There is so much confusing information out there about vitamins, like parenting wasn't confusing enough,eh? So, do we supplement and if so, how do we choose a good vitamin?
Dr. Mercola is one of the most trusted doctors on the internet. This is some of what he recommends when you are looking at your children's vitamins:
*Does not have any dyes
*Does not have any artificial sweetner (Splenda, Nutrasweet...)
*Does not have Flow Agent- Magnesium Sterate
*Does not have Hydrogenated Oils
*Does NOT have iron in the form of ferrous sulfate. It should be in the form of carbonyl iron
*Supplement Vitamin D separate and should be tested for dosage
*Allergen Free
*Minerals should be chelated with an organic amino acid chelate
You can find more information about children's vitamins on Dr. Mercola's website at http://www.mercola.com/
Found this on an entry from the Authentic Family Living Site. Fell in love and want to get the book, Tao Te Ching for Parents.
10. AS THEY ARE
When you are with your children be one with them. Let every part of your body relax and become as supple as your child's. Allow all expectations and anxieties to melt away so that you can see clearly. Love them as they are in this very moment, without needing to change a thing.
When their lives are filled with trouble allow events to unfold without pushing or straining, and you will understand clearly what your role should be.
You nourish them without possessing them. You guide them without controlling them. You help them without worrying.
Being with your children can be like meditating. When you are with your child next, forget the past, forget the future, and let your mind and heart come to be where your body is.
Mental Training Coach, Dawn Grant and Creator of PassionParent.com, Christine Hiebel will discuss the power of creating an attitude of gratitude in your children. Learn some fun, fast and easy ways to change your child's mental outlook on life. Join us tonight, March 20 at 7:30pm EST for a half an hour of inspiration for you and your children!
"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof." Richard Bach, "Illusions"
Having grown up in a semi-dysfunctional home, I always thought this was a wonderful quote. I still love it, because so many of my Ohana, or family, are not blood related.
Now raising my child in an environment where we are living Authentically, there seems something lacking... the family that lives authentically has a bond that is both the bond of blood and the bond of respect & joy. That is what I have been desiring since I was quite young.
I have been very selective in the products that I use to bath my child, the toothpaste we use, and the sunscreen we use. I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about the fact that there are products on the market that are KNOWN to be toxic... this article by the Campaign for Sage Cosmetics and support documentation really opened my eyes. I believe it is worth a read!
Getting Contaminants Out of Children's Bath & Personal Care Products by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Despite marketing claims like “gentle” and “pure,” dozens of top-selling children’s bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, according to the March 2009 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report, "No More Toxic Tub."
This study is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children, including baby shampoos, bubble baths and baby lotions. Many products tested contained both chemicals.
What We Found
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics commissioned an independent laboratory to test 48 products for 1,4-dioxane; 28 of those products were also tested for formaldehyde. The lab found that:
* 17 out of 28 products tested – 61 percent – contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. * 23 out of 28 products – 82 percent – contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 54 to 610 parts per million (ppm). * 32 out of 48 products – 67 percent – contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 to 35 ppm.
Health Concerns
While a single product might not be cause for concern, the reality is that babies may be exposed to several products at bath time, several times a week, in addition to other chemical exposures in the home and environment. Those small exposures add up and may contribute to later-life disease.
Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known carcinogens; formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children. Unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products.
Where They Come From
The chemicals were not disclosed on product labels because they're contaminants, not ingredients, and therefore are exempt from labeling laws.
Formaldehyde contaminates personal care products when common preservatives release formaldehyde over time in the container. Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.
1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of a chemical processing technique called ethoxylation, in which cosmetic ingredients are processed with ethylene oxide. Manufacturers can easily remove the toxic byproduct, but are not required by law to do so. Common ingredients likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane include PEG-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20.
What You Can Do
Contrary to industry statements, there are no regulatory standards that limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane or most other toxic chemicals in personal care products sold in the United States. There are signs the U.S. is gearing to catch up, but for now it's up to consumers to consider carefully before they buy. Here's some suggestions for safeguarding your family's health:
* Simplify: Select products with fewer ingredients and no synthetic fragrance or dyes, and use fewer products overall. * Choose safety: Search EWG's cosmetic safety database, Skin Deep, to learn more about the products you use and find safer alternatives. Also check out EWG's Safety Guide to Children’s Personal Care Products. * Read labels: Select products for baby and yourself that don't contain the ingredients listed above, which are commonly contaminated with formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane. * Take action! Can’t memorize these lists? Nobody can. If harmful contaminants and ingredients weren’t allowed in products, you wouldn’t have to. Tell Congress you want safe cosmetics for babies, adults and everyone in between. * Spread the word: Send an e-card letting friends and family know about this report.
