Momathon Blog

a child's hidden messages of love gives us hope

Young children love to draw. Sometimes sitting down with your child and looking at her artwork is the best way to know what she is thinking and simple things like how her day went. 

When 6-year-old Elena Desserich was diagnosed with a form of pediatric brain cancer she began writing love notes with drawings from the heart and hid them in the house for her parents and her younger sister Grace. 

 

Elena's parents have written a book, Notes Left Behind, that tells the story of her battle against brain cancer. Filled with her drawings, the parents started writing this journal for Elena's sister Grace. The notes she left behind are a message of hope and love. And most of all, they remind us how precious our children and our families are. Sales of this book help fund The Cure Starts Now non-profit that is dedicated to a "home run" cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult cancers: pediatric brain cancer.

Sending special mommy hugs to the Desserich family. Thank you for sharing your story. 

Remember to hug your kids today.

Postcards from paradise

Cold but sunny here in Colorado. Sometimes the best way to stay warm is to think about favorite balmy destinations. Enjoy these paradise postcards thanks to a few of my favorite photographers.

(image by nattu)

 

(image by Kivanc Nis)

(image by sektordua)

(image by Wolfgang Staudt)

 

I can't decide where I want to go first.

Can vitamin D help you fight the flu?

 

(image by Tony the Misfit)

Flu season is normally a winter bug, but it came early this year with swine flu (H1N1) outbreaks even during the summer. Why does the flu come in the winter? I always thought it was because everyone was stuck in stuffy offices and classrooms instead of outside. Turns out that stuffiness factor is only part of the problem. New research links susceptibility with a vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sun during the shorter days of winter. Here's the scoop from a post this week on the NYT.com blog Freakonomics:

"One big risk factor for flu infection is a lack of vitamin D. We naturally produce vitamin D when we’re exposed to sunlight, and as the days shorten in the winter, we produce less and less of it. That led these researchers to think that flu epidemics could be a sign of widespread vitamin D deficiency, due in part to decreased solar radiation. So it seems darkness makes the flu go ’round."

I'm thinking this new research gives me an even better excuse to enjoy some sunshine and take that long walk during my lunch break. Even better, take a friend or your dogs along. 

Note: I am not a medical specialist. Before you run out and grab some vitamin D supplements, please check with your physician.

Common sense tips to keep your kids (and you) healthy

If you are a mom, you know how difficult it can be to keep kids healthy. For starters, you can't watch over them every second. Don't give up, Nurse Lorraine Borek in a NYTimes.com article offers some great common sense tips for staying healthy. 

We know keeping sick kids at home is a great idea, but "sick" kids don't always show symptoms. Research shows kids can transmit the flu virus for up to 3-4 days before they show symptoms. (Adults are contagious approximately one day before symptoms.)

(image by *clarity*)

So what can parents do to keep their families healthy? In addition to getting vaccinated against the flu, Nurse Borek suggests the following strategies for your family:

• getting enough sleep
• eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetable per day.
• exercise — children should exercise for 60 minutes a day. Walking to and from school counts as exercise.
• good hygiene — such as washing hands when appropriate for at least 10-15 seconds with soap and water. Young children may still require supervision and reminders to reinforce proper hand-washing techniques. The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (such as Purel) when soap and water is not available is acceptable.
• keeping hands and fingers away from your face and out of your mouth (children need frequent reminders).

Cold and flu prevention: Handwashing and N95 masks

Regular hand washing

People touch their faces a lot. Each time you touch your mouth, eyes, or nose you risk letting a cold or flu virus enter your body. One way you can cut down on the chance of a virus or bacteria from entering your body is to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can teach your kids to wash for as long as it takes to sing their ABCs. Use a towel or paper towel to dry hands. To prevent picking up viruses and bacteria after you wash, use a paper towel to turn faucet handles and open door handles when you leave a bathroom.

If you can't wash at a sink, alcohol-based gels also kill the flu virus. Just remember to rub your hands up to the wrist until all the liquid dries--about 15-20 seconds.

Are masks really necessary?

We've all seen the images on the news of people walking around with blue surgical masks. Do they work? According to research, loose fitting masks like regular surgical masks fail to capture up to 90% of the aerosalized particles.

N95 masks offer a tighter fit when adjusted properly and are "capable of filtering out up to 99% of airborne particles" according to an article in Los Angeles Times. If you want the mask to work, you must adjust the mask so that it makes a seal on your face. Refer to the mask directions, but in general you need to put one strap high, the other strap low, and squeeze the mask nose strip to obtain a tight fit. You can purchase N95 masks at stores like Home Depot or online.

Flu shots and you

 

(image by Dee Q8)

Each year I get my seasonal flu shot. The truth is I never want to get the shot, but I don't want to get the flu either. I tell my kids it doesn't hurt, but they know better now. I get vaccinated because I am hopeful that developing immunity against the flu will help keep my family and friends healthier too.

This summer my son got the H1N1 virus. He was sick in bed for about a week, but because of an underlying health condition I am very grateful he did not become even sicker with complications from the virus.

I figure the healthier I stay, the better for my family. So that is why I've already had my seasonal flu shot and will be getting the H1N1 shot too. 

I am not a medical specialist and this year's unusual flu outbreak is really a big mystery to me. I have plenty of concerns and questions about the two types of flu and their vaccines. I found these articles helpful:

• WSJ.com article: Two Flu Vaccines, Lots of Questions 

• Mayo Clinic article: Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza

• Chicago Tribune: Swine flu vaccines are safe and time-tested, experts assert

Check them out. And talk to your doctors for their recommendations about which types of vaccines are best for you.

Will e-books save the planet?

 

(image by cote)

I'm not worried about too many hardcover and paperback books filling up our landfills. I hope we keep them on our bookshelves instead. Even if e-books don't save the planet, this greener publishing alternative is a healthier option for many. Do you like to read books on your laptop or e-reader? I still like the feel of turning paper pages, but I am gradually becoming a convert. I love the convenience of digial downloads and the fact e-books are greener because they cut down on paper use.

Now more and more libraries are offering free digital downloads that reside on your laptop for a couple of weeks--the length of the paper version of a library book check-out. Digital library downloads are not currently available in all formats. 

According to a recent NYTimes.com article, e-books "cannot be read on Amazon’s Kindle, the best-selling electronic reader, or on Apple’s iPhone, which has rapidly become a popular device for reading e-books. Most library editions are compatible with the Sony Reader, computers and a handful of other mobile devices." Apple will be introducing a new e-reader tablet with a touchscreen next year. Perhaps the Apple tablet format that allows an impressive range of graphics to be displayed will change the way many of us view e-readers. This tablet sounds like a perfect fit for digital textbooks too. 

