20T07:48:00.000-04:00

Here's a long-promised addition to the recipe section. It's for a rather large batch of hummus. We go through a lot around here, so I've been tinkering with the ingredients and amounts for quite awhile. If it's too much for you, you can freeze half for later. Serve it with pita bread, spread it on sandwiches, or use it as a veggie dip - very versatile, and the beans lower your cholesterol! One other serving option is to drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle crushed red pepper on top before serving it with the pita for dipping. Very good!

1 lb. dried garbanzo beans (soaked overnight)
4 large garlic cloves
1/2 cup olive oil
3 Tbs. tahini
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. sea salt
1 - 1 1/2 cups water

Boil the beans until they are quite soft, changing the water a few times during the process. Drain beans.

In a food processor, put the olive oil, garlic, tahini and lemon juice and blend into a paste.

Add the beans, salt, and lemon juice and pulse until the beans are ground but still slightly chunky.

Add water slowly until you reach the desired consistency - should be smooth and not too thick. My experience is that by the next day, it has thickened a little, so go slightly thinner than you desire if you're serving it the next day.

Taste and adjust lemon and salt if necessary.

There you have it! A great healthy addition to meals or a guilt-free snack. Enjoy!

Vacationing with Baby: Testing the Waters

2007-04-19T09:04:00.000-04:00

How about a nice long 5-day weekend with your spouse and baby? Sound relaxing? While it's definitely a change of pace and it offers you a chance to alter your scenery, vacationing with baby can be a real experience - or should I say experiment? We've just finished our first "experiment". I suspect there's something to be learned from it for any first-time parent going on that maiden voyage with baby.

We'd decided that rather than take a long car trip and stay in a hotel where our baby could keep other unsuspecting guests awake until the wee hours, we'd try something much more simple. We went one hour away to my sister's house, where we knew if things turned ugly we could head for home. Our plan was to stay for a couple nights, but my son had different ideas. The Pack and Play we were hoping would serve as a crib was way too foreign for him, not to mention the surroundings. No sooner was he asleep than he'd wake up to discover he wasn't home, fussing until we brought him in bed with us. Another unpopular choice with him. In between my husband and me, he was more interested in pulling our noses and slapping the sides of our heads.

After a very exhausting night, we decided that we'd shorten our weekend away. We were still able to make use of a beautiful weekend, and we did all the usual vacation activities such as walks through town and eating out, sitting outside in the sun and enjoying nature. But by the end of the second day we high-tailed it for home and for bed.

I can't tell you how glad I am we did this, rather than planning a more elaborate first trip. Had we made a longer trek, it would have been harder to make that decision to come home, and I'm sure we would have ended our time off more tired than we'd started (which was pretty tired, I assure you!) Now we know that for next time, better sleeping arrangements will need to happen. And hopefully, my son will have an easier time of things with a few more month's life experience.

So when you decide to vacation with your baby, take this advice: Make it a short simple trip, easy to back out of or alter. You'll enjoy the time more, whether you are able to stay the entire time, or like us, you decide to finish your time off at home.

Nestle to Buy Gerber

2007-04-12T08:52:00.000-04:00

Here's a news article I thought I'd pass along, simply because I found it interesting. Apparently Nestle is purchasing the Gerber baby food company. Click HERE for the story.

Can I Give my Baby Cow's Milk?

2007-04-11T14:07:00.000-04:00

Whether you have chosen breast feeding or formula, at some point you will ask the question "Should I," or "when can I give my baby cow's milk?" Most people begin their children on cow's milk at about a year of age. But there are some things to consider before making the leap to dairy.

Milk has this funny way of bonding with the iron in the body and preventing it to absorb into the system. In fact, milk is the leading cause of iron-deficiency anemia in babies and young children. This is a big reason experts advise strongly against giving infants cow's milk at all. But when they're older? Let's take a quick look at your baby's digestion.

The digestive tract of a baby has little tiny gaps between the cells. These darling little gaps allow for important antibodies from mom's milk to be able to seep into the bloodstream. Sometime before your baby's second birthday, these spaces seal up, preparing junior for some more serious "big boy or girl" digestion. It's plain to see, with such a wonderful example of how the body develops, how babies are perfectly built to accept human milk. Oddly, baby cows are perfectly designed to accept cow's milk.

If your baby has reached one year of age and that's when you plan to wean, consider soy milk. There are some great varieties of organic soy milk on the market that make a nice substitute. If you plan to give baby some cow's milk eventually, waiting until two years of age may be the better route.

