Several of you have asked me to post my immune boosting drink.  A few days ago, Ellington was congested (not nursing well) and I started to experience the symptoms of a sinus infection.  With all this crazy weather, it has been hard to feel great…  So many people have come in to the office or called with questions complaining about sore throats, coughs, congestion, runny nose, just to name a few of the nasty symptoms.  After drinking my special drink, I felt better immediately.  I was able to go to bed without a sore throat, and could even breathe through my nose a little bit.  I received several comments about how Ellington would respond to my breastmilk after the drink.  Actually, it helped her too, and her bowels are even moving better (not that my children ever have problems in the diaper department…  We actually laugh about how many diapers we change!).  Even though she hasn’t gone a day without a bowel movement, and wasn’t necessarily having problems, she hadn’t been going as much as usual.  After my drink, she was back to her normal digestion.  Here is the recipe:

2tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg’s)

1-2 cloves of minced garlic

dash of Cayenne pepper

Honey to taste (optional. I use local, raw, organic.)

Combine the above ingredients in a glass of water and drink.

It may not look appetizing to you; however, it really doesn’t taste bad.  Try it, your health is worth it!  In my opinion, it kind of tastes like pickles with a hint of garlic.  However, your breath will definitely remind you of a strong Italian meal- apologize to those around you .  And, you don’t have to feel ill to benefit from this drink, I would even recommend doing it to keep you feeling well.  It works because Apple Cider Vinegar is a great pH balancer, garlic is a very strong antiviral/antibacterial, and cayenne opens the sinuses and raises body temperature.  Drink to your health!

A growing practice, quickly gaining popularity for many reasons, is that of using cloth diapers instead of disposables.  But, a less often talked about practice is that of using natural- even cloth reusable- feminine care products (pads and tampons) too.  And, many health/environment conscious moms who are not using cloth, opt to use natural/organic diapers, pads and/or tampons.  Many people have seen my cute pictures of Harper wearing his fashionable diapers.  Although they know he isn’t wearing Huggies, they may not be aware of what he’s in and why I’ve chosen to dress him that way.  Why would I make such a choice?

Over the years, I have watched countless moms come into my office.  The ones who dress their babies in precious cloth diapers always catch my eye.  And, fortunately, I had a chance to talk with many and ask their opinions before having Harper.  Once pregnant, after talking to all of these moms, it was a no brain-er that we would cloth diaper our children.  When cloth was not an option, we would not use conventional paper diapers, but would turn to the natural organic brands.  Why in the world would we choose to put this much thought into what goes on our child’s bottom? 

Well, cloth is the best option- in our opinion- and, we not only advocate that moms steer away from the regular conventional brands when it comes to diapers but also when they choose to purchase products to use on themselves once a month.  We have seen drastic results and awesome changes in women’s and children’s health because of the switch; this is why we feel so strongly about it!  We started out using Seventh Generation newborn disposables on Harper, until all of his meconium was gone.  Once the meconium had passed, we started out with a diaper service, so that we could try cloth without having to buy them yet.  This was a wonderful option, and it was really just as cheap (if not more) than disposables.  I loved the option to try without having to buy.  We, obviously, loved cloth, and quickly decided to purchase our own.  We went through Hip Green Baby.  I can not say enough about how much I love Kristi, and how wonderful she and her company are.  Harper wore her prefolds (we just did plain, no dye) with a Snappi and Wonder Wrap or Thirsties cover.  This is the simple way to go, and we love it!  Thirsties covers are my absolute favorite!!   

Harper’s health is quite the obsession around here!  And, you guessed it, we choose cloth- in large part- for health reasons.  The skin is the largest organ, and comes into contact with most everything we are exposed to.  This is particularly true when it comes to diapers, which a baby wears against his/her skin 24/7.  We did not want Harper’s skin exposed to something as potentially harmful as paper diapers filled with chemicals, when there is such a great option as cloth.  We do not believe that it is any coincidence that our children end up with so many skin problems, allergies, and hormonal disruptions when we look at how long they are usually left in these paper diapers filled with horrible chemicals.  Did you know most paper diapers contain dioxin, bleach, chlorine, tributyl tin, perfumes and plastic?

Dioxin has been found to cause damage to the immune system, birth defects, and it is a carcinogen.  Bleach is harsh on skin and a known carcinogen.  Chlorine can also harm skin and is carcinogenic too.  Perfumes are known to disrupt the hormonal system and have been linked to asthma.  Tributyl tin has harmful effects on the hormonal and immune systems. 

You won’t find these chemicals in cloth diapers, and who wouldn’t prefer cloth underwear over paper?!  In addition to health savings, we have saved a lot of money by using cloth diapers.  And, because we will be able to use Harper’s diapers when we have other children, this is a savings that I look forward to continuing.  I often hear families complain about their expenses, and watch them work so hard to pinch pennies.  I find myself wondering, “Why don’t they simply switch to cloth?”  It is so easy, and makes so much sense!

Furthermore, it is a lot easier to potty train a baby who has grown up in cloth versus paper diapers.  Harper senses when he is wet a lot sooner when he wears cloth.  We have been doing Elimination Communication with him since he was four weeks old, but I credit the fact that he is sixteen months and almost potty trained to our choice of cloth diapers.

