LadyBex Nutrition

Guys, spend 20 minutes a day in the sun. Your heart is depending on it.

MSNBC

WASHINGTON - Men with low levels of vitamin D have an elevated risk for a heart attack, researchers said on Monday in the latest study to identify important possible health benefits from the “sunshine vitamin.”

In the study, men classified as deficient in vitamin D were about 2 1/2 times more likely to have a heart attack than those with higher levels of the vitamin.

“Those with low vitamin D, on top of just being at higher risk for heart attack in general, were at particularly high risk to have a fatal heart attack,” study author Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston said in a telephone interview.

The study involved 454 health professionals ages 40 to 75 who had suffered a nonfatal heart attack or died of heart disease, as well as 900 other men with no history of cardiovascular disease. They were followed for 10 years after providing blood samples to measure their vitamin D levels.

The researchers compared those who were deficient in vitamin D — no more than 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood — to men who were in at least the lower end of the normal range — at least 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood.

The body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Milk commonly is fortified with it, and it is found in fatty fish like salmon.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and is considered important for bone health. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, and it can lead to rickets in children.

In January, researchers led by Dr. Thomas Wang of Harvard Medical School reported findings that fit with the new study, showing that people with low vitamin D levels have a higher risk for heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

Giovannucci said there could be a number of ways in which vitamin D may protect against heart attack. He said it might lower blood pressure, regulate inflammation, reduce calcification of coronary arteries, affect the heart muscle or reduce respiratory infections in winter.

The study was published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

Copyright 2008 Reuters.

WebMD

June 9, 2008 — Drinking plenty of milk and basking in the sun may make a man less likely to have a heart attack.

New research published in the June 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine links low levels of vitamin D — the “sunshine vitamin” — with a higher risk of heart attack in men.

But the body also makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Studies have shown spikes in heart disease-related deaths at higher latitudes and during the winter months - areas and times of less daylight — and decreases in such deaths at lower latitudes and during the summer.

For the current study, Edward Giovannucci, MD, ScD, of Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and colleagues reviewed medical records and blood samples of 454 men aged 40 to 75 who had heart attacks and survived or who had died of heart disease. They compared the information with similar data from 900 living men who did not have a history of heart disease, also noting the men’s diet and lifestyle factors.

The researchers learned that men who had vitamin D levels of 15 ng/mL or less in their blood samples — an indication of vitamin D deficiency — had an increased risk for heart attack compared to those whose vitamin D level was considered sufficient (30 ng/mL). The twofold increased risk remained significant even when adjusting for other factors known to contribute to heart disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease.

Men with intermediate levels of vitamin D also were more likely to have a heart attack than those with adequate vitamin D levels.

“Vitamin D deficiency has been related to an increasing number of conditions and to total [death]. These results further support an important role for vitamin D in [heart attack] risk,” the researchers say in a news release. “The present findings add further support that the current dietary requirements of vitamin D need to be increased to have an effect on [vitamin D] levels substantially large enough for potential health benefits.”

Medicine Net

MONDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of heart attack in men, says a U.S. study.

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, analyzed medical records and blood samples from 454 men, aged 40 to 75, who had a nonfatal heart attack or fatal heart disease, and compared them to 900 men who had no history of cardiovascular disease.

After additional adjustment for family history of myocardial infarction, body-mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity, history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, ethnicity, region, marine omega-3 intake, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels, this relationship remained significant,” the study authors wrote.

The findings appear in the June 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

“Vitamin D deficiency has been related to an increasing number of conditions and to total mortality. These results further support an important role for vitamin D in myocardial infarction risk,” the researchers concluded.

– Robert Preidt

Peter Gillham

Calm Natural

Natural Calm Magnesium Supplements
Site Overview - (Click on Text in Red to See More Information)
• Natural Calm magnesium supplements to reduce Stress, and Insomnia
• Magnesium & Calcium Supplements to help combat Osteoporosis
• Liver Rejuvenator natural supplements to help prevent liver disease
• Kidney Rejuvenator natural supplements to help prevent kidney disease
• Cell Rejuvenator to help promote healthy cell production and anti-aging
• Enzyme Digestion Aid to promote healthy stomach digestion support
• Liquid Vitamins for quick absorption Liquid Organic Life Vitamins

We offer a full range of magnesium supplements developed by Peter Gillham of Natural Vitality that help bring stress relief and an insomnia remedy (some even call it an insomnia cure). We also offer these natural supplements with a calcium supplement to help combat osteoporosis because your body needs magnesium to balance and absorb your calcium.

The magnesium supplements are developed by Peter Gillham of Natural Vitality and are in the form of magnesium citrate. Magnesium citrate is highly absorbable and tastes great. The calcium supplements, in the form of calcium gluconate are combined with the magnesium supplements to help you absorb the calcium and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis. Magnesium is also necessary to prevent heart disease.

We offer other natural health supplements to promote health to your vital organs. These natural supplements are formulated from the finest of Chinese herbs and the best of Western herbs to combat liver disease and kidney disease, and to promote healthy cell rejuvenation.

Magnesium is the most important mineral, activating over 350 different processes in your body; among these functions are energy production, digestion, energy production, bone formation, muscle function, activation of B vitamins, creation of new cells, relaxation of muscles and the functioning of your heart, brain, kidneys, as well as the nervous system. Minerals like Calcium need Magnesium to be absorbed properly. Half of our magnesium is found inside cells of body tissue and organs and the other half combined with calcium and phosphorus in our bones; Only 1% of the magnesium is in our blood and therefore magnesium deficiency is hard to detect as our body fights hard to keep an adequate level in our blood and will take it from other places which reduces the chance of detecting any magnesium deficiency we may have.

The Natural Calm Magnesium Solution

The solution to restoring a healthy magnesium level is Natural Calm. Developed by leading nutritional researcher Peter Gillham, Natural Calm features a proprietary process that provides the most absorbable, effective, fast-acting magnesium available anywhere. Natural Calm Magnesium is a 100 percent natural water-soluble magnesium citrate powder of the highest quality.

See here an interview with Nutritionist Jim Williams on Natural Calm Magnesium Supplements, magnesium deficiency and why Magnesium is important.

The magnesium supplements are developed by Peter Gillham of Natural Vitality and are in the form of magnesium citrate. Magnesium citrate is highly absorbable and tastes great. The calcium supplements, in the form of calcium gluconate are combined with the magnesium supplements to help you absorb the calcium and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis. Magnesium is also necessary to prevent heart disease.

