tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1218795153274682122024-03-04T21:50:31.780-08:00The Science MomObservations from a rather uncontrollable experimentKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-71474425291777140892010-09-16T10:41:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:03:41.629-07:00BPA in Receipts. . .Oh my has it been a while! I apologize for not posting here in so long!<div><br /></div><div>The Os, the <a target="blank" href="http://arroyofoodcoop.com/">Arroyo Food Co-op</a>, the new local <a target="blank" href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SGV_MFSK/">Mothers of Kids with Food Sensitivities</a> support group, and the new gluten-free bakery business (details to come!) have been keeping me rather busy lately! </div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't much time right now either, but came across something today that inspired me to write a quick entry. </div><div><br /></div><div>We've all been learning more about the various plastic food and beverage containers that contain a hormone-disruptive chemical called <a target="blank" href="http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/index.html">bisphenol-A (BPA)</a> and a lot of people have been finding safer alternatives to any plastics for a variety of reasons in addition to trying to avoid this toxin. </div><div> <br />While it's been great to see that, finally, the harmful effects of BPA have made it's way to mainstream over the <a target="blank" href="http://www.ewg.org/reports/bpatimeline">past few years</a> - I'm surprised to have found some information about another source of BPA from <a target="blank" href="http://www.ewg.org/bpa-in-store-receipts/release">this article</a> by the <a target="blank" href="http://www.ewg.org/">Environmental Working Group</a>.<br /><br /></div><div>I had no idea about this - some cash register receipts from some retail locations (including Whole Foods, U.S. Post Office, CVS, and others) contain very high levels of BPA. And, though research is limited - some studies have shown that BPA can be absorbed via the skin. Whether it can exert its toxic effects via skin absorption is still to be determined, but I don't think I need to wait for those studies to have concern about handling these receipts. I also wonder about the employees who handle hundreds of these receipts a day - someone should do a study on their exposure and absorption rates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for stopping in - hoping to be more active here at The Science Mom as the fall progresses!</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-23967237003899405912010-03-23T08:29:00.000-07:002010-03-23T08:58:12.452-07:00Too quick to pull the trigger. . .and push the needle.<div><br /></div><div>Snippets from an August 2009 article at <a target="blank" href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/19/cbsnews_investigates/main5253431.shtml">CBS News</a>:</div><div><blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><blockquote>Dr. Diane Harper says young girls and their parents should receive more complete warnings before receiving the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Dr. Harper helped design and carry out the Phase II and Phase III safety and effectiveness studies to get Gardasil approved, and authored many of the published, scholarly papers about it. She has been a paid speaker and consultant to Merck. It’s highly unusual for a researcher to publicly criticize a medicine or vaccine she helped get approved. </blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>. . .</b></span></blockquote><blockquote>This raises questions about the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine-young-women.htm" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(25, 104, 178); cursor: pointer; ">CDC’s recommendation </a>that the series of shots be given to girls as young as 11-years old. “If we vaccinate 11 year olds and the protection doesn’t last... we’ve put them at harm from side effects, small but real, for no benefit,” says Dr. Harper. “The benefit to public health is nothing, there is no reduction in cervical cancers, they are just postponed, unless the protection lasts for at least 15 years, and over 70% of all sexually active females of all ages are vaccinated.” She also says that enough serious side effects have been reported after Gardasil use that the vaccine could prove riskier than the cervical cancer it purports to prevent. Cervical cancer is usually entirely curable when detected early through normal Pap screenings.<br /><br />Dr. Scott Ratner and his wife, who’s also a physician, expressed similar concerns as Dr. Harper in an <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/07/eveningnews/main4239462.shtml" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(25, 104, 178); cursor: pointer; ">interview with CBS News last year. </a>One of their teenage daughters became severely ill after her first dose of Gardasil. Dr. Ratner says she’d have been better off getting cervical cancer than the vaccination. “My daughter went from a varsity lacrosse player at Choate to a chronically ill, steroid-dependent patient with autoimmune myofasciitis. I’ve had to ask myself why I let my eldest of three daughters get an unproven vaccine against a few strains of a nonlethal virus that can be dealt with in more effective ways.”</blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Read the re</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">mainder of the </span></span><a target="blank" href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/19/cbsnews_investigates/main5253431.shtml"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">article here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and consider thinking twice about new-to-market, heavily publicized vaccines. My appreciation to to a mom at the Holistic Moms Network for pointing out this article - the Gardisil vaccine has bothered me from the very first moment I heard about it. And gratitude to Dr. Harper for her courage and sincerity in speaking out at risk to her own career.</span></span></span></span></div></span></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-54785218229182708602010-03-05T23:27:00.000-08:002010-03-05T23:38:33.329-08:00Holistic Moms...It was an honor to be invited to speak at the March meeting of our local Holistic Moms' Network chapter. I have so much to share from my family's journey and felt I only gave you all a brief glimpse of our experiences on this path to living with food intolerances - there are so many things to share with you all. <div><br /></div><div>I have such limited time for posting here and for updating my website, but it is my hope to share more on foods we eat, recipes I like, and making living with food intolerances livable for the whole family. <div><br /></div><div>Please do not hesitate to email me - mom "at" thesciencemom "dot" com - I would be happy to talk with you more!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-47362903297035456702010-02-19T00:12:00.000-08:002010-02-22T11:11:38.747-08:00Money<div>Not long ago, the Professor and I started giving the Os allowances. </div><div><br /></div><div>In talking with a friend about the concept, it seemed like a nice way to end the seemingly never-ending battle over the Os wanting to buy (in my view, extraneous) items during shopping trips. Having their own money might help alleviate my need to come up with a creative let down on shopping excursions - </div><div><blockquote><i>Oh, it's not on our list this time, but let's talk about that when we make our next list. </i></blockquote></div><div>or</div><div><blockquote><i>Thank you for letting me know how much you'd like to have that [insert name of cheap, plastic, thing-a-ma-bob from the "$1 Spot" section], but sometimes we cannot always get these things.</i></blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>or, when I'm feeling really adventurous, I try explaining to a three year old and a five year old</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote><i>Well, you know that is made from plastic and it is really going to break or fall apart or not be useful soon and then it will just end up sitting in a landfill or floating in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch">gyre of plastic</a> out in the Pacific Ocean and making animals sick for many years to come. It's better if we choose something that is not plastic (and cheap, breakable, made using unfair labor/trade practices, etc., etc.) but we'll have to wait until we find a suitable equivalent and add that to our list for next time.</i></blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>(To which, Big O has oft replied, "But Mommy, plastic is recyclable." - to which I express admiration for his knowledge and appreciate his point, but go on to explain how some plastic toys and items are not easily recycled and that recycling is good, but not the best answer because it still requires energy, chemicals, emits toxins, etc. )</div><div><br /></div><div>If we give the Os allowance, I can let them make the choice to spend their own money or not. I can only hope that their choices will (at least eventually) be influenced by our concern for the environment and sustainable practices.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, every Sunday, each O receives an allowance equivalent to half their age. At the time this began, Big O was four (thus $2.00 weekly) and Little O was 2 ($1.00 weekly). </div><div><br /></div><div>It's funny. It doesn't take long for those seemingly small amounts of money to add up. </div><div><br /></div><div>Little O decided to use a glass jar for his allowance safe keeping (his great grandmother used to stash cash in glass jars in the freezer, pantry, <i>etc.</i>). Whenever he accrues more allowance, he carefully folds individual bills into fourths and then stuffs them into the jar. After occasionally removing the bills to survey his collection, he will meticulously ensure each one is refolded into fourths and individually placed back in the jar. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYI9DUy_ZQKK08yuj_JXEVf_pJxPGyri5nosrrlSOTKRjCcEKv-8cPKkMC0WSIdoJtppHZsrPWtGfON6Y9IDFONyMs6nPr9Mv79QF2tvDTZWVhCiYOLn-itDzjMp1-yJPjk2oVX3gIGYw/s1600-h/IMG_4396.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYI9DUy_ZQKK08yuj_JXEVf_pJxPGyri5nosrrlSOTKRjCcEKv-8cPKkMC0WSIdoJtppHZsrPWtGfON6Y9IDFONyMs6nPr9Mv79QF2tvDTZWVhCiYOLn-itDzjMp1-yJPjk2oVX3gIGYw/s320/IMG_4396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439865334842918786" /></a><br /><div>Big O had early on claimed a wooden puzzle box as his "bank account" - carefully keeping wads of cash and a few coins (collected in various situations) in each of the four compartments of the box which formerly housed four small dinosaur puzzles.</div><div><br /></div><div>As he becomes more knowledgeable about numbers and more aware of how money works, he's changing his money organizing methods. When I needed change for a $20 bill, he was eager to offer smaller bills from his box. When he realized he had a few ones left over, he generously offered to give them to me - I believe it was satisfying to him because it simplified his collection. He's angling to trade in some smaller bills for a $10 bill to add to his bounty.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxoxZcHmpKo3xuLVpZJcmLAZ6xgKoTezK2M6UMiP9Snr75JVP0dfC9C8bIIoMz6xOogSrnbXoW5NierKnxsbWjGUFMepk-EcdwPyLD_x8-fxrJ_ZaNhxFaD17g3KMHy6QmY38bj6dRAE/s1600-h/IMG_4393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxoxZcHmpKo3xuLVpZJcmLAZ6xgKoTezK2M6UMiP9Snr75JVP0dfC9C8bIIoMz6xOogSrnbXoW5NierKnxsbWjGUFMepk-EcdwPyLD_x8-fxrJ_ZaNhxFaD17g3KMHy6QmY38bj6dRAE/s320/IMG_4393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439864921087272498" /></a><br /></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-62062287814960303752010-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:002010-01-11T01:01:18.124-08:00Upcycling Holiday Cards<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Happy New Year!! I hope that you have enjoyed a lovely holiday season and are off to a wonderful start in 2010!<div><br />December is a month during which many of us reflect on the year that's nearly behind us and think about our family and friends - near and far, old and new. Life is busy for us all and it is often easy to realize it's been nearly a year since we last communicated with a friend or family member. <div><br /><div>I love the December holiday season for many reasons, not the least of which the the excitement of checking the mailbox and email each day for those holiday photo cards, update letters, and notes from family and friends. For some of us, this is our chance to finally catch up - even if only once a year. It's a way to let those we've nearly lost touch with know that we haven't stopped thinking of them and that we wish we could stay better connected. (umm, on that note, dear family and friends, we are hoping to get a Valentine e-letter out this year . . . please don't take it personally that you haven't heard from us yet!)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>While I treasure receiving the cards, letters, and photos throughout December, I find myself in a quandary in early January - what to do with all those cards, letters, photos, etc.!? The photos, I keep - I have shoe boxes, envelopes, and various other vessels stashed away with photos and photo cards from past years. </div><div><br /></div><div>The letters, I read and re-read, contemplating each family and enjoying the tales of their past year, but eventually I place those in recycling (unless, of course, they're studded with photos, in which case, into that shoe box they go!). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The cards are a different story. Though I am a self-admitted pack-rat, I have realized over the past several years that I just cannot hold onto everything. I feel guilty, though, simply recycling or otherwise disposing of the lovely holiday cards - but what to do with them, then? </div><div><br /></div><div>A couple years ago, as I was getting the holiday decor out, I realized what a stash of cards I had collected over the years. I decided to put them to good use and create crafty gift bags for our baked goods that we give to friends and neighbors each year. Here's a sampling of them:</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrfHgprFRycn3ynuYIeDl3w4JL-pd4Gmn7C7mC1wYF4d7dIQojhpjBzrKOFMNyAyQlpEiKnOydI1OaY7keNSE30CRpnKfspHw8USdKJq-PDEyQISAM_yPoEDxaL1FpFrIAzWB4kZQjx8/s320/2008_KP_baked+goods_gift_bags_02.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425392212069328418" /></div><div> </div><div>A festive project that the kids could help out with - I thought the bags came out nicely and they were fun to fill with home-baked goodies. I think this might be considered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upcycling">upcycling</a>, though I suppose beauty (and value) is in the eye of the beholder.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-22950878487987712832009-12-02T09:11:00.001-08:002009-12-02T22:11:42.171-08:00Science is real . . .<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zbgul1NpEA8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zbgul1NpEA8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>This morning, I woke up with <a target="blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbgul1NpEA8">this song</a> in my head. Not a bad way to wake up, really, and I don't think I'm complaining exactly. It's just that when the Os find a song or CD that they really like, we end up listening to it day in and day out for days on end. And sometimes, too much of even a good thing is simply too much.