A Welcomed Garden Share

The deliriously sweet and lovely Laura, Brooklyn's mom, brought us some fresh garden spinach yesterday to share with the kids. Thank you, Laura!! 

With one of the two fresh pineapples I picked up the day before, I decided to make nu-licious (nutritious and delicious) spinach smoothies for the kids today.

It was a perfect treat this morning and the kids luuuuved them! They even asked for more.

Alex at the Dentist

Last week Alex had a dentist appointment to evaluate a chipped molar.

Alex getting his bite wings for x-rays. 

This Alex's full mouth x-ray. Look at all those permanent teeth ready to pop through!

Jace was kind enough to come with us to Alex's appointment and had fun in the playspace. He also chatted up the dentists and hygienists, complete with dramatic hand gestures to emphasize his point, like they were all old friends and he was there everyday. Jace thought Alex's x-rays looked like a monster, while I saw only cuteness. 

No cavities, and the chipped tooth is scheduled to come out on it's own in June or July, according to his psychic dentist, so we didn't need to do anything for it except let nature take it's course. Yay! 

Alex DOES need to brush better, though, and hopefully that will improve, but so far he's cavity free and going strong with straight (thankfully) teeth, like his mama. 

One thing I was dreading, because this is a new dentist for us, was going through the song and dance about no unnecessary x-rays, no fluoride  no chemicals, etc. But I was so pleasantly surprised that they were right there with me and didn't need explanations or justification. No one tried to talk me into anything and they respected my decisions, which meant I felt free to approve x-rays this once. They have plenty of non-fluoride and anesthetic alternatives available so I feel comfortable with his care there. I'm so glad we found this dentist. I admit I was procrastinating because I really expected a fight. We are so used to open-minded & holistic style doctors back home and I thought for sure I would run into old-school mindedness and sneers at my hippie ways here. I guess I worried for nothing! 

Hidden Corn a.k.a. Evil Corn

If you must eat corn, and I am from the south so you KNOW I loves me some corn on the cobs. But if you must eat it, buy it organic and whole, or grow it yourself. 

Making your own cornmeal/cornflour and other useful corn products is both easy and rewarding. Plus you leave behind the risks of Bt toxin or overconsumption of corn products, which can lead to gluten sensitivity or allergies and other health problems. 

Hidden Corn Based Ingredients

From Gluten Free Society

Selected Studies on the detrimental effects of corn gluten:

Study 1

Study 2

Study 3

Study 4

To Better help those trying to adhere to a TRUE gluten free diet, we have comprised a list of foods and products that contain corn.

**Although this is a comprehensive list, it should be noted that it is not representative of all hidden sources of corn.  Corn and corn by products are used ubiquitously in thousands of foods and commercial applications.

Ingredients that definitely contain corn:

Corn alcohol

Corn chips

Corn gluten

Corn extract

Corn flakes

Corn flour

Corn fritters

Corn oil – corn oil margarine

Corn meal

Corn puffs cereal

Corn starch

Corn sweetener

Corn sugar  (dextrose, Dyno, Cerelose, Puretose, Sweetose, glucose are all possibilities)

Corn syrup

Corn syrup solids

Corn

Popcorn

Corn meal

Cornstarch

Corn flour

Corn tortillas

Grits

High fructose corn syrup

Hominy

Hydrolyzed corn

Hydrolyzed corn protein

Maize

Modified corn starch

Polenta

Tamales (coating)

Taco shells

Vegetable oil

Zea mays

Zein

Ingredients that may contain corn. Not all of these terms are definitively derived from corn, but they can be.  Use with caution:

Acetic acid

Alcohol

Alpha tocopherol

Artificial flavorings

Artificial sweeteners

Ascorbates

Ascorbic acid

Aspartame (Artificial sweetener)

Astaxanthin

Baking powder

Barley malt

Bleached flour

Blended sugar

Brown sugar (typically the caramel color)

Calcium citrate

Calcium fumarate

Calcium gluconate

Calcium lactate

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)