What an amazing week! Barbara Probst was a guest on my Just Parenting About radio show. In her book "When the Labels Don't Fit", Probst explores how many children do things that seem odd, troubling, or excessive at some point in the development, and our culture is quick to attach a label to every child who's "outside the box" or hard to raise.
Then last night, my good friend, Rain Fordyce called to discuss a series of events that made her look at a label she was using- Unschooler. We had a long talk about how labels sometimes are useful. She was able to connect with some wonderful, empowered parents who validated what her family's intention was in expoloring the world of homeschooling, in particular, unschooling. Her children received validation and made great friends with like-minded children. Many deep, philosophical discussions followed which were inspiring and educational.
THEN, the downside of labels happened! Someone makes the guidelines, the rules so to speak. The must do's and must have's.... all pretty funny when you think that radical unschooler's pride themselves on not having rules.... SO, the rule is- not to have rules... but that is the problem! That is a rule! OK, let me give you an example if you are wondering what the heck I am talking about.
Rain's family has a few non-negotiables they have agreed to. OK, are you ready?
1. Do your chart in the morning by 11am (this is brush hair, brush teeth, get dressed and make bed. The only non-negotiable is brush teeth however... the other issues are really their choice unless they want to play with their friends... well most days...)
2. Eat most of your dinner (not all) if you want dessert. (since we had cake for breakfast yesterday, I am thinking this isn't a true non-negotiable all day, but I guess for dinner it is mostly true.)
3. Get off of the computer when we ask. (well... again... most days and when they finish their game or whatever else they might be up to...)
Her unschooling friend lovingly let her know that these rules make her ineligable to be an unschooler....
Read Rain's account of what happened (it is worth the read, even if you are not a homeschooler or an unschooler.) Just like the interview with Barbara Probst was so much more than just the labels like ADD, ADHD, Autism.. the labels we give ourselves and the people around us can really place us into boxes we do not even realize we are in! Bust out... think about the labels you are using for you and your family!!!
If you are a homeschooler or an unschooler that has been wondering what was not feeling right about the "SYSTEM". Let me know, we are breaking out of the labels and ALLOWING ourselves to live as Authentic Families! Love to share the journey with you!!!!
I received this today and thought it was such a beautiful story that I felt it deserved a place on our blog. I hope you enjoy it. If you find the author can you please leave a comment so Ican give credit where credit is due. **Thanks and enjoy the story**
Near an outcropping of majestic seaside cliffs, a lighthouse stands tall and steadfast. Its light alerts ships of the rocky terrain ahead. It informs those who see its light of their current position in the darkness and guides them to safety.
One may assume that such a radiant lighthouse beamed its light assuredly and confidently from its very first day. Not this particular beacon. During his first days he stood in storms and endured driving rain and winds, as well as dense fog and haze. When the storms lifted and the darkness of night and veils of fog faded, the sun illuminated his surroundings: perilous cliffs and treacherous rocks. Surrounded by storms, darkness, and danger, the lighthouse became frightened.
One day a wise seagull perched atop the lighthouse. She noticed a sense of fear and sadness and asked the lighthouse about his distress.
“I’m afraid of the storms and the rain, the wind and the fog,” the lighthouse said. “At night I’m engulfed in darkness, and during the day I’m surrounded by perilous cliffs and treacherous rocks.”
The seagull replied, “You are a lighthouse. Your strength withstands the strongest storms. Your light beams through the darkness. You are strong and steadfast, and the rocks and cliffs pose no threat to you.”
“But I see the ships in the ocean tossing and turning in the churning waters of the stormy sea,” the lighthouse lamented. “I see the cliffs and rocks veiled in the storms and fog, masked in the darkness of night. I may not be in danger, but I fear for the safety of the ships. They face real hazards, true perilous danger, and I just sit here, beaming this light. I want to stop the storms. I want to clear the fog, to move the rocks and cliffs. I want to illuminate the darkness, but I can’t even do that. I can’t offer enough light to provide clear visibility. I can only beam. I feel I’m not doing enough and I’m angry at myself because I can’t do more to help.”
The wise seagull answered, “You are a lighthouse. You cannot clear the weather or completely illuminate the darkness, and you cannot move rocks or cliffs. Lighthouses do not have these powers. You drastically underestimate the power of your light. You are a lighthouse! You stand in treacherous surroundings, in the midst of storms and darkness, beaming a guiding light; a signal of hope and safety.
Have you considered how ships see you? They see a beacon; a steadfast signal of guidance and safety. In you they see a being strong enough to stand directly in the chaos and danger while beaming a light that says, ‘Danger lies here. Navigate carefully.’ Your light makes a difference. It may not provide clear visibility, but it offers clear guidance. Your light allows others to navigate to safety.”