<div><br /></div><div>And I do admit that I happen to like this particular CD - <a target="blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Here-Comes-Science-Might-Giants/dp/B002FKZ4UO">Here Comes Science</a> by <a target="blank" href="http://www.theymightbegiants.com/">They Might Be Giants</a> - more than any of our former favorites, though I have to say that <a target="blank" href="http://www.rounder.com/index.php?id=album.php&musicalGroupId=1006&catalog_id=3517">Raffi's Bananaphone</a> is still high on my list.</div><br />One of the <a target="blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy0m7jnyv6U">songs</a> on this CD is about how everything is made of elements. Big O has been very curious about this - incessantly asking if this or that is made of elements. Generally speaking, the answer, as the song implies, is that everything is made of elements.<br /><br />Leave it to Big O to find a loophole. At one point he asked if shadows are made of elements. Clever. Later, he asked if electricity is made of elements.<br /><br />Homeschooling sure is interesting around here. I'm going to have to get all my old text books out and start studying before this kid really stumps me.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-56748980282948443882009-11-02T21:23:00.000-08:002009-11-02T21:43:05.506-08:00Notes on eating apples<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqeTbznX0lrECxfzzOo1WHDodiZJTNCUIhKRosMy0OHsvc8Abf9JovL6mvDBJfavs_08Z1XIH2y2IrFLhszzzlt_FQA9NAGTjkjdOuslFZtGin7vMWdjbhf4ZCwFtao-AAVUmJ6P2vZE/s1600-h/IMG_2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqeTbznX0lrECxfzzOo1WHDodiZJTNCUIhKRosMy0OHsvc8Abf9JovL6mvDBJfavs_08Z1XIH2y2IrFLhszzzlt_FQA9NAGTjkjdOuslFZtGin7vMWdjbhf4ZCwFtao-AAVUmJ6P2vZE/s320/IMG_2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399746071990555298" /></a>A few days ago, the Os were eating a snack of apple slices. I had scooped out the seeds with a melon baller and left them on the side of the plate as I sliced up the apple. As they were eating, Little O decided to pick up one of the balls with the seeds in it and started to put it to his mouth. Big O stopped him and explained to him that he should not eat the apple seeds. The conversation went something along these lines:<div><br /></div><div><blockquote>Big O: Stop O! You don't want to eat the apple seeds. That wouldn't be good.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Little O paused, setting the little ball of apple core down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Science Mom: It's true, O. Most people do not eat the apple seeds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Big O: Yeah. And if you eat them, you'll have an apple plant start to grow in your belly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Science Mom: Oh, I don't think that would actually happen. The seed would probably just leave his body in his poop.</div><div><br /></div><div>Big O: Nope. A seed needs water and sunlight to grow and O drinks water.</div><div><br /></div><div>Science Mom: But how would he get sunlight into his belly with the water and the apple seeds?</div><div><br /></div><div>Big O (not missing a beat): Well, Mom, he could just open his mouth.</div></div></blockquote><div><div>How does one argue with that kind of logic?!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6Uoz2cWV3Z1QW0nVuqqajrpjphdOnu-wYFnVsRYy6WcWUD89PaYBv6OVMWYGsVFxOXakyV4CXFBNH9TbxeJf1DdC5pTyeHwGacnDBKAR1TgK2cYGNlr44flhjrNjoq4-VVjN7IGQfw8/s1600-h/IMG_2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6Uoz2cWV3Z1QW0nVuqqajrpjphdOnu-wYFnVsRYy6WcWUD89PaYBv6OVMWYGsVFxOXakyV4CXFBNH9TbxeJf1DdC5pTyeHwGacnDBKAR1TgK2cYGNlr44flhjrNjoq4-VVjN7IGQfw8/s320/IMG_2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399744872089657858" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-27257988834607890872009-10-28T09:29:00.000-07:002009-10-28T09:51:33.068-07:00What a day!<div style="text-align: justify;">The other day, the Os' t-shirts from <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com">Little Green Star</a> arrived. Big O was thrilled and wanted nothing more than to immediately put it on straight out of the envelope! He wore it the remainder of the afternoon, christened it at supper with an accidental splat of ketchup, and wanted desperately to wear it to bed, ketchup stain and all!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKFZDMDV4HemQXO5RdcakUTJ1FUu1jNcjQa0mxTQqkMurTVu8ze-doCCkIYxTgV9ORTrQf_mg-wr470DUQD04rDIgIQmTLRzuH_goaqgVbjr4usm0ZWgEwjppxEMwGuikYMn7_DXeaLY/s320/IMG_3181.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397689233511689842" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a big mail day for Big O - that very same day he also received an invitation to a good friend's birthday party. He is always happy to receive his own mail, and opening this letter became even more exciting when he realized it was his very own invitation to a party! He did not let go of that invitation for days - and I'm still finding little bits of red and orange fringe around the house. The party is a week from Saturday - Big O has been trying to decide what kind of present to give his friend, and I have been thinking ahead about GF/CF/EF/SF snacks and cupcakes to send along with the boys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Little O was excited about his Little Green Star shirt, too. He's cleverly paired it with his <a target="blank" href="http://blueyonder.typepad.com/photos/bandana_pants/index.html">bandana pants</a> on many occasions in the few days since the shirts arrived! </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 169px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzFB3WOUnvsQMv_41D8U5W8BCRu46Ue4k4NdeB4FhT0fhsYGEj3S_8poAQf6uoJS_6niBcckO-uK2Tz7ZCNVFCWTKMnxk7PsRxCH97NYp3NeZM5Q_sw791-XG4jGklCN86g3XYZrDwTQ/s320/IMG_3283.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397691058655315058" /></div><div>Thanks to a <a target="blank" href="http://www.ramshacklesolid.com/2008/04/bandana-pants.html">good friend </a>for teaching me how to sew this pair of bandana pants - she kindly supplied the bandanas, too!</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. - You still have time <a target="blank" href="http://thesciencemom.blogspot.com/2009/10/twinkle-twinkle.html">save 30%</a> on an order with Little Green Star - <a target="blank" href="http://thesciencemom.blogspot.com/2009/10/twinkle-twinkle.html">the offer</a> to readers of The Science Mom is valid until November 30, 2009.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-34268862350822331092009-10-23T01:34:00.000-07:002009-10-23T21:41:38.042-07:00Back at the Bench!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNT4H2_a2bJRab3hssDvpfu4ORnHVW30IqNJUcXyzBnTxz-yO0iIZXWz_OnIVgxR4cSBHKe4nImL_-mLQ2Ac9Iac7ALbIQ_NCNLV15LJoZcJP2wLjyjHZX6wvc04T590_hDpyzh7uTJU/s1600-h/IMG_3179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNT4H2_a2bJRab3hssDvpfu4ORnHVW30IqNJUcXyzBnTxz-yO0iIZXWz_OnIVgxR4cSBHKe4nImL_-mLQ2Ac9Iac7ALbIQ_NCNLV15LJoZcJP2wLjyjHZX6wvc04T590_hDpyzh7uTJU/s320/IMG_3179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395912582512639410" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For a couple of years now I’ve been dabbling in homemade </span><a href="http://www.wildfermentation.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">fermented foods and beverages</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After we’d given up milk/casein (the third time around . . .), I was pretty bummed about it and decided we’d give </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">raw</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> cow’s milk a chance.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Many milk-intolerant persons seem to do well with </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">raw</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> dairy, some even claim raw dairy healed their leaky gut and cleared them of their food intolerance(s). That’s when I decided to make my first cultured food – raw cow’s milk yogurt.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It was a daunting, yet exciting experiment. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Daunting because it was </span><b><i><a href="http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1598525,00.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">raw milk</span></a></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. I grew up with pasteurized milk. As a kid, I learned to thoroughly sniff the contents of the carton before each use to make sure the milk didn’t smell “funny.”</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The funny thing is, it probably smelled funny from the day we bought it compared with raw milk!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It was also daunting because I knew the effects milk/casein can have on Big O – excessive mucus production, raging ear infections, tantrums (and who wouldn’t tantrum when their head is stuffed with mucus and ear drums perforate due to the pressure of an infection?!), and, the dreaded constipation leading to the withholding cycle.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Daunting as it was, it was also exciting. Exciting because making raw milk yogurt was a new experiment for me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I felt like I was back at the lab bench again. I don’t often miss being at the bench, but on occasion I get a little nostalgic about it.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I miss seeing beautiful data appearing before my eyes.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I miss pouring the perfect sequencing gel that transferred without tearing and produced tight, straight bands. I miss developing unstreaked, unquestionably clear westerns.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I miss pulling out centrifuge tubes to find sweet little blobs of nucleic acid. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I miss taking micrographs at 2:00 a.m. singing along with Matchbox 20 blaring and waiting anxiously for the film to be developed later that day to find that I captured sharply defined histological features. I was good at the bench and I miss the satisfaction of producing clear data.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This was an experiment at the bench (a.k.a., my kitchen counter) and I hoped I’d be good at it, too. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I read instructions from a variety of sources and came up with my own protocol.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I loved that Big O could be involved in making it and sharing in the wonder of microbiology as it transpired in reused baby food jars in our oven.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And, like my old days at the bench, the data produced in this kitchen experiment were good. Really good. Cream on top, tart and smooth underneath. Raw milk yogurt perfection!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But, a short while after consuming our first few bites of data, the detrimental effects that milk/casein have on us began to rear their ugly heads.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I had a migraine coming on and Big O was coughing at night and started getting congested.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I knew before Big O's constipation kicked in that we would not be able to continue with the raw milk, fermented or otherwise.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Disappointed as I was, I had caught the ‘bug’ for growing bugs in my own kitchen and seeing how they transformed foods was fascinating!</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I believe that consuming live, active cultures as the main source for probiotics in one’s life is very important. With cultured milk products out of our repertoire, I turned to other fermented foods.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEW-gCsZmEzCmG4P83Goamu5PapUfZ5xXbqT9sZt8YkOuTRQJwXdD3uA99_vrqGZfYnu4ICLaK5TnR9_v1gjDwVgSqqrtDh_Dbdk-yphSZ66vF5mMeau0JjLllMg0bi8cM3rNKD1D-Rk/s320/IMG_0895.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395714880102864226" /><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><!--StartFragment--><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">First, there was true saurkraut. Again, daunting at first - it is hard, as a former germaphobe, to leave certain certain foods out on the countertop for a several days before consuming them.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But, I did it and it was good, too, though future batches saw more finely shredded cabbage and slightly less salt. As for the Os and saurkraut - Little O will devour it and keep asking for more, but Big O is not much of a fan.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I still make fresh, raw, lacto-fermented kraut and usually have some in the fridge, but I continued in my search for that fermented food which both Os would enjoy.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I thought pickles would be a nice choice, so</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">we happily planted cucumbers and dill in the spring.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sadly, the dill fizzled shortly after planting and our garden cucumbers were few and far between this summer, so we haven’t tried our hand at lacto-fermented pickles.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHPL2PbiJ007XKaU8upEntd4rNjfUQ0_goIWWdHkxPbhgwIyacXxve4lnLdHLsz9wxbjbJWGGZ8X67UIeBuWJG1nDdvnxzgpiZ91yhCf6jIMQ_FzJWxRZRCcoy6S0gv3M0aFYOs8zpZU/s320/IMG_1478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395714207944477554" /><!--StartFragment--><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Our garden did produce some lovely Daikon radishes and we did shred and ferment a couple of them.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Palatable as it was, I think one batch was a little too salty, and neither batch was something that I could envision any of us would be eating on a daily basis</span>.</span></span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hUUkePKyCfv4gCy_7lK6iltLbD2ig5tT9Hg1KDpGA5ypuQNF9j5bIIJErh9FwRCgfIZRxD1OatbIsxFghKhneBnhr64tn1k4f2tutI6IcVDP1HXDJk9_WyqQ4x1A3OgqYjEU88I0_Wk/s320/IMG_3179_3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395715335417871442" /><div style="text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">K</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">nowing how much the boys love homemade “soda” (sparkling water with fruit juice), and the occasional cane sugar soda, I thought I’d try making non-milk kefirs using water grains.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In the beginning, it was a little questionable – water kefir grains are quite finicky and I, feeling all scientist-cocky on the tails of my previous fermented food conquests, too quickly dabbled in changing up the water kefir protocol.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></p> <span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One early batch smelled so terrible that I couldn’t even bear to taste a drop.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I immediately went back to the recipe that accompanied the water grains and we began making super tasty water kefir!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Little O drinks it down like there's no tomorrow. He actually gets very unhappy when none is left in the jar or, even worse, when he sees the full jar but I have to tell him it is not ready yet.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I only wish my grains were multiplying more rapidly so I could start a second (and third!) batch and dabble in coconut water and fruit juice kefirs.