Day 4-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Challenge # 4- Bathroom

Antibacterial soap makes big promises but is no more effective at killing viruses than any other kind of soap or detergent, and they also kill nonpathogenic bacteria.  Antibacterial products contain a chemical triclosan.  In 2010 the FDA wrote "Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation. However, data showing effects in animals don’t always predict effects in humans. Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics."

You can make your own non toxic liquid hand soap and save tons of money at the same time.  Go to  http://heavenlyhomemakers.com to find out how. 

My favorite store bought hand soap is Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps. It's completely biodegradable and vegetable-Based, made with certified fair trade and organic oils and no synthetic foaming gents, thickeners or preservatives.  It's also made with 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) cylinder bottles and paper labels.

If you want to know more about what's in your soap go to http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.  It's a site where you can search 69,000 products such as makeup, skin care, baby care products and more.  For every product and ingredient in Skin Deep, there’s a two-part score – a hazard score and a data availability score.

The ingredient hazard score, from 1-10 reflects known and suspected hazards of ingredients

Day 3-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home

Challenge # 3- Bedroom

Instead of using a broom or duster to rid your house of dust, use a HEPA-filtered vacuum and try some of these tips recommended at Goodhousekeeping.com to remove hard to reach dust.  Brooms and dusters just move dust around or send it flying into the air and up our noses.  The problem with this is that dust bunnies are a cocktail of phthalates, Flame Retardants, and various pesticides. 

My favorite HEPA vacuum is the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum Cleaner.  Having 3 animals I know what it is like to try and get those stubborn hairs out of carpet, especially on stairs.  This vacuum removes 99.97 percent of allergens down to 0.3 microns and has a Pet Turbo Brush attachment that can lift and capture stubborn hair from upholstery.

Day 2-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Challenge # 2-The Kitchen

If you enjoy swirling dirty water around your floor with a nasty bacteria containing mop, have fun!  Every time you mop, out comes the bucket to fill up and a mop to wring and wring again let alone changing the water and carrying the bucket up stairs and down stairs and from room to room without spilling it.  When the mop water gets dirty, the cleaner loses its power to kill bacteria. 

A great solution would be to use a washable microfiber mop and a cleaning solution that doesn’t have to be mixed with water.  Not only does microfiber lift and scoop dirt particles into the material but microfiber mops can be washed so you are starting out with a fresh clean mop every time. 

For a homemade solution for your wood floors, go to the pantry and mix ½ cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. This natural solution will make your wood floors shine like new. The vinegar acts to remove stains, kill bacteria and the oil helps to maintain the luster of the wood.

To clean a linoleum or tile floor, mix one tablespoon of liquid soap (I like Dr. Bronners soap), a quarter cup of baking soda to two gallons of hot water.  Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the mix.

My favorite store bought products for mopping floors is the Method wood floor cleaner.  It's non-toxic and biodegradable, made with simple ingredients including baking soda and purified water plus the bottle is recycled plastic.

Method floor cleaner is a no-wax, non-toxic, biodegradable number that works as well as it smells, leaving your wood floor looking better than it has in ages.

Day 1-The 7 day challenge to detoxing your home.

Almost all cleaning products are composed of dangerous toxic chemicals. These chemicals don’t just make your home toxic, they make you toxic, too.  They can irritate your skin, make you dizzy or cause asthma and even cancer.
All it takes is a little intervention and willingness to change.  There are non toxic options available and I will share some of them with you.
Each day I will publish a new post that will focus on a different room in your home.  Take the challenge and stop buying into the idea that these toxic products are necessary for cleaning your home.

Challenge #1-The Living room
Instead of using aerosol wood cleaners, use a microfiber cloth.  For a completely natural shine use 1/2 cup of olive oil mixed with 1/4 cup lemon juice (can use bottled lemon juice).  My favorite store bought product for wood polishing is Method wood spray.  This no-wax formula contains a gentle, cleansing conditioner that brings your wood back to life without leaving residue or buildup. And, it leaves a fresh almond scent in its wake.  You can buy this product at Canadian Tire.