As the lighthouse contemplated the seagull’s words, he realized his new friend spoke words of wisdom. Lighthouses are not built in safe places. They stand amidst chaos and danger, yet are not consumed by these forces. They stand strong in darkness, fog, and storms, and while they do not fight against these forces, lighthouses provide a beam of light that allows others to navigate safely through chaos and storms.
The lighthouse became excited. He realized that he need not fear storms or darkness anymore, because he was a lighthouse, standing strong and steadfast in his power. He beamed even brighter, realizing that his radiance allowed the ships around him to experience a similar feeling of empowerment as they chose their paths based on his guiding light. Lighthouses allow ships to sail the waves of empowerment. The lighthouse does not tell a ship where to go, but provides guidance in the midst of chaos.
The seagull was right. The lighthouse underestimated his power. From that day forward, he chose to beam his light confidently and stand steadfast as a radiant beacon for all to see.
Many of us who choose to walk a spiritual path can relate to the lighthouse story. We “wake up” one day to find ourselves surrounded by darkness and chaos. As we realize our resilience and choose to stand in our power, we fear for those around us. We wonder what we can do to help them see through the darkness. We want to stop the chaos, settle the storms, and neutralize the perilous terrain. We want to change the world, but we cannot do this; at least not in the way we expect to.
A lighthouse holds no expectations, makes no demands, and passes no judgments. It stands in the midst of chaos without judging or fighting it, without converting others to fight it, and without being consumed by it. Human lighthouses empower themselves as they choose to shine the light of their truth and their hearts for all to see. As others see this beacon of light and choose their path, they sail the waves of empowerment. Human lighthouses empower themselves and others simply by shining their light.
Lighthouses don’t always see evidence of their effectiveness; they don’t always see ships arrive safely at their final destinations. They only shine within their surrounding environment. Human lighthouses shine in the present moment. We do not often see the “results” of our light. Like the lighthouse in the story, some human lighthouses underestimate the power of their light and the strength of their being. They feel as though they’re not enough and as though they’re not doing enough. Then somehow a wise seagull appears. Perhaps a friend or teacher, a book or an article offers a new perspective, or perhaps their higher self communicates with them. Something or someone helps the human lighthouse realize the inherent power of its light; the Light of our spirit.
The light of our spirit impacts all who experience it. The light of our spirit differs from candlelight or a light bulb. It illuminates our innate Divine Intelligence. Divine Intelligence works through us and moves energy through us to others in exciting and mysterious ways. We don’t often see this light with our eyes, but we experience its feeling, intent, belief, desire, and passion.
We broadcast Divine Intelligence through the light of our spirit when we choose to follow a spiritual path, when we are conscious of how we manage our energies, and when we pray and meditate. We share our guiding light with others through simple acts such as listening, laughing, breathing, praying, sharing conversation, and telling stories; we share our light simply by being ourselves and embracing the light of our spirit.
As human lighthouses, we beam the love and truth of our spirit to those around us and to the world. We live as beacons and share our light in many simple ways. Our light makes a difference in the world, even though we may not see it. Through chain reactions of events that occur as more people become empowered, human lighthouses affect true change in the world.
In memory of my lighthouse, my mother who loved all things beachy.
We are going to continue to see more examples of government using various forms of social media to communicate with the public. (CNN) -- When a report of a possible explosive device on the roof of a city parking garage came in to the Lakeland, Florida, Police Department, public safety officials there sprang into action. Read the CNN story by clicking here.
Now imagine you are at work and your child's school can tweet you about your sick child, school closing or other import events! How about the coach of your child's team tweeting you that the T-Ball game has been rescheduled? Your child is on her first date and can tweet you from her phone things are going OK without giving away she is in communication with her, UGH! Parents!
Thought Twitter was for the social addict? Think again! Two days ago I was trying to get in on a killer deal. The deal was so good, it took the servers down. I immediately thought to get on twitter and see if any of the near 500 people following me were trying to get in as well. Someone opened a room so we could all monitor it together. When the servers momentarily came up, someone notified me via twitter.... and boom I was in! At the same time, the company had sent out an email notifying people they would launch the next day.... bet they wish they had Twitter on their side.
Do you know where your kid's Twitter is? Get in the game!
Join me Friday, March 13 as I interview Barbara Probst, childhood development expert and author of 'When the Labels Don't Fit'. Barbara provides a new frame work for identifying the specific traits- like rigidity, curiosity, perfectionism, intensity, slow tempo, a need for novelty, or a need for control- that lie at the root of your child's challenging behavior.
Many children do things that seem odd, troubling, or excessive at some point in the development, and our culture is quick to attach a label to every child who's "outside the box" or hard to raise. Again and again, studies document the explosion in the number of children receiving psychiatric diagnoses for being intense, moody, or offbeat.