</span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The thing about the water kefir is that, deliciously sweet-tart and fizzy as it is, Big O simply does not like it either.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I’m beginning to suspect his own intuition tells him to avoid these fermented foods.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">They certainly do seem to have an adverse effect on him.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Any sort of probiotic in his diet – either fermented food/beverage or supplement form – seems to send him down the irritability/constipation/withholding path. Hypothesizing why this is would be whole other post – suffice it to say I’m thinking mercury/candida/GI dysbiosis and we need to take it slowly on the whole probiotic thing for Big O.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As soon as I get more batches of water kefir going, I’ll start dabbling in flavoring them with fruit and/or fruit juices to see if I can get a combination going that Big O will like.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span></span>Recently, I received a lovely kombucha scoby from a good friend and have started my first batch of kombucha.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Big O has liked the commercial kombuchas in the past, and seemed to enjoy my friend’s kombucha sample she gave us when she gave us the scoby.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A few more days and we’ll be tasting our first batch of kombucha home-brew!</span></span></p></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLbKWbkEPZ__Qw4jfl9Hgwitl0YIKH8f3RM-xzLuDprMKr84fZCYxS-TOkMSkba7FB8aCtVl86icD1lrVbwJ6Qdf0Ol1JDyiN2tPCOI60pTs6PxmhdbOmSiz1ofr2bilAlypXoo4dn30/s320/IMG_3179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395715124075302034" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Another (I suspect) successful experiment - we seem to have avoided mold growth and our baby scoby is coming along quite nicely. What's adorable is that the baby, which I expected to develop as a disc on top of the mother, is growing in the hexagonal shape of the brewing vessel! How fun is that?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQNu3gN1G0nmnzzPEPMwAul5P0XsLfiEYjBPBV1uO40mCjulPuRnr4qcT2Mcp0L8WoFyOYgE5LhEj7PbkOuekQ6dIFlX3aRuZKfFnQJGqhyphenhyphensNXKazEPHa0vq9fC7mgJkKGZmlEMD6j9k/s320/IMG_3204.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395908171219844322" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><br /></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-42038864059299719262009-10-15T14:05:00.000-07:002009-10-22T13:56:04.595-07:00Twinkle, twinkle . . .<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupeH2uzQHO-Uz0HQkTduHJbYkift2M7fsGAVRCRXPbKv1ak3-fg9aIMFN3ax7OA1yt6J7v4_Gl2YYRkDCDholZY_3ax4t0R35kobv5FHiQCp4A2iKgFXCm_-wx4bQZy_B_KEwIFuQHF8/s1600-h/LGS-Logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupeH2uzQHO-Uz0HQkTduHJbYkift2M7fsGAVRCRXPbKv1ak3-fg9aIMFN3ax7OA1yt6J7v4_Gl2YYRkDCDholZY_3ax4t0R35kobv5FHiQCp4A2iKgFXCm_-wx4bQZy_B_KEwIFuQHF8/s320/LGS-Logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393263622300127570" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">An email appeared in my inbox last week that really brightened my day. It was from Victoria at <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/">Little Green Star</a>. She found The Science Mom blog and emailed to let me<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>know we had some things in common and to make a <i><b>special offer</b></i> to my readers (keep reading!).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Like myself, Victoria and her business partner, Kelley, are <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/about/our_story">scientists and mothers</a>. Both believe in taking steps to ensure that their carbon footprint is as light as possible. In Victoria’s words, they have a “passion for teaching kids about science, nature, and protecting the environment” – something near and dear to my heart as well. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In 2006, they launched <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/">Little Green Star</a> to provide families with products that align with their sustainable values. Part of their goal is to facilitate fun dialogues between parents and children about protecting our natural resources and to inspire families to celebrate sustainable living. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Something that’s been on my mind a lot lately is the concept of sustainable clothing choices. I’ve learned a lot since Big O was born about our <a target="blank" href="http://www.altadenawantsacoop.com/node/43">food supply</a> and the need for a more <a target="blank" href="http://thesciencemom.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-will-you-vote-for.html">sustainable food system</a> which has led to my thinking about how to incorporate sustainability into other aspects of our lives. For example, after paying a little bit of attention to our consumer habits, we started putting only one less-than-full garbage can out on the curb each week as opposed to two or three overflowing cans per week. After paying a little bit more attention, we have greatly reduced the amount of recyclable materials that go to our curb each week and we compost or otherwise use nearly all of our garden and yard waste.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Until recently, it’s been pretty easy to clothe the boys using gifts and hand-me-downs, with some thrift store and resale shop purchases to supplement as needed. I have certainly made purchases of new clothing at retail stores, though I've been doing a lot less of this over the past year or so. I try to buy clothes made with cotton, and though I contemplate looking for organic cotton, I haven’t really worked very hard at finding items made with organic cotton (with the exception of Little O's newborn cloth diapers). I do hope that giving a used piece of used not-so-sustainably produced clothing a second life has at least been a small step in the right direction.<o:p></o:p></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONNLbv25Afv3s9HKcVB_W_19-vsT5SdXLKQUxrnXutJVyrWTtRMEs1e75CRtKa9KncBnl7s2fK6koUn7cPgdNwVK0lyt5ayxMYM41DX01-8PHk-WJlg0C1K4hvKraF_sKm435BxcmSjw/s1600-h/LGS_stroller2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONNLbv25Afv3s9HKcVB_W_19-vsT5SdXLKQUxrnXutJVyrWTtRMEs1e75CRtKa9KncBnl7s2fK6koUn7cPgdNwVK0lyt5ayxMYM41DX01-8PHk-WJlg0C1K4hvKraF_sKm435BxcmSjw/s320/LGS_stroller2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393269143793150994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px; " /></a></span></p></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">With sustainable clothing on my mind, it was perfect timing to receive Victoria’s email. Little Green Star offers a line of 100% organic cotton tee shirts and onesies available in sizes ranging from 3-6 months to 6T. Several adorable designs (printed with water-based inks) are available that put a fun spin on matters of science, nature, and our environment. Other products offered by Little Green Star include <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/shop/accessories">lunch totes, hats, and bibs</a>, all made with 100% organic cotton.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8dvQUTnedeq7YYvInChRUYqIghC556dUXCe5mjAWk5bwVIgdtT5OMklj4h0u-QieEmt3o0R0jg3EKp2oRFObANg6WoRvktVhcNo9QxsB5toTRBteAcR6G2j5p8sj6gcNNMw_5QMjH7M/s1600-h/LGS_lunchbags.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8dvQUTnedeq7YYvInChRUYqIghC556dUXCe5mjAWk5bwVIgdtT5OMklj4h0u-QieEmt3o0R0jg3EKp2oRFObANg6WoRvktVhcNo9QxsB5toTRBteAcR6G2j5p8sj6gcNNMw_5QMjH7M/s320/LGS_lunchbags.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393269590146639458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px; " /></a></span></p><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After checking out Little Green Star’s website, I asked each O if they liked any of the shirts they saw. Big O got rather excited about the <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/shop/detail/11">‘crabby’ tee shirt</a> (he also liked the <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/shop/detail/16">ocean turtle</a>) and Little O enthusiastically selected the <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/shop/detail/10">“Bee Green” tee shirt</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lM3tgG-MsG6iqflOxaGXqeQQJWmer1RSPCnx6i7PrkLnDWfQs_2HtgXjPf2wPOHz4WsmL5KYbuqPWJeiRdXEZoAYwmdVbRSJV-6RN7eOhF0iuMGDRRChGF_7Kq-V5qN7foGlaRMgl50/s320/LGS_peasoutbib.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393268200465315266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px; " /></span></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Little Green Star has kindly offered a <b>discount of 30% off</b> of purchases made by readers of The Science Mom. Enter the code <b>LGS30</b> before adding a product to the shopping cart and the prices will change to reflect the sale. Shop soon - this offer expires <b>November 30, 2009</b>!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After you’ve finished shopping, make sure to visit the <a target="blank" href="http://www.littlegreenstar.com/explore">“Explore” section</a> of the Little Green Star website. The pages of this section are filled with resources to point families in the direction of more ways to enjoy nature and discover scientific educational opportunities. Their suggestions vary from local farmers’ markets to museums, beaches, and botanical gardens in cities around the country. They’d love your input, too! Drop them a line to let them know about great green sites and activities in your city or town.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We can't wait for our Little Green Star shirts to arrive - it will be great to see the Os sporting their first organic cotton tee shirts that convey our family’s green spirit in a whimsical, ecologically friendly way.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Please note - I have not received any free products from Little Green Star.</span></b></i></p><div><br /></div></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-30843111029061660612009-10-02T22:48:00.000-07:002009-10-09T16:45:40.634-07:00The Longest Birthday Celebration Ever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaTcyymW2_I8zNRqxZ8xrGZOyrqiA4wpJrQbcm2MYkt3rWT_bHtUa1LlqoGaw_eXHMMPwfHkTCqjORXS7_CQiwm23MJ-jU5mmB0ZtmDEScMgjXmetePulOg39ZJtOF3EyzjkVEuEDe1I/s1600-h/IMG_2382.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaTcyymW2_I8zNRqxZ8xrGZOyrqiA4wpJrQbcm2MYkt3rWT_bHtUa1LlqoGaw_eXHMMPwfHkTCqjORXS7_CQiwm23MJ-jU5mmB0ZtmDEScMgjXmetePulOg39ZJtOF3EyzjkVEuEDe1I/s320/IMG_2382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390742051070585090" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl8klyp_vp9ivjmyGWrZcLlR6hsPx97IXzG3M_ZN_49nqV8HM09BAieqIsBOrb44Qk4dFL_vFipkKKkzc4K_PX_05m-P8Agxh0UPj5ku33DAase_ZIrmF1tyoBQH-rbYbek2eBbRahkE/s1600-h/IMG_2383.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;text-decoration: underline; "><br /></div></a><div style="text-align: left;">Big O turned five in September. I spent a lot of time contemplating how to celebrate his big day. When he turned two, we had a party with a handful of friends at <a href="http://traveltown.org/">Travel Town</a>. For his third and fourth birthdays, we celebrated with friends in our local park. Each year seemed to see the parties expand in size and complexity. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This year, Grandma was going to be in town for Big O's birthday, so I had arrived at a decision to celebrate his birthday with a family excursion to<a href="http://www.legoland.com/"> Lego Land</a>, followed by a small gathering for cupcakes and gifts. Just when I'd felt comfortable that this would be a nice, albeit simple (i.e., no large party with tons of children to feed and entertain), way to commemorate his turning five, our neighbor (an invitee to the small cupcake get together) asked Big O what he wanted for his birthday. Big O began talking, clearly not realizing that said neighbor was asking him what kind of gift he wanted. He described bounce houses (two - one smaller one for the little kids, and one bigger one for himself and his pals), bubbles, balloons, <i>etc</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was about one week before the Lego Land and cupcake gathering were scheduled to occur and my heart was breaking. I realized that I had made a rather selfish decision to save myself the trouble of having to live up the the past years' kid parties and instead of planning a smaller, less complicated kid party, I found an easier way out. After talking it over with the Professor, we decided to take a new easy way out and pay for someone else to do most of the party. I rushed to call <a href="http://www.thelittlegym.com/lacanadalacrescentaca/Pages/default.aspx">The Little Gym</a> and scheduled a mid-afternoon party with them. The timing was perfect - 2:30p.m. to 4:00p.m. The staff entertain the kids for an hour and feed them snacks and cupcakes for me. I supply the snack and cupcakes. A fruit platter, homemade gluten-free, casein-free, egg-free, soy-free chocolate chip muffins with homemade chocolate frosting, compostable plates, napkins and party hats, and I'm done.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And so, the celebrating began one Friday at Lego Land. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAbxnmuiARsRP8xoT-IgmL9PoYcuNxrq9rZcjJCyeXawLSToMEJLWSfqwuuIcTfjRH87YkzLu6fdI-I9S9jpK5M1aMW82UjnBeaLqF-xcMYFymwNSJ3s0D9bTlSIdnrsh8R2e9kBD6-E/s320/IMG_2458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390342651144146738" /><div style="text-align: left; ">Great place!! We loved it and cannot wait to go back. Lego Land even had food we could eat - fresh fruits, Lara Bars, bunless burger and fries. </div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">On that note, I have to say I was very impressed when I saw a sign on the burger kiosk mentioning that gluten-free buns were available. Of course, their GF buns had egg and casein in them, but still, it was impressive to see that so readily displayed. And I can say I've never been more impressed with a food service employee's response to my grand inquisition - he showed me ingredient labels (took bags and boxes right out of the freezer and let me read the label myself) and then offered to call the head chef to confirm. He remembered all four - gluten, dairy, soy, and egg - without even blinking an eye. I've been in rather fancy restaurants with seemingly caring, sincere, well-paid and well-tipped servers who have not been so thorough or concerned with confirming food ingredients. Now, if only Lego Land offered grass-fed, free-range beef burgers and organic fries with sea salt, I'd really be thrilled!</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Two days after Lego Land, it was Big O's actual birthday. With Grandma still here, we spent the morning visiting with my cousin and his girlfriend who live nearby. Then, Big O had his first AYSO soccer game. After soccer, our neighbors across the street came over for sweet potato cupcakes with caramel frosting and to shower Big O with gifts, games, and love. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TfDd7gH646nnWOAzCxp7igouYLHym5Gb2KgMrTGX5BicU9E3pp_u1kOc8DhL91DSWppwke5-QH2V-8p_mIvo5mjzHVflCzo3C_HHJ77oDohSn9KjvoaXRyouM9mrc5i56AgGhbZu8dc/s320/IMG_2715.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390345672843974146" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of Big O's favorite activities is miniature golf, followed of course, by playing arcade games, collecting tickets and winning "prizes" (mostly of the likes of <a href="http://thesciencemom.blogspot.com/2009/09/little-plastic-things.html">these</a>). Grandma was up for a day of golf and games the day after Big O's birthday, so off we went for another round of birthday celebrating.