E-books could be a healthier choice for your body too. Considering how heavy a student backpack can get with bulky textbooks, consolidating all the books in a slim e-reader is really good news for keeping backs happier also. 

The cost of an e-book is often lower for customers and technically they never wear out. (With a puppy at home that chews anything made of paper or even resembling paper, this is really good news.) The average e-book sells for about $10 because online retailers subsidize their price. Unfortunately libraries can't buy a digital book for the same discounted price. 

The concept of e-books in libraries is not popular with all authors and their publishers including Stephen King and Bob Woodward. Simon & Schuster has refrained from distributing e-books to libraries. 

I am hoping more authors and readers will support e-books as the book hybrid for a healthier planet.

For more information on libraries that offer e-books check out this link on NYTimes.com.

Give your friends a hug today

 

In my blog I like to share bits about my life and interests every weekday. Some days I just can't write. Today is one of them. A best bud battled cancer courageously for a very long time and now she is gone. 

Can't begin to put into words how much I miss her. She was the one with the hugs. When I didn't know how to say something, she knew how to put it into words perfectly. She was the one who could cook a dinner so mouth watering I wanted a permanent dinner reservation at her house. She was the one who was always prepared. You could always count on her... Even for silly things like having an extra Halloween pumpkin to give me when mine went missing. She was the one who gave me a boost when I felt defeated. Somehow she knew just what to say to convince me that I shouldn't give up on projects that seemed too difficult. 

She was the one with a hug and a warm smile. In her honor, give your friends a hug today.

(image: Pink Sherbet Photography)

If mom is happy...

 

Cyron

Ever feel like if you take time to shower, then your preschooler will never get into the right college?

Okay, I'm exaggerating, but you know the feeling. And this mommy guilt is toxic. The truth: the more you accomplish on your to-do list does not guarantee you will be happier. 

You know the drill. While you cook dinner/fold laundry/check homework, you still feel guilty about not spending time reading a book with your kids. 

Chances are if you feel overwhelmed, then now is the perfect time to step back and figure out what you can do to recharge your batteries. I'm not talking about a once-a-month splurge on a mani-pedi or whatever. I'm suggesting you carve out small chunks of time every day to focus on you. Scary? Maybe. But if you take a few minutes to escape and search for beauty in your life, then you will feel better.

No big commitments like training for a triathlon are required. Grab your tennis shoes and take a walk. Or find that journal you loved years ago and start writing again. Even if you just sit down and meditate for 15 minutes in a quiet room, you will feel better.

Just like my mom told me: If mom is happy, the whole family is happier.

Looking for some motivation? Check out this book: Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too by Susan Callahan, Anne Nolen, Katrin Schuman.

Save a little, save a life

October is breast cancer awareness month. Now when you save a little on the basics you can help save lives. Harper Collins and Amazon.com team up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to offer the Everyday Coupon Book. The book costs only $19.99 and includes more than $500 in savings. The book also includes wellness tips including easy recipes and preventive diet tips. Coupons are good through August 2010.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.

 

The book includes coupons for products including: Tylenol, Tyson, Lean Cuisine, Lady Speed Stick, South Beach Bars, Centrum multivitamin, and Pampers. 

Save the boobs and get a mammogram

If you are 40 or older, it's time to save your boobs and get a mammogram. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women behind lung cancer. Without getting a mammogram, many women won't even know that they have breast cancer until it is in an advanced stage and more difficult to treat. 

If you 40 years old or older, once a year mammograms are recommended as a screening tool for breast cancer. Be sure to check with your doctor to get specific screening information for you.

Too many mothers, daughters, and grandmothers have been through tough times fighting cancer. You can show support and raise awareness of breast cancer by wearing pink in October, breast cancer awareness month. 

If you ever watch Hoda Kotb, a breast cancer survivor, on the Today Show you may have noticed she wears a pink ring made by a friend of hers with the word "Forward" on it. According to the NBC website, Hoda says she wears her Forward Ring as a reminder: "I feel safe with it on...And I also wear the ring just because I know that I'm in a big club with lots of people."

You can purchase the pink "Forward Ring" online at the NBC Store. For every Forward Ring purchased in 2009, a $2 donation will be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The ring is $5.

A message Hoda Kotb from the NBC website:
"As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness month, I have a message for those women who are in the middle of their fight with the disease: I know you feel like you're in hell now, but your life is about to get a whole lot better."

When I grow up I want to be an old woman

This Kaiser Permanente commercial has been around for a year now, but it still makes me smile. Although I sometimes feel almost invincible, the ad reminds me to take care of myself and get the proper medical screenings if I want to grow up to be an old woman. 

We live in a youth obsessed society. It's refreshing to see examples of how wonderful and healthy you can be when you grow up into an old woman. Kudos to Kaiser. 

Grab your pom poms and sing along to the song by Michelle Shocked.

"When I grow up I want to be an old woman

 When I grow up I want to be an old woman

 Oh, an o-o-o-o-old, an old, old woman."

    

The older I get, the more I wonder when are you ever old? Is it just a state of mind? If I could do a cartwheel at 70 like the woman in the ad, then I will be doing much better than I am doing now!

Take good care of yourself. Remember to get your mammogram!

Classic Cold Remedy: Easy "Homemade" Chicken Noodle Soup

Fall officially starts today. Celebrate the autumnal equinox with a heartwarming and cold-chasing bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.

image: BitchBuzz

Chicken noodle soup works double duty by minimizing the symptoms and duration of a cold. If you are a busy mom like me, making homemade soup means improvising on Grandma's recipe. Turns out that if you start with Knorr's chicken noodle soup (the best chicken noodle brand according to researchers at Nebraska Medical Center) you can add nutrient rich ingredients to make your own "homemade" version.

Almost Homemade Chicken Noodle Recipe:

1) Start with 2-3 cans of chicken broth OR use chicken broth packet(s) and add water as directed. Adjust amount of liquid broth according to the number of servings needed.

2) Bring chicken broth to a boil. 