I am not a huge environmentalist, but it is nice to know that we aren’t adding to the disgusting problem that has been created by all the disposable diapers that are thrown out.  Did you know when you throw out a paper diaper, it takes hundreds of years for it to decompose?  Yuck!  And, it is estimated that your paper diapers from your one baby will generate at least one ton of garbage.  Care about the environment or not, those nasty facts can not be ignored!

I urge you not to stop your research for the health of your family when it comes to what they wear on their bottoms!  And, maybe going straight to cloth isn’t an option.  Well, fortunately, there are safer, healthier disposable options out there.  Please, do your research! 

Some sites to look at:

Seventh Generation 

Earth’s Best

Hip Green Baby

G Diapers

Natracare

Luna Pads

Glad Rags

What about you?  Do you use paper or cloth?  If you’ve made the switch, I would love to hear why and how you did it.

When discussing bacteria, two points are key:  1) Make sure your body is taking in plenty of good bacteria and then 2) Make sure you are encouraging the good bacteria to thrive and not doing things to kill it off.  How do we do this in our house?  We take a probiotic supplement on a daily basis, eat organic, fresh produce as much as possible, minimally (if at all) wash the organic, fresh produce, and avoid using anti-bacterial hand sanitizers or soaps.

Lately, with all the hype and fear mongering over the flu- especially the piggy flu- you can find hand sanitizers prominently displayed in most public areas.  Do you realize these could actually be helping spread illness, and not preventing it?  See, even though the hand sanitizer companies claim that their products kill bacteria and help keep you well, what they don’t explain is that we need some bacteria in order to stay healthy.  Good bacteria help keep your body in balance and ward off the bad guys from taking over.  Problem is, these hand sanitizers aren’t selective of which bacteria to kill.  They kill it all, up to 99%, as they claim.  This is a huge problem because it depletes an already deficient (as I will explain later) body of its good bacteria, that was there to help ban the bad bacteria and keep you well.  Squirt, squirt…  You just rubbed it all away and now that alcohol smell is there to remind you: “You have an even bigger mess on your hands!”

What then is a better solution than hand sanitizers and antibacterial soap?  If you are out and don’t have access to running water, try keeping a small bottle of colloidal silver with you.  Colloidal silver is wonderful because it will kill the bad guys and leave the good guys.  Or, make a natural solution with essential oils that help keep germs at bay, like tea tree oil.  When you do have access to a bathroom, hot water and regular, old fashioned soap (like Dr. Bronner’s) is the best.  

Probiotics are something I have always talked a lot about.  Why?  Well, in our current world, we have made probiotic supplementation a necessity for health and wellness.  What are probiotics?  ”Pro” means ”for” and “biotic” means “life” or “living organism”.  Why do we have to supplement with probiotics and why can’t we simply get them from the food we eat?  Current research tells us that our diet only provides us with one millionth of the healthy bacteria our ancestors used to consume.  Farming practices have made our diets severely deficient- insecticides, herbicides, food transportation and storage, and poor soil all play a part in decreasing the amount of good bacteria available to us through our food.  Our deficiency and the practices which make us deficient are only getting worse; therefore, I am so thankful probiotic supplementation is an option!

I have an incredible testimonial about probiotics.  And, because of the cases I see in practice on a daily basis, I am even more thankful for my personal experience.  Digestive problems are one of the major things I see in my office, and I believe the problem is getting worse and the cases are increasing daily.  It is so sad!  Our health and wellness is dependent on our digestive system because the stomach allows the good stuff in from our food and keeps the bad stuff out.  If this system isn’t working at its best, we are in big trouble!  I supplemented with probioticson a daily basis when I was pregnant, beginning a little before conception.  Never once did I experience digestive problems while pregnant.  I felt so blessed!  I can only count a few moms on one hand who I know and/or see as patients that don’t experience some constipation and/or heartburn while pregnant.  I was not one of them, and I strongly believe my probiotic intake had a lot to do with this.  Then, once Harper was born, 14 months ago today, we never experienced digestive problems with him either.  We were fortunate not to have colic problems with him (something I see a lot in the office too), he only spit up normal amounts as a newborn, and he has had at least two bowel movements a day (usually 4-6 a day is normal for him) ever since his birth.  We have never gone a day without bowel movements!  Talk to any mom, and you will know what a miracle that is.  So many babies have constipation issues, and we are so fortunate not to have experienced this.  Therefore, after religiously taking probiotics, and having both mine and Harper’s personal experience, I highly recommend them for overall health- especially for great digestion.    

From now on, appreciate bacteria.  They have gotten such a bad connotation, but they are absolutely vital (especially the good ones).