Calcium stearate

Calcium stearoyl lactylate

Caramel and caramel color

Carbonmethylcellulose sodium

Cellulose microcrystalline

Cellulose, methyl

Cellulose, powdered

Cetearyl glucoside

Choline chloride

Citric acid

Citrus cloud emulsion (CCS)

Coco glycerides (cocoglycerides)

Confectioners sugar

Crosscarmellose sodium

Crystalline dextrose

Crystalline fructose

Cyclodextrin

DATUM (a dough conditioner)

Decyl glucoside

Decyl polyglucose

Dextrin

Dextrose (also found in IV solutions)

Dextrose anything (such as monohydrate or anhydrous)

d-Gluconic acid

Distilled white vinegar

Drying agent

Erythorbic acid

Erythritol

Ethanol

Ethocel 20

Ethylcellulose

Ethylene

Ethyl acetate

Ethyl alcohol

Ethyl lactate

Ethyl maltol

Fibersol-2

Flavorings

Food starch

Fructose

Fruit juice concentrate

Fumaric acid

Germ/germ meal

Gluconate

Gluconic acid

Glucono delta-lactone

Gluconolactone

Glucosamine

Glucose

Glucose syrup (also found in IV solutions)

Glutamate

Gluten

Gluten feed/meal

Glycerides

Glycerin

Glycerol

Golden syrup

Honey

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose pthalate (HPMCP)

Inositol

Invert syrup or sugar

Iodized salt

Lactate

Lactic acid

Lauryl glucoside

Lecithin

Linoleic acid

Lysine

Magnesium fumarate

Maize

Malic acid

Malonic acid

Malt syrup from corn

Malt, malt extract

Maltitol

Maltodextrin

Maltol

Maltose

Mannitol

Methyl gluceth

Methyl glucose

Methyl glucoside

Methylcellulose

Microcrystaline cellulose

Modified cellulose gum

Modified food starch

Molasses (corn syrup may be present; know your product)

Mono and di glycerides

Monosodium glutamate

MSG

Natural flavorings

Olestra/Olean

Polydextrose

Polylactic acid (PLA)

Polysorbates (e.g. Polysorbate 80)

Polyvinyl acetate

Potassium citrate

Potassium fumarate

Potassium gluconate

Powdered sugar

Pregelatinized starch

Propionic acid

Propylene glycol

Propylene glycol monostearate

Saccharin

Salt (iodized salt)

Semolina (unless from wheat)

Simethicone

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose

Sodium citrate

Sodium erythorbate

Sodium fumarate

Sodium lactate

Sodium starch glycolate

Sodium stearoyl fumarate

Sorbate

Sorbic acid

Sorbitan

Sorbitan monooleate

Sorbitan tri-oleate

Sorbitol

Sorghum (syrup and/or grain may be mixed with corn)

Splenda (Artificial sweetener)

Starch

Stearic acid

Stearoyls

Sucralose (Artificial sweetener)

Sucrose

Sugar

Talc

Threonine

Tocopherol (vitamin E)

Treacle

Triethyl citrate

Unmodified starch

Vanilla, natural flavoring

Vanilla, pure or extract

Vanillin

Vinegar, distilled white

Vinyl acetate

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Vitamin supplements

Xanthan gum

Xylitol

Yeast (look for gluten free labels)

Paper containers and plastic wrappers may contain an inner lining that is coated with corn.  The following are examples:

Boxes

Cups

Plates

Milk or ice cream cartons

Use caution with the following foods, which may include sources of corn from various products, such as cornstarch, corn syrup and corn/vegetable oils:

Commercial soups

Peanut butter

Various meats (cold cuts, ham, hotdogs, sausages)

Breaded or fried foods

Cheese

Chili

Chop suey

Chow mein

Cheese spreads

Fish sticks

Mixed vegetables (frozen, canned)

Succotash

Pork and beans

Creamed vegetables

Breads dusted with corn meal

Graham crackers

Baking mixes

Pancakes (certain mixes)