3) If you have cooked chicken on hand, add about a cup of shredded or diced chicken

4) Add  a few of your favorite chopped frozen (or fresh) veggies that offer healthy benefits as defined by MensHealth.com and Everynutrient.com:

• carrots include beta-carotene to help the immune system
• peas are a good source of carotenes, vitamin C & K, B vitamins, magnesium and protein
• green beans are a source of vitamin B6, fiber, folic acid, and magnesium
• celery contains phytochemical compounds known as coumarins that can enhance the activity of certain white blood cells and celery juice helps maintain electrolyte levels
• onions and garlic are antivirals
• bell peppers is a salicylate w/ anti-inflammatory benefits

4) Add your favorite spices to taste such as thyme or cayenne pepper (this hot spice can multi-task and works as a decongestant)

5) Add egg noodles or vermicelli noodles (approx. 1 cup)  OR add rice

6) Simmer until veggies are tender, about 30 minutes or so.

Bon appetit!

No Botox Beauty Mojo

I am at that age where I won't deny that I have considered Botox. I probably could use something... My "mature" skin with freckles definitely gets too much Rocky Mountain sun year around. I don't follow a complicated beauty regimen. I never find enough time for beauty luxuries with kids, pets (including a puppy) and a husband. Sleep is the one nutrient I crave and my face shows it.

Just heard a great tip to at least fake that healthy and rested look in photos:  Raising your brows for a photo gives you the appearance of a instant face lift.

Sure, the temporary rested look is pure fantasy.
No worries. I say whatever works. 

image: Wee-Peng

"All right Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." 

. ,

(Beautiful photo of Louie the cat thanks to Wee-Peng.)

The Flu That Arrived Early

image: Lee Coursey

This summer when the sunny days spent at the pool never made me think twice about swine flu, my teenage son developed a sore throat, chills and a fever. I thought he had strep, but a trip to the doctor confirmed he had the flu. The week he spent feeling lousy was not fun for him or anyone in the house. I kept wondering if he would get worse. And I braced myself for caring for more sick people at our house. 

We were lucky. The flu passed. My son is fine now. I know he missed out on a chunk of his short summer vacation, but he managed to squeeze a great deal of fun into the remaining weeks.

Frequent hand washing, sanitizing frequently touched household surfaces, loads of laundry, and quarantining my son seemed to help the rest of the house stay healthy. In the weeks that have passed since his recovery, I have stocked up on some necessities that would help out if the rest of us gets sick this fall. 

Today I read an interesting article by Tara Parker-Pope in the NYTimes.com: Preparing for a Stressful Flu Season.
 Check it out for helpful information on swine flu symptoms, flu shots, and tips on when to seek medical help for the flu.

• • Well - Preparing for a Stressful Flu Season - NYTimes.com

How Safe Is Your Metal Water Bottle?

Reusable water bottles are a green option. You probably feel good about using them. However, all plastic bottles are not equal. Some plastics contain BPA (bisphenol-A) and could pose a health risk. Thanks to consumers who demanded healthier baby bottles and water bottles, many plastic bottles are now BPA free.

You might think metal water bottles would be a good option. But before you shop, do your homework first. Did you know some metal water bottles have a plastic liner with BPA?

According to Lori Bongiorno's blog featured on Yahoo! Green:

"However, all metal bottles are not created equally. Aluminum bottles typically have epoxy liners, which may contain BPA and other unwanted chemicals. In the past, Sigg would not reveal the ingredients in its liners, claiming that it was "proprietary."

Now, the company admits that the epoxy liners in its bottles used to contain trace amounts of BPA. Sigg says it switched to a new "EcoCare" liner in August 2008"

Many aluminum bottles have epoxy linings, but some companies sell stainless steel water bottles that do not have liners and they are BPA free:

• Kleen Kanteen
• ThinkSport
• Nalgene

The FDA has not banned BPA. However, citizens can take matters in their own hands in an effort to ban BPA. According to Sarah Newman at HuffingtonPost:

"The Chicago city-council earlier this year outsmarted the FDA, which continues to argue that BPA is safe, by voting to ban it. There is now pending legislation in California to do the same statewide."

BPA is currently banned in Canada, Minnesota, Conneticut and under scrutiny in several European nations. Why should you be concerned about BPA? When exposed to heat or wear and tear, the BPA in plastic can leach into foods and liquids. BPA is a synthetic estrogen found in some types of plastic and can create havoc in the human body's own hormones. 

 

Helping the Hungry Children

Did you know that 1 out of 4 people in a soup kitchen line is a child?

In this tough economy, every family is looking for ways to save money and stay within their budget. Often the second largest expense for families is food. Unfortunately lost jobs, reduced wages, and rising costs for things such as medical care and housing has made it difficult for many to buy groceries. 

Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza at Oprah.com have come up with a great list of five easy ways you can help feed the hungry:

1. Locate organizations near you that support the hungry. Find out what they need and help provide it.
2. Donate your time and volunteer at a food pantry/distribution center, a local soup kitchen, or a homeless shelter.
3. Go through your pantry and gather up canned and dried foods to donate.
4. Create or support a local canned food drive.
5. Purchase and hand out fast-food gift cards to homeless people. Buy extra cards to have on hand for spontaneous giving.

Read the entire Oprah article for more ideas and facts on how you can help the hungry. The good news: You and your kids can be part of the hunger solution and make a difference in the lives of hungry families. 

Update: New BPA-Free Bottles

Finding BPA-free drinking bottles and baby bottles is easier now than a year ago. However, you have to do your homework before shopping because some water bottles such as certain brands of stainless steel bottles might appear to be BPA-free, but they are NOT. Why? The epoxy resin that lines some stainless steel bottles has BPA in the resin. One brand that has come under scrutiny for BPA in the liner is the older models of SIGG bottles. Also, if you are using liquid baby formula, you want to contact your doctor to make sure the liquid formula container is BPA-free. Powdered formula containers do not contain BPA according to an article in Boston Globe. If you want to learn more about BPA research, earlier this year I wrote a series of  Momathon Blog posts on BPA-free products. 

So why is BPA a health concern? According to a recent article by Sarah Engler in CookieMag.com:

If you've been following the headlines, you've learned by now that many bottles and sippy cups are made from polycarbonate plastic, which contains bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen that studies have linked to an increased risk of obesity, attention-deficit disorder, brain damage, and even cancer. Safe beverage containers are made from glass, steel, or BPA-free plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene (are typically opaque or labeled with a #2, #4, or #5).

Links

• To see the list of BPA-free bottles the staffers at Cookie Magazine picked click here.
• To read more BPA-free alternatives to SIGG check out TreeHugger.
• To read more about what BPA labels mean check out this article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online

Find Recipes that Match Your Ingredients at SuperCook.com

Ever look in your fridge or pantry and wonder just what you can make for dinner without making a last-minute shopping run? That's exactly the problem solved by the clever folks at SuperCook.com--a user-friendly website that does a recipe search according to the ingredients you have at home. 

