To Your Health!

Food Matters

2011-12-02T20:08:00.001-10:00

I share a lot of links on this blog, but please do not pass up the opportunity to watch these free videos. If you want to live a healthy life, if you are confused by information on health food, if you want to feel better....If you want to know why you truly are what you eat, go to this link for amazing advice that you can apply to your life immediately: FOOD MATTERS!

World Vision Gifts Keep Giving and Giving!

2011-11-24T20:13:00.001-10:00

Tonight as people are camped out overnight in anticipation of the biggest shopping event of the year, I am snuggled up on my couch, flipping through my World Vision gift catalog, trying to decide if I want a goat or ten chickens. That's right. You read it right. You see, every year my husband's side of the family has a Secret Santa gift exchange for the adults, and we all submit a "wish list" ahead of time. Goat or chickens? Either way, I am thrilled to ask for my gift to come from a catalog where gifts change lives.

I look around my living room as I relax against my fluffy pillows, tummy filled with the bounty of the Thanksgiving feast, and I am overflowing with thanks. I feel truly rich. How can I not when I see these lovely faces in the magazine and the joy that comes from providing the most basic necessities for their very livelihood. Basic. Food, shelter, clean water, education, protection. Livelihood.

We live in a culture where the latest and greatest rule, yet we all sincerely want to make a difference. Don't we? This year when you are looking for a unique gift for your loved ones, consider a gift that will keep giving long after the season. It could save someone's life! And THAT is the true joy of giving.

So please go to www.worldvisiongifts.org to shop the catalog. Give a donation and receive a lovely bracelet or scarf for your mom, a Veggie Tales video for your kids, or stainless steel mug for yourself. Your budget may be tight, but even the smallest gift goes a long way.

Here's to changing a life!

Great American Smokeout Day!

2011-11-16T14:27:00.001-10:00

Do you have a loved one who smokes? Are you a smoker but you want to be a non-smoker? November 17th is the Great American Smokeout day. Let's encourage our loved ones to quit smoking....not tomorrow, not the next day...right now! Smoking is an incredibly powerful addiction. I've watched more than one family member suffer from chronic illnesses related to cigarette smoking. Chances are, you have seen the same.

For tips on how to quit smoking you can go to guidepost.org/smokeout

Here's to a smoke free world!

Healthy Sleep Habits

2011-11-14T20:01:00.001-10:00

Where have I been? Can I call myself a serious blogger if I haven't been here in months? Was I ever a "serious" blogger? LOL.

I'm nesting....still. Well, kind of. Our son is now nine and a half months old, and truth be told, I thought I would be blogging more regularly by now. The thing is, this baby time goes by so quickly. I don't want to miss a thing. And I really don't want to miss out on sleep! With a bouncing baby boy and a vibrant five-year-old girl who is home schooling, I'm ready to turn in quite early these days. This is a healthy living blog after all, and I have written about the importance of sleep before. Sleep is vital to our health and so often we sacrifice sleep to stay up on our computers or watch T.V. Or sometimes to get the laundry done!

Life is demanding. Sleep is a necessary component for meeting those daily demands. As parents, we can help instill good sleep habits in our children early on. Many times parents aren't sure how many hours of sleep their kids need. When I became a parent I was totally smitten with my new baby girl. Weeks after her arrival, I was wishing she had come with a set of instructions. I went with my instincts and watched for signs of hunger, but sleepy signs were a bit confusing to me.

Then a friend gave me a book called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Mark Weissbluth. Early on in my pregnancy I was told to beware of sleep-training books because they encourage parents to let a child "cry it out". So I was a bit skeptical about the book. But when I began to read it, everything just made sense. The book gives parents information to help them understanding the importance of sleep, how sleep habits develop in young children, and a step-by-step guide to help children get the sleep they need for happy, healthy development. And it offers methods that are simple to implement for both families who co-sleep or sleep in separate beds.

What really made a lasting impression on me was the research that shows a definite correlation between the sleep habits of an individual in childhood and then into their adult years. In other words, helping a child learn healthy sleep habits is a gift that will last them their entire life. Like any book, some tips may suit some parents more than others. Every child is different and there are special circumstances to consider. That being said, I highly recommend this book. My daughter had reflux, which of course made sleep more difficult for her, but thanks to the book I had a better understanding of how to begin implementing a nap time and bed time routine, despite our struggles. And having reviewed the book after my son was born, healthy habits were established early on.

I love the philosophy is this book about healthy sleep habits leading to healthy lives. I couldn't agree more....Good night!

Here's to healthy sleep habits and here's to your health!

More Mellow Please

2011-07-30T20:40:00.009-10:00

I'm a California girl...though I wasn't born there. I was born in Massachusetts, and my parents moved back to California when I was two. I lived there my whole life, up until our move to Hawaii four years ago. I grew up with no memory of my time in Massachusetts, but the gorgeous photos of the fall leaves, and one very yummy treat, the Fluffer Nutter.

The Fluffer Nutter was a brown-bag essential for us growing up. We didn't eat it every day for lunch, as it was a bit more like dessert than lunch. I always compared it to a candy bar called the Abazaba. Anyone remember that? The sandwich is basically peanut butter and marshmallow creme on white bread.

I cannot remember the last time I ate one of those. And since this blog is about healthy living, I am not about to recommend it...ha ha! But I did find a fun product in my local health food store the other day. It's called Ricemellow, and it's an alternative to marshmallow creme. When I saw it, I couldn't help but reminisce. I had to buy some so I could introduce my daughter to the healthier version of the Fluffer Nutter!

When I got Ricemellow home, we opened it up and took a bite. I was pleasantly surprised. It is quite yummy. Now, I am not going to call it healthy, however it is a great alternative to the typical marshmallow creme and it promises to be GMO free, gluten free, and FAT free. It contains no animal products, no cholesterol, no refined sugars, no corn sweeteners, no added salt, no preservatives, and no artificial additives!

Today my daughter and I took out our brown rice cereal puffs and made one of her favorites and one of my childhood favorites as well, rice crispy treats. She was all smiles, and so was I. YUM!

Flashback Friday

2011-04-20T14:14:00.007-10:00

Last year around Easter, I shared the following post with you about dying your eggs naturally. My daughter and I had a fun-filled day with this one. Be sure to click on the link at the bottom of this post for important information about artificial dyes and the safety of our kids. Here's to your health!

If you're looking for a fun little science experiment to do with your kids, here is a truly natural way to dye eggs this Easter. I was reading Clementine Art's blog and found this recipe for natural egg coloring quite intriguing. I am always looking for interesting projects to do with my daughter. She would just love this! A while back I wrote a review for some of Clementine Art products. They are great quality, natural art products for kids. Check out their blog, Darling Clementine, for more creative art ideas, at www.clementineboulder.blogspot.com.

For the egg dying recipe, click HERE

Also, click this link to see why ARTIFICIAL DYES ARE TOXIC

Have a blessed Good Friday!!

Herbal Defense Against Radiation

2011-04-15T14:11:00.000-10:00

If you have been keeping up with the latest on the effects of the disaster in Japan on radiation levels in our atmosphere, you might be a little confused by the information we have been given. Here in Hawaii, it was initially thought that we might be in danger of a radiation "cloud" heading our way. Then we were informed that we were in the clear. But a friend of mine did some research and found some alarming information on this LINK about the levels of radiation found in milk from cows on the Big Island of Hawaii. There have been elevated levels in California, New York, and other areas as well. This information made front-page news of our local newspaper, but I have to wonder just how much information the public will receive concerning this matter.

Government officials obviously don't want widespread panic, but should we be concerned? What measures can we take to protect ourselves. Taking potassium iodide prematurely is not a wise choice for our health and this is a measure that should only be considered with the guidance of a medical professional. Are there natural alternatives? Well, I have heard that kelp is one way to combat radiation exposure, but I have yet to find conclusive data to support this claim. (Kelp does offer many other health benefits though.) So what I have included here is a portion of a newsletter from one of my favorite online shops, Health Food Emporium. It has great info about combating the negative effects of radiation naturally.

Here's to your health!

Herbal protection from radiation poisoning? With the disaster in Japan, Health Food Emporium has been swamped with requests for Potassium Iodide to help protect against radiation poisoning effects. It seems that the whole world is out of Potassium Iodide, so we started to research other ideas for natural help against radiation. This is not intended to be any kind of expert analysis or FDA approved. I just went on the web and looked to see what was there, and here are my results:

Holy Basil: There is quite a bit of research online about some herbs that have properties thought to help protect against radiation poisoning. One such herb is Ocimum Tenuiflorum (common name Tulsi or Holy Basil). Wikipedia says: "Tulsi also shows some promise for protection from radiation poisoning and cataracts." A scientific study that I found says: "Antioxidant and radio protective properties of an Ocimum Sanctum Polysaccharide. OSP could prevent oxidative damage to liposomal lipids and plasmid DNA induced by various oxidants such as iron, AAPH and gamma-radiation....." another study I found says: "Radiation protection of human lymphocyte chromosomes in vitro by Orientin and vicenin. Orientin (Ot) and Vicenin (Vc), two water-soluble flavonoids isolated from the leaves of Indian Holy Basil Ocimum Sanctum have shown significant protection against radiation lethality and chromosomal aberrations in vivo." We carry Holy Basil by New Chapter.

Cordyceps: Wikipedia also says: "Some work has been published in which Cordyceps sinensis has been used to protect the bone marrow and digestive systems of mice from whole body irradiation." One study that I found says this: "Radiation Protective Effects of Cordyceps sinensis in Blood Cells. The in vivo experiment showed that CS was able to reduce the production of micronuclei induced by radiation. " We carry Lifeshield Cordyceps by New Chapter and Cordyceps by Host DefenseReishi: Wikipedia also says: "Animal studies have noted Ganoderma (Lingzhi or Reishi) may protect the liver and protect against radiation." We carry Lifeshield Reishi by New Chapter and Reishi by Host Defense

Dark Green Veggies:I also found that many sites suggest dark green vegetables like arugula, turnips, radishes, cauliflower, mustard greens, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, broccoli d'rappe, kale, collards, and of course broccoli - protect your cells from the damaging effects of radiation. In scientific studies, seaweed was able to neutralize radioactive isotopes in the human body. And, common black or green tea exhibited the same anti-radiation effects in several Japanese studies.Be safe, be healthy.Thank you for choosing us!At Health Food Emporium we strive to provide personal service on a Christian Website!

To shop at Health Food Emporium, you can visit their site at http://www.healthfoodemporium.com/ or call 888-244-8948.

Healthy Home Contest

2011-04-05T12:56:00.002-10:00

Here is a great way to jump start your way to a healthier home and a healthier you. Ecomom's healthy home makeover! Enter to win and make sure you mention that you heard about it here! Here's to your healthy home!

Hooray for Nose Frida!

2011-02-21T09:50:00.008-10:00

Hello? Is this thing on?? Well, I know I haven't been around much since our baby arrived and I'm not too sure how many followers I still have, but things have been kind of crazy...in the best possible way. We have a beautiful baby boy, Ezra James. He is perfect in every way, healthy and adorable! I have been a wee bit busy nursing round the clock, diapering, doing laundry, etc. You get it.

Now that baby has arrived, my posts are likely to include many more baby products. There are very few things I feel I truly need in addition to what we already have from the first time around. However, I saw this nifty little contraption in my pediatricians office the other day....and when I saw what it was for and how it was used? Well, I laughed at first. Then I bought one because I realized it was quite a useful, and clever invention.

What is it? The Nose Frida is a nose aspirator for babies and small children. The package describes it as the "snot sucker". If you have children, you know that the big round, green suction thing that comes home from the hospital with you is not exactly a fun tool to use. Not only is it uncomfortable for baby, it really isn't all that efficient.

The Nose Frida is great. I have to admit that I wasn't sure I believed it would work...but it absolutely works! My husband and I tried it the other day. Here is how it works-You put the tube against the baby's nostril to create a tight seal, but not up the nose. Then you put the other end in your mouth (yes, your mouth) and suck. Don't worry. There is a barrier to prevent gooey mucus from actually making it's way into your mouth. By sucking, you are creating a vacuum, and the result is a clear nasal passage for baby.

I highly recommend the Nose Frida for every parent of young children. We were fortunate that our first child learned to blow her nose quite early, but it usually takes quite a while to master this skill. Do your little ones a favor and clear it for them. I am not going to claim that it will be a pleasant experience for them, but it will be quick and easy for both of you, and your kiddo will breathe easier too.

Here's to this cool little invention and here's to baby's health!

*Check Amazon.com for the best prices*

Quick Tip

2011-01-24T11:36:00.003-10:00

I could be hours away from having a baby! Yesterday was my "guess date", so really, any time now we will welcome our baby boy. Today I have time for a quick health tip.

You may have heard the term "probiotics" and not known just what they are. They are incredibly important to your health. Here is a definition: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria (sometimes referred to as "friendly germs") that help to maintain the health of the intestinal tract and aid in digestion. They also help keep potentially harmful organisms in the gut (harmful bacteria and yeasts) under control. Most probiotics come from food sources, especially cultured milk products. Probiotics can be consumed as capsules, tablets, beverages, powders, yogurts, and other foods. Click HERE for more scientific info.

You can find probiotics in food sources such as yogurt, Kiefer, kelp, and certain fermented preparations. Today's quick tip is one that I read recently in a health magazine. Did you know that your body needs prebiotics to properly use probiotics? If you are reaching for your favorite yogurt or other probiotic preparation, here is an easy way to insure you are getting the full benefits of that yummy cultured treat. Add a teaspoon of ground up flaxseed meal. Flax naturally contains prebiotics, so by pairing it with your favorite probiotic beverage or food, you can be sure the healthy bacteria will be at work in your belly.

Although many food sources contain probiotics, be sure to get enough of these helpful bacteria in your system on a daily basis. Even if you eat cultured foods, it is a good idea to pick up probiotic capsules at your local healthfood store and take them regularly.

Here's to a healthy gut, and here's to your health!

Divinely Decadent French Toast

2010-12-19T10:52:00.017-10:00

Well, I had all sorts of plans to blog about holiday foods, post recipes galore, chat about my favorite baby stuff (only five weeks till my "due date"), my favorite stocking stuffers...you get the idea. And I suppose, since my real life is just so busy right now, with the Christmas cards (addressing, stamping, and sealing all 84 is no small feat!), and the doctor's visits, daily chores, hosting my annual Christmas Open House, etc, etc, there just hasn't been much time left. Actually, there hasn't been much energy left. There is a small human growing in my belly!

So, to all my faithful readers, thanks for continually stopping by. I wish there was more content for you to read...and I have to say that I am not sure what will transpire after Baby Boy arrives. I may have to take a short hiatus, but do keep checking back in. I promise to try my best. Having the hard drive in my laptop crash was ultimately the demise in my production of blog posts. The Internet connection in our office is kind of slow, and without the portability of the laptop, I can no longer teach a homeschool lesson, play princess, cut and paste, or play a game of Candyland while simultaneously writing. There you have it.

It is pouring down rain today and my husband is home, so let's just see if I can post a quick recipe here for ya. Many of the wonderful recipes I post here come from other blogs, my own version of something I read in a magazine, or a healthy cookbook. This one is all mine. It is not complicated, but I will take credit for the inspiration. If you are having overnight guests for the holidays, this is sure to be a hit. I must admit that it does not quite follow the guidelines of my "healthy living" blog. So I will post two versions, one for those who might like to indulge a bit once in a while. I know I do!

DIVINELY DECADENT FRENCH TOAST

egg (s)

almond milk (or other milk variation)

vanilla

cinnamon

Alvarado St. sprouted sourdough bread

Mascarpone cheese

mixed berries

berry flavored yogurt

agave syrup

grapeseed oil

There are no specific measurements for this recipe, since you likely have made French toast before...just eyeball it. About one egg is required per 4 slices of bread you will be serving. Crack the eggs into a bowl and whip with a fork. Add almond milk (I add a bit of water since almond milk can be rather thick). Add a splash of vanilla to your liking, then sprinkle in a generous amount of cinnamon. Now you are ready to dip your bread. Place pan over medium heat and pray a small amount of grapeseed oil into pan. You can use another healthy oil, like coconut oil. I happen to like the neutral flavor of grapeseed oil. Coat slices of bread with egg mixture, then transfer to pan and brown on each side.

You can stop there if you want the healthier version. Add a pat of butter or butter substitute, swirl with agave, a pinch of cinnamon and serve. Keep reading for decadent, divine, oh-so-yummy version...

Okay, so you have your French toast. Now for the toppings. Scoop out a dollop (or two..or three) of Mascarpone cheese and put it on the toast. Add a couple tablespoons of a thin berry yogurt (I like "O Organics" raspberry from Safeway). Add fresh mixed berries if you can find them. Thawed-out frozen berries will work too. Top with a generous swirl of agave syrup and a pinch of cinnamon sprinkle. Voila'! The most divine French toast!