We offer other natural health supplements to promote health to your vital organs. These natural supplements are formulated from the finest of Chinese herbs and the best of Western herbs to combat liver disease and kidney disease, and to promote healthy cell rejuvenation.

Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is the most important mineral, activating over 350 different processes in your body; among these functions are energy production, digestion, energy production, bone formation, muscle function, activation of B vitamins, creation of new cells, relaxation of muscles and the functioning of your heart, brain, kidneys, as well as the nervous system. Minerals like Calcium need Magnesium to be absorbed properly. Half of our magnesium is found inside cells of body tissue and organs and the other half combined with calcium and phosphorus in our bones; Only 1% of the magnesium is in our blood and therefore magnesium deficiency is hard to detect as our body fights hard to keep an adequate level in our blood and will take it from other places which reduces the chance of detecting any magnesium deficiency we may have.

The Natural Calm Magnesium Solution
The solution to restoring a healthy magnesium level is Natural Calm. Developed by leading nutritional researcher Peter Gillham, Natural Calm features a proprietary process that provides the most absorbable, effective, fast-acting magnesium available anywhere. Natural Calm Magnesium is a 100 percent natural water-soluble magnesium citrate powder of the highest quality.

See here an interview with Nutritionist Jim Williams on Natural Calm Magnesium Supplements, magnesium deficiency and why Magnesium is important.

Natural Calm Magnesium handles excess calcium in the body and often dissolves calcium deposits gradually, giving instant relief to the many symptoms of magnesium deficiency and a new lease on life.

Natural Calm Magnesium helps many people fight insomnia by giving them a good night’s sleep.

Natural Calm Magnesium gets rid of muscle cramps also know as Restless Leg Syndrome or Jumpy Leg Syndrome often the first night. Because of this, which can cause a sleep disorder many people find it a sleep aid and some even call it an insomnia remedy.

Natural Calm Magnesium is most known for its anti-stress properties. Many people find instant stress relief after the first day. Stress in the work place, stress at home all contribute to other diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure and anxiety. See the article The Important Role of Nutritional Magnesium and Calcium Balance in Humans Living with Stress for more detail.

Magnesium is also necessary to work with calcium to prevent osteoporosis

Don’t let stress ruin your day. Be calm. Get Natural Calm Magnesium Supplements Today!

Relieve Migraine Headache

Researchers have been investigating the magnesium migraines connection because of magnesium’s role in stabilizing blood vessels walls. Magnesium is also an important mineral when it comes to helping you get to sleep. Regular sleeping patterns are also very important to migraine sufferers. Magnesium also helps in protein synthesis, and keeps your bones strong and helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function.

It was first suggested that a deficiency in magnesium could cause
headaches over 70 years ago. It makes sense, because a lot of the things that cause the body to run short of magnesium also either trigger migraines or lower your resistance. For example alcohol, stress, and menstruation. Today we know that about half of the people who get migraines are also short of a certain type of magnesium (serum ionized).

When faced with a migraine that won’t respond to treatment, many headache specialists will give an injection of magnesium. You should be able to get benefits from long term (2-3 months or more) regular magnesium supplements. The magnesium migraines link may make a big difference to many people.

Is my magnesium low?
Chances are good that you do not have a serious magnesium deficiency. However, there are situations where magnesium can get low. Certain drugs especially can lower your amounts of magnesium, such as diuretics and certain antibiotics. Alcohol may also lower your magnesium levels.
Researchers are sharply divided on the need for magnesium in migraineurs. Most believe that magnesium may play some role in migraine, but some believe that increasing your body’s magnesium is THE key in eliminating migraine, even if you don’t have a “serious deficiency”.

Dr. Sarah DeRossett, American neurologist and headache specialist was quoted in July 2003 in support of magnesium, riboflavin and Vitamin B2 for migraine sufferers. “About 15 to 20 percent of the American population is deficient in magnesium, and patients who have migraines have lower blood levels of magnesium than patients who don’t have migraines.” Read the article here.

You would be wise to make sure you’re eating plenty of magnesium-rich foods. If your magnesium is very low, your doctor may suggest a supplement or injections, or even intravenous treatment. Magnesium migraines treatment is becoming more and more popular with migraine sufferers.

Normal adults require about 310-420mg of magnesium daily. Be aware that too much magnesium can cause side effects, and that there are different types of magnesium, which is why it is wise to be monitored by a doctor before you drastically raise your magnesium levels through supplements.

Check out this article for some of the complexities of the magnesium migraines connection …

Symptoms of low magnesium…
Magnesium is important to the body, and so low magnesium can cause a host of problems, such as:
irregular heartbeats, loss of appetite, insomnia (a killer for migraineurs!), weakness, shortness of breath, PMS, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, and poor coordination.
What can I eat to boost my magnesium?
First, try to cut down on the processed food you eat. Processed food is prepared in such a way that it cuts down the magnesium.
Magnesium is found in many foods, but some of the best include wheat germ, beans, soy products, whole grains, seafood, dark green leafy vegetables, bananas and milk.

Magnesium migraines and the BIG PICTURE
So many migraine treatments have to be seen as part of the big picture. One thing effects the other. Researchers are more and more realizing that the interaction of various things in your body need to be taken into consideration when it comes to migraine – the way chemicals react together, the way various organs work with the nervous system. That’s why migraineurs need to try combinations of treatments. There may be a magnesium migraines treatment that involves more than just taking magnesium itself.
One of the more popular proponents of magnesium supplements, Dr. Alexander Mauskop, is the director of the New York Headache Center. He writes in his book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Migraines that he has found a treatment that is remarkably effective using magnesium, vitamin B2 and feverfew. He makes a good case for the magnesium migraines link and has backed up his opinion with good research.

Dr Barton M Alturn, professor of physiology and medicine at the State University of New York Health Science Center also writes about the magnesium migraines connection (quoted in Nature’s Medicines ):

We believe that everyone should be taking 500-600 milligrams of magnesium a day in a combination of diet and supplements.

What kind of magnesium should I buy?
So you’ve decided that you’d like to try a magnesium supplement, you know there’s a magnesium migraines link, but there are dozens out there - which should you try?
Certain types of magnesium are not well absorbed by the body. Too much magnesium, particularly the wrong kinds of magnesium, can cause diarrhea and simply make your mineral deficiency worse. Also, remember to take magnesium for at least 60-90 days to see if it makes a difference.

If your body isn’t absorbing magnesium well, try avoid these types of magnesium: Oxide, hydroxide, and chloride. Instead, look for magnesium types that end in “ate”, particularly glycinate, but also gluconate, lactate and orotate.