Pancake syrups

English muffins

Gravy (thickened with corn starch, for instance)

Salad dressings

Canned or frozen fruits sweetened with corn syrup

Dates and other fruit confections

Ice creams, sherbets

Chocolate milk, milk shakes, soy milks, eggnog

American wines, whiskey, gin, beer, ale

Carbonated beverages such as Coca-Cola, 7-Up, etc

Lemonade

Instant coffees

Powdered sugar

Jams and jellies

Candies

Catsup

Chewing gums

Sauces

White distilled vinegar

Monosodium glutamate

Baking powder

Cake yeast

Bleached flour

Gelatin capsules

Non Edible Items That May Contain Corn Ingredients:

Adhesives (envelopes, stickers, stamps)

Toothpastes

Medications (both over the counter and prescription)

Laundry starch

Eleven Foods You Should Never Eat Ever Again

With the exception of a birthday cake here and there and the like a few times a year, we stay clear of these eleven foods. I lump most of these foods into the same toxic and dangerous categories and weed killer and rat poison. 

Eliminating these from your diet can go a long way to restoring health and energy, too!

1) White bread, refined flours. White bread and refined flours have been stripped of virtually all vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Because of this, the body does not know how to properly digest and assimilate them, which can lead to health problems. Refined white flour has also been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have been linked to causing thyroid and organ damage. 

2) Conventional frozen meals. Most conventionally-prepared frozen meals are loaded with preservatives, processed salt, hydrogenated oils and other artificial ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily pre-cooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal at best (especially after getting microwaved again at home). Prepackaged frozen meals should be avoided in favor of fresh foods or homemade frozen dishes. 

3) White rice. Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice in its brown form. Even “fortified” white rice is nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly and does not cause the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does. 

4) Microwaveable popcorn. This processed food is a favorite among moviegoers and regular snackers alike, but it is one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically every component of microwaveable popcorn, from the genetically-modified (GM) corn kernels to the processed salt and preservative chemicals used to enhance its flavor, is unhealthy and disease-promoting. On top of this, microwaveable popcorn contains a chemical known as diacetyl that can actually destroy your lungs. If you love popcorn, stick with organic kernels that you can pop yourself in a kettle and douse with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and Himalayan pink salt. 

5) Cured meat products with nitrates, nitrites. Deli meats, summer sausage, hot dogs, bacon, and many other meats sold at the grocery store are often loaded with sodium nitrite and other chemical preservatives that have been linked to causing heart disease and cancer. If you eat meat, stick with uncured, nitrite and nitrate-free varieties, and preferably those that come from organic, grass-fed animals. 

6) Most conventional protein, energy bars. By the way they are often marketed, it might seem as though protein and energy bars are a strong addition to a healthy diet. But more often than not, these meal replacements contain processed soy protein, refined sugar, hydrogenated fat, and other harmful additives that contribute to chronic illness. Not all protein and energy bars are bad, of course. Be sure to read the ingredient labels and know what you are buying. If it has ingredients you don't carry in your own pantry or can't grow in your own garden, it's probably better to pass it over for something healthier.

7) Margarine. Hidden in all sorts of processed foods, margarine, a hydrogenated trans-fat oil, is something you will want to avoid at all costs for your health. Contrary to popular belief, butter and saturated fats in general are not unhealthy, especially when they are derived from pastured animals that feed on grass rather than corn and soy. And if animal-based fats are not for you, stick with extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil rather than margarine. 

8) Soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes. One of the biggest health frauds of modern times, the soy craze is a fad that you will want to skip. Besides the fact that nearly all non-organic soy ingredients are of GM origin, most soy additives are processed using a toxic chemical known as hexane, which is linked to causing birth defects, reproductive problems, and cancer. Soy that has not been fermented is also highly estrogenic, which can throw your natural hormone balance out of whack. 