What I like about this kind of indulgence is that it doesn't completely stray away from my healthy lifestyle. I mostly gave up cow's milk a while back and it breaks that rule. For those who don't do cow's milk, you can use Toffuti Better Than Cream Cheese instead of the Marscapone and try So Delicious Coconut Milk yogurt in blueberry. The rest of the ingredients truly are healthy, but you won't know it when you taste it. It's the breakfast version of dessert! I served this to a girlfriend of mine and now she just HAS to have it when she pays us a visit. She unpacks her suitcase and politely asks if I will serve it EVERY morning of her stay. Watch out. Your guests may not want to leave!

Here's to an amazing holiday breakfast, and here's to your health!

It Feels Good 2 Give!!

2010-12-06T23:02:00.004-10:00

Here is a super easy way to give to those in need and it won't cost you a penny! Go to http://www.good2give.com/ and find out how your everyday purchases at your favorite retailers can make a huge difference in the lives of others. I am loving this! Top retailers have teamed up with Good2Give....retailers like Amazon, Macy's, and many more. Can you make a difference? Yes, you can. Bookmark this page and get to shopping!

Here's to giving and here's to your health!

About My Last Post

2010-12-01T23:05:00.003-10:00

Okay, I am going to write a little disclaimer in reference to my last post, Not Just a Cow. As soon as I hit "publish", I knew I might get a few interesting responses. I got an anonymous comment (which I chose not to publish) addressing the mistreatment of animals, the killing of animals, etc. Ultimately, there was a link attached advocating a vegan lifestyle.

I absolutely agree, that there are problems with the food industry, and for many, a vegan lifestyle is the healthiest choice. I, however, believe that you can still eat meat and be healthy...and you can do it responsibly, by choosing grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, etc, etc, that are humanely treated. This is not an area I choose to debate on this blog. My previous post is about an organization that is trying to help people in severe poverty and hunger change their lives, with the milk, not the meat, of a cow.

That being said, and clarified, I pray that no one is offended by my post. I believed it to be information worth sharing...so I shared it.

Here's to your health!

Not Just A Cow

2010-11-30T14:43:00.007-10:00

Tis' the season for giving, right? For sharing with others. Few people have been untouched by the current situation with our economy. I know we have had our struggles. But despite that, when I look at situations elsewhere, across the globe, I am so grateful that I still live with great abundance in comparison. We have been richly blessed and I strive to instill this truth in my little one's heart all year long, but especially during the holiday season. Is is just holiday tradition? Or is that this time of year causes us all to come together? Whatever it is, the older I get, the more I enjoy the giving part. How about you?

Each year, my daughter helps me pick out items to put in our boxes for Operation Christmas Child, we collect food for local food drives, and her favorite...putting change in the bucket as a volunteer rings, and rings, and RINGS that bell. I am glad she enjoys helping others. And when I come across another way to get involved and make a difference in others' lives, I want to check it out. Then I want to tell others all about it.

This morning I received information from Crosswalk.com that grabbed my attention. If you are looking for ways to make a difference that lasts, please take a look at this short video clip from Heifer International. I wanted to embed it here, but it was not an option. So click HERE to see how one cow (yes, I said cow) can change many, many, many lives.

Here's to the gift of giving, and here's to your health!

Is My Fish Truly Fish??

2010-11-10T16:20:00.006-10:00

You may have heard about genetically engineered foods and have likely read about them here. Now there is a movement you should know about, a movement to stop the genetic engineering of fish. Yes, fish. The Center For Food Safety has been fighting against the agenda to genetically engineer foods for many years. While many fruits and vegetables in our country are currently being genetically engineered (GE), there has yet to be an approval by the FDA for an animal intended for food. However, there is currently a strong consideration by the FDA to approve a GE salmon and we need to be informed about the potential risks.

The human health impacts of eating GE fish are completely unknown, not to mention the potential risks for wild salmon and the entire marine environment. If the FDA decides to approve it despite the risks and public opposition, mandatory labeling required by the FDA will be the only way to protect the public's right to know what exactly is in our food. Currently there is no label for genetically engineered food. I believe this should change. Please take the time to watch the following clip for more information on GE salmon. Then go to http://www.ge-fish.org/ to see how you can make your opinion count.

GIVEAWAY from Clean Well

2010-10-31T14:06:00.007-10:00

Clean Well is giving away cases of their yummy smelling orange-vanilla sanitizer wipes.

Visit the CleanWell Facebook Page and upload a photo of you, your kids or even your pets in their Halloween costumes and then encourage your friends to join our Facebook Page to "Like" your photo. The 5 photos that receive the most number of "Likes" will win a case of Orange Vanilla Canister wipes!

Click HERE for full details.

Flashback Friday

2010-10-29T13:23:00.001-10:00

If you are wondering what to do about that enormous candy stash your little ones will collect tomorrow, here is my post from last year that will give you a few ideas on how to cut down on sugar intake:

Tweak the Treats!

Today seems to mark the official beginning of our season of special treats. Whether you participate in this holiday or not, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and more are right around the corner, and there will be goodies o' plenty at every turn. So, what does this healthy livin' mommy think about all of the sugary treats?

Well, tonight we will be attending an event at our church, and there will be plenty of candy involved. I cannot hope for my little one to say "no thank you" to all of those yummy sweets. Of course I want to limit her sugar intake, but I want her to enjoy herself.

When it comes to special days like this, birthday parties, etc, I don't fret too much. It is only one day, and since I am doing my best all throughout the year to keep nutritious, healthy food in our diets, I can shrug my shoulders and let my kiddo have a good time. But do I want my three-year-old consuming all of her giant candy loot? No way. So here are a few ideas to help parents put a lid on the candy intake!

Buy their candy! Let your kids choose a handful of their favorites and "buy" the rest from them. Set a price of 5 to 25 cents per piece of candy, depending on the size of their collection (and their age). Then let them put that toward a special toy or other item they've had their eye on. OR instead of using cash, buy them out with stickers or other fun stuff!

I read about one mom showing her kids "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and then allowing them to keep a portion of their candy, and offering the rest to "the Great Pumpkin" (in reality, it's daddy, who hauls the loot off to work on Monday morning!)

Make a trade! Let your kids keep a few pieces in their bag, and trade the others for some healthier options. Here are a few ideas for replacements that are not necessarily "healthy", but are a better alternative to the more common treats filled with hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors and colors.

1. Fill a small bag with trailmix, carob chips, raisins, pretzels, or one of their other favorite snack foods.

2. Yummy Earth organic lollypops (my daughter's favorite)

3. SunSpire's natural candy bars and Sundrops- colorful "m & m"-like chocolate treats

4. Cliff Kid Organic Twisted Fruit

5. Annie's Organic BunnyFruit Snacks
(can all be found at Whole Foods and other health food stores, and Amazon)

These are just a few ideas to make your holiday a little bit healthier, but just as SWEET!

Here's to your health!

Clean For a Cause

2010-10-19T20:05:00.005-10:00

As you all may know, it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you don't know someone who has battled this terrible disease, it is likely you know someone who has been affected by it in some way. Mothers, sisters, daughters, girlfriends, aunties. So many lives lost each year, but we can hold on to the hope for a cure!

The month is more than half way over, but I want to share this link from Clean Well. There is still time to purchase their Clean For a Cause spray. Fifty percent of proceeds will go to Cancer 101, founded by Monica Knoll.

Click HERE for details!

Here's to the fight against Breast Cancer!!

Better Than Cream Cheese

2010-10-11T22:30:00.008-10:00

Well, I haven't been blogging much this last month or so. The hard-drive in my laptop is shot, we had family in town, and oh, there is that pregnancy thing. Life has been busy. I have many things I want to write about, yet the time just isn't available for me to do so. Tonight, I have time for a quick recipe. With pregnancy comes food, lots of food. And cravings! I am not one of those pregnant ladies who eats pickles and ice cream. Pickles, yes. Ice cream, yes. But not together!

I do have plenty of cravings though. Who wouldn't when much of your day is consumed by hunger? The other day I thought of a sandwich I hadn't had in years. There is a great little place in southern California called The Gypsy Den. They have this cool, vintage setting, a mish-mosh of furniture and art displayed, and shelves of books to sit with if you have nothing else on your agenda for the day. And they have fresh, yummy food! I love all their food, but the other day, all I could think about was their Cream Cheese and Olive Sandwich....so I made my own version of it.

I have tried a few cheese substitutes and find them okay, but not great. Recently I have tried a couple of really amazing substitutes. It is hard to tell the difference! One of those substitutes is Tofutti's Better Than Cream Cheese . Since I have mostly given up dairy, it is great to find a creamy, yummy spread for this sanBetter Than Cream Cheesedwich craving of mine.

Cream Cheese and Olive Sandwich

Sprouted grain bread (toasted)

Cream cheese or substitute

Cucumber slices

Sliced black olives

Toast two slices of sprouted grain bread. Spread layer of Tofutti cream cheese on one or both sides. Add sliced olives to one side, then add the cucumber slices. Assemble sandwich. Yum! For added nutritional value, you may add some baby spinach leaves or sprouts.

Here's to your health! Enjoy!

Hunger Action Month

2010-09-15T20:12:00.029-10:00

Did you know that more than 49 million Americans struggle with hunger? That is 1 in 6 people! September is Hunger Action Month. There is still plenty of time to participate this month, and of course, all year long, helping those in need. Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

Take the Hunger Action Month pledge at HungerActionMonth.org

Donate-Your contribultion makes a big impact; $1 helps provide 7 meals to those in need.

Raise awareness in your community by spreading the word. Tell your friends and neighbors and reach out to legislators.

Volunteer-Contact your local Feeding America food bank and learn how you can help.

You can also take action with Feeding America partners. There are several listed on the website. For example, The Cheesecake Factory invites guests to pledge in the fight against hunger in America. If you donate just $5 or more through the Cheesecake Factory Hunger Action Month microsite, you will receive a certificate for a FREE slice of cheesecake. Yum! Also, Macy's hosts Shop For A Cause on October 16. Buy a savings pass for $5 at any Macy's store this month; a portion of each pass sold benefits Feeding America.

To learn more, go to www.HungerActionMonth.org

Here's to helping out!

Free Lunch Sack!

2010-09-12T12:55:00.004-10:00

Funny thing. Someone posted a comment on my last post, complaining that I was posting about a product's sale. I don't know about you, but I love a great bargain...especially on health products. If I find a sale worth noting, I'm going to share it with you! Who doesn't need to save a little money these days? So, here is another great deal...and it's FREE. Well, with a purchase of two Annie's Homegrown products. I already buy Annie's Homegrown, so this isn't a stretch for me. Click below for details on how to receive a free reusable lunch sack!

Here's to a great deal and here's to your health!

Sheer Miracle Sale!

2010-09-09T21:03:00.005-10:00

One of my favorite mineral makeup companies is having a sale. Sheer miracle has great foundations, and now you can buy one get one! Click the picture below to enter their site. Here's to healthy skin...on a budget!

Flashback Friday!

2010-09-02T22:12:00.003-10:00

Here are some healthy grillin' tips I posted last year right around this time. Have a great Labor Day weekend everybody!

With Labor Day right around the corner, you may have one last chance for a summer BBQ. Of course, since we live in beautiful Hawaii (sorry to rub it in), we cook out all throughout the year. Here are a few tips for healthy grillin'.

If you're grilling up burgers, choose grass-fed beef. What is the difference between grass-fed and corn-fed? Well, put a cow out in the pasture and what does it eat? Grass. Due to a very high number of cattle being raised for food, ranchers began feeding cows corn to try to reduce damage to the land from overgrazing. Well, cows don't digest corn so the result is fattier beef, higher in cholesterol and saturated fats, which as you know, are linked to coronary heart disease. A better solution for the industry might be to raise fewer, healthier cattle....but that is another discussion. I like to feature local Hawaii companies when I can, so if you are here in Hawaii, try Northshore Cattle Company. One serving of grass fed beef has about the same Omega-3 essential fatty acids as a serving of fish. That is great news for burger lovers!

A cook-out just isn't the same without a Dawg! Hotdogs are the all-American food. I get nostalgic when I eat them-they bring back lots of childhood memories. I have tried many healthier versions of the hotdog. Whether turkey or chicken or beef, I always ended up a little disappointed...until I found Applegate Farms' all-natural, organic, nitrate-free, grass-fed beef hotdog. Reminiscent of the classic hotdog of my youth, this one of the yummiest and healthiest dogs around. AND they are the only ones that don't leave me regretting that I chose to eat a hot dog...if you know what I mean.

If you're serving one up for me, don't hold the pickles. I was craving pickles a while back as I shopped at Whole Foods and came across a brand I hadn't heard of before-Bubbies. They are excellent! Bubbies are crunchy, kosher, delicious pickles that have a little spicy kick. And they have something other pickles don't-live, active cultures. A pickle that is yummy and good for you too?

Last, but not least are the sauces. I'm a sauce kind of girl. I like to load my goodies with ketchup, mayo, and mustard. There are some great, healthier choices at health food stores. I choose Organic Ville ketchup because it's organic and it's sweetened with agave syrup instead of high-fructose corn syrup. I also recommend Westbrae Naturals mustard, Miso Mayo, and Vegennaise (instead of mayo).

Quick tip: When you're cookin' on the grill, be sure the grill has been cleaned thoroughly from the last time you BBQ'd and avoid charring your food because it can create carcinogens.

Here's to fun, healthy grillin'!

Finally...Safe (& Green) Cookware!

2010-08-26T15:19:00.019-10:00

Are you concerned about non-stick cookware? Maybe some of you are not even aware of the health risks. If you are not aware, non-stick cookware contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a synthetic chemical used in production that creates a soap-like slipperiness and non-stick finish. I have known the risks for years, and switched to stainless steal pans long ago. But I must admit, I hung on to one or two of my non-stick pans for cooking eggs and French toast. I was careful not to heat them past "medium", however not everyone in my house did the same...my hubby does not always pay close attention to those little details.

It just takes one or two times overheating your non-stick pan to burn it, leaving it not so non-stick anymore. More importantly, even on lower heats, these pans are known to "off gas" dangerous chemicals and heavy metals into your food and into the air. I don't know about you, but I don't buy grass-fed beef and organic veggies with the intention of spicing them up with toxins. What's the point of buying healthy food if you aren't preparing it in the healthiest manner possible?

We try to eat a lot of raw,organic foods throughout the day. But when I am cooking, I want to know that I am still doing my very best to keep it healthy and safe for my family. I have been doing some research lately and I discovered a line of cookware that may just be exactly what I have been looking for. I discovered it on Dr. Mercola's website. Not only was I very impressed with the cookware offered, but also with this website. A lot of very valuable information about health was presented, and in a manner that was easy to understand.

Of all the options out there, I am very excited to try Mercola cookware. After hearing the information presented on the site, I think this cookware is a best buy. I was aware of the leaching in non-stick cookware, yet I was not as educated on some of the other options. I was surprised to find that my high-end stainless steel cookware could possibly be leaching a variety of heavy metals. And my tea kettle? Also a high probability that it is leaching!

What is a mom to do? Well...her best, of course. So now that I have found Mercola cookware, I think I just might be making the switch. Check out Dr. Mercola's website for more information.

Here's to your health!

Is There Lead In Your Balsamic?

2010-08-17T22:26:00.011-10:00

Have any of you read the fine print on the back of your balsamic vinegar bottle and found this Prop 65 warning: This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

I discovered this warning a couple years back, and have checked labels on my vinegar ever since. I have looked at several brands in big chain stores and health food stores alike. I just could not seem to find a balsamic that does not contain lead.

When researching this a little, I found that some claim that the lead occurs because of the processing of the vinegar and some say that the grapes absorb it from the ground during the aging process. Either way, it seems that we are just supposed to accept the fact that there is lead in our balsamic vinegar. So what about red wine vinegar? I have seen some warnings on them as well. And what about red wine? How are we to trust that there aren't levels of lead found in more aged products? Are they being tested? We worry about lead in our children's toys. Must we now worry that we are tossing lead into our salads as well?

Some of my readers know, and some may not know that I am pregnant with our second child. Exciting! The last thing I want to do is jeopardize the health of this unborn baby. And studies show that there are no safe levels of lead. Even a small amount can cause birth defects and other problems. After searching the Internet for a bit last night, I came across a company that states that it's vinegars are guaranteed to be lead free. I have yet to try this brand, but I am certainly going to. I am always searching for the highest quality, most natural products out there, so I just had to share this with you all as well.

Now, Prop 65 was issued by the state of California, so only brands regulated in that state will have this warning. However, even if your vinegar does not have the warning, it likely contains lead.

Lucini Italia is the brand I just discovered. Go to www.lucini.com and check their store finder to see where you can pick up a bottle of their fine vinegars and other products.

Here's to your health!

Go Flourless!!

2010-08-05T20:34:00.017-10:00

Okay, so maybe you have tried sprouted grain bread and you didn't really like it. It may be fine for some people, but you aren't quite ready to make the switch. It's a bit dense, and kind of grainy, you say? Well, compared to the Wonder Bread we were raised on, you're right. But....