Note: Very often two or more types of magnesium are combined, such as oxide and citrate. The best thing is to simply talk to your doctor and then try one kind and see how your body handles it.

Source Naturals has an excellent supplement which contains 400mg of magnesium, which many doctors suggest as a good amount for migraineurs to take. It’s called Ultra-Mag Magnesium complex.

A very good supplement for migraine containing magnesium and other migraine-fighting componants is MigreLief. There is now an article online about MigreLief that you can read. You can also purchase MigreLief with magnesium here.

Magnesium and Calcium: If you have too much of one and not enough of another, it can cause problems. That’s one reason why it’s important not to take too much of one or the other.

However, when taking magnesium for migraine don’t buy a calcium/magnesium blend. If you’re taking a calcium supplement, take it at another time of day. It can interfere with the benefits of the magnesium for migraine.

I just read the most horrendous article. “She’s Happily Married, Contemplating Divorce”. After reading the entire article, I realize there is a serious root issue.

Usually I post an entire article, in an effort to be true to what the author was trying to say. In this case, the article is extremely long, I am limited on time, and I don’t want a woman to be led astray by Mrs. Tien’s words.

I contemplate divorce every day.

She has a problem, and it is in the basic idea of her role in marriage. In my viewpoint, my job is to ensure my husband’s happiness. When he is happy and likes who he is when he is with me, then he wants to spend time with me, and shows love and affection to me. I love to feel cherished. My goal each day is to make my husband laugh. I feel I have had a successful day if I can accomplish that.

How can he relax and be comfortable in a relationship when I am constantly watching to see if it is the right time to “bolt”? How can he feel like the man for me if I am always wondering if someone else out there is my Mr. Right?

Her gripes with him are SO trivial. His offenses: he is a morning person. He says the wrong thing. He scratches his armpit and smells it. He makes a mistake. He bumped into her because he wasn’t watching where he was going.

I would expect the grievances to be a little more severe to contemplate divorce. He beats her every night until she makes nightly trips to the emergency room. He molests the kids. He has sex with his secretary daily. This I could have a little trouble explaining to her that she needed to stick it out with him. But honestly, scratching his armpit is grounds for divorce?

Divorce is no longer the shame that spits stain upon womanly merit. Conventional wisdom decrees that marriage takes work, but it doesn’t take work, it is work. It’s a job — intermittently fulfilling and annoying, with not enough vacation days. Divorce is a job too (with even fewer vacation days).

This is a big lie. Divorce leads to taking on half of the debt, with the woman working to pay it off. It leads to questions of self-worth, and “why didn’t it work out?” It leads to tears and loneliness, and a niggling sense of “I was selfish”.

No. Your husband is not your best friend. Your best friend is your best friend. If your husband were your best friend, what would that make your best friend — the dog? When a woman tells me that her husband is her best friend, what I hear is: I don’t really have any friends.

This grated against me. This proved to me that she doesn’t value or respect her husband at all. Her logic is faulty at best. My husband is my best friend. When I had female friends, I was tempted to gripe about my husband to them. I am busy enough during the workday, I don’t have time for that any more. And when my husband is home, I want to drop everything and hang out with him, because I like him. I like spending time with him. I like talking with him. I like who I am when I am near him, and he likes who he is when he is with me. Folks, this isn’t dysfunctional. This is a healthy relationship. She can’t see that, because she can’t even conceive of the concept of a healthy relationship.

Girls, turn the tables. Instead of selfishly thinking about yourselves, make it written from the man’s perspective. Suddenly it is the man who is constantly watching the woman to see if enough annoying habits can add up to a good enough reason to leave and divorce her. Suddenly it is the man who is eying girls, watching to see if there is a better one. Suddenly it is the man who is out at the bar with his best friends, when she is not considered a friend. I have no respect for men like that. I would call that “acting like a putz”. Does it make it right for a woman to do it, yet hold men to a different standard? No, I have no respect for her either.

She is dangerous. Her husband fits into one of 2 categories. Either he is oblivious, and one day will be shocked and cut to the core and be left alone, bleeding from her emotional wounds. Or he knows now that she is tallying up offenses, waiting for enough to pack up and betray him.

The root problem here is the concept of dating. People who date spend time with one person, watching to see if he/she is right for her/him. If not, the person moves on, looking for a different person. In the good older days, a man found a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and courted her, with the intention of marrying her as soon as he was able. There wasn’t “break-ups”, and in those days, divorce was uncommon.

The Bible espouses a concept difficult for our society. “but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.”

It may be a difficult concept, but it produces a happy marriage. Do you know what I like best about marriage? The security that I am loved, and that I can’t ever mess up bad enough to ruin that. It needs to go the other way too. My husband needs the security that I love him, and what he does (even if, heaven forbid, he smells his armpits), he can’t ruin that.

There’s just that tricky wicket of determining whether eternal comfort resides in the tried-and-true or whether the untried will be truer.

I personally choose a husband that treats me right, over an unknown. And Mrs. Tien doesn’t realize that if she treats the unknown man as she treats Will, (and why wouldn’t she?), she will be in the same situation. Make up your mind to be the wind beneath his wings.

By Ellen Tien from “O, The Oprah Magazine,” May 2008

Although he has shown curiosity in solid food, Wash has yet to redirect the fork into his mouth. Soon, he will want food too.

Wholesome Baby Food

If your 6 month - 8 month old baby is just starting solids at this stage, start out slowly, preparing a tablespoon sized portion of whatever food you have chosen to begin with. Some parents begin offering their babies solid foods by using their (clean and washed) finger as a spoon! They say that this helps their babies take to solid foods because the “new” spoon and the “new” food all at once seem to confuse baby!

More and more parents are opting to skip traditional baby food purees and choose Baby Led Weaning as a method for introducing solid foods. Baby Led Weaning means offering your baby (age appropriate) foods that soft-cooked and cut into small easily manageable pieces. These foods are then given to your baby to eat. You do the cooking, the dicing and the offering of the foods and your baby does the rest.

We have also compiled a Sample Schedule for Introducing Baby’s First Foods! that you may find useful. This table gives you an idea of how and when to begin introducing baby to solid foods. Please keep in mind that this table was created from our own experience and should be used as a guide only. Always consult your baby’s pediatrician about solid foods!

How much will my 6 month to 8 month old baby eat at his first meal?