Please feel free to let me know how these products worked for you.

Reuse old throw pillow cases to make a customized tote bag.

If you have a couple old throw pillow cases that you dont need anymore, rather then throwing them away- why not make a personalized tote bag for yourself or your child.  If most moms purses are like mine with snacks, water, milk containers, toys, books and lots more things flaoting around, you will greatly appreciate having a seperate bag that cost next to nothing, all you need is a sewing machine. 

Here are the instructions:

Personalizing is optional.  You can buy letters to sew on or iron on. I choose to hand sew the letters, here is what I did.

1.  Found printable calligraphy online.  Printed and cut out letters needed.



2.  Layed letters in place and traced with a pencil.



3.  Hand sewed back and forth from line to line until letter was full.  Believe me it isn't perfect but no one will ever notice.

Making the tote bag:

1.  Decide what size compartments you need for the things you take with you most of the time.  (ie. water cup).  Sew seperation lines.

2.  There is a border going all the way around the pillow cases.  Fold the top border down and iron on both.  Sew just below the folds.  Then, cut the extra material off and this material will make the handles. 

3.  Take the edges you just cut off, open them up and fold them the opposite way.  Sew them closed.

4.  Sew the handles to the tote bag by sewing them on the inside.  It will look like this.

5.  Place the outsides of both pillow cases (side with pockets) facing eachother as if you were making a blanket.  Sew around the outside edges of the cases, sewing them together.  Sew the two sides and the bottom (not the top of course) so that the bag is inside out. 

 6.  Turn the tote outside in and your bag is ready to go.

7.  Add your own touches.  In an attempt to not lose the crayons I attached an old keychain ring to the bag to attach a pencil case (which had a clip on it) to carry crayons in.  The case fits snugly into a pocket.

Acid reflux

My daughter was diagnosed with Acid Reflux - Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) just before she turned two.  As any parent would understand, this was devastating.....you want your children to be happy and healthy and you do your very best to make sure that happens.   I didn't understand how such a healthy child who ate so well could possibly have this, what was I doing wrong?  How did this happen?  I had so many questions-when exactly did this start? Will she grow out of it? What are the side effects of the medication? What can I do to fix it?  I needed to know more about acid reflux, I needed to know more about the medication and so I began to look for the answers.  I want to share the information I found and how it was helpful.  My daughter is now two and a half and currently on 1/3 of her initial dose.  She is being weaned off very slowly and I will keep you all updated as to further progress.

When exactly did this start?

She was breastfed until she turned one.  Instead of switching to cow’s milk, I started her on formula.  There were some night waking, crying, screaming and picking at the ears on and off for a while-all apparently symptoms of "teething".  Since she was a late teether and didn't get her first tooth until about 9 months, it all made perfect sense. I started switching slowly to cow’s milk a few months before she turned 2, she did not seem to handle the milk very well but I was told this was normal for any child.  I still felt like there was something more.  Then the screaming began.  Waking at 4 or 5am screaming hysterically, wanting out of her room, afraid of her bed....night terrors?  This is the age when it happens right? 

But there was one thing that was not a symptom of night terrors and that was this very acidic smell on her breath.  I came across several websites in my searches that related this smell to acid reflux.  I made an appointment to see her Doctor; she prescribed Renitidine liquid twice a day.  I convinced her that I was sure I could handle her reflux by diet.  She agreed for me to take the prescription and if the diet didn’t work, go ahead and use the medication for 1 month, stop and then use as needed.  She didn't eat much acidic foods like tomato sauce or oranges but what little bit she did I cut out completely.  I was very careful about what I fed her but there wasn't any change. The pharmacy assured me that Zantac had very little side effects and so I filled the prescription and reluctantly began her medication therapy right before her second birthday. 

