Stinky Kiddie Feet

So here is a weird one.

STINKY FEET.

My adorable little pixie of a daughter has the stinkiest feet ever. I have a sensitive nose and these are BAD. Three feet away and I still need a clothespin on my nose. SO, I'm thinking "how on earth does a FIVE year old have such smelly feet? and WHAT can I do about that awful stench?"

Seems that it is actually not abnormal for kids to get smelly feet. Not a big problem, of course. But an odoriferous one--that every child seems to have sometimes.

Feet smell because we wear shoes, keeping our feet in a closed space that will get hot and cause sweat. The bacteria that normally live in and around your feet love damp places, such as sweaty shoes and socks. As those bacteria grow, they release their own waste, and that's what causes the bad smell. I am sure that bacteria loves those little pink shoes that she runs around in everyday. (they are her favorite) Bacteria...pink shoes...bacteria...pink shoes.. hmmm...still not computing?

''Frequently, children's feet will sweat more than adults' feet,'' says Rosario Labarbera, D.P.M., chief of podiatry at The General Hospital Center at Passaic and at Saint Mary's Hospital in Passaic, New Jersey, and board member of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Often that perspiration is foul-smelling--a condition doctors refer to as bromhidrosis. The odor is very similar to that of rotten cheese. Enough to jar anyone or me anyway.

Bromhidrosis in kids is mainly caused by the presence of fetid bacteria on the foot, according to Morton Walker, D.P.M., formerly a podiatrist in private practice in Stamford, Connecticut, and author of The Complete Foot Book. If a whiff of your child's feet is enough to disturb the peaceful life of your family, listen to what doctors have to say about sweetening the air at floor level.

To reduce the amount of sweat, encourage your children to wear well-ventilated shoes instead of constrictive ones. Choose shoes made from materials that breathe, such as canvas or leather. These are less likely to encourage moisture buildup. Avoid shoes made of plastic or other synthetic, nonporous materials that trap odor inside. I don't about you, but my son is obsessed with rain boots. Probably not the BEST choice of everyday shoe... especially on those hot days.
If the shoes' insoles are washable, wash them. My daughter's little pinks (made of leather and some shiny meshy stuff) were so distressing to me that I actually threw the whole shoe in and washed them in on the hand wash cycle. I am now washing the insoles JUST to make sure that they are clean and bacteria free. And no, I did not put them in the dryer.
Avoid tight fitting shoes-they can increase the amount of heat, sweat, and moisture in the feet. My daughter gets very attached to her shoes and wears them way longer then any podiatrist would be comfortable with. Obviously, a great thing to do is to go barefoot as much as possible, further drying out the feet and reducing the odor.

Your children can reduce the amount of bacteria on their feet or the amount of sweat that collects on their feet in a number of ways:
First, have them bathe or you bathe their feet in lukewarm water for several minutes each day, and then clean them with soap. Make sure they dry their feet when they're done.

Putting on clean socks every day is also critical; cotton and most wool absorb sweat and make the feet "breathe" more easily.

Your children can also consider switching shoes every few days, so the shoes get a chance to dry out, which in turn makes them less smelly. Feet are more likely to sweat and get kissed by the stanky bacteria monster. If your child refuses to have socks on like mine, or wear different shoes, you don't have much chance of preventing the problem and will just have to treat the foot odor when it occurs.

Smooth on a deodorizer. Marc A. Brenner, D.P.M., a podiatrist on the medical staff of the Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park and North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, both in New York, recommends an over-the-counter deodorant cream called Lavilin. ''It's made in Israel and you can buy it in health food stores. It's perfectly natural and harmless for kids,'' he says. Read the directions carefully before applying the cream.

Try dropping in inserts. Shoe inserts, especially brands that contain activated charcoal, absorb perspiration, notes Dr. Brenner, who has found them to help some youngsters with smelly ''sneaker feet.'' Although these inserts usually come in only one size, you can trim them to fit your child's shoes.

Cool those tootsies. ''Dip a cotton ball in some rubbing alcohol and dab it on the child's feet to help dry them and cool them off,'' says Dr. Labarbera. Don't use alcohol if the child has any breaks in the skin, though. That would burn, he warns. Instead, use an antiseptic like Betadine Solution, which soothes, dries and cools without burning.