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” -Marie Curie

I wasn’t going to say anything, but my point of tolerance has been reached, and it’s time for me to blog.  Yesterday- while I waited with a client at a specialist’s office for 3 hours- unfortunately, I had to listen to CNN blaring the same news reports over and over again.  I was once again convicted why I do not listen to the news.  Lies, lies, lies and more lies, and fear, fear, fear and more fear, they can spin any story, any research, to tell what they want to tell and paint the picture they desire to paint.  And, do you notice how rarely good news and happy stories are told?!  Hardly ever!  And to think, there are some households and offices (like the one we were in) where this stuff is on on a continual basis.  Remember, you don’t have to pay deep attention to it for it to affect you and for them to get their fear into your brain. 

What did they keep repeating on that news station that has me so razzed up?  H1N1.  Ok, when has the average person quoted the strain and scientific name of a virus.  I mean, I say, “H1N1″ and you immediately say, “Swine Flu.”  From the elite, educated in society to little kids and those who care less about education or health; it doesn’t matter who you are, you know about H1N1.  And, be honest, most people are really fearful.  Why?  Because fear sales, fear moves people, and fear is sold to us from every facet on a daily basis, several times a day:  We hear it on every news channel, read it in the magazines and newspapers, see it on the web, get talked to about it at school and in the doctor’s office, tweet about it, Facebook and blog about it and discuss it with our families over dinner.  Yes, I go through 3 hours of that in a waiting room yesterday, and then I wake up this morning to read it on a blog and at lunch I overhear people at the next table talking about the shot.  This flu, it’s everywhere!  Or is it?

Familiar with the saying, “If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.  If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”?  Most of the time, when Swine Flu comes up in discussion, people are simply repeating the lies that have been sold to them that they now claim are truth.  How often are you hearing research in these conversations, and research that is actually reported and not spun in a certain direction?  Not very often!  I mean, it has reached a ridiculous point, and hopefully one day we won’t look back and regret the choices we have made out of fear.  These choices are being made irrationally, without much research, thought or education and hastily.

Here are some of the ridiculous things I am talking about.  Yesterday, on CNN, the reports over and over again kept talking about the debate that is going on over how absurd it is that prisoners and detained terrorists are getting the H1N1 vaccine, when there is a shortage for the general public.  A blog of a mom I read wrote a post today furious because she can’t get her shot, it’s not available in our area.  She has a baby and is pregnant, and she is enraged because she can’t find an available shot for her 1 year old and her and her unborn baby.  Everyday on Facebook, I read status updates of friends freaking out because someone they know has been exposed, or they hope their symptoms of illness don’t mean they have this awful flu that kills people.  And, I can’t count how many times patients are asking me about it in the office. 

OK, first of all, anyone who wants the vaccine that is out there with my name on it, can have it!!!  In fact, I will gladly let you have my husband’s and my son’s and my parent’s for that matter.  As far as I am concerned, keep using it on the prisoners, please let there continue to be a shortage for the public!  I pray that they never come up with enough shots…  If they do, I fear the day, and I suspect they will find someway to enforce everyone to get a shot.  I mean, why else would we be pushing this fear so much?  Well, we know the answer to that, fear sells and fear makes people a lot of money!  Don’t kid yourself, they care nothing about you or your family or your health…  You would like to think that they do and that is why all this publicity and fear is flying around, but the real reason is because drugs and shots and office visits and tests make lots of money. 

How come I would make such ridiculous statements?  Why am I not fearful of this flu and why am I so scared of a shot that is meant to protect me and my family?  Well, because I have done my research, have you? 

Here’s what the true research says: 

~The CDC found that if one member of a family got the swine flu, other members of that family only contract it 10% of the time.  (So why are we quarantining people?!  And, why are we so scared of being around someone who has had this flu or symptoms of it?)

~CDC says usually 36,000 people a year die from the flu or flu related illness.  This year, only 900 have died so far.  (Again, why are we so afraid of this horrible virus?)

~60% of children and 83% of adults who have died from Swine Flu had underlying health conditions.  (Do you usually hear this stat?  No, you just hear to be scared because this flu kills!)

~Virologists studying the Swine Flu found that it was no more dangerous (pathogenic) than the regular seasonal flu.  (Again, why are we so scared of this particular flu and rushing into the doctor’s office like never before?)

And as far as the shot or treatments go:

~National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease found that 75% of small children below age 35 months received no protection from the H1N1 vaccine and that 65% of children between the ages of 3 years and 9 years received no protection from the vaccine.  (Where has this info been?  That’s why schools are now volunteering to give your child the shot.)

~Another study found that getting the regular, seasonal flu vaccine doubles your risk of contracting the Swine Flu.  (Every news channel is reporting this one, right?)

~The insert from the vaccine package states that developing antibodies after getting the shot has shown no correlation with not getting sick with the Swine Flu.  (Why are we getting the shot then?)

~The shots were tested for 1-3 weeks before being released to the public.(Will we regret this decision to vaccinate when adverse effects that take longer than 3 weeks to show up appear?)

~We know mercury and aluminum are extremely toxic, especially to pregnant moms and infants. (Why are we pushing this shot particularly for this part of the population?  Why are we so fast to accept mercury in a shot, but freak out about its toxic effects and refuse to be exposed to it otherwise?)

~Testing is done with vaccines not containing the preservatives, but the vaccines given to the public contain the preservatives.

I have done my research, and the virus isn’t what is scaring me!