To start all you have to do enter the ingredients you have at home on the website, the more ingredients you list on SuperCook, the more recipe options you will get.

Bon appetit!

Fitness Fun for You and Your Dog

Looking for an outlet for your pup's endless energy? Is your dog energetic and focused? Adaptable and water loving? Confident and closely bonded to you? Check out Canine Sports & Games: Great Ways to Get Your Dog Fit and Have Fun Together! by Kristin Mehus-Roe.

This activity book for humans who like to play with their canine friends includes:

• Basic dog training principles to get you started.

• Overview of fitness, injury prevention, and nutrition.

• Sport-by-sport examination of 19 games including agility, flyball, weight pulling, and dock jumping.

• Obedience competitions, tests or instinct,

• Safety reminders, related organizations, and much more.

My family has an active dog with slight limitations due to a leg injury last year. Kristin's book introduced my daughter to many fun activities to do with our pooch to keep her canine mind and body in shape.

Let the games begin!

ABC's of Summer Skin Health

Summer is the time when we might think more about getting a tan than checking our skin for problem spots. And UV rays are the strongest in the summer. Even when it's overcast.

So how can learning the ABCDE's help? You can follow the ABCDE detection tips below for skin cancer detection of a suspected mole lesion. NOTE: Remember to always consult your doctor if you are concerned about your skin. Do not rely on this tip list as medical advice.

ABCDE's of detection:

A: Assymetrical mole or lesion shape. The two sides of a suspected lesion or mole do not match.

B: Borders are jagged, irregular, uneven or blurred.

C: Color is suspicious or varies.

D: Diameter is greater than 6mm (approx. the size of a pencil eraser).

E:  Evolving, elevated, or unEven. If your mole or lesion looks different from others or is changing in shape, size or color.

For more information on detecting skin cancer: 

• The ABCDE's of Skin Cancer, this site offers photo examples of what to look for in moles and lesions
• Skin cancer prevention — knowing your ABCDE’s, Dayton Daily News
• What Your Body Is Telling You - WSJ.com

Remember, if you have any questions about a mole or lesion, contact your doctor. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. with approximately 1 million cases diagnosed yearly.

Pet Safety: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

My dogs have always enjoyed sitting on my deck. Outdoors on a deck or near the garden might seem like a great place for pets, but their human friends need to make sure the plants nearby are not toxic. 

The ASPCA website has a great list with photos of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

You can also search the plant database using common or scientific names or even symptoms. The list includes categories for plants toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Remember the "common name" of a plant in one part of the country or world might refer to a completely different plant someplace else. Make sure to check the scientific name of the plant to get the most accurate plant information. Using the scientific name is important because some regional plants with common names might not appear on the poisonous plant list.

Please note that I am not a vet or an animal health expert. According to the ASPCA, the information contained on the ASPCA "plant list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants."

Concerned about a potential poisoning? 

If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, 

contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA 24-hour emergency poison hotline 

directly at 1-888-426-4435.

You might be surprised to find out that some of the plants you thought were safe are dangerous to pets. Did you know Aloe Vera is toxic to dogs and cats?

(Photo above: ASPCA website)

Use NonToxic Gardening Products

Keep your garden safe by also using nontoxic gardening products. Certain toxic products like slug and snail bait might seem tasty to pets but they can cause life-threatening side-effects within minutes! Always contact your vet or an animal emergency hotline poison hotline for the best advice to treat your pet. You need a vet's expertise because methods that work on humans are not meant to be used on pets.

Other resources:

Common Poisonous Plants | The Humane Society of the United States

Common Plants Are Toxic to Pets | NBC New York

Real-Life Positive Parenting Ideas Online

 

Parenting is a time of rewards, laughter, and love. But we all know it can also be a time of challenges. It's one tough job.

OneToughJob.org sponsored by the Children's Trust Fund of Massachusetts has been an online source of positive parenting advice since 2006.

The CTFs OneToughJob.org  offers parents information on a variety of parenting topics from birth to age 18 including:

• positive parenting
• school and child care
• nurturing your family
• health and safety
• growth and development
• parenting tips  

Summer fun

Many of the OTJ articles focus on summer topics such as selecting a summer day camp, getting your kids to help out around the house, age-specific personal safety tips, and creative activites to do with your kids.
  

Internet safety

If your kids love technology, then check out the OTJ Technology Articles including:

• helpful internet safety websites
• how to report an incident of internet crime
• internet safety--what parents should know
• internet safety--what parents can do
• my teen and myspace
• television and video games
• the cell phone dilemma
• TV and your tot

Be Happy: Do One Nice Thing

Want to make the world a better place and feel better yourself? It all starts when you do one nice thing. When you help someone out, it gives you hope too.

According to Debbie Tenzer, author of the book Do One Nice Thing, being nice can be habit-forming. Find out how Debbie got hooked on being nice in the video below. 

When you view this video, a donation will be given to Feeding America, the nations food bank network.

Check out this link for more information on Debbie and Do One Nice Thing™.

Do You Need a Sleep Makeover?

Look into my eyes. You're feeling sleepy... Very sleepy... 

If you're a mom, you probably don't need to hear a hypnotist's voice to make you fall asleep. Sleep deprivation is a fact of mommy life. The problem is squeezing in enough sleep seems impossible for most moms. 

You probably have your our own way to deal with sleep deprivation. Caffeine gives a jump start to help you feel more energized. Chocolate anything makes you smile. But nothing makes your sleepy head feel refreshed like a good night's sleep.

It's time to change your sleep patterns with a sleep makeover. BlogHer cofounder Jory Des Jardins and life coach Laurie Santos offer simple steps to get a better night's sleep in a new web episode of The Juice, "A Good Night for a Good Morning."  

Sending warm mommy hugs to my friends at BlogHer for including tips from my Momathon Blog in your The Juice episode!

It's Hip Hop, Baby!

Kids love music. They bounce to the beat. They love to sing rhymes. Why not pair hip hop music with learning? That's exactly what Candi Carter, a Chicago mom and Emmy-winning television producer did when she developed the educational (and fun!) "It's Hip Hop, Baby!" DVD series. 

Warm Mommy Hugs go to Candi Carter who realized music was key to helping her son Emerson learn. According to Oprah.com:

"Candi's son was born with a chromosome disorder, which affected his ability to learn. Because he can't speak, Candi says she began making up catchy tunes and beats to help him communicate, have fun and learn."