If your 6-8 month old baby is just starting solid foods, you will probably only manage to have baby eat 1/2 of the tablespoon sized portion the very first times you begin solids. If you are using a Baby Led Weaning approach, your baby may only manage to get a few pieces of food into his or her mouth. Don’t fret if your baby does not “finish” a meal. Remember this is a new experience for your baby! As your baby becomes accustomed to eating solids, you will gradually increase the portion sizes. Remember, breast milk and/or infant formula are providing for the total nutrition of your baby at this stage! Read our How Much Food Should My Baby Eat page for more information.

Many parents find their babies will push the food out of their mouths on the first few tries. This is normal however it may also indicate that your baby is not yet ready for solid foods. Only you know your baby and will be able to decide if baby is truly ready for solids.

CEREALS

Continue with Rice

Barley

Oat

FRUITS

Apricots

Avocados

Nectarines

Peaches

Plums

Prunes

Pumpkin

Mangos

VEGGIES

Carrots*

Peas

Yellow Squash

Zucchini

Parsnips (8 months)

PROTEIN

Chicken

Turkey

Tofu

*8 Months for Meats/Protein or when your pediatrician says it’s ok*

DAIRY

Plain -Whole Milk Yogurt (NOT whole milk for a drink!)

* 8 months or when your pediatrician says it’s ok

4)6-8 Months - Baby Let’s Begin to Eat

“Baby” cereal and soft cooked thinly pureed fruits and veggies should be baby’s first solid food experiences.

Single ingredients only and at a space of 4 days apart with introducing each new food.

You may skip the cereal and begin with a fruit like avocado or begin with a veggie like butternut squash or sweet potato.

Baby Center

When should I introduce solids?

You can introduce solids any time between 4 and 6 months if your baby is ready (see “How will I know when my baby’s ready,” below). Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the calories and nourishment your baby needs and can handle. His digestive system simply isn’t ready for solids until he nears his half-birthday. Waiting until your baby is ready greatly reduces the risk of an allergic reaction and shortens the transition time between spoon- and self-feeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least six months — though parents will attest that some babies are eager and ready to eat solids earlier. How will I know when my baby’s ready?

Your baby will give you clear signs when he’s ready to move beyond liquid-only nourishment. Cues to look for include:
• Head control. Your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position.

• Losing the “extrusion reflex.” To keep solid food in his mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.

• Sitting well when supported. Even if he’s not quite ready for a highchair, your baby needs to be able to sit upright to swallow well.

• Chewing motions. Your baby’s mouth and tongue develop in sync with his digestive system. To start solids, he should be able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow. As he learns to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling. He may also be teething around the same time.

• Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they’ve doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.

• Growing appetite. He seems hungry — even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day.

• Curiosity about what you’re eating. Your baby may begin eyeing your bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from your plate to your mouth.

Mayo Clinic

Most babies are ready for solid foods between ages 4 months and 6 months. Here’s when — and how — to make the transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods.
Does your baby seem interested in what you’re eating? Does your baby open his or her mouth if you offer a spoon? It might be time to introduce solid foods. But don’t retire those bottles or nursing pillows just yet. Make the transition to solid foods gradually.

Is your baby ready for solid foods?
Breast milk or formula is the only food your newborn needs. Within four to six months, however, your baby will begin to develop the coordination to move solid food from the front of the mouth to the back for swallowing. At the same time, your baby’s head control will improve and he or she will learn to sit with support — essential skills for eating solid foods.

Most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast-feeding or formula-feeding between ages 4 months and 6 months. Look for these cues:

Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?
Can your baby sit with support?
Is your baby interested in what you’re eating?
If you answer no to any of these questions, you may want to postpone solids for a while.

What to serve when
Continue feeding your baby breast milk or formula as usual. When your baby’s doctor or dietitian says it’s OK to begin supplementing your baby’s liquid diet:

Start with baby cereal. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of a single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal with 4 to 5 teaspoons (20 to 25 milliliters) of breast milk or formula. Many parents start with rice cereal. Even if the cereal barely thickens the liquid, resist the temptation to serve it from a bottle. Instead, help your baby sit upright and offer the cereal with a small spoon once or twice a day. Once your baby gets the hang of swallowing runny cereal, mix it with less liquid. For variety, you might offer single-grain oatmeal or barley cereals.

Some babies eat cereal with gusto right from the start. Others are less enthusiastic. Be patient. If your baby isn’t interested, wait a week or two and try again.

Add pureed meat, vegetables and fruits. Once your baby masters cereal, gradually introduce pureed meat, vegetables and fruits. Offer single-ingredient foods at first, and wait one week between each new food. If your baby has a reaction to a particular food — such as diarrhea, rash or vomiting — you’ll know the culprit.
Offer finely chopped finger foods. By ages 8 months to 10 months, most babies can handle small portions of finely chopped finger foods, such as soft fruits, well-cooked pasta, graham crackers and ground meat. As your baby approaches his or her first birthday, mashed or chopped versions of whatever the rest of the family is eating will become your baby’s main fare. Continue to offer breast milk or formula with and between meals.
To help prevent food allergies, parents were once encouraged to avoid feeding young children eggs, fish and peanut butter. Today, however, researchers say there’s no convincing evidence that avoiding these foods during early childhood will help prevent food allergies. Still, it’s a good idea to check with your baby’s doctor or dietitian if any close relatives have a food allergy. And remember that peanut butter poses a choking hazard for babies.

What about juice?
You can offer mild, 100 percent fruit juices when your baby is 9 months old. Juice isn’t a necessary part of a baby’s diet, however, and it’s not as valuable as the original fruit itself. If you offer juice to your baby, limit it to about 4 ounces (118 milliliters) a day, and serve it in a cup. Too much juice may contribute to weight problems and diarrhea, as well as thwart your baby’s appetite for more nutritious solid foods. Sipping juice throughout the day or while falling asleep may lead to tooth decay.

Know what’s off-limits
Don’t offer cow’s milk, citrus or honey before age 1. Cow’s milk doesn’t meet an infant’s nutritional needs. Cow’s milk isn’t a good source of iron and, for infants, cow’s milk can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Citrus can cause a painful diaper rash, and honey may contain spores that can cause a serious illness known as botulism.

Don’t offer your baby foods that pose a choking hazard, including:

Small, slippery foods, such as whole grapes, hot dogs and hard candy
Dry foods that are hard to chew, such as popcorn, raw carrots and nuts
Sticky or tough foods, such as peanut butter and large pieces of meat
Foods that may clump together, such as raisins
For babies younger than age 4 months, also avoid home-prepared spinach, beets, turnips and collard greens, which may contain high levels of potentially harmful compounds from soil (nitrates).