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzojcgymrXgQDvU0IB53fvUhY8IcfUFDdjpvU3ZHf6eVx7MgZBuXqQR6vtLJsLsmD9DpeV44hNaZ7bpNch7gFSWzOMsz8RlPvzs1cyOmWUp_QxAVz9vRtrsHqQSWz25SvV03985c7cgY/s320/IMG_2739.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390343356326269970" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Because we were so late in deciding to do a party, we had to opt for our party at The Little Gym to occur the weekend after Big O's actual birthday - weekend number two of Big O's birthday fun.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HdpIiVdO8t8i5McY7rsSiiF16SFymbeMhetz0wGB2-t8AmEIRZIm46Q1RCt3nY4TMQz7M6g5MxCA2y9k-ui76vQKLUOYYDPkRa_yvRt9BQqY1HiePea5s9d9d5LHQrU3UE5eM6Rh9bQ/s320/IMG_2790.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390342988617564546" /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my cousins and his wife live in Escondido and couldn't make it up the previous weekend but wanted to wish Big O a happy birthday as well. So, on Sunday after Big O's second soccer "game" we had yet another birthday celebration with them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOt9EsshLFw7kV_JiRBU56i2fPEsrBqWl0HWwWYS7YY4Mzbl2a_CkcJ4LUxeHYklcrElszg1SlWiG60nGOqEn0FbWLsa_xd8okE9oahR9-N437wztFgZRYiNchYph5P64DydaQpClK2s/s320/IMG_2908.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390489650143890418" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's funny how what I'd planned to be the simplest birthday celebration for a five year old turned out to be nearly two weeks of birthday fun. It was actually all pretty easy, though. And so very worth it when, after all was said and done, the Professor and I asked Big O what part of his birthday celebration he liked best and he said "All of it!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-55130096752574826332009-09-12T00:49:00.001-07:002009-09-12T01:53:49.749-07:00Little plastic things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Lg3vcwgDWaOzDCBNFz-N7s09ZPD7OFKBg7FtjR2crt_4OGcCbi2Res5NFMxUEgy1x6hTDEiUncC3DjExnUMiHxvmF3CHg603hPXHtWzeR7tJVg8R1e3HAI69pyJoZbtRFE5Ua4ZcHE/s1600-h/IMG_1925.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Lg3vcwgDWaOzDCBNFz-N7s09ZPD7OFKBg7FtjR2crt_4OGcCbi2Res5NFMxUEgy1x6hTDEiUncC3DjExnUMiHxvmF3CHg603hPXHtWzeR7tJVg8R1e3HAI69pyJoZbtRFE5Ua4ZcHE/s320/IMG_1925.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380494622621299394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Since early on in Big O's life, I've been concerned about plastic. Before all the hubbub about whether or not baby bottles or reusable water bottles were leaching BPA, I was worried about what I'd read regarding the off-gassing done by plastics. <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I was continually dismayed at how difficult, and expensive, it was to find baby items and toys that were not made of plastic. I wasn't worried enough to ask that gifts not be clunky plastic toys (not to mention that most of the clunky plastic toys are also battery operated noisy toys). So, during his first couple of years, Big O received many a gift and hand-me-down that was plastic. I actually felt better somehow about the hand-me-downs - perhaps they'd already done most of their off-gassing before entering our home?. . .</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0m_8c_gKnKZQxFRU29PJWU_Q76OrWKOutGeUhs3RblrZO30JWRLTRff7U-8TUt8JZNG7XaQkxnKtIWuuMpcFPJZXmWqzSNUxWh6JuoH4mihH9yB_cZtUTgPcHKXbwvX6G9C3-WANz6Y/s320/IMG_1916.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380487739335447586" />Lately, the Os seem to be accruing a large number of tiny, plastic, cheap party favor-like toys and it's been very hard for me to watch. I could just not let them bring these things home, but generally they are cherished rewards for finding Joe-Joe the monkey at the grocery store or treasured gifts from our wonderful dentist who always wants to make the boys feel very special, and that puts Mom in a very difficult position. If I tell them they cannot have these things, it takes away from their conquest at the store or their special relationship with the dentist. So, I try to minimize the number of items we bring home (e.g., at the grocery store, I explain that the limit is one per child).</div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JTcsFzlJZaMTlp_CPq2nlj2L4BgKNGf0WmLXgIm1D7oRtbcVoqC3CqWHfa_RtZnxG3Hymjt3XEUvc5V4EdJhlSuEZLbtsAiLVX9NXHHoJqeN_Nk-heCuOKEoL9ORSWtmyTuyp3dusJM/s320/IMG_1921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380488478826218274" />Eliminating these things from our home is actually not so hard. Most of the time, something breaks or otherwise compromises the toy and it gets thrown out. Sometimes, however, I aid in the disappearance of some of these toys when their presence becomes too concentrated in our house.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I help in the disappearance, the item generally gets relegated to the garage and placed in a box full of toys we will be giving away. Many times, I even question the giving away part - if I don't want my child playing with this junk, should I really pass these along to other children? I realize that not everyone (not many?) are as concerned as I ,and perhaps I'm overly concerned, so I'd rather see these things be enjoyed by someone and have a second life than to go straight to the landfill. Actually, I'd rather they never have been made, but I don't suppose the demand for these little toxic cheapies will go away any time soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, if only I could find a wooden remote control car (with wooden, solar powered remote, of course). . .</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-46054588578238728262009-08-26T23:06:00.000-07:002009-08-26T23:29:55.811-07:00I'm Free!Free of amalgam fillings that is. <div><br /></div><div>Yes, they're all out. The last one came out on August 2 and the final permanent crown will go in this coming Sunday. Wahoo!<div><br /></div><div>I wish I could write more - but I'm feeling a little sleep-deprived and rightly so. I've begun chelating using the "<a href="http://noamalgam.com/">Cutler protocol</a>" - frequent, low-dose chelation. I'm taking a low dose of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimercaptosuccinic_acid">DMSA</a> every 3 to 4 hours, including at night. Tonight marks the end of two weeks of chelation and I'm going to keep up the continuous chelation for as long as I can. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many people using this protocol only chelate for about three or four days (around the clock) and then take an equal number of days off. The most compelling reasons I found to take days off between "rounds" of chelation were the possibility of feeling <i>worse</i> "on-round" and the need to get more sleep than a couple of 3 or 4 hour blocks each night.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am thrilled to find that I am a lucky one who does feel <b><i>better</i></b> on-round. And, I figure I'm a mother of two young children and a busy body who checks email and works on the co-op stuff until the wee hours anyway, I'm pretty used to getting very little sleep. The first few days of chelating, though, I hardly slept. I was too worried I'd miss the alarm and miss a dose (which requires, according to the Cutler Protocol, one to stop the "round" and wait several days before starting again).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I'm getting sleep in two 3 or 4 hour stretches a night, on a good night. It's not perfect, but it's not so bad either. I'm so anxious and excited to get this mercury cleared from my body as quickly, but safely, as I can, that I just don't want to stop. I know eventually, I'll be so tired, I <b><i>will</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> miss that alarm and sleep right through. For me, I think that will be the signal to stop this round and take a break.</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>For now, I'm off to take my next dose and embark on my first of two 4 hour (I hope!) stretches of sleep!</div><div><br /></div><div>More soon. . .</div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-90792149547414641342009-07-29T22:15:00.000-07:002009-07-29T22:48:31.823-07:00Six down, two to go<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">I have been plotting and scheming how to accomplish <u><a href="http://www.iaomt.org/articles/category_view.asp?intReleaseID=288&catid=30">safely having the toxic amalgam</a></u><a href="http://www.iaomt.org/articles/category_view.asp?intReleaseID=288&catid=30"> fillings taken out of my mouth </a>since we first received Big O and my <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8230299">urine porphyrins</a> test results in January 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have spent a lot of time researching mercury toxicity and amalgam dental fillings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have spent a lot of time learning about safe and unsafe methods of removal of mercury-containing dental amalgam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have spent a lot of time debating in my own scientific mind whether this was all a bunch of hoopla or if it was truly possible that the amalgam fillings that have been in my mouth since my childhood have been slowly emitting toxic mercury into my body over the years and that this amount of mercury was stealthily affecting my health.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has been upsetting me to think it was possible that the stores of mercury throughout my body were pulled into my womb, infiltrating my placenta and my growing baby’s tissues during my pregnancies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s been nagging at me that the dentist in Virginia that replaced an old amalgam while Big O was but a few-months-old-nursling was completely in compliance with currently accepted protocol in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><s>Stupidly </s>Naïvely, the only thing I thought to ask about was the anesthetic. This dentist assured me that not even the anesthetic would be problematic in my breastmilk, but that if I wanted to pump-and-dump between my appointment and feeding Big O next, this would be more than sufficient to protect my baby from any harm done during my dental visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>After learning what I’ve learned as a non-dental professional about mercury in amalgams, I have been in awe that it could even be possible that that dentist can truly be so naïve about the harm not only to my newborn breastfeeding baby, but to myself, with the reckless ADA-approved amalgam removal. (The FDA had added <a href="http://thesciencemom.blogspot.com/2009/06/it-has-been-too-long.html">a warning</a> to it’s website - which, by the way, has now been replaced with <a href="http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/default.htm">a much less direct and inconclusive notice</a> regarding a recent FDA decision.) </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And then, after a lot of curiosity and wondering, I learned more and I got <b>angry</b><span style="font-weight:normal">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Really, really angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is MERCURY we are talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mercury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As in <u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning">‘mad as a hatter’</a></u> mercury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As in brain damaging, <i>lethally toxic mercury</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And it is put it in children’s mouths in the form of amalgam fillings in the U.S. to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is a disgrace.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I cringe to think how often a new amalgam is placed in a child’s mouth each day in our country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I cringe to think of how often a new amalgam filling is placed in American’s mouths each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I cringe to think of how often an amalgam filling is improperly and unsafely removed each day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My mouth was full of them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My earliest memories of going to a dentist involve getting cavities drilled and filled. I used to get tense and grasp the arm rest on the chair, and stare at the lights on the ceiling while in the dentist’s chair – from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I remember having shavings and bits of metallic stuff stuck to my tongue and scratching my throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I remember swallowing little pieces as I tried not to gag during the procedures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As an adult, the fillings began to require replacement due to their age and more recently developed decay.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>During the first few replacements with dentists who took no amalgam removal precautions, before I knew enough, I can remember having large pieces of amalgam slide far back in my throat to inescapably be swallowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I would scream inside my head – suction!! suction!!!!!! please, suction back there!!!! But with hands and drills inside my mouth, no words, or even sounds, would actually be created and those toxic bits of metal slithered down to make their way through my GI tract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(At least I hope they made it <i>through</i><span style="font-style:normal"> and did not get </span><i>stuck</i><span style="font-style:normal"> somewhere in there along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve read one story of someone who had an amalgam stuck in their gall bladder, confirmed via x-ray.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> And, to think, I didn’t even realize or appreciate the atrocity of what was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Until now.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Six down, two to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Saturday will be the day that the final amalgam filling comes out and the only crown I currently have will be replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(The crown must be replaced because there is a very good chance that there is amalgam underneath it and to eliminate all metal from my mouth.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It has been taxing – a strain on my body and a drain on our budget – but I am so looking forward to being amalgam-free and beginning my chelation journey.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I hope to find time to write more about the actual amalgam removal process that I’ve been going through (with a<u> <a href="http://www.drdianolah.com/">wonderful holistic dentist</a></u>) and to certainly keep you posted on the mercury chelation/detoxification process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stay tuned.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-89749610126813685572009-07-14T16:41:00.001-07:002009-08-28T11:45:58.057-07:00Colorful observation<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlY8TQaD1Yl81d5ZBRlUII_RfUNxKr7eg1aBcnyT7MVIVDU_k5IxzklPyQjDWLiEmDOUgUxMJjN-kVQb_Nl_t_ufDvpqXWxoodB1ojGVr47o03W6Nu_hq4doaVNpzXd4edxgRd-F6s2Q/s1600-h/IMG_1253.