Musical learning is great for all kids--especially kids with developmental delays. Carter's son Emerson has a severe speech delay and she noticed that making up songs about bath time, bed time, and more was key to helping him communicate. 

The "It's Hip Hop, Baby!" educational DVD series is available for $15.95 at specialty retailers, 

Amazon.com and online at  HipHopBaby.

"It's Hip Hop, Baby" educational benefits according to their website:

• Encourages reading
• Teaches children to follow instructions
• Encourages, dance, movement, and freedom of expression
• Helps children master concepts like repetition and rhyme

  

Walking Barefoot

With all the panic and fear surrounding the N1H1 virus (swine flu), it's hard not to feel overwhelmed. Even my kids are talking about the pandemic. Now I'm not suggesting that people ignore the news and the alerts, but I am recommending that moms find a way to also build some calmness in their lives. Just taking your kids outdoors for a walk is an instant mood lifter. Even better, take your shoes off and walk barefoot in the grass together. 

Voluntary Social Distancing and Swine Flu

Minimizing exposure and using basic prevention rules like thorough hand washing makes sense. Voluntary social distancing worked for the infectious disease polio. Should voluntary social distancing be recommended to reduce the number of infections of swine flu?

In the video clip below, Ira Longini, professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, talks about using "social distancing" to reduce transmission of swine flu on MSNBC.com

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Swine Flu: Identifying the Symptoms Video

The swine flu epidemic is spreading. Unlike many previous flu outbreaks this flu epidemic is infecting larger number of otherwise healthy children and young adults. As a parent it can be confusing to figure out what symptoms to watch for. In the video clip below TODAY’s Ann Curry talks to NBC’s chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman about the symptoms of swine flu and how they differ from allergies and colds.

According to Dr. Snyderman on the TODAY Show, you will feel very sick if you get swine flu.

"This is not the I feel crummy should I go to work, this is I feel lousy should I get out of bed. This is precisely when you should stay home," according to Dr. Snyderman.

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Below is the TODAY Show graphic on symptoms to watch for. I will add that in the video clip, Dr. Snyderman did elaborate on the chart and emphasized that the symptoms could include: 

• high fever of 101 or 102
• phenomenal headache 
• severe coughing that makes your chest hurt
• chills
• sore throat

NOTE: I am not a medical specialist, so be sure to check with your doctor for more complete information on preventing and treating swine flu.

Help Kids Stay Healthy: Swine Flu Prevention Tips

Swine flu prevention begins with easy steps even small children can do. According to the CDC there are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
   
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
   
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

We've heard it before. Wash your hands. Now with Swine flu following the advice is even more important. Remember to soap up hands thoroughly and rub hands for 20 seconds (long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" twice). Next, rinse hands well under running water and dry hands with paper towel or dryer. Complete hand washing tips at the CDC.

Stay home if you are sick. If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

NOTE: I am not a medical specialist, so be sure to check with your doctor for more complete information on preventing Swine Flu.

Sex Happens: What Do You Say If Your Teen Is Having Sex?

Are 14-year-olds ready to have sex?  Many teens think they are and moms across the country are getting upset.

If your teen is thinking about having sex for the first time, then no matter how upset this may make you feel you need to have an honest and nonjudgemental conversation with them. Dr. Laura Berman, a sex therapist and talk show host on Oprah Radio, has 8 crucial questions you need to ask to get the conversation going. And don't procrastinate, have the talk TONIGHT.

Here's the link for the questions to ask your teen on Oprah.com.

For those of you who think your son or daughter isn't thinking about sex. THINK AGAIN. You might be surprised at what middle school girls and boys are saying about sex. Teens know a lot more about sex than we think they do. And sexual pressures on teens are increasing. Receiving sexually explicit text messages--called "sexting"-- is harmful to their development and illegal. Obviously teens need to be educated about  STD prevention and pregnancy, but they also need to be able to deal with sexual pressures. Teen girls today talk about how many kids believe oral sex is a way to boost popularity. So what are teens saying? Dr. Berman talks to girls in middle school about making healthy sexual decisions in this Oprah.com video clip.

Watch today's Oprah Show to hear Dr. Laura Berman talk to teens and parents about teens and their decisons regarding relationships and sex.

For more information on when to start talking to your children about sex, you can download Dr. Berman's guide to talking to your children and teens link here: How to Have the Sex Talk with Kids.

Would You Brush Your Teeth in the Car or Subway Platform?

There are definitely two types of people: Those who would brush their teeth in public and those who won't.

A new Colgate product called the WISP designed for "discreet toothbrushing" just might shake up the crowd at the bus stop. Before this product, I never thought I would brush while waiting in my car, but alone in my car after a lunch date I might like to pull out Colgate's new disposable Wisp toothbrush for on-the-go mouth (and breath) touch ups.

The mini toothbrushes are about the size of a tube of lipstick. They don't require water. A bead of gel in the center of the brush delivers minty-fresh clean in seconds! Only about $2.39 for a pack of four or $7.99 for a pack of 16. 

Yes, I realize this is just one more plastic thingy that will go straight into a landfill, but I don't recommend using one on an daily basis. If you kept only a few on hand for real dental emergencies, then it seems okay. I know I have thrown away a perfectly good toothbrush or two that I kept in my briefcase for emergencies just because I didn't have a good way to store it again after it was used. 

Boost Your Brainpower with Enough Sleep

Is sleep really spring cleaning for the brain? Sounds strange, but getting enough sleep helps your brain to rewire itself so you can learn more the next day according to new research on fruit flies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. While you sleep your brain has time to do some "housecleaning" and consolidate important memories and get rid of the junk information that can overload your mind. 

Author of one of the studies appearing in Science, Chiara Cirelli at the University of Wisconsin says in an interview by the NZ Herald News:

 "Much of what we earn in a day, we don't really need to remember. If you have used up all the space, you can't learn more before you clean out the junk that is filling up your brain."

If you want to stay sharp the next day, try to squeeze in at least 7-8 hours of sleep at night. While you sleep your brain produces new synapses which can connect brain cells. Without enough sleep the synapses become overloaded with information and prevents the brain from taking in new information. 

So how does the fruit fly relate to human sleep? These tiny red-eyed insects have been used in experiments on heredity for decades. The fruit fly genome was fully decoded in 2000 and helped scientists understand how genes work. Fruit fly research yields insight into social behavior and other complex behaviors including sleep.

The bottom line: the brain of both the fruit fly and human needs enough sleep to properly encode memories and new information. Getting enough sleep should be a priority to be successful the next day.