I want to try to convince you to try sprouted grain again. Are you willing to give it one more try? The first time I ate sprouted grain bread, I thought it was awful. I didn't eat it again for many years. Now it is the only type of bread I buy. Why? It is highly nutritious, low in digestible carbs, and low-glycemic. AND it tastes great!

Before you decide that sprouted grain bread is not for you, let me tell you that there are many more options out there than you might know about. Ezekiel bread by Food For Life is technically the "original". It is probably the most nutritious as well. But it is not the only brand available. Many other companies are offering sprouted grain choices.

I must say this...I think the key to eating sprouted grain bread (with the exception of the tortillas) is browning it, whether in the toaster, toaster oven, or pan. With that, here are my top picks for sprouted grain You will be surprised at just how delicious they are, and who knows? You may be ready to trade that Wonder Bread just yet.

First, you just have to try Ezekiel sprouted grain English muffins. They are 100% flourless, but you would never guess it. I promise you won't be disappointed with these. They toast up very nicely, with little nooks and crannies for your favorite spread to sink in. Crispy on the outside when toasted, yet nice and gooey center...yes, they are 100% flourless! You may also want to try Ezekiel hamburger and hotdog buns.

Another favorite-spouted grain tortillas. Ezekiel tortillas are more dense and grainy. I like to dip them in hummus. They are good, but they fall apart quite easily. My new favorite tortilla is from French Meadow. They are 100% flourless, and again, you would never guess. They are soft and pliable, making them great for quesadillas and wraps.

Try this with a French Meadow tortilla: Heat one up in a saucepan or tear one in half and warm it in the toaster. Melt a pat of butter or a bit of coconut oil over the warm tortilla, add a little agave nectar and cinnamon, then roll it. A bit reminiscent of a churro. Yum!

This last recommendation is for Alvarado Street breads. I have tried many of their varieties and have loved them all. My two favorites are the Essential Flax Seed, and the Sourdough. The Sourdough is fantastic for sandwiches, and it yields a delicious French Toast!

With so many options to choose from, why not try them all and see which you like best? Sprouted grain breads and tortillas are high in fiber and protein, and they are a living food, with the grains coming together to give you optimum nutrition in a bread. Is it time to go flourless?

Here's to sprouted grain and here's to your health!

FREE SHIPPING on CLEAN WELL!

2010-08-02T16:28:00.004-10:00

It's Back To School time and to help you stock up on hand sanitizers, CleanWell is offering free shipping until August 15th! Click HERE to get the code for free shipping.

Here's to healthy kids!

Quick Beauty Tip

2010-07-31T09:43:00.006-10:00

The next time you slice open a yummy avocado to spread on a sandwich or add to your salad, don't throw the rind away just yet. Scrape out that last bit and moisturize! That's right. Avocado not only has essential nutrients for your insides, but amazing benefits for your skin as well.

Try this: Simply rub a bit of avocado into your hands, feet, or anywhere you need extra moisturizing. Then rinse excess with a little water, and pat dry. Your skin will be nourished, and will feel super soft and supple.

When it comes to skincare, nature always provides the absolute best! Here's to healthy skin, and here's to your health!

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Just Launched: The Story of Cosmetics

2010-07-21T16:57:00.004-10:00

You have read it here many times...there are toxic chemicals all around us. I have touched on the subject of cosmetics and have reviewed just a few of my favorite healthy choices for cosmetics, and will continue to do so. Here is a great little clip that breaks it all down for us. And you can make a difference by making your voice heard. Click on the link below to watch The Story of Cosmetics.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Just Launched: The Story of Cosmetics

What Is A Baby Carrot?

2010-07-13T21:11:00.002-10:00

Ever wonder where baby carrots come from? Well, I hadn't either until I came across a link about them. Ah, the Internet. Such a plethora of information out there. Well, a while back I started a series of posts I call, Every Day Toxins. One of the toxins I have highlighted is chlorine. I will continue to post information about chlorine and ways to keep a chlorine-free home.

This link is not about chlorine. It is about baby carrots. But I mentioned chlorine because it is part of the process for non-organic baby carrots. They are soaked in a chlorine solution before packaged. Now, I must note that it is a low concentration of chlorine in the water and it is widely accepted as a safe and effective way to disinfect. However, it does makes me very glad I choose organic. Anyway, the following link is kind of an interesting little history on baby carrots. Lately I have just been sticking to the larger ones. They generally cost less, stay fresh longer, and pack more nutrition. But there is nothing wrong with baby carrots. They are sweet and yummy, and quite perfect for dipping!

http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/babycarrot.html

Here's to veggies and here's to your health!

Tube Your Lashes!

2010-06-22T20:45:00.000-10:00

Every girl has stories about her first experiments with makeup. I remember a classmate in high school who was known for constantly adding layers to her mascara throughout the day. It was like she only had five eyelashes by the end of the day. She was a bit obsessed with it I think! When I met her my freshman year, I had never worn mascara. She took one look at my lashes and begged me to let her put a little on me. I agreed (to just one coat). I was a bit nervous, but one look in the mirror, seeing how my eyes just popped...I loved my new look. Now I just had to convince my mom!

Have dark circles under your eyes? Well, it might not be just lack of sleep. The pigment used in some mascaras can bleed and deposit right into your skin. Years ago, I heard that cosmetic companies use coal tar in mascara. Yuck! I started looking for a natural formula. I have since done some research and I cannot seem to get a clear answer. Is there tar in mascara? Some sources say that the tar myth is simply that, a myth. Others report differently. Well, I will have to continue in my research and report back to you later. For now, I will recommend a great product I've found that definitely does not contain coal tar, and does not run!

If you know me well, you know that I have been accused of wearing false lashes, on more than one occasion. It is a blessed genetic gift bestowed by my dad. Ah, but don't worry. The scales were evened out, as I also inherited his feet! With this burden of long lashes to bear, I am a bit picky about choosing a mascara. I have tried lots of different brands through the years, and when I went all-na-tu-ral with my makeup, the natural mascaras did not do much to impress me. They were okay, but just did not have the performance of some of the more popular brands. I've gone back and forth between different brands, trying to find one that looked great and didn't contain all the chemicals.

In my search for natural mascaras, I have found most of them just don't seem to have the stay power a girl is lookin' for! Now I am using blinc (formerly Kiss Me) mascara. This is such a cool product! You put the mascara on and it forms little tiny tubes around your lashes. To remove, you just use warm water and apply a little pressure. No makeup remover needed. No rubbing your eyes and no irritation.

What I love about this product is that it really stays put. While I don't purposely wear makeup for workouts, I sometimes exercise in the evening when makeup is already on from the day. I can be dripping with sweat and my mascara does not run. And the ultimate test for us ladies...a good cry-yes, it passed that test as well. I'm not talking about a few tears here either. I have had a total sobbing fit and this mascara stayed in tact.

But when it comes time to take it off? Piece of cake. Just use warm water, apply a little pressure and the tubes come off. It is a little strange at first...almost looks like you are pulling your lashes out. Oh, and best of all, I never get those yucky glops of mascara sleep gunk in the corner of my eyes. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about!

Okay, so I wish I could say that this product is absolutely natural. It does NOT contain tar, but it does have a couple ingredients that are on my no-no list. Despite this, I am giving it a pass, because once this mascara dries, it is DRY, and the product does not continuously get deposited into your skin. The mascara is a little tricky to work with at first. If you are picky like me, you want your lashes to look just so. When using blinc mascara, just have your eyelash comb ready to go to get the look you want. If you want to apply more than one coat, it needs to be done before it dries, not after. When it dries, it is set. While the packaging says it does not flake, I have had a tiny flake here and there (very tiny) during hot and humid weather. But this is by far, the best performing mascara I have tried.

Although this is a healthy-living blog, this post was more about sharing a favorite exception to the rule. While I live my life looking for the healthiest products out there, once in a while I find a happy compromise, and this is the case with blinc mascara.

So, here's to fabulous lashes!

Tune In!!!

2010-06-01T14:54:00.003-10:00

I received a very important email update from Healthy Child Healthy World. Please join me and tune in to watch CNN's special, Toxic America!

Wednesday and Thursday, June 2nd and 3rd, at 8pm EST, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be airing an eye-opening investigative story: Toxic America. If you care about public and environmental health, it's must-see TV.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts the two-part program, revealing devastating results from a year-long investigation.

Wednesday night highlights “Toxic Towns” and will delve into the environmental health and justice problems plaguing the community of Mossville, Louisiana. Mossville is not an isolated example, but instead a poster child for a broken chemical safety system.

Thursday night highlights the “Toxic Childhood” and features Healthy Child founders, Jim and Nancy Chuda; Scientific Advisor, Dr. Phil Landrigan; and our “A Wake-Up Story” video. This second part of the series reveals the effect toxics have on unborn babies.

Here's what you can do:

Have your friends over to watch the show on June 2nd and/or 3rd or record the series to share with others in the future.
Tell other to watch by using these suggested status updates:

Facebook: Will be watching America’s toxic little secrets revealed by CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta on June 2 & 3 at 8pmEST/5pmPST. If you care about public and environmental health, it’s MUST SEE TV!
Twitter: MUST SEE TV: CNN special on Toxic America – June 2-3 at 8pmEST/5pmPST – Watch and learn! Plz RT

Take Action to help prevent these tragedies by emailing your members of Congress and asking them to support a strong Safe Chemicals Act.
Get your friends to stay involved and informed by having them sign-up for the Healthy Child newsletter.

Please join us in tuning in!

Ear Bud Alert

2010-05-25T11:18:00.004-10:00

Here is a quick tip for the day. I read this in Parents Magazine a while back.

Listen up! New research results that frequently using headphones for 30-plus minutes at a time significantly increases the amount of bacteria in the ear. "We think buds raise temperature and humidity in the ear canal, making the environment favorable for bacterial growth, " says study author Chianjay Mukhopadhyay, M.D., of Manipal University, in India. Though generally harmless, the bacteria could lead to infection if the buds irritate your skin enough to tear it, so make sure yours are comfy.

In addition, it can be common for family members to share iPods, etc. It is a good idea for each individual to have their own ear buds. And be sure to sanitize ear buds between uses. I simply spray mine with Clean Well sanitizing spray. It is a quick and easy way to prevent bacteria from building up on those buds. If you have young children, pick up a pair of kid ear phones that are designed just for kids, producing sound in a lower decibel to prevent damage to little ears. It is best if those fit over the ear, and not in it. Check Target or other stores in your area for kid-friendly headphones.

Here's to rockin' out with healthy ears!

I Use Lace on My Face!

2010-05-06T22:03:00.007-10:00

When it comes to your skincare regimen, skip the scrub and grab the lace. Lace For The Face, that is! What is it and how do you use it? It is a beautiful little terrycloth washcloth with a lace overlay that is used for daily cleansing with your facewash. It is dermatologist recommended, suitable for sensitive skin, and hypoallergenic.

I bought my Lace For The Face recently at my local health food store and I LOVE it! I use it every other day (though it can be used every day) to exfoliate my skin. It gently sloughs away dead skin, while lifting dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells out of your pours. My skin feels silky smooth and my pours are visibly smaller.

Lace For The Face can be used on your entire body. No need to buy expensive scrubbing products. Use it on your entire body to help with rough skin, sun damage, ingrown hairs, and blemishes. The packaging actually states that you can use it to "spot treat" pimples. Oh how I wish that I no longer dealt with the occasional zit, but I still break out at least...um, once a month. I recently tried using it on my blemish, and it worked. Unlike popping pimples, which is bad for the skin, applying a little bit of pressure with this exfoliating cloth can safely open it up!

I'm done with scrubs. Its just Lace for my face! Find this natural microdermabrasion cloth at your local health food store or go to http://www.lacefortheface.com/.

Package warning: If you have had painful, bleeding, scaring acne, or any other serious or painful skin condition, consult your dermatologist prior to use of any microdermabrasion product. Do not use around eye area."

Here's to beautiful skin, and here's to your health!

Nissan LEAF - Public Drive Reaction

2010-04-25T22:43:00.002-10:00

Check out the new Nissan LEAF, a 100% electrical, zero emissions vehicle that seats up to five and boasts speeds up to 90 mph. Click the link below to see what people are saying about it.

Nissan LEAF - Public Drive Reaction

Earth Day Special

2010-04-21T22:34:00.010-10:00

I love Green Toys. Green Toys turns recycled milk cartons into adorable, high quality, safe toys. They are BPA free, environmentally friendly, and made in the USA, so you can feel great about buying these awesome toys for the special little ones in your life. Right now, Diapers.com is having a great Earth Day special in support of Healthy Child Healthy World.

Click HERE for details!

Virus, Virus, Go Away!

2010-04-12T22:11:00.009-10:00

I must apologize that I am slacking off just a bit lately. A few days before Easter, my little one caught a little bug-a virus, that is. I immediately started loading her up on my Go-To List of natural remedies...and a couple days later she was feeling great. Then I woke up with a nasty sore throat, so of course I too, reached for my Top Immunity Boosters.

I fought off the virus for a couple days, and all seemed just dandy. Ah, but a few days later...it was back with a vengeance! So, I had to change things up a bit. You see, sometimes even your most trusted regimen may not work against all illnesses. If one thing isn't working, you may want to switch it up. Thankfully, I have a lot of natural remedies to turn to. I loaded up on a few super-duper remedies, and within 24 hours, I am now feeling just on the verge of normal.

So add these to my list of favorites...and then add them to yours!

Garlic

Garlic has been used for centuries and is proven to suport the immune and cardiovascular systems. I often cook with garlic, and incorporate it raw into sauces and salad dressings. If you really want to boost your immunity, especially while fighting off those nasty viruses, a little garlic just won't cut it. Unless you want to smell like an Italian kitchen, concentrated garlic tablets are the way to go. I recently found Garlic Factors by Natural Factors. It is a highly concentrated dose of garlic, odor controlled, and enteric coated (which means it will only release in your stomach, and not on it's way down). After taking just one dose, I immediately saw improvement. Keep this one handy at all times!

Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract has been getting a lot of attention lately. Many natural lifestyle followers have been swearing by it for years. "Medical use of olive leavesdates back to ancient Egypt and is referenced by Hippocrates and now in modern medical texts. Olive leaf is used around the world as a health tonic and powerful antioxidant." It supports a healthy immune system, healthy blood pressure, healthy cardiovascular system, and healthy joints. And it boasts more antioxidant power than Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Green Tea, and many others. You can buy it in the pill form, but I highly recommend Barlean's Olive Leaf Complex. Barlean's Organic Oils is a trusted source of superb natural products.

Colloidal Silver

Another great immune support getting lots of attention in the health industry. The most popular brand and the only choice for me is Sovereign Silver. It has no odor, almost no flavor, is easily absorbed, and is a safe and effective way to boost immunity. You might be wondering a bit about this one...silver? For more information on how it works, visit www.soverignsilver.info.

UMKA

Once you are sick, boosting your immunity is very important, but it is also nice to have a natural product to sooth those uncomfortable cold symptoms. The sore throat, the cough, congestion, etc. I recently tried Umka Cold Care, by Nature's Way, and I am impressed. Umka is made from Pelagonium sidoides roots and has its origins in traditional Southern African folk medicine. A leading remedy in Europe, Umka works differently than other over-the-counter cold medicines. It doesn't just mask symptoms. It shortens the duration and speeds recovery. And the best part? It is all natural, sugar-free, and absolutely safe for kids.

Being sick is no fun. When you feel the symptoms of an illness coming on, be sure to get lots of rest, hydrate, and boost your immunity. If a sore throat persists, it may be a sign of infection, and you should seek proper medical attention. Always consult a physician or holistic health practitioner before something new and especially before giving it to a child.

Here's to kicking that virus, and here's to your health!

Flashback Friday

2010-04-02T11:05:00.005-10:00

Happy Good Friday! Easter is just two days away, and whether you are having a small family gathering or a big feast, here is a salad recipe I posted for Thanksgiving. It's so simple and delicious, a great dish to serve at your table or bring along to a potluck for sharing.

Blue Cheese & Granny Smith Salad

organic mixed baby greens
Granny Smith apple
crumbled blue cheese
candied pecans
balsamic vinegar
olive oil

Use desired amount of ingredients listed. We like our salads hearty, and I often say that we added a little lettuce to our salad :) Make it how you like!

1. Cut desired amount of apple into small chunks
2. Add blue cheese and pecans
3. Toss all ingredients with baby greens, balsamic, and olive oil
4. Add just a bit of black pepper and cinnamon for extra flare (optional)

I often make this salad with raw pecans, or with Trader Joe's lightly sweetened pecans. (I stock up on these when we visit the mainland). But if you want to make them yourself, here is a nice recipe for candied pecans from my favorite gluten-free blog, Elana's Pantry. I made them tonight. I was out of yacon syrup so I used agave nectar. These nuts offer just a hint of sweetness to your salad or enjoy them all by themselves.