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlY8TQaD1Yl81d5ZBRlUII_RfUNxKr7eg1aBcnyT7MVIVDU_k5IxzklPyQjDWLiEmDOUgUxMJjN-kVQb_Nl_t_ufDvpqXWxoodB1ojGVr47o03W6Nu_hq4doaVNpzXd4edxgRd-F6s2Q/s320/IMG_1253.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358821910431124130" /></a>Yesterday, the boys were coloring and I observed something very interesting. Little O seems to really notice that the coloring pages have outlines of distinct objects, individual parts to color. He's two and a half. He does not stay within the lines, per se, but he clearly tries to color objects on the page as if each is an individual entity.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Big O was never one to color 'within the lines' or to even notice that a coloring page was anything more than a blank canvas. This is something I love to observe when he colors - shear disregard for anyone else's impression of what <i>should</i> be. I embrace it and figure there is no need to interrupt his creativity to explain to him that the generally accepted "norm" is to color within the given lines. Why? Why do we feel so compelled to instruct children to color within the lines? It's not like I did not have the urge in the beginning to suggest he try staying in the lines, but for whatever reason, my intuition told me to stop and think about it before saying anything.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>There were times I had to really bite my tongue when I've heard someone make a comment to him, such as "Oh, you almost stayed in the lines" or "That's nice, but next time try to stay in the lines more." Most have been very polite and considerate in their attempts to teach Big O to conform to the conventional coloring page wisdom, which I do appreciate. In return, instead of requesting that the critics keep their coloring restrictions to themselves, I just try distracting Big O by asking him what color he was using or if he wanted some tape to hang up his masterpiece and encouraging him to keep coloring however he likes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Before today, I sort of figured Big O's coloring style was common among all young children until the 'coloring rules' are explained and the child learns otherwise. But yesterday, Little O's coloring inspired me to wonder a bit more about this. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I'm sure there are lots of ways to analyze this coloring observation and what it might mean or imply about the Os - their personalities, their artistic abilities, their intelligence, who knows what scientists of all sorts might say in this regard? The mother in me overrules the scientist in me on this one - she's cheering them both on and looking forward to watching their artistic sides continue to evolve with as little analysis and interruption as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy coloring, boys!</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_Yy3a4TuqJiANUxOi1UltVpMADa2jbEFB8EK3PqJQFnYPLaM9PpZhyphenhyphenXUcQUk7Glgard2jM-I_ZAyqeYsLZt7LgM7jkhHXoJdkmGppZ42b_10DZ_S3V82PCIM7NVeoB54-7qbjjnw040/s320/IMG_1256.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358827665912990018" /></div><div><br /></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-3136413035936989742009-07-09T01:16:00.000-07:002009-07-09T22:50:14.649-07:00Our Own Sauce<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06vAY7BAf_y6Lp16qf-eYSgSIuqi_PtGC69gshX05IIGfndyj69dzULGSVSOY-DVu5Zi66H3UdVghatlcioxsBmR_RnRxNJnVoQFfPzkhqIod6Aq3Cwdco0-xRSok_Vq3-MicRN2ICJg/s1600-h/IMG_1202.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06vAY7BAf_y6Lp16qf-eYSgSIuqi_PtGC69gshX05IIGfndyj69dzULGSVSOY-DVu5Zi66H3UdVghatlcioxsBmR_RnRxNJnVoQFfPzkhqIod6Aq3Cwdco0-xRSok_Vq3-MicRN2ICJg/s320/IMG_1202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356384228132261618" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">One evening, not long ago, Big O was helping cook supper when he looked at the label on a jar of spaghetti sauce (for GF spaghetti, of course. . .) and declared to me that if we had the items pictured on that label, that we could make our own sauce. I told him that we definitely could and that I hoped we would be able to make our own sauce from the tomatoes, garlic, basil, and onions that are growing in our own back yard. (Mushrooms - yeah, I'm gonna leave those to the experts and buy them at the store!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK_7PiBwoYbHe_18Cm4vrWnnQHFh1zy2mGEhMxCIwpg41CV-MG_xb38CjcCDaFuyL_kpiD3pTCKWVhnyuh6iGUW6ldsUK9H9ErtgXrXDU0VqW8nVPZ0c35Vkl0JqM1_DC725w1XpIof4/s200/IMG_1046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356624306404631282" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">He's been avidly watching the progress of our garden. He and Little O have enjoyed some sweet peas right off the vine lately. A small handful of pea pods a day for a while. They've also sampled the basil on numerous occasions, and harvested a few cucumbers and a couple of daikon radishes. (They weren't too keen on the daikon radish - I'll be curious to see what these radishes taste like after <a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/lacto.html">fermenting</a> for a while.)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RcSyZA9HyZEFiCoQeQQVeRNlMtisciC6OpaOK9ijiG4zD9bghUBcrgspi8dZiVyfvv2xOTShtV6TFzmzxpKUmb87fBSj_Cydr2I-OPZN-Z36XVLupKa8LxxeYH2V74b7YxoR7_B93t0/s200/IMG_0948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356635585170907218" /><div style="text-align: justify;">Not long ago, tomatoes began to appear on our tomato plants, small and green at first. Some of the pear tomatoes began to ripen, turning yellow and bursting with juicy flavor. The mariglobe and jubilee tomatoes were still green, but getting larger every day. Big O saw these bigger, rounder green tomatoes begin to take on a little bit of and orangy-red hue and got very excited. He exclaimed that soon we'd be able to make our own sauce!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaT1h3jIizB6dNwWeR_IVB8m-SvNO4uyv6C0FjIMM7icVx0BsAa9Gcg0j1nRXpDgjjyxUk8qfP1HHCeAVX89bmN-hC9BYmd9zG3imgzVht6nE9PLbvf8XQdGKi-UGaXQHuY55Fhn1f-w/s200/IMG_1180.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356631646781899810" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last night, I was watering the garden after the Os had gone to sleep and I picked our first three marglobe heirloom tomatoes. I should've waited to let the boys pick them, but I just couldn't wait! They looked so inviting and delicious! There are dozens (if not hundreds?) more plump tomatoes in various shades of green, yellow, and reddish-orangish-pink, so the boys will have plenty to pick, too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though the smaller tomato did not last long, I've managed to hold back from devouring the other two just yet. Another day or two on the vine might have been in order (I always get overly-eager with the first few ripe tomatoes of the season!), so they'll be on the window sill for a short spell.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We've still got plenty of fresh basil growing. As for the garlic and onion. . . I am pretty sure we planted these way too late in the spring - and I'm not sure how productive these will turn out to be. But maybe I can get some organic, local (as in, within <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Altadena-CA/55793960852">Altadena</a>!) garlic and onion by swapping some of our home grown goods within our <a target="blank" href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/COFEAltadena/">neighborhood produce exchange group</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, unlike what Big O saw on the label of the jar of sauce, we'll need a few more than two tomatoes. My prediction is that we'll be making our homemade sauce for gluten-free spaghetti by month's end . . . if we can manage to not gobble up all the tomatoes straight from the vine!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-44945963377622302892009-06-16T21:44:00.000-07:002009-09-09T22:31:11.377-07:00What will you vote for?Have you heard of this movie - <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a target="blank" href="http://www.foodincmovie.com/">Food, Inc</a></span>.? I haven't seen the film yet, but hope to do so soon.<br /><br />Watch the movie’s trailer. If you do nothing else with regard to your food choices, please consider stopping for a moment and thinking about the food you are eating each day. Do you ever wonder where it came from? Meat does not magically appear in the refrigerated shelves of the grocery store in organized cellophane-wrapped packages filled with special gasses to make it look "fresh." Fruits and vegetables might travel fifty miles to your grocery store, or five thousand miles. There's a story behind each piece of produce and each package of meat.<br /><br />When you give your child (or yourself!) a bowlful of conventionally grown blueberries – do you know that you’re not only giving them one of their five or more servings of fresh produce a day? Those conventionally grown blueberries are also providing our precious little ones with residue from 48 different pesticides. How about residue from 52 different pesticides on that juicy peach that was not organically grown? What about the effects these chemicals have on our environment and eco-system? Have a look the <a target="blank" href="http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/">"What's on My Food"</a> website.<br /><br />A while back, the U.S. government commissioned a committee to study the effects of pesticides in the diets of infants and children. This committee issued a <a target="blank" href="http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=2126&page=R1">document</a> in which they state that children’s bodies, not surprisingly, process these toxins differently than adults and that they believe more studies should be done specifically on the exposure of children to these toxins.<br /><br />If you’re an omnivore, do you ever think about the animal that was harvested for your meal? Should it matter how it was raised? If it was given chemicals (hormones, antibiotics, etc.)? If it was fed food that was genetically modified, pesticide-laden, and not what it would normally eat in it’s natural environment? If it never saw sunlight? If it was confined to a small space barely the size of its own body? If it lived it’s life standing knee deep (or higher) in manure sludge? Would any of those things affect your decision about which conveniently packaged piece of meat to purchase? <div><br /></div><div>Perhaps these things wouldn't matter for some people - of course opinions will vary. To me, the significant step is taking a moment to think about these issues and decide what one is comfortable with in regard to food production and acquisition.<br /><br />An interesting thing to keep in mind is that the money we spend on food is essentially equivalent to a vote for the kind of food we want to keep in demand in our country. You are 'voting' every time you purchase a food item.<br /><br /></div><div>I'm working toward voting more frequently for sustainable, local production of earth-conscious, whole, fresh produce and humanely, sustainably raised animal products. I try to vote for fairly traded, worker- and environment-friendly coffee, chocolate, and other imported food items. I hope these votes will support local farmers and stimulate the local economy. I vote to feed my family fewer toxins.<br /><br />It’s not easy in our society – we have to take extra steps and spend a little extra money to make this kind of a statement and vote for these kinds of foods. The two conventional grocery stores that are about a mile from my house do not carry much in the way of organic produce and there’s not a speck of humanely, sustainably raised meat in either place.<br /><br />There’s a specialty organic, vegetarian store about a mile away also, but they aren’t open all the convenient hours of a traditional store and we are omnivores, so this shop cannot fulfill all our grocery needs. There’s a farmers’ market almost any day of the week within a few miles’ radius of us, but of course, their hours are also limited and navigating the crowded booths and tents with the Os in tow is sometimes quite tiresome.<br /><br />So, yes, it can be a bit less convenient to obtain sustainable, whole, real foods, and sometimes I have to pay a bit more than I would for “conventional” foods. And, I’m <span style="font-style:italic;"><b>not</b><b><span></span></b></span><b> </b>perfectly consistent about it yet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some days I just cannot find a way to make it to one of the stores that offers more natural and environmentally friendly food choices. I sometimes cringe when I find myself meandering the aisles of one of the more conventional stores. Not necessarily because so many of the offerings that line the aisles are called “food” but are filled with artificial flavors and artificial colorings, preservatives, and in other ways highly processed (but that’s certainly part of it). I know that even just the few dollars I’m spending on a couple things to ‘get me through’ until I can shop in a more sustainability-minded store is sending a message that I wish it did not send.<br /><br />Hoping to help solve my own conundrum and to promote shopping for sustainable foods, I’ve spent the past one and a half years helping out on a <a target="blank" href="http://www.altadenawantsacoop.com/">committee</a> that is researching the feasibility of creating a cooperative grocery in my area. Our store will be community owned and focus on supporting our local economy and offering sustainable and practical choices. It will still be a while before our store becomes a reality. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the mean time, I am trying to shop at farmers’ markets more often, to order more items in bulk through local buyer’s clubs, and to depend less on the conventional stores. When I have extra from our garden, I like to participate in a community <a target="blank" href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/COFEAltadena/">home-grown produce exchange group</a>. Recently, I went in on an order for half of a grass-fed, free range, sustainably, and <a target="blank" href="http://www.chaffinfamilyorchards.com/">humanely raised cow</a> with two other families and have a freezer full of beef that will last the summer, and perhaps into the fall.<br /><br />There are options. The more we vote for sustainable crops and humanely, sustainably produced animal products in our food system, the more we will increase the demand and lower the costs of obtaining these items.<br /><br />It’s all about taking a moment to stop and think about what food means to each of us, possibly altering some perceptions about what convenience really is, and considering what we want to say with our food votes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br />More information:<br /><a target="blank" href="http://www.foodincmovie.com/">Food, Inc. – the movie</a><br /><a target="blank" href="http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/">What's on My Food</a> - Pesticide Action Network<br /><a target="blank" href="http://www.michaelpollan.com/omnivore.php">The Omnivore’s Dilemma</a> by Michael Pollan<br /><a target="blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Nation-Dark-All-American/dp/0060938455">Fast Food Nation</a> by Eric Schlosser<br /><a target="blank" href="http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=2126&page=R1">Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children</a> - Committee on Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children, Board on Agriculture and Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council<br /><a target="blank" href="http://www.themeatrix.com/">The Meatrix movies (I, II, II½) </a><br /><a target="blank" href="http://www.freerangestudios.com/index.php?option=com_portfolio&view=project&id=36&Itemid=58&ls=0">Store Wars</a></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-60581603113177691692009-06-16T02:01:00.000-07:002009-08-28T11:50:08.812-07:00It has been too long. . .