Banana- superfruit?

After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout which probably equals 22 minutes of cleaning after and chasing your child. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. Bananas are like a superhero of fruit. Though they don't leap over a building in a single bound they CAN help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS-Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. If that doesn't work, then take the pills!

Anemia- High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams in 2006 by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Does this mean that if you pack a banana in your kid's lunch that they will end up smarter? Beats me, but may be worth a shot if your child is...well....slow.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the plumbing problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers- Apparently, one of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. And if it doesn't work you might just forget about the itching because you will have wierd banana goo on you.

Nerves & Stress- Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.  So does Ativan, but bananas are WAY better for you.

Overweight- Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and potato chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. I think if this study was done in the US they might not have quite the same findings since people here gorge on pretty much everything no matter what.  BUT, if you are going to gorge, maybe a banana is better then a tube of Pringles or a roll of cookie dough.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control- Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use- Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Strokes- According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts- Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape! AND if there happens to be a mosquito bite next to it, why, you are killing two birds with one peel!

So, a banana really is a surprisingly super dooper natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.  Maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

-SBH

No Tears Splinter Removal

So how many of you have tried to pull a splinter out of your tots finger or toe and they are JUST freaking out? It is more then I can bear to put my little one through the agony of squeezing and pinching her finger. Not that she has ever had more then one or two splinters but...I came across this great way to remove splinters in the March issue of Parenting magazine and thought I'd share it with you.

1. Wash the area with soap and water
2. Apply a little white glue over the part of the splinter that is poking out.
3. When you peel off the dried glue, the splinter should come right out. Presto!
4. Dab on an antibiotic ointment and cover with a festive bandage of choice.

If the splinter is really deep, or if the area is red and swollen, you will probably need a doctors help to get it out.

Lavender and Pregnancy

When I was uncomfortable pregnant vomit queen, I always looked for things to help me relax. I would slather on the lavender oils, the lavender creams, spray the lavender spritz and pick lavender from my backyard. Imagine my surprise when I went to an essential oils soap store and they told me NOT to use lavender because I was poisoning my unborn baby. I was quite alarmed by this so I did a search on the Internet JUST to make sure….

Lavender has been used for many purposes including loss of appetite, nervousness, insomnia, acne, headaches, diabetes, rheumatic pain, nerve pain, and colds. Lavender is the most versatile of essential oils. It is relaxing and refreshing, uplifts the spirits, and helps to relieve the distress of muscle pain. Lavender is balancing for the mind and calming for the body.
It hasn’t been tested enough to know if there are effects on an unborn child. This is also true of many other “herbal remedies” such as chamomile and rose.
According to one website the following oils should not be used during pregnancy:
Basil, Birch, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cypress, Geranium, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme.
It continues with-
The following oils should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy, and used with caution during the remainder of the pregnancy. Use in small amounts and well diluted (1-2 % for massage: 3-4 drops added to carrier oil for baths. If you have a history of miscarriage DONT USE AT ALL: Chamomile, Geranium, Lavender, Rose

Well I used 3 out of four of those my child is normal enough. Oh the horror.

There are so many contradictions out there…for example: Mothernature.com says, “Lavender is most fitting in an oil for pregnancy. A muscle relaxant, lavender flowers were traditionally heated and pounded into a poultice, then placed on the woman's lower back to ease tension and loosen tight muscles during childbirth. As one of the first things the baby smelled, lavender also became a bonding fragrance. European mothers made lavender pillows for their children to sleep with as a reminder that they would always be loved.” Sounds good to me.
I am not sure WHY we can’t use some of these herbs or if I actually believe that these things are bad for you. I can’t find any strong evidence that it is or isn’t…but if you are worried I would consult with your Dr. or aromatherapist- if you are fancy enough to have one. Can I still roast chicken with Tarragon or Rosemary? Hmmm…
It seems that MOST of the information out there supports the use of lavender so I continued to slather, spritz and hoped that junior wasn't born with one eye. Thankfully, he was born with two beautiful blues....
But don't take my word for it...do your research!

hot diggity

Is it me or is this just a weird thing to have as a play structure for kids? Wouldn't a pedophile just LOVE to see a bunch of little girls straddling this daddy?
ewww

Good Waffles!