Candied Pecans

2 cups pecans
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons yacon syrup (or agave)
½ tsp sea salt

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl
Place in a pyrex baking dish
Bake at 350° for 15 minutes
Cool and serve

Also, if you are looking for healthier goodies to fill up those Easter baskets, click HERE for a few ideas :)

Here's to great food. Here's to a blessed Easter celebration! Here's to your health!

Dye Your Eggs With Vegetables!

2010-03-25T20:25:00.012-10:00

If you're looking for a fun little science experiment to do with your kids, here is a truly natural way to dye eggs this Easter. I was reading Clementine Art's blog and found this recipe for natural egg coloring quite intriguing. I am always looking for interesting projects to do with my daughter. She would just love this! A while back I wrote a review for some of Clementine Art products. They are great quality, natural art products for kids. Check out their blog, Darling Clementine, for more creative art ideas, at www.clementineboulder.blogspot.com.

For the egg dying recipe, click HERE

A Toxin-Free Tub

2010-03-07T21:23:00.014-10:00

A while back, I started a series of posts regarding "everyday toxins". It has been a while since I have posted in this subject area, but I felt compelled to do so today. I have wanted to address one particular everyday toxin for some time now. This is one commonly found in houses across the nation and around the world. CHLORINE.

Here is a description I found online for chlorine:

Chlorine is a highly poisonous, greenish yellow gas, about two and a half times as dense as air, and with a strong, sharp, choking odor. It was, in fact, one of the first poisonous gases used in warfare—in 1915 during World War I. In spite of its disagreeable nature, there are so many everyday products that contain chlorine or are manufactured through the use of chlorine that it is among the top ten chemicals produced in the United States each year. In 1994, more than 24 billion lb (11 billion kg) of chlorine were produced.

Did you note the part about it being a poisonous gas used in warfare? How about the "choking odor" part? Actually, that description is absolutely accurate, as it was used for that very reason.

So why is it that we find this chemical so widely used today? We know that chlorine is highly effective in killing bacteria. It is used in common household cleaners, in pools, and in our water supply. But through the years, sanitation has improved and alternatives to chlorine exist, though they are not widely used.

I am not writing this post to address alternatives to chlorine, but to share with you, if were not already aware, that chlorine is in fact, a poison; to let you know that your exposure to this toxic chemical is likely far higher than you think; and to show you a simple way to reduce it.

So, you may be thinking that you don't go swimming very often, and that you don't need to worry about chlorine exposure, while in fact, you are at risk every day. You see, since chlorine is added to the water supply to kill bacteria, you are literally bathing (and possibly drinking) it each and every day.

You might also be thinking that this is no big deal, and that you don't seem to notice any effects of this. But when it comes to toxic chemicals, there is often a cumulative effect that happens over time. You wouldn't reach for a household cleanser and sprinkle it into the water, just before you climb into a nice hot bath, would you? In reality, you're kind of doing this just by turning on the faucet.

Here's the problem: When you take a toxic chemical and heat it up in your bath or shower, not only are you absorbing it through the pores in your skin, you are also breathing in the steam, taking it right to your lungs and into your bloodstream.

So what can you do? A simple solution is to add a filter to your shower. Shower filters are inexpensive and require little maintenance, just a filter change about six months to a year. Easy enough, right? You can type in "shower filter" on Amazon or other sites, or search Gaiam Living for different types of these filters. They are very effective at removing chlorine, and other water contaminants.

Now for the bath. This is very important parents!! Protect your little one from the harmful effects of chlorine and other contaminants. Their little bodies are still developing, and the effects of everyday toxins are much more damaging to these precious ones. A simple solution for the tub is what is called a "bath ball". You can purchase one of these balls on Amazon or check your local health food store. By swirling it in the bath water for about one to two minutes, you neutralize the chlorine and it changes the chemical compound into one that is harmless. I keep one of these balls handy for travel.

Okay, if you are highly sensitive to chemicals like I am, you also have the option of purchasing what is called a whole-house filter. You can contact a company in your area that provides water softening tanks. They usually offer whole-house filtering tanks as well as options for your drinking water. This is a more costly option, but highly effective in removing multiple contaminants (including chlorine, pesticides, petroleum byproducts, and heavy metals) from the water supply in your home.

Take the time to research. Know what's in your local water supply. We don't have much control over our exposure to environmental toxins. This is one time that you do. Stay tuned for more chlorine-free tips on To Your Health!

Here's to truly natural water and here's to your health!

*For Hawaii residents here on Oahu, you can contact AAA Best Water for all your filtration and softening needs. If you are in Orange County, California, try Water By Design.

Gone Bananas

2010-02-22T12:30:00.007-10:00

I got this in an email today, so I am just pasting it here for you all. I love this kind of stuff...it encourages me to keep eating the amazing foods God has created for us, not only for us to enjoy, but most importantly, for our benefit. And this is just ONE of many natural, yummy foods to choose from!!....

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression "going bananas" is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!
This is interesting.
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia : High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

PressureBlood : This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips.. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady..

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

**Want a quick shine on your shoes? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth.

Wholly Organic??

2010-02-20T19:07:00.009-10:00

Okay, I love Whole Foods. We are there every week, picking up our favorite gourmet cheeses, deli meats, and much, much more. But when a friend of mine emailed this to me a while back, I was disappointed, and of course, I knew I had to share this with all of you. Will I stop shopping at Whole Foods? No way. I will, however, be reading their store-brand labels with much more scrutiny. Click the arrow and watch this news report:

Another New Clean Well Product

2010-02-16T12:40:00.007-10:00

Here is yet another new product from Clean Well, making it even more convenient to sanitize your hands, instantly. I can't wait to try this new hand sanitizing foam! This is a great one for teachers to have on their desks. Mommies, this will come in handy just about anywhere, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and nurseries.

Get 20% off a two pack of foam now through February 22! Click here for details.

Choose Fair Trade

2010-02-04T15:35:00.002-10:00

Now is the time of year when more than 20 million Americans are buying sweets and flowers for their loved ones on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, these tokens of love aren't as sweet or pure as they may appear. Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa's Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Meanwhile, commercial flowers, most of which are produced in countries such as Colombia, are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. Supplying the global market, poorly paid workers in Third World countries put in up to 18 hour work days for poverty wages during peak flower buying times such as Valentine's Day. But don't let the bad news squelch your Valentine's plans. Show your love by choosing Fair Trade and organic flowers and chocolate for your Valentine's Day gifts.

Read more about this and other important stories here on the Organic Cosumers Association website.

Here's to your health!

Healthy Child Healthy World

2010-02-02T11:30:00.002-10:00

If you wonder where I get my information for some of the issues I write about in this blog, here is a video clip from one of my resources. It is one of the best out there. You can receive their updates via email or visit their site anytime for the latest news and ideas for a healthier home. Here's to your health!

A Wake-Up Story from Healthy Child Healthy World on Vimeo.

Surface Wipes, Powered by Clean Well!

2010-02-01T11:13:00.012-10:00

You all know that I am a big fan of Clean Well. My bathrooms and kitchen are stocked with their soaps, and I carry my handy little sanitizing spray wherever I go. I am happy to tell you that you can now have the safe and natural, sanitizing power of Clean Well in your disinfecting wipes!

Seventh Generation has teamed up with Clean Well to give Clean Well fans what they have been asking for. They have produced great line of surface disinfectants for the home, which includes both surface sprays and wipes. So far I have only found them at Whole Foods here in Hawaii, but they are supposed to be available at Longs, Target, and other stores as well.

I recently bought the sanitizing wipes for our home and tried them out right away. First I wiped down the kitchen counters, then the bathroom counters, the door handles, the toilet seats...quick, easy, safe sanitizing. I used to use my Clean Well spray on surfaces, but now I can just grab a wipe.

I love that these wipes are safe and effective, and convenient. I was a bit worried about using them on my black granite counter tops. With careful examination, I saw only a hint of a few streaks here and there. What I really like most about the wipes is the mild, fresh scent. Unlike other brands I've tried, they are not at all overpowering. Just clean and fresh!

So, do you Clean Well?

Jump On In!

2010-01-19T16:19:00.013-10:00

Hello! Happy New Year! I bet you all thought I wasn't coming back. Well, things got very busy in my real world and I just didn't seem to have time for the land of blog. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I don't know about you, but I have had a bit of a hard time getting back into the swing of things. Traveling can be so taxing.

So, anyone make New Year's Resolutions? It may surprise you, but I don't do resolutions. I mean, sure, there are things I might like to improve. I might like to be more organized, and I definitely want to get more sleep! But I don't think change happens overnight. It's a process. So I don't make the kind of vows that start with, "From now on..." It might work for some, but for me personally, I may just be setting myself up for disappointment. And that is no way to begin a new year.

Are there changes you'd like to make? Goals you'd like to reach? If you have resolved to make positive changes in your life, you're headed in the right direction-you are moving forward. Weather you want to exercise more or make healthier food choices, better financial decisions, or increase your faith, there are opportunities for growth all around us. The question is this: Will you take them? Will you grab hold of them and make the most of it? It's up to you!

Here are just a few things to consider in the midst of it:

1. Be realistic! Don't set outrageous expectations for yourself. If you have never worked out a day in your life, don't resolve to exercise two hours a day, five days a week. Take it slow. Make long term goals that meet or exceed your expectations. Then, make short-term goals that you can focus on and achieve. Each small achievement will boost your confidence and ultimately help you go the distance.

2. Don't beat yourself up. Hey, we all get down from time to time, about one thing or another. It's okay to get disappointed, but the longer we focus on what we aren't doing "right", the more time and opportunity wasted. Keep moving. Find motivation. Seek it out!

3. Partner up! It is so much easier to achieve a goal, especially a fitness goal, when you have a buddy coming along for the ride. You keep each other motivated and accountable. And it's just more fun with a friend!

4. Write it down. Keeping a journal is one of the best ways to organize your thoughts. When you keep a journal, you can keep your intentions and goals in focus, while charting your progress along the way. You can always go back and see just how far you've come.

5. Have fun! During my recent trip to the mainland, I knew that my exercise regimen would take a back seat to family events, etc. My sleeping schedule was a bit out of whack, I didn't have access to a gym, and my calendar was pretty booked. To top it off, my rugged stroller was back at home and I had my not-so-high-tech umbrella one...with the wobbly wheels.

So? I improvised. I made extra trips up and down stairs, I stretched in line at the airport, while waiting to board the plane. And I acted like a kid...When I tried to get a little cardio in on a stroller walk with my daughter, my attempt to run proved to be nearly impossible with that stroller. I suddenly had the idea to do something I hadn't done in years (well, outside my home anyway). SKIP!!! Yes, skip. The gardeners looked at me sideways, but I was having too much fun to care. Let me tell you, skipping is quite the buns and thigh workout!

Are you ready for change? Are you up for the challenge? It's a new year. Opportunities await. Seize them. And have fun! Try something new. Sign up for a Pilates class. Take up kickboxing. Do something you haven't done in years. Run barefoot on the beach, jump rope with your kids, or skip through your neighborhood. Go ahead, I dare you!

Simply Christmas

2009-12-22T21:39:00.023-10:00

Well, sorry I haven't been around much this month. Our trip to the mainland for Christmas has kept me quite busy. We did not get to visit family last year at this time, and we have truly enjoyed being with them this holiday season.

This time of year can be so hectic. People scurrying all around, the traffic, the last-minute shopping frenzies. It is easy to lose sight of what is most important. There were lots of things I intended to post this month and never got around to...I've been too busy doing what really matters-spending time with loved ones.

Like anyone else, I've shopped. I've wrapped. I've attended parties. But we have made a real effort in our home lately, to just look at Christmas... and be amazed. Amazed at the wonder and the simplicity. The reason we celebrate. An act of love. A lowly birth. An innocent baby. A Savior is born.

When you celebrate Christmas this week, I pray that in the midst of the surrounding frenzy, you will slow down, take a deep breath, and simply worship the King.

These tips are coming a bit late, but here are a few ideas for keeping it simple this year:

1. Help your kids make homemade goodies to give as gifts. An easy, healthier option are these Candied Pecans.

2. Incorporate traditions like reading the nativity story or singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

3. Get bundled up and go Christmas Caroling! Remember that??

4. If you haven't already...don't break the bank! Draw names from a hat and do a gift exchange. Or get together with other moms and dads and have a toy exchange. Gather gently used toys that your kids have outgrown and swap them out with other families. Toys don't have to always be brand new.

5. Forgo expensive gifts and do a White Elephant exchange instead. Those gifts are always the most memorable!

6. Save on wrapping paper and gift-tags...reuse bags from last year or get creative by using newspaper, magazines, or grocery bags to wrap with. Or my personal favorite, give gifts a personal touch by wrapping them up in one of your child's many masterpieces.

7. Okay, this may be controversial, but here goes...re-gift! I see absolutely nothing wrong with taking something that, let's say, isn't you...and passing it along to someone who would truly enjoy it. And if it's just hideous? Well, then, recycle it!

8. Give. Give to a needy family, or the Red Cross, or the Salvation Army...or any number of other causes. You will be the one who receives the gift.

8. LAUGH!

9. Enjoy one another. Love one another.

10. Worship.

FULL SIGNAL

2009-12-06T21:10:00.006-10:00

Okay, if you have had any doubt in your mind about what you have read here, or heard elsewhere, concerning EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies) and your health...

Check out this trailer for a new documentary that is sure to blow you away. We cannot ignore the threat any longer.

For more information on how to protect yourself, go to www.mybiopro.com/protectednoggin. BioPro is the only company offering this type of technology. Protect yourself today!

Here's to your health!

Green Polka Dot Box

2009-12-02T19:44:00.005-10:00

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't been around in a bit. Things are getting a little busy around here. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends. Hope you were all blessed by your day as well. We will be heading off to the mainland on the 12th of December to be with family for Christmas, so you may not hear from me as much...but stick around. I will be posting when I can and will be sure to post more when we return.

For now I want to tell you about a site that a friend forwarded to me. I have not had time to look at it in detail, but I always want to keep you updated on the latest. Here is a new health food website you can check out and compare prices to what you are currently paying. It's called Green Polka Dot Box.

Check it out at http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/.

Here's to your health!

Give Thanks!

2009-11-24T22:54:00.004-10:00

I love Thanksgiving. There's just something about the turkey and all the fixins...and the tryptophan! Gratitude is so good for our hearts, our souls, and yes, our bodies. There is compelling research about attitudes and health. We are all struggling right now, but we still have oh so much to be thankful for. We have our freedom. We have one another. We have love and joy and faith. So give thanks!

This year we will celebrate Thanksgiving with some friends in our neighborhood. They are preparing quite a feast. I am bringing a simple salad that has become a favorite around here. It's not my original recipe. I guess it's kind of a classic. Here is a quick and easy salad that is sure to be a hit.

Blue Cheese & Granny Smith Salad

organic mixed baby greens
Granny Smith apple
crumbled blue cheese
candied pecans
balsamic vinegar
olive oil

Use desired amount of ingredients listed. We like our salads hearty, and I often say that we added a little lettuce to our salad :) Make it how you like!

1. Cut desired amount of apple into small chuncks
2. Add blue cheese and pecans
3. Toss all ingredients with baby greens, balsamic, and olive oil
4. Add just a bit of black pepper and cinnamon for extra flare (optional)

I often make this salad with raw pecans, or with Trader Joe's lightly sweetened pecans. (I stock up on these when we visit the mainland). But if you want to make them yourself, here is a nice recipe for candied pecans from my favorite gluten-free blog, Elana's Pantry. I made them tonight. I was out of yacon syrup so I used agave nectar. These nuts offer just a hint of sweetness to your salad or enjoy them all by themselves.

Candied Pecans

2 cups pecans
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons yacon syrup
½ tsp celtic sea salt

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl
Place in a pyrex baking dish
Bake at 350° for 15 minutes
Cool and serve

Here's to great food. Here's to gratitude. Here's to your health!

God bless you this Thanksgiving!

WINNER!!

2009-11-21T15:26:00.004-10:00

And the winner of the EnviroBLOX giveaway is:

Jennifer, who follows To Your Health via Google Connect.

Congratulations Jennifer!! Unfortunately, you did not leave an email address, so please contact me by leaving a comment for this post with your email address included. If I do not hear from you within 72 hours, I will have to choose another winner.

A big thank you to all who entered. I would like to also offer special thanks to Cadaco for sponsoring this very generous giveaway!

Just Another Every Day Toxin

2009-11-19T16:52:00.007-10:00

We should all be outraged at even the thought of toxic waste being called "organic fertilizer". Sadly, the reality is that this is happening all over the country. This is no doubt, a problem that will trickle down and effect us all. Here is an excerpt from the Organic Consumers Association concerning this every day toxin.