Look for sources of stress. Mental tension is another common cause of foot odor, according to Dr. Walker. In fact, the odor of perspiration that results from stress is considered more offensive than the exercise-generated kind. If your child's feet have suddenly become smellier lately, talk with him about stresses at school, at home or in his friendships. If you can help him deal with tension caused by change and uncertainty, the smelly-foot condition might get better.

Soak Away Trouble. Nothing like a good long soak to freshen up stinky feet. Each of the following foot soaks can help stop bacteria from growing, according to Dr. Brenner.
In each case, have your child soak his feet in the mixture for five to ten minutes. Soaking can be as frequent as twice a day or as seldom as twice a week, depending on the extent of the problem and your child's ability to stay put.
Epsom salts: Dilute two tablespoons in two quarts of warm water. ( This not only cleans the feet but also makes them drier afterward, according to Dr. Brenner.)
Vinegar: Dilute two tablespoons in two quarts of cool water for an acidic footbath.
Domeboro Astringent Solution: This pharmacy product comes in tablets or powder packets. Just dissolve it in water, following directions on the package, for a refreshing soak. Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Betadine Solution: Dilute a teaspoon of this over-the-counter antibacterial agent in two quarts of cool water.

If all else fails, take your child to a podiatrist. You may need a prescription antibiotic salve or antifungal liquid to start the healing process. Then you will be able to smell deeply again......unless of course you have a two year old's diaper to change.....

-SBH

I Love this Photo

I keep this photo on my desktop to click on when I'm having a particularly trying day...(that seems to be today!)

- LT

FDA KNEW ABOUT MERCURY IN HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

DO YOU realize that the United States is taking part in the biggest human experiment on the planet by our food NOT being labeled as Genetically Modified (GM)? It's true. Then I read this headline today on Huffington Post and I think WHO EXACTLY IS PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN'S DIET IF NOT THE FDA? So perhaps Jeremy Piven DIDN'T get the mercury poison from fish...maybe he got it from chain drinking Pepsi or Coke or perhaps he ate one too many pop tarts that tipped him over the edge?

HERE ARE SOME EXCERPTS FROM HUFFPO:
According to the results of a new study released by the Institute for Agriculture and Trace Policy

(IATP),

the actor may well have been sickened by soda or candy or anything that contains high fructose corn syrup, which, if you eat processed food in this country means, well, just about ANYTHING.

Foodies and nutritionists alike have been griping about high fructose corn syrup for years, and the industry has responded with an "astroturf" campaign http://www.hfcsfacts.com/ and a level of secrecy generally reserved for military officials or secret societies (see Corn Refiners' Association president Audrae Erickson's stonewalling performance in

King Corn).

Of course, I wouldn't want to show my hand either, if the making of my product could be described as the undertaking of a

"small Manhattan project."

But as it turns out, the HFCS industry has been hiding some major skeletons in its closet -- according to the IATP study (pdf), over 30% of products containing the substance tested positive for mercury. 30%!

What makes this news truly shocking is not just that the manufacturers of high fructose corn syrup would put consumers' health at risk, but that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) KNEW ABOUT THE MERCURY in the syrup, and has been sitting on this information since 2005.

Here's the connection, according to the IATP press release

(pdf):

The IATP study comes on the heels of another study, conducted in 2005 but only recently published by the scientific journal, Environmental Health, which revealed that nearly 50 PERCENT of commercial HFCS samples tested positive for the heavy metal. Renee Dufault, who was working for the FDA at the time, was among the 2005 study's authors. In spite of Dufault's involvement in the study, the FDA SAT SILENT on this one for three years, and in fact last August, allowed manufacturers to call the sweetener

"natural."

Which is complete BS as it turns out!! WOOPS.

How did the heavy metal get in there? According to

Janet at the Ethicurian,

in making HFCS -- that "natural" sweetener, as the Corn Refiners Associaton likes to call it -- caustic soda is one ingredient used to separate corn starch from the corn kernel. Apparently most caustic soda for years has been produced in industrial chlorine (chlor-alkali) plants, where it can be contaminated with mercury that it passes on to the HFCS, and then to consumers.

AND ON WHY THIS MATTERS:
"Mercury is toxic in all its forms," said IATP's David Wallinga, M.D., and a co-author in both studies. "Given how much high fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the FDA to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply."

It is appalling that people aren't being arrested at the FDA just like the Chinese did to the milk producers in China over Melanine contamination. Another case of 'looking the other way' and allowing corporations to grease a few more government palms, that I expect the Obama Administration to correct.