Make meals manageable
When your baby begins eating solid food, mealtime is sure to become an adventure. Here’s help making it more enjoyable — for both you and your baby.

Stay seated. At first, you may feed your baby in an infant seat or propped on your lap. As soon as your baby can sit easily without support, use a highchair with a broad, stable base. Buckle the safety straps, and keep other children from climbing or hanging on to the highchair.
Encourage exploration. Your baby is likely to play with his or her food between bites. Although it’s messy, hands-on fun helps fuel your baby’s development. Place a dropcloth on the floor so you won’t worry about falling food.
Introduce utensils. Offer your baby a spoon to hold while you feed him or her with another spoon. As your baby’s dexterity improves, encourage your baby to dip the spoon in food and bring it to his or her mouth.
Offer a cup. Feeding your baby breast milk or formula from a cup at mealtime can help pave the way for weaning from a bottle. By age 9 months, your baby may be able to drink from a cup on his or her own.
Dish individual servings. Your baby may eat just a few teaspoons of food at a time. If you feed your baby directly from a jar or container, bacteria and saliva from the spoon can quickly spoil any leftovers. Instead, place small amounts of food in a separate dish. The same goes for finger foods. If your baby finishes the first serving, offer another.
Avoid power struggles. If your baby turns away from a certain food, don’t push. Simply try again another time. And again. And again, if necessary! Repeated exposure can help ensure variety in your baby’s diet.
Know when to call it quits. When your baby has had enough to eat, he or she may turn away from the spoon, lean backward, or refuse to open his or her mouth. Don’t force extra bites. As long as your baby’s growth is on target, you can be confident that he or she is getting enough to eat.
Enjoy your baby’s sloppy tray, gooey hands and sticky face. You’re building the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating.

I was going to post on melatonin, because I have become hooked on it, but I already did on July 8. So, suffice it to say, it doesn’t seem to cure my migraines, but I sure feel rested when I wake up. My husband laughs at me, because I am asleep within 10 minutes, if I am having having a conversation. It’s less if I am not talking.

I found these car seat mistakes.

Your Baby Today

As many as half of the car seats in use today are installed incorrectly. Here, a look at the top five mistakes people make when it comes to car seats, with advice on how to correct them from Julie Prom, a certified child passenger safety expert based in Stafford, Va.
Buying the wrong seat for a particular car Some seats fit better in certain cars than others. But the only way you’ll know which seats work best in your car(s) is through trial and error. If possible, months before your baby is born, go to a baby store and ask to install several different models in your car until you find one that fits. “I tell people to do this before they start looking at cribs,” says Prom. “A safe car seat is one of the most important purchases a parent can make for her baby.” You can also call your hospital or fire department, or visit the SafeKids Website, to find out when and where the next car-seat safety check will be held in your area.

Facing baby forward too soon and/or using a seat that doesn’t fit properly Infants should be in the rear-facing position, in either an infant carrier (a seat with a carrying handle) or a convertible seat (a seat you can turn forward when your baby is big enough) until they are one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds, whichever comes last. If your under-one-year infant is so tall that her head reaches the top of the infant carrier, you need to switch her into a convertible seat but keep her facing rear. Many convertibles accommodate children in the rear or forward position until they weigh about 35-40 pounds.

Not tightening the car seat enough Make sure the seat doesn’t move more than approximately one inch from side to side or front to back. Read the car seat manufacturer’s instructions so you know where to thread the seat belt, and your vehicle’s manual so you know whether you must use a locking clip to secure the seat belt. Be sure to install the locking clip next to the latch plate.

Positioning the harness height incorrectly Read the car seat’s instruction manual to determine the proper harness height. Some harnesses should sit level with your infant’s shoulders, others should be set just below. You will need to adjust the harness height as your baby grows.

Not tightening the harness enough Adjust the harness so you can’t slide more than two fingers between the harness and your baby. And make sure that the chest clip is at your baby’s armpit level to keep the harness in place.
“This is one time it’s essential to read instructions,” says Julie Prom, a certified child passenger safety expert based in Stafford, Virginia. “Read the car seat manufacturer’s guide and your auto manual before you install a car seat.”

Keep Kids Healthy

Most parents understand the importance of putting their children in car seats, especially their younger kids, but reports still show that 80% of kids aren’t secured correctly in a car seat.

Among the easiest mistakes to avoid is to just make sure that your child is in the correct car seat for his age and that he is facing the right direction.

Infants should be in a rear facing infant only seat or convertible seat until they are 1 year old AND twenty pounds. Children who reach twenty pounds before their first birthday still need to face backwards and can be moved into a rear facing convertible seat. Smaller infants who don’t reach 20 pounds until after their first birthday should also continue to face backwards. This is more a minimum though. Many people advocate continuing to sit toddlers rear facing in a convertible seat until they outgrow it for added safety.
After they are twenty pounds and have passed their first birthday, toddlers can use a forward facing car seat (either a convertible, combination or forward facing seat) until they are about 40 pounds.
Children over forty pounds should be placed into a belt positioning booster seat (either a combination seat or booster seat) and they will usually stay in it until they are at least 8 years old.
You should not use your car’s regular seat belts until they fit correctly when your child is about 80 pounds and is 4ft 9 inches tall. Remember that your child will not be ready to use regular seat belts until the shoulder strap fits across his shoulder and not his neck, and the lap belt fits across his hips and not his stomach.
All children under 12 years of age should be placed in the back seat of the car, especially if you have passenger side air bags.
Once you have the right seat, it is easy to make mistakes by not securing the seat correctly in your car or not securing your child correctly in the seat. Common mistakes when using a car seat include:

having harness straps too loose or in the wrong position
having a harness chest clip in the wrong position
not locking the seat belt properly with a locking clip, seat belt retractor or locking latchplate. Keep in mind that newer seat belt systems have a built-in locking mechanism.
not securing the car seat correctly, by either using the wrong seat belt path or not making the seat belts tight enough
placing an infant seat in the path of an air bag.
Other mistakes to avoid depend on what type of seat you are using. In addition to following these tips, you should also read your car seat’s instructions. A recent study showed that many of these instructions are difficult to understand by many parents, so if you don’t understand what you are doing, either call the manufacturer or go to a car seat inspection station to see if you are using your seat correctly.

To make installation even easier, consider getting a car seat and car that has the new LATCH system, which doesn’t need to use your car’s set belts. LATCH tether anchors can also be added to older cars.