If you are anything like me you will search the internet, cookbooks and magazines for THE perfect recipe. Well, I thought I’d share a really great recipe for Waffles because they are JUST the thing to make when your 2.5 year old wakes you up, says “FOOD” and it is SIX friggin clock in the morning. The smell wafting through the house is enough to cheer anyone up.
Obviously to make waffles you need a waffle iron. If you don’t have one then I guess you are shit out of luck and frozen ones will have to do! Boohoo. Not QUITE the same but maybe better at 6am? Waffle irons come in all sorts of fun shapes such as- hearts, Mickey Mouse, and the good ol'squares which I have.

Basic Waffles:
Preheat your waffle iron
Whisk together in a large bowl :
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour- I have also used whole wheat flour-
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt

Whisk together in another bowl (or 4 cup pyrex works)
3 large eggs, well beaten
4 to 16 tablespoons UNSALTED butter This is ¼ to 2 sticks) 4 tablespoons is the “reduced fat” version, 8 is for the classic and 16 is for super crunchy, gout inducing deliciousness. I use 6 tablespoons and find them good…..
1 ½ cups milk- You can also use buttermilk but you will need to add ¼ teaspoon of Baking Soda. If you don’t have buttermilk at home it is really easy to make. For each cup of milk, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. (Apple cider or white), quickly and gently stir it in let it sit for about 5 minutes. Et voila…

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently whisk together. I have a tendancy to over stir because somehow the lumps never look right- you do what is comfortable to you. I think it is probably fluffier if you don’t over stir…I am not a chemist so I don’t know… Anyway, moving on.
Spoon about ½ cup batter onto the hot waffle iron, spreading the batter to about ¼ inch of the edge (otherwise you get oozing mess down the sides. Close and bake until waffle is golden or until iron dings if you have that kind. The longer you keep it in there the crispier it will get.
Serve immediately or keep warm in the oven until the masses have assembled.

If you wish you can add things like raisins, berries, banana, shredded coconut, chocolate, bacon, cheese, etc. I wouldn’t add more then a ½ cup of any of it…
I, myself, leave them as is and serve with maple syrup.

You can also add fresh fruit, whip cream or whatever after they have been cooked.

And if you are feeling very Martha Stewart you can put powdered sugar on them and garnish the plate with edible flowers and mint.

Have a good morning!

-SBH

En Garde! Fencing 5 year olds!

OMG! Is that the cutest thing you ever saw? Wait a second.....A five year old fencing? Yikes, right? I have to admit that I too was wondering who in the hell would give a 5 year old a sword. But, nonetheless, when I saw it offered in Lulu's school’s enrichment program I thought, “How cool…Lulu can be a sword fighting princess!” My little swashbuckler loves it. She is the only girl in her class and I think that’s pretty awesome. While she is the princess, there is also Luke Skywalker, Anakin (Darth Vader BEFORE he was bad.explained to me VERY clearly) and a Jack Sparrow.
With the appropriate gear fencing is actually pretty safe. Once you see your child doing it the concerns vanish- at least they did for me. They learn the dangers and respect the foil. (Foil being the fancy word for the sword)
Children need to be able to concentrate and tolerate the repetition of it. Added to this, they must be physically coordinated, have good balance and have some sense of timing and depth perception. Fencing may also cultivate these attributes, but it doesn't create them.
I am continually amazed at how much these little ones pay attention and DO concentrate. They do their little exercises, then suit up and “En Grade” there they go. So my point? Fencing is really fun and exciting exercise for kids and they feel really kind of cool doing it. Lulu is always very excited for her Friday “sword fighting” class. And if anything makes me smile, it is seeing Lulu in the fencing gear. It kills me! So friggin cute. And the Uggs...

-SBH

Listen to me dammit!

I am constantly repeating myself over and over again with my daughter, Lulu, who NEVER seems to listen to me. She is good at holding my hand before crossing the street, good at cleaning her room if I bribe her, good at many things but listening...she is TERRIBLE. I found this on the web today and thought I would share it. I will try some of these "methods" and see if maybe her "hearing" will improve. Right now it makes me nuts! Come to think of it..my 38 year old sister has selective hearing too....