Why Organic? A Few Good Reasons to Go Natural

2007-04-08T15:57:00.000-04:00

I know what you're thinking: It's more expensive. It's hard to find. Sometimes it looks funny, and there's usually real dirt on it. We're talking organic produce; but there's more to it than slightly smaller apples and potatoes shaped like Richard Nixon. So what's the deal with organic produce anyway?

Anything certified as organic needs to be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and genetic engineering. That's scientific mumbo jumbo for "it's real." Organic fruits and vegetables are more nutrient as well. For instance, studies show that organic broccoli contains more calcium and magnesium than broccoli that is not organic.

A fantastic reason to go organic is the avoidance of insecticides. There are two insecticides in particular that are quite common on fruits and vegetables, and feeding your children organic protects them from these chemicals which are linked to the disruption of neurological development in infants and children.

One of my favorite reasons: It tastes darned good! Organic fruits and vegetables often have a much better flavor. Personally, I find the carrots so much tastier, the bananas sweeter, the apples more flavorful. My son gobbles up his homemade organic baby food. Well, except for the peas. There's nothing to be done about that. But I know I'm offering him the best of the best - the safest, healthiest, tastiest way to grow to enjoy fruits and vegetables. So grab that shopping basket. Who knows? You may just find an organic pomegranate shaped like Lyle Lovett.

How Safe is Your Neighborhood? One Way to Check

2007-04-03T15:55:00.000-04:00

- 1 of 5 girls and 1 of 6 boys will be molested before their 18th birthday.
- 90% of all sexual assaults against children are committed by someone whom the victim knew.
- The typical sexual predator will assault 117 times before being caught.
- The re-arrest rate for convicted child molesters is 52%.

These are the statistics as listed on Family Watch Dog, a national sex offender registry.

A friend of mine recently sent me a link to the website, and I found it so helpful I had to pass it on to you. This is a free service, and you can sign up to have email sent to you the moment a sex offender has registered in your area. Or if you like, do a search on your address to locate any registered sex offenders in your neighborhood. The site will not only give you the addresses and offenses, but many times a picture is included. I checked my address and found three offenders, all 1/2 mile from my house, who have offenses against children on their record. I urge everyone to take a moment to check their own neighborhoods, the areas around their schools, or anywhere your children routinely play. My neighborhood is nothing out of the ordinary, so don't let yourself feel too comfortable if you feel safe where you live. Take a moment, check, and keep updated. Share the information and photos with your children. It's simple steps like this that could keep them safe in the future!

The Recipe Onslaught

2007-03-28T14:14:00.000-04:00

When I started The Mommy Spot, I also started another blog called Nature's Kitchen. Nature's Kitchen is a place I post recipes featuring whole foods and healthy cooking that can be done simply. I originally thought that blog would be my focus and this one would be off to the side, but I was wrong. The Mommy Spot has been a lot of fun and so rewarding that it wasn't long before Nature's Kitchen was getting set to the side, neglected like a sick houseplant. But I enjoy the recipes, and people who know me keep asking why I'm not putting more recipes out there. Then I got the big "Aha".

The Mommy Spot is all about health, raising your children in a wholesome way, and making a natural way of life as simple as possible. Well, we gotta eat, don't we? Why not bring the recipes over here where I can share them with the natural mommy crowd? (Besides, I can alleviate some guilt - it won't be tragic if I only add one or two recipes a month here, whereas on the other blog it was looking kind of skimpy.)

So check out the Recipe label in the sidebar and start cookin'! I'll leave Nature's Kitchen up for those of you who like to visit, but the new stuff will be posted here. And don't worry - I'll still be cranking out the goods on natural cures and home remedies for babies.

Refried Black Beans

2007-03-28T14:13:00.001-04:00

Black beans are incredibly healthy. They are loaded with fiber and iron, and they help stabilize blood sugar levels while reducing the risk for heart attacks. They're also full of antioxidants. If you're looking for a good way to reduce your meat intake, black beans and other legumes are the perfect way to do that. They are rich in protein. Here is a tasty way to enjoy all their benefits. One more great thing - this recipe is even better the next day!

3 cups dried black beans, soaked overnight
1 Tbs. sea salt
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 cup olive oil

Boil the beans in water until slightly soft. (Changing the water and rinsing the beans a few times will cut down on "gas" issues!) Add the garlic and salt. Cook until beans are very soft. Drain beans, reserving some of the liquid. Either mash the beans with a potato masher or put them in the blender, adding some of the reserved liquid and the cumin, chili powder, and olive oil. Stir in the onions and serve wrapped in warm tortillas. If you prefer, add chopped green onions, chopped tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese to the burrito as well.