Geeky Mom: iPhone App Helps You Find Clean Public Bathrooms

Now here's an iPhone app moms will love. You might not like the name, but you'll love how SitOrSquat.com will help you find the cleanest public bathroom anywhere in the world. This free mobile app for iPhones and BlackBerry's is courtesy of Charmin. The app uses GPS to guide you to the nearest clean public bathroom.

You can also recommend clean public bathrooms you think should be included on the list too. If you don't have an iPhone, you can still visit SitOrSquat.com online and find a clean restroom. 

I really could have used this service when I visited London and other large cities with little kids in tow. Besides all the lovely museums, we also got to know the best McDonald's and Starbucks to visit for potty privileges. 

I never thought I would say this, "I love you, Charmin."

Hidden Knife in the Yard: Update on the Dangers of Metal Lawn Edging

Spring is here and many of us are planting flowers and fixing up our lawns. One home improvement project that is well worth the money is replacing dangerous metal lawn edging that can seriously cut children or pets playing in your yard. As you might remember, about a year ago my dog was seriously injured on a walk when she sliced the tendons on her right front leg on metal lawn edging in a neighbor's yard.

It's been 11 months since I first wrote about the dangers of metal lawn edging in my blog. Since my last post on this topic my dog has had a second surgery to repair the damage from the sharp metal edging in a neighbor's yard that severed her tendons above her front right foot. 

Now I notice the the hidden knife in grassy areas everywhere: in the park, family yards, and school playgrounds. That's why I tell practically everyone I meet while I bike or walk about the hazards of this type of landscaping. To keep your yard and neighborhood safe, remove metal lawn edging or at least apply the protective plastic covers on the edging.

Metal lawn edging was once the only option for edging. Fortunately now we have many safer alternatives because the metal edging poses a great risk to children (and adults) and pets. If you doubt the how quickly the edging can slice open a hand (or paw), a leg, or a knee consider what happened to my dog. It took only a second. She was on leash and had ventured less than 2 feet from the sidewalk. We were enjoying a long walk when my dog sliced open her lower leg to the bone on exposed metal lawn edging. The cut happened in an instant and it was so deep the all tendons in her lower leg were severed. The metal lawn/garden edging in that yard stands at least 4 inches tall out of the ground--a hidden knife in a lawn. My dog is too big for me to carry and I knew I had to get her to the vet quickly. Leg and foot injuries can have a great deal of bleeding and finding a way to stop the bleeding wasn't easy. She was bleeding profusely so I took off my coat and my gloves trying to find anything that would work as a bandage to stop the bleeding. I was near panic because practically everything I wore was nylon and the bleeding wouldn't stop. I was ready to rip off my cotton shirt, but fortunately neighbors driving by stopped to help us and one kind soul gave me a blanket to wrap her leg and stop the bleeding. One sweet girl sat beside my pup and calmed her down while I applied pressure to stop the bleeding. Thanks to the help of many kind dog lovers nearby, within less than 15 minutes my husband arrived and we took her to the vet for emergency surgery.  

I am writing about my dog's injuries because I am hoping by getting the word out we can prevent this from happening to other dogs and children. I am grateful my dog is alive. I am grateful my daughter or another child didn't fall on that edging. My dog has had two major surgeries to repair the damage to her leg. Her leg was so weak and vulnerable she had a second surgery to fuse the joint above her foot. She has a slight limp when she tries to run.

To find out more about safer lawn edging alternatives, please read my earlier blog post on the topic. Two landscaping options out of the many safer alternatives you might want consider are

Guard-N-Edge (protective cover for metal landscape edging) and A Better Edge.

Finding Instant Karma

A few years ago, a friend gave me a tiny book filled with suggestions for nurturing good karma. Despite it's compact size, this book includes a lifetime's worth of suggestions--8,879 ways to give yourself and others good fortune.

I keep the book by my desk and when life goes a little insane I open it on any page and read a few ideas. Sometimes the suggestions I read make me smile. And they always make me think.

From the book Instant Karma by Barbara Ann Kipfer, here are a few good karma suggestions that I like:

• Love your age.
• Hold hands in the movies
• Abolish yelling
• Share your umbrella
• Give confidence to others
• Complain less and listen more
• Keep a record of good things that happen
• Life is too important to take too seriously  

  

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Go Green

 

With all the green mania today, why not join the sassier shade of green folks at Ideal Bite and get their eco-living tips for "light green" consumers, delivered daily via email, Twitter. and Facebook. Tip archive available on their blog. As their name implies, Ideal Bite offers bite-sized ideas for light green living. Tips cover everything from biodynamic wine to organic cosmetics, to seasonal recipes from local chefs.

Recently they added an Ideal Bite for Mamas to:

"Give you the scoop on everything from junk in the trunk (we're talkin' chems in disposable diapers that aren't great for babies, baby daddies, or Mama Earth), to safe alternatives to conventional plastic toys. Ideal Bite delivers easy eco-mommy tips via a short, sassy email each weekday."

Here's a recent tip from Mama at Ideal Bite:

"St. Pat's Day have you coveting green-colored foods?

The Bite

Eat your heart out, just make sure you use organic and plant-based food coloring in your holiday recipes. You'll keep artificial ingredients off your kid's plate without begrudging them a clover-hued cookie." 

(Images from Ideal Bite)

New Duke University Study Helps Treat Peanut Allergy

I can't imagine how stressful it must be to have a child with peanut allergies. Peanut products are everywhere including in thousands of processed foods. Eating even a tiny piece of peanut could result in a fatal reaction for some children with peanut allergies. According to USNnews.com

"Of the 150 deaths each year from food allergies, half are caused by peanuts, and most of those deaths happen in teenagers and young adults. That's why two new reports on an experimental treatment for peanut allergy are good news. They offer the possibility that some kids will be able to "outgrow" peanut allergy, as well as dangerous allergies to such foods as eggs, milk, tree nuts, and shellfish."

New research by Wesley Burks, the chief of the division of pediatric allergy and immunology at Duke University Medical Center, offers hope by using medically supervised daily dose of peanuts to help children with peanut allergies increase their tolerance to the food. According to NYTimes.com, "The new treatment uses doses of peanuts that start as small as one-thousandth of a peanut and eventually increase to about 15 peanuts a day."

Geeky Mom: Free Book Download by Jean Chatzky

I have XM in my car and I admit to scheduling my errands around listening to financial guru Jean Chatzky on Oprah.com on the car radio.