With toxic municipal sewage sludge being spread over tens of thousands of non-organic farms and ranches across the U.S., and sold in garden supply stores - often falsely labeled as "organic" fertilizer - OCA is about to launch a major campaign against the sewage sludge industry. But before we launch this campaign we need to respond to the current outrage in the so-called "Green City" of San Francisco, where the city is giving away toxic sewage sludge to backyard gardeners, farmers, and schools, under the guise of it being "organic fertilizer."

LEARN MORE

Use the following Action Alert and tell San Francisco to stop endangering schoolchildren and backyard gardeners!

TAKE ACTION NOW

GIVEAWAY!!

2009-11-18T11:57:00.004-10:00

Only two more days left to enter the Enviro BLOX giveaway! Click here to find out how to enter.

Have a great and healthy day!

Tune in Tuesday!!

2009-11-16T14:55:00.008-10:00

Most of you have heard of Dr. Oz. And if you haven't, now is the time to check out his show. Tomorrow, Tuesday the 17th of November, Dr. Oz investigates the link between cell phones and brain cancer. This is a show you do not want to miss! Check your local listings for the Dr. Oz show and tell your friends to watch this important show as well. To find out more about how cell phone use is linked to cancer, and how you can protect yourself, visit www.mybiopro.com/protectednoggin.

Here's to your health!

Have a Happy Tiffin!

2009-11-14T10:40:00.005-10:00

I am glad to know there are so many great new food storage options. I just learned about a product line from a reader who commented on my post, More Reusable Options. If you are looking for style and function, Happy Tiffin is a fabulous, chic way to go! Their three-layer stainless steel containers and gorgeous, insulated bags would make a great gift for anyone on your list.

Check out all of their items at www.happytiffin.com. A big thank you to the reader who posted this comment, and to all my readers who share their latest tips.

Have a great and healthy day!

It's Okay to Fib!

2009-11-11T21:08:00.011-10:00

Okay, how cute are these? Want a great novelty gift option for a friend who has a baby? Or for your little cutie? I read about these adorable costume bibs on a friend's blog and just had to share them here. These fun little bibs are handmade by moms and sold on Etsy. They are double-sided, so you can flip the costume side over and use the other side for feeding time. To check out more, go to http://www.fibbibs.com/.

Massive Maclaren Recall!

2009-11-10T11:55:00.007-10:00

Attention Parents! If you own Maclaren stroller, you need to read this. Several children have been seriously hurt. If you own a Maclaren umbrella stroller, stop using it immediately. That’s the advice of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after it announced a voluntary recall Monday of an estimated 1 million strollers made by Maclaren.

Stop using any single- or double-umbrella stroller with Maclaren written on it, says the CPSC. The problem: Maclaren received reports that 12 children had their fingertips amputated after they placed their fingers in the hinge where the stroller folds. "This is a very serious hazard," says Scott Wilson, spokesman for the CPSC. "We know child behavior, we know kids like to explore and sometimes put their fingers in places where they shouldn't be. But finger amputations that result from using a product that parents expect to be safe is unacceptable."

Read more here

More Reusable Options!

2009-11-08T20:05:00.043-10:00

With the overwhelming number of reports about BPA leaching, I am making an extra effort to have a plastic-free kitchen. Of course, many food items we buy come in plastic packaging. It is impossible to avoid it completely.

I prefer glass for drinking and for food storage. But we are a busy family on the go and glass is not always the most practical option. I have previously shared some of my favorite reusables. Here are a few more.

I bought some stainless steel containers that are quite handy for packing lunch items or snacks. They are lightweight, reusable, and provide natural insulation, which helps keep food cool longer. We have been using Lunch Bots for sandwiches and other snacks. My husband takes them to work in his lunch bag, and we also use them for food storage in the fridge. Lunch Bots have a rectangular shape, and a tight seal lid. I got a great price for these on Amazon.

We also really like Kids Konserve Nesting Trio. These three round containers are great for veggie slices, crackers, hummus, whatever. They "nest" inside one another for easy storage, and have rubber, leak-proof lids that seal tight and keep food contained, so there is no need to worry about spills. You can find these on The Soft Landing.

We have traded our Sigg Bottles, due to possible BPA leaching, for great new stainless steel sippers. I ordered three different brands to try out. For my husband, I got Nathan's 240z with a flip straw. My daughter now has a pretty CamelBak butterfly bottle with a flip straw. And I love my gorgeous new bottle by Thermos. It has a one-touch button release for a straw, which makes it super convenient and easy to sip from during workouts or when driving. I really like how liquids stay a consistent temperature for hours in these stainless steel bottles.

All of these choices are stainless steel, but remember, there are also many safe BPA-free plastic choices as well. It may not seem cost-effective to switch out your containers, but it actually is. These are durable, safe containers that do not leach harmful chemicals. They are not microwaveable...sorry. But they are reusable and will last a long, long time. Resuable containers conserve resources, reduce waste, and ultimately, keep more money in your pocket. Now that, I like.

Here' s to your health!

Get Creative With Clementine Art!

2009-11-05T22:54:00.010-10:00

I've always got my eye out for the safest products for kids. As promised, here is another great option for the kiddos on your Christmas list. Today we received a highly-anticipated package of products to review from Clementine Art. I first noticed Clementine Art products in Whole Foods. I checked out the website and was so impressed with the company's products and the story behind them. What a fabulous company!

Clementine Art is a natural children's art company. The products are all natural, truly non-toxic, free of synthetic preservatives, animal by-products, and petroleum. They are the first art product company to list all ingredients on its packages. The company uses renewable resources, even down to the beautiful packaging, which is made from mostly recycled materials and is printed with soy-based inks in a wind-powered facility. AND the products are made in the USA.

We received a pack of natural soy crayons and natural modeling dough to review. Of course, my little one wanted to dive right in, ripping the package open and getting down to some serious art business. It is always amazing to see a child's creativity and imagination at work-it's magical. And that is what Clementine Art is all about.

Clementine Art was started by Diana Mercer, a former teacher with over 20 years experience in education, arts education, and child development. She wanted to "create products that not only engaged children in an open-ended creative process, but that could also become an everyday part of healthy and creative lifestyle."

So what did we think of the products? Well, I had a hard time getting my little one to put them away and wash up for dinner. First, we opened the modeling dough, which comes in three colors-yellow, green, and red. This all natural dough is soft and pliable, tons of fun, and smells delicious.

When I opened the box of crayons, I wasn't sure what my daughter would think, but she really liked them. These soy crayons have a totally unique shape, that I absolutely love. My daughter tends to push hard when writing or drawing and she often breaks her crayons, even the larger triangular-shaped ones. These crayons are thick and durable, and are just the right shape to encourage writing. They don't have that "crayon" smell, and they don't come with paper wrapping, so you need not fuss about your kids peeling it away and leaving little pieces all over the house! Also, my daughter accidentally wrote on the carpet, so I got the opportunity to test and see that they wash fairly easily as well.

I would definitely recommend Clementine Art products. What I really love about Clementine Art is that the products are high quality and absolutely safe. We can't wait to try the other items in their line. I only wish that they had been available sooner.

I would love to see Clementine Art expands their product line to include a larger variety of colors. That would be the only slight downside for me right now. Still, we are looking forward to lots of safe playtime with Clementine Art. Kids love to explore, and often that means their little hands AND mouths coming into contact with paint, glue, crayons, whatever they are creating with. Why not choose the safest products available?

Be sure to check out www.clementineart.com to read more about all of their naturally fabulous products!

Here's to happy, healthy, budding little artists!

Btw Cleliac friends, these products are not all gluten-free, but I plan to blog about wheat-free products soon :)

Pretty Little Piggy!

2009-11-02T13:20:00.014-10:00

It's that time of year. Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere, stores are stocking up their toy supplies, and parents will soon begin to scramble! So I thought I would post a few more of my favorite safe picks for kids. I'll start with this great stocking stuffer for girls!

Since we have a little princess in our midst, we have lots of fun with all the girly stuff. Like most little girls, our daughter loves to paint her nails, just like her mommy. Oh what fun! We have been using the more natural polishes for years now, but our newest find is the Best. We love Piggy Paint!

I first discovered Piggy Paint in a magazine, and have since read review after review from fellow mommy bloggers. So I decided to order some a while back to see if it was truly as wonderful as I had heard...AND it is!

So what is so great about Piggy Paint? Well, for starters, my little one loves anything "piggy". But in addition to that, this awesome nail polish is made from a water-based formula, and is totally free of all the harsh chemicals found in most other brands. The Piggy Paint site boasts that "Piggy Paint is specially formulated from God’s natural ingredients and dries to a hard, durable finish. There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone."

Piggy Paint truly is as natural as mud. It doesn't even have a hint of harsh odor...it actually smells a little like dirt. I was also surprised at how well the special polish remover works. And I am quite impressed with the beautiful colors Piggy Paint comes in. I liked them so much that I decided to give myself a piggy pedicure. I have been searching for the perfect red for some time, and now I've finally found it in "Sometimes Sweet"!

Now Piggy Paint is offering To Your Health readers 15% off! Just use the coupon code at checkout and you'll receive 15% off anything at www.piggypaint.com , including sales items. They ship worldwide.

COUPON CODE: HEALTH15L
EXPIRATION DATE: Feb 28, 2010
Spend over $25 and domestic shipping is FREE!

Here's to being a girl!

Tweak the Treats!

2009-10-31T08:36:00.034-10:00

Today seems to mark the official beginning of our season of special treats. Whether you participate in this holiday or not, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and more are right around the corner, and there will be goodies o' plenty at every turn. So, what does this healthy livin' mommy think about all of the sugary treats?

Well, tonight we will be attending an event at our church, and there will be plenty of candy involved. I cannot hope for my little one to say "no thank you" to all of those yummy sweets. Of course I want to limit her sugar intake, but I want her to enjoy herself. When it comes to special days like this, birthday parties, etc, I don't fret too much. It is only one day, and since I am doing my best all throughout the year to keep nutritious, healthy food in our diets, I can shrug my shoulders and let my kiddo have a good time.

But do I want my three-year-old consuming all of her giant candy loot? No way. So here are a few ideas to help parents put a lid on the candy intake!

Buy their candy! Let your kids choose a handful of their favorites and "buy" the rest from them. Set a price of 5 to 25 cents per piece of candy, depending on the size of their collection (and their age). Then let them put that toward a special toy or other item they've had their eye on. OR instead of using cash, buy them out with stickers or other fun stuff!

I read about one mom showing her kids "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and then allowing them to keep a portion of their candy, and offering the rest to "the Great Pumpkin" (in reality, it's daddy, who hauls the loot off to work on Monday morning!)

Make a trade! Let your kids keep a few pieces in their bag, and trade the others for some healthier options. Here are a few ideas for replacements that are not necessarily "healthy", but are a better alternative to the more common treats filled with hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors and colors.

1. Fill a small bag with trailmix, carob chips, raisins, pretzels, or one of their other favorite snack foods.

2. Yummy Earth organic lollypops (my daughter's favorite)

3. SunSpire's natural candy bars and Sundrops- colorful "m & m"-like chocolate treats

4. Cliff Kid Organic Twisted Fruit

5. Annie's Organic BunnyFruit Snacks

(can all be found at Whole Foods and other health food stores, and Amazon)

These are just a few ideas to make your holiday a little bit healthier, but just as SWEET!

Here's to your health!

A Warm Cup of Healthy Brew

2009-10-28T21:52:00.008-10:00

It is so nice to enjoy a hot cup of tea in the morning, or just before heading off to bed at night. I drink tea a bit less frequently since moving here to Hawaii, but with the weather cooling off in the next few months, my husband and I will be enjoying an evening ritual that we always look forward to this time of year. A warm mug in my hand, the smell of it brewing, the way it sooths as it goes down. Aaaah.

When it comes to tea, I prefer vanilla, chocolate...or mint. Yum. Though I enjoy tea as a treat, I also know the many benefits herbal teas offer. Recently I shared my top immune boosters. Even when we do our best to prevent it, we all get sick from time to time. When I feel the twinge of a sore throat coming on, I know I can reach for Traditional Medicinals. I may take lots of Vitamin C and other things to help fight a cold, but nothing soothes my throat like Throat Coat, by Traditional Medicinals.

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years. Medicinal use of herbal tinctures exists all over the world, in various cultures. Traditional Medicinals offers a variety of herbal blends, specially formulated for specific needs. In addition to Throat Coat, they make several blends of teas to help promote health in areas like digestion, sleep, and mood. A great one for new mommies is Mother's Milk, which is highly recommended by midwives and lactation consultants, for promoting healthy breast milk production.

Traditional Medicinals is the leader in fair trade certified herbal teas. For over 34 years, they have been making herbal teas, blending the ancient art of traditional formulating with the most modern methods to ensure a consistently reliable product. Visit their official site to explore the variety of tea blends and other products offered. You can also find Traditional Medicinal teas at health food stores, Target, and Amazon.

Here's to healthy sipping!

Refund From Disney

2009-10-26T20:12:00.011-10:00

Many of you have likely heard about this. I have received several emails about it, so I am posting it to be sure you are all informed. Disney is offering a refund on all Baby Einstein videos. According to Brandweek, "The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood alleged the offer is a result of a complaint that was filed with the Federal Trade Commission regarding Baby Einstein’s marketing claims. The CCFC filed the complaint in 2006, citing the fact that there is no credible evidence that screen media can educate infants. Soon after, Disney removed the educational claims from Baby Einstein products."

For more information on how to receive a refund, click here.

15% OFF New Clean Well Spray

2009-10-26T12:11:00.008-10:00

Recently I told you all how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Clean Well products. I am especially fond of the all-natural hand sanitizer, which is free of harsh chemicals and won't dry out your hands. When it comes to busting germs, Clean Well is the absolute BEST choice for you and your family!

Clean Well now makes this awesome hand sanitizer in their dreamy scent, Orange Vanilla. I just ordered mine. I am so excited because I use this spray "umteen" times a day, and now it comes in my favorite fragrance. Yum!

Right now you can receive 15% off this fabulous new product. The offer lasts through October 30th. Click here for details.

Here's to your health!

BioPro Cell Chip Winner!!

2009-10-26T09:34:00.003-10:00

Congratulations Jen, you have won a BioPro protective chip for your phone. Enjoy!

Thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check out:

"EnviroBlox Giveaway"-ends 11/20

Enviro BLOX Giveaway!!

2009-10-24T10:03:00.006-10:00

Remember those great pics I posted of my husband's creations with Magic Nuudles? We have had so much fun with these...especially my other child, the hubby! He is quite talented when it comes to this kind of stuff. I might stick few together and call it a bracelet, while he is putting the finishing touches on an intricate design that just puts mine to shame.

Magic Nuudles are now called EnviroBLOX to better reflect the product. These natural building blocks are lots of fun and best of all, safe for kids and the environment. EnviroBLOX are proudly made in the USA, from a patented, high-cellulose cornstarch formulation. They are 100% bio-degradable (disappear under running water), free of petrochemicals, and are colored with safe, food-grade dyes. They are even harmless if chewed or sucked on! They simply dissolve. Now that is kid-friendly!

Want to test your skills with these eco-friendly blox? The folks over at Candaco are generously giving a Super-Tub Building Set of EnviroBLOX filled with more than 880 Enviro BLOX to one of my readers!

GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is only available to To Your Health followers, so if you haven't signed up to follow, please do so first. New followers will automatically receive one extra entry for joining!!!

Initial entry: Visit the Cadaco site, then leave me a comment saying which other products interest you (in addition to the EnviroBLOX). This is mandatory for other entries to count :)

Extra entry: Follow me on twitter

Extra entry: Become a fan on facebook

Extra entry: Blog about this giveaway

Extra entry: Refer a friend to To Your Health!

~Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you do not have a blog, please leave an email address so you can be notified if you have won!

**Contest ends Friday, November 20, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii time. Open to USA and Canada residents. Winner will be randomly selected by third party and will have 72 hours to respond.

Here's to happy, healthy playtime!

Weekend Wisdom

2009-10-23T22:23:00.003-10:00

If you're looking for Weekend Wisdom, I'm hosting it here on my family blog.

Cheers!

What's In Your Bottled Water?

2009-10-21T11:00:00.011-10:00

My husband took some much-needed time off from work this week, so we'll be spending lots of time hangin' out as a family. We're off to the beach! So for now I will leave you with some information on another interesting documentary-click below to read more about it and be sure to watch the trailer.

Don't Drink the (Bottled) Water

Carob Pudding With Sprinkles!

2009-10-19T10:04:00.018-10:00

I adapted this recipe for raw pudding from one I found on Ani Phyo's site. My daughter said it wasn't sweet enough, so after a little tweaking, I created a pudding to suit her little pallet. This pudding can be made with carob chips, carob powder, or raw cocoa powder. The cashews are a great source of fiber, protein, and other nutritents, such as copper and magnesium.

My little one likes it topped with colorful sprinkles. We choose Let's Do... Sprinkelz. They are gluten free, contain no artificial ingredients, and are colored naturally with extracts of seeds, vegetables, or fruits. They are delicious. Who doesn't love sprinkles?!