When using an infant seat, make sure that:

the harness chest clip is correctly positioned at your child’s armpit level so that the shoulder straps will be in the correct position
the harness straps are snug and straight
rear-facing harness straps are positioned at, or slightly below, your child’s shoulders
the seat reclines at about a 45 degree angle
you never place an infant in a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat of a car with a passenger side air bag
When using a rear facing convertible seat, make sure that:

harness straps on rear-facing seats are positioned at, or slightly below, your child’s shoulders
the harness chest clip is in the correct location at your child’s armpit level
the harness straps are snug and straight
the seat reclines at about a 45 degree angle
When using a forward facing convertible seat, make sure that:

harness straps on forward-facing restraints are positioned at, or slightly above, your child’s shoulders. You should be using the top set of harness slots for convertible child safety seats.
the harness straps are snug and straight
the harness chest clip is positioned at your child’s mid-chest or armpit area.
When using a forward facing combination seat, make sure that:

harness straps whould be positioned at, or slightly above, your child’s shoulders.
at 40 pounds, you remove the harness straps and use your car’s lap/shoulder belt, especially if the harness straps are below the child’s shoulders.

you stop using a shield booster once your child is 40 pound
When using a belt-positioning booster seat, make sure that:

you always use the lap/shoulder belt combination with a belt-positioning booster. Never use a lap belt only. This includes no back and high back booster seats.
the shoulder belt rests snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.
the lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area, and not across the stomach.
You should also avoid using a car seat that has:

been recalled
involved in a crash
is more than 10 years old (or depending on the manufacturer, more than 5-6 years old)
doesn’t have a label with the date it was manufactured and the seat name or model number
doesn’t have instructions
is missing parts or has cracks in the frame

Parents

Don’t make these mistakes when installing baby’s car seat.

Car seats aren’t as easy to use as they may seem. According to safety experts, here’s where most parents go wrong:

1. Child is turned face-forward too early. Babies must ride facing the rear until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds — preferably longer.

2. Seat isn’t installed tightly enough. When jiggled in the area where the safety belt is pulled through, the chair should not move more than 1 inch in any direction.

3. Harness straps are too loose. The straps should be tightened so that slack can’t be pinched between an adult’s thumb and forefinger.

4. Infant seat angled incorrectly. It must be reclined just enough so the child doesn’t flop forward, but no more than 45 degrees from vertical. If he is positioned at more than that, he could be thrown out between the straps headfirst.

5. Harness straps are in wrong slots. In the rear-facing position, straps should be in slots at or just below the shoulder. In forward-facing position, straps should come through the uppermost slots (unless a particular car seat’s instructions specify otherwise).

6. Harness retainer clip is out of place. It should be at child’s armpit level.

7. Locking clip is out of place. If needed, it should be positioned no more than an inch from the safety-belt latch.

8. Safety belt isn’t in locked mode. Check vehicle’s owner manual to determine what type of belts you have. Then follow directions regarding how they must be used with a child-safety restraint.

I guess if we want to eat healthy, we have to grow our own garden.

News Channel 5

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - When you think of radiation what comes to mind?

The federal government said it can be a good thing to help kill harmful bacteria.

Starting Friday, food producers can zap fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce.

But some consumers wonder if radiation is the best answer.

Many people immediately think of the harm it can do to the body.

So, of course, there’s a lot of concern when the government has given the okay for radiation to be used on some of the food we eat.

Louise Aikens has 50 years of experience when it comes to cooking turnips.

“You may have to wash them five or six times,” said she while looking over produce at the Nashville Farmers’ Market.

But what works for one leafy vegetable isn’t good enough for another. Produce such as spinach and lettuce require a lot more cleaning to get rid of bad bacteria.

However, Aikens questions whether a dose of radiation is the answer.

“I really don’t know right now. But if it’s going to be radiation, if it’s not a whole lot, okay. Because you can’t wash, what is it, salmonella?” she said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow food producers to start zapping fresh spinach and lettuce with just enough radiation to kill E.coli and other dangerous germs.

“The kinds of outbreaks we’ve just seen, the salmonella associated with the peppers and E. coli associated with the spinach, those things are going to diminish and eventually disappear if we use this technology wisely,” said William Schaffner, professor and chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine and professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Many consumers are like Leo Peck, who believes any amount of radiation could lead to health problems.

“Clearly you wonder if it’s going to be comfortable for the body or not because you know radiation doesn’t do your body a whole lot of good,” he said.

“Similar studies have been done in animals and the animals are not adversely affected,” Schaffner said.

Radiation or not consumers are still required to do their part-

“No matter where you buy it, if you wash it like you should be before you use it, you won’t have that problem,” Peck said.

Farmers and processors still must follow standard rules to keep produce as clean as possible and consumers must do the same

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 300,000 people are hospitalized and 5,000 die from foodborne illnesses each year.

Cat

Irradiation temperature influences product quality factors of frozen vegetables and radiation sensitivity of inoculated Listeria monocytogenes.

NIEMIRA Brendan A. (1) ; XUETONG FAN (1) ; SOMMERS Christopher H. (1) ;

Four frozen vegetables (broccoli, corn, lima beans, and peas) were gamma irradiated at subfreezing temperatures ranging from -5 to -20°C to determine (i) the radiation sensitivity of an inoculated outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 49594), (ii) the effect of changing irradiation conditions (i.e., temperature) on that sensitivity, and (iii) the effect of the recommended radiation dose on the texture and color of irradiated frozen vegetables. The amounts of radiation necessary to reduce the bacterial population by 90% (D10-values) for L. monocytogenes differed significantly among vegetables at each irradiation temperature. D10 increased significantly with decreasing temperature for all vegetables, with each vegetable showing a different response pattern. At an irradiation temperature of -5°C, D10 ranged from 0.505 kGy for broccoli to 0.613 kGy for corn. At -20°C, D10 ranged from 0.767 kGy for lima beans to 0.916 kGy for peas. At -20°C, radiation doses sufficient to achieve a 5-log10 kill (3.9 to 4.6 kGy) caused significant softening of peas and broccoli stems but not of corn or lima beans. Lower doses of comparable antimicrobial efficacy delivered at -5°C (2.5 to 3.1 kGy) did not cause significant changes in texture in any vegetable. Color varied significantly among the dose-temperature combinations only for broccoli florets; this variation did not demonstrate a clear pattern of quality changes in response to irradiation.
Revue / Journal Title
Journal of food protection ISSN 0362-028X CODEN JFPRDR
Source / Source
2002, vol. 65, no9, pp. 1406-1410 [5 page(s) (article)] (16 ref.)