Will she grow out of it?

I was told that a child who develops GERD later as apposed to being born with it is more likely to have a lifelong problem and that in most cases it is hereditary.  Knowing that every time I tried to wean her off her medication her symptoms came back I started to believe that this would never go away.  I don't want to believe that, I want to know there is something I can do. 

What are the side effects of the medication?

Ranitidine (trade name Zantac) is a histamine H₂-receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production.  While suppression of stomach acid does temporarily reduce esophageal inflammation it does little to address the underlying root cause of reflux.  Low stomach acid levels have been linked to Candida overgrowth and bacterial infections (i.e. salmonella) which can lead to other health problems.  It may increase the risk of developing food allergies.  When stomach acid is removed, the body does not absorb nutrients as well, especially calcium which can lead to rickets (a softening of the bones).  The body also has trouble absorbing iron, magnesium, zinc, folic acid, vitamins A, B1, B6 and E.  Also, long-term use often leads the body to compensate more of the hormone “gastrin”.  This hormone signals the stomach to increase acid production.  Excessive levels of gastrin have been linked to the growth of esophageal, pancreatic, and gastric cancer cells.  Most acid blockers say consumers should not use for longer than 14 days.  There is obviously a reason for this.

What can I do to fix it?

The medication started making a difference within a week, I was so happy to see her smile when she woke from naps instead of the usual screaming.  After the month was up and I stopped the medication, all symptoms plus more came marching back to play catch up.  I quickly started her on the medication again and went back to the Doctor who agreed to keep her on the medication for a while longer.  After a couple months I tried to wean her off slowly and yet again ended up back at the start.  I was told that I would just have to accept the fact that she needs the medication and it is "good" for her.  I did not agree.  This was when I took a different approach; I started her on natural remedies and visited with a licensed Naturopath.  We were told our daughter has dairy (lactose) intolerance and her little belly is inflamed.  We immediately started her on lactose free milk (article t o come on lactose intolerance) and kept going with the natural remedies.  I am happy to report that she is having no trouble weaning off the medication this time. 

I already knew all the regular suggestions they give you like raising the bed, avoid tight clothing, no acidic or greasy foods, eating smaller meals, no eating 2 hours before sleeping and avoid bending over after eating etc. However, there are other suggestions that I would like to share with you that have been helping my daughter. 

1.  Probiotics.  The use of probiotics helps restore the good bacteria in the digestive system and keep things moving smoothly.  The longer it takes the stomach to empty, the higher the risk for reflux. 

2.  Aloe Vera Juice.  Not only does this juice contain over 20 amino acids but it is also enriched with a host of vitamins including A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E.  Drinking it also reduces inflammation, heals intestines, stops constipation and most importantly it alkalizes the body. (See pH balance)

3.  Refined sugars.  The amount of refined sugar in many products would likely shock you. A tablespoon of ketchup contains a full teaspoon of sugar.  Avoid stuff like canned soups, processed cereals, cured meats, hot dogs, lunch meat, salad dressings, spaghetti sauce, mayonnaise, pickles, frozen pizza, canned fruits and vegetables, tomato juice, and any other products that list sucrose and fructose in their ingredients.

4.  Processed foods.  Most processed foods contain colors, preservatives (BHT), sweeteners, MSG and hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils (Tran’s fats).  Avoid canned foods with large amounts of sodium or fat, breads and pastas made with refined white flour instead of whole grains, packaged high-calorie snack foods such as chips and candies, frozen fish sticks and frozen dinners that are high in sodium, packaged cakes and cookies, boxed meal mixes that are high in fat and sodium, sugary breakfast cereals and processed meats.

