Enjoy Your Summer

Summer, what an exciting fun time. For kids, it is usually their favourite time of year. Children spend their days outside with friends and usually receive more time with mom and dad. We encourage you to get outside, be active, and get some vitamin D. There is growing evidence that we need to get some sunshine and not completely block ourselves from the sun, most of us are vitamin D deficient.

So have a wonderful summer!

Trans Fats

TRANS FATS
There is increased awareness about the problems with trans fats, unfortunately the companies containing this unhealthy substance are not moving very fast to make the changes to eliminate the ingredient. There is a great article in newstarget that speaks specifically about the dangers of hydrogenated oils.

Here are some other harmful ingredients to stay away from:

Sodium nitrite (meats)
Monosodium glutamate (soups)
Aspartame (diet soda)
Yeast extract (snacks)
Hydrogenated oils

On the Go...

If you are anything like me, as a mother, I find it hard to get my three meals in my day. My priority tends to be the little one and I eat when I have the time.

So besides trying to quickly grab some fruit and veggies to snack on, there is now another nutritious, natural healthy choice; Oh Mama Bar. This is a vitamin bar that is built for us moms on the go, to help ensure we get the vitamins we need and is also a natural healthy choice bar.

Please read more http://www.ohmamabar.com/page/nutrition.html

New Information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants who are 1 month to 1 year old. Most deaths occur between 2 to 4 months of age. One factor that may be associated with SIDS, are the flame retardant chemicals found in crib mattresses. According to researcher James Sprott, when naturally occurring fungi grow in a mattress, they react with flame retardant chemicals producing a toxic gas cloud that hovers just above the bed. Turning babies onto their back has decreased SIDS because their noses are not placed right in the toxic gases.

Peach Muffins

1 ½ cups of whole wheat or spelt flour
¼ tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
¼ cup sugar
1 egg
½ cup goat’s milk
½ plain non-fat yogurt
1 ½ teaspoon canola oil
½ cup peeled, pitted, chopped fresh peaches (or drained canned peaches)
3 tablespoons chopped pistachios

1. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Whole Grain

Whole wheat, whole grain, enriched wheat; it all gets very confusing. Let’s try and it keep it simple. First of all, we do recommend you limit the wheat in your family’s diet especially for your toddler, try other grains such as Kamut, Spelt, or Rice. If you do choose whole wheat ensure the first ingredient is whole wheat or whole grain. Many types of bread may advertise they are whole wheat yet once you read the label the first ingredient is often enriched wheat. Don’t let the large labels be your guide, get use to looking at the small print ingredients

Nutrient Packed Watermelons

Summer is fast approaching and those watermelons seem to be at the front aisle of your local grocery store. You may have thought that those watermelons were just sweet and full of water, good news they are packed with nutrients as well. Watermelon is one of the most nutrient packed fruits, with vitamins A and C, potassium and lycopene for all just 80 calories in two diced cups. So give your kids some delicious watermelon to help cool them down in those hot sunny days.

Prevent Recurring Ear Infections

Recurring ear infections can be painful and frustrating for children and their parents. Ear infections are the most common reason for acute pediatric visits in the United States. While ear infections are not generally life threatening, they are often chronic, and can require extensive antibiotic or surgical treatment. Please read about the prevention of ear infections further in the Now You Know section of Baby Purity written by Dr. Dahl.

http://www.babypurity.com/now/nowyouknow.htm

Back to the Basics: Dangers of Antibacterial Soap

Why does it seem that every new product that comes to the market promising a cleaner home, no more germs, or a promise of an easier lifestyle tends to lead us into our own detriment. Could it be that our desire to get everything accomplished in our day we pull more from our environment then we can actually be taking?

Help Your Baby's Memory

To help in memory and the brain function of your new growing fetus mothers be aware of eating your eggs. My mother always said I should eat eggs while pregnant, now it seems there is research to back it up. Choline, is a vitamin B-like compound found in high quantities in eggs, beef and chicken liver, wheat germ and soybeans. The latest studies suggest that in pregnancy it plays a critical role in brain development, and may even lower the risk of neural-tube defects such as spina bifida, in the same way that folic acid does.