Today you can download her newest book for free (until 10:59 a.m., ET Saturday, March 14, 2009). The bestselling author and nationally syndicated columnist Jean Chatzky recently released her newest financial book, The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times. Here's the link on Oprah.com: Download Your Free Copy of Jean Chatzky's Book The Difference

I just downloaded her book on my laptop. She's inspiring on the radio and she motivates me to do even more to become financially fluent in this new book

According to her book promo on Amazon.com:

"Trusted financial coach Jean Chatzky shares the secrets her groundbreaking research of the self-made wealthy has uncovered so that anyone can break through the barriers that stand between them and true financial freedom. Find out why it’s important to:

• Get happy, but not too happy
• Do what you love, but don’t quit your day job
• Read every day 
• Remember that failure is not an option–it’s a necessity
• Harness your intuition to take risks that make sense 
• Practice the Kevin Bacon Principle–make connections
• Say thank you–and mean it
• Make your money work as hard as you do

Enjoy the book!

Digital Kid Syndrome: Are Your Kids Couch Potatoes?

I dream about a world--or maybe just a weekend--without a Wii, Xbox, or iPod. My kids would talk to me and other real people in real time. Their eyes would enjoy looking at real things like books, bicycles, broccoli, and basketball courts. Their arms and legs would move with real things like the vacuum cleaner!

Okay, it's just a dream. But what if you could convince your kids to step away from their digital worlds and go outside. Taking a class with their friends or with siblings is one way to develop new hobbies and talents that can last a lifetime. Imagine a teen who makes dinner. Or an 8-year-old who creates all your greeting cards. According to the clever editors at Oprah.com you have many wonderful choices including these ideas:

• Cooking classes (or teach them to cook at home with Recipes Your Kids Will Enjoy Making and Eating!)
• Music classes
• Photography class with mom or dad (check out these Photography Tips)
• Fitness class
• Sewing, knitting, or other craft classes
• Language class
• Dance class
• Magic lessons
• Volunteer (check out these tips on the Art of Giving Back)

In my personal experience, some affordable (and even free) classes that last a day or an afternoon can be great fun too. Group lessons are usually more affordable. Here are some to try:

• Horseback riding lessons (More affordable lessons might be offered to a group such as Girl Scouts, etc.)
• Writing or journaling classes (Some classes are offered for free at the library)
• Tennis lessons
• Golf Lessons 
• Scuba diving lessons
• Pottery or ceramics classes
• Mommy and kids craft classes at your library 
• Or create a co-op with your friends. Each mom (or dad) can sign up to teach a class in a hobby they enjoy

Have fun! I might sneak into one of the classes too!

Does This Salad Make My Butt Look Big?

Going out to eat? Eating a big salad packed with fresh veggies sounds like a good idea. That is until you stop and consider that your salad could also include fat riddled toppings and excess sodium.

Imagine a green salad with as much fat and sodium as a big plate of cheese fries. According to a segment on the TODAY Show with Men's Health editor David Zinczenko and Matt Lauer many popular salads are over the 1,000 calorie mark. 

I hear you. You thought you were making a good choice by eating a salad instead of the cheese burger and fries. How could a nice green salad be so bad? Consider the T.G.I. Friday's Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad that has 1,300 calories making it as caloric as eating an entire Domino's thin crust Hawaiian pizza plus an extra pizza slice. Yikes! To find out more caloric salads--including one that is the fat equivalent to eating 10 scoops of  ice cream--check out the TODAY Show video below.

The good news is you can still eat a healthy salad at a restaurant, just do your homework before you order. Here are a few healthier salad options according to the  TODAY Show.

HEALTHY SALAD CHOICES

McDonald's Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken

• 300 calories

• 10 grams fat (1 gram saturated)

• 890 mg sodium

Panera Classic Cafe Salad

• 400 calories

• 11 grams fat (1.5 g saturated)

• 270 mg sodium

Find out more tips to eating healthier salads at restaurants with Men's Health editor David Zinczenko and Matt Lauer on the TODAY Show video clip below.

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How Clean Is That Airplane? Don't Check the Seat-Back Pocket

United Airlines has long been a favorite of mine. My reasoning is anecdotal. My neighbor is a United pilot and I respect his skills as a pilot and his choice of an airline to work with. I have had relatively good luck on United flight schedules. Plus they have never left me sitting on the tarmac for hours while they fix the plane. The crew on United flights seem very nice compared to other airlines...like they really care about me.

Do they actually care what I think? Evidently they do. In a recent bid to attract more passengers, United now is on a mission to make their jets spick-and-span.

I am not exactly a neat freak. However I will never again look in seat-back pockets after finding something I think belonged in the bathroom in one pocket. And I remind my kids to never touch those grimy pockets also.

I don't easily get grossed out. But even I have my limits. A cleaner airplane seems almost like an impossible task, that is until a fastidious United manager Paul Sanders and clean guru for United Timothy Canavan made making their jets pristine their personal mission. 

Thanks to these guys and others at United we can feel a bit better about cleaner planes when we board a United flight. According to the Chicago Tribune:

Now, the intensive cleans are done every 30 days for the smaller United jets that fly within the U.S. and every 15 days for the wide-body aircraft that cross the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enduring wear and tear during the long flights that can cause planes to become run-down more quickly.

Circling the Grocery

Looking for an simple way to eat healthy and stick to your diet? Push your cart around the periphery of the grocery first and you'll end up buying more healthy food in the produce section, fresh meats, and dairy items. By circling the store first you aren't tempted by the chips and other processed packaged snack foods featured in the center of the store.

What if your favorite veggies or fruits aren't in season? Hit the freezer section next and you will find frozen veggies and fruits which are flash frozen at peak ripeness, plus the nutritional value is preserved. I keep frozen strawberries or blueberries on hand for adding to yogurt or cereal. A great snack for kids. Plus the frozen variety can be cheaper than fresh. 

Looking for something new to try. Check out the frozen edamame, baby soybeans. Just a 1/2 cup of shelled edamame is great for increasing fiber, protein, and vitamins in your diet. Thaw the edamame in the fridge for a quick low-cal snack. 

Moms Make a Difference: Buy Pampers and Help Eliminate Tetanus

Every three minutes a newborn baby dies because of tetanus and this is a completely preventable death. Most of us have been immunized against tetanus, but for many in developing countries tetanus is deadly. And tetanus can be contracted during childbirth. That's why tetanus vaccines are so important to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus.