5.  Lactose free milk.  Not only is lactose a form of sugar found in milk but many children especially premature babies are lactose intolerant.  Drinking lactose free m ilk will prevent symptoms such as

·         Abdominal cramps

·         Abdominal bloating

·         Diarrhea

·         Gas

·         Nausea

6.  Food intolerances.  Certain foods may be causing an upset of the internal flora. A food diary is a great way to help identify the cause or talk with your doctor to see if he might refer you to an allergist or pediatric gastroenterologist.  A less invasive way would be to visit a registered naturopath especially for younger children and babies.

6.  PH balance. Eating 70% alkaline foods and 30% acidic foods will balance out the body’s pH levels.  This is easier said than done since dairy and grains are said to be acidic.  For a detailed list of acidic/alkaline foods see http://www.rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm.

Today I feel good about where we are going.  This is the first time my attempts to wean my daughter of her medication is working.  No one wants their child to be taking medication if they don’t have to be.  However please keep an open mind, I am in no way saying that children should not take any medications or that GERD has to be caused by one of the reasons I have listed.  There are children who have Hiatus hernias, impaired stomach function and other issues such as abnormalities in the esophagus.  If anything, these recommendations could help someone or someone they love live a healthier life and have a better start in the fight against GERD and other complications life throws our way. 

Ecoblogical: Maple Leaf Natural Deli Meat

Ecoblogical: Maple Leaf Natural Deli Meat: Maple Leaf has been misleading consumers about their "all natural" products. They state that their product is all natural and free from ...

Maple Leaf Natural Deli Meat

Maple Leaf has been misleading consumers about their "all natural" products.  They state that their product is all natural and free from any additives or preservatives.  However their product contains cultured celery seed extract, which is a source of nitrates and nitrites – preserving agents linked to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

In Canada, foods cannot be labeled “natural” if they contain nitrates or nitrites, which mean that cured products cannot be called natural.  So how is it that they can put cultured celery seed extract in their meat and still call it natural?  Well if companies use naturally sourced ingredients, such as cultured celery extract, they are allowed to label them as being made with “natural ingredients,” even if the product contains nitrates or nitrites.  So, they use misleading advertising....shocker!! 

So if this cultured celery seed extract is naturally occurring, why should we avoid eating it?  Nitrates are found naturally in vegetables, the presence of vitamins prevents their transformation into potentially risky nitrites. Research shows that eating vegetables guards against disease.  The same is not true for nitrates and nitrites used as preservatives in meat, regardless of whether they are labeled as “naturally occurring".

I have to say I am not surprised or shocked that we were yet again mislead by advertising or food companies and their labels.  Labels have and will continue to be misleading.  It is certainly on ongoing controversy that will never end.  I think the best thing we can do as consumers is to not only read labels but also to inform ourselves of the listed ingredients with a little time and research.  With it being 2012, and internet access in basically every house in North America, it would take just a few minutes to Google the list.  Better yet, take out your phone while you’re at the market.  Yes, if you have to Google every ingredient in your whole grocery cart it would get overwhelming.  However, since I started doing this myself I now recognize names of preservatives and additives as well as many other ingredients that have names I still cannot even pronounce. 

One lady interviewed by CBC (Here is a link to that interview) commented, after being told about the cultured celery seed extract being a nitrate, "Now what do I give my son for lunch?"  Even if it were possible to produce processed meats without nitrites or nitrates, they still contain high amounts of fat and sodium and nutritionists say they should be consumed in moderation.

We don't see the many options that we have in front of us.  We are much better off sticking a chicken in the oven and cutting it up for sandwich meat.  The food industry is in charge and their advertisements for prepackaged and fast foods saturate the airwaves, newspapers and magazines. Colorfully packaged single-person servings make processed foods appealing.  The truth is that it would cost less to make our own sandwich meat. Americanownews.com published an article stating that "at the deli counter in your local supermarket, it's going to cost about $10 to $12 per pound to buy high-quality roast beef or turkey."  They also said "you can make it at home for less than half the cost and it will actually be better for you?"