Join me Friday, March 13 as I interview Barbara Probst, childhood development expert and author of 'When the Labels Don't Fit'. Barbara provides a new frame work for identifying the specific traits- like rigidity, curiosity, perfectionism, intensity, slow tempo, a need for novelty, or a need for control- that lie at the root of your child's challenging behavior.
We will explore the questionnaire for profiling you child's temperament and more than sixty strategies for dealing with specific kinds of behavior which can be found in the book, 'When the Labels Don't Fit'. This system is not based on figuring out what's 'wrong' with your child, but on helping you tap into your child's strengths so you can manage, nurture, and enjoy his or her essential nature.
OK, I had the car packed and McKenna in her car seat... on our way to an afternoon at the beach! Went to close the door (ya know how you slam it so it shuts?) and did not get the whole top part of my finger out of the way.
I ran into the house and grabbed the Arnica Montana. While sucking on that, I broke out in sweats and felt nauseous! Oh boy, I did not want to pass out. Running my finger under cold water, I kept watching the swelling and the black and blue thinking this is gonna be bad. I was wondering if I would have to go to the urgent care and have them lance the finger nail due to the pressure of the blood building up.
I wish I had taken a picture, because within the hour, you could hardly tell I had anything wrong with my finger. At one point, I swear I could feel the blood flow out of the finger and watched the black and blue all but disappear!
Two days later and there is very little sign of bruising, no yellow stage and I am still in awe even though I have seen it work before on my daughter!
My friend said she wished it had worked for her that well. I gave her some about three days after she broke one ankle and sprang the other one. I guess the key is to get it in your mouth ASAP. Both my daughter and I had it right away!
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: 'I am blind, please help.' There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, 'Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?'
The man said, 'I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.'
What he had written was: 'Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.'
Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing?
Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
What do you 'see'? What are you teaching your children to 'see'? How do you phrase it?!
I have posted the details on how you can get FREE COFFEE and help celebrate Seattle's Best Coffee (SBC and my favorits coffee) 39th birthday in the Passion Parent Community Discussion Board! I have a section there on freebies and great deals... there are already some great things... like free movie rentals!!!
Come to the Passion Parent Community to get these great deals and I would love it if you left a track back to other great deals!!! Give a little, get a lot at Passion Parent Community..... there is a PARTY going on in there!
If you live anywhere near a FedEx Office (formerly Kinko's), you can stop by tomorrow (March 10) with a paper or CD copy of your resume and get 25 copies printed for free.
According to a press release, anyone stopping by (in person) at one of the roughly 1,600 FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers in the U.S.—which you can find at their store locator—will get the goods:
This offer is good for 25 black-and-white resume copies per customer and is only valid for orders placed and picked up in-store. Customers may place orders by submitting their resume in printed format or as a digital file, and the copies will be printed single-sided on resume-quality paper.
Terry, my husband's cousin, had it all! She had married a really great guy and they just learned they were going to have their first child! Steve, her husband, was a coach at the local high school in Appleton, WI. Life was so wonderful. THEN...
November of 2007, Steve found out he had a stage IV gioblastoma multiforme, and it was attacking his brain stem. If there is such a thing as a worst form of cancer, this was it. They were not sure he would see the birth of his son. He was given two months to live. Twice, over a period of seven months, he was told by doctors he had less than 100 days to live. Twice he has proven them wrong.
During the past few months, I spoke with Kurt's Aunt Jean a number of times about Steve. She would tell me how he had lost his ability to communicate and was barely alive. The community pulled together for a fundraiser and there were prayer circles across the world praying for him. The one thing that amazed me was there was ALWAYS an air of knowing, even in those thin hours, when death seemed so near, that Steve would live.
Today when I got this news article and read that he is looking to head back to work, I took a moment knowing that miracles happen every day, and today I knew I was part of a REALLY big one.
Please say a prayer for Terry, Steve and Tucker. You too can be part of this miracle! I would also ask that you take away from this experience the KNOWING that your belief has EVERY bearing on the outcome. Next post, I will share a miracle story about my niece.
May your relationship with your angels be full of love, joy and blessings.
So, have you been wondering what the buzzzzz is about this twitter? Did you get a twitter account (www.twitter.com) but don't know how anyone can make sense of all those tweets? Who has time to keep up with it all?
Tweetdeck is the answer! It is the only sane way to help you look at the tweets you really want and then if there is extra time, look at those that may interest you.
You can download Tweetdeck and then take a tour with a 5 minute video I made just for this community. Hope you In Joy and would love to hear what you think!
Don't forget to add me to your group of BraveHeart TwitterSistas! I am @PassionParent
Looking forward to connecting with you on Twitter!
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