I top mine with finely shredded organic coconut and carob chips. The consistency of this pudding reminds me of frosting. This would be a great and healthy alternative for those with lactose intolerance, dairy allergy, or a vegan lifestyle. I bet it would be great on vanilla cupcakes. I'll have to try it out and let you know!

Carob Pudding

1 cup raw organic cashews

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup pitted semi soft dates

1 tbs agave nectar

1/2 tbs coconut oil

2 tbs carob chips, carob powder, or raw cocoa powder

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

That's it. Easy, yummy, healthy. The trickiest part is getting every last bit out of your blender. For this part,use a rubber spatula or spoon. Serve chilled with your favorite toppings.

~Turn this recipe into a carob-coconut pudding by simply adding a little more coconut oil to enhance the coconut flavor~

*High speed blender recommended. For best results, try the Vita Mix.

Here's to sweet...and healthy treats!

Weekend Wisdom

2009-10-16T21:49:00.016-10:00

It's Friday night. I am posting a bit late...the week goes by so quickly! When it comes to wisdom, there is no better source than the infallible Word of God. So I look to the Bible daily, for wisdom, for hope, for truth.

This week I quote a passage from the book of John, chapter 6, verse 31 (also found in Matthew 7:12). We have all heard this quoted many times. The "Golden Rule" existed before Christ, in the rabbinic writings and also in other religions. All other versions cast the rule as a negative command, like Rabbi Hiilel's version, "What is hateful to yourself do not to someone else." But Jesus made it a positive command, saying,

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Now the meaning of the saying comes to life, and we see this one command sum up the whole gist of the ethical principles provided in the Commandments. We see that we ought not to just avoid hating or hurting one another, but instead be actively loving one another.

Have some wisdom to share? Post your link below. Be sure to post the permalink to your post and not the general link to your blog. Have a great a healthy weekend!

Cell Chip GIVEAWAY!!!

2009-10-14T17:26:00.007-10:00

The BioPro GIVEAWAY ends soon! If you haven't already entered, click here. Be sure to leave a comment after entering!

Sneaky Spinach & Olive Pizza

2009-10-12T20:46:00.017-10:00

We are pretty lucky to have a kid that actually likes vegetables. But like any toddler, she is selective about which ones she will eat and how often she'll partake. Green veggies are tricky. I often hide them in her food and I like to sneak them in when she's really hungry. If she is gobbling up her meal, she doesn't usually take time to dissect what I've put in front of her!

One of my little one's favorites is pizza. She loves to help me assemble mini pizzas, just the right size for little hands. I like to keep things simple most of the time. For a quick lunch or dinner, I can easily throw these together with whatever ingredients I have handy. Here is a recipe for quick and easy, healthy kid pizza.

Sneaky Spinach and Olive Pizza

Ezekiel Sprouted whole grain hamburger buns or English muffins

Organic ketchup (or marinara sauce)

Organic shredded cheese or cheese substitute

Organic baby spinach leaves

Sliced olives (We like Santa Barbara Olive Co.-no chemical preservatives)

1. Chop the baby spinach into very tiny pieces.

2. Spread about 1 tsp chopped spinach on half a bun or muffin.

3. Top with desired amount of ketcup or marinara.

4. Sprinkle plenty of cheese to fully cover any trace of green.

5. Add sliced olives

6. Bake or broil until cheese melts and bread browns.

7. Slice in half or quarters.

Voila'! Super easy. Quite a healthy little pizza. Use whatever ingredients you've got. Sometimes we add sliced turkey meat from the deli. The key is to use something your kid(s) really enjoys to distract from the spinach. You may have guessed that my Phoebe loves olives. She would eat a whole can if I let her.

Here's to healthy kids!

Weekend Wisdom

2009-10-09T00:01:00.003-10:00

It's Friday! Time for Weekend Wisdom. Several years ago, my husband and I received a gift subscription to Guideposts magazine. Our dear friends continue to renew our subscription every year for Christmas.

Guideposts magazine is an interfaith magazine, started by Norman Vincent Peale, author of the best seller, The Power of Positive Thinking. I really enjoy having a copy of Guideposts arrive every month. I can take it along to the beach, or read it while waiting for appointment at the dentist. I love reading so many inspirational stories from people of all walks of life. The stories are short, so it is easy to squeeze in a little inspiration just about anywhere. I used to keep one handy in the car, to read in various parking lots. Ah, those desperate days of early mommyhood, when my little one really needed a nap, but would only sleep if we hit the road!

One of my favorite bits in Guideposts is a section called, "The Up Side". It is a collection of quotes-some sent in by readers, others taken from famous authors, doctors, reverends, etc. These quotes are great for getting a quick dose of inspiration or perspective for the day.

Here is a simple little quote I liked from August's issue:

"Worry often gives a small thing a great shadow."

-Swedish proverb submitted by Guideposts Intern Andrea Craig of New York, New York.

Now it's your turn! Post a little Weekend Wisdom on your blog and link back here.

*To participate:
1. Write your post-be sure to link back to this post so your readers can join in!
2. Stop by To Your Health and add your link-add the permalink to the specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

*If you don't have a blog, feel free to participate by posting a comment.

Here's to your health!

Got Aches and Pains?

2009-10-06T20:07:00.013-10:00

(Sigh) It is so good to finally sit down and relax! Running errands around town, taking care of a home, and keeping up with one very busy three-year-old, I feel like I hardly ever sit during the day. Somehow I manage to squeeze in a bit of Pilates, dance, running, and other fitness into the mix. Oh yeah, and a few massage clients here and there.

It seems now that my little one is becoming a bit more independent, I have a smidge more freedom to enjoy the things I love, like ballet class or Pilates...but I find myself adding more and more into my daily routine. And the laundry still has my name on it! With all of this activity, my muscles can feel pretty achy and sore.

I cannot get a massage every night (wouldn't that be nice?). Instead, I look forward to my evening ritual of taking a nice, hot bath. My quick remedy for sore muscles? I add a cup of good old-fashioned Epsom salt! You can find Epsom salt pretty much anywhere-Target, your local grocery store, or drug store. Epsom salt, or hydrated magnesium sulfate, is a natural anti-inflammatory, bringing a soothing relief to mild soreness, swelling, and bruises.

Another product I use is Arnica cream. Arnica is a natural analgesic. You can rub the cream directly into sore muscles, bruises, and minor sprains for relief. It is a great one for what I like to call "mouse arm"-the result of hours of clicking away on the computer mouse. My forearm gets pretty sore if I am at my keyboard or scrolling with the mouse for long periods of time.

Two great choices for Arnica cream are Arnicare and Traumeel. Both contain the homeopathic ingredient, Arnica montana. Generations of athletes, trainers, and others have benefited from the relief Arnica provides. Doctors and pharmacists recommend it as a safe and natural remedy for pain relief. Arnica is also available as an oral homeopathic medicine. You can find Arnica creams, gels, or oral medicine in health food stores or online.

Quick Beauty Tip

2009-10-04T22:22:00.016-10:00

I like my skin to have a nice, healthy glow, but I never want it to look oily or "shiny". Every lady knows that restrooms are not just a place of rest. Women congregate in the ladies' room to check out their hair, reapply their lipgloss...and essentially, to "powder their noses".

A while back, cosmetic companies came out with blotting tissues, little mini tissues to absorb excess oil on the skin. A lot of companies make them, but here is a little trick I discovered several years ago while at my chiropractor's office. Many of you may already know this, but here it is just in case you haven't heard this one.

The chiropractor was just finishing up with me. I sat up from my face-down position on the table and realized that the sanitary paper on the table had an oily imprint of my face in it. A few days later, while in a public restroom, I noted that the toilet seat covers were made of this same paper. Aha! You know where I am going with this...blotting paper. FREE blotting paper!

Next time you are in a restroom, give it a try. It works! Some may be too germaphobic for this one..but I thought I'd share it anyway. Of course, it is best to avoid the first few papers toward the front of the stack! So there you have it, a quick and frugal beauty tip for the week.

I still like to keep blotting tissues readily available in my purse. When choosing a brand, be sure to check the ingredients before you buy. Stay away from those with added chemicals or talc. The most absorbant ones I have tried are Clinique's pore minimizer oil-blotting sheets. I was pleasantly surprised recently when I tried them. There are no added chemicals, they are very absorbant, and they don't leave any powdery residue. Plus, they are a bit more convenient than running to the nearest powder room!

Interesting fact:

The term powder room dates back to the early 18th century, when it was used to refer to a closet-sized room where people went to have their wigs repowdered. The expression carried through to Victorian times, when any reference to personal bodily functions was considered indelicate. Ladies of the era were embarrassed to speak of such things and would excuse themselves from mixed company to go to “powder their noses.” In fact, many women still use refer to a public ladies’ room as a powder room. (found on http://www.wisegeek.com/)

Weekend Wisdom

2009-10-01T23:09:00.004-10:00

I got this in an email the other day. Simple, yet profoundly wise words from a woman who has been around long enough to know a few things. Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you're sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age before you wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Well, I think this just about covers it all! But I would love to hear from you. Do you have a favorite quote or words of wisdom to share? I just can't help but want to get in on the blog party fun. So at the end of each week, To Your Health will be hosting Weekend Wisdom.

Stop by and share some wise ole' words. Did you learn something new this week? Did you learn a lesson the "hard way"? Or better yet, did your kids say something that had you laughing a lot...and taking yourself a whole lot less seriously? Write a quick post about it and share it here. Share a quote, a personal story, whatever you'd like. Since family time is precious, Weekend Wisdom will begin Friday and go through the weekend. Stop by anytime to join in and post your link! And please, do link back to To Your Health somewhere in your post :)

*To participate in the blog party:

1. Write your post-be sure to link back to the party so your readers can join in!

2. Stop by To Your Health and add your link-add the permalink to the specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

*If you don't have a blog, feel free to participate by posting a comment.

Gluten Free Carrot Muffins

2009-09-30T19:23:00.030-10:00

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, Nanci, who has known me almost as long as my own sister. I have great memories of sleeping over at Nanci's house as a kid. We started a little tradition of baking a carrot cake every time I came over. Her mom always had a Betty Crocker cake mix stocked in her pantry. We'd get the mix all ready and then stir in a can of chopped pineapple. I remember it being moist and delicious-especially the whipped cream frosting!

When I realized I was hyperglycemic, I gave up flour, refined sugars, and starchy foods. I had pretty much given up on the idea of baking...until I stumbled upon Elana's Pantry, a wonderful gluten-free cooking blog. I don't have a gluten alergy, but the recipes on Elana's blog are a great match for me. She uses coconut flour and almond flour, which are high-fiber flours that are low in digestible carbs. AND her sweeteners of choice are low-glycemic as well.

Last night I had a carrot cake craving, so I made carrot muffins, one of my favorite recipes from Elana's blog. I have made a few changes to her recipe to make it a bit more like the carrot cake I grew up loving. What I love most about this recipe is that it is healthy. First of all, I recommend everything coconut-coconut water, coconut oil, coconut flour...more on this later. Coconut flour is high fiber, high protein, and gluten free (click here to find out what makes this flour so special). The carrots are a great source of the antioxidant betacarotene, which helps reduce the risk of cancer, heart attacks and cataracts. And the nuts add even more protein, fiber, and other nutrients.

Coconut flour is a bit tricky to bake with and I don't have much time to experiment. Lucky for me, Elana has already done all the work. Here is my adaptation of her muffin recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Gluten Free Carrot Muffins

1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground

1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
6 eggs
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 cup agave nectar (can also be substituted with yacon syrup)
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 cups carrots, grated
1/3 cup finely chopped nuts (I like to mix macadamias and pecans)
1/3 cup "macaroon" coconut (very finely shredded)
3/4 cup canned or fresh crushed pineapple

1. In a medium bowl, combine coconut flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg

2. In a large bowl, blend together eggs, oil, agave and vanilla
3. Blend dry ingredients into wet, then fold in carrots, nuts, coconut, and pineapple
4. Grease a muffin tin with grapeseed oil and then dust with coconut flour
5. Pour batter into each greased muffin cup about 3/4 full
6. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes
7. Cool and serve

(makes about 16 muffins)

*You may notice that I have doubled the ingredients in Elana's recipe and I am not calling these "mini muffins". With all of the added ingredients in my version, I recommend using a regular size muffin tin-and if you use a silicon muffin mold, you can skip the greasing part. I have one and I love it. Just let the muffins cool, and they pop right out!

I have mostly given up dairy, but I just cannot resist topping these delicious muffins off with Elana's recipe for Cream Cheese Frosting!

Cream Cheese Frosting

¾ cup heavy cream

1 cup cream cheese

¼ cup agave nectar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. Whip heavy cream until stiff
2. In a separate larger bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth, then blend in agave and vanilla
3. With a rubber spatula, gently blend whip cream into cream cheese mixture

*My vegan readers may enjoy Elana's vegan Coconut Cream Frosting. It is very yummy, but a bit of a challenge to make in warmer climates.

The Facts on SLS

2009-09-28T10:32:00.011-10:00

There has been a lot of talk about dangerous chemicals in our every day products. I have made note of several here on this blog. One of these ingredients is Sodium Laureth Sulfate (also Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). I put it on my list of ingredients to avoid, but I have to say that I wondered about this one. A lot of the natural products I used in the past contained this ingredient and listed the source as "Coconut Derived".

So what is the deal with SLS anyway? Well, it seems that there has been a lot of widespread misinformation out there about this particular ingredient. As a result, many companies who have been using small percentages of coconut-derived SLS have reformulated their products. Have they done this because it is SO dangerous? Not so much. All the hype about SLS has proven to be a distraction, thus hindering sales for some very wonderful, natural companies.

Read what Dr. Andy Weil has to say about it here. I am officially taking naturally-derived, coconut-based SLS off my list of things to avoid at all cost. Of course, if I don't know the source, I absolutely avoid it. There are some very dangerous chemicals in products to be concerned about, like Triclosan and benzalkonium chloride to name only a couple. Remember to reference the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database if there is an ingredient you want more information about. Get the facts. Know what's in your products. Here's to your health!

Is Your Cell Phone Protected?

2009-09-23T22:39:00.017-10:00

When I consider the techie age we live in, this may be my most important and most relevant post so far. I will be publishing several posts about every day toxins and this first one is all around us. If you haven't heard the term "Electropollution", don't be surprised. It is not widely talked about, but it is a major threat that can have a devastating effect on our health and wellness and may increase our risk for illness and disease over time.

Electropollution is the Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) and Frequencies (EMF) emitted from a number of sources. With every new wireless gadget on our "must have" list-cell phones, cordless phones, iPods, PDAs, Bluetooth, etc-our amount of exposure to this Electropollution increases. It's unavoidable. I know very few people who don't own a cell phone, and well, if you are reading this post, you use a computer.

Many medical experts have called Electropollution the "greatest health risk of the 21st Century". So what can we do to protect ourselves? I have been using products by a company called BioPro Technology for some time now. I was noticing that I didn't feel well when on the computer or cell phone for more than 45 minutes or so. My chiropractor recommended BioPro products as a solution. I noticed the difference right away. I no longer get headaches, major neck pain and fatigue when on the computer or the phone.

Here are a few important facts I pulled from a BioPro brochure:

Talking 500 minutes per month on a cell phone increases the probability of brain cancer by 140%. Source: Wireless Technology
Spanish scientists have discovered that a cell phone call lasting two minutes can alter the natural electrical activity of a child's brain for up to one hour afterwards. Source: Spanish Neuro Diagnostic Research Institute
EMF is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen under standards established by the World Health Organization's Agency for Cancer Research. The chemicals DDT and lead are also Group 2B carcinogens. Source: National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences

People can suffer nausea, headaches and muscle pain when exposed to EMF waves from mobile phones, electricity pylons and computer screens. Source: Health Protection Agency, Britain

One of the newest, most pervasive stressors is now Electropollution. Medical researchers estimate that 90% of all illness and disease is stress-related. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

I see kids frequently using cell phones at younger and younger ages. Childrens brains are still developing, leaving them at even greater risk than we are. Cell phones haven't been around long enough for long term studies to be conducted, but I can only imagine what future studies may reveal when scientists look at the next generation of adults who have been using cell phones and other wireless devices since a young age. I am at ease with letting my little one chat with her Grammy on my cell phone, knowing that it is protected.

With this threat so pervasive, none of us should be unprotected! I truly believe the technology BioPro offers is highly effective and absolutely essential for the techie age we live in. I have seen the images of a brain scan taken with and without this protection and I was blown away. (These images are copyright protected, therefore could not be posted here). These products are effective, easy to use, and very affordable.

Okay, here's the cool thing. I am doing my very first GIVEAWAY!!! One lucky reader will win a FREE cell phone chip by BioPro, more than $40 value! Entering is easy.

Mandatory ENTRY: Go to the BioPro website and click on the "learn more" links on the home page. Come back here and post a comment.