If you find a label with a misleading health claim, you can ask the CFIA to investigate by calling 1-800-442-2342 or contacting the agency through its website.

 

 

Can we prevent food allergies and Intolerances?

We are all familiar with the common allergy list-Wheat, gluten, cow's milk, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, sesame seeds, tree nuts and sulphites.

First of all I want to discuss the difference between an allergy and intolerance. Asthma and allergy specialist Dr. James T C Li says that a true food allergy causes an immune system reaction that affects numerous organs in the body. In contrast, food intolerance symptoms are generally less serious and are limited to digestive problems. Food intolerance symptoms generally come on gradually and don't involve an immune system reaction. 
Allergies are influenced by heredity and there is no cure. Basically you should avoid the foods you are allergic too. Children can grow out of allergies but they can also get worse.  However, if you have food intolerances, you may be able to eat small amounts of the offending food without trouble.  Rotation diets can help alleviate food intolerance symptoms as well as prevent the development of allergies to new foods. Any food, if eaten repetitively, can cause food allergies

What is a Rotation Diet?
A rotation diet allows troublesome foods to be eaten in a rotating schedule so that there is a three to seven day gap in between days the food is eaten. Eating them on a rotated basis reduces your exposure to them and hopefully will help preserve your tolerance for them.
We can even help our unborn child by starting a rotation diet while you are pregnant. La Leche Leauge International states that the earlier and more often a food is ingested, the greater likelihood it has of becoming an allergen. Babies tend to be most allergic to the foods they have been offered first. While a baby is exclusively breastfed, he is only exposed to the foods his mother eats and secretes in her milk, so his exposure to potential allergens is minimized.

The sample diet I am providing is one I created for my 2 year old, this doesn't include the milk she drinks, sauces, condiments etc, it is just an idea of how to rotate and some options that are out there.
Also, although my main focus is grains, you should rotate fruits, vegetables, dairy products, oils, protein sources and grains or starches. It can be overwhelming at first so maybe just focus on one at a time.  Most people rotate veggies, fruits dairy and protein sources in their diet without paying attention. Grains are the tricky one because most people think if they are eating whole grains or whole wheat that they are doing great.  There are so many wonderful grains out there, so broaden your horizons and try some barley, rye, spelt, durum, amaranth or one of the many other grains available.

SAMPE DIET

(This is the diet I created for my 2 year old. An adult can use it as well with more variety added.)

Monday
Quinoa Cereal with added frozen berries for breakfast (like cream of wheat or oatmeal and you can get it at Loblaw’s/Dominion health food section)
Veggies and protein source for lunch
Quinoa (Rice substitute) with veggies and/or protein source for supper
*Protein source can be a dairy on one day.  Also protein can be eaten either for lunch or supper or both on all days.

Tuesday
Rice bread toasted with peaches for breakfast
Veggies and/or protein source for lunch
Rice pasta or brown rice with veggies and/or protein source for supper
*There are various rice bars, chips and crackers for snacks

Wednesday
Oat bran cereal (Like cream of wheat or oatmeal) with fruit for breakfast
*Some children do not like these types of cereals but there are gluten free egos at most grocery stores that are made with rice
Kumut pasta with veggies and/or protein source for lunch
Veggies and meat and/or protein source for supper
*Oatmeal protein bars for snack (See recipe below)

Thursday
Buckwheat pancakes (Can get the pancake mix at Loblaw’s/Dominion health food section) for breakfast
Whole grain pita bread sandwich for lunch
Whole wheat pasta with veggies and/or protein source
*Whole wheat cereal bars for snack


Snacks
There are tons of healthy snacks available to help with rotation diet. Some examples are veggie sticks, cheese sticks, dried apricots cut into pieces, raisins, yogurt tubes (better in the freezer), whole wheat cereal bars, gluten free cereal bars made with chick pea flour and even homemade cereal bars.

Here is a  LINK to some recipes for home made egg free, no bake cereal bars






.