MAMAS - Check your labels religiously and please write to President Obama

President Obama's administration

psst - he seems to be listening!) and your

congresspersons

and your

senators.

It's important to speak up!!
- LT

Originally posted on

The Green Fork

Only in SoCal

"Mama look!" she said. "RAIN!"

Which prompted the attached rain gear photo in her attempt to explore the backyard and this mysterious thing called RAIN.

- LT

Obama Nation

We live in exciting times indeed! A future for our children is to be had after all...

Let's get busy and get involved!! More posts on this to come..

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.
William Arthur Ward

- LT

Happy Inauguration Day!

Kids Celebrate Obama at Concert

(AP) Michelle Obama challenged the audience at a "Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future" concert to serve their country.

She got a response from the audience at the Verizon Center on Monday night that surpassed even the appearance of teen star Miley Cyrus.

"You kids are the future of this great nation," Obama said to the crowd largely made up of military families and their charged-up children. "We need every American to serve their community, including our young people."

What can kids do? she wondered aloud: Volunteer in a homeless shelter, visit an elderly person or write letters to U.S. troops.

"For many of you, they're you're moms and dads, right?" Obama said. "Barack, Malia, Sasha and I are so grateful for the service and sacrifice all our military families make to help keep this nation safe."

Miley Cyrus performed. Then the Jonas Brothers got Obama - wearing a sparkly blue dress and mustard-yellow cardigan - on her feet dancing, and Malia and Sasha to come up on stage to jump around like the schoolgirls that they are.

Jamie Foxx, meanwhile, led a sing-along of "America the Beautiful."

A poignant moment came when Queen Latifah invited on stage family members of the Army National Guard 261st Signal Brigade serving in Iraq. Their loved ones unexpectedly appeared on a screen via satellite.

Basketball great Shaquille O'Neal, who was raised on overseas military bases, then was beamed in from Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado.

"I am hoping that kids and families will be inspired by tonight's show to become an active part of our democracy. While we certainly live in challenging times, who better than an energized effort by kids and their families to create a better future," said Rich Ross, president of Disney Channels Worldwide, which was broadcasting the concert, which also included headliners the Jonas Brothers, Bow Wow and Corbin Bleu.

A young, aspiring singer, Elijah Lawrence, dedicated his performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to Michelle Obama as the concert's kickoff.

We actually missed this concert, but watched a bit on You Tube. It cracks me up that Malia is taking pictures of every single event like a tourist. I would post some video of this event, but pretty much everyone who performed annoys me and I don't allow my children to watch anything on the Disney channel (too many commercials and the shows are just too sassy for my taste.) It's all on You Tube...

- LT

U2 for Dr. King & Obama

This performance blew my mind. Best one of the concert. Dr. King is smiling today. Can you feel the love?

- LT

Obama HBO Concert Speech 1/18/09

A great speech AND an amazing concert!!! Variety Magazine reports that there was no budget for the show, all the performers paid for their own travel and accommodations and performed for free. As they should...

- LT

Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.
A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3-year-old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, HOW MANY OTHER THINGS ARE WE MISSING?

Vow to stop and hear the music in 2009!

Happy New Year from Mamasnap!

What will you do this year to make a difference in your life and the life of your kids?

We are pretty excited about the direction that the US is headed.
Things can only go up from here right?
LESS stuff. LESS clutter. We're down with this idea.

It's stressful coming up with resolutions for the New Year.
Four out of five people who make New Year’s resolutions tonight will eventually break them. In fact, a third won’t even make it to the end of January.

That’s what time management firm FranklinCovey found when it polled more than 15,000 customers about their planned New Year’s resolutions. The top resolutions are the old standbys — get out of debt and save more, lose weight and exercise. Getting organized and spending more time with family also top the list.

Nearly 40 percent of those surveyed attribute breaking their resolutions to having too many other things to do, while 33 percent say they simply aren’t committed to the resolutions they set. But experts say the real problem is that people make the wrong resolutions. The typical resolution often reflects a general desire, rather than a specific goal.

Mamasnap's advice: Keep it simple. One thing at a time. Don't get overwhelmed. Enjoy the small, sweet moments with the kids because they grow up pretty fast. Those are our goals for the year. (Oh and of course...to lose that extra 10 lbs. from the holidays! AUGH!)

- LT