Pampers and UNICEF team up to help eliminate tetanus in the 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign. You can help protect women and their babies against tetanus each time you purchase a specially marked pack of Pampers. For just pennies a vaccine, these desperately needed tetanus vaccines save lives. For each pack of specially marked Pampers diapers sold, Proctor and Gamble will donate the cost of one tetanus vaccine to UNICEF. The 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign has generated funding for more than 45 million vaccines since the beginning of 2008 according to ABC News.

When UNICEF vaccinates moms who are pregnant, then the moms pass that vaccine onto their unborn child so that the child will be protected against tetanus until they are old enough to be vaccinated. Now moms everywhere can work together to help other moms who need to be vaccinated. 

Actress Selma Hayek teams up with Pampers and UNICEF  to help build awareness of the  1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign. 

This NightLine segment above covers Hayek's visit to devastated Sierra Leone.

Actress Salma Hayek travels to the african nation of Sierra Leone with UNICEF and Pampers. 

Official List of Brands NOT Affected by Recall

I admit when I first heard about the latest peanut list I wondered who would look at it because we already have a searchable recall list. Then I remembered how I gave my son a snack bar with peanuts and he asked me if I was sure it was okay. I told him I couldn't find it on the recall list so it must be okay. Because my son is going to be a lawyer in ten years he knew this wasn't a good argument.

What if my eyes were tired of reading the fine print and I missed the snack bar on the DO NOT EAT THIS list?

Moms with kids old enough to frame an argument better than Denny and Alan on Boston Legal, have no fear. Now we have a list to satisfy even the young lawyer wannabes living at your house: American Peanut Council's List of Brands NOT Affected by FDA Recall

Just remember to check back every few days to see if the list changes as they get more information.

If you would like to look for the RECALLED items, just check out this link for a searchable list compiled by the FDA that gives all the recalled peanut butter and other peanut containing products.

Sleeping More Helps Women Lose Weight

Moms are sleep deprived. It's a fact of life. I don't need a research study to tell me that sleep is good. It's obvious, I just feel better when I get 7-8 hours of sleep. I graze more on junk food when I'm tired. And why not, I'm tired and cranky. 

Can a sleep makeover really help moms lose weight?

Researchers say getting enough zzz's will help you lose weight. According to an article in Glamour Magazine sleep and medical experts Michael Breus, Ph.D, and Steven Lamm, M.D., studied the sleep patterns of women of varying weights. Those that got at least 7.5 hours of sleep a night were able to lose weight. Although subjects of the study were asked not to change other habits and patterns, because of the extra sleep they felt more energized and able to be active.

Now if the researchers could just tell me how to squeeze in a few extra winks a night. Maybe the women in the study lost weight because they worked extra hard to get everything done each day just to get into bed on time.

Many Kid Foods Contain Mercury in High-Fructose Corn Syrup

Obviously mercury is toxic and no one--especially children--should consume it every day. However that is exactly what we do when we eat food or drink beverages contaminated by mercury in the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). 

The amount of mercury found in HFCS is less than the amount commonly found in most fish and seafood. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) in Minneapolis tested 55 consumer items and found mercury in one third of the samples ranging from 30 to 350 parts per trillion.

HFCS is in a common ingredient in many processed things we eat. And you probably consume more HFCS than you think. According to the WashingtonPost.com

"HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average."

If we know mercury is toxic, how does mercury get into HFCS? The study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) as reported in the Star Tribune

"concluded that the mercury came from food plants that use caustic soda laced with mercury to produce high fructose corn syrup for major food companies."

FOODS TO AVOID

According to the  Star Tribune many of the foods containing contaminated HFCS are foods that kids love, including

• Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars
• Quaker Oatmeal to go bars
• Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
• Yoplait Strawberry yogurt
• Market Pantry Grape Jelly
• Coca-Cola

Can a Virus Make You Fat?

When I have a cold I feel awful and I know I look awful, but is it possible a common cold virus can also make you fatter? 

Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar in Louisianna believes one strain of the common cold virus called Adenovirus-36 can interfere with body processes and cause a person to gain weight. His team of researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Centre has documented over 1000 patients who may have gained weight more quickly than normal because of this virus.

If a virus changes your immune system and makes your liver or pancreas metabolize differently, then you might gain more weight. 

According to a report in BBC NEWS, Dr Dhurandhar says, "When this virus goes to the fat tissue it replicates making more copies of itself and in the process increases the number of fat cells, which may explain why people get fat when infected with this virus."

Relief for Cabin Fever: Fun Indoor Kid Activities

As a kid growing up in Minnesota, I spent more than a few chilly afternoons bundled up in layers and sent outdoors to go sledding, skiing or skating when the temp stayed in the single digits. My mom was very inventive and she knew how to dress us properly for practically any winter condition--including lining our not-so-waterproof snow boots with plastic bread bags. Even though it must have been a pain to get us ready to venture out, now I know why my mom didn't want us to stay in the house. She knew we would have more fun outside. Of course, there were also many winter days when even my mom thought it was too cold to play outside. That's when the kids in the neighborhood gathered at the houses of friends and played indoors. My favorite house to visit had a play room stocked with a million Legos. The play area stayed super toasty right next to the furnace room. We even took our socks off. On those wintry days walking barefoot in our cozy Lego land, my friends and I almost forgot it was winter.

Some of my favorite indoor activities involved paint, crayons, and permission to be a bit messy. We used to take big brown sheets of butcher block paper and create theater sets and stage a play. I'm sure the mess and the noise drove most of the moms crazy until the weather improved. How did we ever survive back then without an Xbox or a Wii?  

Are your kids driving you crazy when it's too cold to go outside and play? The clever folks at Cookiemag.com have a series of fun indoor games and activities your kids will love--arts and crafts, activity books you can print at home, kid-friendly cooking activities, science experiments, and much more. One of my favorite activities they included is a printable coloring sheet you can download. It features adorable pooches and your kids complete the drawings of the pet owners. So sweet. Check all of the activities out here.

Pet Products May Be Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

My dogs have always loved peanut butter treats and unfortunately because of the Salmonella outbreak these favorite treats should not be fed to dogs or any pet. The list of potentially contaminated products being recalled includes some pet food products containing peanut paste made by PCA. The list of pet food products is included in the FDA searchable database of recalled products.

The ASPCA is concerned about potential poisoning in dogs and now warns pet owners:

"In light of the FDA's nationwide peanut butter recall last week, the ASPCA is advising pet parents to temporarily discontinue use of peanut butter products, including food, treats and use in pet toys (such as Kongs)."

If you think your pet may have ingested a contaminated product contact your vet or contact the ASPCA: Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.