<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Too long since I've posted here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And too long that I have had a <a target="blank" href="http://iaomt.org/videos/">toxic substance</a> slowly leeching into my body every second of every minute of every hour of every day since my early childhood.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What was to be a short, new post to say hello and express my happiness over the way things are progressing on the amalgam removal process (starting on Monday!), quickly became a page full of babbling about not only my personal issues with mercury, but also about the overall travesty that is still going on in our country with the use of <a target="blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_amalgam">dental amalgams</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And that was only the introduction to my proposed new blog entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, I decided to put that one on a back-burner for another few days to let myself "simmah down" a little before returning to write more on my little amalgam<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"> <!--StartFragment--><span style="Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-USfont-family:";font-size:12.0pt;"><s>rant</s> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;">story. When I can approach the topic again with less fury, I will try to present a somewhat articulate position on the dental amalgam safety debate.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For now - have a look at the FDA's <a target="blank" href="http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgams/default.htm">"Questions and Answers on Dental Amalgam"</a> page updated on May 1, 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Even the FDA states:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses. When amalgam fillings are placed in teeth or removed from teeth, they release mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is also released during chewing.</blockquote><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And - did the FDA really pose this question - <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>(5) What is the current exposure to mercury for patients? For professionals? What would be the reduction in exposure associated with the use of alternative materials?</blockquote><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">to be addressed for their "future analysis of benefits and costs" regarding the regulation of the use of dental amalgams?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My answers would be, in this order, TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH, and unless I'm missing something, the reduction would be, uh, I don't know, 100%. . . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do make at least one assumption in answering that third part of the question - that the "alernative materials" do, in fact, not contain mercury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course, as long as there are people with amalgam fillings, they will be continually exposed to the <a target="blank" href="http://iaomt.org/videos/">vapors</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As long as people with amalgam fillings go to the dentist (and/or are the dentist), <a target="blank" href="http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1994/pdf/1994-v09n02-p075.pdf">dental professionals</a> will also be at risk for exposure.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Alrighty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I've been up too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It's getting early (it is well-past "late"), I better get some rest before the Os wake up in a few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More to come. . .</p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-27568418124432180602009-05-27T21:57:00.000-07:002009-06-16T23:59:04.841-07:00Mondays, migraines, and mercury<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6MjSWYtiLJhpt3YMxeaBerghnzMhCVoGTCkTXVJs4QUbY9JUdxIvg84LIr7tZMrvFvWKT_SPq9whDpr2VU9UAI30oh4VmUpJ3zouzCjRjGS9XyM98Q3ucjbj2fhP0HwsGkJAmkygK8k/s1600-h/IMG_0621.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6MjSWYtiLJhpt3YMxeaBerghnzMhCVoGTCkTXVJs4QUbY9JUdxIvg84LIr7tZMrvFvWKT_SPq9whDpr2VU9UAI30oh4VmUpJ3zouzCjRjGS9XyM98Q3ucjbj2fhP0HwsGkJAmkygK8k/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340745258623331570" /></a><br />The past two weeks have been a bit quiet here at The Science Mom and you may have noticed that I've missed two of the proposed regular weekly posts - originally the "Sunday Surprise," later the "Monday Surprise." I wish I could say we've been at the beach the last few weeks, but the truth is that the last two Mondays were not so great for me - migraine the Monday before last and something strange going on this past Monday.<div><br /></div><div>The migraine last Monday was surely brought on by a night of mostly-care free dining. Friends wanted to take us to dinner to celebrate that the Professor is now a tenured member of the faculty (yay!). I decided to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">only </span>worry about gluten, keep it simple (ha ha), and try to enjoy the evening out. </div><div><br /></div><div>I truly <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">did</span> enjoy the evening out. The food was fabulous - a yummy tomato/basil/mozzarella salad, a tasty filet with casein- and egg-laden accompaniments, fine wine, and good company. It truly was wonderful to be out with good friends and enjoy a meal without <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">thoroughly</span> grilling the server and/or chef. I give lots of kudos to our server and the chef that night for seeming to be quite well-versed in all things gluten. I don't think I'll "let loose" like that again any time soon on account of the repercussions I experienced, but it was a lovely evening.</div><div><br /></div><div>I could go on and on with my theories of what in the world was going on this recent Monday. I first thought I was still getting over the migraine and having a little added fatigue from Little O's late night/early morning wakings twice this weekend. I was fatigued. Very sensitive to light. Having a hard time keeping a train of thought going. </div><div><br /></div><div>I started to think maybe it was viral as it felt as though a cold sore was coming on. (Interesting observation: the other times I've had a casein "infraction" in the past year or so, one of the repercussions has been getting a cold-sore - as though it taxes my immune system in a way that allows the virus to emerge again.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Taking some lysine and Olive Leaf Extract seemed to be helping, so I'm thinking the latter hypothesis is a more reasonable candidate.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can say that I don't even have to look at the clock to know when I need to take my next dose, I start feeling badly - tired, brain fog, grumpy - and the tingling of the emerging cold sore comes back. I can't thank the parents at the various autism/bio-med Yahoo! groups enough. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Os are not on the autistic spectrum, but some of Big O's digestive issues and our mercury issues have led me to these groups and those parents are brave, smart, and caring. They openly and generously share their personal experiences (both positive and not so positive) with the various biomedical and natural remedies out there. Without their collective help, I would never have thought to look to Olive Leaf Extract and Lysine for helping my body beat down a virus. Shoot, I'd have never even agreed to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">try</span> these things without seeing such extensive anecdotal evidence produced by these families. Thankfully, here I am, trying it out, and experiencing results!</div><div><br /></div><div>But, there's this other pesky little thing lingering in my head - quite literally in fact - mercury. It's in my mouth - lots of it. It's in my body according to a urine porphyrins test. It's in at least Big O's body (also determined via urine porphyrins testing) and I'm fairly sure if we tested Little O we'd see his body has some, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>It makes me sad, angry, frustrated, worried. The Professor and I want to have more children, but there's part of me that just cannot enter another pregnancy with so much mercury in my body. Thankfully, the Os are truly amazingly healthy and happy little boys. They are intelligent, kind, rambunctious, energetic, adorable, handsome, special people. They are. I know this and am grateful.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, there are little things that I am certain can at least, in part, be blamed on the mercury. It's nearly impossible for me to articulate and every time I consider trying, I realize how trivial most parents would think my concerns to be. I realize this. I do. But I also <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">know</span> there are things mercury is doing to their (and my) bodies that are less than ideal. It's that whole mother's intuition tainted by science thing again...</div><div><br /></div><div>The thing is, I am on the cusp of having the opportunity to have my amalgams removed finally and to begin chelating myself, and hopefully at least Big O. It's an expensive endeavor - both in terms of money and in terms of health. (It is truly unfortunate that children are still burdened with these mercury laden dental fillings.) It should, and I believe will, ultimately result in better health. But, it can be a tough road. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have this constant battle in my head about the next baby. The Professor points to our two perfect little boys and wonders why I am concerned about having another before removing amalgams and chelating. Sometimes I wonder, too. But, the bottom line is that in my heart and way down deep, I know I know too much now. No, we aren't getting any younger and I realize that as I push closer to 40 before having another baby our risk of issues like Down's syndrome and other chromosomal conditions increases. But, I also want to be happy about being pregnant. Enjoy it. Savor it. I want to enjoy breastfeeding again. Relish in providing my baby with the most natural, healthy nourishment intended just for her (yes, of course I'd love to add a girl to our brood!). But, as long as there is mercury running rampant in my body, I will have an underlying degree of guilt and concern throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. </div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from that, mercury toxicity can manifest in many ways and can take a slow toll over time. Who knows how my health might be in two or three years? If I got pregnant this month, I would not be able to have my amalgams removed and chelate until I'm finished breastfeeding. That could be at least two, probably three or more years. By then, maybe my health would really decline, who knows?</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I'm at peace with taking a year off from trying to have another baby to get myself to at least a lighter mercury load. I'll be 38 this year in November. If I get amalgams out and chelation under way by, say, June, I might be in position to work on getting pregnant again by next June or July. Yes, our chances of certain complications will increase over the next year. But I still think the benefits of removing the mercury from my body before getting pregnant again outweigh the risks of not getting the mercury out before getting pregnant again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps the weekly "surprise" post will now evolve into the random update on our mercury eradication process. . . . <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-10657708316626210722009-05-17T22:07:00.000-07:002009-06-11T21:53:47.589-07:00An experiment - GF/CF/SF/EF Shepherd's Pie<div><br /></div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIxss2Y8klc8qiIXiZhl2bjr-xnYYpaw_4gkOBfrYYaZC960MH_JS9kj92c-n1aXtPj2Qez9wUA843utlTPIZqiVXF_Jf6OqWNuR6nG8p852VkcY_xz6hjTOoWP3BwGMW0T0RsKuUAgQ/s320/IMG_0765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337028218755613058" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIxss2Y8klc8qiIXiZhl2bjr-xnYYpaw_4gkOBfrYYaZC960MH_JS9kj92c-n1aXtPj2Qez9wUA843utlTPIZqiVXF_Jf6OqWNuR6nG8p852VkcY_xz6hjTOoWP3BwGMW0T0RsKuUAgQ/s1600-h/IMG_0765.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></div>I had not envisioned doing much talk about cooking on this blog. I do a lot of it and I usually enjoy it, but I'm no cooking expert. I wish I had more time to devote to cooking, but I suppose I could make that if I were to give up time spent doing some other things (like trying to write a blog entry now and then...). =)<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Anyway, though I do not expect to be posting "our food" here very often, I sometimes wonder why people feel badly or sad for us when they find out what we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">do not</span> eat. The only time it really gets 'in the way' is when we try to eat out, which of course is such a big part of American life. But I try to not focus on what we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">cannot</span> eat, and think in terms of what we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">can</span></span> eat. It's a lot easier that way, and seems more positive for the Os as they grow up with our diet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>If I were to be honest, I do miss cheese. I do not miss other dairy products really, just cheese. And I have indulged in cheese on occasion the couple of months. Probably three times. No, it was probably four. I have to say, it only lived up to my expectations, my memory of what it was like to enjoy cheese, one of those times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">wish</span> we could eat eggs. It would make gluten-free baking a lot easier and they are such a great source of protein and many other good things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>But, the truth is that I have very little desire to go back to eating gluten, milk/casein, soy, or eggs because I have seen the benefits and improvements in myself and my children. And, more significantly, I have seen the setbacks and discomforts after an infraction. My ears are still stuffy and 'bubbly' sounding, I have been tired and grumpier than usual after the last cheese indulgences (two of those aforementioned incidents were in the past few days). Oh, and, yeah, the bowels have noticed, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>I digress. Sometimes I think people really wonder exactly <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">what</span> we eat - as if it were some strange gruel that our food choices have been reduced to. It is simple, but it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">not</span> gruel. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fruits, vegetables, chicken, beef, pork, sometimes fish, home made baked treats, rice bread, rice or corn based cereals, coconut milk ice cream. . . various combinations of the above and other items like cocoa/chocolate, corn chips, potato chips, guacamole, salsa, hummus, rice crackers, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">etc</span>. We chose to buy organic and/or sustainable products as much as possible and I am continually seeking out ways to affordably acquire humanely raised and organic meats.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Supper can be as simple as bun-free burgers with roasted rosemary potatoes and raw carrot sticks. Or, on days when I get a little more creative with the meat, potatoes, onions, fresh carrots, and frozen peas, I experiment with things like Shepherd's Pie. I used the chicken left over from the previous night's roasted chicken. I got the potatoes into boiling water and then saut<span style="Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">é</span></span>ed the onions and carrots a bit, added in some home made chicken stock (<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';">à<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"> la <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735">Nourishing Traditions</a>) that was in my freezer, and stirred in some potato starch to thicken. I added in the frozen peas and chicken and poured the concoction into a casserole dish. The potatoes were mashed with olive oil, coconut milk, garlic, and salt, then spread on top. I baked the whole thing a short while and served. It wasn't bad for gruel.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX90qzsl79V19bqvJghzYey5YJ-9DdavvLs0EKB1GG3JnOUTrGfkbb3Hqw8mGoOWpAzw79aTX96_aHRf-JHfMbD5BfN9e_RfE_sJR_qe2vX447f7ed6tgkiMm26C_ekTm3CSKRTEOvP8/s320/IMG_0770.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337047548593777202" /><div><br /></div><!--StartFragment-->Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-11096745801895345112009-05-10T22:01:00.001-07:002009-06-11T21:54:36.181-07:00Monday Surprise . . . . #1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQBodFuV6kSly5Be4KcoZvAqcR-tUMA_GMM2GVkD_0xRVTMTHoByugPDzEgggNMF3WawGdbMRs39naf3IG_DB_BHWCAzkL-TLGkEuJFyz-AbY6fNfLw9EZjVryAM-DG7xREv5KkMQ3d0/s1600-h/IMG_0870.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQBodFuV6kSly5Be4KcoZvAqcR-tUMA_GMM2GVkD_0xRVTMTHoByugPDzEgggNMF3WawGdbMRs39naf3IG_DB_BHWCAzkL-TLGkEuJFyz-AbY6fNfLw9EZjVryAM-DG7xREv5KkMQ3d0/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335163849138660818" /></a><br />It's official. . . The weekly surprise feature is moving to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mondays</span> (shhhh. . . don't tell me - as long as I think of it as the Sunday Surprise, I'll surely be able to get one posted by Monday!).<div><br /></div><div>I hope all the mommies and "like-a-mom" women out there had a lovely weekend and Mother's Day! I am sure a lot of moms out there are receiving lovely gifts from their children and spouses. My guess is that some of these gifts are for pampering Mom - day at the spa/salon, lotion/shower gel gift baskets, and other beauty products. This was my inspiration for today's Sunday Surprise - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">skin care and beauty products</span></span>.<div><br /></div><div>When I first found I was responding to being gluten-free, I was surprised and a bit disappointed, but it was also serendipitous because I was beginning to feel differently than I had felt in at least my adult life. And it was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">wonderful</span>! It was as if I found out what it was like to feel "good" - what "normal" must feel like for others. </div><div><br /></div><div>Though I was enjoying this new aspect of my life, I was not looking forward to the burden that I thought adding GF to our already CF/SF/EF (and at that time corn-free) diet would impose. That said, I was willing to do whatever I needed to do to comply with the diet, because the return was so great on my investment.</div><div><br /></div><div>The one thing I chose to not believe in the beginning of this journey was that gluten (or our other problematic foods) in topical products like shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics could actually be a problem. I had read both sides of the story. The "Mother warriors" and devout adult GF'ers were saying that gluten in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">ANY</span> thing that comes in contact with the body (via ingestion or topically) was a problem. The mainstream medical sources were saying that gluten was only a problem in items that are ingested and the only concern for topical gluten exposure was for small children who might stick fingers in their mouths after topical exposure, or perhaps, ingest enough by putting their mouth on mom or dad who had used a topical gluten-containing product.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the beginning, I sided with the mainstream medical viewpoint, probably mostly because I wanted/needed to in order to not feel overwhelmed with the process of eliminating gluten from my life. Now I know that those who wrote the mainstream medical viewpoints I had come across were not, in fact, themselves gluten-intolerant. Otherwise, they'd have known that using a topical product that contains gluten <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">does</span></span> cause problems for a gluten-intolerant person.</div><div><br /></div><div>I saw my hairstylist shortly after having gone gluten-free and I did not even think twice about the products she would use. I only indulge in a hair cut once in a while and I was just really looking forward to escaping into a different world for a little while and emerging transformed and feeling glamorous - if only for a few hours before returning to the mommy zone. I distinctly remember feeling dazed and overly exhausted for a couple days after that visit. </div><div><br /></div><div>After that visit, I decided to take a look at my own products at home. I wondered if it were possible that some of my topical products were the culprit of my being "glutened" rather than my food. My shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were all free of our irritating foods (gluten, milk/casein, soy, and egg) already. That was good! But, a couple of the hand soaps in our house were not free of our allergens and some of my cosmetics seemed to have questionable ingredients. After phasing these things out, I did notice a difference - I was feeling "glutened" less! </div><div><br /></div><div>A few months later, I went back for a hair cut, this time armed with the list of allergen-containing products from Aveda. (Kudos! to <a href="http://www.aveda.com/">Aveda</a>, by the way. I emailed with my query about gluten in their products and they quickly responded with a list that detailed a variety of allergens present in their products.) My fabulous stylist used only "safe" products and, well, wouldn't you know it, not only did I feel glamorous when I left, but I did not experience the "down" I'd felt after the last haircut. </div><div><br /></div><div>Every once in a while, after being out and washing my hands in public bathrooms using whatever soap is made available, I start to feel junkie again. Sure, it could be something sneaky in the food at the restaurant rather than the soap in their bathroom, but I will never know. So, for me, when it comes to getting glutened (or "caseined," "egged," or "soyed"), I say better safe than sorry! I'll tend to believe the non-mainstream medical view and live without gluten, milk/casein, soy, or egg in ny topical health and beauty products!</div><div><br /></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-47167959587300084542009-05-05T22:53:00.001-07:002009-07-09T22:53:02.449-07:00Dabbling in self-sustainability. . .<img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW22WHYfxdx9e4aUh4ACQfQU7ZBPY5uEGIXgOtQDujJvl1TXesYuRS_l-32CAtdRJKAhZ63qnr0fxNVgzgq1lL3uuwWFnv8Jr04bGMB1wmo3AjErtDMxnN3y9iCGdmEDZNMCA8omiZVT4/s320/IMG_0795.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332585358576801282" />Last year, we started backyard gardening. It was more of an experiment, with our primary focus on providing the Os with a fun, outdoor learning experience. Whatever produce we were able to harvest would have been CF icing on the GF/CF/SF/EF cake. Thanks to poor location choice for planting many of the seedlings and seeds and most frustratingly, our local zucchini bandits, we did not get any real harvest from our garden last summer. You can read more about our 2008 gardening adventures in the <a target="blank" href="http://www.theorangecat.org/archive/20090410.html">April 10 edition</a> of the Orange Cat.<div><br /><div><div>In the course of the past year, I have become intrigued with the concept of urban farming and have realized the significance of working toward being more self-sustainable. I'm not interested in urban farming as a money-making endeavor, though that is an intriguing idea. It's hardly feasible in our yard which is mostly shaded by very old (but beautiful!) oak trees for a good potion of the day. There are only a few patches of our yard that receive, at best, six to eight hours of sunlight on any given day. Not to mention my novice gardening skills.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4cg6_uQDMX7eWEpQPD2QbLRctL2VtvZqvD1CPPR8ZzqAy5sM9CUDLrC1RcQpjhCeyBRDVnBhzGvEGdkjMKRl99iRz-JmOUIjJfFmPCPl1XSnZ9Zjm3RzoUvOtlEk1KU8H85AKruBqBs/s320/IMG_0788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332730695494574498" /><div>This summer, we are using the backyard garden as a fun and natural learning experiment again. But, we are expanding on that experiment to include more focus on actually generating fruits and vegetables to help reduce our dependence on produce from other parts of the country and from other countries. Thanks to the climate in Southern California, I expect we'll be able to enjoy some fall and winter crops as well.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YVjtU_R2RgR4a9nLZ-4QwIi69xHYkyei1b95yzZmmvaIEc5JVuw2HmqnPpwkHc0ERRJM5G0olhSSRAIWb-tQzkq9lA4LJW5mvMeSdrxsPdjMno7QnSp0xAtz57RkDalnvXcFcxv0ptk/s320/IMG_0786.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332734041396641826" /><div>To date, we have already enjoyed about 4 or 5 strawberries from our strawberry plant from the farmers' market. Some day, I hope to create a little in-ground strawberry patch and have a larger harvest of one of the Os' favorite fruits. We've also enjoyed one salad with a couple of handfuls of mesculin mix from the back yard garden and some dandelion greens.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEnCB0i2P6WU29IHWNU-9L9Fy5W2URQ7e71qxU2SUp-RX0cFrOXIRBHkonE8pI_d3CffWTc5lmDxart3kf7bN1tepWfTVz7XbAMQLnajcqX6rKYthxEzqAeKz-dtouIi0u3-XI-iZhyphenhyphenE/s320/IMG_0228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332735449880398914" /><div>It's still early in the season, but our observations to date indicate that we may be on the right track for a successful harvest this year. If we can stave off the <a target="blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon">zucchini bandits</a> and other <a target="blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squirrel">four-legged thieves</a>, we might even have enough harvest to share some with our neighbors and to preserve some to enjoy later in the year.</div></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-35055589066942167832009-05-04T23:21:00.000-07:002009-05-05T00:00:43.668-07:00Sunday (well, Monday) Surprise, #3<p class="MsoNormal">Once again, I’m late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This time, really late!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Perhaps I should change weekly “surprise” entry to Monday, maybe even Tuesday, Surprise?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll do better next Sunday, I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Really. . .<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So, recently I’ve been trying to track down the sneaky source of gluten, or one of our other allergens, that has sent Little O in to a <a href="http://thesciencemom.blogspot.com/2009/04/arrggh-gluten-or-was-it-casein-maybe-it.html">downward spiral</a> of dermatitis of some kind and a few other of his “glutened” symptoms. </p><p class="MsoNormal">We have eaten out more than usual in the last two or three weeks, enhancing our chances of exposure to one of our problematic foods, And, I have to admit, there is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">something</span> I often let myself overlook, for the convenience of getting to eat out, despite <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">knowing better</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-x7ccHEnpK9_3LlFMSPXLOUBity7RrTZj5zdXZIm9wqtqOSDbm01l8yFBAIe-m2kZs5eQJPsxJRZsy6C6QqRKRZZgOL3NHkcC8EfoGp5h2_ZbnFzhptXN-VueayyvfiU3_HynzrHSoLQ/s200/IMG_0775.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332226033890128098" /><p class="MsoNormal">The oil used in deep fryers at restaurants is rarely gluten free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That means that items like fries and corn tortilla chips, which one thinks ought to be gluten free, may in fact be cross-contaminated by having co-mingled in oil that has flirted with gluten, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Also note, fries are sometimes coated or seasoned, which can introduce gluten aside from what might be in the frying oil.)<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Honestly, when we first went gluten free, I did not believe (or, perhaps more correctly, did not want to believe) that something so seemingly minor as frying in the same oil as a gluten-containing food could cause enough “cross-contamination” to bother a gluten-intolerant person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’d read about it in various discussion forums on the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I just didn’t (want to) believe it would pertain to me or my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I thought people were being overly dramatic somehow or parents were just misinterpreting their children’s reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Really, how could some remnants of high temperature deep fat fried food really cause a problem for my gluten-free items fried in the same oil?</p><p class="MsoNormal">Yet, I can still vividly recall the day I realized that “glutened” deep fryer oil did, in fact, result in problems for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had added gluten-free to our list of eliminated foods in January 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In April of that year, we embarked on our first camping trip with the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">On the way to the campground, we stopped in at a Jack In The Box restaurant (no, I’m not proud of that) and the boys and I ordered fries to go with our home made sandwiches and the fruit we brought with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At this point in our lives, I would have been perfectly happy to not have ordered anything for the boys and myself, but we were still transitioning and for Big O, having some fries seemed like such a big treat that it was nice to indulge him once in a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Well, the first night camping, Little O was a complete wreck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One might say that he was having a hard time sleeping because of the new surroundings, sleeping in a tent for the first time, the cold dampness at night, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, my intuition knew better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> This kid is so easy going and adapts to any new environment with ease, especially if Big O and I are there with him. No, </span>I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">knew</span> there was something going on internally, in his GI tract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Backing up my intuition were the facts that 1) Big O did not have a bowel movement the whole camping trip and was experiencing his “urgent” pee incidents and accidents, and 2) I was a bit more tired and irritable than usual.