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Leave a comment for each)

**Become a follower of To Your Health (2 extra entries)

**Become a fan on Facebook (1 extra entry)

**Follow me on Twitter (1 extra entry)

***Tell three nonblogger friends about this giveaway (2 extra entries)

***Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)

This giveaway is open to residents in the US and Canada. Contest ends October 25th at midnight, Hawaii time. Winner will be chosen at random by third party on October 26th. Winner must respond within 72 hours of reveal.

GOOD LUCK!!

Give Yourself a Boost

2009-09-18T21:10:00.007-10:00

When you have little ones, it seems like every season is cold and flu season. Kids touch all kinds of stuff and stick their fingers in their noses, rub their eyes, or worse, put their hands in their mouths. We cannot always be there to insist they wash their hands or remind them to "STOP IT" with the nose picking and such. That is why I have an arsenal of immune boosters and defense in my cupboard. Here are a few items I keep on hand year round.

Vitamin C Powder-Many vitamins contain vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid. This is a synthetic Vitamin C that can actually deplete the body and possibly cause DNA/RNA damage. Research shows that people with chronic degenerative diseases have low levels of Vitamin C in their blood throughout the day. It also shows strong levels of C in individuals with little signs of degeneration. Health Force Nutritionals Truly Natural Vitamin C is a whole-food C made from Acerola Cherries. It is pure, high potency, giving your body the full benefits of Vitamin C to ward off illness. I used to get cold sores from time to time during times of stress or when I travelled. Since starting a daily dose of this powerful Vitamin C powder, the cold sores have disappeared and my immune system is strong.

Immunity Take Care by NewChapter-these highly concentrated elderberry lozenges are like no other elderberry source I've found. Elderberry is naturally anti-viral. This special formulation of the full-spectrum of the elderberry herb have been proven in the lab, to keep viruses from proliferating and mutating in the body. I always keep these in stock. We take them regularly during flu season and any time one of us has symptoms of coming down with a bug. If I get even a hint of a sore throat, I immediately begin taking these twice daily. I cannot tell you how many times I have felt something coming on, and had symptoms disappear after a couple days of taking these lozenges. They really work! And they are yummy too!!

Mushroom extracts-We use a liquid supplement called Myco-Immune by Thorne Research. We started using this years ago when our chiropractor recommended it. Who would have thought to use fungi to kill viruses! Actually, there has been extensive research lately that shows just how powerful these mushroom extracts are. Now, I am not going to lie and say that this tastes great. My husband has deemed it "shot of nastiness". It has a bit of a strong flavor. But we are more than willing to endure the yucky taste for a few seconds, given the amazing results. When symptoms of an illness arise, this is another one we immediately reach for. Just a few drops a couple times a day is all it takes!

So there you have it-my top three picks for cold and flu season. I never travel without them! Obviously, it is important to eat well, exercise, and get good rest to help keep your immune system going strong. With our busy lives and the millions of germs out there waiting, we can all use a little boost. Keep these three ready to go and you'll be prepared. Always consult your doctor before giving new supplements to little ones. Our daughter takes all of these in smaller doses. Stay tuned for more immunity tips. Here's to your health!

*Find all of these supplements and more in my Amazon store!

A Happy Place

2009-09-18T09:52:00.020-10:00

On Wednesday morning, I dropped my little one off at her adopted auntie's house and was off to ballet class. A friend of mine takes her once a week for a few hours so I can do something for myself, or go on a daytime date with my hubby. After picking up the kiddo and heading back home, her daddy suggested he take her on a few errands with him so I could have a little "alone" time.

You bet I jumped on that idea right away! It is a rare thing for me to have so much time in one day to do whatever I please. What a gift! Now, I could have cleaned up around the house (although the kitchen was already sparkling clean thanks to my DH). And I could have jumped on my computer to answer emails or get started on my next blog post. I thought for a couple seconds about what I wanted to do. Then I jumped on our little golf cart, and here is where I went:

It is so therapeutic to come here and bask in the sun, to wade in the water and let it gently rock me to and fro, allowing me to be weightless, free from any responsibilities or burdens-if only for a little while.

In preparation for the birth of our little one, we had private sessions with a birth preparation coach. She encouraged me to create a "happy place" in my mind, where I could go mentally to cope with contractions, etc. I did not live in Hawaii at the time and ironically, my happy place was Ko Olina, where I now call home. And though I ended up not having the natural birth I anticipated, my happy place came in handy while suddenly being prepped for Cesarean.

If you haven't guessed, Ko Olina beach is still my happy place. We are very blessed to live here. You may not have the beaches of Hawaii easily accessible, but you can find a special place to go for solitude. It is so important for us to have balance in our lives. Just this week, we have had two loved ones face very difficult health challenges and it has really put things into perspective. We have had some financial struggles lately, as many of you have as well. Financial security has kind of gone out the window with the recent twists and turns of our economy. Life has it's challenges, but when I take that old advice, "count your blessings" to heart, I can take a look around and be thankful. I can close my eyes, take a deep breath, and embrace life as it is.

So where's your Happy Place?

More Vaccine Info

2009-09-16T00:39:00.003-10:00

As a follow up to my last post, here are the links to a couple more You Tube videos on vaccines. They are a little long, but worth watching. Regardless of your faith or where you stand on the issue of abortion, you deserve to know where vaccines come from. This first link, for a video entitled The Truth About Vaccines is very informative. The second link is of an interview with Robert Kennedy in 2007, where he talks about the cover up regarding vaccines and Autism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELx2eX_kM-w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrIM2hwrLoc

Investigation: Vaccination

2009-09-12T21:02:00.010-10:00

This is a flim that is sure to raise questions, stir up controversy, and hopefully, get people thinking! The controversy over vaccinations has been an ongoing one, and the debate has gotten heated and ugly at times. There are studies that show links to Autism and studies that are inconclusive. Regardless of what you think you already know, or what you have read or heard before, it never hurts to keep investigating.

We chose not to vaccinate our little one for a number of reasons and the decision was made thoughtfully and prayerfully, with much consideration. I am thankful to have a pediatrician who supports our decision. I think the most important factor here, is listening to your heart and going with your own convictions, while getting as much education about the subject as possible. Check out the trailer for Vaccine Nation.

Go Ahead-Go Bare!

2009-09-11T08:50:00.014-10:00

Here in Hawaii, we spend the majority of our time barefoot. Sure we wear sandals quite a bit, but no one wears shoes in the house. It is customary to take off one's shoes before entering a person's home. Walk up to any front door and you will see a pile of shoes waiting to be retrieved. Of course, we do wear shoes sometimes. When we're not at the pool or the beach, our favorite pair of flip-flops walk several miles. With the moisture level here, our skin rarely gets dry, but all that time sans shoes can leave the heels of our feet dry and cracked. What is a girl to do?

The pastor's wife at our church recently gave a useful tip at a women's potluck. She learned it from a friend and passed it along to us. That's just how we ladies do it! We like to chat, so when we get a great tip, we gladly share it. That is afterall, what this blog is all about. So here's a quick beauty tip for the day:

Silky Smooth Feet Recipe

1. Take a pumice stone and gently exfoliate the bottoms of feet in the shower or tub.

2. Apply pure Vitamin E oil to the bottoms of feet. Be especially liberal with the heels.

3. Put on a pair of your favorite socks and leave them on overnight.

That's it! Your done. Do this often and watch as your dry, cracked heels become soft and smooth again! You can pick up Vitamin E oil at a drug store or your favorite health food store. Here's to happy feet!

If You Don't Snooze, You Lose!

2009-09-08T22:14:00.021-10:00

Sorry I have been gone for a few days. I was "fasting" my computer for a bit. You see, I have found myself, one too many nights, up late posting on one of my two blogs or just hangin' out in the blogsphere somewhere...looking at your blog, or hers, or his. The wheels in my head are always spinning with our family schedule, to-do lists, etc. Sometimes you just need to take a break. I had to prioritize a little this week. I was walking around a little sluggish, and a quite a bit grumpy at times. I had to be honest with myself and admit that I was breaking one of the cardinal rules of healthy living-GET SOME SLEEP!

We all know that sleep is important, but with our busier-than-ever lives, is it a priority? Are we giving up sleep to squeeze in just one more email, another television show, or typing away on Facebook? We think we've been at it for ten minutes and then suddenly hours have passed and our eyes are stinging and they feel like they might just pop out of our heads...it's no longer night. It's morning!

It is so easy for me to "pass the point of no return", as I call it. I was tired and now I'm not. I try to sleep, yet I am restless, staring at the ceiling, my mind just won't turn off. I am a firm believer that sleep begets more sleep. When we are getting enough sleep, we are able to get more of it. We have an internal clock, yet if we ignore it long enough, it doesn't quite function properly. We mommies know this all too well.

During my first year of new mommyhood, I was so severely sleep deprived that I eventually had to take supplements to help support my adrenals. The more sleep deprived I got, the harder it was to sleep when I actually had the opportunity. It was a vicious cycle that affected me on many levels. Now that my little one sleeps well (most nights), I appreciate a good-night's sleep more than ever! So why do I let myself get off track? Well, I think you all can relate to having "too much to do" and "not enough time in the day". It seems to be par for the course in our busy society. Seriously though, this is a major problem. According to Dr. James B. Maas, in The Power of Sleep, about 50% of the population in the U.S. is sleep deprived and about the same percentage has trouble sleeping.

So this night owl is making a commitment, a sleep contract with myself. Studies show that having a consistent bedtime and getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night promotes more restful sleep and overall health. Here are a few little tips to help you get into a good sleep habit:

Set a "have-to-be-in-bed-by" time and stick to it! The more consistent your clock is, the better.

Turn off the computer and television half an hour before bedtime, and dim the lights. The bright light and flashing images stimulate our brains, making it more difficult for our bodies to shift into sleep mode. If you have a hard time being disciplined with this one, set an alarm.

If your mind is going a mile a minute, try journaling. Jot down a quick list of the ideas keeping you awake. You can rest assured that the list will be waiting for you in the morning!

Take a hot bath. Soaking in the tub relaxes your muscles and tells your body it is time to drift away.

Grab a book-light reading will make you sleepy for sure. Just don't grab that super intense thriller you have been meaning to dive into...you might not want to put it down.

Enjoy a cup of tea-herbal teas like Chamomile and other blends are great natural sleep aids.

Listen to soothing music. I have a CD called Music to Promote Sleep. It was specially created to promote sleep by using "entrainment"-the natural phenomenon that results in the synchronization of the rhythms or motions of separate entities. Recent scientific research has shown that music can help synchronize body rhythms such as heart rate, breath rate and brainwave vibrations (Clynes, M., and Walker, J. 1982). I keep this CD playing on "repeat" mode through the night. Visit http://www.avalonmusic.com/ to view their catalogue.

Pray! When I pray and meditate on God's word, I am reminded that all of my little worries are just that-little. It puts everything into perspective and I can rest, knowing that I am not in charge around here.

Well, it is officially a few minutes till my bedtime and I had better try to stick to this plan. This momma just doesn't function without some good S-L-E-E-P! Sweet dreams!!

Chomp, Chomp Away!

2009-09-04T22:29:00.011-10:00

A while back, our daughter became a little obsessed with chewing gum. Well, at first she was imitating a behavior she’d seen. One night at dinner she took a bite of her food and…CHOMP, CHOMP, CHOMP. Her face was so adorable. Daddy and I glanced at one another, not quite sure what was going on. Our neighbor down the street babysits for us once in a while, and now that I was thinking of it, I couldn't recall a time I had ever seen her sans chewing gum. Ding! That must be where she got it.

“Mommy, look! I’m chewing gum.” Yep. She’s three going on twelve alright. For awhile my husband and I just ignored it. But when it escalated from food to obsessive paper chewing (toilet paper, drawing paper, a torn corner in the book I was reading!), we gave in and offered the real deal.

Thankfully I had some Spry gum on hand in the cupboard. This gum is made with xylitol, and is one of many Spry Dental Defense Products. Since it is sugar-free, has no artificial ingredients, and is actually recommended by dentists, my only concern was now a question of where I might be finding abandoned lumps of chewing gum around my house! To my surprise, our little one is quite responsible with her chewing gum habit. Now I can feel great about allowing her to have fun with this special treat, while fighting cavities at the same time.

I recently read an article in Healthy Living by Dr. Lon Jones, the physician who pioneered xylitol's use in a nasal spray for allergies, asthma and sinus problems, as well as middle-ear infections. Wow! I knew it had a reputation for helping fight cavities, but this is great news. Studies have confirmed that xylitol fights off pathogens in the nasal passages, promoting sinus and respiratory health. I also learned that xylitol not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but also actually starves the bacteria that cause cavities.

So what xylitol products are in my cupboard? In addition to the gum, my little one likes the mints and Sparx candies, I occassionally use granulated xylitol as a lower glycemic sweetener, and now we are using the Xlear nasal spray. For more details on the many benefits of xylitol, visit http://www.xclear.com/ or call 877-599-5327.

Here's to sweet and natural health defense!

The Big Bottle Swap!

2009-09-03T22:00:00.003-10:00

Uuurgh! I just hate to find out that a product I LOVE is not as dreamy as I thought. I recently found that my beautiful Sigg bottles could be leaching PBA. Darn! I could ignore the information, but since I have gone to great lengths to have a chemical-free home, I am looking for alternatives. I have a friend who carries around a glass bottle everywhere she goes. Looks like I will be joining her. BUT I am also looking into swapping out my bottles for non-leaching stainless steel with The Big Bottle Swap. Click here to check it out!

Be Kind To Tender Tushies!

2009-09-02T20:51:00.022-10:00

Our daughter has been potty-trained for over a year now...phew! I don't miss the frequent diaper changes, but they are not far from my memory. Let's face it. Poopey diapers are quite a mess. When I became a mommy, I did my research on baby products, wanting only the best for our little one. When I read the ingredients in the most popular brands of baby wipes, I was disappointed to find so many added chemicals.

I have tried several natural brands of wipes over the past few years, but my favorite are Whole Food's brand 365. They are natural, very emollient, and the least expensive I've found. They are hypo-allergenic, unscented, and whitened without chlorine bleach. While others seem to dry out a while after opening, 365 wipes are "sudsy". They really get the job done. We still use baby wipes for cleaning a little tushie in the morning after being in a night-time diaper. We also have them handy in the car. You never know when you might need one for a quick sticky-finger clean up!

For little ones who have graduated to the potty (and for anyone else with a sensitive tush), I recommend Tender Care flushable wipes. They are soft and gentle, and unlike other flushable wipes, they do not contain harsh chemicals. Alcohol-Free, hypoallergenic, with Vitamin E & Aloe, they are the only natural, flushable wipes I have found. Having these handy made my little one's transition out of diapers a little eaier on both of us! My only complaint would be that they are a bit small. These might be a good thing to bring on camping trips or other outdoor excursions. I have yet to find these here in Hawaii, so I stock up when on the mainland, at either Whole Foods or Mother's Market-a wonderful chain of natural stores in sunny Orange County, California.

Here's to cute little happy heinies!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-08-30T23:04:00.014-10:00

This is my first Menu Plan Monday and I am so excited because this was just the push I needed to do something I have intended to do...and have made loose attempts at doing, for years now. When I go food shopping, I always have a general list in my head. There are our usual staples, which I am always restocking, but I almost never have an actual menu in mind. I may have a couple cravings that dictate what I am thinking I'd like to make, but it is definitely more of a spontaneous shopping experience. And though I would like to say that I am a very organized person (I am striving...I will be there some day), I am, well, much more organized than I used to be AND super proud of that little achievement. When you have a toddler, you are forced to fine tune this characteristic...whether you like it or not. So here I go, procrastination of the menu planning has come to a halt!

Breakfast Options: Our usuals-oatmeal with chia seeds and agave nectar, toasted Ezekiel English muffins with almond butter and topped with a bit of our homemade trail mix of the week, fresh berries for me (my daughter is currently in a frozen blueberry phase), smoothies, Barbara's Organic Breakfast O's, some version of eggs.

Lunch Options: Turkey or PBJ (actually ABJ-almond butter) sandwiches on sprouted whole grain bread, veggies with hummus, mixed salads, flax crackers with our favorite raw "three layer dip" by Licious Dishes here in Hawaii, grilled "cheese" (almond cheese) and tomato soup, "squiggly noodle salad" with brown rice noodles, finely chopped veggies and olives, sliced avocados to add to any one of these.

Dinner:
Sunday-Off to one of our favorite Thai places right next to our church.

Monday-leftovers from one of our favorite Thai places!

Tuesday-Veggie Italian Omelet/Fritata-ish/Scramblie Egg Thingie...hope to post this recipe soon.

Wednesday-Applegate Farms' grass-fed beef, nitrate-free, organic hotdogs on sprouted-grain bread and plenty of mustard and ketchup! Served with steamed cauliflower and baby carrots.

Thursday-Raw Lasagna.