They Don't Listen to Me!
By Elizabeth Pantley,
Author of Perfect Parenting and Kid Cooperation

Question: My kid doesn't listen to me! I have to repeat myself over and over. Even then he doesn't do what I've asked. When I remind him, he looks at me with that befuddled look that says, "Huh? You were talking to ME?" How do I get him to listen to me?

Think about it: Sounds like your child has what is commonly known as "Selective Hearing." (In other words, you can shout at him to take out the trash, and it's as if he has cotton in his ears, but if you whisper that you'll take him out for ice cream, his hearing becomes incredibly sharp!) The good news is that this malady is easily cured when you use the following solutions.

Eyeball-to-Eyeball: When you make a request, be certain you have your child's attention by touching his arm or hand, and making eye contact. Make a clear, simple statement. As an example, do not call from three rooms away, "Time to go!" A better choice is to go to your child, look him eyeball to eyeball and make a very specific request, "Fester, please put on your shoes and coat and get in the car."

Please repeat it: If your child doesn't respond to your request, ask that he repeat back to you what you said, "Fester, what is it I want you to do?" Once the child has repeated your request, you know that he's heard you, (and he knows that you know that he heard you) and he's more likely to follow through.

Are you training them? Make sure you are not encouraging the behavior by nagging or making requests that you don't follow through on. If you typically repeat yourself three or four or twelve times before you take action, your child will learn that he can ignore you the first few times, because all he'll suffer is having to listen to the drone of your voice.

Don't lecture: Keep your requests brief and to the point. As an example, say you want your child to get ready for bed. Don't launch into a ten-minute lecture on the value of sleep, the importance of getting up on time, the fact that Tuesday is a school night, and why you are sick-and-tired-of-going-through-this-every-night, etc. Limit yourself to a few important words, such as, "9:00. Bedtime."

Act: Use action instead of words. Instead of complaining about the pile of dirty socks in the family room, simply pick them up and hand them to your child. Kids are remarkably perceptive when handed a wad of dirty laundry. Instead of calling your child to you over and over and over, go to him, take him by the hand, look him in the eye, and say, "When I call you I expect you to come."

Important Note: Have a doctor check your child's hearing to be sure there is not a physical problem preventing your child from hearing to you.


(Excerpted by NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group Inc. from Perfect Parenting, The Dictionary of 1,000 Parenting Tips by Elizabeth Pantley, copyright 1999)

-SBH

Sweet Things

It's funny how when something happens to you that rocks your world, you are moved by the smallest kindness that someone puts forth. Previously, I might have been too busy to really give it a second thought...

SLOW DOWN. Look around at the sweet things in life that you have right now.

- LT

Stomach Bug Attacks!

I write this because here at my house we are in the throws of family style vomiting and general feelings of ickiness all around. It was like Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Some stomach flu virus went through the whole family, one by one, the last few days. Is the saying, " family that pukes together...."?

Norovirus on the rise.

Norovirus is an acute stomach illness sometimes called the stomach flu, also known as Norwalk virus- named for Norwalk, Ohio, the site of a severe outbreak of vomiting, nausea and diarrhea among schoolchildren in the late 1960s. It is also possibly known as an effective pre-awards show diet for some Hollywood characters.

Typical symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach Cramps
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration (in some cases)
• Fever, chills
• Creepy crawly skin
• Aches
• Fatigue

Norovirus infection usually clears up after two or three days, but medical epidemiologist Marc-Alain Widdowson, a norovirus expert at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says the misery of those days shouldn't be dismissed.
"When you're ill, you're really ill," he says. "People (can) vomit 20 times a day."

People can become sick with this stomach virus in several ways, including:
* Eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated by a person who is sick.
* Coming into contact with vomit from an infected person or a recently contaminated surface.
* Having direct contact with another person who is sick.
* Sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is sick.
* Changing a diaper of a sick child.

About half of food-borne diseases are thought to be caused by norovirus, the CDC says.
But this winter, it is spreading mainly from person to person through communities, and experts believe the majority of cases are unreported. In recent years we have all heard about these outbreaks- cruise ships have become famous norovirus carriers, with several large outbreaks grabbing headlines.