Greek Tzaziki Chicken Pockets

2007-03-28T14:04:00.000-04:00

This is a recipe that I enjoy making for guests. Its sweet flavor mixed with the red onion and the Cucumber Garlic sauce is always raved over. I got the original recipe from an old booklet full of chicken recipe contest winners, but I've made a few alterations over the years. If you make it just once, you'll crave it until you have to make it again!

2 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless breast and thigh meat, cut into 1" cubes
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbs. honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
2 Tbs. olive oil
8 small pita breads
1 cup sliced red onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Cucumber Garlic Sauce (recipe following)

In a medium bowl, mix lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cinnamon, honey, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Add chicken and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes. In large nonstick frying pan, place oil over high heat. Add chicken with marinade 1/2 at a time, and stir-fry about 15 minutes or until browned. Spoon into pita breads, add red onion and parsley, and serve with Cucumber Garlic Sauce.

Cucumber Garlic Sauce:

In a small bowl, mix together 1 (8-oz.) carton plain Mediterranean style yogurt, 1/2 cup peeled and seeded chopped cucumber, 1 Tbs. chopped green onion, 1 large finely minced garlic clove, 1/8 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Refrigerate until serving.

Simple Roasted Potatoes with Garlic

2007-03-28T14:01:00.000-04:00

I really enjoy the combination of potatoes and garlic. This is one I make frequently when we have a craving for fried potatoes. They're made in olive oil, and since they're in the oven, they require a lot less of the oil. I initially got this recipe from Jamie Oliver. Whether or not I've altered it over the last couple years, I'm not really sure. But here it is as I prepare it.

3 or 4 potatoes, peeled and sliced like french fries
1 garlic bulb
Olive oil for coating
Sea salt

Place the potato wedges in a bowl. Separate the garlic cloves and cut just the tough ends off. (The skin of the garlic helps protect it while roasting, and it's very easy to remove when eating.) Use enough oil to coat the potatoes and garlic. Sprinkle with salt to taste.

Place potatoes and garlic on a cookie sheet. Put in oven preheated to 350 degrees. Roast for about 30 minutes, stirring every 5 - 10 minutes.

(Cooking time varies, according to the pan used for baking.)

Mushroom & Barley Soup

2007-03-28T13:59:00.000-04:00

This is a very nice soup to serve as a first course or as a way to warm up in chilly weather. There's just something about it that makes me a little glad it's cold and grey out. I use quick cooking barley for this soup, but if you'd rather not, just boil some pearl barley first for about 40 minutes in 2 cups of the stock.

1/4 cup quick-cook barley
6 3/4 cup chicken stock (I sometimes just use water)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped thin
1 Tbs. butter
12 oz. mushrooms, sliced thin
1 Tbs. dried tarragon
1 Tbs fresh chopped parsley
Salt & pepper to taste

Basil & Tomato Pasta Salad

2007-03-28T13:55:00.000-04:00

Here's a nice dish when you want to forgo the meat for dinner. The whole wheat pasta makes it filling and full of flavor, and if you're lucky enough to have leftovers for lunch the next day, it's even better! Great for those potlucks too.

1 pint grape tomatoes
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 handful chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tbs. red wine or balsamic vinegar
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
12 oz. whole wheat organic pasta
4 quarts water, boiling
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup black olives (optional)

In a large bowl, lightly mash the grape tomatoes. Add garlic, basil, olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper. Toss well to mix and set aside. Cook the pasta per package instructions, drain, and add to tomato mixture. Toss; serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

Moroccan-Style Stuffed Acorn Squash

2007-03-28T13:52:00.001-04:00

My goal on this blog is to provide healthy, easy recipes for you. On occasion, we all want something a little more complex; and a little more challenging recipe is fun every now and then. This one is added to my blog on special request for "Shmenkie", who asked that I include it. Bon Apetit!

2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tbs. butter, melted
2 large acorn squash, halved and seeded
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 cup cooked garbanzo beans, drained
1/2 cup raisins
1 1/2 Tbs. ground cumin
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup water
1 cup uncooked couscous

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C)

Arrange squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes or until tender. Dissolve the sugar in the melted butter. Brush squash with the butter mixture, and keep squash warm while preparing the stuffing.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, celery, and carrots, and cook 5 minutes. Mix in the garbanzo beans and raisins. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender.

Pour the water into the skillet, and mix in the couscous. cover skillet, and turn off heat. Allow couscous to absorb liquid for 5 minutes. Stuff squash halves with the skillet mixture to serve.