9) “Diet” anything. Many so-called “diet” products on the market today contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Equal) and sucralose (Splenda), both of which are linked to causing neurological damage, gastrointestinal problems, and endocrine disruption. Many diet products also contain added chemical flavoring agents to take the place of fat and other natural components that have been removed to artificially reduce calorie content. Instead, stick with whole foods that are as close to nature as possible, including high-fat foods grown the way nature intended, and your body will respond surprisingly well.

10) White, refined sugar. Does this need explanation? It's REALLy bad. Opt for kinder-to-your-blood-sugar options or more natural unrefined alternatives. Honey, molasses, licorice, cinnamon (sweetener AND actually helps diabetes), and pure maple syrup.

11) GM / BT Corn. The built-in pesticide Bt toxin has been integrated into certain GM crops to ward off pests. Bt corn, for instance, has actually been designed to produce the toxin directly inside its kernels, which are later eaten by both livestock and humans. In a recent study, researchers detected the Bt toxin in a shocking 93 percent of maternal and 80 percent of fetal blood samples. And 69 percent of non-pregnant women tested positive for the toxin in their blood. And this toxic corn is in EVERYTHING. Everything IS corn. If you shop in a grocery store anywhere outside of the whole food produce section, chances are nearly every box and package you pick up will have corn. See my post listing many of the corn containing foods and non-food items most average Americans consume and encounter in their everyday life.



 

OTC Children's Medications & Their Hidden Side Effects

Unless you or your child has had an obvious reaction to a medication, most parents rarely read the full warning blurb on the bottles and boxes of their children's medication. But even if they did read them, it wouldn't inform them very well of all the known side effects of that drug, as most labels refer you to their website for the complete list. Often the website list is also incomplete, and you are asked to send a request by mail to receive a booklet with all of the legal discolsure information. 

Most people trust that if a drug is on the shelf or prescribed by their doctor, it must be safe, so they don't question it too much. But many side effects look just like the symptoms of a child who doesn't feel well, like fussiness, upset tummy, trouble sleeping, aggression, constipation, diarrhea, moodiness, irritability, and crying such as due to a headache, which a young child can't express verbally. Many side effects are usually disregarded for that very reason, and so parents use the medication over and over with no idea of the adverse reaction their child is having to it. 

The best way to minimize the risk of side effects is to be very conservative when administering medications to a child. Always read labels, websites and literature and carefully monitor your child after administering a dose, checking for reactions and keeping a log. Never hesitate to contact your health care professional if you suspect your child is experiencing a side effect. Educate yourself on natural and herbal remedies that are safer and more gentle for children with minor illnesses. Try using a certified and licensed Holistic Practitioner or Naturopath. Of course you should always check with your doctor before giving your child any herb or substance that they have never had before.      

Aside from food dyes like Red 40 which cause a whole host of behavior and health problems all by themselves, and are commonly found in children's medication... 

Medications taken for such things as pain, allergies or asthma may have other less known, more hidden side effects that affect behavior such as:

Singulair  per their website has these side effects:

“SINGULAIR may cause serious side effects. Behavior and mood-related changes have been reported: agitation including aggressive behavior or hostility, bad or vivid dreams, depression, disorientation (confusion), feeling anxious, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there), irritability, restlessness, sleepwalking, suicidal thoughts and actions (including suicide), tremor, and trouble sleeping. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms while taking SINGULAIR.”

Children’s Benadryl per drugs.com has these side effects:

“Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, nose, and throat; excitability; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness or anxiety; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.”

Claritin for Children per emedtv website has these side effects:

“In children, side effects include hyperactivity and stomach pain. Side effects are typically minor and easily treated. However, some side effects are potentially serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider right away, such as breathing problems or signs of an allergic reaction.”

Children’s Motrin per drugs.com has these side effects:  

“Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; stiff neck; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.”

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.

Children’s Advil Chew-able Tablets per drugs.com has these side effects:

“Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; stiff neck; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.”

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.

Please Note:There is a complete list of common over the counter drugs and their possible side effects at Drugs.com