Once it's in the house, experts say, it's tough to wipe out. It can linger for days on surfaces such as children's toys, keyboards, telephones and doorknobs, and both vomit and stool are highly infectious. It is present in the stool up to three weeks after the patient recovers, so health officials stress the importance of hand washing, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. So once baby has puked, might as well give him/her a big yummy kiss, cuz Mama (or Papa), you're next. I know, sounds SO negative but unfortunately it is usually true. Unless of course you have the immunity of my dad who never gets sick.

The virus causes illness year-round, though like many, it is more common in colder months. Why it's so widespread this winter is not known, Widdowson says. "Some years, it does seem to be a lot worse than others, and this is one of those.

The “24-Hour Bug” Is a Myth
Some children may feel nauseated for 2-3 days, and then have diarrhea for another week, which sort of throws hot water on the 24 hour theory. This is no reason to panic. How long each bout lasts depends on the particular virus and on how your child’s intestines react to it. But when your child is vomiting, there is a concern about dehydration.

Signs of dehydration in babies can include tearless crying, dark urine and sunken eyes, says William Cochran, vice chairman of pediatrics at the Geisinger Clinic in Danville, Pa. “A small infant with profuse diarrhea and vomiting could become dehydrated in six to 12 hours” without otherwise appearing dramatically ill, he says. “When an infant starts to look really sick, you are late in the game.”

A baby or toddler vomiting green bile should be seen immediately, he adds. And, in anyone, sudden bruising and broken blood vessels (except in the face, where the strain of vomiting may be to blame) could signal a breakdown in blood platelets, seen in infections with the dangerous E. coli 0157:H7 strain. (www.usatoday.com)
Other Causes for Concern
If vomiting lasts more than three days, diarrhea lasts more than seven days, or if fever lasts more than two days, then go see a health specialist. Vomiting and diarrhea combined, or a prolonged fever may cause severe dehydration with various symptoms:

* excessive thirst
* dry mouth
* little or no urine or dark yellow urine
* decreased tears
* severe weakness or lethargy
* dizziness or lightheadedness
* markedly sunken fontanelles (the soft spot on the top of the head) in an infant
Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment:
* Plenty of fluids
* Rest
* Take a high quality probiotic every 30 to 60 minutes until you feel better.
* Try adding raw honey (to calm the inflammation) if the symptoms persist more than a few hours after starting the probiotics.
* Allow your gastrointestinal tract to settle by not eating for a few hours.
* Sip small amounts of clear liquids or suck on ice chips if vomiting is still a problem.
* Give infants and children oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and lost electrolytes- A teaspoonful of electrolyte solution every twenty minutes or so to replace the nutrients they’ve lost. It contains a proper mixture of sugars and minerals to help their delicate intestines absorb liquid. Bigger children should take an ounce of electrolyte solution in the same time period. If that stays down for fifteen minutes, then give another ounce, rehydrating the child over hours. At this point, don’t worry about getting them to eat anything.
* If you are still breastfeeding a baby, continue to nurse right through the illness, because mother’s milk has protective antibodies. With bigger children, other liquids can be substituted. (Surprising Facts About Stomach Flu, Sarah McCraw Crow, December 2002 issue of Parents Magazine)
* Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like toast, broth, apples, bananas, and rice.
* Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol until recovery is complete.

Washing your hands regularly with soap and water will help tremendously. Since the virus can spread through body fluids, it’s especially important to wash your hands after changing the diaper of a sick baby.
Avoiding sharing food, drinks, and/or utensils with an infected person, or coming into contact with any of his or her bodily fluids, will also help.

It may be tempting at this point to reach for over-the-counter anti-diarrhea or upset-stomach remedies. I advise against them because they don’t actually cure anything, they just slow things down in the intestines, leading to an overgrowth of harmful gut bacteria. As well, Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, an aspirin-like compound that can lead to a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome in younger children.

Antibiotics won’t do much to treat a stomach flu. If anything, they will make it worse because they kill the good bacteria in your intestinal tract, making you more susceptible to severe abdominal cramps.


I know I have brought up hand washing several times…Don’t count on hand sanitizers as a substitute for washing your hands. The state says waterless hand sanitizers have been shown to be ineffective against the norovirus.

Here is to hoping you are not "blessed" with the barf bug. Good Luck!
-SBH