Friday-Gotta finish off the lasagna.

Saturday-Grass-fed beef burgers with sauteed onions, mushrooms, and kale.

Desserts will be spontaneous, but will likely include Coconut Bliss ice cream.

Phew...I did it! I really did it!

*This is a healthy-living blog, so go ahead and insert the word "organic" in front of just about everything. Here's to getting organized with Menu Plan Monday, and here's to your health!

The Great Summer Cook-Out

2009-08-28T20:21:00.001-10:00

With Labor Day right around the corner, you may have one last chance for a summer BBQ. Of course, since we live in beautiful Hawaii (sorry to rub it in), we cook out all throughout the year. Here are a few tips for healthy grillin'.

Quick tip: When you're cookin' on the grill, be sure the grill has been cleaned thoroughly from the last time you BBQ'd and avoid charring your food because it can create carcinogens.

Here's to fun, healthy grillin'!

Pure, Natural, Beautiful Skin!

2009-08-26T23:20:00.007-10:00

I have been using mineral makeup for a while now and I am excited to see such a buzz about it these days. Suddenly every brand out there has a mineral line of cosmetics. But, not all mineral makeup is created equal. Some products still contain parabens and other chemicals. I have tried several different brands, including the more popular Sheer Cover (also called Bare Minerals and Bare Escentuals) seen on late-night infomercials. I liked the product, but was curious about one ingredient in particular-bismuth oxychloride. So I googled it and found that it is a naturally occuring element, but some companies use a synthetic form of it, which goes through various chemical processes during production. It can be a skin irritant in some people, causing itchiness and other symptoms. Well, that explained the itchiness I had been feeling on my skin!

I started shopping around online and found two great mineral lines that make very pure and natural, beautiful makeup. Both companies offer inexpensive samples, allowing me to try different shades to find the right one for me. I love mineral makeup because it is light and weightless, blends nicely into any skin type, and it reflects light which minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. It offers a natural SPF with titanium dioxide, and with it's nurishing minerals, it can actually improve our skin! "Matching" our skin perfectly just isn't possible, and our skintones may vary throughout the seasons of the year. But I find that with mineral makeup, I can easily adjust my shade by mixing colors together-and I have total control over the amount of coverage I want by using different brushes.

My favorite brand is Alima Pure. It comes in simply beautfiul packaging, the company uses recycled materials for shipping, and they always throw in extra samples! I especially love their eyeshadows. I bought sample sizes of several colors months ago and I have yet to run out...a little goes a long way. My favorite shadows are Amethyst, Plum, and Zen. Alima Pure makes the most gorgeous eyeshadows I have ever tried!

Another brand I like is Sheer Miracle. Their website and packaging are not very glamorous, but they offer beautiful, pure makeup. I really like their foundation. Their colors are a very similar match to the popular Bare Escentuals, without the bismuth oxichloride. I use "Medium Light Neutral", a great blend for light skin with both pink and golden undertones.

Here's to playing with makeup and here's to a healthy, gorgeous you!

Do You Clean Well?

2009-08-25T20:05:00.009-10:00

"Lavese sus manos!"-Wash your hands. We see the signs in public restrooms, we hear about germs and preventing illnesses from our doctors, read about it in magazines, and hear about it on the news. Antibacterial soaps and instant sanitizers have been pushed by the health industry and rightfully so. We do need to wash our hands. BUT what are the common ingredients found in antibacterial soaps...and are they safe?

Most antibacterial soaps include dangerous chemicals like Triclosan-a chemical that resembles a pesticide, Benzalkonium Chloride, and others. Search "antibacterial chemicals" on the Skin Deep Cosmetics Data Base for a more detailed list.

For awhile I avoided these strong chemicals by simply adding a few drops of naturally antibacterial essential oils to my favorite natural soap. But I couldn't take my soap to go, and those instant sanitizing gels left my skin feeling dry and smelling medicinal. Now that I am a mommy, I of course, want the best for my little one. I was thrilled one day to find an all-natural, alcohol-free hand sanitizer, in a convenient spray form, that smells great, won't dry out your hands, and most importantly, does not contain any dangerous chemicals.

As if it isn't enough of a job keeping our little ones safe and healthy, worrying about yucky chemicals in the products we use to keep the germs away should not be part of the deal. Clean Well antibacterial sprays and soaps are safe and have been proven to kill 99.99% of germs. I wouldn't consider myself a germaphobe, but since our little one just happens to be a finger sucker, we have to constantly clean her hands. This spray is great because I can quickly sanitize hands, wash a boo-boo without causing a sting, or even give toys a quick cleaning. I keep one of the little sprays in my purse, my car, the stroller, etc. I keep a larger spray at hand in the kitchen and bathroom...convenient germ busting when my daughter is just too busy to be bothered with washing her hands in the sink!

We were at the pediatrician's office the other day, and I pulled out my handy little spray to clean my daughter's hands after she'd played with some toys. The nurses were so excited about an alcohol-free sanitizer. The doctor was most impressed with the chemical-free part. Everywhere I go I have a Clean Well spray, and everywhere I go, people ask me about it. I cannot say enough good things about this product. It is one that I just can't do without!

Order Clean Well products on their official site or buy at Target, health food stores or Amazon. By now you know that I am a fan of the spray, but I also LOVE their Orange Vanilla foaming hand soap. It smells like a dreamsicle! Yummy. Here's to keeping clean and doing it naturally!

(just in case you need specific directions-Ha Ha!)

Click this link for more information on how Clean Well got started:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLNpRDQ

Nature's Sports Drink

2009-08-24T11:14:00.012-10:00

My husband and I honeymooned on Kauai. It was our first time in Hawaii and we were absolutely taken in by this paradise. Just about every day, we stopped at a little stand that sold fresh fruit, smoothies, and iced-cold coconuts. We'd chat with the owner of the stand about beautiful Kauai as he opened up two coconuts and put a straw in each of them. We would drink that sweet water and then scoop out the meat and eat it with a spoon. That week we fell in love with the Hawaiian islands...and with coconut water!

Back on the mainland, we started buying cases of young coconuts from Thailand at an Asian market. My husband managed to get a little opening system going, and though it was not as swift as our friend at the fruit stand, it got the job done. We enjoyed coconut water for years that way, and then we moved to Hawaii. Ironically, there is an abundant supply of coconuts hanging from treetops in our own neighborhood, but our association has them professionally cut down as a safety precaution. Thankfully we discovered O.N.E (One Natural Experience) at our local health food store. This coconut water is just as sweet and refreshing...and a little easier to open up and enjoy with a straw!

Here are the nutritional facts, straight from the side of the container. Unlike popular sports drinks, O.N.E is not loaded with artificial colors, flavors, or high-fructose corn syrup. What it is loaded with is electrolytes. It regulates the functioning of the intestine, helps hydrate the skin, and keeps the body cool. When you read the label, it is clear that nature makes the finest sports drink available. The others just don't measure up!

If you are here in Hawaii, you will find the best price for O.N.E. at Down To Earth. It's also available on Amazon.

Fun Picture

2009-08-23T16:34:00.006-10:00

I just had to post a picture of another one of my talented husband's creations with Magic Nuudles. Our daughter loves her new bumble bee friend!

Healthy Play

2009-08-20T20:38:00.075-10:00

As a mom, it is a little unnerving to go to a toy store and see the "recall list" posted up on a corkboard. More and more toys are being recalled due to unsafe levels of lead and other chemicals. Toys are a big business and there are so many to choose from. I am excited to see that wooden toys have made a huge comeback. These classics have been around for a long, long time but recently I am finding them more readily available.

Some of our favorite toys are by Melissa and Doug. From puzzles to pretend play, I can be sure my little one will be entertained and safe with these beautifully handcrafted toys. Melissa and Doug makes most of their toys in the USA, they use non-toxic paint, and the toys are constructed from wood or plastic that is free of harmful chemicals.

Our most recent kid purchase was a bag of Magic Nuudles. My daughter had lots of fun getting creative with them this afternoon. They are biodegradable, non-toxic, and most importantly, they are silly. The possibilities are endless with these little blocks made out of cornstarch! Here is a giraffe with a little Daddy and Phoebe (our little one) riding it. My husband is quite talented. I am so jealous!

If you are looking for a great way to entertain your little one at restaurants, I recommend Wikki Stix. We first discovered these at a nearby restaurant that handed them out with their kids menu-brilliant! Crayons just don't cut it for long with our busy little bee. Wikki Stix are much more captivating, and fun for all ages to fiddle around with. These fun and flexible sticks are made in the USA from natural materials and are non-toxic.

These fun toys can be found at your favorite educational or toy store. I find the best deals on Amazon. Search the To Your Health Amazon store under "kid stuff" for more. Here's to happy AND healthy playtime!

In The Mix

2009-08-18T21:55:00.070-10:00

My three-year-old daugter loves to be in the kitchen. She climbs up on the stool in her little apron and chef's hat, ready to go to work. One of her favorite projects is trail mix. Every week we put a batch together. It is the easiest and the least messy thing we are whipping up these days. This is a great one for kids. There is no measuring involved, they can choose what and how much of each item, and taste test as they go. It's a quick and fun thing to do in the kitchen and it offers immediate gratification-no waiting for the oven to buzz. Just mix the ingredients together and enjoy! Eat it by the handful, sprinkle it on top of toast with your favorite nut butter, or add it to a parfait. So what is in our trailmix this week?

Cashews-lower in fat than most nuts, high in copper, an essential component of many enzymes, plays a role iron utilization, elimination of free radicals, development of bone and connective tissue, and the production of the skin and hair pigment called melanin; also good source of magnesium, trytophan, and phosphorus.

Soy nuts-contain phytochemicals (called isoflavones), which have been shown in hundreds of studies to help prevent heart disease and several forms of cancer.

Macadamia nuts-a high energy food, full of protein and fiber and loaded with antioxidants, fiber, phytochemicals, protein, minerals, monounsaturated fats.

Goji berries-himalayan superfruit that has been used in Asian herbal medicine for thousands of years, packed with essential amino acids, good source of vitamin C, rich in Vitamin A, and over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron, phosphourus, riboflavin, vitamin E as well as carotenoids, including beta-carotene. Wow!

Coconut chips-add a tasty crunch with fiber and protein.

Sprouted pumkin seeds (by Go Raw)-one of the healthiest foods in the world, high in amino acids, zinc, protein, and iron. *Many believe they can help prevent prostate cancer.

Sunflower seeds-this source of fiber is also high in vitamin E, B1 (thiamin), maganese, magnesium, copper, tryptophan, phosphorus, folate, B5 and selinium, which detoxifies and helps prevent cancer.

Pinenuts-nature's only source of pinoleic acid, which stimulates hormones and helps diminish your appetite; have the highest concentration of oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat that aids the liver in eliminating harmful triglycerides from our body); good source of iron and magnesium.

Pecans-contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins; may help inhibit unwanted oxidation of blood lipidslipids, thus helping prevent coronary heart disease.

Walnuts-an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids (a special type of protective fat the body cannot manufacture), have many potential health benefits ranging from cardiovascular protection, to the promotion of better cognitive function, to anti-inflammatory benefits helpful in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Also contain an antioxidant compound called ellagic acid that supports the immune system and appears to have several anticancer properties.

Unsweetened carob chips-yummy chocolate flavor without the caffeine.

Genetically What?

2009-08-15T11:10:00.026-10:00

I have this great friend. We chat about everything-faith, family, blogging, our kids. Recently she got some very important info at a farmer's market about GMOs. What are GMOs? They are genetically modified organisms, basically food that has had it's DNA modified. Is it safe? Well, there isn't enough research to say for certain, but I for one, don't want anything to do with them. The problem is, like many things in our country, there are no requirements to label them GMO, so chances are you are buying them every day. BUT my friend just learned that by simply reading the code on our produce, we can know just what we are paying for. Here's the way it works:

All produce is labeled with a number coded sticker...

Four digit numbers starting with 3 or 4 mean:
non-GMO, conventionally grown
Five digit numbers starting with 8 mean:
the produce is GMO
Five digit numbers starting with 9 mean:
organically grown

So now, in addition to squeezing, smelling, and even occassionally thumping, there is one more way to go about choosing our produce. While organic is the best and I try to buy organic whenever possible, it is not always available. Now we all have the power to choose and know what we are getting. So what is the big deal with genetically modified foods? Well, there hasn't been extensive research on them, but animals refuse to eat them. Something about that leaves me a bit uncomfortable. Read the article below for more information. Here's to getting all the facts...and here's to your health!

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/animals_dont_want_to_eat_gmos_so_why_are_we/

Raw, Raw, Raw!

2009-08-12T22:21:00.024-10:00

I made the raw lasagna again...and this time I remembered to take a picture. If you are thinking that you would love to try some raw food dishes, but don't want to make them yourself, there are some great companies that make prepared raw foods and distribute them to local health food stores. One such company here in Hawaii is Licious Dishes. I recently tried several of their items and they are, well...licious! I am totally addicted to their three-layer dip. I also like their lasagna, the variety of tasty dips that accompany their crispy flax crackers, and their haupia...yummy. You can stop by their kitchen and pick up single items in their fridge or place an order on Monday to be picked up on Friday, for either a 3-meal or a 5-meal plan for the week! Now that is easy meal planning. Some of their items can also be found at a local favorite, Vim & Vigor.

There are also some wonderful full-service restaurants dishing up raw cuisine. Be adventurous-google "raw food restaurant" and see what pops up in your area. If ever in Chicago, try Charlie Trotter's, where they feature a raw-tasting menu. Famous chef, Charlie Trotter is world renowned for both cooked and raw cuisine at it's finest.

If you want to pick up a few raw food snacks for on the go, check out some tasty snacks by Go Raw at Whole Foods and other health food stores, or Amazon. I love the sprouted pumpkin seeds and the spicy flax chips. So, am I a total raw foodie convert? Um...no. I still love fish and devour a good burger at least once a week or so. I think it's great for each of us to embrace the healthiest lifestyle we can while enjoying foods we love. I am thrilled with my newfound love for raw dishes and plan to continue to experiment as often as I can. I feel great...and my jeans are fitting quite nicely too! Here's to raw food and here's to your health!

More Than Skin Deep

2009-08-08T21:02:00.007-10:00

A good friend recently asked me to blog about cosmetics and since I have been wanting to for some time, I am happy to oblige. When I first started making changes to what I was putting in my body, I didn't think much about what I was putting on my body...and then I met a very organic-focused esthetician while attending massage school, who helped me understand this simple truth-if it's on your body, it's in your body.

Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies and it absorbs everything like a sponge. We are all familiar with the fact that doctors are prescribing "patch" medications-from birth control to smoking cessation. This is proof that what we put on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream. For years I used popular department store cosmetics, like Mac and others. In college I had a strange infection on my eyelid skin. It was so raw and irritated that I could not wear makeup at all for weeks. I asked my doctor about it and she said it looked like I was allergic to red dye #5, which is often found in eye shadows, especially mauves and plums...my favorite colors. Darn!

Fast forward a few years and I am still using the same cosmetics but avoiding the purple hues. Along comes this esthetician friend who educates me about the ingredients found in many cosmetic lines...I was appalled and a little grossed out. You may not be aware, but there are alarming amounts of petroleum and other dangerous chemicals in many personal care products. I decided this part of my health-conversion was not going to be gradual. I bought some makeup recommended by my friend and immediately went home and trashed everything in my cosmetics bag. A little rash? (Okay, no pun intended, but given my past eye infection I now understood that my body was rejecting a very foreign substance).

I have been using natural makeup for several years now (including beautiful plum eye shadows!) and I have experimented like crazy and been an obsessive ingredient reader. Natural makeup has come a long way. I have tried some great...and not so great products. I would love to give you all my favs in one post, but that would impossible as a mommy of a three-year-old. So each week I will feature some of my favorite skincare and cosmetic products.

First, it is important to know what is in our personal care products. Since the FDA does not regulate these products here in the USA, reading the labels with a little scrutiny is required. Here are just a few of the ingredients we should avoid...good luck pronouncing most of them!

1. Phthatales, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
2. Parabens or alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)
3. Lauryl sulfate(SLS), Sodium laureth sulfate(SLES)
4. Dissodium EDTA
5. Dimethicone
6. Formaldehydes or Diazolidinyl urea, 3-diol Imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM Hydantoin , Quaternium-15, Nitropropane-1, Formalin , Methanal , Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Morbicid acid, Oxymethylene
7. Amines-Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), amonoethanolamine (MEA)
8. Propylene / Butylene Glycol (PG)

This list may seem daunting to remember, but don't worry...I will be posting lots of great products sans the harsh chemicals. In the mean time you can do a little research of your own if you'd like. There is a great site that gives products a safety rating, defines their scientific ingredients, and lists the potential risks. I checked it out recently and I was impressed with the amount of info I got. To learn more about ingredients or to search a particular product, use Skin Deep Safe Cosmetic Data Base.

Here's to beautifully healthy skin and a healthy you!