</p><p class="MsoNormal">What I can say is that this was a turning point for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I stopped trusting any fried restaurant food, a</span>nd until recently the boys and I have not had any fried restaurant food except for the occasional order of fries from In-N-Out burger because I know the only thing that goes in their fryers are potatoes.</p><p class="MsoNormal">And, don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is not a complaint.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have no desire to eat typical ‘fast food’ ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">not</span> food by any stretch of the imagination. I do long for a convenient way to get whole, real, nourishing foods in a quick and affordable way, but I do not desire to eat typical American fast food ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In fact, there are not many affordable, family-friendly restaurants that I like to eat food at anymore really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In our society and culture, it is hard to avoid the convenience of eating out and with young children, dietary restrictions, and a tight budget, our choices for eating out are limited (until I open my restaurant, that is…. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">some day</span>…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh, there I go digressing again…</p><p class="MsoNormal">A long story made short – today’s <s>Sunday</s> Monday Surprise is that fried foods <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">can</span> elicit gluten reactions. I'm guessing all the corn tortilla chips and crispy tacos at the Mexican restaurant we've eaten at several times this past month may have sparked Little O's rash and all of our irritability and, shall we say, slower GI tracts.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Of course, many a fried food is dredged in flour, batter, and/or coated before frying – that’s generally an overt gluten clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What I’m talking about is foods that would otherwise not be considered to contain gluten, such as corn tortilla chips or potato fries, which are fried in oil that has been used to fry gluten-flour dredged/battered/coated foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Some restaurants claim their fries to be gluten free (as many fast food restaurants do) and some will say that the fries are gluten-free but that the oil is shared with gluten-containing foods. I think it is safe to assume that any restaurant fryer used for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">both</span></span> gluten-containing foods and “gluten-free” foods, such that no fried restaurant food is truly “safe” for a gluten-intolerant unless the restaurant can confirm they use a dedicated gluten-free fryer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w6qVIBPEjpebEUUm0UompIScJTZXGqx0dumH1gZhLS1jptsnwvYoL8ZOCUU0Tk5UYgD7_pvG-6jVqldqzdozUUdrtwQyagyNXoO1cu4DnA-C-bGhT2vRhs6p1BnLdufMMA-2C_ollGg/s320/IMG_4732_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332222024028290290" /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Guess the boys and I will stick to our occasional indulgence in the fries from In-N-Out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I’ll continue to bring our own bun-free burgers and fermented organic catsup. Now, if only they’d start using organic potatoes and expeller-pressed oil. . .</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-32203536911467633782009-04-26T22:40:00.000-07:002009-04-27T10:31:52.780-07:00Sunday Surprise - #2So, once again, it's rather late, but it's still Sunday! Today's been a surprise in and of itself around here. We've spent the bulk of the day in a very unexpected way and we're all exhausted. I think I will keep things very short and sweet this week. (Hard to believe I can actually keep an entry short, but here goes. . .)<div><br /></div><div>One might be surprised to know that the term "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">non-dairy</span>" does <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> necessarily mean that the item does not contain any dairy components. Unfortunately, the term "non-dairy" was long ago hijacked by the food industry to describe items which did not contain lactose, a milk sugar. For many of us, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">milk proteins</span></span> such as casein and whey are the more problematic components of dairy, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">not </span>lactose. </div><div><br /></div><div>Most non-dairy creamers, cheese products, yogurts, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">etc.,</span> that I have seen are not fully free of dairy/milk components. They often contain milk protein(s) such as casein and/or whey. </div><div><br /></div><div>I imagine that some people who decide to do a trial of a dairy-free diet (for themselves and/or their child) may not realize that non-dairy does not necessarily equate to dairy-free or milk-free or casein-free. When they do not notice a change for the better, they may erroneously conclude that dairy was not the culprit behind the symptoms they were hoping to resolve by going dairy-free. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also know a lot of well-meaning and very considerate parents who have wanted to offer my children a dairy-free alternative at birthday parties or other gatherings, but have ended up offering a "non-dairy" item that is not free of milk protein. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, if you are trying to eliminate dairy or are kindly trying to accommodate a friend's casein/milk-free diet - beware the misleading term "non-dairy." It would not be a surprise to find casein, whey, or other milk proteins in a product labeled non-dairy. </div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-121879515327468212.post-28297337503080889552009-04-21T22:14:00.001-07:002009-04-28T11:19:54.375-07:00Arrggh! Gluten! Or was it casein? Maybe it was soy.<p class="MsoPlainText">Maybe it was a combination, I have no clue right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What I do know is that I'm tired and I'm grumpy. Not the best way to start a post.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText">But, I hope to help people understand why I won't give in to just a little bite of this or a tiny smidge of that when it comes to our dietary modifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Why I won't just "indulge" once in a while. </span>Some people have even rolled their eyes at me over this issue, particularly as it relates to the Os.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I get the sense that they think I'm depriving our children of some fantastical version of childhood in which a birthday party without ice cream cones and birthday cake is tantamount to child abuse.</p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">es, it would be a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">LOT</span> easier</span> to not adhere to our dietary modifications. Heck, it would be lot easier if we followed only our dietary modifications <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">most</span> of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would take <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">a lot less</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> planning</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">cooking</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">packing</span> for a day at the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would take a lot <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">less time</span> figuring out clever ways to help my children feel confident about their food choices as they watch their friends eat cheesy fish-shaped crackers and cups of yogurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would take a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">lot less creativity and energy</span> in distracting them with our own snacks at the library story hour instead of letting them grab a bag of crunchy-munchy-sugary-gluten-thingies like the other kids.</p><p class="MsoPlainText">I'll digress more into how we got to our current dietary modifications in a post soon - when I'm out of this food infraction induced haze - but for now, let me share with you a few of the reasons why I will not budge on our dietary restrictions. </p><p class="MsoPlainText">Here are some of the symptoms we can experience after a food infraction:</p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Little O</span><o:p></o:p></p><ul><li>Quite foul and seemingly painful flatulence.<br /></li><li>Gastrointestinal distress, including acid reflux, manifest by his writhing and restlessness and the gurgling (boiling?) sounds in his abdomen and throat.<br /></li><li>At least one sleepless night with intermittent crying and constant restlessness. Often multiple restless nights.<br /></li><li>Constipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This kid poops like clockwork - nearly to the hour each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When he misses an event, I know we've had one of our banned foods (if, by some miracle, we didn't already spend a sleepless night prior to his skipping a bowel movement).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When he finally does pass a stool, it is painful and much harder than his typical stool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> O</span>ften less volume of stool as well.<br /></li><li>Scaly scalp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some would still call this cradle cap at age 2, I call it "Dammit - we got glutened again!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></li><li>Patchy red rash. Sometimes on his torso, sometimes on his bottom, sometimes his inner thighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sometimes multiple locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The photo below hardly does it justice, but I am a novice photographer and cannot seem to get the settings to align such that the camera can capture the raging redness of the thousands of tiny bumps across his torso. </span>Maybe it's eczema or other dermatitis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don't really care the exact diagnosis because I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">know</span> it is directly related to a food infraction.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy2IHlFmIYThCzW-9naID_rX7wOmzbXuUtywr0ZzTqbnA1JR2VeIch8UrhIkrEqMz8M2IEdw0FjzNUmXwU178H4k5j-Ka5bpC0IQpmGqyfdJJnyLntv-s7kQpOfvWidBgAeaNUd26KLM/s320/IMG_0729.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327395335655264114" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Big O</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"></p><ul><li>Excessive and foul flatulence.</li><li><a href="http://thesciencemom.blogspot.com/2009/04/science-mothers-intuition.html" target="blank">Constipation</a> rears its ugly head and can result in a big set back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He can be sent into the downward spiral of withholding, which can take us weeks to recuperate from.<br /></li><li>Cranky, irritable, moody, and at times, tantrumy.<br /></li><li>Restless at night.</li><li>Frequent urination; cloudy urine; urine pH is off.</li><li>Night-time bed wetting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He's 4.5 years old and has been able to stay dry all night for some time now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can confidently say that when he wets the bed (our bed. . .) it nearly always correlates to a dietary infraction.</li><li>Nasal congestion. (His persistent nasal congestion disappeared within a week of our eliminating gluten (we'd already been casein-free, egg-free, and soy-free at that point.)</li><li>Mild rash/dry skin on his torso.</li><li>Tiny ulcers in his mouth.<br /></li><li>Grinds teeth at night.</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mom</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(that's me</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">)</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"></p><ul><li>Fatigue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Extreme fatigue.</li><li>Mental 'fog.'<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Haziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Difficulty concentrating.</li><li>Fatigue + mental fog = irritability</li><li>Headache; sometimes migraines</li><li>Digestive discomforts not unlike what the Os experience. </li><li>pH imbalances</li><li>Acne flare up.</li><li>Depending on the degree of the infraction a cold sore or mouth ulcers may develop.</li><li>Grind teeth.</li><li>Aches and pains, particularly in joints - though this reaction has thankfully <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">diminished excessively</span> over the past year. This recent infraction has left me with achy knees, but nothing like the total body ache and discomfort I would have experienced a year ago after an infraction.</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText">I am certain these are not the most severe reactions relative to what I've read some children and families endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am thankful each day that we figured this out while the Os are still so young and perhaps spared them some further complications and/or more severe reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText">But can you imagine what Little O's skin would look like if we didn't know gluten, casein, and soy cause him to break out in this red, irritating rash?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> If we stopped modifying our diet, I'd bet</span> his skin would become more irritated, drier, and more painful. Doctors would probably recommend various drugs, steroids, and chemical-laden creams to slather all over him. Who knows how many hundred of dollars I would have spent in vain trying to find the most natural creams and oils to soothe his dermatitis?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText">No thanks. We can handle the elimination diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Professor is becoming more supportive and has begun to (I think) better appreciate the ramifications of even a minor infraction for the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My close friends are very considerate and thoughtful - they indulge my frustrations and complaints from time to time when I do get frustrated with our diet and they are always figuring out how to offer the Os foods that fit our modifications.</p><p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText">It is times like this, when I see my children experiencing pain and discomfort that I renew my commitment to the diet, I tell myself not to complain about the difficulties we sometimes face due to the dietary modifications, and I remind myself of just how much better we all can feel when we eat right for us.<br /></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17357674989507123165noreply@blogger.com2