Organic Food Choices

There are some foods that we always buy organic.

I have spoken with a few friends recently about why we buy organic foods. First, we try to avoid "the dirty dozen" (the fruits and vegetables that absorb the most chemical pesticides). When we don't have access to organic foods or if they are too expensive, experts advise to at least try to find organic alternatives to the "dirty dozen" (the first 12 on the list found at http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php).

I have to buy organic peaches. For a few years now, I have discovered that when I eat non-organic peaches, my lips get red, itchy and swollen. I really don't want to know what they might be doing to my insides. The same thing happens when I eat non-organic apples, but to a slightly lesser degree. We eat a lot of apples in our house; so, we always try to buy organic apples, applesauce and apple juice.

We buy organic carrots and celery because they are readily available nearby and they aren't much more expensive than non-organic alternatives. I wish it were easier to find fresh organic berries because we love berries.

We always try to buy organic lettuces, as well.

We buy organic peanut butter (we like Smuckers natural). It has been proven that peanuts absorb a very high level of pesticides.

We have a great resource for organic free-range eggs. We also have a friend who raises cows (we will have to get a larger freezer!).

We feel like we eat a lot of dairy and need to buy more than just organic yogurt. It is so difficult to justify the cost of a gallon of organic milk (and, for some reason, I am sensitive to ultra-pasterized dairy). The more we learn about ourselves and our food and our earth, the more we try to do what is best.

Three Cheers for Yoga

I love yoga. In college, I started out doing random poses I had pulled out of a magazine. I really enjoyed the stretch and the challenge of each pose.

But, it wasn't until a couple of years ago when I started practicing at a local studio that I really understood the power of the mind, body (and spirit!) connection. After a 90 minute "energy yoga" class, I feel relaxed, rejuvenated, strong and exhilirated! I love that feeling!

I recently told someone practicing yoga made me feel like I had gotten a massage...and, I got to burn calories! It really does!

There are many things I love about yoga. But, one other thing is that I can practice yoga my whole life. There will never (hopefully) be a time when I will have gotten too old. Three cheers for yoga!

Two More Reasons to Clean Green

I never knew the harm I was doing to my body (inside and out) with the chemicals I was using to clean our home. One of the most toxic household cleaners is chlorine bleach. When I would clean our bathroom, I would often have the smell of chlorine in my nose for hours. I am proud to say our home has been chlorine free for over a year. We now use white vinegar, hot water and tea tree oil to disinfect our home, our laundry and more, VERY effectively (MORE effectively, in fact).

Have you ever tried using baking soda to clean your bathtub? Baking soda is good for a lot of things; but, a paste of baking soda and water is THE BEST cleanser for your bathtub. We have an older tub in our old home and it is very difficult to clean. Very difficult. We have tried a slew of various cleansers promising to clean our grime...to no avail...until we used baking soda paste...works every time.

The bonus now, is that my 3-year-old can help me clean the bathroom, safely! (He has only wanted to help me once; but, I do cherish that one time!)

So, I hope I have provided more than two reasons here. Clean green!

Metamorphosis of "Mom"

When my now three-year-old first started talking, I was "mahmm"; and, I remember thinking, I would never get to hear the sweet sound of the word, "mommy"". Well, I was wrong. After awhile, my son added another syllable and I became, "mama". Not long after that, I was, in fact, "mommy".

Now that he is three-and-a-half, I have for some reason again become, "mama". He still calls me "mommy" sometimes; but, more often than not,he addresses me as, "mama".

I have mixed feelings about the day that I will again become, "mom". On one hand, I am so proud of my growing boy. On the other hand, he is growing up and I have to remember to treasure every moment.

My five-month-old has begun muttering, "mah-mah-mah-mah". But, even though I don't think he is yet identifying me as such, I am (patiently) waiting to see what I will be called by my second son.

Contemplating Television

I grew up watching television. Not literally, of course. But, I watched my fair share of television and I know at least a little about all of the shows that have aired in the last 30-some years. I like my television. So, it was a very difficult decision to first cut back to the basic channels (a couple of years ago) and then to make the decision to disconnect cable television all together.

With the digital revolution, there really is no such thing as "free TV" anymore; so, we just watch videos and we have found some good websites from which we can watch some of our favorite shows on the internet (the original networks on which the shows air have the best quality; but, www.hulu.com has a good collection of shows and movies available to view for free). My husband only misses sporting events. Otherwise, we have come to really like this arrangement.

First of all, we are saving $40/month. I have never paid so much for basic cable.

Second, we watch select programs when it is convenient for us; so, we do not have to abide by the television networks' schedules. But, we do have to abide by our childrens' schedules!

Third, we are watching a whole lot less TV. This has been lovely. As a family, we are better tuned in to each other (instead of the television).

So, it is with glad tidings that we bid adieu to PBS (my ultimate fave), HGTV (second runner up), Food Network (close third) and all the rest. If you are worth watching, we will find you. In the meantime, we are busy finding ourselves and each other!

Uphill is really worth it!

Today, we decided to get out and enjoy the warmth of the day. My three-year-old got on his tricycle and off we went! We went down Main Street, down the hill and up again to the bridge. When we got to the top of the hill before the bridge (phew!), my son decided he wanted to turn around and go back down. We did this a total of nine times. I helped him on the way up each time because I loved watching him sail down the hill with glee! I let him decide when he had had enough. Oh, the joy!

And, what a beautiful and truthful metaphor for life. It is hard to go uphill; but, it sure is worth the effort! I believe that hard work should always be balanced with joy!

Vaccination Proclamation

I struggled with the decision to vaccinate my first child (I did end up getting him all of his shots); and now, I find myself struggling again to decide whether or not to vaccinate my second child. The thing is, there is so much information supporting both sides of the argument on whether or not to vaccinate...and, both sides are argued so passionately.

My first child has shown no signs of having an adverse reaction to his shots and for that I am grateful. Even though I have read about the mercury (no longer used) and formaldehyde (it is supposed to be in such small quantities, it is similar to a naturally occuring substance already in our bodies) present in the vaccines, I am most concerned about introducing so many things at once to my baby's sensitive system (and, he is very sensitive...skin, tummy, you name it).

I am also concerned about him interacting with our family that travels out of the country regularly (and, also when we travel ourselves when he gets a little older, for his possible direct exposure to infectious diseases). His doctor said that the things that are currently most dangerous are typhoid fever and hepatitis A; but, he is still too young (4 months) to be innoculated against these two things anyway.

We went ahead with his 2 month shots, after much debate and question; but, we had waited to get his hepatitis B shot until that time and we skipped the flu shot. I don't like vaccinating against the flu because I believe that in doing so, we will create a much more dangerous strain. It is for the same reason we don't use anti-bacterial everything...a few germs are good and they enable us to build natural antibodies to be better able to fight off other sicknesses.

We have decided to hold off on his future shots until he is old enough and has enough blood volume to be tested for antibodies that already exist in his body (he is a breastfed baby, after all) to see if we really need all of them. At that time, we will decide what schedule works for him so that he does not get too many shots at once. This is the best thing I know to do for my child, whom I love so much.