Wikipedia

Longer term exposure to radiation, at doses less than that which produces serious radiation sickness, can induce cancer as cell-cycle genes are mutated. If a cancer is radiation-induced, then the disease, the speed at which the condition advances, the prognosis, the degree of pain, and every other feature of the disease are not functions of the radiation dose to which the sufferer is exposed.

When radioactive compounds enter the human body, the effects are different from those resulting from exposure to an external radiation source. Especially in the case of alpha radiation, which normally does not penetrate the skin, the exposure can be much more damaging after ingestion or inhalation. The radiation exposure is normally expressed as a committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE).

Wash is 6 months old. I remembered the other 5 babies starting solids at 6 months. Sure enough, this week he has noticed food and tried to get it. I have distracted him with nursing, but pretty soon, he will want his share of dinner.

He doesn’t sit. I keep trying to teach him, but he doesn’t want to learn. He is a standing boy, and likes it that way.

He has started getting bored. Gone are the days when I could spend more than a few minutes on the computer. He needs a variety of rattles on my lap during school time, because he shrieks if he is tired of being in one place. He has started laughing at Niska the puppy and at Jim. He got really excited when Daddy got home from work yesterday, and leaned forward to try to go to Daddy.

Your Baby Today

These days, your baby revels in her social-butterfly status. So take advantage of it. Expose baby to a variety of people during social outings; teach her to say “hi” and wave good-bye. While you’re out and about, your baby will recognize her own name if it’s called, and she’ll turn to whoever calls it. When she wants to be picked up, baby will use not only her voice, but gestures like raised arms–and from a proud sitting position, no less. When you do pick baby up, be prepared for squeals of delight.

Milestones this month*
Your baby now can sit on her own.

She rocks and pivots while lying on her stomach.

Baby can roll from her back onto her stomach–and back again.

She digs her fingers and toes into the floor to push herself toward a favorite toy.

Baby can eat a cracker.

She can pick up a cereal ring or other small object.

Baby has more than doubled her birth weight.

She can say vowel-consonant combinations.

Baby expresses unhappiness when an object or toy is taken away.

She can pass objects from one hand to another.

Baby looks for dropped toys.

She has discovered herself in the mirror, and loves having conversations with this new little friend.
*All babies have their own internal developmental timetable. If your 6-month-old hasn’t yet reached these milestones, rest assured that she will in time. If you have concerns about your baby’s development, discuss them with her doctor.

This is the month most likely to see your baby sit on her own and gain a whole new perspective on the world around her. Once the teetering ends, baby will be able to reach for toys and play with them with perfect balance.

If you’re concerned that your baby isn’t sitting up yet, keep in mind that some babies are closer to 9 months old before they master this skill. “Practice sessions” for sitting are helpful: Sitting on the floor, prop your baby up in the v-shape of your extended legs to help her get accustomed to this new position. And if your baby is still a bit on the chubby side, remember that it may be more difficult for her to keep her balance right now.

High energy
Aside from the temporary annoyances of teething, this phase of your baby’s life is filled with boundless energy. Baby becomes a virtual wiggle worm when you attempt to feed or diaper her. Squirming and arching her back as you hold her are baby’s ways of saying, “Put me down–I’ve got work to do!”

Baby’s also honing her fine motor skills, and water play can provide great training. If you include toy pitchers, buckets, and watering cans in her bath, you’re sure to elicit both giggles and improved coordination.

Any of the various commercially available activity boards also will help baby master several small motor skills. Many of these boards can be safely attached to the side of a crib, letting your baby entertain herself–and learn–before and after sleep time.

Chitchat is good!

As your baby’s happy talk becomes more precise, there are many ways you can help her develop her language skills:

Always speak slowly and clearly when you talk to baby.

Use short sentences and continue to identify objects, showing baby the objects as you say their names.

Repeat the sounds your baby makes. After a time, slightly alter the sounds and wait for her to repeat them to you.

Focus on repetition. Singing the same songs or reciting the same nursery rhymes not only entertains your baby, but the repetition will help her learn.

Read, read, and read some more. Ask your baby simple questions about the pictures in the books you read.

Don’t talk at your baby. Give her time to respond–even if it’s just in her own way.

EHow

At six months, you might notice that your baby’s become more fearful of new people. But fortunately, her shyness will probably fade quickly, and after a few minutes she’ll relax and become sociable and ready to play. (The following information has been adapted from Dr. Segal’s book series, “Your Child at Play.”)

1Have a play date: When two 6-month-old babies are together, they’ll notice and imitate each other. As they investigate each other, they’ll learn to make distinctions between toys and people.
Step2Take an active role in helping your baby tune into language by playing naming games with her. Point to things - like her eyes, nose, hands or toys - as you say their names.
Step3Store her things in a small container, and you’ll probably find that she enjoys taking them out. Go for several smaller containers instead of one large toy chest; it’ll be easier for her to manage.
Step4Tie a Mylar or other nonbreakable balloon to her stroller with a wide ribbon. She’ll like watching it, and she might pull on the ribbon and watch the balloon move.
Step5Get her a mirror; you might find it’s one of her favorite toys. She’ll talk, kiss and pat her reflection.

Fisher Price

Wondering, trying, finding solutions — so much is discovered through play. And everything changes around six months as your baby learns, “I can make things happen!” Here you will find toys and playtime activities for six-month-olds that will create more exciting opportunities for baby to explore, learn and accomplish. And our parenting information will answer your questions about this stage of development.
All About PlayHow your baby plays now:When sitting up, she needs only slight support and may sit briefly unaided.
She can bang her rattle and shout at the same time.
She begins to look for things she drops.
She joins in activities which are centered around her.
Why your baby will enjoy these toys now:Stacking toys
Toys to encourage crawling
Action/reaction toys
Baby books for patting, pointing & talking
Toys for imitative play with familiar objects

I have, for a few years, told my friends that I am so busy with keeping my family healthy and training, that I don’t have time to “sit at Jesus’ feet” and spend hours praying. Oh, I feel guilty when compared with Mrs. Wesley, who threw her apron over her head as a signal to her 19 kids that she was praying, and they shouldn’t disturb her. However, I can’t even use the bathroom without my 18-month old sneaking out the back door into the fenced in back yard. I don’t dare throw my apron over my head.

When I read this kitchen prayer in Reminisce magazine, my heart prayed it with the author.

Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I’ve not time to be
A saint by doing lovely things
Or watching late with Thee
Or dreaming in the dawn light
Or storming Heaven’s gates
Make me a saint by getting meals
And washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha’s hands
I have a Mary mind.
And when I black the boots and shoes
Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth
Each time I scrub the floor
Accept this meditation, Lord,
I haven’t time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love
And light it with Thy peace.
Forgive me all my worry,
And make my grumbling cease.

Thou who did’st love to give men food,
In room, or by the sea,
Accept this service I do.
I do it unto Thee.

Klara Munkres

That says it all.

Now, I need to get the 6-month old from the oldest daughter and nurse the baby while I make a shopping list. I also need to supervise my three eldest taking their week’s end tests and their unit tests. Then I need to grade them. Then we need to go shopping for this week’s produce.

The dog is fed. In 5 minutes, I need to supervise lunch clean-up, and have the 5-year-old and 2-year-old clean up their toys. I need to supervise the sweeping of all the floors in the house, possibly do it myself. Oh, my eldest just informed me the baby fell asleep. Never mind nursing. Never mind the shopping list. We need to sort through toys for 20 minutes to throw away or donate or keep. When we shop, we will hit Salvation Army and donate.

I need to supervise the mopping, Windexing, and dusting for 30 minutes, then put our tools away. Oh, and did I mention I have weekend company who have already arrived? I also need to vacuum. It just started raining. I’m kind of glad we can’t shop yet. In about 15 minutes, I need to throw the clothes in the dryer and sort the dry ones into piles and supervise the folding party.

If I take time to pray, I have to let something slide.

I didn’t know this site existed. Wow Coupons

You can print out coupons and use them.

Since Monday we are trying a new system to regain ground we have lost. Somehow, in trying to teach the kids how to do all the chores an adult can do, we missed teaching quality work. I have been so frustrated for nearly a year, because we spend way too much time cleaning up after ourselves. Nobody wants to clean up. Everyone likes cleaning the bathroom, making beds, emptying and reloading the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, etc., but when it comes time to put toys, books, papers, clothes, away, I get dragged feet, temper tantrums, “I don’t want to”, “Do I have to?”, fussing, whining, fighting, etc.

I was assigning chores to three or four kids at once, while I did yet another chore, calling kids back to “re-do”, all leading to stress, frustration, and sloppy work that never got done right, and not enough time to fix all the messed up work.

I asked my husband what to do. He recommended taking one kid for 6 weeks and following her around during school/chores, watching every move. By the end of 6 weeks, I’ve got a well-trained helper, and can conquer the next girl. I didn’t want to wait 18 weeks for quality work. So I decided to put us all on a new stricter schedule. If my daughters have 2 hours of chores each, and we have 5 hours of school, I have just enough time to watch/supervise each kid all day until Daddy gets home. After three days, I am worn out and weary, because in some ways it is easier to do it myself, but it requires me to be more aware of what each child is doing, and allows me certainty as to who made the mess. Clean-up and follow-through are required, so it shows more when one kids leaves her shoes on the floor, or when one kid leaves dishes on the table. Instead of attention split 5 different directions while everyone does chores at once, I am calmer and more focused.

Oh, my favorite part: It’s 9:00 a.m. It’s time to make the bed, clean the bathroom, and lay out water. Whose job is it? I roll the die. If it’s a 6, it’s the oldest’s, if it’s a 5, it’s the second-born, if it’s 4, it’s the third-born, if it’s 3, it’s my son. I actually rolled a 2 today, and Jiminy had to learn how to put away silverware. If it’s a 1, I reroll it for now, because Wash has just started reaching for things yesterday. He gets reprieve on chores for a short time.

I’ll have to let you know how it works out.

Here’s what I am reading today:

Talk

Host) Posted 08 June 2008 09:13 AM Hide Post
Somebody posted a story on another forum I’m on about HM and I responded w/ — what can it not do? Cure cancer?
And somebody else had a link to a study done w/ cancer pts drinking HM (personally I am not sure I could get it down, but I hate milk period though I suppose I would be open to anything to cure cancer if I were in that situation) and it helping w/ their symptoms!
It’s like a wonder drug.

Elizabeth
Mommy to Jodi (4/17/06)
E-mail me: eguth@ocala.com

Blogs

recent study by American and Argentinian researchers claim that the protective properties of breast milk against respiratory infections works better for baby girls than for baby boys.

The researchers studied 119 babies born with very low birth weights. These babies have a higher risk to develop severe respiratory infections than babies born with normal weight. The study compared the incidence of severe acute lung disease between male and female infants and between breastfed and formula-fed infants.

The results show that breastfeeding significantly decreased the risk of acute lung disease in baby girls but not in baby boys. Formula-fed baby girls showed the highest risk profile, with an 8-times higher risk for respiratory disease.

As such, breastfeeding did not decrease the rate of infections, but rather the severity of the disease and rate of hospitalization.

It has always been previously thought that the transfer of natural immunity from mother to child through breast milk is universal and not dependent on gender. This study shows that there is a gender disparity when it comes to breast milk protection.

Other lessons learned from the study are:

Breast milk does not prevent babies from catching the disease but helps babies to fight the infection successfully.
Baby girls who are formula-fed have the highest risk to get lung infection.
Despite the gender differences revealed in this study, breast milk is still the best food for babies, regardless of gender. And regardless of what they say about vitamin D deficiency.

Sources:

PEDIATRICS Vol. 121 No. 6 June 2008, pp. e1510-e1516

HealthDay News, 2 June 2008

Friday at noon, I tried to change Jim’s diaper and he was dry. He just turned 2 on July 14th. Wash (almost 6 months) signals every time he has to pee. He still screams a pterodactyl scream, and as soon as I take him to the potty, he goes. If we ignore the scream, he will dribble in his diaper, but he will hold it until he is taken to the toilet.

So when Jim was dry, I passed Wash off to my eldest daughter, and carried Jim to the potty. Much to my surprise, he actually peed in the potty. I gave him 5 chocolate chips, which are a rarity in our Food-Nazi household. It was a treasure for him to try again.

In half an hour, Wash screeched. I took Wash potty, and he went. I took Jim again, and to my shock, he peed again. I got him a tortilla chip. Half an hour later, Wash screamed. I took both boys potty, and both boys went. I gave Jim a strawberry.

He peed every half an hour from noon until 7:15. We were at a birthday party, and I decided not to push the issue at the party.

Although we had setbacks on the potty training for Jim due to his burns and the birth of his brother, it has proven to me that potty training an infant is worth the time. When Jim makes up his mind to be trained, it will be easy. The foundation has been laid.

However, the Stinkpot has refused to go every time after Friday…